Newsletter - March 2026

I’m delighted to report that our four Thursdays hosting the Renewed Hope Winter Night Shelter throughout February went very well. Given how wet the weather has been, it’s been great to know that we’ve been able to provide a place of sanctuary and hospitality for up to 10 guests each night. We are especially grateful to our venue co-ordinators, Anthony and Jason for all the hard work that’s gone into making this possible. The Shelter comes to an end in the first week of March. Please hold in your prayers all those guests who do not yet have accommodation to move on to.

St Philip’s has always been known as a friendly, welcoming church and now it’s official. We have just have been accepted as a member church of the Inclusive Church network. This means that we are recognised as a church that welcomes everybody and does not discriminate against people on grounds of disability, economic power, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, learning disability, mental health, neurodiversity or sexuality.

During Lent we are encouraging people to donate to two good causes. For the 5th year running, we’re supporting Shelterbox’s ‘Tent for Lent’ appeal, which does vital work providing emergency accommodation and supplies for those across the world affected by war and natural disaster. We are also supporting the Bishop of Southwark’s Lent Call, which is raising funds for projects that focus on the work of schools that will help benefit children and young people to flourish.

The Call supports this type of work in the Diocese of Jerusalem, in our Link Dioceses in Zimbabwe and here in our own diocese. Further information and details of how to give: ShelterBox and Lent Call. As we spend time in prayer and contemplation this Lent, we hope you will feel able to generously support the projects we have chosen this year.

Look out for our new Easter banner which will be on display soon. We very much hope you will be able to come to church this Easter. Details of services are below:

Maundy Thursday (2nd April) – 7pm: Eucharist with the washing of feet

Good Friday (3rd April) – 2pm:  The Last Hour

Easter Day – 10am: Family Eucharist

Finally, our Annual Parochial Church Meeting is being held on Sunday 22nd March, after the 10am service. We very much hope to see you there.