Newsletter - May 2025

Alleluia! Christ is risen!

He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

This is the glad shout we’ll be proclaiming each week in church now that we are in the season of Easter as we give thanks for the miracle of Christ’s resurrection. Eastertide lasts for fifty days. Forty days after Easter, we celebrate Ascension Day when we remember the risen Jesus ascending into heaven. This year it falls on Thursday 29 May, when there will a Eucharist in church at 7pm. Ten days later, at Pentecost (Sunday 8 June), we celebrate the gift of God’s Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church.

Our Holy Week and Easter services went very well. On Maundy Thursday those who attended the evening Eucharist were invited to have their feet washed by Lindsay, as we remembered Christ washing his disciples’ feet at the last supper. On Good Friday we marked the Last Hour at the foot of the cross with great contributions from Annie and the Music Group. Our Easter Day service was both packed and joyful. Our thanks to Annie and the Music Group and to Sarah for the beautiful flower arrangements.

If you’re visiting St Philip’s this month you might notice some changes: Helen Jerome has revitalized our noticeboard with a design that reflects our shared life together, with space for all the different church groups. And David Collett has fitted four new speakers to replace those that were giving up the ghost after 25 years’ service! Our sound is now crystal clear, just in time for two weddings at the end of the month.

Finally there’s just time to mention our annual Quiz Night, back by popular demand. This year it’s on Saturday 31 May in the Church Hall. Doors open at 7pm. Please sign up in church or by emailing Michelle (michelle.pegley@ntlworld.com). The cost is £5 per person. There’s a maximum of 8 per team, and please bring your own drinks and snacks. All the proceeds will go towards a much-needed new boiler for the Hall. We look forward to seeing you there.