Newsletter - October 2025
Autumn is now officially upon us and so we’re all busy settling back into regular term-time routines. Sunday School is back up and running and we are grateful to all our volunteers who make this important ministry possible. I’m always impressed after the service, to see the different creations the children have made, and to learn how they link to the day’s Gospel story.
On the last Sunday in September, we welcomed Anna Coe, of Renewed Hope, who told us all abut the Winter Night Shelter which runs from December to March. This winter we are joining the scheme as a host venue, and so on the four Thursdays in February, we will be welcoming up to 10 guests to the Church Hall, where they will enjoy a 2-course meal and a safe warm place to sleep for the night, with breakfast before they leave in the morning. If you would be interested in volunteering either at St Philip’s or one of the many other host churches, please go to the Renewed Hope website (www.renewedhope.org.uk), where you can register and find details of the November training sessions. (All volunteers must be trained).
Preparations are well underway for Harvest, which we’ll be celebrating in our 10am Service on Sunday 5th October. Once again we’ll be collecting donations for the Foodbank at St Matthew’s, Redhill. Items needed include meat meals, vegetarian soups, chicken soup, dried spaghetti, rice, cereals, coffee, milk (long life), biscuits, squash, juice, tinned fruit, cooking oil, tinned tomatoes, passata, tomato purée, tinned carrots and toilet rolls. Donations can be left in church in the days leaving up to the service. Please do not bring perishable or out of date food, alcohol or medicines.
Our Music Group has been meeting to prepare for hymns for both Harvest and St Philip’s Eco Sunday, which is on Sunday 19th October. Join us for a chance to reignite our journey towards Eco Church’s silver award, recognising how our worship, church buildings, land and lifestyles reflect our shared commitment to maintaining and restoring God’s beautiful creation.
