St Matthew's RedhillNewsletter
ST MATTHEW’S PARISH CHURCH REDHILL
NEWSLETTER FOR SUNDAY 7th DEC 2025
Through worship and outreach, God’s love is revealed in the community it serves. Together we navigate and explore the fullness of life offered to us through Christ. Whether strong in the faith or filled with questions and doubts, all can find space here with God. Based on the teaching of Jesus, St Matthew’s is an open, inclusive, and growing church. Please contact any member of the staff or welcome teams to get involved in the life of the church.
You can use this link to sign up to receive the newsletter via email.
This week at St Matthew’s
Sunday 7th Dec (Advent 2)
8 am Holy Communion
10
am Parish Communion
(no
Hymns: On
Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry; Hark the glad sound! The saviour comes; When
Jesus came to
Anthem: How beautiful upon the mountains - John Stainer (1840-1901)
Voluntary: Rhapsody on ‘Helmsley’ - W S Lloyd-Webber (1914-82)
4 pm Messy Christingle Service – including a collection for the work of the Children’s Society
Song: The Christingle begins with an orange
Interactive Advent Treasure Hunt: this week, can you find two shepherds and a sheep?
Monday 8th Dec
8:30 am Morning Prayer
9 am – 3 pm Foodbank
9:30 am Craft Group in the vestry
9:45 am Toddler Group in the Parish Room
2 pm NT Greek Group in the vestry
3 pm – 5 pm Cards for Good Causes
Tuesday 9th Dec
8:30 am Morning Prayer
10 am – 4 pm Cards for Good Causes
Wednesday 10th Dec
8:30 am Morning Prayer
10 am Said
Holy Communion
Readings: Isaiah
40: 25 – end and Matthew 11: 28 - end
11am – 3pm Foodbank
1:00 pm Mothers' Union meeting in the Parish Rooms
3 pm – 5 pm Cards for Good Causes
Thursday 11th Dec
8:30 am Morning Prayer
9 am Gardening Group
10 am – 4 pm Cards for Good Causes
1:10 pm Lunchtime Music Kyle Nash-Baker – Piano Recital
7:00 pm Choir Practice
Friday 12th Dec
9 am – 3 pm Foodbank
3 pm – 5 pm Cards for Good Causes
Saturday 13th Dec
8:30 am Morning Prayer
13th Dec Communications workshop in the church (see below)
Sunday 14th Dec (Advent 3)
8 am Holy Communion
10
am Parish Communion
(
Dates for your diary
5th Jan 2026 Lads at Large Twelfth Night meal out at the Toby Carvery
9th Jan 2026 Ladies Night in the Parish Room
20th – 22nd Feb Parish Retreat to Wychcroft
Advent & Christmas Services
21st Dec Nine Lessons & Carols at 5 pm
24th Dec Crib Service at 4 pm
24th Dec First Mass of Christmas at 9 pm
25th Dec Christmas Day Eucharist at 10 am
The Bishop of Southwark, The Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, has announced his retirement next year. His last service will be in July. There is a copy of his letter on the noticeboard at the back of the church.
Rev Anna's contact details - Day Off on FRIDAY
Email here or 01737 511495 / 07960 088613
Parish Administrator Julia Elfred: email or phone 01737 249066
If you would like to include any notices in the weekly newsletter please contact: Tracey Jennings – email or phone 01737 760590 by Wednesdays 10 am but please note that there will be no updated newsletter until Sunday 31st August.
Pastoral Care And Pastoral Support - If you need any help at all please do contact any member of the Staff Team - we are always ready to do what we can to help.
Rev. Anna (Vicar) As above or
Anne Currie (Reader) email here or
Julie Knight (Reader) email here
Communications Workshop on 13th December 10:00 - 12:00
Essential Workshop on Hearing Awareness for all who read, lead intercessions or preach
To act on feedback from the recent hearing questionnaire, Robina Wason is leading a workshop to improve our communication and raise awareness of the challenges experienced by those who are hard of hearing. This is a vital opportunity to significantly improve how we communicate in our church services.
Even if you have read for years, there is always something new to learn as we all slip into habits which we may not be aware of. This session will help all readers of all ages, experienced or new, to improve our skill set to ensure we are clear and inclusive for all who worship at St Matthew’s.
Action: Please sign up on the list at the back of the church to confirm your spot.
Thursday 11 December – Lunchtime music 1.10pm
Kyle Nash-Baker – Piano Recital
Franz Schubert – 6 German Dances, D820
Kyle Nash-Baker – Menuet, Impromptu
Frédéric Chopin – Mazurka in A minor Op. 17 No. 4, Mazurka in F minor Op. 63 No. 2,
Waltz in F minor Op. 70 No. 2, Waltz in D flat major Op. 64 No. 1 ‘Minute Waltz’,
Nocturne in F sharp major Op. 15 No. 2, Scherzo No. 3 Op.39 in C sharp minor,
Andante Spianato in G major and Grande Polonaise brillante in E flat Op. 22
Foodbank at St Matthew's
We are very grateful for everyone's support over the year. If you are contemplating making specific Christmas donations for our clients, please can we receive these by Friday, 12th December, for distribution to clients in the week beginning 15th December.
If you are undertaking a Reverse Advent Calendar, and filling a box with donations during Advent, we would be grateful to receive these on or after 2nd January.
The Foodbank will not be open on 24th, 26th, or 31st December. Thank you for your support.
Nine Lessons and Carols: Mulled Wine and Mince Pies
Following last year’s success, on Sunday 21st December we look forward to welcoming you to celebrate the Christmas season by joining us for mulled wine and mince pies after the Nine Lessons and Carols service. Mulled wine and non alcoholic mulled wine will be available.
If anyone would like to home bake or provide some mince pies for the occasion, we ask you to sign up on the sheet at the back of church, so we know how many mince pies to provide ourselves.
Many thanks, we look forward to seeing you there!
Susan Rampertab, Vicki Stewart and Karen Munford
Ladies Night – Friday 9 January 2026 – in the Church Hall at 7pm - £10
Put your glad rags on ladies, and come and enjoy a 4 course meal (with drinks) and entertainment. Please sign the sheet at the back of church if you wish to attend.