Newsletter

ST MATTHEW’S PARISH CHURCH REDHILL

NEWSLETTER FOR AUGUST 2026

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 Month at St Matthew’s

Sundays

8 am             Holy Communion Service

10 am           Parish Communion Service

Mondays

8:30 am        Morning Prayer

9 am – 3 pm Foodbank

9:30 am        Craft Group in the Vestry

Tuesdays

8:30 am        Morning Prayer

9:00 am        Gardening Group

Wednesdays

8:30 am        Morning Prayer

10 am           Said Holy Communion

11am – 3pm Foodbank

Thursdays

8:30 am        Morning Prayer

Fridays

9 am – 3 pm Foodbank

Saturdays

8:30 am        Morning Prayer

CAMEO Dates

12th and 26th August

 

Sunday Readings in August

2nd August    Trinity 9        Romans 9: 1 – 5 and Matthew 14: 13 - 21
9th August     Trinity 10      Romans 10: 5 – 15 and Matthew 14: 22 – 33 (also Mary Sumner Day)

16th August   Trinity 11      Romans 11: 1 – 2a, 29 – 32 and Matthew 15: 21 - 28
23rd August   Trinity 12      Romans 12: 1 – 8 and Matthew 16: 13 - 20
30th August   Trinity 13      Romans 12: 9 – end and Matthew 16: 21 - end

Wednesday Readings in August

5th August     Jeremiah 31: 1 – 7 and Matthew 15: 21 – 2      
12th August   Ezekiel 9: 1 – 7, 10: 18 – 22 and Matthew 18: 15 - 20
19th August   Ezekiel 34: 1 – 11 and Matthew 20: 1 - 16
26th August   2 Thessalonians 3: 6 – 10, 16 - end and Matthew 23: 27 – 32

Dates for your diary

4th August     Martin Cooper’s funeral 11 am

16th August   Concert in aid of the Wall Restoration Fund 2:30 pm (see below)

12th Sept       Confirmation Course 10 am

19th Sept       Afternoon Tea in aid of Welcare and the Wall Restoration Fund 3 pm

26th Sept       Walking Treasure Hunt

27th Sept       Confirmation Service at All Saints’ Merstham

10th Oct        Quiz Night

Safety First: Urgent Building Updates & Service Changes

Following a high-level inspection of the nave arch using a mobile platform, contractors confirmed that the plaster and render above the nave are severely unstable due to poor previous repair work. During the inspection, a small tap dislodged a large chunk of plaster, falling 12 meters to the ground. Fortunately, there is no evidence of damp or water damage to the roof timbers.

While the area has been temporarily secured, contractors strongly advise removing all material on the west side of the arch down to the bare stone. Protective debris netting will soon be installed to contain any further loose material.

Immediate Changes to Church Services

Because the area beneath the archway is currently a primary danger zone, we are making temporary adjustments to ensure everyone's safety during worship:

•                  Altar & Clergy Position: Services will be presided over from the High Altar (moved forward for access).

•                  Processions: Both the choir and the offertory procession will enter through the Lady Chapel rather than passing beneath the archway.

A Note on Cleanup & Thank You

The falling debris has left a significant amount of dust throughout the church. While cleanup efforts are underway, it will take time to return everything to normal, and we deeply appreciate your patience.  If you suffer from asthma, you may wish to wear a mask until the dust has subsided.

A huge thank you to our Churchwarden, Peter Edwards, who worked tirelessly over the past few days to get contractors on site quickly and make the building safe in time for Sunday.

These adjustments alter some of our normal liturgical practice, but safety is our absolute priority. Thank you all for your grace, kindness, and flexibility as we navigate this unforeseen situation together.

To donate to the Wall Restoration Fund please use this link

Rev Anna's contact details - Day Off on FRIDAY

email here        01737 511495 / 07960 088613

Parish Administrator: Julia Elfred email here         01737 249066

If you would like to include any notices in the weekly newsletter please email Tracey Jennings by Wednesdays 10 am

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

Julie Knight (Reader)

Anne Currie (Reader)

Calling all St Matthew's Youth! Save the date! Sunday 6th September 4pm -5pm in the Church. Come for games, refreshments and friendship. We will look at what activities we would like to do in 2026/27.

 "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jerimiah 29:11

Look forward to seeing you all there.    Julie

Sunday, 9th August marks Mary Sumner Day  in the Anglican Cycle of Prayer.

This year, we are celebrating 150 years since Mary Sumner founded Mothers' Union.  At St Matthew's, the 10.00am service on 9th August will join in the celebrations.  We have a visiting preacher,  Ven Carol Coslett, who is the Diocesan MU Chaplain.  There will be an exhibition celebrating the work of this worldwide organisation, and some of the history of the branch at St Matthew's.  We have had a branch here since at least the 1950s, and there is also evidence of a branch going back to 1904!

Do come and join in the celebrations, and find out more about the work of Mothers' Union.

There will be cake!

 

Fundraising concert for the Wall Restoration Fund. 

John Sharples (organ) and Sam Gillett (chorister) perform music by J S Bach, Felix Mendelssohn, Harold Darke, Denis Bedard, Scott Joplin and others. 

Sunday 16th August, 2.30pm.  Refreshments will be provided.

Tickets: £15 adults, £5 children.  Tickets can be bought online here.

Afternoon Tea - in Church - Saturday 19th Sept at 3 pm

Please join us for Afternoon Tea in support of Welcare and Church funds. There will be a sign-up sheet in church shortly. 

St. Matthew's 11th Walking Treasure Hunt!

Hugh Jones is organising another walking treasure hunt which will be a morning only event, starting and finishing at The Red Lion in Betchworth on Saturday 26th September 2026. It will follow the usual format and be approximately 4 miles long, possibly less, and lunch will be available at the end. More details nearer the time, but if you would like to register an interest now, please speak to Hugh in Church or email him. 

Real-Time Captions at 10 am Services

We have been trialling the Speaksee Communication System to support those with hearing loss. This system captures live speech and translates it into text on your smartphone or tablet.

Accessibility Support: we recognise that not everyone has access to a smartphone. If you would like to use the system or need help getting started, please see Julia Elfred, a Churchwarden, or a deputy warden.