St Matthew's RedhillNewsletter
ST MATTHEW’S PARISH CHURCH REDHILL
NEWSLETTER FOR SUNDAY 5th April 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 week at St Matthew’s
Sunday 5th April (Easter Sunday)
8 am Holy Communion
10 am Parish Eucharist (no
Hymns: Jesus Christ is risen today; Living Lord; O Jesus I have promised (CR); Love’s redeeming work is done; Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son (CR)
Anthem: The Strife is o’er - arr. Henry G Ley (1887- 1962)
Voluntary: Saraband for the Morning of Easter - Herbert Howells (1892-1983)
NB There is no
Please note that the Main Hall is closed all week for floor maintenance.
We are incredibly grateful for her time and guidance as we work to make our space more welcoming for everyone.
The church hall will be closed all week for the Electrical Inspection
Monday 6th April
No Foodbank today
Tuesday 7th April
8:30 am Morning Prayer
Wednesday 8th April
8:30 am Morning Prayer
10 am Said Holy Communion
11 am – 3 pm Foodbank
2:30 pm CAMEO
Thursday 9th April
8:30 am Morning Prayer
9 am Gardening Group
Friday 10th April
11 am – 3 pm Foodbank
Saturday 11th April
8:30 am Morning Prayer
9 am – 1 pm Church flower arrangers in church
Sunday 12th April (Easter 2)
8 am Holy Communion – Rev Kate Capper is celebrant and preacher
10 am Parish Eucharist (no
Dates for your diary
17th May Annual Parochial Church Meeting after the 10 am service
Rev Anna will be on a mini sabbatical from 6th April to 6th May. She will be out of contact during this time.
If you need to speak to a priest, please get in touch with:
Fr Mick Elfred, email here (01737 249066) 6th to 15th April, and 28th April to 6th May or
Fr David Williams, email here (01306 889754) 16th to 27th April
If you need any other help, please contact:
Julie Knight (Reader)
Anne Currie (Reader)
or
David Hill (Churchwarden)
Peter Edwards (Churchwarden)
Julia Elfred (Parish Administrator)
Holy Week Highlights
Fully engaging in the journey of Holy Week is essential to experiencing the true power of the Resurrection.
- Palms of Praise: A multi-generational,
sustainable workshop making palm crosses from our own garden over coffee
and buns.
- Palm Sunday: The traditional procession
from the hall to the church was followed by a powerful dramatised Gospel
reading.
- Stations of the Cross: A journey of active
pilgrimage, moving beyond observation to follow the path of the Passion.
- Meditation & Compline: A peaceful service
exploring the spiritual power of silence throughout the Bible.
- Wednesday Eucharist: A deep dive into the character
of Judas, reflecting on his complex legacy.
- Maundy Thursday: A poignant service that
concluded with the stripping of the altar and a silent departure.
- Good Friday: Two distinct, reflective perspectives on the crucifixion of our Lord.
Holy Week starts on 21st March next year, so save these dates in your calendar to immerse yourself in the journey to resurrection.
Enthusiastic People Needed
Are
you an expert at cotton wool sheep?' Do you make a pretty impressive
crown? If YES, then Junior Church is for you! We are looking for
fun, upbeat
What is the Church Electoral Roll?
In simple terms, a Church Electoral Roll is a local church’s official register of its members. Think of it like a membership list or a "voter registration" list specifically for a particular parish.
Why does it matter?
Being on the roll gives you a say in how your local church is run. You can vote at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM). You can have a say in who sits on the Church Council (PCC) or even stand for election yourself. It allows you to weigh in on big local decisions, like how church funds are spent or the future direction of the parish.
Who can join?
Generally, to be on the roll, you need to meet a few simple criteria:
- Age: You usually need to be 16 or older.
- Connection: You either live in the parish or have regularly attended worship there for at least six months.
- Faith: You need to be a baptised member of the Church of England (or a church in communion with it).
Why bother signing up?
While anyone is welcome to attend a church service, being on the roll is a way of saying, "I belong here, and I want to help shape this community." It doesn't cost anything, and it doesn't mean you have to do extra work—it just ensures your voice is counted.
The Electoral Roll is revised annually before the Annual Church Meeting. This year’s meeting is on Sunday 17th May, and additions to the roll need to be made by April 19th.
Please speak to Angie Baker (Electoral Roll Officer) if you would like to join the Electoral Roll or make changes (e.g., change of address). Application forms are available at the back of the church.
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
Rev. Anna is going over the edge
She may be on sabbatical, but she’s still going to be abseiling 170 meters down the side of the Spinnaker Tower on April 25th, to raise the much-needed funds for our West Wall. It’s a feat that sits somewhere between "supremely inspired" and "genuinely terrifying."
If she’s brave enough to make the descent, we hope you’re bold enough to donate. Let’s make sure her leap of faith pays off.
You can sponsor her using the card machine in church, or online here.