LOCAL NEWS - AUTUMN/WINTERMeet our New Assistant Hospital Chaplain When God calls a person to be ordained within the Anglican community, there are numerous pathways through which they can express Christ's ministry. Full-time stipendiary, volunteering within the context of the local church or, as I currently do, having a regular job to pay the mortgage while also volunteering within a neighbouring parish – namely as Self Supporting Minister. So over these last five years I have been a community support worker for those living with MS and autism while serving the community of St Mary Thorpe. However, just over three months ago a member of the congregation spotted a job advertisement for an assistant chaplain to help out at St Peter's Hospital. Now, although I had been volunteering as a prison chaplain for a couple of years, never before had I prayerfully discerned if God was guiding me into this whole new world of being a 'shop window' of the Church for those who found themselves spending time in a hospital. Clearly this was all meant to be, as it enabled me to rekindle a working relationship and friendship with my former academic tutor, who had helped me through my training: Laurence Gamlen from Lyne Parish Church, fellow clergy member of Runnymede Deanery and Head of the Pastoral and Spiritual Care at St Peter's Hospital. So now I keep myself busy by being a community support worker in the mornings and spend my afternoon at the hospital. This role at St Peter’s Hospital takes you on a rollercoaster spiritual journey as you encounter all stages and aspects of life; however, I am honoured, humbled and tremendously grateful to have the chance to witness first-hand God's loving presence shining through all the staff, patients and visitors of our local hospital, so please hold us all in your prayers.
PHOTO CREDIT: Revd Gerard Mee
St Peter’s Church Prayer Room Open Again The TV series “Lost” ran for 121 episodes and kept viewers in suspense about what would happen next.
Runnymede Foodbank Needs Your Support Please continue to support Runnymede Foodbank with donations in kind or financially. Many of our churches are donation points that make it easy for you to bring in a tin or pack each week… What’s needed: Coffee, biscuits, long-life juice, pasta sauce, squash, sponge pudding, shower gel, cat food and washing up liquid. Financial donations via Virgin Money Giving here.
St Mary’s Summer Festival Weekend - Picture Review After having to postpone their usual Summer Fair from June to the August Bank Holiday, St Mary’s this year extended their usual programme to an all-weekend Summer Festival to encourage the community to re-engage and put the church back on the map. The event raised an amazing £3300 and saw over 500 people across three afternoons, bringing the Thorpe community and many families with children back together. The church was decorated with flower displays from formal arrangements to small vases and mugs bursting with colour; the BBQ did a roaring trade and there were cream teas and cakes galore. The Egham Band played on Sunday afternoon; Alan tickled the ivories and people danced to tunes over the PA. All in all, a great fun weekend! Here are some photos:
PHOTO CREDITS: St Mary’s Church, Thorpe
The Hythe Singers Come & Sing Review and Invitation We had a very enjoyable 'Come and Sing Brahms German Requiem' on Saturday, 4th September at We will also join St Mary’s Choir for their traditional Carol Service and for Christmas carols at the Red Lion, Thorpe. Do join us in festive mood. [For dates & details please see events posts. – Ed] You can find more information about THS on our website thehythesingers.com and some recordings on You Tube. |
