September 2002

From the Vicarage

September is a month of new beginnings for many young people with the beginning of the new school year. This can mean new teachers, new classes, new schools, leaving home to attend college, starting a job for the first time... Please pray for all those facing change this month. (Including both myself and the church family as a I face major surgery and then a period of convalescence.)

Meanwhile, church life continues apace with the celebration of our Patronal Festival on Sunday 22nd September. This should be a day full of fun and festivities when we remember our Patron Saint, St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist. The Reverend Laurence Smith will be presiding at both the 9am and 10.30am services and the Reverend Ruth Lampard will be joining us for Choral Evensong at 4pm. Please do come along and join in the celebrations.

There will be a Parish Lunch served after the morning services, at 12.30pm. Tickets are priced at £3.50 for adults with a reduction for children. They are obtainable from Monica Johns at church. I am reliably informed that this is usually a very good meal, so book your places early to avoid disappointment!

Enjoy yourselves!

With my love and prayers,

Sue

A Prayer for New Beginnings

A Prayer for St. Matthew's Day

Building Works Update

As I write this article in early August the torrential rains of the past week have once more resulted in water where it doesn't belong inside the church.

This is due to two problems: firstly blocked gutters, drains and downpipes, and secondly tiles missing from the porch and nave roofs. We are very grateful to John Congram, who has undertaken to clear the gutters, pipes and drains as well as repair the broken pipes.

We are obtaining another quote for roof repairs and these will be done in the autumn once the large tree near the nursery gate has been felled.

Once these issues have been dealt with we're hoping that the various damp patches inside the church will dry out sufficiently for replastering and redecorating.

We still do not have an Electrical Safety Certificate — the main areas of concern are the boiler room and the ceiling lights. We are very grateful to Tim Beale for all his work on our electrics. Specific issues relating to the boiler room are: drainage from the roof; electrics; pumps; and health and safety with respect to the entrance. Again, John and Tim are working on these.

• External Noticeboards, which need replacing.
• Memorial Book & Case, which requires a faculty.
• Grounds Maintenance — thanks to George Laver and Ross Metcalfe for all their work here, which has made a massive improvement. There's always more to do, however, and there's a Gardening Party planned on September 14th: if you'd like to get involved please sign up at church or just turn up on the day, any time from 10am onwards.
• Stonework repairs around the windows.
• Repairs to the Font lid.
• Floor repairs.

The Building Fund
The Building Fund currently stands at about £2,500 and we need to at least double this if we are going to have funds available for future repairs. Donations can be given to the Churchwardens (Bruce Innis or myself), to the Treasurer, Sheila Congram, or you can use one of the yellow envelopes from the table at the back of church and leave it in the wall safe.

Thank you.

Building Reports Index
• Building Update (December 2002)
• Building Works Update (September 2002)
• Building Fund Update (July 2002)
• Our Building Needs You (March 2002)