Dearest friends,
This Sunday sees the very first Explorers at St. Catherine’s School in Heathfield. We’ve deliberately kept the advertising low key and we’ve reached out to a few families by word of mouth. We’re praying that two or three families will come through the door on Sunday and come to know our wonderful people and the love of Jesus.
They’ll do this through song, craft, prayer, and conversation – but it’s the parents who will be really changed by this new church plant.
This week I visited a family on the estate who were going to get married in the new year in a Register Office. But after speaking with their little girl who goes to St. Catherine’s, they’ve decided to come and get married in St. John’s. They’ve been really impressed with how we’ve reached out and invited them to join our family. They’re getting married at St. John’s on the 20th December and a few weeks before we’re baptising the ENTIRE family.
How’s that for the work of the Holy Spirit? We’ve not even had our fist service at the school yet!
Please pray for Explorers and do all you can to encourage and enable it to be a great gift to both of our parishes and the future of the church in this part of Devon.
You’ll also see the final version of the calendar in church this Sunday (and via email), thanks to everyone who is working hard to make sure both our churches are welcoming and exciting and loving as we walk together towards Christmas.
With all my love,
Fr. Matthew
Notices
The future of our parishes
A meeting with the Bishop of Oswestry and the Archdeacon will take place on the 19th October at 4pm at Wickham Hall as we chart the next ten years for our individual parishes and for our joint work.
CALLING ALL EXPLORERS!🌟
📍 St Catherine’s Primary School, Heathfield
🗓️ Sunday 5th October 2025
⏰ 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Got questions about God ?Wondering about faith 🧐
Are you ready for fun, faith, snacks and friendship? 😄
Join us for an afternoon packed with fun, music, and more as we kick off Explorers 🎶🎯✝️
Open to all primary-age children – everyone is welcome! 🙌
Bring a friend and come discover what it means to explore life with God at the centre. 💛
📢 Don’t miss it – we can’t wait to meet you !
Sunday 5th October
27th Sunday in Ordinary Time 🟢
9am – Sung Parish Mass [SJ]
11:15am – Sung Parish Mass [SL]
|3pm – Explorers [SC]
Divine Office Psalter Week 3, C(I), Trinity 16, Proper 22
Upcoming Dates
October
5th – 1st Explorers, 3pm, St. Catherine’s School, Heathfield
10th – Bingo [SL], 7pm
12th – St. Luke’s Harvest Festival
St. Luke’s Parish Lunch
18th – Table Top Sale, 10am [WH]
19th – St. Luke’s Patronal Feast
Mission Planning with +Paul, 4pm, Wickham Hall
24th – Last Night of the Proms Concert, St. Luke’s, 7pm
26th – Harvest Festival, St. John’s, Bring and Share Brunch
November
2nd – Explorers [SC]
15th – Table Top Sale, 10am [WH]
Quiz Night with Fish & Chips, St. Luke’s, 7pm
22nd – Christmas Lights Turn On, stalls at both events
27th – Advent Course, 1st lecture, 7pm, [WH]
30th – Advent Carols by Candlelight, 6pm [SL]
December
13th – Bay Brass Band Concert, 7pm [SL]
14th – Explorers & Christingle, 3-5pm [SC]
20th – 9 Lessons & Carols, 6pm, both churches
21st – Christingle & Crib Service, 3-5pm [SL]
24th – Live Nativity, 4pm [SJ]
Midnight Mass, 8pm [SJ]
Midnight Mass, 11:30pm [SL]
25th – Christmas Day Mass, 10am [SL & SJ]
St. Luke’s Men’s Group meets every Friday for mass at 10am anddiscussion afterwards. [SL]
Table Top Sale at Wickham Hall every 3rd Saturday at 10am.
St. Luke’s Women’s Group meets first Wednesday of every month.