Dear Friends.........

The photograph on the front cover of The Record this month shows the display of doves that hung from the roof of Southwark Cathedral in the summer.  It was quite a sight to behold, and I am glad that Barbara Wing was able to capture it – my own photographs did not do it justice.

I went to the cathedral to see this display but found other little gems too:  a stained-glass window commemorating Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee and memorials to Shakespeare and John Harvard (of American university fame) among them.  I love looking around cathedrals, and this one did not disappoint.  The cup of tea from the café was good, too!

Doves also feature on the stole of our newly ordained minister Reverend Susan Knight.  Her ordination ceremony at Reigate Park Church on 6^th September was a very special service.  Among the bustling congregation of friends and family, the love and support for Sue was palpable.  It was an honour to be present and see fellowship and friendship in action, with representatives from many local churches and the community in attendance.

Sue made reference herself to the fact that she has been a life-long member of Reigate Park Church and its previous congregations.  As a fellow life-long member, and as a history graduate, I like that feeling of continuity, of building on what has come before.  As we approach the 50th anniversary of our time in this building, it seems like a very appropriate pre-cursor to have been able to celebrate that we have a history of faithful congregants, living our current vision: 

Travelling together with Jesus in faith, hope and love. Reaching out with God’s care and love for all.

Jill Day

Taken from the October Edition of The Record