September has disappeared very quickly, and a lot has happened over the last few weeks!
WELCOME
to Stephen Miller, our new pastoral assistant who will be with us for this academic year. Stephen comes to us from the Diocese of London, where he is discerning his vocation to the priesthood.
He will continue his process of discernment with us this year through his work in the parish - taking part in the daily liturgical round as well as with our chaplaincies at Croydon College, Croydon University Hospital and the Refugee Day Centre at West Croydon Baptist Church.
A warm welcome also to Joshua Ryan, our new Assistant Director of Music. Joshua comes from Sydney, Australia and has been Assistant Organist at Christ Church St Laurence and at St Mary's Roman Catholic Cathedral in Sydney.
He has recently moved to London to begin postgraduate studies in organ performance at the Royal Academy of Music. We are delighted that he's joined our music team and wish him well with his studies.
CONGRATULATIONS
to Josh Anderson and Catherine Boxall on their recent engagement. Josh begins his third year with us as our organ scholar and Catherine (also a singer and organist) joins us regularly for sung services. We assure them of our prayers and good wishes as they prepare to be married next summer.
WELCOME BACK
to Fr Philip, who has recently returned from a ten-day visit to the Russian Orthodox Church, as part of an official delegation led by Fr Jamie Hawkey, Canon Theologian at Westminster Abbey, and the Bishop of Ebbsfleet.
The group visited Orthodox communities in St Petersburg and Moscow, and spent three special days on the monastic island of Valaam, near the Russian-Finnish border. Fr Philip is grateful for the support of the Bishops of Fulham and Southwark and to the parish for their support which enabled him to take part in the visit.