Heating Update – We just wanted to let you know that we are working hard behind the scenes to get the issues with our heating system resolved. This is a very complex situation and includes many different parties. We have recently received a report from a company who can help advise us on potential heating options, and the Fabric Committee is working through this at the moment. In addition, we have met with representatives from the Diocese of Canterbury to gain their advice on the most suitable next steps. We are looking at short, medium and long term solutions, and we appreciate your continued patience and support. Rev’d Matt.
Please note that St Peter’s Lunch Club will not be meeting in May due to the Bank Holiday. The next meeting is on Monday 7th June.
We are looking for volunteers to help with the Summer Fête. As well as all the usual stalls we are also hoping to have more things going on for children which will include a Craft Stall, Shop and Games on the Village Green. We will also need help with setting up for the day and also clearing away afterwards. With all this in mind we are having a meeting in the Main Hall on Tuesday 6th May at 6.00pm and we would love to see you. If you can’t make the meeting but are able to help, please contact Gill Page who will be around after the 9.30am Service on Sunday 4th May or you can email or call her at gillpage1804@gmail.com or 07899 798545. The Summer Fête is taking place on Saturday 28th June.
St Peter’s Church Bible Study Group – Come along and explore the Bible in a friendly and relaxed environment after the 10.00am service on the 1st, 3rd and 5th Wednesdays of the month. The next session will be on Wednesday 7th May at 11.00am in the Mulberry Room. For the forthcoming weeks we shall be learning about the twelve disciples, so come along and join in. For more information, please speak to Rev’d Matt.
On Wednesday 7th May at 2.00pm in the Portland Centre, there is to be a charity Tea and Talk event. This will be a second performance of Hassocks and Haystacks, a meander through the history of the village of St Peter-in-Thanet, followed by tea, coffee and cake. Admission is by donation to Pilgrims Hospices, ShelterBox and Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS). Bookings are available through the Parish Office.
On Thursday 8th May at 9.45am, the award-winning St Peter’s Village Tour is presenting a theatrical performance of the tour inside St Peter’s Church. This is aimed at people who are unable to walk round the historic village. To reserve your place visit www.villagetour.co.uk or ring 07546 514948.
Please join us for a Service of Prayers and Thanksgiving on the 80th Anniversary of VE Day on Thursday 8th May at 12 noon.
Christian Aid Week begins on Sunday 11th May. Christian Aid Envelopes are available today by the South Door. Please take a few and ask friends to donate. Envelopes can be returned during next Sunday’s service or to the Parish Office. There are also copies of a daily devotional booklet of reflections and prayers to use during Christian Aid Week (11th-17th May). Please take a copy, or if you prefer, you can download the booklet by Googling ‘christian aid week resources 2025’ and searching for ‘Daily Devotional’. There will bea Christian Aid Plant Stall on Saturday 17th May in the morning at the corner of Hopeville Avenue. Please bring donations of plants to the stall from 8.30am on the day and come and buy too. If you would like to help on the day, please contact me. Elspeth Cooke (01843) 863293.
A Bereavement Support Group takes place at St Peter’s on the second Monday of each month in the Main Hall for anyone who has lost a loved one. Come and join us for support and shared experiences within a safe and welcoming group. For people of any faith or none. The next one takes place on Monday 12th May (10.30am-12 noon) and everyone is welcome!
Join us for Compline, a beautiful and reflective service of prayers and Bible readings, on the 3rd Sunday of each month. The next date for Compline is Sunday 18th May at 7.30pm.
Fundraising – Please see St Peter’s Parish Magazine for dates of forthcoming fundraising events including the Summer Fête on Saturday 28th June. We hope that you’ll be able to join us on the day. As usual, we’ve got the Grand Summer Raffle with fabulous prizes to be won and if you could help us by selling some raffle tickets, that would be greatly appreciated. They’re available from the Parish Office so do ask Laura if you’d like some to sell. If you have any ceramic household plant pots to spare please could you consider donating them as we are planning on re-planting them ready to sell at the Summer Fête. They can be left at the Parish Office. Our thanks in anticipation of your vital support. (Please note that the Craft Fair which was to take place on Saturday 10th May has been cancelled.)
St Peter’s Woman’s Group meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month in the Portland Centre at 7.30pm. Come along as a member’s guest or join us and see if you enjoy the evening and would like to attend more often.
St Peter’s Toddler Group meets during term time on Thursday mornings from 9.30am-11.00am in the Main Hall. We are always looking for more volunteers to support this great community group, so if you are able to spare a couple of hours every month please let either Rev’d Matt know or Laura in the Parish Office.
Thanet Food Link – Our Church has a permanent collection point for the foodbank, which you can use to donate 365 days a year. Currently, their most needed items are: tinned tomatoes, tinned soup, tinned fruit, tinned vegetables, cereal, pasta, rice, biscuits, tea bags (box of 80), coffee instant (100g jar). Thank you.
Please Nominate Nuckell’s Almshouses for £1,000 – The Movement for Good Awards is the Benefact Group’s annual programme of giving that anyone can get involved in, and again this year over £1 million will be donated to charities and good causes. With your nomination, Nuckell’s Almshouses (Charity Number 211897) could be one of those receiving £1000. It only takes a minute to help support this local charity providing vital housing for those in need. To nominate Nuckell’s Almshouses, visit www.movementforgood.com and search for Nuckell’s Almshouses.
To check your eligibility and apply for a Canterbury Cathedral Pass, see https://www.canterbury-cathedral.org/visit/the-cathedral-pass/
If you would like to receive by email our weekly Pew Sheet and News Sheet with details of services and events, please register your email address with the Parish Office (parishoffice@stpeterinthanet.org.uk). You can also check out and follow us on Facebook. Thank you.
There is something for children every Sunday at St Peter’s! Children’s Church runs on the 1st, 3rd and 4th Sundays (and 5th Sunday when this occurs); featuring stories, crafts, games and songs. It takes place during the main Sunday service for all children aged 2+ (any under 2’s are welcome too but need to be accompanied by an adult). The group will go out during the first hymn and return for Holy Communion. Then on the 2nd Sunday of the month we have Sunday Praise – a relaxed, all age service for everyone (where our children stay in the Church throughout). We look forward to welcoming you!
Morning Prayer is held via Zoom on Monday mornings at 9.15am. For the Zoom link, please contact Rev’d Alice at revalice@stpeterinthanet.org.uk .
At the moment, we have three Home Groups which are meeting regularly. If you are interested in joining a group please have a chat with Rev’d Matt or one of the contacts listed below:
- Monday: This group meets weekly each Monday afternoon at 2.30pm. We will be reflecting on and exploring some of the joys, insights and questions we find in the Bible readings heard in Church the previous day, and we always end with a short time of prayer. Do join us even for a one-off occasion.
Michael and Elspeth Cooke (01843) 863293.
- Tuesday: This group meets weekly on a Tuesday evening at 7.30pm.
Ian and Rita Dunn (01843) 865340.
- Wednesday: This group meets on the first Wednesday afternoon of the month at 2.30pm.
June Binfield (01843) 861286 or 07711 072233.
Julian Prayer Meetings – While the Church continues to have no heating, we will meet in Church in the Choir Vestry, not in St John’s Chapel as previously. Please enter the Church as usual via the South Door, continue straight across and go through the North Door ahead of you, and follow the signs towards the toilet. Meetings are held on the 4th Wednesday of the month at 2.00pm, the next one being on Wednesday 28th May. This is largely a time of silent prayer and reflection, beginning with a reading from Julian of Norwich’s Revelations of Divine Love and ending with tea and biscuits. It is led by Rev’d Alice and everyone is welcome. Further details from Rev’d Alice on 07790 903316.