Many of us are being affected by the 'credit crunch', finding that our money has to stretch further as prices (notably for energy) rise. Do you remember Jonathan Swift's remark "Nothing is great or small except by comparison"? Might this be applied to rich and poor, good and bad and dare I say it, credit and debit?

The Bible has a word which may help us in our situation. For St Paul, who endured a remarkable amount of inconvenience, not to say suffering for the Gospel's sake, was able to say that if we have a roof over our heads, clothes on our backs and food in our bellies, we should be grateful and stop complaining. We might do well to have a look at 1 Timothy 6:8, "So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction".

One of the most useful pieces of advice I ever had was "Don't buy things because you want them, only when you need them". The little prayer collect for harvest time sums it up in these words "Give us grace to use them (all your harvest gifts) rightly to your glory for our own well being and for the relief of those in need"

As I write the rain pours down and there is a high wind but let us pray that by the time of harvest we shall have been blessed with sunshine in abundance and the fruits of God's creation for us to share.

Welcome back to those who have been able to enjoy a holiday and good luck to all starting the new term.
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Christ Church, Redhill

Open Day and Harvest Celebration Saturday 13 September 10am-4pm
Ploughman's Lunches in the Village Hall (11.30am onwards)
Tickets £5 from Hilary Vowles (862778) or Liz Ekin (862398)

Art Exhibition in Church - local artists display their talents!
In celebration of the year's mind of Marjorie Glynn there will be a display of the colourful kneelers lovingly made by local people commemorating elements of life in and around Redhill.

Organ Recitals by organ scholar Noriko Shorney

Come and See. And just a reminder - Harvest Festival Evensong 6.30pm Sunday 14 September.

Our June meeting welcomed Liz Goddard from Horseworld. Her presentation described some of the terrible conditions in which some animals live, but it was heartening to learn how much care is taken of the animals and how most are able to live out their life in contentment. By the time you read this we will have had our summer outing to Somerset Lavender followed by a trip on the Kennet and Avon Canal.

We're following this with a visit to Thatchers' Brewery on the evening of 24 September - we're thinking of having a 'sleep-over' at Pat Wells' in Sandford!

I would like to thank everyone who came or contributed to our Coffee Morning on 21 June. We raised £169.50 which was a marvellous effort as only 16 people were able to come. The total was boosted by donations from local residents. Many thanks once again to all concerned. The proceeds have been shared between the Children's Hospice Southwest and WI Funds. Just to remind you that our Harvest Supper will be held on Friday 10 October in the village Hall with George Martin showing us slides of his latest cycling holiday - more details in the next issue.

Our first meeting of the autumn will be Mr.Terry Merrett-Smith talking on The Story of Irving Berlin and our October meeting is Mr. Cedric Platt showing two Laurel and Hardy films. This will be an 'open meeting'. We look forward to you joining us at these events as new members or guests.
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September 9th - The story of Irving Berlin Mr Teyy Merrett-Smith.

September 24th - Thatchers Brewery

October 14th - Laurel and Hardy film show. Mr Cedric Platt

November 11th - AGM.

December - Christmas Party. TBA