Firstly, an enormous thank you to everyone who helped to decorate the Church for October's Harvest Service.  Also, to Piers and Suvi for the delicious apples with the proviso that we must all take some home with us; and for the abundance of dried goods which have been duly deposited with Corrine for the Orford Food Bank.  Yet again, an example of such community spirit and support that we receive from one another.

But nothing had prepared us for the support and love shown to Philip Grimsey's family on 9th October.  The community felt an overwhelming need to pay their last respects to Philip - a man known and loved by so many and who died in such tragic circumstances.  Around four hundred people, in fact.  Four hundred people in absolute silence crammed into Sudbourne Church and the churchyard, filling the churchyard even beyond the gate.  I think the Burial Book goes back to 1899.  I don't believe it will have ever recorded four hundred people attending a funeral, and I don't suppose it ever will again.  Our love and prayers are with Mandy, Kerri-Anne, Harry and Philip's family at this sad time.

Please be aware that All Saints is going to be out of action for most of November while the new electrical heating is installed.  It should all be completed in readiness for our 4th Sunday Service on Sunday, 23rd November.  We will know how successful the heating has been by how many of us fall asleep during the sermon in our cosy pews.  Refreshments will be served, as usual, following the service - it happens that it will be Stir-up Sunday - maybe we'll have a pudding to stir.