News & Events - Parish News

October's Pastoral Letter from the Vicar

Posted on Wednesday 1 October 2025 at 7:00am

Fr Nicholas

Dear friends,

October comes with the beauty and richness of autumn. The days shorten, the air cools, and we see once more the changing and rhythm of the seasons. These patterns remind us of God’s ordering of creation, a cycle of growth, fruitfulness, rest, and renewal. At Harvest, we pause to acknowledge this rhythm, to give thanks for the bounty of the earth, and to reflect on our dependence upon God’s sustaining hand in every season of our lives.

On Sunday 5 October, we shall celebrate our Harvest Thanksgiving with an All Age Mass at 10.15am, and later with a joyful Songs of Praise at 4.00pm, followed by a Harvest meal in church. These gatherings allow us to offer our thanks to God for his generosity in creation: the sun and the rain, the seed and the soil, the hands that sow, and the labour that reaps. Harvest reminds us that we live from God’s abundance, not our own making. Each loaf of bread, each piece of fruit, each meal we share is a sign of his boundless love.

This year, our Harvest also coincides with the Church of England’s Generosity Week, which reminds us that gratitude leads naturally to generosity. As we rejoice in God’s gifts, we are called to mirror that generosity in our own lives. We think not only of how we care for the environment and steward creation wisely, but also of how we support the life of our parish. Like many others, we face an uncertain financial future. Our giving – whether of time, talent, or money – sustains our worship, our buildings, and our mission in this community. To give is not merely to keep the lights on; it is to join in God’s work of light and life in this place.

At the same time, Harvest thanksgiving cannot be complete without remembering those who go hungry, whether in our own town or across the world. As climate change and global warming disrupt weather patterns, the poorest and most vulnerable often suffer first and most. We are challenged to live responsibly and compassionately, ensuring that the fruits of creation are shared justly, and that our own habits of living do not deprive others of life’s necessities.

The following Sunday, 12 October, will be another day of joy as we admit new members into the Society of Our Lady of Walsingham and our Parish Cell. This is a sign of growth in our parish’s spiritual life, and we give thanks for those committing themselves afresh to prayer and devotion. We also recall with gladness our recent pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham, where we drew close to Christ in the prayers of Mary’s holy house. Pilgrimage teaches us, too, about the rhythm of life: a time to journey away, to rest in God’s presence, and to return home renewed for service.

So let October be for us a month of rhythm, gratitude, and generosity: the rhythm of creation and worship, the gratitude for God’s gifts, and the generosity that flows from knowing his love. May our thanksgiving this month not only lift our hearts in praise, but also shape our lives in Christlike service, generosity, and joy.

Your sincere friend and parish priest,
Fr Nicholas

September's Pastoral Letter from the Vicar

Fresh and purposeful beginnings

Posted on Monday 1 September 2025 at 7:00am

Fr Nicholas

September always brings with it a feeling of fresh beginnings. After the (hopefully) gentler pace of summer, the rhythms of life return: children and teachers back to school, routines re-established, our uniformed groups and choir return, and the parish calendar begins to hum again with activity and anticipation.

This month, we are indeed richly blessed with opportunities to worship, to gather, and to reflect more deeply on the life of faith together. I warmly encourage you to join in as fully as you are able.

We begin on Sunday 7 September with our All-Age Mass for the Parish Family. These joyful gatherings remind us that the Church is, at heart, a family: multi-generational, diverse in experience, but united around the table of Christ. Whether young or old, new to faith or long in the journey, you belong here.

On Sunday 14, we keep Holy Cross Day, a moment to pause and gaze afresh at the mystery of the Cross. The cross is not merely an ancient instrument of death, but the sign of life, love and victory. It is the paradox at the centre of the Christian faith – ‘where life was lost there life has been restored’. Or, as St Paul wrote, “We proclaim Christ crucified… the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1.23–24). In a world that so often feels broken and burdened, we are called to take up our own crosses – not with grim resignation, but with the hope that resurrection always follows. The Cross is a place of radical transformation.

A highlight, the focal point of the month, is our Patronal Festival, the Feast of St Matthew the Apostle, on Sunday 21st, when we celebrate the apostle whose name our church bears. St Matthew reminds us that no-one is beyond the reach of God’s grace. A tax collector transformed into a gospel writer: this is the power of divine mercy at work. We will rejoice doubly that day as we welcome Aaliyah Marie Murphy-Smith as a new member into Christ’s family, the Church, through the sacrament of Baptism at the Parish Mass – a beautiful sign of new life, new calling, and God’s continuing faithfulness among us.

On Sunday 28th, we mark the 132nd Dedication Festival, giving thanks for the consecration of our church building, a place of prayer and community through generations. We honour not only the stones and mortar, the generosity of benefactors, but the living Church – the people who have offered worship, found solace, shared joy within these walls. Come and help us give thanks.

Then, as it were without pause, the following day brings the Feast of St Michael and All Angels (Michaelmas) on Monday 29th. This celebration of the heavenly host reminds us of God’s unseen presence and the spiritual dimension of our lives. Angels may not always be seen, but their presence assures us that God’s messengers are always near, bearing strength, protection and guidance.

So yes, it is a busy month, but it is also a blessed month. Every festival, every feast, every return, every gathering tells us something more about who God is, his purpose in and among us, and who we are called to be.

Please join us – not only to attend, but to be part of the living story of faith unfolding in our parish. And let us pray for a peaceful and purposeful September.

Your sincere friend and parish priest,
Fr Nicholas

Cathedral in Crisis

Posted on Monday 27 January 2025 at 10:37am

The Very Revd Chris Dalliston
(Dean of Peterborough)

Dear Friends,

Safeguarding concerns have presented a big challenge for the Church of England nationally, but, nearer to home, the now well- publicised financial issues facing our Cathedral have helped to bring home the challenge we are all facing, whether as individuals or as parishes, to make ends meet or to fund properly the ministry and mission of our church. Jesus said, “the poor you have with you always” – and it can sometimes seem as if we are always poor! From a Cathedral perspective it’s disappointing to be facing yet another financial pinch point when we’ve done so much to improve our financial management, and been so creative in the delivery of a fantastic array of exhibitions, events and activities. But like every other business, we’ve all of us been facing the same issues; Covid, the cost of living crisis, the rising costs of fuel and employment – they’ve all continued to pile pressure on our balance sheets.

We have launched an emergency appeal here, and we pray that that may be fruitful. But “we are afflicted but not crushed, perplexed, but not driven to despair” writes St Paul in 2 Corinthians, and Jesus again and again called us not to be afraid or anxious because “your heavenly Father knows you need all these things”. The real challenge for us all is not one of systems, or process, or finance or funding – but faith.

Whatever we face as individuals or as communities – and we need to be responsible in our stewardship and disciplined in our actions – but above all we need to renew our trust in the living God: “strive first for the kingdom of God... and all these things shall be given to you as well”. (Matthew 6.33)

The Very Revd Chris Dalliston
Dean of Peterborough

Live-streaming, GDPR and Your Consent

Posted on Monday 16 September 2024 at 11:30am

Online live-streaming of services

Some of St Matthew's services (most Sunday mornings and some special services) are live-streamed or recorded for those who cannot attend church in person. Under GDPR, the church must gain the consent of anyone whose image may be captured, as this constitutes collection of "personal data". This includes clergy, readers/intercessors, musicians and congregation.

Whilst every attempt is made not to capture the faces of members of the congregation, this may occasionally happen if people turn around or move around the church during the service. The exception is communion, when the congregation is not filmed. The side aisles and back of the nave are so far as possible film-free areas not covered by the camera. Anyone whose personal data is collected must give their consent. Consent forms are available in church and online . The full policy can be read on our parish website or on the noticeboards in church.

Please read Our Privacy Policy - Filming & Photography and if you are happy to, give your consent by downloading, printing, signing, and handing in the form to a church representative or the Parish Office on your next visit. The consent form can be found at the bottom of the page.

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