Archdeacon Visitation Service

John, Allison and I had the pleasure of attending the annual Archdeacon’s Visitation Service in June, held this year at St Patrick’s Church in Wallington. As well as being sworn in as new churchwardens for the coming year alongside our colleagues from churches across the area, the service was also a formal opportunity for Reigate and Banstead to bid farewell to our departing Archdeacon.

The Venerable Moira Astin will shortly be leaving us to take up the position of Suffragan Bishop of Credition in Devon and, before the obligatory very large cake, several people, including our own Chris Elliott, spoke to thank Moira for her dedication and passion for our local area.

While Allison is now an old hand to the Churchwarden team, I am new to the role, although you may recognise me better as one of the team who manages the AV desk each Sunday, encouraging our streaming and sound equipment into behaving nicely for us!

My family and I - Sarah, Oscar and Daisy - have lived in Reigate for 13 years now and although we are never quite sure of the date as we tried outa few Reigate churches before deciding St John’s was our ‘home,’ we think we have been coming since some time in 2013. Sarah was the first to fall properly into church life as one of our junior church helpers, back when stifled (and sometimes not-so-stifled) giggles and song could be heard coming from our youngest juniors in the Vestry each service.

I then began helping with sound and streaming during Covid times. As a primary headteacher by day with a particular passion for making every subject special, not just English and maths, I particularly love the rich and broad mix of traditions at St John’s which allow so many kinds of people to feel at home, just as my family do. I am looking forward to helping John and our huge team of volunteers continue to grow and develop our community in all directions.

Hugh Hogan-Fleming