Dear Friends,

I don't know about you, but I always find September a bit hectic all round (and that's even without an international credit crisis) - everything getting going again after the summer break, the start of a new school year, Harvest festivals, even the shortening days probably have an effect - and this year is no exception.  Another part of it, certainly for me, is all the arrangements for things that are going to happen between now and the New Year, and now seems like a good time to share some of those with you.

The `Friends of St. James' Church` have their annual service - to which you are warmly invited - in church at 12 noon on Saturday 11^th October.  The Friends have raised considerable sums of money for the maintenance and adornment of our church and churchyard over the last few years, and it is only right to celebrate this.

People keep asking for another `Pets' Service`, so we have managed to organise one this month in Elstead.  It will be at 10 am on Sunday 12^th October in the Barn at Westbrook - just keep going past the church and you can't miss it (and there is plenty of room for people, pets and cars - but it is a barn, so you may need to wrap up if it's cold !).

Then November ushers in a season of Remembrance.  Not just Remembrance Sunday (9^th November this year, with special services in both churches), but the Sunday before as well, with the far older Christian celebrations of All Saints and All Souls.  This year we shall be holding an All Souls' Day Requiem service at 6.30 pm on Sunday 2^nd at Elstead, and you are invited to put forward names of family and friends for prayers in that service.

In Thursley, we are now confidently looking forward to having our etched glass doors, and specifically to their being dedicated by the Dean of Guildford, Very Rev. Victor Stock, in a special service in Thursley church at 7 pm on Wednesday 19^th November.  Please put this in your diaries !

Are you already thinking about buying Christmas cards ?!  Possibly not, but why not consider coming to our annual Charity Christmas Card & Gift Sale ?  This year's will be in the Elstead Village Hall from 9.30 am to 12 noon on Saturday 8^th November, and up to a dozen different charities will be represented.

On the same day, in the evening, the Elstead Royal British Legion are holding what they describe as their `big night of the year`, their Bonfire Night - remembrance of a slightly different sort - Saturday, November 8^th commencing 8 pm at the British Legion in Thursley Road.  Both bars will be open, in the Club and in the Barn, and there will be a BBQ  - so why not come along with your children for a very enjoyable evening ?

Something you are almost certainly not thinking about is a Christmas pantomime, but again, I am - this year's young people's pantomime will be `Cinderella`, with performances just after New Year, but rehearsals start this month.  If you are interested in helping or acting, please let me know.  We particularly need musicians !