October 2021

Thank you from Brigitte : I would love to say a HUGE “thank you” to you all for every single prayer that was offered on Richard`s behalf. He has turned a large corner and is feeling, eating and sleeping so much better now. Energy is slowly growing day by day… I was so encouraged by the knowledge that there are people out there who stand with us in prayer: THANK YOU!!

Safeguarding: The Diocese of Guildford wants to hear from victims and survivors, as it continues work on a full review of past safeguarding cases. Please see their press release at the bottom of this Bulletin.

Monthly Prayer Walk: Sat 2 Oct, 9.45am – You are invited to join the LoveFetcham team for a prayer walk around our community after morning prayer on the first Saturday of each month, starting on Saturday 2 October. We will leave from the church hall at 9.45am with the option to meet up at Greenwise for a cuppa and a chat at 11am.

Vision Sermon Series: This Sunday 3 October, is the first of the Vision Sermons, “Called to Engage”.

Homemade Stall and Secondhand Books: Sun 3 Oct – The Homemade Stall is back this Sunday, along with the Second Hand Book Stall. We will be in the church hall between the Parish Communion Service and the Informal Service at 11.15, so do come and take a look. We will be grateful for anything homemade and for garden produce; if you have a chance to bring along some clumps of divided perennials, or fruit from your garden, or a cake or some craft, we would love to see you. Last month we raised £377, which is a huge amount in Kenya, where it will be used for the Homework Clubs and for the Apprenticeship Schemes. As we build up to Christmas, do think if you could make something to sell, or plant an extra pot of bulbs. We look forward to seeing you on Sunday morning. Thank you for your continuing support.

Virtual London Marathon – Sun 3 Oct: Chris Rickard is once again participating in this epic fundraising event. Please contact Chris if you wish to support him or contact him via the Parish Office

Friday Afternoons:

Messy Church: Fri 8 Oct, 3.30-5.30pm: Messy Church is running on the second Friday of each month, instead of and at the same time as The Lighthouse. Messy Church is a form of church for children and adults involving creativity, celebration and hospitality. Please email families@stmarysfetcham.org.uk with any questions you have.

The Lighthouse: every Friday during term time, 3.30-5.30pm (except when it’s Messy Church!) This is a new after-school drop-in for children in school years 3-6 (ages 7-11). It launched on Fri 24 Sept and we had a great time together. We are looking forward to meeting every Friday for more fun, games and craft! Please email families@stmarysfetcham.org.uk with any questions.

Rector on the Run! Sun 10 Oct: Pouya will be running the 38-mile Ultra Downs Link on the 10th October and on the following day he’ll run another 2 miles around the parish to hit the 40 mile target, raising funds for our church hall. Whilst we have refurbished our toilet facilities and kitchen, given the inside a lick of paint and re-varnished the floor, we need to replace the old heavy chairs and tables to more user-friendly ones. The creche requires an uplift as well as various construction projects such as glass doors for more family-friendly use, better storage facilities and double glazing, thus making our hall more inviting to support our ministry serving our community – see the video explaining more. For more information and to sponsor Pouya visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/rector-on-the-run

Churchyard Working Party – Sat 16 Oct, 10am-2pm: Can you please spare some time to help tidy up our churchyard? Please bring tools, enthusiasm and picnic (if you are staying all day). Refreshments will be available. We will by tidying leaves, trimming back hedges and flowerbeds. We would also like to trim the edges of the memorial stones. Children are welcome and must be accompanied by an adult. Any questions please contact the Parish Office

Harvest Thanksgiving Sunday: Sun 17 Oct – Foodbanks are busier than ever and, despite generous donations over the years, are still in need of support. Every item you donate helps to feed those in need. We will be collecting ongoing throughout the year as usual, but should you wish to donate for Harvest, this is their wish list: Female & male deodorant, Powdered Milk, Shaving foam, Shower gel, Noodles (dried egg/rice noodle or straight to wok), Squash, Tinned fruit, Coffee, Kids toothbrushes, Meat pies, Sugar (500g bags, ideally), Bags for Life – urgently need these. Please, no more donations of the following items at this time: pasta, baked beans, porridge, baby shampoo, tampons, sanitary towels, marmalade, cat/dog food, adult toothbrushes.

* Please make sure all donations are sealed, in date and do not contain alcohol *

Can’t get to the shops? You could text to make a small donation (details here)

They also need the following items for their Furniture Project:. People come to them when times are already hard enough for and we see the difference it makes when they can give out brand new bedding and new towels. Please only donate brand new only. They need the following:- Pillows (single or double packs) – Fitted bed sheets, single and double – Flat sheets, double – Duvet sets (including pillowcases), single and double – Fitted cot sheets – Cellular baby blankets – Hand towels – Bath towels – Flannels- Bathmats. Thank you!

Bereavement Service: Sun 7 Nov, 3pm – We will be having our “annual” Bereavement Service, when we remember our loved ones who have died, giving thanks for them and our happy memories whilst acknowledging our sadness. The service will be followed by tea in the hall. Nearer the time there will be cards at the back of church on which you may, if you wish, write the names of people you would like to be remembered by name during the service. Now restrictions imposed by the pandemic have eased our Bereavement Café has resumed in the hall on the first Wednesday of every month from 10.00 – 11.30. This is not a counselling service but the opportunity to share confidentially with people who will listen, whilst enjoying coffee and cake.

Join a House Group: All our house groups are being encouraged to look at various aspects of our Vision, based on our forthcoming Sermon Series. The 11.15 service is being live-streamed and will include the Vision sermon for that Sunday and discussion notes will be available for house groups. We really encourage everybody to take advantage of joining a house group. Please contact Mary King (376038) or Corinne Braid (800885) who will act as matchmakers – well, finding you the right house group!

Women’s Breakfast – Poppy Making Workshop: Sat 23 Oct and 6 Nov – Following on from the success of Heritage Open Day, Grace & Cable have offered to hold two sessions to knit or crochet a poppy. We thought it would be a lovely idea to combine this with Women’s Breakfast. You are welcome to bring your own hooks and needles, wool is supplied. Each session will start at 9.30am, and a donation for breakfast would be most welcome. Any balance left will be donated to The British Legion. Pre-booking is essential as there is a maximum of 40 per session. Please sign up on MyChurchSuite or contact the Parish Office on 01372 375000 or email office@stmarysfetcham.org.uk

Having trouble with My ChurchSuite? This amazing communication software is really easy to use. You can see all the events coming up and sign up to them if needed, and you can find contact details for other church members. It’s up to you whether you are happy to share your details which you can update at any time. The easiest way to get to your personal MyChurchSuite is by downloading an app. If you’ve missed attending any of the workshops, no need to panic. Just contact Karen in the office and she will happily guide you through this excellent software, office@stmarysfetcham.org.uk

Heritage Open Day/Ride & Stride: Thank you to all who kindly welcomed visitors to St Mary’s for our Heritage Open Day last month, to those who baled cakes, connected with hundreds of visitors, who participated in the Ride and Stride, or who kindly sponsored our ten cyclists. Participants- Do please try to collect your sponsor money and return to Sarah Mackay in the next week or so. if you have any problem identify one of your generous sponsors, do ask Sarah on Sunday, or get in touch mackayfamily10@btinternet.com

Macmillan Coffee Morning: St Mary’s Friday Morning Groups held their annual fundraiser event for Macmillan cancer relief on 24th September. It was great to be able to hold a coffee morning in the church hall again on such a warm sunny day. So many wonderful people baked, set up, distributed posters, served, put away and came along to support the event. Huge thanks because together we raised just shy of £550, and with Gift Aid added on, that total gets even bigger!

New Wine 2022 – Saturday 23 July – Thursday 28 July 2022: Join together with St Mary’s church family and come to New Wine! You are encouraged to book early for Week A of New Wine. To find out more visit https://www.new-wine.org/events/united22/

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Services & Prayers

All are welcome to our Sunday services. No need to prebook now but we encourage you to wear a mask on entering the church and when moving around or singing. If you are unable to access services at the present time, because you are very anxious or clinically vulnerable, please contact either of the Churchwardens, Julie Partridge or Jacky Breadmore, who will be more than happy to help find a pastoral alternative.

8am Communion Sunday Service – said Book of Common Prayer (facemasks required).

9.30am Communion Service – sung Common Worship (facemasks required).

11.15am Informal Worship Service – in church and live-streamed on YouTube Channel (facemasks required).

10am Thursday – Communion service

Private Prayer in Church : Monday to Saturday 09:00 -16:00. Please adhere to guidelines.

Saturday Morning Prayer at 9.00-9.30am weekly in church

We continue pray for those who are unwell: Don Lamberth, Elaine Mead, Lynn Alsop, John Cooper, Diana Baechler, Ruth Smith’s daughter Rosemary, Mike Wallace, Lorraine Linsley, Holly Parry and Simon Peter Waiti.

Diocesan Calendar of Prayer – This month we pray for the deaneries of Leatherhead and Epsom.

Diary Dates:

Check your MyChurchSuite to see what’s going on. Here’s a brief summary:

Fri 1 Oct – Footprints Baby and Toddler Group

Sat 2 Oct – Prayer Walk

Sun 3 Oct – Homemade Stall and Second-hand Books

Wed 6 Oct – Bereavement Café

Thurs 7 Oct – Hidden Treasure after 10am service

Fri 8 Oct – FM Life

Sun 10 Oct – Rector on the Run!

Thurs 14 Oct – Hidden Treasure after 10am service

Fri 15 Oct – Footprints Baby and Toddler Group