As we are now firmly into Autumn and the weather is changing and becoming colder, we have taken the opportunity to review what is in place to ensure that we stay as Covid-secure as possible. We have also looked at the current advice from both the Church of England and the Government. This continues to encourage the use of increased ventilation, wearing of masks where appropriate and the use of hand sanitisers. We have thought carefully about this in view of the decreasing temperature and decided that at present we will continue to have windows and doors open and encourage the use of masks when moving around the church and whilst singing. We also encourage the use of hand sanitisers – you may use your own if you wish. We will however, continue to review the situation and our response every couple of weeks and will ensure that we keep you informed of the suggestions.
To help keep out the cold we will continue to be running the heating, but please wrap up warm – extra layers certainly help. We have also placed a number of blankets at the back of church and please feel free to make use of these or bring your own. Any other suggestions on ways to keep warm will also be appreciated!
Please continue to feedback to us your views on this, as we really do value and appreciate your comments and do take seriously your concerns.
Jennie and Janet – Churchwardens
Focussing on Stewardship this November: Stewardship is the annual opportunity for us to remember how generous our God is to each one of us and, prompted by the Holy Spirit, how we might respond with gratitude. Gift forms are available in church for you to respond financially in gratitude to God’s goodness. Please will you prayerfully seek God’s guidance as to how you might respond.
Message from Rosemary Godwin: Thank you to everyone for their love, prayers and encouraging messages which have all been greatly appreciated. Think I’ll be here at St Helier for a while but have been referred for rehab when bed available so will keep everyone updated.
Women’s Breakfast – Poppy Making Workshop: 6 Nov, 9.30-11.30am Pre-booking essential – only a few spaces left. Sign up on MyChurchSuite, contact the Parish Office on 01372 375000 or email office@stmarysfetcham.org.uk. Great fun was had on 23rd Oct at the first breakfast and workshop. It’s not too late to book for 6 Nov but places are limited so make sure you book to avoid disappointment. Once breakfast if finished, Grace & Cable teach how to knit or crochet a poppy. A donation for breakfast would be most welcome and any balance left will be donated to The British Legion.
Monthly Prayer Walk postponed: Sat 6 Nov – Please note that we have decided to postpone the monthly prayer walk until Saturday 7 January as there are so many other activities taking place on Saturday mornings in November and December. However, we can all pray for the homes and streets we pass by as we walk, cycle or drive around our community during this busy time.
Sermon Series: Sun 7 Nov – Called to Flourish
Homemade Stall and Second-hand Books – Sun 7 Nov: With emphasis on Christmas presents and plants for the garden we are having a Christmas Raffle again this year. This will raise money for youngsters in Nairobi’s slums and prizes include some of Penny Day’s Christmas creations and a cuddly toy, a Christmas hamper, beautiful knitwear and more! It will be drawn on 5th December – tickets available from this Sunday. Get your raffle tickets in the hall between the 9.30 and 11.15 services while you’re enjoying a coffee and a chat.
Memorial 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. No pre-booking required. The service will be followed by tea in the hall. 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.
Remembrance Service – Sun 14 Nov: We hope to hold our usual Act of Remembrance in the Memorial Gardens at the end of the church drive, extended slightly by a short message from Nathan at the War Memorial. Either follow on from the 9.30 service or wait in the gardens ready for 10.45am.
Men’s Meal – Fri 12 Nov at 7pm in the hall: Join us to enjoy a meal together, make new friends and catch up with old ones! The meal will include chilli (meat and vegetarian), rice and sides. Suggested contribution of £8.00. BYO drinks, and beer from Surrey Hills Brewery will also be on sale. Sign up via MyChurchSuite or contact the Parish Office.
Footprints Baby & Toddler Group – Fri 12 Nov, 10-11.30am: Back after the half-term break! Parents / grandparents / carers meet over a cup of coffee and a chat while the children play, paint, craft, sing and listen to stories.
Decorating Terracotta Pots: Wed 17 Nov, 1:15-3:15pm at Eastwick Road Church Hall KT23 4BE: 1 x 2hr session. Bring someone who might want to hear that God the Father deeply cares for them. Equipment: bring your apron, newspaper, brushes, unvarnished plant pot, left-over garden or masonry paint (to share). Julie Partridge will give a thought for the day to inspire your creativity. No charge. To sign up and for more details call Lesley on 07856 193871 or email lesley.o@eastwickroadchurch.co.uk
Who Let The Dads Out? Sat 20 Nov, 9.30-11.30am: The team are excited to be meeting again and are looking forward to dads and their kids coming along to enjoy breakfast and games. Please spread the word and invite friends and neighbours. No need to book, just turn up!
Christmas Crafternoons: Sat 27 Nov and Sat 11 Dec, 2-4pm: Enjoy a cuppa and chat while being creative! On 27 Nov choose from a variety of crafts available to make. Please bring scissors. All the materials will be supplied and there will be people on hand to guide you in making Christmas crafts. On 11 Dec we’ll be making Christmas Kissing Balls! Please bring scissors or secateurs – all other materials, demonstration and assistance provided. Pre-booking essential as spaces limited to 30 people at each event. Suggested donation of £5, inc coffee and cake. Any remaining balance will be put towards the charities that St Mary’s supports at Christmas.
Ride and Stride Thank You!: September’s bike ride has made a whopping £970. Well done to everyone involved and thank you to all the sponsors.
Rector on the Run! At the time of print the balance raised is £5595 for Pouya’s 40 mile run to raise funds for the church hall to replace heavy tables and chairs, upgrade the creche, build storage, install double glazing and more. If you haven’t already sponsored, it’s not too late! Follow this link: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/rector-on-the-run
Churchyard Working Party – There was a great community spirit on Sat 16 Oct as St Mary’s joined forced with 1st Fetcham Scout Group to weed, trim, blow, rake, pull, shred and fill a skip to tidy up the churchyard. Thanks to initiative of signs along the driveway we had a few other members of the community who regularly walk through too! There was the added bonus of bacon butties, cake and coffee supplied by Who Let The Dads Out that went down a storm.
CHRISTMAS DATES
Fri 3 Dec, 5pm – Tree Lights and Carol Singing (see below)
Sun 5 Dec, 4pm – Christingle
Sun 12 Dec, 6.30pm – Candlelit Carol Service
Sun 19 Dec, 6pm – Carols @ The Bell (outside)
Fri 24 Dec, 3.30pm & 5pm – Crib Services
Fri 24 Dec, 11.15pm – Midnight Service
Sat 25 Dec, 10am – Christmas Celebration
Please note that the Transform Carol Service will not be taking place this year due to the restriction of numbers required in the church and Fetcham Park House.
Fetcham Village Christmas Tree Lights switch on and Community Carol Singing: Fri 3 Dec, 5pm – St Mary’s has been asked to lead the community carol singing around the Christmas Tree outside Harringtons. All are welcome to come along and join in.
CHRISTMAS PRESENTS FOR LOCAL CAUSES: This Christmas we are delighted to be collecting presents for our usual four excellent causes:
1.Presents for clients of The Meeting Room
2.Gifts for the children of Mole Valley clients of CAP (Christians Against Poverty)
3.Gift Vouchers from Sainsbury’s and Tesco for B@titude clients.4. Presents for Vulnerable Teenagers in Surrey
If anyone would like to give a present to someone in one of these four categories, we would be delighted to make sure that your present is given to the appropriate person. Donations can be given to Karen in the parish office, or to the Homemade Stall team. More details of appropriate gifts available on Sunday.
Host an international student: We’ve been contacted by English Country Guardians and who are asking for local guardians to look after international students from Epsom College and Whitgift School, mainly from China and Hong Kong. The students need accommodation during exeat weekends, half-term and other school holidays, therefore they are looking for families who would like to become a host family. As a host family you get paid £50 per person per night and you need to give them food three times a day. You will be reimbursed for any other expenses that occur, such as for transport etc. Contact Maki Sumitomo-Wyatt on 07854308592 or maki@english-country-guardians.co.uk.
Christmas Cards for Good Causes: 25 Oct to 18 Dec – St Nicolas are pleased to be able to host the Cards for Good Causes charity Christmas Card shop again this year at St Nicolas’ Church, Bury Street, Guildford GU2 4AW. Open Mon-Sat, 10am-4pm.
Community Youth Worker vacancy: At the Leatherhead Youth Project (LYP). They are advertising 37 hours per week, £23,921pa. Closing date Thurs 2 Dec, 5pm. For more details: www.leatherheadyouthproject.com
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
Services & Prayers
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
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.
We continue pray for those who are unwell: Bill King, Mike Wallace, Lorraine Linsley, Diana Baechler, Ed Tims, Rosemary Godwin, John Cooper, Ruth Smith’s daughter Rosemary, Lynn Alsop, Elaine Mead and Don Lamberth
We also pray for Margaret Welch for the loss of her mum., and for Pam and Brian Egles as they mourn the loss of their mother and father respectively.
Diocesan Calendar of Pray : November
Diary Dates:
Check your MyChurchSuite to see what’s going on.
Here’s a brief summary:
2021
Fri 5 Nov – FM Life
Sat 6 Nov – Women’s Breakfast Poppy Making Workshop – prebook
Sun 7 Nov – Homemade Stall and Second-hand Books
Sun 7 Nov – Bereavement Service at 3pm, followed by tea in the hall
Thurs 11 Nov – Hidden Treasure after 10am service
Fri 12 Nov – Footprints Baby & Toddler Group
Fri 12 Nov – Men’s Meal – prebook
Thurs 18 Nov – Coffee Morning and Hearing Aid Clinic after 10am service
Fri 19 Nov – FM Life
Sat 20 Nov – Who Let The Dads Out
Sat 27 Nov – Christmas Crafternoon – Crafts – prebook
Wed 1 Dec – Bereavement Café
Thurs 25 Nov – Hidden Treasure after 10am service
Fri 26 Nov – Footprints Baby & Toddler Group
Fri 3 Dec – Community Carol Singing in Fetcham Village
Sat 11 Dec – Christmas Crafternoon – Kissing Ball – prebook
Christmas services – see above
2022
Sat 7 Jan – Monthly Prayer Walk
Wed 12 Jan – Alpha @ The Bell + 7 weeks