Guildford Cathedral Christmas Fair: 19 & 20 Nov – Every year the Cathedral welcomes over 50 artists, crafters & makers offering gifts for Christmas and beyond. Entry is £3 | Open 10am-4pm – No booking required.
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.
Space for Peace and Tranquillity: 6-11 Dec – Come and enjoy some peace and tranquillity in the Lady Chapel, an opportunity to think about GOD`S Christmas. More details to follow, just for now may we encourage you to leave some space in your diary between 6 and 11 December for yourself; you might want to tell others to do the same, especially those who are dreading the Christmas rush!!
The Christmas Raffle is back!: Win beautiful prizes made by Penny Day, or a Christmas Hamper, or a gorgeous hand made shawl and lots more in our Christmas Raffle, in aid of The Centre for Urban Mission in Nairobi. Tickets cost just £1 and will be available at church services until Sun 12 Dec. The draw will take place at the Thursday Christmas Lunch Party on 16 Dec.
Collecting Presents for Christmas: We are collecting presents once again for four local causes:
1) For the children of our local CAP (Christians Against Poverty) Mole Valley clients
2) For clients of The Meeting Room
3) For Surrey Vulnerable Teenagers
4) Tescos or Sainsbury gift tokens for B@titude.
There is never any obligation to give presents, but if you would like to, we will ensure that your gifts are wrapped and delivered to these four excellent causes, in time for Christmas. Do ask at the parish office or Sarah Mackay for details and ideas. Please ensure gifts are brand new. They can be given wrapped or unwrapped and by Mon13 Dec
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.
Bereavement Café – Wed 1 Dec, 10-11.30am. If you know people you feel would benefit from a friendly supportive environment and a chance to chat with other bereaved folk, then do feel free to invite them to come along.
Story & Scribble: Fri 3 Dec, 10-12noon – This is a new small group and the idea is that we sit around and whilst a story is being read, the group might like to sketch a character from the story or a scene or idea which the story generates. If you don’t want to draw, then just come and enjoy listening to the story. Some stories may have a Christian context, but not all. Some may be humorous, some more serious. Coffee and biscuits will be served. The plan is to meet fortnightly to begin with and then we can see how we get on. Contact Parish Office for more details.
Homemade Stall and Secondhand Books: Sun 5 Dec – Don’t forget to pop by to see what gorgeous gifts you can buy as Christmas presents in the hall between the 9.30 and 11.15 services whilst you are enjoying a coffee and a chat.
Act of Remembrance– This year we did not follow the Act of Remembrance by a service in church. Instead we extended the proceedings at the War Memorial slightly with a bible reading and a short talk from Nathan, our Youth Minister. The uniformed organisations were very smart and we remembered those who have given their lives for us. We also had the addition of a PA system which meant that everyone could hear what was being said and feedback has been very positive.
Women’s Breakfast – Poppy Making Workshop: The two dates were successful with nearly 72 ladies attending. Some amazing poppy making was achieved – some went home to be finished – but everyone had a wonderful time enjoying the food and laughs. Our thanks to everyone who helped organise and execute the day. We were able to give £221 to The British Legion from monies left after expenses.
Stewardship continues: We continue to focus on stewardship throughout November as 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.
COP26 Prayer – If you would like a copy of the prayer read at the vigil on Sat 30 Oct when the national ringing out took place please contact office@stmaryfetcham.org.uk
Foodbank – The charity are very thankful for all the donations made at Harvest. They have lots of stock to take them into 2022, and are fundraising and collecting for their Christmas appeal. They specifically need: Co op gift cards in £5 or £10 denominations, £10 gift cards for any of the following TK Maxx, Argos, Boots, Wilkos, Superdrug. These are for parents to choose a present for their children. You can leave them with Karen in the parish office who will ensure they are delivered to the Foodbank HQ; or you can donate by going to https://epsomandewellfoodbank.enthuse.com/Donate#!/, make a small donation by text (type CHRISTMASGIFT followed by your chosen amount of 1-20 to 70450), or email foodbank@generation.org.uk if you want to make a BACs transfer.
Oakfield Supply Cover Teacher Vacancies – Are you or do you know an experienced teacher interested in occasional, flexible teaching work at Oakfield? They are currently looking for suitably qualified teachers to join our supply teaching register, to provide teaching cover to classes in years 3-6 on an ad-hoc basis, covering staff training, PPA and other absences. They are interested to hear from those who have Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or a Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) qualification. You should also have some experience of teaching at KS2 level. The work will be ad-hoc, often for short periods of cover (single days or half-days), with occasional longer term bookings. All work will be payable on the HLTA / Teachers Mainscale (dependent on experience) via a zero hours contract. To apply, please click on the link below to access our recruitment page on the Eteach website, and complete an application form : https://www.eteach.com/jobs/oakfield-junior-school-jobs-9439/?oo=ag. If you would like any further information please contact Julie_david@oakfield.surey.sch.uk HR & Admin Officer.
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: Lynn Alsop, Elaine Mead, Bill King, Lorraine Linsley, Diana Baechler, Rosemary Godwin, John Cooper, Ruth Smith’s daughter Rosemary, and Don Lamberth
We also pray for Sally Dart as she mourns the loss her mother, and for Stephanie Duffill who’s nephew Mike Wallace passed away earlier this week.
Diary Dates:
Check your MyChurchSuite to see what’s going on and to get more details or prebook. Here’s a brief summary:
2021
Sat 20 Nov – Who Let The Dads Out
Thurs 25 Nov – Hidden Treasure after 10am service
Fri 26 Nov – Footprints Baby & Toddler Group
Sat 27 Nov – Christmas Crafternoon – Crafts – prebook
Wed 1 Dec – Bereavement Café
Thurs 2 Dec – Hidden Treasure after 10am service
Fri 3 Dec – Story & Scribble
Fri 3 Dec – FM Life
Fri 3 Dec, 5pm – Tree Lights and Carol Singing Fetcham Village
Sun 5 Dec – Homemade Stall and Second-hand Books
Sun 5 Dec, 4pm – Christingle – prebook (no supper afterwards)
Fri 10 Dec – Footprints Baby & Toddler Group
Fri 10 Dec – Messy Church – Advent
Sat 11 Dec – Christmas Crafternoon – Kissing Ball – prebook
Sun 12 Dec, 6.30pm – Candlelit Carol Service
Thurs 16 Dec – Thursday morning Christmas Lunch – prebook
Fri 17 Dec – FM Life
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
Sun 26 Dec – only 8am service in church. Watch out for online option.
2022
Sun 2 Jan -8am, 9.30 and 11.15am service resume
Sat 7 Jan – Monthly Prayer Walk
Wed 12 Jan – Alpha @ The Bell + 7 weeks
Rev Pouya Heidari: rector@stmarysfetcham.org.uk 01372 375660 (day off Friday)
Parish Office : office@stmarysfetcham.org.uk 01372 375000 (Mon-Fri 9-12)CommunityPrayer Line 01372 375000.Leave a message and a member of the Prayer Team will call you back,or email prayer@stmarysfetcham.org.ukWe are here for you and the wider community
Keep up to date with St Marys:
Website: www.stmarysfetcham.org.uk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stmaryschurchfetcham/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/StMarysFetcham
My ChurchSuite: Any problems contact office@stmarysfetcham.org.uk.
NHS Test and Trace: Scan our QR code when entering either the hall or church.
Hearing Aid Supplies: contact Jacky on 01372 602092 or family.breadmore@gmail.com
Editor – office@stmarysfetcham.org.uk