EcoSunday: 27 Feb – The adverse impacts of human activity on the natural world are becoming distressingly clear. For Christians there is a spiritual dimension to this, pointing us back to Scripture and a reassessment of our responsibility under God to be care-ful stewards of Creation. Services at St Mary’s on EcoSunday, 27 February, will help us to understand this role. Displays in the hall, available throughout the morning, will provide information on the challenges that face us here in Surrey, including biodiversity in the churchyard, plastic pollution, recycling, sewage in the River Mole and the impact of our spending decisions. They will offer practical advice on what each of us can do in response. If you care – be there!
World Day Of Prayer: Fri 4 Mar 2022 – “I KNOW THE PLANS I HAVE FOR YOU” This year’s service is a very special one as it has been written by Christian Women from England, Wales and Northern Ireland. They have used the text from Jeremiah to reflect on some issues facing us today. The morning service at 10.30am will be held at Eastwick Road Church and the evening service at 7.30pm will be held here at St Mary’s and led by members of our congregation. Both services will be followed by refreshments. Everyone is very welcome, so do come and join us and be part of a great wave of prayer encircling the globe.
Lent Course: Tues 8 Mar to Tues 12 Apr, 7.30pm (7.45pm start) to 9pm in the Church Hall. Growing Good is a 6 session course for church groups. Through flexible, interactive small group sessions, we explore how our churches can be faithful and fruitful in our local communities. Each session includes a bible reading, a short film, discussion and prayer, as well as research and stories from churches all across England.
Churchyard Working Party – Sat 19 Mar, 10am-2pm: All are invited to bring tools and enthusiasm to help maintain our churchyard. Come along for as much time as you can and help keep the weeds at bay, trim back overgrown hedges, tidy round the car park and much more. There will be an ample supply of refreshments but if you want to stay all day, please bring a picnic. Any questions, please contact the Parish Office.
Spring Crafternoon – Sat 19 Mar, 2-4pm: Following on from the success of the Christmas sessions, you can again choose from a variety of crafts available to make. Please bring scissors or secateurs – all other materials provided. There will be demonstrations and assistance on the day and we are asking for £5 donation. Enjoy a cuppa and cake whilst being creative! Prebooking is essential for planning. Please email
office@stmarysfetcham.org.uk with any questions. We look forward to seeing you there.
Women’s Breakfast – Sat 2 April, 9.30am-11am: Don’t forget to book your place on our Women’s Breakfast as numbers are limited to 60. As usual we will arrange a speaker and offer a delicious breakfast for a suggested donation of £3.50. Please book through My ChurchSuite, via the website or contact the Parish Office. We look forward to meeting old friends and making new ones!
Community Fridge – Mondays 10-11am in the hall: We continue to welcome visitors to the hall on Monday mornings. The Community Fridge is for everyone. Unlike Foodbank, where a referral is necessary, the idea is primarily to prevent food waste. All the food is surplus and comes mainly from local supermarkets. Please continue to spread the word and tell your friends, neighbours and family so we can prevent food going to landfill. If you’re interested in being part of the volunteer team, please contact Julie on julie@stmarysfetcham.org.uk
Pouya’s home visit: This arrangement continues if you would like to have the chance to chat with Pouya in your own home. This is a relaxed, informal opportunity for Pouya to get to know you as it is often difficult to get into a conversation when passing or on a Sunday. Call Karen in the office to book Sundays 2-3pm or Wednesdays 10-11am.
Parish Away Day: Sat 3 Sep – Last year we enjoyed a fun day together and this year we plan to do the same. Venue and times tbc, but in the meantime make a note of the date for your diaries
From Bishop Andrew: It was both awe-inspiring and humbling to be introduced into the House of Lords, having been summoned by Her Majesty ‘to be personally present at our aforesaid Parliament… and to give your counsel upon the affairs aforesaid’. The Introduction itself was a short and simple affair, as the bishops of Birmingham and Carlisle walked me into the Chamber, the writ was read, I responded, and then – with a bow to the Lord Speaker – took up my place on the Bench of Bishops. And while I have a rather demanding day job already in the Diocese of Guildford, I do hope to make a real contribution in the Lords as well, especially in the area of FoRB – Freedom of Religion and Belief – around the world. The day itself was much enhanced by having my wife, my sister and three of our children in the public gallery, with little grandson Natti sitting in the Bishop’s Robing Room and treating the occasion with due solemnity! Watch the coverage here
Inspiring Women Concert – Sat 12 Mar, 7pm in Guildford Cathedral: To celebrate International Women’s Day, the Cathedral and Hennessey Brown Music are hosting a concert. All the composers and performers are women and include The Girl Choristers from Guildford Cathedral, singing works by Cecilia MacDowall and Imogen Holst and conducted by Katherine Dienes-Williams. To book tickets visit the cathedral’s Box Office
Be vigilant: We have been told by Fetcham Park House that they have had an attempted burglary recently. They are advising residents to be extra vigilant in securing their homes, suggesting you may also want to check any external light/power points to ensure they have not been tampered with in an attempt to switch them off – or fit an anti-tamper device? Please do report any suspicious activity to the Police. In addition their security have been instructed to carry out 2 external patrols every night between 21:00 and 05:00 which may be noticed, but trust that residents will be reassured by these additional security measures and the presence of a security company checking the house and grounds.
Two Vacancies for Foodbank:
Support Worker – Our work is growing, so we are recruiting a new Support Worker to expand our team. Our support team work with people who use the foodbank, to not need it going forward. It’s a rewarding and exciting job, working in our growing charity, supporting people in our community with a variety of issues. For more info and to apply click here. Deadline for applications is 6 March 2022
A new venture ‘Your Local Pantry’ – This is an exciting opportunity to be part of our vision to eradicate poverty in our community. Through managing a team of volunteers and effectively promoting the project in the community, you will help to reach as many members as possible and contribute to the project running in a financially viable way. Through offering healthy food at a fixed cost, you will assist the organisation to help transform the lives of the most disadvantaged people in our community. For more info and to apply click here. Deadline for applications is midday on 11 March 2022
COVID Update Feb 2022:
We continue to encourage you to:
– Wear a mask whilst in church or the hall
– Use hand sanitiser available in the pews.
– Keep warm whilst increased ventilation is in place
– Take a Lateral Flow Test before attending
– Sit whilst enjoying coffee & chat after 9.30 and before 11.15.
– No need to book for church services
Services & Prayers
We continue to pray for those who are unwell: Barbara Grant, Ruth Smith’s daughter Rosemary, Lynn Alsop, Elaine Mead, John Cooper, Don Lamberth, Lorraine Linsley, Diana Baechler, Richard Herbert, Gerry Fleming and Denise Forrest.
We also pray for those is residential care: June Williams, Mavis Lake and Tony Day.
And for the family of Ed Tims who has sadly passed away this week.
- 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 (facemasks required).
- 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
Diary Dates:
Check your MyChurchSuite to see what’s going on and to get more details or prebook. Here’s a brief summary:
Sat 19 Feb – Who Let The Dads Out?
Mon 21 Feb – The Drop-In (ages 11-16)
Wed 23 Feb – Youth Night (ages 11-16)
Fri 25 Feb – Footprints Baby & Toddler Group
Fri 25 Feb – The Lighthouse (ages 7-11)
Sun 27 Feb – Eco Sunday + Litter pick after 11.15 & lunch in the hall
Mon 28 Feb – The Drop-In (ages 11-16)
Wed 2 Mar – Bereavement Café
Wed 2 Mar – Ash Wednesday, 8pm tbc
Fri 4 Mar – World Day of Prayer, 7.30pm
Sun 6 Mar – Vision Sunday: Sharing Faith – From “Jews” – to “Greeks”
Sun 6 Mar – Homemade Stall and Second-hand Books
Mon 7 Mar – The Drop-In (ages 11-16)
Tues 8 Mar – Lent Course : Growing Good (week 1)
Wed 9 Mar – Youth Night (ages 11-16)
Fri 11 Mar – Footprints Baby & Toddler Group
Fri 11 Mar – Messy Church – all ages
Tues 15 Mar – Lent Course : Growing Good (week 2)
Thurs 17 Feb – Thursday morning coffee
Fri 18 Mar – FM Life
Sat 19 Mar – Churchyard Working Party
Tues 22 Mar – Lent Course : Growing Good (week 3)
Tues 29 Mar – Lent Course : Growing Good (week 4)
Tues 5 Apr – Lent Course : Growing Good (week 5)
Tues 12 Apr – Lent Course : Growing Good (week 6)
Thurs 1 Sept – Golf Day at The Drift
Sat 3 Sept – Parish Away Day