Vision Sunday – 6 March : Sharing Faith – From “Jews” – to “Greeks”
We are moving into Lent, a six-week period of preparation for Easter. A time of reflection, a time to think about the amazing sacrifice of Jesus. Some people give something up for Lent in order to mark the time as special – others pick up something new.
Here is a suggestion: think about a time in your life when you felt that God was especially close to you: maybe He answered one of your prayers, maybe He guided you very clearly, or maybe He simply showered you with His wonderful blessings. Write the story (as short or as long as you like) and come and post it on the notice board in the church (which will provide a small divider between the Lady Chapel and the rest of the church during Lent). Feel free to post your story anonymously or initialled or signed – whatever way feels right for you! And if you can`t bring it into church yourself, ask a friend to bring it or e-mail to Karen in the office. We don’t want any God stories to stay untold and get forgotten.
Can you imagine a notice board full of God stories, a wall full of encouragement, thanks and praise leading us into our Easter celebrations? We are looking forward to it!!
On Good Friday, between 4 and 5 pm, there will be a special time of silence, very few words, some gentle music and a candle in the Lady Chapel. EVERYONE IS WELCOME!
The prayer team
Ukraine Appeal: There has been such a generous response from the local community who have given clothes, blankets, etc, along with their time to help sort, that the Fetcham collection point has asked for no further donations at the moment. In the meantime, DEC has launched an appeal and so, for a few weeks, the orange buckets will be out in services. To find out more go to https://www.dec.org.uk/appeal/ukraine-humanitarian-appeal
COVID Update March 2022: A huge and heartfelt thank you to everyone for upholding the covid protection guidance in place in church so diligently over so many months. The guidance is now lifted and the appeal for congregation members to wear masks is no longer in place. Please still be cautious: sanitiser will remain in the pews and if anyone still wishes to wear a mask they are of course still welcome to do so. An eye will continue to be kept on ventilation as appropriate. In the interest of showing love to our neighbours and protecting the vulnerable, we trust that anyone displaying symptoms of covid or having a positive lateral flow test will remain at home. We look forward to enjoying one another’s smiles once again!
Homemade Stall – Sun 6 Mar between 9.30 and 11.15: Raising money for youngsters’ education in Nairobi’s slums, February’s Homemade Stall made £173 – thank you all. We have another Homemade Stall this Sunday, our last one before Mothering Sunday. Do contribute anything homemade or homegrown and bring along your wallets. Second-hand books will also be available to buy.
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. You can sign up via our website or My ChurchSuite.
Please can you help at the Tuesday evening Lent Course? Getting the hall ready and / or clearing away afterwards, helping with refreshments, making a cake or biscuits. Corinne would love to hear from you with your offers of help – phone 01372 800885, email corinne@stmarysfetcham.org.uk or via the office 375000. Thank you!
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
Afternoon Tea: Sat 26 March, 3-4.30pm – Come along to the church hall to enjoy tea, chat and entertainment. Please sign up via our website or contact the Parish Office. Do share with friends and neighbours who you think would benefit from enjoying the afternoon. If you are unable to make this date, the next one is on Sat 30 April. We look forward to enjoying your company!
Breakfast on Easter Sunday, 17 Apr: Do join us for breakfast (sausage and bacon rolls with vegetarian and gluten-free options) which will be available from after the 6am Sunrise Service until 10am. We’ll be asking everybody to sign up nearer the time so we have an idea of numbers and will welcome all offers of help. Thank you!
National Day of Reflection: Wed 23 Mar, 11.30am – Princess Alice Hospice is working with Kew Gardens on a special day to remember all those who have died during the pandemic (not necessarily of Covid-19). Anyone who has been bereaved during this time is offered free entry into Kew for up to four people and the opportunity to attend a short service of remembrance. There will be a minute’s silence at 12 noon and Steve Nolan, Spiritual Care Lead at the Hospice, has been asked to say some words of reflection. For more information and for booking details go to: https://www.pah.org.uk/events/national-day-of-reflection/
Fetcham Unit Charities – HELP NEEDED: As you walk through the church porch to enter St Mary’s you pass on your left a large, white, difficult-to-read marble tablet. It commemorates the will of George Shiers, a wealthy landowner, who died in 1685 aged only 25. He left a bequest to St Mary’s, which was later combined with an earlier one from Henry Smith, and that money eventually formed the basis for Fetcham United Charities. Fetcham United Charities runs the ten, single occupancy flats on the corner of Cobham Road and River Lane, together with the Reading Room on the opposite side of Cobham Road. In addition, it makes grants to local causes, such as B@titude, the food bank and Leatherhead Youth Project.
The charity is managed by a committee of trustees, three of whom are nominated by St Mary’s, and three local councillors; together they co-opt up to five further members. Since some of the committee will be retiring soon, after several years stewardship, we are now looking for new trustees. There are four formal trustee meetings annually and, in addition, the trustees ensure the efficient running of the almshouses and the Reading Room. There is no upper or lower age limit; a desire to help is the key criterion. Please contact David Duffill on 07770 366521 who will be happy to give you more details.
Foodbank: Thanks to everyone! Every donation makes a difference to those in need in our communities. You helped them feed more than 680 people in February. This week, 3rd March, they have several urgently needed items: Tinned fish, Tinned fruit, Longlife sponge puddings, Powdered milk, Longlife fruit juice, Spaghetti in sauce, Hair conditioner, Loo roll, Children’s toothpaste 0-2, Children’s toothbrushes 0-2, Adult toothbrushes
They also need: Tinned potatoes, Pasta sauce, Long life UHT milk (full fat and semi skimmed only), Dried pasta in sauce, Custard, Tea bags, Coffee, Ketchup, Squash, Rice pudding, Washing up liquid, Shampoo, Pump soap, Tampons, Deodorant, Dog and cat food, Chocolate biscuit bars (ie penguins, clubs etc), Small sized chocolates (freddo bars etc), Crisps
Please no more of these items as they are fully stocked: Pulses, pasta, noodles, sweetcorn, rice, beans, shower gel, porridge, baby wash and baby shampoo, hot chocolate.
Services & Prayers
We continue to pray for those who are unwell: Dorothy Barr, Lynn Alsop, Elaine Mead, John Cooper, Don Lamberth, Lorraine Linsley, Diana Baechler, Anais Featherstone, Richard Herbert and Gerry Fleming.
We also pray for those is residential care: June Williams, Mavis Lake and Tony Day.
And for the families of those who have sadly passed away; Denise Forrest, for Sheila Lake (Rosemary Godwin’s sister) and Ed Tims.
Diocesan Calendar of Prayer for January: This month we pray for the deaneries of Dorking and Emly. Download from their website.
- 8am Communion Sunday Service – said Book of Common Prayer
- 9.30am Communion Service – sung Common Worship
- 11.15am Informal Worship Service – in church and live-streamed on YouTube Channel
- 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
Diary Dates:
Check your MyChurchSuite to see what’s going on and to get more details or prebook. Here’s a brief summary:
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
Mon 14 Mar – The Drop-In (ages 11-16)
Tues 15 Mar – Lent Course : Growing Good (week 2)
Thurs 17 Feb – Thursday morning coffee
Fri 18 Mar – FM Life
Fri 18 Mar – The Lighthouse (ages 7-11)
Sat 19 Mar – Who Let The Dads Out?
Sat 19 Mar – Churchyard Working Party
Sat 19 Mar – Crafternoon
Mon 21 Mar – The Drop-In (ages 11-16)
Tues 22 Mar – Lent Course : Growing Good (week 3)
Wed 23 Mar – Youth Night (ages 11-16)
Fri 25 Mar – Footprints Baby & Toddler Group
Fri 25 Mar – The Lighthouse (ages 7-11)
Sat 26 Mar – Afternoon Tea
Mon 28 Mar – The Drop-In (ages 11-16)
Tues 29 Mar – Lent Course : Growing Good (week 4)
Fri 1 Apr – FM Life
Sun 3 April – Vision Sunday
Tues 5 Apr – Lent Course : Growing Good (week 5)
Wed 6 Apr – Bereavement Café
Tues 12 Apr – Lent Course : Growing Good (week 6)
Thurs 14 Apr – Maundy Thursday 10am and 8pm Communion
Fri 15 Apr – Good Friday Lady Chapel Reflection Space
Sun 17 April – Easter Sunday 6am, 8am and 10.30am
Sat 30 Apr – Afternoon Tea
Thurs 1 Sept – Golf Day at The Drift
Sat 3 Sept – Parish Away Day
Rev Pouya Heidari: rector@stmarysfetcham.org.uk 01372 375660 (day off Friday)Parish Office : office@stmarysfetcham.org.uk 01372 375000 (Mon-Fri 9-12)
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