Homemade & Second-hand Book Stall – Sun 5 Feb, 10:40-11:30am: Do please donate homemade goods and baking to our February Homemade Stall. Pots of bulbs and house plants will be welcome too. As usual we will have a Christmas present amnesty: if you were given a new Christmas present that you just can’t find a space for, do bring it along and someone might like to buy it, in return for a donation to Centre for Urban Mission in Nairobi, supporting Homework Clubs and Apprenticeships in Nairobi’s slums. This is the only time of year you can donate something that is not homemade. New presents only please. See you then!
6 Nations Rugby – Sat 4 Feb & Sat 18 Mar: Back due to popular demand! Everyone is invited to come and watch two of the 6 Nations rugby matches in the church hall, offering a family friendly space, with the enjoyment of a big screen and great atmosphere. Please feel free to arrive before kick-off times, but you can join in at any time. We are offering free hotdogs, but request that you bring your own drinks. To give us an idea of numbers please sign up, but come along on the day if you don’t get around to doing it. This is a community event, so please bring your friends too!
Question of Faith? – Wed 8 Feb, 7:30-9pm: Do you have a question about the Christian faith you have not felt you could ask? Come along to our ‘A Question of Faith’ evening to explore those questions in a safe environment. Refreshments available throughout the evening at St Mary’s Church Hall. We look forward to seeing you!
Family Fun – Half Term: We are opening our doors for some drop in sessions of Family Fun on Mon 13th 1:30-4:30pm and Tues 14th 9-12noon. Come and stay with your family for FREE fun, play, games and community café (charge apply).
The Way Forward Workshop – Sun 12 Feb, 12:30-2:30pm: Help us build a picture of the sort of church you want us to be in 2028. Not just the buildings but also: How are we Growing Faith for all ages? How can we be more Inclusive? What will be our Digital offer? How can we be Financially Sustainable? We are meeting after services and will enjoy a sandwich lunch. To plan for food preparation please sign up here. Let us know if you have any dietary requirements. We look forward to gathering together and sharing ideas.
Welcome Breakfast – Sun 19 Feb, 9-11am: We are delighted to warmly welcome all newcomers to a continental style breakfast at 3A The Ridgeway. New members of our church family from all three Sunday services will have the chance to meet each other and chat with some St Mary’s regulars. Children welcome. Please park at the church and come across when you are ready, either after or before your usual service. To get an idea of numbers please sign up here, but you are welcome to just turn up on the day too!
Women’s Breakfast – Sat 4 Feb, 9:30-11am: There are a few places left. Once again we are delighted to invite ladies to our Women’s Breakfast and welcome back Epsom & Ewell Refugee Network together with a guest speaker from the Ukrainian community to talk about her first-hand experience. For a suggested donation of £5 enjoy a delicious breakfast and hear our excellent speaker. Please sign up here or contact the Parish Office. Numbers are limited to 60 places so please book early to avoid disappointment. As always, we look forward to meeting old friends and making new ones!
Thank you football hosts: Congratulations to the Archbishop of Canterbury FC who played last weekend and won 11-1. They laced up alongside Premier League stars, part of a national ‘green’ campaign to raise awareness of the Climate Crisis with football the focus for practical steps to reduce carbon. The team thoroughly enjoyed themselves and would like to thank everyone who offered hospitality and welcome, whether that was food, accommodation or their time.
The Community Coffee Shop BOGOF: Throughout this January and February we have a special offer of a free drink when you buy filter coffee, tea or hot chocolate, so why not come along with a friend and have a catch up! The team looks forward to welcoming you!
Youth Board Game Evening: Last week we saw the launch of our monthly board game evening (aka toast night) for older young people in school years 9-13. It was a great night of games, competitive spirit, hot chocolate and lots of toast… We’re looking forward to February’s Board Game eve already – Wed 22 Feb, 7.30-9pm in the church hall. if you’re in school years 9-13 we’d love to see you there!
Other information
CAP Quiz – Sat 25 Mar, 7:30pm: CAP is holding a fun fundraising quiz night at Bookham Baptist Church. Pull together your dream team of 8 players and contact Andrew Laver at church@crossways.info to register. £10 per person – all proceeds to helping people out of debt in Mole Valley. Please bring your own refreshments.
Part-time work supporting women in prison preparing for their release: HMP Send Chaplaincy is looking for a part-time manager for their Resettlement work, leading a team of volunteers mentors who run the Marking Connections programme. The post is funded by The Nazareth Way charity. For more info contact Lesley.mason@justice.gov.uk
Admin Assistant – Epsom & Ewell Foodbank part of the Good Company: Do you fancy working in one of their key roles? They are looking for an enthusiastic all-rounder to work at our main office as our admin assistant. Click here for more info and how to apply. If you want to call us for an informal chat please do, 0208 786 8221.
World Day of Prayer – Fri 3 Mar: World Day of Prayer is an international, inter-church organisation which enables us to hear the thoughts of women from all parts of the world: their hopes, concerns and prayers. This year is prepared by Taiwan. There are two services locally to which you are invited, plus staying for refreshments afterwards:
10:30am – Church of the Holy Spirit, Fetcham
7:30pm – St Lawrence’s, Effingham.
New Beginnings – Thurs 23 Feb, 7.45 pm: This is for anyone suffering a divorce, separation or broken relationship. Its aim is to help people to come to terms with the past and make a fresh start in a friendly and supportive atmosphere. Its held at St Pauls, Howell Hill, is free, lasts 10 weeks, and is open to everyone. For more information, or if you wish to come, please call Colin on 07855 245 619 or new.beginnings@blueyonder.co.uk www.saintpauls.co.uk/NB
Exploring Anxiety and Depression – Wed 22 Feb, 7.45pam: This self-help group seeks to provide helpful perspectives in a friendly and supportive atmosphere, but does not provide counselling or therapy. Professional and experienced speakers help us to look at various ways of combating anxiety and depression. There is also ample time for discussion. The 10 week course is at St Paul’s Howell Hill and is free of charge. If you would like to come along, or wish to discuss whether it would be right for you, please contact Judith exploringanxietydepression@gmail.com www.saintpauls.co.uk/EAD
Prayers
Please pray for the ACTS’ Puppet Assemblies group as they prepare to visit local primary schools throughout January and February.
We continue to pray for those who are unwell: John Cooper, Lynn Alsop, Elaine Mead, Vera Cameron, Fay Burroughs, Anais Featherstone, Matthew Aldridge, Vera Marshall, David Eaton, Gill and David Hanson
Please also pray for June Williams and Mavis Lake in residential care.
We welcome you to join us at St Mary’s:
Monday Morning Prayers : 8:00-8:30am
Private Prayer in Church : Monday to Saturday 09:00 -16:00
Usual Sunday Services
8am Communion Service : said Book of Common Prayer
9:30am Communion Service : sung Common Worship
11:15am Worship Service : no longer live-streamed
Also, Communion Service at 10am every Thursday.
Diary Dates:
Check your MyChurchSuite to see what’s going on and to get more details or prebook. Here’s a brief summary:
Sat 28 Jan – Afternoon Tea, 3-4:30pm
Wed 1 Feb – Bereavement Café, 10-11:30am
Fri 3 Feb – Life Group, 2-3:30pm, hall
Sat 4 Feb – Women’s Breakfast, 9:30-11:30am
Sat 4 Feb – 6 Nations ko 4:45pm
Sun 5 Feb – Homemade Stall and Second-hand Books
Wed 8 Feb – A Question of Faith, 7:30-9pm
Fri 10 Feb – Messy Church, 3:30-5:30pm
Sun 12 Feb – The Way Forward, 12:30-2:30pm
Mon 13 Feb – Family Fun, 1:30-4:30pm
Tues 14 Feb – Family Fun, 9-12noon
Sun 19 Feb – Welcome Breakfast, 9-11am, Gaskill’s home
Fri 24 Feb – Life Group, 10-11:30am, member’s home
Sat 18 Feb – Who Let The Dads Out?!, 9:30-11:30am
Sat 25 Feb – Bothy Working Party, 10-12noon
Sat 26 Feb – Afternoon Tea, 3-4:30pm
Sat 25 Feb – CAP Quiz Night in Dorking
Wed 1 Mar – Bereavement Café, 10-11:30am
Fri 3 Mar – World Day of Prayer 10:30-11:30am Catholic Church Fetcham
Fri 3 Mar – Life Group supporting World Day of Prayer
Sat 18 Mar – Who Let The Dads Out?!, 9:30-11:30am
Sat 18 Mar – 6 Nations ko 5pm
Weekly Regulars
Monday – Community Fridge 10-11am (not open on Bank Holidays)
Monday – Community Coffee Shop 10-11.30am (not open on Bank Holidays)
Running in Term Time
Monday – The Drop-In (School Yrs 7-13) 4-5.30pm
Tuesday – Youth Night (School Yrs 7-13) 7.30-9pm
Friday – Footprints Baby & Toddlers 10-11.30am
Friday – Messy Church (all the family) 2nd of the month 3.30-5.30pm
Sunday – Activ8 for under 11s and Sunday Youth for 11+ during 11.15 service
Foodbank – they URGENTLY NEED:
Cooking sauce (they have none), Tinned Veg (they have none), Instant mash (they have none), Squash (they have none), Longlife sponge puddings (they have none), Rice pudding (they have none)
Tinned Fruit, Longlife fruit juice, Tinned Pasta/Beans with meat, Jam / honey / marmalade, Peanut butter, Sugar (500g bags please), Shower gel, Washing powder, Nappies in the following sizes: 5, 5+ and 6+
They would also appreciate any bags for life/very strong bags/Christmas Bags for Life
Please use their supermarket donation points or bring donations directly to them at Epsom & Ewell Foodbank, Good Company Hub, behind West Ewell Primary School, Ruxley Lane, Ewell KT19 0JG. They are open for donations Monday – Friday, 9am-2pm
Please ensure donations are sealed, in date and do not contain alcohol.
Many thanks for all your support