Goodbye to the Heidari Family: We had a very happy afternoon last Saturday to say Goodbye to the Heidaris. Huge thanks to everybody who came and especially to those who baked delicious cakes and worked very hard in the kitchen. Of course the afternoon was tinged with sadness as we prepare to say goodbye to Pouya, Debo and the boys on Sunday 16 July, their last day with us before they fly out to American pastures new on Monday. We have so loved having them with us and are so grateful for the huge contribution Pouya has made to our church family and the wider community. God did indeed answer our prayers when he called Pouya and his family to Fetcham. We pray for them and wish them every blessing for the future.
It seems rather crass to be talking about recruiting Pouya’s successor while he’s still here, but you’ll be aware that the wheels have been put in motion to find our new Incumbent. The PCC had an extra meeting to discuss important elements of our Parish Profile. The New Rector Working Group, a team we’ve put together representing different elements of St Mary’s, has also met. The timetable is quite tight and writing the Profile is already underway, though we’re fortunate that the last one is still largely relevant. If you have any queries or comments do speak to a member of the PCC or the NRWG which comprises Corinne Braid, Janet Clark, Andy Delugar, Richard Furze, Linda Gaskill, Hannah Hossain, Toby Meek, Julie Partridge, Tess Trewinnard and Iain Whitlam. Thank you for your prayerful support.
Thursday Coffee & Hear Hear – Thurs 20 July, 10:45 – 11:30am: The NHS Hearing Clinic is run alongside the 10am Holy Communion and Coffee Morning on the 3rd Thursday of the month and is for NHS supplied hearing aids. This is a convenient local benefit, and also give the opportunity to meet new people and have a cuppa.
St Mary’s Family Fun Day – Sat 22 July, 12-4pm at Manor House School: If you are able to help by bringing a cake or helping to serve tea and cake during the afternoon, please contact Corinne. It’s a great chance to get together for an afternoon in the school’s beautiful grounds. Please bring your own picnic food, chairs, rugs and stay for as much of the day as you can. There’s a lovely garden at the front of the house for picnics and a bouncy castle, a variety of playgrounds for younger children to play in and lots of areas for garden games and summer sports. We will also have access to the main hall should the weather be inclement. If you can bring a cake to share, please get in touch with Corinne who would also love to hear from you if you can offer to help on the day. NB: Please leave dogs at home!
Afternoon Tea – Sat 29 July, 3-4:30pm: We welcome the elder people in the community to come along to our Church Hall to enjoy tea, chat and occasional entertainment on the last Saturday of the month. Please sign up here, contact the Parish Office on email office@stmarysfetcham.org.uk or 01372 375000. Do share with friends and neighbours who you think would benefit from enjoying the afternoon. We look forward to enjoying your company.
Youth Weekend Away – 29 Sept to 1 Oct: We’re super excited to be having a Youth Weekend Away! It’s for any young people in school years 7-13 to come away for a super fun weekend of activities, a chance to unwind and make some great memories! Contact Nathan for more info and booking details: youth@stmarysfetcham.org.uk
Community Fridge & Coffee Shop continues every Monday during the holidays except 28 Aug Bank Holiday.
Huge congratulations to Hannah on completing the First Timers course run by the Diocese for Children & Families Workers. The year-long course invites those who are new to roles working with children, youth and families in our churches’ ministries to give them support and the foundations to thrive in their vocations. Hannah received her ‘graduation’ certificate from the Bishop of Guildford.
Church Growth 2023 – Wed 22 Nov, 10am-4pm at St Paul’s Howell Hill: Nicky Gumbel, Rachel Gardner of Youthscape and Bev Mason, Bishop of Warrington and trustee of Leading your Church into Growth, are among the speakers at this year’s Guildford Diocese Church Growth Conference which will be held at St Paul’s Howell Hill on Wednesday 22 November (10am-4pm). All are welcome, and clergy are encouraged to bring their wider leadership teams and potential leaders.
Nicky will be drawing upon his long experience of church leadership and evangelism to explore how churches can enter into a new season of growth, while Rachel will speak on ‘growing intergenerational churches’ and +Bev will examine how to develop a church growth strategy suited to your context and church tradition.
There will then be two separate afternoon streams – one on community engagement and faith sharing, and the other on growing your ministry to children, families and young people. Both will be highly practical and will draw upon the experience of the fastest-growing churches in the diocese and nationally.
The day will be opened by Bishop Andrew who commented ‘This conference presents a wonderful opportunity for church leaders to bring their lay and ordained teams and those who may have the potential to help lead in the future, to be inspired and equipped. I hope you can join us.
Places can be booked now at ChurchGrowth2023.eventbrite.co.uk. Any questions, contact David Senior.
New Wine United 23: 4 FREE TICKETS! Since the Heidaris are no longer able to come to United 2023 they have 2 adult tickets and 2 child tickets available (children’s tickets are a 0-4 year old and a 5-11 year old ticket). The Heidari’s would love these tickets to be used so please get in touch with Nathan if you are interested!
UNITED 2023 – Come and join us! It’s not too late to come and book on the New Wine summer conference held near Maidstone on 26-30 July! There are around a dozen of us going so far which include children, young people and adults but we would love to have more of the church family come and join us too! It should be a really great time together filled with fun, friendship and time to grow in our relationship with God!
You can find more info and also book directly at www.new-wine.org/united – but you can also speak to Nathan Ghinn if you have more questions, or if you would like to chat about coming. When booking please say you are from St Mary’s Church, Fetcham to enable us all to be in the same camping village.
Youth summer socials!: We have 4 exciting summer socials on offer to young people in school years 7-13! All are welcome to come and invite friends! Please contact Nathan with how to book your young person on: youth@stmarysfetcham.org.uk
Other news
Coffee Morning and Sale, Sat 29 July, 10:30-12.30: Handmade gifts, leatherworks, jewellery, scarves, batik cards raising money forNepal Leprosy Trust at Eastwick Road Church Eastwick, KT23 4BE.
Lunchtime Concert St Mary’s Stoke D’Abernon- Thurs 27 July, 1pm: In July the genre of the lunchtime concert follows the tradition that has become established since St Mary’s midweek concerts began. This year’s jazz concert will feature Will Barry, who was voted the Musicians’ Company Young Jazz Musician of the Year in 2017. Will is an award-winning pianist, drummer and percussionist from London who graduated from the Royal Academy of Music in 2016. He is involved in numerous projects internationally, most prominently touring with Phronesis bassist Jasper Høiby’s group ‘Fellow Creatures’ in Turkey, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Holland and also extensively in the UK. In 2018 Will performed at the North Sea, Love Supreme, Green Hours and Umbria Jazz Festivals. Do come and bring your friends. As ever the recital starts at 1pm. Tickets are not required but there will be a retiring collection towards the cost of this recital and St Mary’s music funds.
Usual Sunday Services
8am Communion Service : said Book of Common Prayer
9:30am Communion Service : sung Common Worship
11:15am Worship Service : informal with worship band
Also, 10am Thursday : Communion Service (monthly 3rd Thursday)
Prayers
We continue to pray for those who are unwell:
Lynn Alsop, Sue Cox, Fay Burroughs, Anais Featherstone, Gill Hanson, John Cooper, Elaine Mead, Vera Cameron, and Matthew Aldrich.
And those in residential care:
June Williams, and Sheila Bramwell and Ena Seward
We welcome you to join us at St Mary’s for:
Monday Morning Prayers : 8:00-8:30am
Private Prayer in Church : Monday to Saturday 09:00 -16:00
Diary Dates:
Check your MyChurchSuite to see what’s going on and to get more details or prebook. Here’s a brief summary:
Sun 16 July – Rev Pouya’s last Sunday
Thurs 20 July – Thursday 10am Communion & Coffee Morning/Hear Hear
Sat 22 July – Family Fun Day, 12-4pm Manor House School
Mon 24 July – Family Drop In, 1:30-4:30pm
Sat 29 July – Afternoon Tea, 3-4:30pm
Sun 30 July – No Eleven15 today
Wed 2 Aug – Bereavement Café 10-11.30am
Sun 6 Aug – No Homemade Stall and Second-hand Books in August
Fri 11 Aug – Messy Church Picnic & Games, 4-5:30pm
Tues 15 Aug – Games @ The Park, Cock Lane, 2-4:30pm
Sat 26 Aug – Afternoon Tea, 3-4:30pm
Mon 28 Aug – No Community Fridge or Coffee Shop
Fri 1 Sept – Family Drop In, 10am-12pm
Sun 3 Sept – Homemade Stall and Second-hand Books
Sat 9 Sept – Ride and Stride Bike Ride
Sat 16 Sept – Heritage Day
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
Thursday – Coffee Stop @ Fetcham Village Hall 9-10:30am
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
St Mary’s hosts a Community Fridge, not Foodbank, but we do accept donations which are taken directly to the Leatherhead Foodbank and go to local people in need. Please ensure donations are sealed, in date and do not contain alcohol.
This week they need the following:
Tinned meat, Custard, Sponge puddings, UHT Milks (full fat and semi skimmed), Sugar (500g or 1kg packs please), Small chocolate bars/treats, Washing up liquid, Adult Toothbrushes, Shampoo/Conditioner, Deodorant, Shower gel, Sanitary pads, Nappies sizes 5+, 6 and 6+
bags for life/very strong bags
In June they fed 713 people (May 2023 – 701 people). Their food bank use is 50% higher compared to the same period last year.
Please, no more of these items as they are at capacity: Dog Food, Cat Food, Tea Bags, Tinned Fish, Tinned soup
Please use supermarket donation points, drop off at the church hall or bring donations directly to Epsom & Ewell Foodbank, Good Company Hub, behind West Ewell Primary School, Ruxley Lane, Ewell KT19 0JG
Open for donations Monday – Friday, 9am-2pm