The Vacancy: Although Pouya only left three weeks ago, we’re on track to meet the deadlines in the recruitment process for our new Rector. We sent our Archdeacon, the Ven Martin Breadmore, and Rural Dean, Rev Renos Pittarides a draft copy of the Parish Profile and they have congratulated the team on an excellent document. We’re incorporating their comments prior to issue to the PCC for theirs. Don’t forget to let us have your quotes on Fetcham and St Mary’s for inclusion in the profile.
Welcome Jo Evans, Operations Manager! We are delighted that Jo has joined the team as the new Operations Manager for St Mary’s. She has recently moved back to Fetcham with her son Ben and often attends the 11.15am service. Her background is in Education and she has been working in leadership in Primary Schools for over 20 years. She also runs her own part time training and consultancy business.
Jo is excited to be joining the team, getting to know everyone and using her positive attitude, strong faith and enthusiasm, to work together to help the church to thrive and further develop the operational foundations of St. Mary’s.
Thursday Morning Communion and Coffee – Thurs 17 Aug, 10.30-11.30am: Please join us either after the 10am Holy Communion service, or just come along to the hall. We meet on the 3rd Thursday of the month and you are very welcome to join us for a cuppa and a chat. There is also an informal ‘Hear Hear’ NHS hearing aid clinic where you can receive basic maintenance or change batteries.
The Coffee Stop – Fetcham Village Hall, Thurs 9-10:30am: Come along on Thursday mornings for a hot drink, something sweet and a chat. We meet in the John Rumble Room (the back hall) at Fetcham Village Hall. There’s a small play area for babies and toddlers. Donations welcome.
Afternoon Tea – Sat 26 August, 3-4:30pm: We welcome the older people in our community to come to the church hall to enjoy tea, chat and occasional entertainment on the last Saturday of each month. Please sign up here, contact the Parish Office on 01372 375000 or office@stmarysfetcham.org.uk Do share with friends and neighbours who you think would enjoy the afternoon. We look forward to the pleasure of your company.
Homemade Stall – Sun 3 Sept: The Homemade Stall and Second-hand Bookstall are back! Do think what you might be able to donate:- home-baking, jams, plants from the garden, crafts. You name it – if it’s homemade, we’ll be delighted to sell it on the stall to raise funds for homework clubs and apprenticeships in Nairobi’s informal settlements.
Ride & Stride – Sat 9 Sept: Come and join in with a fun walk or cycle ride around some of our beautiful local churches. Sponsor forms from Sarah Mackay mackayfamily10@btinternet.com or the Surrey Churches Preservation Trust website: surreychurchespreservationtrust.org under the Ride & Stride tab. Do let Sarah know if you would like to join in. There’s an interesting talk this October ‘’Around the world in 80 churches.’ More details in Other News below.
Heritage Open Days – Sat 16 Sept: A different date to the Bike Ride this year as we’re joining in with Fetcham Park House and many other historic buildings in Mole Valley. We need volunteers to act as stewards to welcome visitors to the Church. To help us plan please sign up here or in church. Don’t delay so you can choose the best slot for you!
Harvest Celebration – Sun 8 Oct, 10:30am: Last year was so enjoyable at Barracks Farm, we are planning to hold our Harvest Celebration there again. Communion can be taken at 8am that Sunday. We would love to form a hospitality team for this event. Please contact Julie if you are able to help.
Who Let The Dad’s Out? Sat 16 Sept, 9.30-11.30am: The dads are back!! It’s a men’s monthly, Saturday morning opportunity to enjoy bacon sandwiches, coffee and a chance to chat. They meet on the 3rd Saturday of each month in the church hall. You are welcome to come along with or without children. There’s lots of activities to keep everyone occupied. No charge, but donations welcome.
Churchyard Working Party – Sat 21 Oct, 9-12noon: Please come and help tidy up our beautiful churchyard. We only pay for the grass to be cut and so twice a year we are heavily reliant on volunteers from St Mary’s to come and help keep the weeds at bay, leaf clearing, trimming back overgrown hedges, tidy the flower beds and much more… Come along for as much time as you can. We’ll also be grateful for help in the rectory garden. Please bring your gloves, tools and enthusiasm. There will be an ample supply of refreshments from the Who Let The Dads Out? team and great community spirit.
Bereavement Service – Sun 5 Nov, 3pm: Please join us for our annual special service, followed by tea and cake in the hall. We will be remembering and giving thanks for our loved ones who have died and all are welcome to attend.
CollectTin: A new way to accept donations from card payments. More details will be shared at services this Sunday, 13th Aug.
Community Fridge and Coffee Shop will be running throughout the summer holidays. Why not meet a friend for a cuppa or bring the children down to play in the play area? We continue every Monday during the holidays except Bank Holiday Monday, 28th August.
Summer Family Fun Sessions – The families sessions continue throughout the summer. The next date is Tues 15 Aug, 2-4pm, with Games @ The Park in Cock Lane Rec. This is a joint venture with the Youth so all ages welcome.
The team are looking forward to the family walk starting at Norbury Park on Wed 23 Aug, 10am-2pm and finally the Family Drop-In at the church hall on Fri 1 Sept, 10am-12pm, just before school goes back
Youth summer socials: All young people in school years 7-13 are welcome to come and invite friends! Please contact Nathan with how to book your young person on: youth@stmarysfetcham.org.uk
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
Parish Admin Annual Leave: Mon 21 Aug – Fri 1 Sept inc.
Other news
Dementia Awareness Talk – Tues 5 Sept, 10-11am: Elaine Crutchley will give a helpful short talk in the Foyer @ Eastwick Road Church, KT23 4BE, with time for questions and prayers afterwards if requested, over a cup of tea and cake. Family, friends and neighbours welcome. Please use this opportunity to reach out to someone and accompany them to this event. Further info: 07939 053315.
An evening with Jeff Lucas – Sat 30 Sept, 7.30pm: Tickets cost £10 and include light refreshments halfway through the evening. A book stall with special offers, together with book signing by Jeff will be available. Click here to book tickets.
1st Fetcham Scout Group are looking for new people to join the Trustees Board. They meet 6 times a year and support the Group with finances, building maintenance, membership and other matters. No scouting experience required. Do you know anyone who can bring life experience and their time that will benefit the Scouting community? Please contact karen.jordan@1stfetchamscouts.org.uk
Bishop of Guildford Communities Fun Sponsored Walk – Sat 16 Sept: Bishop Andrew is leading a sponsored walk to raise money for the Bishop of Guildford’s Communities Fund, which provides grants for parish outreach projects which help the poorest, the marginalised and vulnerable in our diocese. This year we are walking the Wey towpath with walks of varying length starting from West Byfleet, Send and Guildford – to find out more click on this link where you will find information about the routes, timing and how to sign up.
Round the World in 80 Churches – Sat 14 Oct, 2pm: An illustrated talk by Andrew Plumridge, architect and trust at Ruxley Church, Main Hall, Ruxley Lane, Ewell, KT19 0AF. Free parking on site. Contact Sarah if you’d like to come along, £5 per ticket for groups of 4 or more – https://thelittleboxoffice.com/scpt/
Latest Stats: In July they fed 583 people – (June 2023 – 713 people)
Donation wish list : Sponge puddings – URGENT (not refrigerated please), Cooking sauce (not pasta sauce, have lots), Non-dairy milks (oat, soya, almond and so on), Powdered Milk, Tinned Vegetables, Tinned Fruit, Custard, Sugar (small bags), Ketchup and Brown sauce, Long Life Juice, Shaving gel/foam, Men’s deodorant, Washing up liquid, Toilet Rolls, Nappies sizes 5+ and 6+
Prayers
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
We pray for young people awaiting exam results as they prepare for the next stage of their studies.
We continue to pray for those who are unwell:
Gillian Mills, Dean Hammond, Vera Cameron, Lynn Alsop, Anais Featherstone, Gill Hanson, Fay Burroughs, John Cooper, Elaine Mead and Matthew Aldrich.
And those in residential care:
June WilliamsandSheila Bramwell
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)
Diary Dates:
Check your MyChurchSuite to see what’s going on and to get more details or prebook. Here’s a brief summary:
Reminder that there’s no Activ8 or Sunday Youth throughout August.
Tues 15 Aug – Games @ The Park, Cock Lane, 2-4:30pm
Thurs 17 Aug – Thursday 10am Communion & Coffee Morning/Hear Hear
Thurs 17 Aug – The Coffee Stop, 9-10:30am Fetcham Village Hall
Thurs 24 Aug – Youth Bookham to Downside, 2-5pm
Sat 26 Aug – Afternoon Tea, 3-4:30pm
Mon 28 Aug – No Community Fridge or Coffee Shop
Thurs 24 Aug – The Coffee Stop, 9-10:30am Fetcham Village Hall
Wed 30 Aug – Youth Board Games & Pizza, 3-6pm
Thurs 31 Aug – The Coffee Stop, 9-10:30am Fetcham Village Hall
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 Open Day
Sat 16 Sept – Who Let The Dads Out?, 9:30-11:30am
Sat 30 Sept – Afternoon Tea, 3-4:30pm
29 Sept-1 Oct – Youth Weekend Away
Sun 1 Oct – Homemade Stall and Second-hand Books
Wed 6 Sept – Bereavement Café 10-11.30am
Sun 8 Oct – Harvest Celebration, 10:30am
Sun 8 Oct – Welcome Bishop Paul Davies, Guildford Cathedral, 6pm
Sun 5 Nov – Bereavement Service, 3pm
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