We are excited to be recruiting a full-time Operations Manager for an initial one year fixed-term contract with funding currently available for a further two years and we would be delighted to receive applications. Please take look and get in touch if you would like to apply for this exciting role : https://stmarysfetcham.org.uk/contact-us/serve-on-team/
Built on solid foundations and rooted in Word and Spirit, St Mary’s is a welcoming and friendly church with a growing membership and staff team. We are eager to move forward, grow as disciples of Jesus, and take bold steps for the kingdom, pioneering new ways of being church and making the most of our church’s and local community’s strengths.
We look forward to receiving applications with a cover letter and full CV to Andy Black, Strategy & Planning Lead, by email at andy@blacklifesci.com. Please include the names and contact details of three referees, ideally two professional referees and one a personal referee such as a Christian minister or friend. Closing date for applications is 5pm on Fri 17 March 2023.
Lent Course ‘Beacon of Hope’ – Wed 1 Mar, 7:30-9pm: Sharing faith is not easy. It is natural to feel stressed even at the thought of doing it. Natural conversations about faith in Jesus are always better than smooth, planned and robotic ones. What is our part and what is God’s part when we are in a conversation about Jesus with someone? Sharing faith doesn’t need to be difficult or awkward. This Lent Course aims to support us in a safe environment to reflect on the organic ways of ‘making Jesus known’. Not as a burden or out of guilt but rather in a natural way. We are looking forward to learning from one another about the joys and challenges of opening up to someone about Jesus.
Deanory Synod Meeting – Wed 1 Mar, 7-8:30pm on Zoom: With the 2030 deadline for Net Zero in our parish fast approaching, do you know an Infrared panel heater from a Ground Source Heat-pump? How much of the £190 million pounds set aside for decarbonising the Church of England will come to parishes, and how do you apply? For the answer to these and other ‘green’ church questions, come to the next Leatherhead Deanery Synod Zoom meeting on March 1st, where Alison Moulden, the Diocesan Environment Officer, will be giving vital information on Net Zero and Eco Church. Sign up on ChurchSuite and the link to the meeting will be issued to those registered.
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.
Thursday Morning Coffee, Thurs 16 Mar, 10:30-11:30am: Meeting on the 3rd Thursday of the month, you are very welcome to join us for a cuppa and a chat. There is also an informal NHS hearing aid clinic where you can receive basic maintenance or change batteries. Please join us either after the 10am Holy Communion service, or just come along to the hall. Let us know if you require a lift.
Highway 35 Guest Speaker, Thurs 16 Mar, 7pm Fetcham Park House: You are invited to come along to a social evening hosted by Men’s Group, and open to all, and listen to an inspirational speaker, Chris & Denise Arthey, who will discuss his recent book Highway 35 – Muddy Pearl and their journey of hope against all odds, explaining how they rebuilt their lives, ‘step by step’ after their accident. Copies will be available for sale and signed by the authors. Arrive from 6:30pm to catch up with friends with drinks, ready for the talk at 7pm sharp. Please sign up here or contact the Parish Office. Numbers are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment. You are welcome to share the details with friends and neighbours. We look forward to meeting old friends, and making new ones!
LoveFetcham Week – 1-6 April: An opportunity to show our community some extra love this Easter by volunteering to help at one or more of our community projects including restoring benches at Fetcham Infants, helping with Oakfield School Sensory Garden project, Family Easter Trail, running with the Rector as he is sponsored to run 70miles in 7 days raising funds for the community, and more! Watch out for further details!
Women’s Breakfast – Thanks to everyone who gave so generously to the recent women’s breakfast. We were able to give an amazing donation of £483.60 to Epsom & Ewell Refugee Support.
Congratulations to Alan and Catherine Castree who celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Thurs 16 Feb.
The Way Forward Workshop: Thank you to everyone who attended the workshop on Sun 12 Feb to help us build a picture of the sort of church you want us to be in 2028. Since then, a questionnaire has been send out to capture your views and input for the Strategy project to define the future for St Mary’s. Specifically, “How will St Mary’s develop sustainably for the next generations?” Whilst any member of the church family is welcome to complete the questionnaire, it is focussed on engaging with those who were unable to attend the Strategy Workshop. There are three sections to the questionnaire: 1. Your heart’s desires for St Mary’s, 2 Your view of the current status of St Mary’s and 3 Personal details. Please follow this link or there are paper copies in the back of church : Click here for Questionnaire
Family Fun Success: The two sessions held in half term were a great success and saw the hall full of families enjoying the activities and café. Thanks to everyone who was involved with the organisation or help on the day.
Ladies Loo Out Of Order: A plumber is arranged to come and investigate on Mon 27 Feb and we will endeavour to fix the problem as soon as we can. In the meantime please use the other cubicle or the disabled toilet. Thank you for your patience!
The Community Coffee Shop BOGOF: The special offer of a free drink when you buy filter coffee, tea or hot chocolate continues throughout February, so why not come along with a friend and have a catch up!
Other information
Turkey & Syria Earthquake Bake Sale – Sat 25 Feb, 11am-2pm: Raising funds for the earthquake relief at the Parish Church Hall, Church Street, Leatherhead.
Talking Teens, your guide to understanding teenagers – 4 weeks from Thurs 2 Mar, 7:30-9:30pm: A 4-part course which tackles something of the challenges of parenting teenagers, helping you to understand them better so you can have a calmer, happier family life. For more info and to book go to: https://bookhambaptist.org/bbcc-groupsandevents
Knife Angel at Guildford Cathedral, 1-30 Mar: The thought-provoking anti-violence monument which aims to inspire social change will be on display outside the Cathedral from Wed 1 Mar and the public will be able to view the 27ft sculpture throughout the month. To find out more visit : https://www.guildford-cathedral.org/events/knife-angel
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
Prayers
We continue to pray for those who are unwell: Anais Featherstone, Matthew Aldridge, Vera Marshall, Jane Bishop, John Cooper, Lynn Alsop, Elaine Mead, Vera Cameron, Fay Burroughs, 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 for:
Monday Morning Prayers : 8:00-8:30am
Private Prayer in Church : Monday to Saturday 09:00 -16:00
Praying Together, Lady Chapel : Thurs 2 Mar, 12:15pm, Tues 14 Mar -, 9am and Wed 15 Mar – 7:30pm
Diary Dates:
Check your MyChurchSuite to see what’s going on and to get more details or prebook. Here’s a brief summary:
Sat 26 Feb – Afternoon Tea, 3-4:30pm
Wed 1 Mar – Bereavement Café, 10-11:30am
Wed 1 Mar – Lent Course begins (6 weeks), 7:30-9pm
Fri 3 Mar – World Day of Prayer 10:30-11:30am Catholic Church Fetcham and 7:30pm – St Lawrence’s, Effingham.
Thurs 2 Mar – Praying Together, 12:15pm Lady Chapel
Fri 3 Mar – Life Group supporting World Day of Prayer, 10:30am
Sun 5 Mar – Homemade Stall and Second-hand Books
Fri 10 Mar – Messy Church, 3:30-5:30pm
Tues 14 Mar – Praying Together, 9am Lady Chapel
Wed 15 Mar – Praying Together, 7:30pm Lady Chapel
Wed 15 Mar – Life Group, 10-11:30pm, hall
Wed 15 Mar – Youth Board Game Evening, 7:30-9pm
Thurs 16 Mar – Thursday Morning coffee, 10:30-11:30am
Thurs 16 Mar – Highway 35 Speaker, Men’s Group, 7pm
Sat 18 Mar – Who Let The Dads Out?!, 9:30-11:30am
Sat 18 Mar – 6 Nations ko 5pm
Sat 26 Mar – Afternoon Tea, 3-4:30pm
Fri 31 Mar – Life Group, 11-12noon collaborating with Footprints Toddlers
1-6 April – LoveFetcham Week
Wed 5 April – Bereavement Café, 10-11:30am
Fri 14 April – Messy Church, 3:30-5:30pm
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
Please ensure donations are sealed, in date and do not contain alcohol.
They URGENTLY NEED:
Tinned vegetables, Tinned potatoes, Tinned fruit, Cooking sauces, Long Life sponge pudding, Long Life fruit juice, Washing up Liquid, Washing powder/pods, Nappies 6+ ONLY, Toilet rolls
They would also appreciate any bags for life/very strong bags
Please use their supermarket donation points or bring donations directly to us 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, no more of these items: Tinned soup, non-dairy milk, dog and cat food, crisps, chocolate spread.
Many thanks for all your support – they really do appreciate it!