Community News

Brilliant Big Brekkie and More!
Jane Boniface Jane Boniface

Brilliant Big Brekkie and More!

Following May’s Mission partner Focus on Christian Aid - highlighting Christian Aid Week and its ‘red envelope’ campaign, as well as the Big Brekkie at St George’s Café on 10 May - Jane Boniface, Chair of Ashtead Churches Together Christian Aid Committee, is excited to announce a massive £4000 was raised.

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How Well Are You Doing With Your Recycling?
Barbara Laird Barbara Laird

How Well Are You Doing With Your Recycling?

We’re all aware that we need to help future generations enjoy the planet as much as we have by looking after it. But it can be hard to know how. Taking a few small steps yourself can make a big change. Reducing what we waste is a good place to start, it means we lessen our reliance on natural resources and create fewer carbon emissions.  

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Let’s Swap Together for Good
Dawn Collin Dawn Collin

Let’s Swap Together for Good

The Great Big Green Week, the UK’s largest celebration of action to tackle climate change, will take place this year from 7 to 15 June. 

This year’s theme is ‘Let’s swap together for good,’ which encourages us all to unite in making swaps to lessen the impact of climate change, strengthen our communities, and build a future we can be proud to pass on to the next generation.

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Volunteers' Week 2025: A Time to Serve and Celebrate
Dawn Collin Dawn Collin

Volunteers' Week 2025: A Time to Serve and Celebrate

Did you know that just a few hours of volunteering can change lives – not only for those in need but for the volunteers themselves?

From 2 - 8 June, the UK celebrates Volunteers' Week 2025—a dedicated time to recognise and appreciate the incredible contributions of volunteers across communities.

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The Power of Community
Dawn Collin Dawn Collin

The Power of Community

Mental Health Awareness Week UK is a time for us all to focus on the importance of mental well-being and to break the stigma surrounding mental health issues. Taking place this year from Monday 12 – Sunday 18 May, and created by the charity Mental Health UK, the event celebrates the power of community to help us all navigate life’s challenges. Reminding us that we are not alone in our daily struggles.

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Putting the ‘Tea’ into Community
James Close James Close

Putting the ‘Tea’ into Community

This is a special year for Churches Together in Ashtead: we were founded in year 2000, that makes it our 25th Anniversary.  There's more: it is the 21st Anniversary of the Ashtead Village Day's ACT Tea Tent (AVD TT).

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East Window Artist Unknown
Dawn Collin Dawn Collin

East Window Artist Unknown

Whilst having a spring clean we came across these detailed prints/sketches of the East windows at both St Giles’ and St George’s churches.

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Caring for Creation in your Garden
Duncan Parsons Duncan Parsons

Caring for Creation in your Garden

It’s April, winter is behind us and spring is here which means EVERYTHING is growing in the garden. But what does this really mean? New flowers, plants, seeds, food, life, colour, scent. Gardens full of insects, birds, nectar, furry creatures, things that slither, moths, frogs, butterflies.

What a 'cool' time it is to just wonder and celebrate Gods bright, bountiful, beautiful, buzzing creation.  

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Celebrating Saint George
Dawn Collin Dawn Collin

Celebrating Saint George

The country celebrates St George's Day on 23 April, with England flags and bunting flying high in a display of patriotism, but who was the dragon-slaying martyr that the nation adopted as its patron saint?

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Safeguarding Workshop
Dawn Collin Dawn Collin

Safeguarding Workshop

Last month we held a safeguarding workshop at St George’s church, facilitated by Tom Darwent and Jackie Broadfoot from the Guildford Diocesan safeguarding team. The two hour long event was attended by a wide selection of church family members including the Ashtead Parish leadership and staff team, and a number of our volunteers.

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Welcoming Edward Wata
Dawn Collin Dawn Collin

Welcoming Edward Wata

On 30 March we are expecting a visit from the director of YAWOSUP – Edward Wata - Our Mission Partner since 2010. YAWOSUP is committed to building a self-reliant community in Kenya, where widows and orphans are empowered. Edward will be with us for just 1 week but there will be plenty of opportunities for you to meet him.

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Happy St Patrick’s Day!
Dawn Collin Dawn Collin

Happy St Patrick’s Day!

Patrick is best remembered for his resilience, compassion, and missionary zeal. Legends, like his banishment of snakes, amplify his legacy. His death on March 17th is celebrated worldwide as St. Patrick’s Day, a tribute to his enduring impact on Ireland and beyond.

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Covid 19 - Day of Reflection
Dawn Collin Dawn Collin

Covid 19 - Day of Reflection

2025 marks five years since the pandemic began and we continue to honour and remember those affected. Sunday 9 March, 2025 is the Day of Reflection across the UK for the COVID-19 pandemic. It is an opportunity to come together to remember those who lost their lives since the pandemic began and to honour the tireless work and acts of kindness shown during this unprecedented time.

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“Be steadfast and do little things.”
Dawn Collin Dawn Collin

“Be steadfast and do little things.”

St David, the patron saint of Wales, lived a life that epitomised humility, devotion, and service. Born in the 6th century, David was known for his austere lifestyle and unwavering commitment to spiritual growth. He embraced a life of abstinence, consuming only water and bread.

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A Call to Spread Love & Compassion
Dawn Collin Dawn Collin

A Call to Spread Love & Compassion

Random Act of Kindness Day is a beautiful reminder of the power of small, thoughtful gestures. Celebrated on February 17th, this day encourages us to step out of our routines and make a positive impact on the lives of others. Whether it's a smile, a helping hand, or a kind word, every act of kindness counts.

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Building Strong Foundations for a Successful Marriage
Karen Goodridge Karen Goodridge

Building Strong Foundations for a Successful Marriage

National Marriage Week is a great time for investing in marriage and the central part it plays in building strong communities. Churches have long recognised the need to invest in marriages, both of couples in congregations and those in the wider communities. It is a privilege to marry a couple in our parish. There is much to prepare for the wedding day, but helping couples prepare for the marriage itself is something we are delighted to offer.

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Valentine’s Day - a Celebration of Sacrificial Love
Dawn Collin Dawn Collin

Valentine’s Day - a Celebration of Sacrificial Love

Valentine's Day has long been celebrated with roses, chocolates, and romantic dinners, but beneath the surface of these outward expressions lies a deeper, more profound essence: sacrificial love. This type of love, selfless and unwavering, echoes the ancient origins of Valentine's Day, which are rooted in acts of great sacrifice.

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UICC Campaign for People-Centred Cancer Care
Guest User Guest User

UICC Campaign for People-Centred Cancer Care

The Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) has launched a new global campaign, "United by Unique," aimed at fundamentally shifting cancer care towards a people-centred approach. The campaign, which will run from 2025 to 2027, emphasises the importance of recognising and addressing the unique needs, perspectives, and stories of individuals affected by cancer.

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Dancing to a ‘Tea’
Jane Boniface Jane Boniface

Dancing to a ‘Tea’

Last Saturday afternoon saw a great flurry of activity at St George’s Christian Centre. People swapped their trainers for sparkly heels and soft leather pumps and danced the afternoon away in support of Christian  Aid at our very popular Tea Dance.

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