Community News
And the Winner is…
Last Friday night 10 teams assembled in the Dell Centre for a chance to win the coveted SGSG Quiz Trophy. The room was filled with laughter and brain challenging questions ranging from the missing dwarf from Snow White to the year Chaucer was born.
Time for a Stir
Stir-up Sunday is a centuries-old annual tradition where home-cooks spend the last Sunday before Advent ‘stirring up’ their Christmas pudding. That means it’s not on the same date each year and falls somewhere at the end of November before Advent begins.
16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence
25 November marks White Ribbon Day, a globally recognised symbol to end men’s violence against women and girls. It is also the start of 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, a campaign launched by the United Nations to end violence against women and girls.
Welcoming our New Facilities Manager
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Jeremy Pearson as our new Facilities Manager. Jeremy brings a wealth of experience from banking and civil service roles. He is currently an Assistant Verger for St Giles’ and is looking forward to being involved more deeply across the parish. His skills and knowledge will be invaluable as we continue to enhance both our facilities and welcome to the community.
OH Come… To sing at Ashtead Village Night on 3rd December
Calling All Singers! There will be an opportunity to raise the roofs in Ashtead Village, whilst raising some money for Christian Aid -not to mention raising the profile of our church - at Ashtead Village night on Tuesday 3rd December. There will be an Ashtead Churches Together group gathering outside M&S at 5pm to sing for just an hour. All welcome!
World Kindness Day - 13 November
Being kind to others matters to God. Every kind act, even the smallest one, has the power to create a ripple effect. That’s why The World Kindness Movement are encouraging us all to be kind to others, whether that be at home, work, school, or just out in public.
Organ & Scholarship Scheme Announcement
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Joshua Galipeau (Downsend School), Jocelyn and Zoë Bates (Rosebery School) to our new organ and choral scholarship scheme. Jocelyn holds an organ scholarship; Zoë is a choral scholar and Joshua is combining the two awards - both singing with the choir and playing the organ.
Supporting the Bereaved
Bereavement is something that all of us will experience at some point in our lives as sadly, losing loved ones is a very painful part of living. As a church, we aim to reach out and support people in their bereavement. This can be something that happens quite discreetly, whether by organising a funeral or interment of ashes via the Parish Office, or a member of our pastoral team spending time just ‘listening’ to someone, or visiting them at home.
WhatsApp’ening in Ashtead Parish
Keep up to date on everything you need to or would like to know about your church. From the next Alpha Course dates to worship events, the latest special on the St George’s Coffee Menu to road closures that could affect your journey to church this morning!
Inspiring Church Growth
The ministry team and a number of our volunteers attended this year’s Church Growth Conference hosted by St Paul’s Howell Hill earlier this month to enjoy wisdom shared by a host of speakers on going deeper in discipleship.
New Service Patterns for 2025
New Service Patterns for St Giles’ & St George’s beginning 12 January 2025.
‘Bryn-ging’ Hope to Prisons and the Homeless
The legendary slide guitarist, Bryn Haworth gave a performance of songs from his albums and shared stories with more than 150 at St George’s Church last weekend, raising more than £2000 for The Music in Ministry Trust.
Creation Still Matters
2024’s theme for Recycle Week (14-20th October) is ‘Rescue Me’, focusing on rescuing recyclable items from the rubbish bin. The Recycle Now web site has an excellent Recycling Locator, which allows you to discover what recycling facilities you have access to locally.
Coffee with a Conscience
Kingdom Coffee is a family-owned roastery offering Fairtrade coffee using low-energy air technology to roast beans in small batches. We are happy to offer this coffee as it promises fairness to both the farmers who grow it and the lowest-possible impact to the environment.
All In A Chord Concert
Ashtead Rotary Club, renowned for their yearly contribution to the community, is proud to present a unique concert featuring young musicians from around the world and from our local schools, united for the common cause to raise money for children that are victims of war in Ukraine...
One Big Coffee Morning
Last Friday's Macmillan Coffee morning at St George's café was a huge success with plenty of foot fall from the moment the doors opened at 9am. The Café was a hive of activity with plenty of coffee and cake being consumed in aid of the cancer charity.
Black History Month
October marks the start of Black History Month in the UK, an occasion to recognise and celebrate the invaluable contributions of Black people to the British economy, culture, and history.
Ringing the Changes at St Giles’
In most of the world church bells are just swung randomly, a pleasant sound, familiar I am sure to those who have travelled on the continent. However, in the British Isles, since about 1600 or so a new way of ringing developed. Our bells are rung 'full circle' meaning that we can control exactly when they strike and this leads to the familiar sound we are used to hearing in the UK.
No Tricks – Just Treats!
Where there’s darkness, there is always an opportunity to bring light! Light Parties have been the Christian Church's alternative to Halloween for a number of years. Rather than ignoring the celebration we open our doors to share fun, faith and light…