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All Saints’ Day: Remembering the Great Cloud of Witnesses
Who has helped shape your faith journey? All Saints’ Day, celebrated on 1 November, is a time to remember and give thanks for the countless people whose lives have reflected God’s love and faithfulness. From famous saints to cherished family members and friends, we celebrate the great family of God across the generations. Read on to discover more about the meaning of this ancient Christian festival and the hope it proclaims.
Mothers' Union Celebrates 150 Years with Global Connections
From coffee and friendship in Ashtead to a worldwide gathering in Durban, South Africa, 2026 has been a memorable year for our local Mothers’ Union branch as the organisation celebrates its 150th anniversary. Members have enjoyed inspiring speakers, special services and opportunities to connect with fellow members from across the globe. Discover how this welcoming Christian movement is making a difference both locally and internationally, and why new members of all ages are warmly invited to join.
World Development Information Day: Sharing Knowledge, Changing Lives
Each year, World Development Information Day reminds us of the power of knowledge to transform lives. Established by the United Nations in 1972, the day encourages the sharing of ideas and information to address some of the world's greatest challenges, including poverty, inequality, sustainability and barriers to education.
National Emergency Briefing on the Climate and Nature Crisis
On Monday night at St George’s we hosted a showing of the National Emergency Briefing on the climate and nature crisis, introduced by Tom. The film had a big impact on the over 100 people who attended and lead to some lively discussion. George Heywood was there and gives us his reflections.
Poverty Sunday 2026: Food, Faith & Fellowship
On Sunday 18 October, churches across the UK will mark Poverty Sunday, held each year on the Sunday closest to the UN International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. This year's theme, “Food, Faith & Fellowship,” encourages churches to give, act and pray together as we seek a society where everyone can flourish, free from poverty.
Finding God Between the Pages
Stories have a remarkable way of helping us see the world and ourselves differently. The Reading Room is a book club with a difference, who meet regularly at The Dell Centre to explore contemporary novels through the lens of faith, discovering unexpected glimpses of God in everyday stories.
Disability Sunday: One Body, Many Parts
As this Sunday is Disability Sunday, Karen Goodridge shares her passion for creating a church where everyone is welcomed, valued and able to participate fully in church life. Reflecting on this year's Through the Roof theme, One Body, Many Parts, Karen highlights the importance of raising awareness, removing barriers and celebrating the unique gifts God has given each person. Read on to discover how we can continue building a more inclusive church where all are united, needed and honoured.
Beyond the Bucket List: Does Travel Really Define You?
Does travel define who we are? In this thought-provoking article, Colin Berry reflects on the aristocratic "Grand Tours" of the past and explores how modern society can still encourage us to measure our worth by our experiences, possessions and achievements. In a world of bucket lists and social media highlights, where should we find our true identity? Colin considers Jesus' radically different perspective, reminding us that lasting value comes not from what we accumulate, but from our relationship with God.
Caring for God's Creation Starts at Home
We all want clean homes, but do we really need so many different products? Supermarkets offer separate sprays for kitchens, bathrooms, and almost every surface imaginable, yet many of them do essentially the same job. Instead of buying multiple products, consider using one versatile cleaner throughout the house.
Finding God in Nature
Caring for Creation team member, Barrie Mould, reflects on how a regular visitor to his greenhouse, a friendly robin, reminds him of the wonder and beauty of God's creation. From the smallest garden bird to the vastness of the night sky, Barrie explores how the natural world points beyond itself to the Creator and challenges us to be good stewards of the earth. His thoughtful and often humorous reflection encourages us to pause, look more closely, and rediscover the goodness and mystery of God's world.
Find Your Voice with Ashtead Youth Choir
Ashtead Youth Choir welcomes young people aged 7–18 to enjoy singing, build confidence and make friends in a fun, inclusive setting—no auditions or fees required. Led by Director of Music Esther Jones, the choir is growing through local school workshops and offers exciting opportunities, including leadership roles and scholarships. Rehearsals take place on Tuesdays at the Dell Centre. Interested families are warmly invited to get involved. Contact Esther at esther.jones@ashteadparish.org or on 07795 236347 to find out more.
A Place For Everyone at The Table
Revd Sarah Tapp introduces an exciting new all-age Holy Communion service at St Giles’ Church named The Table, launching on 20 September and taking place on the third Sunday of each month at 10.30am. Building on the sense of shared worship already experienced across generations, she outlines a vision for a more participatory, inclusive Eucharist where people of all ages can engage, grow in faith and gather together as one church family.
Have Your Say: Support the Future of St Giles’ School
St Giles’ Infants School, a much-loved part of Ashtead for over 150 years, is consulting on an exciting proposal to become an all-through primary. This would secure its future, balance school places across the village, and extend its nurturing, Christian education for children aged 4–11. With strong links to St Giles’ Church, excellent staff and facilities, and a caring village-school ethos, this is a positive step forward. We warmly encourage you to read the full proposal and share your support by the end of June.
Are EVs Good for the Planet?
Many people in our church and community are considering the move to electric cars, but questions remain about their impact on the planet. We asked George Heywood from our Caring for Creation committee to reflect on the issue. George highlights research showing that EVs produce far lower lifetime carbon emissions than petrol or diesel cars, whilst also improving local air quality. As he notes, “they’re not perfect, but they’re a significant step in the right direction” as we seek to respond faithfully to the challenge of climate change.
Bring Your Bottle – World Refill Day (16 June)
World Refill Day, held each year on 16 June, is a global day of action to tackle plastic pollution and encourage a shift from single-use packaging to reuse and refill. Led by the UK environmental charity City to Sea, it invites individuals, communities and organisations to make simple swaps that collectively have a big impact.
All Things Created: Aid to Wildlife
After an unusually wet spring followed by dry conditions, local wildlife faces growing challenges as food sources become harder to find. In this article, Linda Scott explores how these changing conditions affect birds, insects, and ecosystems, and highlights simple ways we can help. From providing water and safe food to planting native species and reducing litter, small actions can make a meaningful difference. Caring for wildlife, she reminds us, is part of our responsibility and gratitude as stewards of God’s creation.
Listening Well: Deaf Awareness Week
Deafness is more common than you might think. Official statistics show that one in three adults in the UK is deaf, hard of hearing or has tinnitus, and around 2.4 million people struggle to hear most everyday conversation. The person sitting next to you in church may well be coping with hearing loss, even if it isn’t obvious.
Caring for God’s Creation Through Recycling
Mole Valley Council has recently expanded the list of items we can recycle in our green bins, including toothpaste tubes and clean foil trays. With Global Recycling Day on 18 March, Liz Marlow reminds us how recycling fits into the wider waste‑reduction journey.
Discovering Faith, Friendship and Fun at St George’s
As many of you will know, our Youth Life Groups meet on Thursday evenings at St George’s—a space where our young people can gather in community and explore faith together. What began last year with Alpha Youth, sharing food and diving into honest conversations about life’s big questions, has grown into something much deeper. meaningful ways.
World Mission: How Our Giving Is Making a Difference
As part of our commitment to generosity, 10% of our annual freewill donations are given to our chosen charities (details of which can be found on our Mission Page HERE). The World Mission Team oversees this ongoing support and, when appropriate, allocates additional one-off gifts to specific projects that extend our global impact.
In 2025, that extra funding enabled three impactful initiatives meeting practical needs while sharing God’s love in meaningful ways.