Author: The Parishioner

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That’s a wrap! Christmas Foodbank 2024

Hats off to the Wonderful Wednesday team and the Fabulous Friday Foodbank team who packed and delivered a record number of Christmas Food Parcels this week. Big shout out to our delivery drivers who responded to the SOS for help as well when we needed more hands on deck. It’s sad that so many of our neighbours are in need, but what a joy to be able to help make Christmas a little better in this way. Huge thanks to all involved, and everyone who donated so generously towards the Christmas Foodbank this week. We couldn’t have done it without you! Enormous amount of food and gifts donated, wrapped, packed and delivered with love from the local community to our neighbours who are struggling. Our community is the best! Everyone looks after each other, this is why we love where we live! 💕✨🎄🙏🎁💐💕✨


Ps – Foodbank is closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Our amazing volunteers are back in action the week after. If you need a referral you can contact citizens advice, social services, GP, school, other agencies, or any of our local churches and they can refer you to us. The foodbank team packs and delivers parcels on Wednesday and Friday mornings. The deadline for contacting us is 5pm the night before.
If you would like to help us, we need support every week to look after anyone who needs help that week. This need is all year round! How about making a regular donation? Thank you! https://givealittle.co/c/7a47190c-ad4e-4cf9-8662-da844101a41c

Food Parcels Project & Community Fridge
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Carols by Candlelight Sunday 22nd Dec 2024 6:30pm

Join us this Sunday for a wonderful carol service by candlelight, with choir, musicians, readings, and a chance to sing lots of your favourite carols. 6:30pm start, come early for a good seat! Mulled wine and mince pies served afterwards.
All Welcome.
free / donations appreciated

#CarolsByCandlelight

#CarolService

#Christmas2024

#FollowTheStar

#StMarysAshVale

St Mary’s Ash Vale, Vale Rd, GU12 5JE

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Thank you Ash Manor School!

Thank you to everyone at Ash Manor school who has given such thoughtful and lovely donations to our foodbank this term.  Your wonderful Student Heads of House and Mr Hicks gave us a warm welcome, and helped us to pack the donated items. We collected everything this morning, and took your gifts to the Chapel ready for the final Christmas Food Parcels on Friday.

With this kindness and generosity, you are helping to make Christmas a lot brighter for local families who need support this year. It makes a huge difference. What a wonderful community we have here, where everyone looks after one another. Thank you for your support! 

Photo by kind permission from the school

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A Christmas Thank You 

The amazing Zumba and Zumba Gold classes run by Shell and Jo locally have all chipped in and donated a huge amount in support of #AshVillagesFoodParcelsProject this week, and we are hugely grateful for this wonderful support. We have been so blessed to receive lovely gifts to hand out, food items for the parcels, Christmas treats, and funds towards the Christmas Foodbank parcels. You are helping us to help local people in very difficult times. It will bless a lot of people’s Christmases! Thank you, from the Food Parcels team, and please know that this is a big help to all our clients in Ash, Ash Vale, Ash Green and Tongham. 

Further support has also gone to the Care and Share Shelf outside St Peter’s in Ash. This is another amazing local food project that provides help to anyone who needs it, no questions asked. 

Have a super Christmas one and all! 

If you would like to know more about Zumba and Zumba Gold classes with Shell and Jo 

Their Facebook link is here: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/15MrR22RsG/?mibextid=wwXIfr 

More about the Ash Villages Food Parcels Project here: https://ash-vale.org.uk/foodparcels-2/ 

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Net zero journey – new boiler needed


If you love our groups, services and facilities at St Mary’s, please consider donating towards our heating improvements! We urgently need to replace the old boiler that heats the church and hall, as the running costs are high and the carbon footprint needs tackling, a big step on our journey towards Net Zero. We have had an independent energy assessment and this is by far the most effective immediate improvement we can make to save carbon and keep costs manageable. The old boiler is G rated and a new one would be A rated, saving tonnes of carbon every year! But we will need everyone to chip in please to help make it happen. If we all give a little we will raise a lot! Can you help?

Donations link: https://givealittle.co/c/10lFLVW1n8LpT7M6BDtspK

We really appreciate your support! It is very much needed and will make a big difference.

Thank you!

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Christmas Foodbank Appeal 2024

It’s nearly time for our lovely team at the #AshVillagesFoodParcelsProject to pack the Christmas parcels and take some festive cheer to local people in need. Your help and support with donations, funds, prayers and sharing this appeal far and wide would be greatly appreciated!

If you would like to donate food, toys or gifts , please bring your donations in by the 15th December. You can come to The Chapel (Wharf rd) on Wednesday or Monday 9am-2:30pm or pop in to St Mary’s (Vale Rd) on Friday or Sunday 10:00-13:00. There is a live list of what’s most needed on the App ‘Bank the Food’ if you need inspiration, or simply bring something Christmassy! We love to be able to give out all the Christmas classics from Turkey and parsnips to mince pies, pudding and custard. We also give our presents of sweets, chocolates, winter warmers, new toys, hot water bottles, socks etc, nice toiletries, … all much needed please!

If you would prefer to give funds towards the food that we buy in (fresh veg, turkey, milk, pasta, fruit, tins etc) you can donate online here: https://givealittle.co/c/3ijYS6zC4gbOGqwer2tmdY

We also need volunteers, for gift wrapping and deliveries 16th-20th. If you are interested please contact us on 07730609446 for more details.

Thank you for supporting us in whatever way you can. It really does make all the difference! Let’s bless our neighbours in need in Ash, Ash Vale, Ash Green and Tongham this Christmas.

PS – if you are based locally and need a foodbank referral please contact your local Citizens Advice, GP, school, local churches, social worker, health visitor and other agencies who can refer you to us. We cover Ash, Ash Vale, Ash Green and Tongham. Referrals must be in by 15th December for Christmas, We are closed 25-27 Dec while our volunteers take a well deserved break.

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Wet weather plan for St Nicholas today!

Ladies and gents we are invoking the wet weather plan! No walk outside, but come directly to St Mary’s for a party and to meet Santa. (St Mary’s Church, Vale Road GU12 5JE)

1) arrive in the foyer and collect your lantern between 4:30 and 5:30pm

2) walk through the church with your lantern to meet St Nicholas by the Christmas tree

3) Advent crafts will be available to enjoy (snowman biscuits, tree decorating etc)

4) Party time with burgers and hot chocolate in the small hall ☕️✨🍔

Come and join the party! 🌟💕🙏🎅🏻✨#StNicholasLanternWalk#StNicholas#CommunityParty#StMarysAshVale

Meet Saint Nicholas at St Mary’s church, Ash Vale GU12 5JE

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St Nicholas lantern walk and bonfire party – 7th Dec (booking now open!)

You are invited! Sat 7th Dec 2024
For the annual St Nicholas Lantern Walk! 🌟🎄🎅🏻✨🏮✨
Join us for a lantern lit walk from The Chapel (wharf rd) to St Mary’s (vale rd), and a bonfire party in the garden with St Nic! Bring your Christmas lanterns to light your way or use one of ours. (Dress for the weather!)

we have 3 time slots this year: 4:30/5:00/5:30 setting off from the Chapel. Text to book so you can be sure of a little gift from St Nicholas! Book your start time by text / WhatsApp on 07730 609446
By donation / give what you can, no set fee. All welcome, come and join the fun!
#StNicholasLanternWalk

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Thank you to the Cubs!

The foodbank team would like to say a very big thank you to the local Cub Scouts who visited tonight. They brought some wonderful, thoughtful donations, decorated our Foodbank Christmas tree and came up with some super ideas for a foodbank recipe book.
You are very welcome to pop back to the Chapel for the Christmas Fair on Saturday so you can show your families your handiwork! It was lovely to see you all, come back again soon.


#Foodbank #AshVillagesFoodParcelsProject #CubScouts #1stAshValeCubs

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Transforming Young Lives: Join MCR Pathways as a Volunteer Mentor

(by Liz G from MCR Pathways)

MCR Pathways, an award-winning charity dedicated to transforming the lives of young people through mentorship, is looking for volunteer mentors to support a young person throughout their education.

The charity addresses the widening gap in educational and employment outcomes between care-experienced young people and their peers. Research shows that those who do not receive MCR Pathways mentorship are 23% less likely to progress to college, university, or employment compared to their mentored peers. By connecting young people with caring mentors, MCR Pathways helps bridge the gap between aspiration and achievement.

Mentors meet with their mentees for just one hour each week in school. This consistent interaction provides a valuable opportunity for young people to focus on their future, discuss any concerns, and share their thoughts and experiences in a safe and supportive environment. Research shows that even one hour a week with a caring adult can significantly boost a young person’s confidence, improve academic performance, and open doors to a brighter future.

Since its founding in 2007, MCR Pathways has made a significant impact, launching its programme in Surrey in 2021 and establishing partnerships with seven schools across the county. With the growing demand for mentors, MCR Pathways is actively seeking new volunteers in Banstead, Epsom, and Tadworth. If you’re ready to make a meaningful impact in your community, find a school near you by visiting mcrpathways.org/school-locator.

To find out more about the programme and to register, head to mcrpathways.org/whats-stopping-you or for any enquiries about becoming a mentor, please reach out to Liz Grace, MCR Pathways’ Surrey Volunteer Recruitment Manager, at liz.grace@mcrpathways.org or call 07483 390702. Together, we can help create a future where every young person has the opportunity to thrive. Join MCR Pathways today and be the change in a young person’s life!

Where to find us online:

mcrpathways.org

https://www.facebook.com/mcrpathways

https://www.instagram.com/mcrpathways