Letter from The Vicarage – Easter 2022

Parishioner letter—Rev neil

Easter 2022

The Cover Image this Easter is inspired by a new song “Come to the Table” by Matt Weeks which you can hear most Sunday’s at St Mary’s.

If you use social media, you may enjoy the ‘anniversaries’ that pop up every now and then, reminding you of what happened on this day in previous years. My timeline recently has been full of images from our early lockdown – our first Evensong in the carpark 2 years ago, ringing the bell, pancakes on the astroturf… It makes me realise that the last time we ‘did Easter’ the ‘normal’ way was 3 years ago! We had a few socially distanced people in church in 2021, but finally this year we are allowed to gather in greater numbers and celebrate with a shared feast.

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What’s on at St Mary’s & The Chapel this Easter 2022

You are warmly invited to join in with local Easter events at St Mary’s on Vale Rd, and at The Chapel on Wharf Rd.

Easter is our major festival of the year when we remember the death of Jesus and celebrate him rising from the dead.

Lent is the period before Easter when Christians remember the events leading up to and including the death of Jesus Christ. Last Sunday Neil spoke again about the opportunities to reflect together during Lent:

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Local fundraiser for Cancer Research

Did you know? Ellen at the local Co-op in Ash Vale is fundraising for Cancer Research. She will be covering 5k this Summer, doing the Race 4 Life. if you’d like to contribute, its very easy to do. She has a collecting tin at the kiosk so people can pop their pennies in when they shop. Thank you for your support!

(ps – remember to show your Co-op card when you shop, to support local charities too!)


Chapel Music News

by Matt Weeks, Musician in Residence

Lecturers Geraldine Latty and Carey Luce from the London School of Theology (LST) brought some students to the studio at The Chapel to record a new song written by Geri, Carey and Matt Weeks called ‘Holy Spirit Will You Fall On Us’. It’s written in 4 parts for a choir to sing. Hopefully we’ll be trying it out at St Mary’s soon and see how it goes!

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Pets Corner – Choosing the right food

By Rudolf Hoppichler, pet nutritionist

Cats & Dogs Corner – Welcome to this new series of blogs for the Parishioner, where I will describe the key components of healthy nutrition for your cat & dog and how to look after your furry friends.                                                                                                                                                          

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Memories in old money

by Mike Jacobs

I came across a sixpence recently and this made me think of the rich culture we had with our pre-decimal coinage. The only recognisable one these days is half-a-crown mainly because the bricks for the Cathedral were sold for this amount. Two shillings and sixpence. The pennies and ha’pennies were real coins and with two or three in your pocket, you knew you had some money. My first ‘pocket money’ was thruppence or three whole pennies. With these in your pocket, you were rich.

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What moves you?

by Catherine Free, Life Coach

Movement can feel like a luxury and is so important.

Spring is the perfect time to get more active. In Ash Vale we have the beautiful Basingstoke canal to enjoy. Regular walking is beneficial in so many ways including: 

+ Maintain a healthy weight and lose body fat

+ Prevent or manage various conditions, including heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, cancer and type 2 diabetes

+ Improve cardiovascular fitness

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Age UK Surrey Charity Golf Day 19 May 2022

Did you know? Age UK Surrey has recently merged with The Clockhouse – a community day centre in Milford. They are holding a Charity Golf Day at West Surrey Golf Club on Thursday 19th May 2022 to raise funds for The Clockhouse.

The Clockhouse provides friendship, food, fun and activities, five days a week to the over 50’s and wider community in Milford and the surrounding areas.  As government funding is squeezed there is even more need of funding for the centre to be sustainable for the future. 

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