roots down walls down
The Italian Job
Join the Vivace Chorus and the Hennessey Brown Music Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Jeremy Backhouse, and betransported to the splendour of the Sistine Chapel in Rome. This early summer programme of Italian treasures includes an array of spectacular choral music including Allegri’s famous Miserere and Handel’s Dixit Dominus.
Saturday 20 May, 7.30pm
Holy Trinity, Guildford
Tickets: £23, students and U18 £10, plus booking fee
Book online at vivacechorus.org
It’s time to say thank you! We have had lots of lovely comments and feedback about the Churches Together Good Friday event yesterday. Huge thanks to everyone who took part and all who helped to make it such a lovely opportunity for worship and fellowship.
What happens on Good Friday?
The walk: We all set off from our churches, in Ash and Ash Vale, walking together and carrying the cross. This reminds us of Jesus carrying his own cross, through the streets of Jerusalem, on the day of his crucifixion. Thank you to everyone who took part in this very special walk of witness.
The service: We all arrive at Ash Wharf, welcomed by the worship team, and the open air service begins. This is a very special day for us all, as we gather together churches of different denominations and remember our Saviour, Jesus, giving up His life to save all of us. The clergy share the service, taking it in turns to lead, preach, and pray each year, so it is a real team effort. We would like to thank Luke, Natalie and the team for the music and PA system, and also to thank Bridges for powering the sound system for us. We always enjoy welcoming passers by to join in too – all are welcome.
Hot Cross Buns: After the service… the fellowship! What a joy to have a sunny day for this. Everyone gathers at The Chapel on Wharf Rd for hot cross buns and a cuppa, and a lovely opportunity to chat to friends old and new. We love welcoming the whole community to this, people of all faiths and none, and what a great opportunity to enjoy the Community Garden. Thank you to the hospitality team of volunteers from all the churches, who prepared and served the drinks and hot cross buns – and for doing all the washing up! We would also like to thank Co-op for donating 100 delicious hot cross buns. It’s a great community moment in our Easter calendar.
As we contemplate the Cross and look forward to the joy of Easter, may God bless you and keep you in His love and peace. We look forward to welcoming you on Easter Sunday for the 10:30 service!
#GoodFriday #CTAAT #ChurchesTogether #AshValeChapel #StPetersAsh #StMarysAshVale #HolyAngelsAsh #NWCLF #CoOpAsh #ItsWhatWeDo #BridgesAsh #Community #HotCrossBuns #AllWelcome
St Mary’s needs an administrator to work in church 12 hours per week (hours negotiable). This person needs to be a worshipping member of St Mary’s Church. Ash Vale
Continue reading “Church Administrator Role – Could this be you?”A huge thank you to everyone who sponsored trees in Uganda for Christmas. The seed beds have been prepared and the seedlings are growing beautifully. #AmhaWeUganda #HopeForUganda #Trees #NoPlanetB #TreeNurseriesProject
If you’d like to donate to the work of Amaha We Uganda please follow this link. Thank you! https://www.amahaweuganda.org
Revision of Church Electoral Roll: The current Electoral Roll is posted on the Noticeboard inside the front door of the Church (note the publicly displayed version includes names only, without addresses). Please have a look at this to check whether or not you are included. Application forms to apply to go on the Roll, or to have address or other details updated, can be obtained from Lesley Murphy in church on Sundays.
Please hand your completed Forms either to Lesley or to Jackie Scott in the Parish Office. Forms must be returned by 2nd April at the latest.
Ashes Good Neighbours Scheme
As we start 2023 we wanted to let you know how we are progressing with launching the Ashes Good Neighbour Scheme.
The Ashes is a group of local volunteers who will help older residents of Ash and Ash Vale get to their doctor or hospital appointments, or maybe take someone to the hairdressers or to the shops.
Over the last year we have been recruiting volunteers who are happy to be drivers or duty officers, who will take the phone requests for assistance. The number of volunteers is rising steadily, but we will need more volunteers before we are able to launch AGN again. Is this something you might be interested in? You can choose what requests you accept, so the commitment is entirely under your control.
Throughout last year we held regular coffee mornings to allow people to meet and discuss the scheme more.
Our next coffee morning is on Wednesday 8th February 2023 at the Ash Centre, Ash Hill Road, at 10.30am. Please come along and meet other volunteers, find out about the scheme and mention this to anyone who may be interested.
No obligation- just come and say hello. We look forward to seeing you,
The Ashes Good Neighbours Committee
We can be contacted on ashesgn@outlook.com
Mobile 07935 515221 www.theashesgn.wixsite.com/ashes
Did you know? There is a new app out there called “Bank the Food” which helps everyone to know just what to donate to their local food banks to help those in need in the community.
Our local Food Parcels Project started during Covid and feeds local people every week. Search for Ash Vale in the App and you will see we are on the list for donations. We would be very glad of your support. We are of course grateful for all donations, but if you use the app, the advantage is that you can see what we need most urgently,
The last step is getting the donations to us. If you shop in the village you can pop items in the collecting basket at Ash Vale Co-op (tap your membership card while you’re in there and collect point for the community fund please!). Wherever you shop, you can buy items to donate and drop them off at St Mary’s Church on Vale Road or The Chapel on Wharf Road whenever they are open. We do the rest, packing parcels and making sure they reach our neighbours in need in our local community of Ash, Ash Vale, Ash Green and Tongham.
Thank you for your support, it makes a huge difference. We would especially like to thank everyone who supported the Christmas food parcels last week. Over 130 local people were brought some Christmas cheer with food, treats, gifts and winter warmers. It makes a big difference to local people. Thank you!
Alex, Carla and all the team.
PS – if you are struggling to afford enough to eat you can be referred to us by Citizens Advice / Job Centre / local churches / health visitor / social services / Guildford borough wellbeing team.
** Coats ** if you need a coat please come down to the Community Cafe Warm Hub this Friday at St Mary’s 10:00-13:00 we have had lots donated as part of our ‘winter warmers’ appeal and they are free to whoever needs them. Lots of different sizes, mostly childrens but there are a few adults ones. We also have some blankets available. Tea and coffee available all morning, Soup lunch is served at 12:00 . No need to book just pop in.
Please support Amaha We Uganda’s tree planting projects this Christmas. Your gift of trees will reforest mountains, stop landslides and feed families.
Amaha We Uganda is one of St Mary’s chosen charities again this year and we are so excited to see that another 30,000 trees have been planted this season. You can read all about it on their website www.AmahaWeUganda.org.uk
Gift certificate cards are available for your family and friends. Email alex@amahaweuganda.org for your PDF certificate.
Donations link: https://givealittle.co/campaigns/ba64796b-7c63-4d16-944f-bacf9b8dc098
