roots down walls down
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!
Continue reading “Chapel Music News”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
Continue reading “What moves you?”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.
Continue reading “Age UK Surrey Charity Golf Day 19 May 2022”It’s time to enjoy a cuppa and a word search, courtesy of our latest young contributor Joshua Reeves. Enjoy!
Thank you Joshua! If you would like to send us your wordsearch, quiz, funnies, articles or letters please email parishioner@ash-vale.org.uk
There’s always a lot going on in February and March. Between Chinese New Year, Valentine’s Day, Burns Night, Shrove Tuesday, Ash Wednesday, St David’s Day, St Patrick’s Day and Mothering Sunday, you might think your calendar is already full—so it might surprise you to hear of some other ‘festivals’ in the next few weeks.
Continue reading “Alternative dates for your diary…”Alexandra Sanderson, Project Manager at St Marys’ Ash Vale, has been recognised in the recent Queen’s New Year Honours list. Alex who’s worshipped at St Mary’s since 2008 was awarded the “Medal of the Order of the British Empire” (BEM) for services to the community in Ash Vale, particularly during Covid-19.
Continue reading “New Years Honours for Alex”Mondays:
Keep fit: HIIT at 7.45pm with Janet Thomas Fitness (St Mary’s, Vale Rd)
Tuesdays:
Baby Group 10am—11.30am : A support group for 0-12mth olds and their parents and carers. Tea, coffee, chat, and we have song time at the end. All welcome. Text or call Alex for details 07730 609446 (St Mary’s, Vale Rd)
Choir Practise: 8pm on Tuesday evenings, all welcome (St Mary’s, Vale Rd)
Keep fit: Fit Steps 7.30pm with Janet Thomas Fitness (St Mary’s, Vale Rd)
Wednesdays:
Chapel Kids 11:30am—1.30pm Come and join our Baby & Toddler group with craft, story and songs at The Chapel. All welcome 0-4yrs and their parents and carers. We eat lunch together too. Bring a picnic or enjoy something from the community fridge! (The Chapel, Wharf Rd)
Chapel Craft 8pm-10pm Bring along your latest craft project and craft enjoy a sociable cuppa and chat as we craft. (The Chapel, Wharf Rd)
Thursdays :
Baby Plus (Tongham) 10.30am Baby group for non-walkers at The Old School, Poyle Rd, Tongham. (St Paul’s, Poyle Rd)
** Lent Special ** Thursday Lent Film nights 6.30pm at The Chapel
Every Thursday in lent—Film, food and discussion. Starts on 3rd March, running for 6 weeks, all welcome. Text to book 07730 609446
Fridays:
Community Café 10am-12 Noon Please pop in for a cuppa and a chat at the St Mary’s community café. All are welcome, all faiths and none, all ages and stages. It’s free / by donation (St Mary’s, Vale Rd)
Sundays:
Sunday Services 10:30am at St Mary’s. All are welcome, whether life long Christians or just exploring. We serve refreshments after the service, join us for cuppa & chat. You can also join us via Zoom online.
Sunday School is on too! Join us on Sundays at 10:30 at St Mary’s while your grownups are in church. The sessions are aimed at school age children.
More on Facebook: @StMarysAshVale @TheParishioner @AshValeChapel
Wed 2 Feb—Mothers Union (afternoon group) 2.30pm at St Peter’s Centre (First Wednesday of the month) Guest Speaker this month: Linda Tallon, on teaching children with special needs. All Welcome.
Continue reading “What’s on in February & March 2022 – More Dates for your Diary”St Mary’s church has changed over the years, from the tin hut it used to be in Victorian times, to the brick building it became, then the extensions of the entrance hall, office and small hall on one side and the large community centre and kitchen on the other side. The need to accommodate those with extra needs meant a change to the front steps by the building of a ramp and extending the steps.
By Rev. Neil Lambert
Whatever it was that brought the wise men searching for the new king or Messiah, whether it was a super nova, alignment of planets, Halley’s comet or a supernatural event, we do not know. However, we do know that these wise men went to the wrong place! (Only by about 6 miles…)
Continue reading “Letter from the Vicarage”