Dear Friends
Marking Remembrance
Our Remembrance Services on Sunday and Tuesday were both well supported and appreciated. Thank you everyone who contributed to these services in any way. One is conscious at these times how many people gave time and care to ensure that the services were well organised and reverent.
JASNA Gift
We are once again very grateful to the Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA) for a gift of £500 to support the development of a digital guide to the church and its history. This grant was made upon the recommendation of JASNA's Churches Committee. Roger Moore, Chair of the Churches Committee, writes, “Thank you for submitting a proposal again this year and for the good work that you do to foster the life and legacy of Jane Austen.”
Come and enjoy Surrey Brass
Surrey Brass is a group that has been together for nearly 25 years and incorporates some of the best brass players in the county. They are an ensemble (rather than a brass band) and have a very varied musical approach. At 7.30pm on Saturday 15 November they’ll be playing in St Nicolas. The programme is a mixture of French music and jazz styles. This link will take you to their website where you can book tickets.
Sharing oversight responsibilities
Many years ago, the PCC looked at all the areas of our church life with a view to sharing our oversight responsibilities. Having oversight responsibility means:
Taking a special interest in the ministry e.g. find out about the various activities; speaking to the key contacts; joining the meetings as appropriate
Giving support to the individuals and teams who lead the activities
Sponsoring any relevant applications or reports to the PCC
Enabling PCC to understand better any issues or points of interest
Where there is specific budget, considering if it is appropriate and question if necessary
Suggesting initiatives or improvements on a day-to-day basis as appropriate
Being a point of contact for the church family and the clergy
At a recent meeting of the Standing Committee, we agreed it would be helpful to let the whole church family know who is overseeing which areas.
Administration: Terry Taylor
Children, Families and Youth: Alan Jenkins
Buildings and Fabric: David Barnes
Fellowship and Nurture: Heather Gerrard
Finance: Neil McDonald
Grounds and Housekeeping: Angela Stevens
Technology: Nick Garrett
Pastoral and Outreach: Gill Caldwell
Social Responsibility and Environment: Joy Lord
Joining others for the Barnabas Breakfast
The Barnabas Breakfast takes place at 8.30am for an hour on the third Saturday of the month in the Pastoral Centre. Beginning with ham and cheese rolls and some coffee, it provides a great opportunity for men to reflect on an important topic from a Christian perspective. I have been attending since I came to this church, and I have always enjoyed the discussion. If you would like to know more, please contact David King on 01372 452342.
Keeping up to date
Our weekly notice sheet is available online (click here) and in church. Some moments from our 10 o'clock service last Sunday are also available; click here to access.
And finally…
I am very conscious of my own father at this time of year. I, along with my mother, sat with him during the last five days of his life; he died 21 years ago on 16 November. In an article based on Duncan MacLaren’s new book, All Is Not Loss: The spirituality of grief, he tells the story of violinist Itzhak Perlman who apparently once played a concert on an instrument with one broken string. Afterwards he said, “Our job is to make music with what remains.” MacLaren comments, “It is an apt metaphor for the task that many bereaved people face.” Indeed.
Wishing you much joy and peace.
Alan
Alan Jenkins
Rector
