Parish Newsletter

February 2002

Dear Friends,

Happy Centenary Year!  Yes, it has finally arrived: the 100^th anniversary of the Consecration of All Saints Parish Church. We will be marking the occasion all through the year with special events, worship gatherings and projects, and we hope that everyone in the parish will take part in the celebrations.

The fun begins at 6.00 pm on Sunday, 10^th February, with an Edwardian Evensong.  The Reverend Geoffrey Curtis will lead the service (there were no female clerics in the Church of England in 1902!) and we will be using hymns and prayers dating back to that era.  In order to create an authentic atmosphere, the church will be lit by candles and music will be provided by piano.  Edwardian dress is not obligatory but you are welcome to wear it if you like!

On Shrove Tuesday, 12^th February, the church is hosting an Auction of Promises in the Village Hall.  Save room for dessert that evening because we will also be serving traditional pancakes along with mulled wine.  A wonderful array of talents and skills will be on offer and Michael Nicholson has kindly agreed to act as auctioneer.  All the money raised will go into All Saints’ Centenary Fund for the restoration and enhancement of our church building.

On Ash Wednesday, 13^th February, we will mark the actual anniversary of All Saints’ Consecration.  The Bishop of Guildford will be our guest preacher at an evening service of Holy Communion, and we will be welcoming members of the congregations of St Bartholomew’s and St Christopher’s, Haslemere, as well as our own church and village family.  I do urge you to attend this very special service as we remember the day our parish church came into being.

From Ash Wednesday until Easter, we will be in the season of Lent — forty days during which, for centuries, millions of people have established or enriched their relationship with God.  There will be no Centenary events during Lent but you may wish to consider taking part in one of our Lent courses which will meet on five consecutive Monday mornings or Wednesday evenings.  If you would like to find out more about these, or any other church activities, please telephone the Church Office on 01428 656504.

Yours faithfully,

            Kate Atkinson, Parish Priest

For Booking the Village Hall, telephone:  01428 643859

PASTORAL CARE: Please contact one of the following with any requestsPlease contact one of the following with any requests or concerns: Kate Atkinson: 656504, Doreen Hutton: 644178, Pauline Lamb: 643798, Peter Rix:644295 or Jean White:643338

PRAYER COVERAGE FOR THE VILLAGE.  In February we remember those who live in The Mount, Upper Mount and Williamson Close.

NEWSLETTER CONTRIBUTIONS for March should be with Pauline Lamb by 15^th  February.These can be left in her pigeonhole in Church, or posted/delivered to: Longacre, Holdfast Lane, Haslemere GU27 2EY.

GRAYSWOOD NURSERY SCHOOL has a waiting list for the current academic year. Grayswood residents are urged to register their children early, if they wish them to attend in the future.  The Nursery is run daily in term time, 9.05am to 12.00 noon in the Village Hall. Contact: Enrolment Officer Michelle Brown (652571) for information.

PICTURES AND PAINTINGS STILL WANTED:  As part of the Church’s Centenary celebrations we plan to hold an exhibition of paintings and pictures depicting village life in Grayswood over the past 100 years.   We are starting to plan the exhibits and we need more items.   We would especially like items connected with the Grayswood Brickworks, the old Village Hall and School, Village fetes and cricket from the past.   If you can help with information or the loan of items please contact David Hutton, tel: 01428 644178.

GRAYSWOOD C of E INFANT SCHOOL urgently requires a part-time Caretaker-Cleaner; up to 20 hours per week. Please contact the School on 642086.

ROYAL NATIONAL MISSION TO DEEP SEA FISHERMEN:  The recent collection in the village raised a magnificent £201. This Christian charity provides pastoral care and financial help to the bereaved families of our fishermen.    David and Doreen Hutton would like to thank all who gave so generously, and those who helped with the collection.   Next year we hope to collect from the whole village. If anyone would like to help please contact us on 644178.

BIBLE READING FELLOWSHIP:  There are two categories of  Readings, to suit most needs.   New Daylight has Bible text plus commentary for every day; Guidelines, for those with some Bible knowledge, is in sections for each week. The commentaries are written by Biblical scholars from most of the main denominations. Do join now as Elizabeth Holthouse (643367) must order the notes for May 2002-April 2003 by 15 February.  She will order for all existing members unless she hears to the contrary, and strongly encourages new subscribers. The cost is £8.85 for a year’s supply.

PROMISES, PROMISES:  Please give your promises for our Auction on Shrove Tuesday to Fiona Gwynn (654728) or a note to The Gables, Park Close, Grayswood.  Examples: Babysitting, car washing, language lessons, taxi service, baking, computer lessons, soft furnishing ¼ do you have a marketable skill? And come to the Auction of Promises, Pancake Supper & Gift Evening in the Village Hall on Tuesday, 12^th February, the eve of All Saints Centenary.  Ticket are £2.00 and are available from All Saints Church Office, tel: 01428 656504.

ALL SAINTS CHURCH OFFICE — Our Church Administrator, Janet Fry, is in the Church Office on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9.00 am to 12.00 pm.  The Parish Priest, Rev Kate Atkinson, is on duty Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays.  Please keep these days and times in mind when ringing or calling at Church House. 

Our email address is allsaintschurch@grayswood.co.uk and the office telephone/fax number is 01428 656504.

HASLEMERE MG ROVER Sales * Servicing * M.O.T 01428 642303/4

ANDREW SEARLE * Professional Painter and Decorator  01428 644818