Parish Newsletter of All Saints Church, Grayswood

February 2003

Dear Friends,

It seems like last week that I was wishing you a happy Christmas and New Year, and yet we are already celebrating Saint Valentine’s Day!

One of the problems with time speeding by, is that we can find ourselves stuck in a pattern of behaviour that has been going on for years, without our really noticing. It can be the sort of thing we make New Year’s resolutions about, like giving up smoking or getting fit, but I’m thinking more of our attitudes and priorities — things that affect our relationships with our families and friends, and which can, ultimately, prevent us from fulfilling our potential as human beings.

Old habits, established points of view, long-standing misinterpretations — these can build up, over the years, creating an inflexibility in our nature that can cause hurt and damage — to ourselves as well as those we love. And even if manage to identify the problem in ourselves, we can find it almost impossible to put right.

But the wonderful news is, no matter how long we have been trapped in a destructive — or simply unhelpful — behaviour pattern, we can be released! One of the most exciting aspects of coming to faith, or growing in faith, is the discovery that change is possible. In fact, it isn’t just possible, it’s impossible to avoid! Because the Lord Jesus knows exactly how the Creator intended us to be, he works in us to improve what is already good, and to restore what is not.

How does he do this? Often he acts through some of the structured programmes offered by the Church — such as Alpha and The Marriage Course. But he also speaks to us directly, when we are praying, or worshipping, or talking something over with a friend. I never fail to be awestruck by those moments of revelation that are God’s gift to his children.

Of course, change is never easy, even if it has been triggered by divine inspiration. But Jesus doesn’t just set us on the right track; he follows it with us. He helps us to find inspiration when we are discouraged, and willpower when we are feeling weak. Best of all, he persuades us to be loving and forgiving towards ourselves, because there is no end to the love and forgiveness he lavishes on us.

If you have been feeling that it is too late to change, why not think again.

Yours faithfully,

Rev Kate Atkinson, Parish Priest

FEBRUARY 2003 — WORSHIP AT ALL SAINTS
Sunday 2^nd 4^th Sunday of Epiphany	8.00 am	Holy Communion led by Merrin Playle
	10.00 am	Parish Communion led by Rev Norman Jones (Crèche, Climbers, Explorers, Youth Alpha)
Sunday 9^th 4^th Sunday before Lent	8.00 am	Holy Communion
	10.00 am	Morning Worship Service followed by a time of prayer for our church, our village and our world. (Crèche, Climbers, Explorers)
	6.00 pm	Informal Worship Service
Friday 14^th Valentine’s Day	7.30 pm	Service of Renewal of Marriage Vows
Sunday 16^th 3^rd Sunday before Lent	8.00 am	Holy Communion
	10.00 am	Parish Communion (Crèche, Climbers, Explorers, Youth Alpha)
Sunday 23^rd 2^nd Sunday before Lent	8.00 am	Holy Communion
	10.00 am	Family Worship for all ages

Every Monday at 9.00 am, there is a short service of Morning Prayer, and every Thursday at 10.15 am, there is a service of Holy Communion with prayers for healing. Everyone is welcome to attend these services.

ALL SAINTS CHURCH OFFICE — Our Church Administrator, Janet Fry, is in the Church Office on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, from 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. The office telephone/fax number is 01428 656504 and our email address is allsaintschurch@grayswood.co.uk

PASTORAL CARE — If you have any concerns or requests, please contact Kate Atkinson 656504, Doreen Hutton 644178, Pauline Lamb 643798, or Peter Rix 644295.

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

FOR VILLAGE HALL BOOKINGS — ring Michelle Brown, 01428 643859.

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

ANDREW SEARLE * Professional Painter and Decorator 01428 644818

EVENTS IN FEBRUARY 2003

Saturday	1^st	7.45 am	Men’s Breakfast Meeting Terry Talbot, 652840
Wednesday	5^th	2.00 pm	Beehive Group 147 Kings Road, 643367
Wednesday	5^th	2.00 pm	Haslemere Mother's Union, The Link Meditation/Retreats
Wednesday	5^th	8.00 pm	Weekly Bible Study, 29 Lower Road God's fellow-workers
Thursday	6^th	9.05-11.30 am	Parent and Toddler Club Weekly in Village Hall
Thursday	6^th	4.00 pm	Prayers for the Persecuted Church Hillbrae, Buffbeard's Lane, Haslemere
Thursday	6^th	7.30 pm	Garden Club
Wednesday	12^th	8.00 pm	Grayswood Women’s Institute Beautiful Hands
Thursday	13^th	9.05-11.30 am	Parent and Toddler Club Weekly in Village Hall
Tuesday	18^th	2.15 pm	Monthly Bible Study 31 Lower Road, 6433 67
Wednesday	19^th	8.00 pm	Weekly Bible Study, 29 Lower Road Prayer from our side
Thursday	20^th	9.05-11.30 am	Parent and Toddler Club Weekly in Village Hall
Friday	21^st	10.30-12.00 noon	The Rock Coffee Morning Rockfield, Ashtree Close
Monday	24^th	10.30-12.00 noon	Good News Van , Church House

NEWSLETTER CONTRIBUTIONS for March should reach Christopher Wigdor at The Alding, Grayswood, GU27 2DE by 15^th February.

BIBLE READING FELLOWSHIP — Next year’s notes (May 03-April 04) will be ordered for existing subscribers in the middle of February. The price for a year’s Bible notes is £9.15, about 17p per week. ‘Guidelines’ is for those with some prior biblical knowledge, and is divided into weekly sections. If you would like to receive the notes over the coming year, please contact Elizabeth Holthouse, 643367.

CHRISTMAS LUNCH IN THE LINK — was a huge success, mainly due to a band of local people working tirelessly to prepare for a Christmas Day celebration for others to enjoy. The group did the shopping, prepared food, decorated The Link, provided transport, and collected the donations so generously provided by the local community. About 45 guests and volunteers attended the lunch, and enjoyed a beautifully prepared meal together. Thanks to the generosity of our local shops, each guest left with two presents. Thank you to everyone involved in this great event which was enjoyed by all.

GRAYSWOOD FÊTE — Last year, there was no village fête, causing a mixture of reactions. On Wednesday 5^th March, at 8.00 pm, in the Oonagh Jeffrey Room, there is a meeting to decide the fate of the fête! If you would like the fête to go ahead this year, if there are enough volunteers to organise it, please come to the meeting, or let the Village Hall committee know your views. Tim Macer, 643210, or e-mail tim@macer.com.

GRAYSWOOD VILLAGE POND — Last year the path was laid, but due to various technicalities, the pond did not get built. Work is due to start on the pond as soon as the ground is dry enough. Check the progress on www.grayswood-pond.org.uk.

KATE SIMMONDS — the internationally acclaimed singer/recording artist, is running a Vocal Workshop Day at Three Counties Church, Hammer, on Saturday 22^nd March. The cost of the day will be £25.00, and offers the opportunity to improve your singing skills. If you are interested please call Mel Spicer, 01428 658295, as soon as possible.

PRAYERS FOR SCHOOLS IN THE AREA — will take place at Heatherlands, Headley Road, Grayshott, at 10.00 am, on Tuesday 25^th February. A crèche is provided.

RENEWAL OF MARRIAGE VOWS — Why not renew your important vows this Valentine’s Day, Friday 14^th February? The service will take place at 7.30 pm, at All Saints church, and you may wish to attend the Valentine’s Dinner afterwards (see below).

SPECIAL NEEDS SUPPORT WORKER — is needed to work with one child, at Grayswood Nursery School on Tuesday mornings, from 9.00 am until noon, during term time. For further details please contact Monica Thompson, 682936.

VALENTINE’S DINNER — On Friday 14^th February, at Grayswood Village Hall, there will be a special dinner, at 8.00 for 8.15 pm, with after dinner speakers Nicky and Sila Lee (who jointly developed the Marriage Course). Tickets, costing £16.00 per couple, are available from Michael Clark, 652368. Couples will need to bring their own alcoholic drink on the evening, if desired.

WOMEN’S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER ANNUAL SERVICE — will be held at St Pauls Church, School Road, Camelsdale, on Friday 7^th March, at 10.45 am. The speaker will be Rev Rosemary Pullen, and all are welcome to attend. Coffee will be available from 10.00 am, and a crèche will be available.