THE BIBLE COURSE (Exploring the BIG story)

MISSION PARTNERSHIP

St Mary’s have always been known as a ‘mission church’ over many years we have partnered with and supported many mission agencies and charities. These include the Mission to the Seafarers, the Church Army, the Salvation Army, the Bible Society , the Leprosy Mission, Farm Africa and  many others. In the last year, as part of our vision of our vision and who we are and who we think God is calling us to be, we have had a review of our activities and have tried to streamline our partnerships in line with the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 25: 35-40, 

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

This we believe should be the basis for our current and future partnerships. In view of this, we have agreed to work with the following partners for a three period.  The Walton and Hersam Food Bank, the Leprosy Mission, the Bible Society and the Elmrigdge Renstart.  Each of these partners will not only be prayerfully and  financially supported with 5% of of our annual giving, they will also be given the opportunity to raise awareness about their work and recruits volunteers from our membership. Each partner will also have dedicated Champion in our congregation.

In addition to these partners, we will continue to support the McMillan Cancer especially through the annual Coffee morning. The Christian Aid as well as other activities and collections for the Disasters Emergency Committee.  We will encourage all our members to be involved in various other activities and events that promote peace, cohesion and love of God and others.  In doing this we hope to play our part in building God’s Kingdom of love, peace and compassion 

If you would like to know more or get involved please contact Revd Folli 01932840077 Email vicar@oatlandschurch.org.uk  

CURRENT MISSION PARTNERS

 Elmbridge Renstart is local charity that supports and find solution for the homeless in our community. Working in partnership with local charities such as the Foodbank and agencies such as the job centre. We are really glad to partner with them and do hope and pray that lesser and lesser people with be needing to use their services. There reports are  available here and our contact person is Mr David Davis Email daviddavis@btinternet.com Tel: 01932247269. He will be glad to speak with you if you would like more information. 

We don’t think anyone in our community should have to face going hungry. That’s why we provide three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred to us in crisis. We are part of a nationwide network of foodbanks, supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK. These are words that amply describes our local foodbank. It is distressing that in affluent area such as ours, many depend on the foodbank for survival. One can only imagine what happens in less affluent communities. We are sad that in a rich country such as ours, more and more foodbanks are been opened. However, we are glad that we are able to donate in what ever way we can and contribute to feeding the hungry in our community. More detailed information about the foodbank is available here and if you will like to speak to someone, please contact Mr John Winterbottom sheilaandjohnw@btinternet.com

We live in a world where too many people don’t engage with the Bible. In some parts of the world, the Scriptures are difficult to access or are simply unavailable. In this country, the Bible is readily available but has lost its significance and its value is unrecognised by millions. The Bible Society is working hard here at home and in key areas across the world to change this. We take the Bible and find ways to translate and distribute it, create digital formats, advocate for its place in society and help people relate to and make sense of it in their everyday lives. here at Saint Mary’s we believe the Bible is of absolute importance in our walk with God. As St Paul wrote in 2nd Timothy 3:16,

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

It is for this reason that we are very proud to work in partnership with The Bible Society. You can find our more at https://www.biblesociety.org.uk.  You could also contact Mr Brian Brown brianandcarolabrown@googlemail.com 

Leprosy is a mildly infectious disease associated with poverty. It is easily cured. Leprosy starts by damaging the small nerves on the skin’s surface resulting in a loss of sensation. Without the gift of pain, everyday activities are fraught with danger. Unnoticed burns and ulcers can lead to permanent disability. Due to the inability to detect grit in the eye, blindness is a common consequence of leprosy.

In short Leprosy robs people of living their life to the fullest. This is a disease that was present at the time of Jesus and it is sad that it still exist today. We are gld to be partners with The Leprosy Mission in working to eradicate this terrible disease in order for people to have a full life in Christ. More information on The Leprosy Mission is available at https://www.leprosymission.org.uk/. You could also contact Mrs Janet Evans evansjanet@hotmail.com for more details. 

DIOCESE OF GUILDFORD

 We are part of the Diocese of GuildThe diocese straddles the North Downs, from tiny rural communities to the busy commuter towns, with areas of challenging social deprivation and great affluence in sharp contrast.  Guildford is one of 41 dioceses which cover the whole of England. We have 162 parishes, 85 church schools and several hundred social and community projects, and our area includes two-thirds of Surrey (including Egham, Banstead, Dorking and Farnham), parts of North East Hampshire (including Farnborough and Aldershot) one parish each in Sussex, and one in Greater London. The region contains over a million people, and we are there for everyone, providing opportunities for young and old to pray, to explore their faith, to make a positive impact locally and globally, and to observe major life events such as a wedding, christening, confirmation or funeral. Our churches seek to be at the centre of every community, to reach out to those in special need, and to encourage all their members to grow into their full potential as children of God. The Diocese has 217 church buildings which see more than 25,000 people worshipping on an average Sunday, in addition to many thousands more of all ages who use those buildings or neighbouring Church halls on weekdays for church activities and community clubs and meetings. Each of our parishes is an independent charity, with their own leadership and governance structures, working together under the leadership of the Bishop of Guildford and his team, so as to make the very best use of our resources across the region. Every one of the million or so people who live in our area has a parish church, and access to its support and facilities when they need them most, often at life events such as Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals. Our vision as the Diocese of Guildford is to be a Transforming Church, Transforming Lives, and we are together committed to 12 diocesan goals. Our calling is to join with other Christians in living out and proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ across the region we serve and beyond, responding to Jesus’ Great Commandment to: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind… and to love your neighbour as yourself”; and his Great Commission to: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you”.  To find our more visit  https://www.cofeguildford.org.uk/about/welcome