Blessings from the Vicarage

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ONE AND ALL!

I don’t know about you, but, when I have some time off between Christmas and New Year, I often peruse Facebook or the World Wide Web to catch up with various trends and churchy things. And I do like websites whose content makes me laugh out loud… One such one was showing notices on exterior church notice boards… so I thought I would share some of their messages with you to give you a smile for the New Year (all exclamations mine!):

• GOD WANTS SPIRITUAL FRUIT, NOT RELIGIOUS NUTS… (Pentecostal)

• GOOGLE CANNOT SATISFY EVERY SEARCH – GOD CAN - EVERYONE WELCOME!

• CHOOSE THE BREAD OF LIFE – OR YOU ARE TOAST…!!! (USA Southern Baptist)

• DON’T HOARD THINGS, EVEN NOAH ONLY TOOK TWO OF EACH…

• PROPHECY CLASS CANCELLED DUE TO UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES…!

• WHOEVER IS PRAYING FOR SNOW CAN THEY PLEASE STOP (snow was higher than parked cars in the picture!)

• WE ARE STILL OPEN BETWEEN CHRISTMAS AND EASTER…

I’d just like to repeat that last one: WE ARE STILL OPEN BETWEEN CHRISTMAS AND EASTER…

Before and during Christmas, more people do venture to come to church for various services for various reasons; but possibly to experience a hopeful, heartwarming story and wonderful singing, or perhaps to pray for those who are sick or for peace or better times, or to remember loved ones that they see no longer, or even simply for company, warmth and refreshments if they are lonely or homeless. However, come January, it is as if one switches a light off as soon as Christmas is done because these seasonal visitors disappear, and often, we don’t see them until Easter or even next Christmas!

Some churches are closed most of the time, which can be very disappointing and upsetting, especially if one is going through a hard time and might like to come to pray to God or rest in God’s Love and Peace. But I want to reassure everyone that the churches here in both villages are open every Sunday, and St Mary’s is open every day from 8am – 6pm. So, I really want to encourage everyone to come along as much as you feel able, because (in answer to the church notices above):

• Whilst we can be a bit nutty (speaking for myself!), we are here to meet you where you are at, love you and walk with you through good times and bad.

• We are here to create an environment where God’s Love can get through and when received, this Love can satisfy every need.

• Receiving the holy communion brings connexion and nourishment, learning and life. We don’t believe in a theology of hell, fire and brimstone here, but one rather more attuned to Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us all, who is the bringer of light and life, the healer, the teacher, the forgiver, our Brother… which makes us all related as God’s Children.

• We support many charities – The Vine for the homeless in Aldershot, but also 12 – 18 charities per year through St Mary’s Frensham Trust, and from our Christmas collections.

• We live in the NOW and the REAL, and we read and apply the Bible in a sensible, intelligent, common-sense way – not literally, which can lead to problems. So come and learn more – it can be a great guide for life!

• We pray continually and especially for those in trouble or sickness, but not generally for different weather! Come and put a prayer on our prayer tree…or pray with me 8am or 5pm.

• Come! Everyone is welcome all of the time!

With love and prayers,

Jane

PS. For all newcomers who have moved into either Frensham or Dockenfield villages in the last 3 years (so from January 2023), we warmly invite you all to our ‘New Comer’s Welcome Evening’ from 6pm to 8.30pm on Friday 6th March 2026 in St Mary’s Church Hall. It will be an opportunity for you to meet other newbies, as well as to get more information and learn from various groups about things that happen in the villages throughout the year. Refreshments provided as well as toys for the children! Everyone is welcome!