Christmas 2016 Magazine

Join us this Christmas Carols by Candlelight Christingle Christmas Day Celebration Village News The WHIPS Pantomime West Horsley Neighbourhood Plan Horsley’s Advent Challenge Supporting local communities Try Alpha

... and lots more inside! Welcome! My wife and I have marvelled at the blaze of gold, purple, red and orange that has swept across the hills around here. Autumn has been fantastic and we have enjoyed getting out into the woods, admiring the Discover Christmas leaves on their trees. Yet sometimes we experience ‘darkness’ in our lives and, as we watch our television BY PHIL HERRINGTON screens and read our newspapers, it looks like the world is in a ‘dark’ place too. I was driving past a petrol station last week, heading to the A3, when an advertising When Jesus was born, violence, oppression and injustice were rife. There was the abuse of power; slavery; poster on the forecourt wall caught my eye. There was a picture of a big bottle of Pepsi, refugees and homeless people; families were torn apart. Two thousand years later, it seems not much has surrounded by other snacks, with the big, bold headline “Discover Christmas, for just £2” changed. It all sounds so familiar, doesn’t it? It made me wonder if that is really what people think Christmas is about. Here at St Mary’s, our theme this Christmas is ‘Light’. While the Bible looks straight at the world and the human heart, acknowledging its darkness without blinking, it also points us to the solution. It’s not Often we experience the Christmas period as a frenetic, Who is Jesus? He’s the ‘ever-lasting Lord’, who from more education, more science, more politics, more human effort or more ‘progress’. It’s not stressful couple of weeks full of social engagements, ‘highest heaven’ comes down to earth to be the ‘offspring more religion, either. school plays, last minute shopping, late night gift of the virgin’s womb.’ Why did he come? He came to see wrapping, the challenge of family gatherings, arguments, ‘God and sinners reconciled’. How was this achieved? He The solution to darkness is light. Writing 700 years before Jesus’ birth, the prophet too much food and quite a lot of drink. By Boxing Day, ‘lays His glory by,’ that we humans ‘no more may die;’ he Isaiah noted, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light” (Isaiah 9: 2). we’re often glad that it’s all over for another year. was ‘born to raise the sons of earth’. How can this life be In his account of Jesus’ life and ministry, the ours? Through an inner transformation so radical that Apostle John describes Jesus as “the true But this year, why not choose to stop and ask, “What is the only way the early believers could describe it was like light coming into the world.” Why not join Christmas about?” If you join us for one of our Christmas being born again: ‘born to give us second birth.’ us over the coming weeks as we explore Carol Services, we may well sing ‘Hark! The Herald Angels what this means for us today and how Sing.’ It’s many people’s favourite, with a resounding, It cost Jesus everything, including his life, to Jesus is “the Light of the World”? uplifting tune. But when we look more closely at the achieve that. But it won’t cost you a penny lyrics, we see that it gives a succinct explanation of the (or even £2). Discover Christmas for yourself Phil & Louise Herrington Christian faith. at one of St Mary’s services.

St Mary’s Church Office:Pat Davis & Catherine Robinson Tel: 01483 281898 Email: [email protected] Office opening hours: Monday & Tuesday - 9-3pm Wednesday & Friday - 9-2pm Thursday - 12-2pm

Rector: Phil Herrington Tel: 01483 283821 Email: [email protected]

Children’s and Youth Minister: Edd Cope Tel: 01483 808709 Email: [email protected]

Communications Manager: Abby Cope Tel: 01483 808709 Email: [email protected]

Church Warden: June Bailey Tel: 01483 283372 DISCOVER CHRISTMAS ... DISCOVER

WELCOME! Keep up-to-date with everything going on at St Mary’s: 3 2

St Mary’s @stmaryshorsley West Horsley 4 TRY ALPHA FIND OUT MOREONLINE WWW.ALPHA.ORG friendly and openenvironment. others andcontribute your own perspective inanhonest, to say anything. It’s simply anopportunity to hear from also come andsimply listen, there isnoobligation for you and questions. There isnothing you can’t say and you can Alpha gives you the chance to share your thoughts, ideas discussion inasmallgroup. always includegreat food, a talk, goodconversation and sessions, typically runningona weekly basis, which Alpha isacourse that explores the Christian faith with questions andshare their point of view; wherever they are in the world. -Alpha We believe that everyone shouldhave the chance to explore the Christian faith, ask Everyone Has Questions how doIpray? andHow doesGodguideus? And How can we have faith? to Why and addressing questions from Who isJesus? and unpack the basics of Christianity, issues around faith, create conversation Each talk isdesigned to explore the big invited me to an Alpha course to explore these questions. there apurpose for life? My next-door neighbour Marion ofincompleteness, was thereWasmorelife thanthis? to happy life. As time went onhowever Ihadagrowing sense seventeen years agoandhada very comfortable and I moved from Singapore to the affluence of Horsley What made you do Alpha? found Alpha… to askher somequestions to find out first-hand how she who haspreviously done the Alpha Course, andI was able I had the opportunity to have achat Irving, with Pamela into 112different languages. and ithasbeen translated tried Alpha in169countries, Over 29millionpeoplehave WITH ABBYCOPE BY PAMELA IRVING see you! We would love to Quaich Coffee Shop 7.30pm Tuesday 31stJanuary 2017 The next Alpha Course will bestartingon: the Alpha question marklogo.If you haven’t answered You may have seen the Red Alpha banner before with thinking aboutdoing Alpha? What would you say to someonewhois good timestogether.and holidays life can bring. We have grown in faith andshared BBQ’s, in our community village who also face the challenges supporting eachother andhelping to supportothers ‘family’ and we have muddled through the past years I forged genuine friendships. Inow call these people Friendship! Imetnew people from Horsley with whom doing Alpha? What wasoneof your highlights from explore. just the chance to have the mainconcepts presented to I had formed. There were noexperts andnoexpectations, got me thinking andchallengedsomeof the assumptions relevantI foundit wasn’t thetalks me. suppose that to I just skirted around itsexistence mostof my life, assuming Bible raised before andhadn’tread the whole Bible.Ihad not spent much time considering the basicquestions the and then lots of conversation flowing over coffee. Ihad short talk onadifferent aspectof Christianity each week It was fun! The course hadasimplestructure; supper, a So, what was Alpha like? and we felt very welcomed andatease. Most of the other peoplehadcome alongon their own surprise, I was metby of aglass wine andachatty supper. way, abitlike ameetingat hallbut the to myvillage I expected the course to bepresented ina very formal What did you expect from Alpha? at the door! at the to Alpha! a friendlyTherebe face will meet you waiting to If you are waiting for apersonal invitation, then Iinvite you it’s forcurious. the and that’s isn’t course questions, fine,the for believers, your own life hasadeeper purpose.I went with lots of get all your answers butit’s astart to finding out whether why is there somuchsuffering in the world? You may not would ever have found time myself to sitand think about deep questionsof life into acompact course. Idoubt I someone elsehasdoneall the hard work distilling the give itago.It’s asafe place to explore and to behonest, those questions for yourself, then why not goalongand All Saints,OckhaminJanuary 2017. running withSt Martin’s, East Horsley and at the next Alpha course that we will be You are invited to ‘Try Alpha’ for yourself

5 TRY ALPHA For a practical way to support The Salvation Army in this Christmas time, please read more about the ‘Horsley Reverse Advent Challenge’ on page 13.

You are invited to collect items during advent that will be distributed to local foodbanks and the Salvation Army in time for Christmas.

BY CATHERINE RAND Some suggested items to donate include:

• Tinned vegetables • Baked beans • Tinned soup • Tinned meat The Salvation Army in Guildford is a mission partner of St Mary’s. There are volunteers • Sugar • Rice pudding • Tea bags • Packet mash The Guildford Corps leaders are Major Kevin and from St Mary’s who serve and help with the community drop-in and food bank on a • Coffee • Cereal Captain Catherine. • Pasta/Rice • Biscuits Friday and, as a church, they also collect food parcels on a weekly basis. They are very pleased to be living and serving • Pasta sauces • Tinned fish God through The Salvation Army here in • UHT milk • Tinned fruit Guildford. The Salvation Army is a Christian church and charity. In • Long life fruit juice Guildford, we hold a service on Sundays where everyone is The Salvation Army in the welcome and, during the week, we have lots going on for and Republic of Ireland is part of the wider all ages including a Bible study, art and craft group, parent international Salvation Army, which is at “Our vision for the future is to serve others as needs and toddler groups, a children’s club, a luncheon and an work in 127 countries, demonstrating Christian arise, preach the word of God and see people come to over 55s club. principles through practical support; offering unconditional friendship, and very practical faith and have a personal relationship with God.” The community drop-in and food bank helps those who help to people of all ages, backgrounds and are homeless or who are struggling on benefits or a low needs. income. They can come for a meal and/or a food parcel which has enough food to last them for four days. In the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, The We believe this is an important part of our Salvation Army has approximately, Christian service and is all part of our weekly programme ministered in Jesus’ name. • 50,000 members • 4,000 employees • 1,500 Salvation Army officers (full-time ministers) The Salvation Army is well known in the UK for its music and, in particular, the brass bands. This enhances our The Guildford Salvation Army is located on: worship on Sundays during our services but the music Woodbridge Road, Guildford GU1 4QQ is also part of our outreach when we go out to other GETTING OUT ... GETTING OUT groups and areas, particularly into Guildford town centre Email address: [email protected] ... GETTING OUT at Christmas. Through this avenue of music, God’s love is Phone: 01483 506763 / 01483 575128 7 6 shown to all people of all faiths and nationalities.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE SALVATION ARMY ONLINE WWW.SALVATIONARMY.ORG.UK WHAT’S ON FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH What’s On at NOAH’S ARK St Mary’s? TODDLER GROUP Thursday mornings (term time only) at 10am The Wheelhouse, 82 East Lane Join us on Sundays A warm welcome awaits you at our two main services: 9am Traditional Service at St Mary’s Church ROOTS, CONSTRUCTION ZONE AND I.D. 10.45am Contemporary Service with children’s groups for 0-15 years SUNDAY MORNING GROUPS at East Horsley Village Hall Sunday mornings for all children and young people aged 0-15 years old at our 10.45am Contemporary Service at East Horsley Village Hall

New! Deeper Prayer Meeting An evening of informal, Spirit-led prayer, as we seek God’s face and presence. Fourth Thursday of the month, 8-9.30pm.

Heart + Soul at Quaich Our get-together for local women to connect, build stronger and deeper personal friendships and explore our Christian faith together. Join us at 7.30pm for a hot drink or glass of wine, with the evening starting at 8pm. We meet on the first Thursday of every We have a great time learning about God from the Bible together and looking at month. We would love to see you in 2017! topics relevant for young people today. We play games, have drinks and food and spend time getting to know each other better. Come along and meet some friends Men’s Stuff as we look at the difference that God can make in our lives! Our get-together with drinks and nibbles for local men to connect, build stronger and deeper personal relationships and explore our Christian faith together. Join us on the 3rd Thursday of the month at 8pm. For the location each month, visit our website or call our RECLAIM WE WOULD church office on 01483 281898. Sunday evenings during term time 6.30-8pm, school years 6-13 LOVE TO SEE Meeting Point at St Mary’s Church CYM Minister’s house Join us for a Service & Ploughman’s Lunch for our senior members. YOU! Third Thursday of the month at 11.15 am. For more information, please contact: Small Groups A big part of St Mary’s life! They are the best places to get to WHAT’S ON? WHAT’S CHILDREN & YOUTH Edd Cope – Our Children’s & Youth Minister know other people, study the Bible together, learn how to live the Christian life and be cared for. Happening at different times across 9 8 01483 808709 or [email protected] www.stmaryswesthorsley.co.uk/children-youth the week. Contact our church office.

FIND OUT MORE ONLINE WWW.STMARYSWESTHORSLEY.CO.UK Getting to Know Saroj

I’ve been a part of St Mary’s church family for about 13 years BY SAROJ KHADKA since marrying my wife Sarah and moving into the village. I’m originally from Nepal, a very small country on the borders of India and China, which is famous for its mountains and more recently for the major earthquake of 2015.

There is a saying in Nepal and most Asian countries: ‘if you everywhere. I witnessed people being torched alive with are born into a Hindu or Buddhist family, you are what you their families and homes. There was no forgiveness. It are born into.’ You are given no choice - it is who you are really broke me and I started to question myself about my and what culture you are. beliefs and the religions which have no love for humanity. I started to think about what the Bible says about love, BY AMANDA West Horsley DE HAAST If you have ever been to Asia, it’s amazing to see forgiveness and peace. The thing that broke me most was how much religion is a big part of the culture, seeing starving people in front of the temples begging for along with the vibrant colours, food and festivals. basic food and being ignored by other people taking food But I also experienced the other side of this and the to sacrifice to the gods of stone, who obviously couldn’t unforgiving religions when I was growing up in that eat the food! Plates of lavish food and sweets would all Wheel of Care part of the world. go to waste. But the starving and disabled outside were The Wheel of Care, set up in July 2000, is a Good Neighbour Scheme meeting the needs left hungry and were not allowed to touch the food. of West Horsley residents of all ages, enabling them to lead independent, fuller and Looking back on my past, I can see God’s plan at work Some years later I came to the UK and was working in richer lives and preventing social isolation. throughout my life. My parents sent me away when I London when I met my great friend Jermaine who became was very young to a good boarding school in India at the my best man when I got married. He was a Christian It is funded entirely by donations and run by local We also run four clubs, all open to residents of West foothills of the Himalayas, which also happened to be a and kept inviting me to his church in Notting Hill Gate. I volunteers. In 2015, the Wheel of Care was awarded the Horsley and neighbouring villages – a weekly Scrabble Christian mission boarding school. It was amazing that resisted a few times but eventually went along and, from Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. This is the highest Club, two weekly exercise classes (Seated Dance and my Hindu parents should allow me to go to a Christian that point on, everything in my life just clicked into place. award available to voluntary groups in the UK and is the Movement to Music) and a monthly Film Club. The Wheel school. God has had a hand on my life, from very early on, equivalent of an MBE. of Care is unique in that it is the only Good Neighbour even though I didn’t know it at the time! I started to hear Scheme in the area to provide one club, let alone four! about Christianity at the school and the wonders of the I committed my life fully to Jesus and was able to guy called Jesus. I always loved reading the Bible stories draw upon all the experiences of my life to that In 2015, Wheel of Care volunteers provided over and I was very inspired and blessed to learn more about point to know that I had made the best decision to 2,600 hours of help and drove over 6,800 miles. the Bible, which I believe is so true in every way. follow Him.

After my schooling, I went back to my family in Nepal We are fortunate to have a good pool of volunteers but but I started to question my country’s religion – there are as demand on their time from family and other duties hundreds of different gods, of all different shapes and increases, their availability decreases. We are constantly sizes, some of stone, some of metal, some of wood and looking to add to our numbers so if you are looking for some carved into the mountains. There is even a god with The majority of our work involves transporting West some flexible, straightforward and rewarding voluntary no name just in case one was left out! There is a god for Horsley residents to a variety of appointments – medical, work, then please call us to discuss how we can help each everything. dental, opticians, hairdressers etc. We assist with shopping other! Our details and further information can be found GETTING TO KNOW ... TO GETTING OUR COMMUNITY rotas, relieving carers for a couple of hours and other at www.westhorsleywheelofcare.co.uk or call the I have witnessed one of the worst sides of the Hindu small jobs. Wheel of Care on 01483 281703 (Mon-Fri 10am to noon). religion when Indira Ghandi (who was the prime minister 11 10 of India at that time) was assassinated by her own

VISIT OUR WEBSITE WWW.WESTHORSLEYWHEELOFCARE.CO.UK Sikh bodyguards one morning and there was disaster Superheroes Party Reverse Advent

On Saturday 29th October, we had a great time at our Superheroes Party in East Horsley BY ABBY COPE Village Hall. It was our alternative to Halloween, where we celebrated everything that is Challenge good! Here are a few photos of what we got up to ... As we start the countdown to Christmas you are invited to take part in the Reverse Advent Challenge, to do something for people for whom Christmas holds little hope or expectation.

We will then distribute the gifts to the North Guildford Food Bank, Cobham Area Foodbank and The Salvation Army in Guildford, where they will be handed out as a blessing to people in time for Christmas.

Many of our local shops in Horsley are participating with the project, so look out for collection boxes in the village where you can donate your items. Choose a box of chocolates from the newsagent, groceries from Horsley Village Store, stuffing mix from Conisbees or some toiletries from Lloyds pharmacy.

You are invited ... Join us for Christmas Carol Singing at Horsley Train Station on Tuesday 20th December, between 5-7pm. There will be mulled wine, hot chocolate and an opportunity to make a cash donation for From 1st December, you are invited to keep a box where the organisations we have nominated. each day an item of food or toiletries can be put aside for a local foodbank organisation. Please ensure items are non-perishable and have a reasonable shelf-life. You can fill a box on your own or it could be shared by members For any more information, please email of a family, neighbours, friends or colleagues in a local [email protected] workplace.

Donations will be collected at the Wheelhouse, East Lane, West Horsley on Saturday 17th December, where you can drop off your boxes and items OUR COMMUNITY CHILDREN & YOUTH Join us in 2017! between 9am and 12 noon. This project is led by a joint team of local churches - St Mary’s, St Martin’s 13 12 Saturday 28th October East Horsley, All Saints Ockham and St Saviour’s in Guidford.

FIND US ON FACEBOOK AND KEEP UP-TO-DATE WITH NEWS AND EVENTS ST MARY’S WEST HORSLEY FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @REVERSEADVENT 14 VILLAGE NEWS We WillRemember Them A New War Memorial for West Horsley conveniently placed for access to the Hall and Village to be the grass area at the beginningof Silkmore Lane dominant sites were discussed. The favourite proved 2016 to consider the options available. A number of A group of people,chaired by Jen Powell, met inOctober who diedin the two World Wars. atSt Mary’splaques church record 28namesof people the A246 became amainroad many years ago. Two wall the eastof St. Mary’s Church butit was dismantled when of World War I. There was onelocated about 400 yards to place for 2018 to mark the 100thanniversary of the end new war memorial for West Horsley and for it to bein Interest hasbeengatheringpace to have arecognisable, veterans here inHorsley who served inWorld War IIand It has been 72 years since the D-Day and we landings have God. for our in sins,live freedom andhave arelationship with us inour He place. did this so that we could be forgiven made for allof us when Godsent hisSon,Jesus, to die for women, itpointed us to the ultimate sacrifice that was As we remembered the sacrifice of thesemenand the two World Wars ended. month in1918 was the exact moment at which the first of 11am because the 11thhour of the 11thday of the 11th During the service we marked a two-minute silence at British Legion and the local Horsley Cubs andScouts. We were verypleased to welcomeserviceRoyal tothe the preserve the peace and freedom which we allenjoy today. gave their services and,insomecases, their lives to It was a way of thanking them and the many others who the servicemenand women of allconflicts up toandincluding thosecurrently takingplace. 13thNovember,On Sunday St Mary’s heldaRemembrance Service to honour respect andpay to all one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:13 “Greater love hasnoone than this: to lay down time was hadby all! forces andenjoyed a two-course lunchaltogether. A great payourwe tookthetimeto armed tribute to veteransand Horsleys Community Fund) at the Drift Golf Club, where veterans and their partners (very kindly subsidisedby the the Remembrance Service, alunch was organised for our 28 Horsley veterans but,sadly, we now only have 14. After other more recent times of conflict. There were originally “For your tomorrow, we gave our today.” When you go home, tell them of usandsay, contact her on07850600117. comment, please email [email protected] or communitythought tothe feedback. nature anddesignof anappropriate memorialandgive next meetingin the New Year will begin to consider the funding butother financial support willbeneeded. The Council which hasagreed inprinciple to help with initial permission mustbeobtained byPlanning the Parish important to view their website forguidance. the War Memorial Trust proved helpful andit was felt had fallen in the Great War. The recommendations of women of West Horsley to commemorate the men who close to the oak tree, which in1918bywas planted the HORSLEY COMMUNITY FUND BY DAVID MORGAN If you would like to COPE BY ABBY extravaganza featuring the characters of Dr Seuss. the Whippets are presenting Seussical Jr which isamusical performed by the Whippets. In 2017(23rd to 25thMarch) the adults,andOliver, The Wizard of Oz andPeter Pan, and We’ll Always have Paris by JillHyem, performed by Recent shows include Ayckbourn’s Absurd Person Singular olds, known as the Whippets. the adultsandajunior’s production by their 8 to 14 year year, WHIPSstageaspringandanautumnproduction by group performing at the West Horsley Hall. EveryVillage The WHIPSare the local West Horsley amateur theatre The WHIPS TO JOINOURMAILING LIST PLEASE VISIT WESTHORSLEYNEIGHBOURHOODPLAN.ORG OREMAIL [email protected] Therebe two furtheropportunities for will have you to the drafting process and we welcome your contributions. communityis vital forengage with the It us to throughout considered and tell ushow itcan beimproved. involved initspreparation, learnmore about the evidence of the Steering Group andParish Council who have been illustrated with mapsandphotographs, talk to members Horsley, anopportunity to seea ofvisual display the Plan The OpenHouse will give you, the residents of West who care deeply for the future of our community. of many months of hard work by residents of the village Horsley (“thePlan”). This is Neighbourhoodthe result Plan community consultation on the first draft of the West West Horsley Hall (12-3pm)Village aspartof aninformal holding anOpenHouse onSunday 29thJanuary 2017at West Horsley Steering Neighbourhood Group Plan is West Horsley Neighbourhood Plan BY PAUL DODGSON,CHAIRMAN,WHNPSG or contact their secretary, June Bailey, on01483283372. productions, pleasecontact the WHIPS via their website If you fancy joininginwith these or any future Whittington). pantomime (most recently Baba,Cinderella andDick Ali In alternate years the WHIPSproduce the WHIPS We look forward to welcoming you to our Open House. policy for the village. vote ‘Yes’, then will becomethe Plan partof planning decide whether to accept it.If asimplemajority of you Borough Council will arrange areferendum for you to if passesanindependent examination, Guildfordthe Plan which will hopefully take inMarch/April place 2017. Then, your say, the first beingastatutory six-week consultation website at www.horsleyamdram.org. and tickets can bebookedonline via the WHIPS’ All productions are at West Horsley Village Hall January andacharity nighton19thJanuary. 21st January 2017withasupper nighton12th This will run from 12th to 14thand19th to The pantomime for 2017will be Treasure Island.

15 VILLAGE NEWS Join us for Christmas Sunday 18th December Christmas Day Family Carol Service at 10am Family Christmas Celebration Carols by Candlelight at 7pm at 10.30am

Christmas Eve All of our Christmas Services will be Christingle Service at 3pm taking place at St Mary’s Church, Epsom (Children can come dressed as an angel, shepherd or wise man) Road, West Horsley KT24 6AP First Communion of Christmas at 11.15pm We would love to see you!

01483 281898 [email protected] www.stmaryswesthorsley.co.uk

St Mary’s Church St Mary’s Church Office East Horsley Village Hall Epsom Road, West Horsley, The Wheelhouse, 82 East Lane, Kingston Avenue, East Horsley, , KT24 6AP West Horsley, Surrey KT24 6LQ Leatherhead, Surrey KT24 6QT