On 7 February 2016, we celebrated St Mary’s ministry of marriage at our Sunday 9:30am Sung Eucharist. Many couples who had been married at St Mary’s, recently or many years ago, came to join in our worship. The music at the Eucharist included traditional wedding organ voluntaries by Wagner, Mendelssohn, and Widor, favourite wedding hymns and the anthem “The Lord bless you and keep you” by John Rutter.

Before Christmas, we collected 642 shoeboxes packed with gifts as part of Operation Christmas Child. They have been distributed by the Samaritan’s Purse charity to children around the world who otherwise would receive nothing at Christmas. Well done to all involved! Many thanks to everyone who donated towards the purchase of new Christmas decorations, and to all who helped in decorating the church this year. We hosted four school Christmas carol services and concerts in the run up to Christmas. We held several Christmas services over the weekend before Christmas, on Christmas Eve and on Christmas day, seeing well over a thousand people attend St Mary’s between all these services.…

On Saturday 14 November, we held a “Messiah from Scratch” concert. People came from all over the local area to rehearse in the afternoon and perform in the evening. Particular thanks to our Director of Music, Jonathan Holmes, for organizing and conducting the event; to our soloists Eleanor Penfold, Rachel Chalkley-Gunton, and Frankie Postles; and to the organist, Simon Gregory. Arthur Mathews and his team provided the interval refreshments, and over £500 was raised for the church organ fund. These much needed funds will be used to provide replacements for worn springs in the organ mechanism.

You can read a report of this year’s Remembrance Sunday service in the Epsom Guardian. Many thanks to Nigel Bird for the photographs recording this year’s service, some of which are shown below.

On 26 September 2015, we held our annual “Day for all”. The church was open, and filled with many visitors who came to try out the various activities, hear talks, and much more. The photos below show our children’s hour demonstrated some of their favourite songs, and Nonsuch Ringers gave a demonstration of handbell ringing. UPDATE: The Prayer tree, training in hand bells, and John Baxter’s “Five Years in Prison” talk were also very popular. The Guides and Brownies got us all involved in craft activities, and tea and coffee were served in the hall. Meanwhile, up in the bell tower, the ringers were hard at work.

On Sunday 5 July, our annual parish picnic took place in Glyn House grounds, kindly facilitated by Ewell Castle School. Churchgoers of all ages enjoyed a bring-and-share picnic and beautiful weather, while the children played various outdoor games.

On Wednesday 10 June 2015, the second St Mary’s Annual Lecture took place in church, and we were privileged to welcome as our lecturer General Lord Dannatt,  former Chief of the General Staff (that is, head of the Army), and Vice-President of the Armed Forces Christian Union. Lord Dannatt spoke about leadership, and especially about the importance of faith and spiritual matters in leading. After his inspiring lecture, Lord Dannatt was good enough to answer a number of questions, which ranged from political to spiritual matters. We are most grateful to Lord Dannatt for coming to address St Mary’s.  

On Saturday 16 May 2015 St Mary’s Singers treated St Mary’s to a wonderful evening of musical entertainment. May hidden talents were uncovered, and we were even given the chance to join in!

The Spring Market is an annual event at St Mary’s church in which we sell plants, cakes, books, and bric-a-brac, and hold a cafe and raffle. The money raised acts as the float for us to put on the Ewell Village Fair. This year’s total was a wonderful £818. Many thanks to all those involved.

On Saturday 25 April 2015, the Social Committee of St Mary’s put on “A Comedy of Errors”. This parish dinner — with Shakespeare-themed entertainment — was a great success. Marvellous food, good company, and great entertainment.