This page explains what we are doing while so many of our usual activities are suspended because of COVID-19 Coronavirus. We try to keep this page updated. Please bear in mind much of this website (besides this page) is out-of-date and refers to events that have had to be cancelled. If you are interested in what’s going on, please click “Keep in touch” in the top left of this web page and joining one or more of our mailing lists.
Online services are livestreamed on Sundays and other days. The usual pattern is a Sunday Parish Eucharist on Facebook at 9:30am, including music and a sermon. Please note this service is also now open to the congregation. A children’s service takes place at 11am, St Mary’s Kidz via live stream only.
Baptisms Emergency baptisms can take place at home or in hospital under strict conditions.
Weddings are not currently possible, but we can discuss possibilities for the future. Funerals can take place in church, as well as at the graveside or in crematoria. However, there are limits on who can attend (maximum 30 people), and on the form the service can take. Please be in touch with the parish office or clergy. We encourage people to plan larger memorial services to be held later.
Telephone contact ministry
We have a telephone contact ministry in place. This is for everyone who would like to be involved, and particularly for those without internet access who may feel particularly isolated and cut off. Please contact the Revd Sue Ayling or Canon Margaret Marsh. You do not need to be a church member, or a Christian.
Those in need, and offers of help
Through our telephone contact ministry and by other means, we are helping those in the local community. Let us know if you can help those in need, e.g. dropping off shopping; or if you would like help with shopping, IT, etc because you are self-isolating. You do not need to be a church member. Please contact the Revd Sue Ayling or Canon Margaret Marsh.
Those who live locally and are in sudden financial need because of recent events are encouraged to contact us, as we may be able to help.
Prayer
Even though there are no weekday services at present, the clergy and other church members continue to pray daily. You can pray the same daily office of Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer as clergy and others by clicking the links (1662 versions, Nigh Prayer, and Prayer during the Day, and Daily Prayer apps also available here) .
We are providing prayer resources for you to download, print, and use at home. Let us know if someone without internet access would like us to send them printed versions.
You can also join others in prayer at home every day of the week by pausing for a moment at midday and praying the Lord’s Prayer. Depending on your situation you can pray either in the silence of your heart or aloud. See the Lord’s prayer video at www.facebook.com/stmarysewell/videos
Children and Families’ Ministry
Our children and families worker, Sandi Keen started work with us at the beginning of April. Children and families continue to be at the centre of our church and ministry during this period. As well as our Sunday services, there are activities and ideas on our weekly mailings and on Facebook, and more activities are planned for the summer.
Children’s Hour is meeting online every week at 10:15am via Zoom. Please be in touch with Kathie Burgess at kathleen@burgess.org.uk to find out more and how to join in.
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Music
You can enjoy the music of our Father Willis pipe organ on youtube here. Our Director of Music Jonathan Holmes has been recording and uploading music from the cancelled concert, and other choral and organ music to Facebook and Youtube. Watch this space for information about when other musical activities can re-commence.
Parish Office
The parish office remains open for telephone and email enquiries only; messages will be check at least every 48 hours on working weekdays.Visits in person cannot be received.
Discussion Groups, Videos, and Meetings
There is a new Facebook group: click on the link or search for “Friends of St Mary’s Ewell”. If you join you can take part in chat and conversation.
We are holding social events (such as quizzes and coffee mornings) and church meetings online using Zoom. Those interested in participating in discussions and meetings are encouraged now to ensure they have a laptop, PC or tablet with camera, microphone, and speakers. If your computer doesn’t have these features, they can be bought separately, and we’d be happy to help you get up and running.
If you don’t already use Facebook please consider joining at least for a period. You don’t need to give them any personal information you don’t want to, but it is where we will be streaming and posting lots of our videos. You don’t need to join Facebook to view livestreams and videos, but you do to comment and interact. You can view recordings of livestreamed services later when they have finished.
The Ewell Parish News is available electronically here on our website as soon as it is published at the end of each month.