Welcome to All Saints Church, Witley

Do we really need Lent when things are so tough?

"It's true, we cannot reach Christ's fortieth day;
yet to go part of that religious way, is better than to rest:,
we cannot reach our Saviour's purity;
yet are we bid, be holy even as he, in both let's do our best."

George Herbert rather neatly sums up our seasonal task as we prepare for Easter in his poem Lent. Why am I mentioning this in February you may ask, with Christmas only just behind us. Well, because the movable feast that is Easter is rather early this year, on the 31st March; with the traditional 40-day Lenten season of prayer and penitence having already begun on Wednesday 14th February!

Not only have most of us been caught on the hop, but we might also be wondering whether such a period of restraint is really necessary right now - given the cold chill of economic gloom and straightened circumstances we all find ourselves in. I for one am looking to be uplifted and seeking out glimpses of joy and hope wherever they can be found. Which is why when colleagues and parishioners innocently enquire what I'll give up for Lent this year, I am sorely tempted to reply as a delightfully mischievous Irish vicar of mine always did when asked, after presenting a sage like pause for reflection, "I suppose it should be something deeply meaningful, you know to set a good example, so whilst it will be a real shock to the system, I shall be giving up the tonic with my gin".

Jesting aside, Lent is of course a golden annual opportunity to give your heart, mind and soul a good spring clean and refresh your spirit for the year head. It is about what's going on with you, not the world around you. The external practices we often adopt - whether setting aside times for prayer, scheduling some sacrificial fasting, giving something enjoyable up or doing something positive - are only useful if they aid us to take a step back, reflect on life and re-orient ourselves where necessary or helpful. Viewing our Lenten disciplines in this way, perhaps we can appreciate that actually they are exactly what we need in this time of heightened anxiety and prolonged uncertainty. A deep cleanse and strengthening of our relationships with God and each other may be just the tonic we require to weather this storm.

So why not kick start your personal engine and come and join us at one of our services or Lenten Bible studies.

Peace be with you.
James McKeran

Safeguarding
Here at All Saints Witley, we take the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults very seriously. We have adopted the national Church of England's robust procedures and guidelines. Details about the national policies and procedures can be found HERE.

We are currently looking to appoint a Safeguarding Officer, but in the meantime, if you have any concerns at all, please contact our vicar Revd. James McKeran by email at: vicar@allsaintswitley.org.uk. Alternatively, you are welcome to contact the Guildford Diocesan Safeguarding team at safeguarding@cofeguildford.org.uk or on 01483 790379.

If you have reason to think that a child or vulnerable adult is in immediate danger, you should contact the police straight away.

Please click HERE to read the Parish Profile for All Saints Church, Witley. This was updated in 2018 when our new incumbant, Revd. James McKeran came to All Saints.

Please click HERE to view our DATA PRIVACY NOTICE.

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VISITING THE CHURCH

All Saints Church has a huge wooden door, which, while being very old and attractive in its own way can be a physical barrier to those who have never entered All Saints before - don't let it be like that. Turn the handle, push the door and come in, all are welcome. Inside you will find a building that is filled with the prayers of 1000 years, a wall painting that is 900 years old, a 700-year-old Lady Chapel with medieval stained glass, signs of the conflict in the 16th and 17th century with an unfinished memorial tablet in the sanctuary and several other family memorials. The 18th century put in a gallery which was removed by the Victorians who added so much more, including a whole aisle on the North Side. The Victorians with three generations of Chandler Vicars built the organ, the bell tower and the vestry. They refurbished the chancel ceiling, floor and altar and put up memorials to the eminent people of the day as they passed on. The beginning of the 20th century completed the collection of stained glass windows and introduced the pews we have now, instead of the previous box pews. All Saints is full of history reflecting the needs of the generations who have worshipped here before us. There have been many changes in the past few years which help us now to use the church on a daily basis for many different groups. There is a children's trail available with many interesting things to find out and see.

Please do come inside and explore and have time for yourself, the church is open from 9.30am to 4.00pm. Or come and meet with others to worship or chat everyone is welcome.


If anyone would like to speak to James or Ann, please ring or email and we will endeavour to meet you as soon as we can.

The All Saints Parish Office, is in the grounds of Witley Infant School, opposite the Church.

Wishing you every blessing

       
                       James McKeran                                     Ann Fraser

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The parish of Witley is made up of the villages of Witley, Brook, Wormley and Sandhills. The Parish Church of All Saints dates from about 1040 and is situated just off the main Petworth Road (A283) in Church Lane, opposite the White Hart public house. Witley CofE Infant School is opposite the church and has close links with it.

Apart from a regular pattern of worship on Sundays and Holy Days, the church serves the whole parish and after recent refurbishment is available every day for a variety of uses. The door is open in daylight hours for anyone who may wish to spend a quiet few moments or longer in the peace and quiet of this ancient building.

The mission of the church in Witley is to bring the love of God to all who live and work there. The church is open to all people, and here to serve the entire parish. Everyone is welcome at all services and other events and anyone is welcome to use the space in church for their own charitable or social events where appropriate. Click here for more information on using the church for your event.

If you are new to the area you are very welcome! There are a wide range of activities going on around the church that may interest you.

A team of Pastoral Assistants visit the housebound, take Communion to those who can't get to church for whatever reason, and generally help the clergy keep an eye on pastoral needs.

James or Ann would be pleased to talk with and welcome you. Enjoy the web-site!

Please feel free to click on the links above or on the right to find out more about us.

Be sure to visit our Parish News section which is updated weekly.

Our site offers documents in Adobe Acrobat format. If necessary, please click here to download the latest version.