Welcome to All Saints Church, Witley

CHRISTMAS SERVICES AT ALL SAINTS
Sunday 17th December - Nine Lessons and Carols 6pm
Christmas Eve - Crib Service 4pm and Midnight Mass 11.30pm
Christmas Day - Holy Communion 8am and 10am

Taking the light of Christmas out on the road.

"Before the paling of the stars,
Before the winter morn,
Before the earliest cock crow,
Jesus Christ was born."

Christina Rossetti begins one of her Christmas poems with this wonderful imagery and points us directly towards the stable at Bethlehem. The birth of Jesus marks new life for all creation. You will not need me to tell you that the scene presented in most representations of the Nativity doesn't bear much resemblance to the actual birth of Jesus. What most seek to do is to lead us to an understanding of the light which Jesus brings into the world - the light of God's love for each one of us.

When St. Francis of Assisi introduced the first crib, using live people and animals in 1223, he wanted to remind everyone what Christmas was truly about. He was concerned that too many people were drawn to the materialism of the age - not focusing on the things that really matter. If you pop into All Saints over the Christmas season, you will find our own crib - also a gentle reminder that the baby Jesus at the heart of the scene transforms the tinsel and lights of Christmas into the knowledge of the ultimate reality of God's love for every one of us.

We see so much in the world which shocks us, very often shaking us out of complacency. Covid and now horrible international wars have certainly played a major part in this over the past couple of years. Yet the birth of Jesus assures us of one unshakeable truth: that Emmanuel' - God with us - with us in each of our situations - is something to celebrate and give thanks for. We are all called to be signs of hope in a troubled world.

Charles Dickens exclaimed in 'A Christmas Carol', "I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all year long." What if we did? There would be enough time to reflect on the impact of peace and goodwill within our community and make a real difference. Christmas can be a marker for goodwill in perpetuity - with our loved ones, neighbours, work colleagues, school friends, everyone. The impact would be immeasurable, reaching beyond the boundaries of our village one person at a time. Christmas is the portable life-giving attitude for taking anywhere on this practical road of life throughout the year.

May I wish you a wonderful Christmas and joyous New Year.
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.