Christmas giving, Tearfund's Indonesian Earthquake appeal

In September of this year, a massive earthquake and tsunami hit Indonesia causing devastation.  We are sending our Christmas giving to Tearfund's Indonesian Earthquake appeal to help the recovery and rebuilding.  This includes

• Collections from our Christmas services
• Proceeds from the Christmas Quiz
• Proceeds from a hamper raffle (Nick Mendham can tell you more)
• Proceeds from you signing the church family Christmas card, this year created by our youngest Sunday School group, Adventurers.  Wish the whole church family Happy Christmas by signing this! - find it at the back of the church.

To gift aid your donation look for the Tearfund giving envelopes near the donation plate.

Christmas hamper raffle in aid of Tearfund

Barclays bank have donated a Christmas hamper to our Church so we decided we will have a raffle and donate the proceeds to our Christmas appeal which is Tearfund's Indonesian Earthquake appeal. The draw will be after the service on the 23rd December. They can be bought after the Church services or from the Church office in the week. The tickets are £1 per ticket and £5 for a strip. We really value your support.
 
The hamper includes: cheese & biscuits, chocolates, shortbread biscuits, olives, Humbugs, beetroot & orange chutney, Coffee & walnut cake and more!

Mince pies wanted for Carol service on Sunday 16 December 

Could you add a box of 6 pies into your weekly shopping?  This year we only need mince pies for the carol service, thank you.   If you can help supply these, please sign up on the list in church.  There is a drop-off point in the worship area.

Raise money for St Mary's for free when you shop online!

Take a look at Easy Fundraising. You could be collecting FREE donations for us every time you shop online, perfect for the Christmas shopping! You can download the app here.

Christmas Chill 15th December

This is an opportunity to step back from the hectic Christmas preparations and enjoy relaxing over coffee and crafts. Saturday 15 December 10am to 12pm, in the hall. There is no charge, but we invite donations to cover costs and ask those who can to bring greenery to share. Contact Judith judserg@gmail.com with any questions.

Mindfulness monthly drop in session 18 December 

Tuesday at 8.15pm to 9.15pm in the worship area. Do join us!   For further details, please contact Judith Sergeant via the church office. 

Arabic, Bengali or Urdu calendar

Would you like a calendar for an Arabic, Bengali or Urdu speaking friend?  ACROSS Woking have provided us with calendars in these languages with beautiful pictures and uplifting bible verses.  They are available from the Go! Team board at the back of church.

No Foodbank collection in December 

There will be no foodbank collection this month. Thank you for your generous support for the Woking Foodbank throughout the year!

Keep up with news from St Mary of Bethany 

Keep up with news from St Mary of Bethany by signing up to our weekly email list via our website, liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter & Instagram.

Christmas Cardinals - 17 December 

Woking Football Club invites you to join them on Monday 17 December 5.30pm - 7.30pm at Jubilee Square, Woking.  There will be Carols & Salvation Army Band, a prayer and church tent, a chance to meet the players, free food & mulled wine and much more!

Christmas Quiz 

Brian Harris has prepared another Cryptic Christmas Quiz to puzzle and to test knowledge. Sheets are available from the back of the church under the prayer team noticeboard. Participation will at £1.00 per copy. All completed entries to be given to Brian Harris by Sunday 13th January, with the winner to be announced in January. 

Like and Share our Online Advent Calendar 

We have created an online Advent Calendar this year which provides 25 'windows' on life at St Mary of Bethany. Please use social media to share it with friends and family  and to tell them more about who we are, what we do and how we are engaged in the community. You can find it here from 1st December 2018 .

Christmas services

Used stamps

SMoB collect used stamps for FEBA (Far Eastern Broadcasting Association) in the Purple Bin at the back of the Church by the pigeon holes, or on the table by the main entrance. This time of year especially we receive more letters and parcels but would welcome your stamps cut from correspondence and placed in a bag or envelope and deposited in this Bin at any time in the year. Funds raised from their sale help with the charity's administration expenses of their H.Q. in Worthing