Warm Space
We're a warm space!
Over the last few weeks, public buildings all over the country have committed to opening as warm spaces for anyone who needs them this winter. The cost of living crisis impacts all of us. For some in affluent Surrey, it’s as simple as noticing our weekly grocery bill and monthly energy bill going up; for others it means having to make tough choices, perhaps even between heating and eating.
At St Mary of Bethany we’re delighted to be a warm space for anyone who needs it this winter. Our creche, a cosy room by the York Road entrance to church, is open every weekday 2–5pm for anyone who wants a change of scene or who needs to keep warm. On Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays we will also have our top hall open as a quiet work space. If you’re working from home but would like a change of air, we have fast, free wifi and hot drinks available. Our friendly team is on hand with books and magazines to help you relax. We can also signpost to local services and help of all kinds.
It's been a mild autumn so far, so many people are not feeling particularly chilly yet, and some of us have got away without turning on the central heating. We look forward to welcoming local people as word gets around and the weather gets chillier. You don’t have to be struggling to pay the bills in order to join us. Earlier this year I talked to one young professional in our neighbourhood who works from home in a building covered in scaffolding; they had had no natural light at home for several weeks, so their working environment was fairly miserable. If you’d benefit from a bit of variety in your working day, do check us out.
Part of our vision as a church is to be ‘the warm heart of Mount Hermon’. After all, we’re the neighbourhood church for the Mount Hermon, Goldsworth Road and Barnsbury areas of Woking. Our building is our biggest fixed resource and we are always looking for ways to use it more effectively and make it more available to our community. Over the next few weeks we hope that hundreds of people will join us for our Christmas services, to watch England play in the World Cup or to make use of our warm space. It is our prayer that you will feel blessed and want to come back, whatever the reason for your visit.
