Dear friends,

This Sunday is the first Sunday in Lent.

Coming Thursday, the 13th and two more Thursdays before Easter soup, bread and cheese will be served in St John in aid of the Bishop’s Lent Appeal. For more information please see the notes attached. All in all it’s a great way to meet people and help raise money for this excellent cause.

God bless,

Dineke van den Bogerd

Dear friends,

Last week we went to Newlands corner. The short walk we chose led past a boardwalk through woodland with ancient yew trees. We took the detour and were rewarded with these magnificent 1000 year old yew trees, all gnarled and twisted in the most fantastic shapes. What a beautiful part of the world we live in! If you have a few hours I can recommend you go and see these ancient giants. The weather forecast is favourable.

God bless,

Dineke van den Bogerd

Dear friends,

Some weeks ago we had the Christingle service in St John. That is when I took today’s picture. I hope you don’t find it inappropriate to show this now but I strongly believe that we should remember all the highlights of the Christian calendar throughout the year. By all means hum a Christmas song in summer and play the passions at Pentecost and, throughout the year, remember to donate to the Children’s Society and other worthwhile charities.

God bless.

Dineke van den Bogerd

Dear friends,

Looking out of a window this week, contemplating how to get rid of the neighbours’ out-of-proportion Leylandii, I suddenly noticed a movement in the top. It turned out to be a resting buzzard. I took several photos and waited until he decided to leave. Maybe I won’t broach it with the neighbours after all.

God bless,

Dineke van den Bogerd

Well, we have made it through to February after what was certainly a mixed bunch of weather last month! Even so when walking through our local woods it is incredible to see the little bluebell shoots coming through already. Signs of Spring and I am looking forward to enjoying the bulbs as they begin to bloom along with the daffodils and other lovely Spring flowers. Flowers are such bringers of joy aren’t they and promises of new life to come.
As we begin this month we will be holding our annual Christingle service on Sunday 2nd of February. Christingle is a joyful celebration that brings families and communities together to share the light of Jesus and spread a message of hope. The candle in the centre of the Christingle orange symbolises Jesus as the light of the world. Through him we can enter into new life both now and in the future. As usual our collection that day goes to the work of The Children’s Society. So we go forth into Spring with all hope and promise of better things to come. That is easily said though isn’t it, when we all know someone who is going through a difficult time and life often seems so unfair along with the troubles of our world. Yet as holy messengers often say in scripture to people who find themselves in difficult situations “do not be afraid”. As we go through this month of February, look at the birds, look at the earth beginning to wake up after a time of dormancy, look up at the skies! Someone who was a spiritual mentor to me used to say that when you come to a time of darkness in your life, fill it with beauty so that you can then walk over it. I love that thought.
Parish wise, our Team Rector Revd Andrew Coe has announced that he is retiring from full time ministry so has resigned as Team Rector of the Surrey Weald Team of which our parish is a part and also as Rector of St Peter’s Newdigate. Andrew and Noelle’s final Sunday service will be at 10am on Sunday 27th April at Newdigate Church. We shall miss Andrew’s leadership and wisdom hugely but wish them all God’s blessings in his retirement as they move to Great Bookham. Please do keep them and the parish of Newdigate in your thoughts and prayers at this time of transition.
Have a good month and enjoy all that we have been blessed with that costs nothing – the new shoots of growth around us.
God bless and with my love and prayers
Liz
Revd.Liz Richardson
liz@hostmyserver.co.uk

Happy New Year! Where did last year go? Looking back over the last year in my diary I am reminded of another wonderful year in Capel and Ockley. What a joy and honour it is to be called to serve both communities as your village priest! There have been several themes last year – one particularly popular in Capel was the celebration and occurrence of quite a few ‘big birthdays’ – mine included! What to do to celebrate? Look no further than The Crown who hosted the most marvellous ‘noughts’ party one very hot July afternoon for all those who wished to join in. It was a wonderful occasion!

The year has been full of ups and downs like any other I guess and the villages have lost several much loved longstanding residents. Their funerals and services of thanksgiving have given many a chance to pay their respects and support the bereaved. On a happier note we have had some beautiful weddings and baptisms. Such a joy to celebrate with our couples and families! Now that couples can be married by a celebrant at reception venues the number of weddings we conduct are fewer sadly.

Then there was the 80th Anniversary of D-Day with a range of memorable community events over that time. I particularly enjoyed the Rude Mechanical Theatre Company’s production of The Dressing Book. It was so different and highly entertaining despite the constant drone of aircraft!! Later on, we also had the excitement of the Capel Military Show which attracts many to our village and the wonderful Capel Show. Everyone involved works so hard. Our communities have so much to offer and 2024 was another successful year for all those who volunteer, give up their time and talents to work hard for the rest of us. In this magazine there are listed so many different organisations and groups – something for everyone. It seems very fitting therefore that the year ended with the brilliant Christmas Capel Old Friends lunch. Such a wonderful occasion and quite how you produce such a delicious meal for over 100 people I don’t know. But Emma and her team do so magnificently with so many delightful little touches for everyone. So a very big THANK YOU to everyone who have given us such a wonderful year of events.

Our Church Christmas trees have generally withstood the storm and once again brought the community together to bring in the festive season. Christmas can be a very difficult time for so many despite the jollity and I hope that we all may have been able to reach out to those alone or who find the festivities just too much. As we begin another new year remember who it is that is hidden underneath the surface, the glitter, the decorations and too much turkey.

As we travel through the season of Epiphany celebrating that God was revealed in Jesus, as a model for us today. That baby born in a stable grew up to befriend poor and marginalised people, to value women, to heal outsiders and followers of other faiths. Jesus, angry at the rigid rules of the establishment, invites us to call God our Father, promising to be with us always, then dying for us, and rising again. I pray that 2025 will bring you joy and peace as we travel onwards, knowing that like the Magi, who followed the star, who travelled a long way in search of answers, they unexpectedly stumbled across the Saviour of the world born in a humble stable.

With my love and prayers as ever
Revd Liz

Revd.Liz Richardson
liz@hostmyserver.co.uk

Dear friends,

It’s February and I have filed my TAX return (just in time as usual), the days are noticeably longer and soon the frogs will return to our pond. The daffodil buds are about to burst but there is not a lot flowering in the garden yet so I have attached a bunch of flowers for you to enjoy instead.

God bless,

Dineke van den Bogerd