Welcome Friends
Risen Lord Jesus, we praise you that you are alive, that you are here with us now. We worship you as your friends did on the very first Easter Day, and we pray that you will renew our faith and make us strong, so that we may tell others your good news and bring your peace to the world. Amen.
If you have any items which you would like included in the newsletter, please email newsletter@ssaparish.org
1. Sunday services
EASTER DAY, Sunday 5th April
6.30am Easter Dawn Service [St Michael's]
A special outdoor service held at the rear of St Michael's churchyard. We follow this glorious service with a hearty breakfast.
9.30am Festival Communion (All Souls' Church)
Readings: Acts 10.34-43 and Matthew 28.1-10
- Leading: Rt Revd Mary Gregory, Bishop of Reading
- Preaching: Rt Revd Mary Gregory, Bishop of Reading
- Bishops Chaplain: Liz Moore
- Organist: Judith Usher
- Chalice: Revd Tanlsey Jordan and Ruth Bannerman
- Prayers: Fiona Jones and Will Jones
- Reader one: Iain Wallace
- Reader two: Arabella Cameron
10.45am Festival Communion [St Michael's Church]
Readings: Acts 10.34-43 and Matthew 28.1-10
- Leading: Rt Revd Mary Gregory, Bishop of Reading
- Preaching: Rt Revd Mary Gregory, Bishop of Reading
- Bishops Chaplain: Vanessa Cummings
- Cw on duty: Octavia O'Donoghue
- Chalice: Amanda Bourne and Amelia Robinson
- Intercessions: Geoff New
- Reader one: Ann Avens
- Reader two: Andrew Vallance
- Sidesmen: Julia and Norman Tetchner
- Coffee: Verity Spencer and Richard Piller
Your Parish team
- Vicar: Rev Tansley Jordan: vicar@ssaparish.org (day off - Friday)
- CW: Octavia O'Donoghue: octavia.odonoghue@ssaparish.org
- CW: Liz Moore: liz.moore@ssaparish.org.
- CW: Geoff Donovan. geoff.donovan@ssaparish.org
- Treasurer: Richard Piller: treasurer@ssaparish.org
- Parish Office: Nicola Hughes: admin@ssaparish.org / 07717 477390 (Mon-Fri 9am-3pm). Please contact Nicola for all life service related questions (Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals). If you phone out of office hours, please leave a voicemail.
2. For your diary
Our Church Family
It is with a very heavy heart that we share some incredibly sad news with you all. This week we received the news that Mary Humphries has passed away. Like the recent death of Marlene Ryan, Mary's passing was unexpected and has affected all who knew her. Mary was creative, fun loving and vibrant in personality. She was tremendously supportive of the whole Parish and attended Ladies Fellowship at St Michael's and the Art Class at All Souls'. She also volunteered her time at the FoodShare in All Souls'. We have lost two very special ladies and we know that so many of you will be grieving their loss. Please know that you are wrapped firmly in prayer. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of both Marlene and Mary. Marlene and Mary - you will be deeply missed.
- Marlene's funeral will be taking place at St Michael's Church on Wednesday 15th April at 10am.
Parish office Easter dates
- The Parish office will be closed between Friday 3rd April and Friday 10th April inclusive. Please contact CW Octavia O'Donoghue if you have anything pressing during that week. In a pastoral emergency please contact Revd Tansley Jordan.
- There will be no newsletter published next Friday 10th April.
Decorating StM Church for Easter: Saturday 4th April between 10am-midday.
- All are warmly welcome to join us to decorate St Michael's Church for Easter. The more the merrier. We will give the church a light clean as well, so if you are able to help, we'd love to see you.
Electoral Roll 2026
- Electoral Roll: The notice of preparing the new Electoral Roll is up in both churches. If you wish to join the Parish Electoral Roll, forms are available at the back of each church and from the parish office. The deadline to be added to the Electoral roll ahead of our next APCM is: 7th May 2026.
3 Easter round the Campfire
‘Easter Round the Campfire’ is on Saturday 4th April at 6.30pm, St Michael's Church. A service with crafts, games and storytelling round the campfire aimed particularly at our families.
4. Monday Nights at the Vicarage
Next meeting is: Monday 13th April. There are no meetings on Monday 30th March or Monday 6th April
Where and when: Monday evenings from 7.00pm to 8.30pm at The Vicarage, Church Lane, Sunninghill. What: Come explore your faith and meet others who are also asking life’s big questions. How do I join: Please contact Nicola in the office on admin@ssaparish.org January - May:
- Back to the Basics
- Learn about Christian beliefs, history, and what it is we do at church. Perfect whether you’ve been attending church for a few weeks or many decades.
5. Prayers and Potatoes - date change
Due to the bank holiday, for this month Prayers and Potatoes is being held on Monday 20th April NOT on Monday 6th April.
St Michael's Church
Prayers and Potatoes is being held slightly later this month, on Monday 20th April and 11.30am. This is due to the bank holiday occurring on the first Monday of the month. All are welcome to join us for this simple service of Holy Communion, followed by a jacket potato lunch in the church hall.
6. Pastoral Care Team
Pastoral Care Team – Could This Be for You?
We’re starting a new Pastoral Care Team in the parish to offer listening, prayer, and companionship to those who may be going through a difficult time or feeling a bit isolated. It’s a quiet, behind-the-scenes ministry, but one that can make a real difference. You don’t need any special qualifications—just a caring heart, the ability to listen well, discretion, and a willingness to be part of a team. Training, support, and safeguarding will all be in place. If you’re curious to know more, or wondering whether this might be something God is nudging you towards, please speak to Tansley, or one of the church wardens, or pick up a leaflet the back of each church (or available on the website). Because of the nature of this work with people who are potentially quite vulnerable, it is important that we follow the Church of England’s policies for ‘safer recruiting’, so anyone interested will need to complete a short application form, and will need a DBS check.
Please contact Nicola in the office for a form to complete: admin@ssaparish.org
Please keep this new ministry in your prayers.
7. Volunteer Roles
The time you give really does make such a big difference.
Church Roles: We are seeking volunteers to become chalice bearers for Holy Communion services, to lead prayers and to verge at life services. All training will be given. If you think you are able to fulfil any of these roles, please let Nicola in the office know.
South Ascot Village School: SAVS school are hearing from anyone interested in volunteering to help at their breakfast/after-school clubs. For further information please contact the school on 01344 622118 / main@southascotvillageschool.org.uk
Food Share: The food share at All Souls' Church, is looking for volunteers to help with food collections (Thursday afternoons), set up (Thursday evening) and help during the actual Food share (Fridays from midday). If you're able to offer a few hours of your time, please contact Debbie: debbie@vandewaal.com
8. Parish Giving
Every day it costs almost £700 to run the parish and look after our beautiful buildings. As a charity we are completely reliant on the generosity of our congregations and visitors - we don't receive any money from the government or from the National Church.
We want to thank all of you who already give so much to support the life of our church. Your generosity helps mean that we are able to be beacons of God's love to our local communities, and ensure that our ministry here will be able to continue for future generations.
Parish Giving Scheme
If you would like to make a donation towards our work, either regular or one-off, please consider signing up to the Parish Giving Scheme. The scheme is easy to join and if you want to change the amount you give in the future, it is easy to change at any time.
Cheque or Cash
If you would prefer to give via cash (or card) there are sum-up machines in each church, and a collection is taken during services. Alternatively you are welcome to place your gift in an envelope and give them to Nicola in the parish office, who will ensure they are locked securely in the safe.
Cheques can be made payable to St Michael and All Angels PCC
(Please note - our volunteer counters meet once a month to count cash collections and donations, so it may be a few weeks before your cheque is cashed. Thank you for your patience!)
Thank you
9. Regular Groups
All Souls' Church Coffee Shop:
Our coffee shop at All Souls' Church is open between 10.00am and 12.00pm each weekday. Come along and enjoy tea, coffee, homemade cake and good company.
Monday Nights at the Vicarage: No meetings on 30th March or 6th April.
Come explore your faith and meet others who are also asking life’s big questions. Please contact Nicola in the office on admin@ssaparish.org Throughout January - May we are looking at:
- Back to the Basics
- Learn about Christian beliefs, history, and what it is we do at church. Perfect whether you’ve been attending church for a few weeks or many decades.
- Hosted every Monday at The Vicarage, Sunninghill, 7-8.30pm
Prayer Group:
Our new, weekly prayer group is held in All Souls' Church every Thursday morning at 9.30am. A safe, quiet space to reflect and offer prayers. All are welcome.
Activities in All Souls' Church:
- Tuesdays: Art Class [10am-12noon]. Free
- Tuesdays: Chat and Craft [2-4pm].
- Wednesdays: Seated Zumba [10.30-11.15am]. Small admission charge.
- Thursdays: Games Mornings [10am-12 noon]. Free.
Ascot Memory Group:
We are delighted to bring you details of a new monthly event at St Michael's Church Hall: 'The Ascot Memory Morning'. Held on the third Wednesday of every month 11am-12.30- it is a relaxed, informal setting where carers and loved ones can have a coffee and a chat with others travelling a similar journey. No booking required - just turn up.
Ladies Fellowship:
A wonderful and friendly group of ladies meet at St Michael’s Church Hall every Thursday morning between 10.30am and 12 noon. Some attend St Michael’s Church, some attend All Souls’ Church, some do not attend church. It’s a glorious and inviting, free weekly get together for ladies of all ages. Please do come along - new members are always welcome (and the lemon drizzle cake is something rather special!). For more information please contact the Church Office or Pami Cross on 01344 303991
Toddler Praise:
A fun, free hour long sessions held every Tuesday 10.30am-11.30am at All Souls Church. Songs, bible stories and crafting. Ideal for pre and nursery aged children. Parents and carers can enjoy a good natter and a cup of tea/coffee. Contact Nicola Shaw for more info: nicola@allsoulsascot.org
Prayers and Potatoes: In April we will hold this service on Monday 20th April due to the bank holiday.
A simple Holy Communion service held on the first Monday of every month at 11.30am at St Michael's Church. This is followed by a jacket potato lunch in the hall. We are usually finished by 1pm. All are welcome.
Friends of St Michael's 100 Club:
The idea is to have a ‘fun’ way of raising money for both St Michael’s and All Souls. Membership has grown well with each membership undertaking to pay £10 per month on a Standing Order basis into the Club Account. A draw is held on the first Sunday in the month, in St Michael's Church hall, after the main morning service. Two-thirds of the money raised for the month is donated to the Church and one-third as prizes. Both Churches, like most, these days, badly need extra funds and if you are able help by joining the 100 Club, whether or not you attend Church, please contact David Mear on 01344 621419 or 07757 224240 or by email: davidrmear@gmail.com
10. Hire our Spaces
All Souls Church, St Michael's Church and St Michael's Church Hall are available for hire via the Parish office on 07717 477390 or email admin@ssaparish.org. There is also a booking form you can complete on our website by clicking HERE
South Ascot Church Hall is now managed by Phil Warren Property and cannot be booked through the Parish office. To enquire about booking SACH please email: sach@warrenproperty.co.uk