Welcome Friends
Another busy week in the Parish. Last Sunday 7th December saw St Michael's host the tenth Christmas Concert which proved a huge success, with the most tickets sales for several years. On Tuesday evening Cheapside School held their Christmas Carol Service at St Michael's Church. On Wednesday afternoon, All Souls' Church organised and hosted an Christmas Lunch to all those who aren't always able to attend services. It goes without saying that no event simply happens. The amount of planning, prepping, organising and volunteering that goes on behind the scenes is extraordinary. Huge and sincere thanks to all who volunteered their time to make them the successes they were. Thank you! There is also that important element of fundraising. Three recent events have been organised with the purpose of fundraising for the Parish Churches and we can now reveal the totals:
- Andrew Trapnell organised and hosted a stall at the Royal Ascot Golf Club Christmas Fair. He raised a fantastic £166.00. Grateful thanks go to him for arranging and hosting this stall.
- Christmas Fayre on Sunday 30th November: £883.00 raised.
- Christmas Concert on Sunday 7th December: £3285.70 raised. Special thanks go to Amelia Robinson and especially to Octavia O'Donoghue, for making this such an enjoyable evening.
- £4,334.70 raised in three weeks!
A huge round of applause and thanks to those who contributed through their unstinting support that enabled these wonderful results.
As usual If you have any items which you would like included in the newsletter, please email newsletter@ssaparish.org
1. Sunday services
Sunday 14th December
Third Sunday in Advent
9.15am Christmas Safari [St Michael's Church].
All are welcome to join us as we journey to Bethlehem around St Michael's grounds. Dress warmly!
10.30am Mattins [St Michael's Church]
Join us for a whole parish Holy Communion service.
Readings: James 5. 7-11 and Matthew 11. 2-11
- Leading: Mike Cross
- Preaching: Geoff New
- CW on duty: Geoff Donovan
- Organist: Nick Willmer
- Intercessions: Lynne Kimber
- Reader one: Verity Spencer
- Reader two: Pami Cross
- Sidesmen: Ann Avens and Nigel Green
- Coffee: Karen and Ian Reid
10.30am Holy Communion [All Souls' Church]
- Leading: Amanda Bourne
- Preaching: Nicola Shaw
- CW: Liz Moore
- Organist: Judith Usher
- Chalice: TBC
- Prayers: Crispin Elliott
- Reader one: TBC
- Reader two: TBC
4.00pm Carols Round the Campfire
Wrap up warmly and join us outside of All Souls' Church, gathered around a campfire, as we sing some well known carols. Followed by hot chocolate!
Your Parish team
Christmas Break: The Parish Office will be closed between Monday 22nd December 2025 and Monday 5th January 2026 inclusive.
- 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. Email to follow. Please contact the office to get in touch with Geoff.
- 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 services related questions (Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals). If you phone out of office hours, please leave a voicemail which will be picked up the next working day.
2. For your Diary
- All Souls' Crib Service: If any child would like to do a reading at the crib service at 3pm on Christmas Eve please let Nicola Shaw know by Sunday 14th December: nicola@allsoulsascot.org
- Decorating St Michael's Church for Christmas: Saturday 20th December. We are going to be decorating St Michael's with festive flowers between 9:30am -11am, on the Saturday morning. All are welcome to come along and help. Please let Octavia know if you wish to arrange a floral display: octavia.odonoghue@ssaparish.org
- Christmas Trees at All Souls: Friday 28th Nov to 6th January. All Souls welcomes donations of small (3ft) Christmas trees to adorn the windowsills around the church. The theme this year is a Christmas story. Lighting (optional) needs to be battery driven only please. There is currently space for one more tree if anyone wishes to create one. Please let Mary Nichols know. (mary@ssaparish.org)
- Card for Good Causes, All Souls' Church: Monday to Saturday 10am-4pm. Buy your cards and festive gifts whilst supporting charity. A win all round.
- St Michael's Church Choir: Every Friday. New members are very welcome. Rehearsals are every Friday evening in St Michael's Church, 7-8pm. Contact Joe Adams: music@ssaparish.org for more details.
- Rachel Macdonald's Memorial Service: For those who may not already be aware, we received the sad news that Rachel Macdonald has passed away. Rachel's involvement within the Parish, especially at St Michael's, cannot be understated. She dedicated so much of her time and energy to the Church, spanning decades, and volunteering endlessly. She was simultaneously on almost every Church rota; prayer ministry, chalice bearer, reader, sidesmen, intercessions and coffee, often assuming multiple roles during the same service. Her children wanted her passing to be shared with the community, as so many of you will have known her. Her memorial service will be held at St Michael's Church on Thursday 22nd January 2026 at 11am. We extend our prayers and heartfelt condolences to her family, friends and all that mourn her passing.
3. Parish Advent Calendar - The Jesse Tree
'A shoot shall come out from the stock of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.' (Isaiah 11:1-3)
During Advent as we prepare for the coming of Jesus we listen to the stories of the people of God and the Old Testament prophecies of a coming Saviour. One ancient medieval tradition is that of the Jesse Tree - listening to the stories of Jesus' 'Family Tree' (based on the genealogy at the beginning of Matthew's Gospel). There are examples of painted and carved versions -in my curacy church in Wells there was a 15th century carved Jesse Tree with statues of each of the figures standing amongst it's branches (although sadly it was damaged during the reformation!) For Advent this year, I invite you to join me in exploring the Jesse Tree. On the parish website, beginning on Monday, is an Advent calendar. Each day a new door will open to reveal a new story, with links which you can click on to take you to a reflection for each day. (There are two options for these reflections - one slightly shorter one suitable for families, and a second slightly longer version for those who want to delve a little deeper.)
An extra option is to create a physical Jesse Tree in your home as an Advent decoration, hanging a token to represent each story on a branch or even a Christmas Tree! Follow link below to download a printable version which matches the calendar - one version is pre-coloured, or there's a set that you can colour yourself!
Happy Advent! Tansley
4. Advent Book and Discussion Group
Next Discussion group dates: Monday 15th December and 5th January at 7pm.
This year's parish Advent book is 'Embracing Humanity' by Rev'd Doctor Isabelle Hamley. It has daily bible readings and reflections which you can use in your own devotions at home. We will also be hosting an evening discussion group based on the weekly themes in this book for those who would value journeying deeper with others - these will be held on Monday evenings at 7pm at the Vicarage. Please let Tansley or Nicola in the office, know if you would like to join us. About the book: (From the back cover) Isabelle Hamley explores what it meant for God to become flesh and how this enables us to understand what it means to be human. Seeing humanity in a new light. God became flesh at Christmas. But how does God, who created all things, live within the limitations of humanity – limitations that humanity itself often resents and tries to transcend? And what does it truly mean to be human? As contemporary society grapples with questions of identity, justice and medical ethics, Embracing Humanity deftly explores how different aspects of being human are both inhabited and transformed in the incarnation.
Isabelle Hamley is currently Principal of Ridley Hall, Cambridge. She is a theologian, writer and broadcaster and has previously been theological advisor to the House of Bishops and chaplain to the Archbishop of Canterbury as well as a parish priest, chaplain and probation officer. The book can be ordered from either of the below links: Amazon: £8.95 (Available on Prime with free delivery) Church House Book Shop: £8.99 (+£2.99 delivery)
5. Christmas at The Priory
After the sold-out concert last year, we are back with another offering. Music produced and directed by Paul Jackson with the Priory Voices (including Rev Tansley and Octavia) delivering up another musical gem in the wonderful setting of Ascot Priory. The funds raised will be match-funded by the Hope Trust for the upkeep of the Priory and this year. Mulled wine and mince pies will be provided by the Priory itself. Event Details Wednesday 17th December 7.30pm.
Doors Open at 6:45PM Starts at 7:30PM
Location The Priory, Ascot, SL5 8RS
Book early, arrive early to park, and enjoy a wonderful evening of Christmas music and singing, in the most atmospheric chapel in Ascot.
6. Carol Service at All Souls' Church
All are warmly invited to join our Carol Service beginning at 10.30am, All Souls' Church.
7. Volunteer Roles
The time you give really does make such a big difference.
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
Cards for Good Causes: Cards for Good causes are returning to All Souls' for their festive pop up card shop. A wonderful initiative, raising money for multiple different charities through the sale of Christmas and other occasion cards, gift wrap, candles and small gifts. They are looking for volunteers to help run the shop if you are able to offer some of your time, please do get in touch.
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.
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:
- Monday-Saturday: Cards for Good Causes [10am-4pm]
- 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 - 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:
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 phil@warrenproperty.co.uk