Welcome to All Saints Church, Witley

Revd. Amy Webb writes...

August 2025

As Summer slides into autumn, you can begin to detect a change in the air. It's not always obvious. Sometimes the sun is still shining, and the skies are blue, but whether it's a subtle drop in temperature or a change in the plants and wildlife, somehow you know deep within you that autumn is about to reveal itself in all its blustery glory. Those summer holidays are becoming a golden memory and change is in the air once again.

Apparently, Surrey is the UK county with the greatest number of trees, with approximately 24% of its land area covered by woodland. Here in Witley, Brook and Sandhill, we are privileged to live amongst many ancient trees and as their leaves begin to fall we are reminded once again of how beautiful it can be to let things go.

After our summery excesses it may be that you are contemplating a season of simpler, and perhaps a little more structured, living. What Keats describes as a "Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness" rather lends itself to moments of reflection and 'taking stock'. And so it is in this autumnal context that the Parochial Church Council (PCC) of All Saints Church will be working together to develop a vision and strategy for the mission and ministry of the church for the seasons to come. Together we will be asking, 'what is God calling us to be and do, at this time and in this place?' How can we be the hands and feet of Jesus as we seek to serve in our parish and beyond?, 'in what ways can we reach out in love, to those we don't yet know?' and what might we be required to let go of to make space for them?'.

I suspect it will be challenging for us to consciously set aside our personal preferences, to enable God to guide us, and to allow God's priorities to become our own. I suspect there will be times when we'll need to lean on the verse from the Bible which says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding" (Proverbs 3:6). So please do pray for us as we embark on this endeavour.

And so, I wonder what this season of reflection and re-setting will bring for you? What might you need to let go of, to shed like dry leaves? Some things are only right for a season, and some things we picked up along the way, were never right at all. I encourage you to take the time you need to reflect on what God might be calling you to let go of this autumn, and I will be praying that you will have the courage to do so, perhaps using the prayer of Saint Teresa of Avila:

"Let nothing disturb you, let nothing frighten you. All things are passing away: God never changes. Patience obtains all things. Whoever has God lacks nothing; God alone suffices."

Amen

Amy.

Safeguarding
Here at All Saints Witley, we take the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults very seriously. We have adopted the national Church of England's robust procedures and guidelines. Details about the national policies and procedures can be found HERE.

Our Safeguarding Officer is Phil Lewis. If you have any safeguarding concerns, Phil can be contacted by email at: safeguarding@allsaintswitley.org.uk. Alternatively, you are welcome to contact the Guildford Diocesan Safeguarding team at safeguarding@cofeguildford.org.uk or on 01483 790379.

If you have reason to think that a child or vulnerable adult is in immediate danger, you should contact the police straight away.

Please click HERE to view our DATA PRIVACY NOTICE.

---

VISITING THE CHURCH

All Saints Church has a huge wooden door, which, while being very old and attractive in its own way can be a physical barrier to those who have never entered All Saints before - don't let it be like that. Turn the handle, push the door and come in, all are welcome. Inside you will find a building that is filled with the prayers of 1000 years, a wall painting that is 900 years old, a 700-year-old Lady Chapel with medieval stained glass, signs of the conflict in the 16th and 17th century with an unfinished memorial tablet in the sanctuary and several other family memorials. The 18th century put in a gallery which was removed by the Victorians who added so much more, including a whole aisle on the North Side. The Victorians with three generations of Chandler Vicars built the organ, the bell tower and the vestry. They refurbished the chancel ceiling, floor and altar and put up memorials to the eminent people of the day as they passed on. The beginning of the 20th century completed the collection of stained glass windows and introduced the pews we have now, instead of the previous box pews. All Saints is full of history reflecting the needs of the generations who have worshipped here before us. There have been many changes in the past few years which help us now to use the church on a daily basis for many different groups. There is a children's trail available with many interesting things to find out and see.

Please do come inside and explore and have time for yourself, the church is open from 9.30am to 4.00pm. Or come and meet with others to worship or chat everyone is welcome.


If anyone would like to speak to Ann, please ring or email and we will endeavour to meet you as soon as we can.

The All Saints Parish Office, is in the grounds of Witley Infant School, opposite the Church.

Wishing you every blessing

       
               Ann Fraser

---

The parish of Witley is made up of the villages of Witley, Brook, Wormley and Sandhills. The Parish Church of All Saints dates from about 1040 and is situated just off the main Petworth Road (A283) in Church Lane, opposite the White Hart public house. Witley CofE Infant School is opposite the church and has close links with it.

Apart from a regular pattern of worship on Sundays and Holy Days, the church serves the whole parish and after recent refurbishment is available every day for a variety of uses. The door is open in daylight hours for anyone who may wish to spend a quiet few moments or longer in the peace and quiet of this ancient building.

The mission of the church in Witley is to bring the love of God to all who live and work there. The church is open to all people, and here to serve the entire parish. Everyone is welcome at all services and other events and anyone is welcome to use the space in church for their own charitable or social events where appropriate. Click here for more information on using the church for your event.

If you are new to the area you are very welcome! There are a wide range of activities going on around the church that may interest you.

A team of Pastoral Assistants visit the housebound, take Communion to those who can't get to church for whatever reason, and generally help the clergy keep an eye on pastoral needs.

Ann would be pleased to talk with and welcome you. Enjoy the web-site!

Please feel free to click on the links above or on the right to find out more about us.

Be sure to visit our Parish News section which is updated weekly.

Our site offers documents in Adobe Acrobat format. If necessary, please click here to download the latest version.