Christ Church is the parish church of Ottershaw, perched on the hill as you drive out of the village on the way to Woking. The building is a beautiful building, over 150 years old, set in its church yard where you can find wild flowers in spring and summer and a labyrinth and bug hotel all year, alongside the graves of many past parishoners and village residents. Attached to the church is our parish centre with good facilities for church events and rooms which are regularly let out for a variety of activities.
But Christ Church is much more than the building, it is the church family which meets there and serves the community of Ottershaw. Regular Sunday services, youth clubs, a weekly Cameo coffee shop at the village hall, Messy church for young families, village events, supporting Christian charities at home and abroad ……… then the pandemic happened.
Along with other faiths, organisations and businesses, Christ Church had to learn quickly to adapt and to operate safely in these circumstances. Within a month of the first lockdown, we had learned what Zoom meant and our Easter Sunday service was one of the first to be held this way. Church meetings also went to Zoom so that we could continue to serve the parish and each other in a safe way. Efforts were made to keep in touch with those not on the internet and to offer help where needed and possible.
At times we have been able to hold services in church when government rules allowed. Our two Christmas services in church required booking and our children’s crib service on Christmas Eve invited families to join us on Zoom dressed as their favourite Nativity.
Sadly, we have now had to cease services in the church because of the rising infection rate but we continue to hold a 10.30 am service on Zoom every Sunday which is a real blessing. One bonus has been seeing parishoners who have moved away from the area who can now join us virtually including good friends in France and our previous vicar in Yorkshire.
On line, In the autumn, we held an auction and a quiz to support Tearfund. As Christmas approached a Little Christmas Catalogue was produced to connect makers and buyers to replace our Christmas Fair and a Christmas Cheer village walk to see lights and decorations locally raised money for the Sam Beare hospice. With ingenuity, application and the odd hiccup we have found that there is quite a lot we can do in a different way if we try!
So what of 2021? We will continue to serve our community, help those in need and meet to worship each Sunday. We will pray for those in need and those in power everywhere. And we will pray for a return to health for the world, all countries and ourselves.
Contact details
Our vicar Sandra, 01932 873160
email sandrafster@gmail.com
Links to Zoom services on Sundays :
email : ccottershaw@gmail.com
General enquiries :
Office Hours 9:30am – 12:30pm
Tuesday and Thursdays,
01932 874278 or 07850 567170