Welcome to the website of the parish of Capel and Ockley. We are part of the Surrey Weald Team of parishes close to the south Surrey border with West Sussex. The other parishes in the team are St Peter’s, Newdigate, and St Mary Magdelene, South Holmwood. Our church offers a variety of worship, both separate and as part of the Weald Team.
We are a two small friendly village churches joined in one parish. The churches remain rural, but are located in the busy commuter belt south of London.
We serve first and foremost God, our father in heaven, but serving God also means offering help and comfort to all around us. Love your neighbour as yourself. We therefore feel we must be at the heart of our community. We extend a welcome to all in the village and those visiting, all people of faith and all who have not had faith for some time.
Monthly Newsletter from Rev. Liz Richardson:
Change of an era?
Liz’s Letter… The New Year is traditionally a time when we say farewell to the old year and welcome in the new one and I feel sure we will all be very happy to send 2020 off on its way into history! Who could have foreseen this time last year what lay ahead for us all and of course as I write this letter just before Christmas we still don’t know whether lockdowns can now be a thing of the past or whether we face another one in January. That awful phrase ‘the new normal’ I hope will filter away and perhaps Pope Francis puts it better calling it ‘not an era of change but change of an era’? Something to reflect on?! Throughout this year we have all had to adjust to a different way of living and being. Who would know that wearing masks would now be mandatory in many situations and even can be a fashion accessory? As a church and community we have had to adjust quickly to all the different rules and regulations, trusting that somehow we will survive even though at times certain things haven’t necessarily made sense! Hopefully you have felt supported by… Read More
Latest news from the Church of England
Parish Brief - 19th January 2021
Hello <<First Name>> Wonderful Love Even though in many ways’ life is simpler in an extended lockdown, it can make some things more difficult to deal with and lead to tensions and pressures that are harder to get round and resolve. Whether it is trying to care for an elderly relative, getting to see a doctor or dentist, or maintaining friendships and relationships – the inability to talk face to face and connect in person, other than by electronic means, can lead to frustrations, misunderstanding and leave us feeling isolated. As I was struggling with some of these things last week my daughter shared this family WhatsApp message about my 6yr old granddaughter: Merry was on a whole school assembly on Google Classroom when the Headteacher’s feed dropped out. The Deputy Head asked if any of the children want to pray. Merry put her digital hand up straight away and prayed. “Father God, thank you for our school. Thank you for all that we have and all that we get to do. Help us remember your love is so high we can’t get over it (long pause) and so low we can’t get under it (long pause) and so wide we can’t… Read MoreRead More »