Up to 10th August

PIf you are looking to amuse your children over the holidays or simply want to help in the conservation of butterflies, why not take part in the Big Butterfly count? Dr Richard Fox, Head of Science at Butterfly Conservation warns that 80% of our UK butterfly species have declined since the 1970’s and 2024 was one of the worst years on record – leading the charity to declare a butterfly emergency. Information on how the UK’s butterflies are responding to climate change, amongst other challenges, is vital to inform future conservation decisions. This is where we can help. All that is needed is 15 minutes in any sunny spot to count the number and type of butterflies and moths seen. No expertise is required and any location will do – a back garden, small balcony with pot plants, a park, allotment, field, or country lane. You can download the free Big Butterfly Count app or visit the website on the link below to submit your results. Even if you don’t manage to spot any butterflies, the charity still wants us to submit our results, because it is just as important for the scientists to know where butterflies are not, as well as where they are.

Woking Environment Action (“WEAct”) is working to find out where hedgehogs are living in our area (in order to help them survive). To this end, it has a number of night vision wildlife cameras that are free to borrow. WEAct is happy for locals to borrow the cameras, even if they are unsure what wildlife visits their garden at night. If you would like to see what goes on in your garden, when you are asleep, (and amuse your children in the holidays), use this link to find out more:-Woking Hedgehogs. There is a simple form to complete and you will need to provide proof of your address and pay a £20 returnable deposit. Have fun (and let us know what you discover)!

Save The Date: Thursday 25th September 7pm at St Dunstan's

2025 marks the tenth anniversary of Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical Laudato Si’, a transformative call to “care for our common home”.

Addressed to all people of goodwill, Laudato Si’ urged global action on climate change as a moral and social justice issue, highlighting the interconnected ‘cry of the earth’ and ‘the cry of the poor’.

CAFOD’s Live Simply Award has inspired our Parish (St Dunstan’s and St Hugh’s) to support Pope Francis’ plea in Laudato Si’ to live simply, sustainably and in solidarity with the poor. This has resulted in, amongst other things, the formation of our Live Simply website, the opportunity for parishioners and other’s from the Woking community to attend various talks on sustainability and the start of our project to support sustainable farming for women in Ikutha, Kenya (in partnership with The Poor servants of the Mother of God, Roehampton).

Following the Mass, you are welcome to join us in the hall for refreshments and the chance to find out more about our LiveSimply Parish journey. 

Recording available

A very special combined event was hosted by the Southern Dioceses Environment Network and the Northern Dioceses Environment Group on 4th June 2025 to mark the tenth anniversary of Pope Francis Papal Encyclical ‘Laudato Si’ – On the Care of Our Common Home (2015).

Austen Ivereigh, the guest speaker helped us reflect on the last 10 years of Laudato Si’ and where we are called in the next 10. He deepened a reflection on the method that Pope Francis adopts to respond to the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor, using a broad SEE-JUDGE-ACT model. The first stage is to enter the crisis and open our eyes to places where there is pain and suffering. What is happening to our Earth? The second task is discernment: finding where God’s action can be seen and what frustrates God’s action. The third was to move to proposals for action in line with the Kingdom, confident that what is aligned with the arc of the Kingdom is never wasted.

He suggested that the Laudato Si’ apostolate can be considered as enabling these three tasks: (a) helping people to see what is happening to our Earth and to help people experience grief and the desire to repent; (b) helping people enter into an understanding of what is happening (as does Laudato Si’ in chapters three and four); and (c) enabling processes of synodal discernment that move through these two stages into concrete actions.

Starting on 21 st & 22nd June

Following interest from a number of parishioners, the Live Simply team will be holding monthly seed, plant, and produce swaps in order to reduce waste and share our blessings. Please bring along any surplus seeds, plants, and produce - to share with interested parishioners - to all Masses at both churches over the weekend of 21st and 22nd June, then on 19th/20th July; 16th/17th August; 20th/21st September and 18th/19th October. Please do not worry if you have nothing to swap, you are still welcome to help yourself to others’ surplus and, thereby, help us all to live more sustainably. Donations to our Live Simply overseas sustainable farming project in Ikutha, Kenya, would be welcome, but are not essential (the project is listed on the Dona machines). Feel free to reuse all pots or else return your empties to the next swap.

If pollinators designed gardens, what would humans see? Anyone from beginner to experienced gardener can use our algorithmic tool to create unique gardens for endangered bees, butterflies, and other essential pollinators to flourish in. Transform your garden into a living artwork for other species to enjoy. As planbting season is upon us, why not check this out and see what you could create in your own garden.

The next draw will be held in May 2025.

The Parish Ikutha Project is going well and we have had several draws for the Jackpot. We encourage you to take part this year and have the chance to win prizes and contribute to the Parish project - all at the same time! You can read more about the project here and fill out the form to join the Jackpot Club by clicking the link below. Or contact Sarah on the LiveSimply team at livesimply@st-dunstans.org

Monthly all Year

Knpahill Methodist Church have a dedicated team of volunteers who welcome families and individuals, offering them time to look for suitable clothes for their needs. They run a monthly clothes bank and there is a wonderful atmosphere of chatting and laughing to which all are welcome. If you, or you know of anyone who, could benefit from this service, please find out more on their website by clicking the link below.  They have a HUGE amount of clothing available FREE for babies, children, teenagers and adults. 

The Home Energy Advice Taskforce is back, with an expanded team covering (almost) every corner of Surrey! If you’ve not heard about HEAT, they can provide free home energy visits, including a thermal imaging survey, bespoke advice, and referrals to grants and funding you may be eligible for. Click through to book a survey.

Every Month 2025

Woking Repair Cafe volunteers can help with free repairs to small electricals, garden tools, furniture and clothes and textiles. These events run regularly so check their website.

Ladywell Franciscan Centre, Godalming, August 14, 2025 @ 4:00 pm - August 17, 2025 @ 2:00 pm

Exploring Spirituality in the context of an evolving universe, an endangered earth, in the Christian tradition. Through input, prayer, discussion, and reflection, engage more deeply in our place within the natural world as created by a loving God. Spend time in nature and see God’s fingerprints.