The Wey December 2016/ January 2017 - Issue 95

December 2016 / January 2017 - Issue 95

The newspaper from the Church of England for everyone in the Diocese of Guildford

“It reminded me of why we have Christmas and actually de-stressed me, getting back to basics and why we are here in the first place…” A quote from one visitor to last year’s Nativity performed on the Wintershall Estate near Guildford, December 14-18. Find out more at www.wintershall-estate.com/events – The wonder of Christmas and the Church, pages 8-9

Christian Aid urges churches to #lighttheway The personal stories of refugees who have fled violence only to be beaten, blackmailed and robbed by people smugglers will be told by Serbian aid worker Marija Vransevic at a special carol service in Guildford this Christmas.

Marija is the programme manager for Christian Aid’s local partner organisation, Philanthropy, the charitable wing of the Serbian Orthodox Church, which is providing food and shelter for refugees escaping from countries including Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq.

Marija’s visit comes as Christian Aid launches its Christmas appeal urging the public to help ‘Light The Way’ for the millions of people forced by the darkness of violence to seek safety and refuge.

In October 2015, the number of people arriving in Greece daily peaked at 10,000 as people forced from their homes sought sanctuary in Europe.

Since the closure of European borders earlier this year thousands of people have been left stranded or have turned to people smugglers.

Marija said: “I am very much looking forward to speaking in Guildford on a tour of churches across the South East.

“With the closure of borders, more smuggler routes have opened up, and some of these desperate people are being forced into making desperate decisions. The needs of refugees have not gone away, even though we no longer hear about the issue in the same way any more.

“Now when refugees arrive in Serbia they are exhausted and many are ill. Sometimes a couple

of hundred people arrive a day, sometimes only a handful. Many have experienced various types of abuse by smugglers.

“Thanks to supporters we are able to provide warm accommodation, hot meals, and hygiene kits, as well as psycho-social support for unaccompanied minors.”

Currently an estimated 65 million people have fled their homes in the worst global displacement crisis of our time, with the majority of refugees being hosted by poor countries.

Christian Aid is appealing to people to ‘Light the Way’ this festive season, so that it can continue to provide critical support to some of those millions of people and at the same time work with partner organisations to tackle the structural causes of poverty and conflict.

llEveryone is welcome to hear Marija speak in the For information, or to donate to the Christmas evening which starts with mince pies and carols at appeal, visit www.christianaid.org.uk/Christmas 6.30 for 7pm until 8pm, Tuesday 6 December, St See also the diocesan refugee resources page: www.cofeguildford.org.uk/refugees Mary’s Church, Quarry Street, Guildford.

#lighttheway this Christmas Christian Aid’s regional coordinator for Surrey, Laura Mead, said: “Within a few weeks of his birth, Jesus’ family were forced to flee violence and escape into Egypt in fear for their lives.

“Many of the children Christian Aid will support with the funds from this appeal have known nothing but violence and chaos since they were born.

“I am proud to welcome Marija, who, through her work, holds out the hand of friendship to those who have seen the worst that humanity has to offer.

“I am proud, too, of the churches of Surrey who are supporting us to offer the guiding light of kindness to those walking in darkness.”

Topical material – This year’s instalment of the long-running Christmas Starts with Christ campaign – from the creative ecumenical team at Churchads.net – introduces some new visual and audio resources and updated versions of previously popular material, all available online for free.

One example that is still very relevant as we approach Christmas is this simple poster featuring the painting by 19th Century artist Luc Olivier Merson, prompting us to think more about the refugee crisis and reflect on how the Holy Family themselves became refugees as they fled to Egypt.

Find out more and access lots of free resources online http://christmasstartswithchrist.com

News ‘Decline is real, but church growth is happening too’ says Bishop Jo Attendance figures released by the Church of England show that just under one million people attend services each week.

The survey, carried out over four weeks in October 2015, show that the total worshipping community across the Church of England was 1,142,000, of whom 20% were aged under 18, 50% were aged 18-69 and 30% were aged 70 or over.

In the Diocese of Guildford, 33,000 people attended church each week, with 2% more worshippers under 18 attending than the national average.

Usual Sunday attendance in the diocese was a higher percentage

(2%) of the overall population than the national average (1.5%). Although nationally the average Sunday attendance has fallen 7.3% over 5 years, the diocese remains below that figure at 6.8%.

As a whole, the figures represent a continuing national trend with an average decline of just over 1% a year over the past decade. The diocese follows this trend with a parallel decrease in attendance being noted.

The Bishop of Dorking, Jo Wells said, “These figures are a familiar story for many religious, civic and charitable organisations in our society – not just the Church of England. The decline is real, but it is not the whole

story. There are many churches which are healthy and flourishing – against the odds – and church growth is happening in all sorts of ways.

“Our Diocesan Mission Strategy Transforming Church, Transforming Lives, is all about taking what we know works and applying it in new and sometimes surprising contexts.

As a church, it is our responsibility to get creative, and to help people overcome their barriers, be they big questions or simply their busy schedules.”

Cathedral attendance remains an area of encouraging growth for the church, with congregations rising 20% in the last decade.

Guildford Cathedral followed the national trend with increased visitor numbers, rising a further 6% last year on 2014, figures reflecting the goal ‘Increasing believers’ in the new Transforming Church, Transforming Lives vision.

During 2015 over 36,000 people attended services each week in the Church of England’s 42 cathedrals.

While Sunday services were popular, with nearly 18,000 people attending, midweek services showed even faster growth, soaring over 30% on 2014.

More information and all the statistics for 2015 can be found on the Church of England website www. churchofengland.org

Revved-up return to table tennis

Coffee, cake and soft play on the menu

A sporty vicar has started a new afterschool club which is helping budding table tennis stars from a local school to improve their game, while providing them with a bit of a ‘God spin’.

The Revd Greg Cushing, of St John the Baptist church, Loxwood, runs the club ‘Revved-up table tennis’ after school every Tuesday during term time in the church rooms. Halfway through the session a brief talk is given on the Bible; presently looking at Jesus’ table tennis ability.

Greg says: “I give three minutes from the Bible, currently on ‘why Jesus would be the best table tennis player ever?’ Last time we learned that one won’t win many points in table tennis unless one can serve and Jesus had a lot to show and teach about serving others.”

The sporting initiative follows a desire in the parish to reach out more effectively to the young and grow their children’s ministry, reflecting the new

A transforming church in East Molesey has recently opened a community-focused and toddler-friendly café, attracting over 100 customers during the first two mornings.

The refurbishment of the interior of St Mary’s Church in 2015 created a warmer, more inviting space for the local community and provides a good location for the St Mary’s café proves a hit with mothers and young children. addition of a new café, offering a range of hot and cold drinks and homeReaction to the café from customers has been baked snacks every Wednesday and Thursday enthusiastic. Claudia comments: “I love the café and morning. so does my two-year-old daughter. What I like the The café offers something for all ages, with a soft most about it, apart from the amazing coffee and play area for the under-5s proving especially popular cakes, is the atmosphere - everybody just seems so with families. Grown-ups are catered for too, with happy and friendly, time flies when you are here!” tables and pews set up away from the hubbub of the While Dee said: “St Mary’s café is just what we need play area. in this community – it’s a great place for parents, The Revd Richard Lloyd, vicar of St Mary’s, said: carers and children to meet. It caters for everyone’s “Our new café has got off to a very encouraging start. needs with soft play, toys, coffee and cakes!”

It’s a great place for people of all generations to meet The new initiative is part of the St Mary’s drive and enjoy coffee and cake at affordable prices. We to help make church more welcoming and relevant hope that it will be both a blessing to the community to everyone locally and reflects the new diocesan and an opportunity for the church to reach out and get vision Transforming Church; Transforming Lives in to know more and more people in Molesey.” action.

Transforming Church, Transforming Lives vision.

To address this, the church is growing connections with local schools and is looking to offer children the opportunity to have fun and establish a connection with the church.

In addition to ‘Revved-up table tennis’, a new informal 4pm family service has been introduced, to avoid clashes with other Sunday activities such as football This is proving a great success, with around 90 people attending, and no small amount of cake being consumed.

The parish has also started a new bible study group and recently revamped the website to make the church more inviting. This has already resulted in new members joining the congregation.

Greg commented: “I long that we can become known as a parish that loves God’s word and takes its teaching seriously. I also pray that we become a place where children of all ages feel catered for, where church is a joy, not a chore.”

Bishop Andrew really digs St Michael’s churchyard With trees taking on their autumnal tones, after preaching on the theme of ecology, Bishop Andrew led a treeplanting ceremony at St Michael & All Angels, Thursley, to mark its success in a recent competition to find the diocese’s most environmentally friendly churchyard.

Thursley was chosen as the winner for its “thoroughness both in mapping and encouraging an extraordinary range of flora and fauna” – recognition of the consistent efforts of the team, some of whom have looked after the churchyard for more than 30 years.

The small-leaved lime tree planted is a significant local variety in need of protection and was a factor in ensuring that the A3 at Hindhead was put through a tunnel, rather than woodland.

The Revd Peter Muir, associate vicar of St Michael’s, said: “Winning this award is a tribute to the Bishop Andrew mucks in at St Michael’s hard work put in by a group of people who have a

Page 2

The Wey December 2016 / January 2017

love and appreciation of a rather special place in the middle of Thursley.”

The diocesan Eco-friendly Churchyard Competition ran in the summer, to tie in with National Cherishing Churchyards Week and reaffirms the diocese’s commitment to the care of God’s creation. St Michaels’ beat off stiff competition from St Mark’s, Hale, in second place, whose community engagement drew praise, and St Mary’s, Guildford, who came third for being a splash of colour in an urban environment.

Bishop Andrew said: “As Christians we are called to care for God’s good creation, a challenge that has never been more important than it is now. One small way to respond to that call is to manage our churchyards in a way that will combine peacefulness with a proper biodiversity.”

For more information on the work of the diocese on the environment please visit www.cofeguildford.org. uk/eco-action.

News Cathedral festival a big draw at half term Artist Stacey Allan and cathedral volunteers helped visiting families create a paper cathedral with handprints, paper families and paper doves representing the Holy Spirit at the ‘Big Draw’ festival during October half term.

There was even a paper mayor (made by the Mayor of Guildford!) abseiling from the cardboard cathedral which was within the canvas cathedral.

Charlotte Potter, head of schools and families, said “The Marquee is providing a superb ‘church hall’ for us to extend our ministry to families in the community. It was

great to welcome so many children to Stag Hill during half term and see them trying their hands at brass rubbing, making stainedglass windows and being creative as part of the ‘Big Draw’ project. The children were thrilled to make their own gold medal to take home as a reward for their creative efforts.”

The Marquee is has also been the venue for a well-attended Heritage Lottery-funded textile study day and an archive study day.

Future events planned for 2017 include an astronomical star gazing evening, a treasury open day and a Mothering Saturday crafting event with the Mothers’ Union. Check the website for details www.guildfordcathedral.org

Young visitor Peter Duncan shows off his art work, during the ‘Big Draw’ festival in the’ canvas cathedral’

Partner diocese Evry celebrates its 50th While visiting the French diocese, Our French partner diocese, the Roman the team was invited to speak about their churches’ response to the Catholic diocese of EvryCorbeil-Essonnes, south refugee crisis with members of the Catholic Relief, before attending a of Paris celebrated its 50th youth concert to end the eve of the anniversary recently, and they were joined at the anniversary.

The Revd John McCabe celebrations by Bishop Andrew, the Revd John summarised the trip in a letter of McCabe of St Mary’s, thanks to Bishop Michel Dubost of Evry, saying: “Thank you for your Byfleet, and the Revd John Page of St Michaels & All kindness in receiving us so warmly and in good heart last weekend.

Angels, Thursley.

The experience of being among A commemorative mass was held at the basilica of Longpont-sur-Orge The Revd John McCabe, Bishop Andrew and the your guests was joyful. We were all in front of a bumper crowd of 6,000 Revd John Page outside the basilica of Longpont- encouraged and strengthened in faith by the whole experience.” and was followed by a picnic which sur-Orge The visit also supports the was open to all. The Revd John goals of ‘reaching beyond borders’ and ‘cultivating community Page said: “The service itself was a truly joyful affair, conducted with dignity and discipline yet with humour and a lightness of touch, partnerships’ outlined in the new diocesan vision, Transforming and the Bishop of Evry gave an excellent homily.”

Church, Transforming Lives, launched in September.

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£2935 All ages really enjoyed the first TGI Sunday service

St Lawrence’s Church, Effingham, held a service with a difference last month with the first of what is hoped will be a regular monthly service called TGI Sunday – or Thank God It’s Sunday.

“We started off with a delicious breakfast prepared by local healthy cookery school, Be in the Kitchen, with granola, muffins, flapjacks and brownies, plus cappuccinos, fresh fruit concoctions and smoothies, all gluten free and surprisingly healthy,” said the Revd Mandy MacVean, Rector of Effingham, who led the new contemporary service. “The children loved it and the adults were enthusiastic too!”

The inaugural TGI Sunday service included a puppet show, live music, singing, gingerbread men to decorate and plenty of activities for children.

“The informal seating meant that it was easier to talk to people and discuss the given topics,” added Mandy. “It was really great to see the church come alive and all ages enjoying themselves, and I hope that as the word spreads, more families will come along and Thank God It’s Sunday.”

DONATING DIFFERENTLY – Following a service at which the Revd Andrew Huckett talked about the work of the Mission to Seafarers, the knitters of St Paul’s, East Molesey presented him with scarves and hats they had made over recent months.

The service was part of a refreshingly different way of giving to charity devised by St Paul’s. Rather than donating a percentage of the parish’s annual income, October was designated the ‘Month of Compassion’ and a different charity invited each Sunday to tell the congregation about their work. The collection at the service is then donated to the charity.

This year, the charities nominated by the PCC were the Church Urban Fund, the Lymphoma Association, Calm Africa and the Mission to Seafarers.

The Revd Beverley Hunt, priest-in-charge at St Paul’s says: “We have found this new arrangement for our charitable giving works very well for us. As well as hearing some inspiring and interesting talks, our congregation feels very engaged with the charities.

As a result, the donations made to the charities, who bring their own Gift Aid envelopes, are significantly greater than the amounts we used to give under the percentage system.”

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News All creatures great and small An ‘oasis’ of shared worship

Green Oak’s four-legged friends with pupils and staff

An orchard, beehives, butterfly-friendly flowers and even two goats helped two church schools win top prizes in this year’s School Wildlife Garden Awards, run by Surrey Wildlife Trust.

Green Oak CofE Primary School, Godalming and Ashley School, Walton-on-Thames, impressed the judges with their commitment to wildlife and their vision for a ‘Living Landscape’, providing a network of refuges, allowing wildlife to thrive across the county.

Green Oak School not only boasts wildflower beds, a forest school area, an allotment and a polytunnel, but also its own pig, Onion, and two goats, Nancy and Geraldine!

Headteacher Miriam Morris said: “Children just love getting outside at Green Oak. We are so fortunate to have such extensive grounds and such great members of staff who lead the outdoor learning.”

Ashley School, an academy in the diocese’s Good

Shepherd Trust, is one of only nine schools in the country to be an Ambassador School with Eco School for its sustainable practices. It is the only school in the county to compost its own food waste.

It was singled out as a ‘fantastic example for others’ with its native wildflowers, a woodland area, an orchard of heritage fruit trees and even its own beehives from which the children help collect honey.

Surrey Wildlife Trust’s wildlife gardening officer Dawn Fielding said: “It’s clear there are lots of schools in our county which are really passionate about gardening for wildlife.

“Wildlife which was once common in our gardens in now under serious threat – bees, hedgehogs and many of our birds are in decline. Surrey’s gardens make up around 12% of the county’s landscape and if we all make space for nature in our own backyards, in school grounds and business premises, it will give wildlife a huge helping hand.”

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Teachers and children from six CofE schools in the Farnham area gathered in October to share ideas about worship, in what one headteacher described as “an oasis in a busy term”.

Members of the worship teams at All Saints’ Infants (Tilford), Puttenham Infants, St John’s Infants (Churt), St Mary’s Infants (Shackleford), St Peter’s Primary (Wrecclesham) and Waverley Abbey Junior School spent the day at St John’s Church in Puttenham discussing and practising collective worship and prayer areas in their schools.

The day was structured around group work, in which representatives from each school explained worship activities they practise, for teams to then choose some to trial in their own setting.

Sarah Dunning, headteacher at St Peter’s CofE Primary School, Wrecclesham, said: “It was a wonderful workshop. There was a wealth of ideas and every school took away something new. Our school will definitely be Schools share worship ideas at St John’s using a story in a box in their class worship sessions from now on – the children were so worship in our schools even stronger. As school engaged with the parable as they focussed on the leaders we felt blessed that we could share our objects which told the story.” work that helps to make our schools distinctly The idea-sharing initiative began as a Christian. We plan to meet again in a few months’ collaboration between St Peter’s and Waverley time.”

Abbey schools, who regularly observe and give Jane Whittington, diocesan schools officer, who feedback on each other’s collective worship. This facilitated the worship day, commented: “It was a was the first time, however, that the invitation was pleasure to see how seriously the children take extended to the local infants schools, allowing them worship and prayer in their schools. They joined in to see the benefits of ‘sharing expertise’ as part of thoughtfully and had some super ideas to take back ‘nurturing education’, two goals in the new diocesan to their schools. vision Transforming Church, Transforming Lives.

“We are grateful to St John the Baptist Church Sarah added: “It was very special to be able to in Puttenham for making us welcome in their encourage and work with each other to make the refurbished church for the day.”

Aid from Chiddingfold arrives as Iraq faces desperate winter As winter clothes donated to an appeal co-ordinated

by St Mary’s Church, Chiddingfold, arrive in northern Iraq, the UN has warned that the fight to regain the city of Mosul from ISIL could lead to the single most complex humanitarian operation in the world today.

Chiddingfold villagers united this autumn to send 58 large cartons and 24 boxes of warm clothing, footwear and bedding which are now arriving in Dohuk, with further ones due to leave for both Iraq and Syria shortly.

More than 3.3 million people in Iraq have been forced from their homes because of conflict and 10 million are in need of basic support.

Already overstretched communities and aid organisations in the north of the country await the arrival of civilians fleeing Mosul, where an estimated 1.5 million people are at extreme risk.

Christian Aid’s head of region for the Middle East, Frances Guy, said: “Mosul, a centre for ancient cultures and trade, has been devastated since it was captured

The Wey December 2016 / January 2017

Iraqi Assyrian Christian volunteers in Dohuk help unload a lorry of aid sent from Worthing.

two years ago with sky-high prices for basic food stuffs making it near impossible for people to feed their families.

“People leave suddenly with few belongings, desperate to find a safe place away from bombs and shelling, or any kind of threat on their life.”

Chiddingfold rector, the Revd Sarah Brough, said: “The response from the community has been amazing.

“The people of Chiddingfold were so generous with their time, the goods they collected and donations they gave.

“These gifts go with a message

of hope that the people of Iraq and Syria are not forgotten. We will be watching carefully as events unfold and considering how we can continue to help in the future.”

In the last two years, Christian Aid has reached more than a quarter of a million people with food, clothes, hygiene kits, health services and cash assistance. To find out more about the Christian Aid Iraq appeal please visit www. christianaid.org.uk/emergencies/ iraq-crisis-appeal For more information on how your parish can help support refugees visit www.cofeguildford. org.uk/resources/refugee-help

Focus on Community

As Remembrance Sunday approached, the Lest We Forget Association held their annual concert and party in All Saints’ Church hall, West Ewell.

This concert traditionally marks the end of the charity’s year-long programme, during which nine different homes for ex-service men and women will have shared some 100 events. Guests come from homes as far away as Worthing, Storrington and Dunsfold to attend the concert and, this year, were joined by a party of Chelsea pensioners from the Royal Hospital.

A total of 96 veterans, committee members and guests enjoyed lunch and entertainment from professional artists. The vicar at All Saints’, the Revd Sue Cooke, said: “It was a wonderful afternoon and heart-warming to see so many the service veterans enjoying themselves – there was lots of singing, laughter and waving of flags. A team from the church set up the hall, made and served all the food and then cleared away afterwards.”

The Association was formed in Kingston-uponThames in 1922 and was very active in the South of England, with 19 branches supporting disabled ex-servicemen and women. Sadly, age and frailty of committee members have taken their toll and all

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All Saints’ Church has hosted the annual Lest We Forget concert party for the last 30 years

the other branches have closed down, so the Epsom & Ewell branch has become the Lest We Forget Association itself. Recently the Association’s funding has improved and support for the various homes is being increased.

All Saints’ Church hall has been a traditional home of the Association, with concerts being held there for around 30 years and committee meetings take place in the church’s adjacent Webber Hall, so parish ties with the charity are stronger than ever.

Busbridge befrienders’ £5,000 boost from BGF The Befriending Network run by Busbridge church is being expanded to meet demand helped by a grant of £5,000 from monies donated to the Bishop of Guildford’s Foundation.

The money will help fund a co-ordinator to manage a team of volunteers spread throughout the Godalming, Farncombe, Milford, Witley A Befriending Network event at Holloway Hill Bowling Club, Godalming and Chiddingfold areas. also forms part of the service. community and even people who are The project aims to befriend and relatively comfortably off sometimes Mark Pateman, director of older support anyone who is isolated, lonely, have no family living nearby, may people’s ministry for the parish of or vulnerable, by offering increased be housebound or don’t have the opportunities for social interaction. This Busbridge and Hambledon said: “We confidence or ability to go out and may be by the provision of a volunteer are very grateful for the support of the Bishop of Guildford’s Foundation, make new friends. visitor or attendance at the regular which is helping us to spread this “Being able to employ a co-ordinator social activities provided through the means that, working with other very worthwhile service to a wider parish’s Prime Time programme. area of south west Surrey. There are churches, we are now able to take the Signposting those in need to service out beyond our own parish appropriate services and opportunities pockets of deprivation throughout the

boundaries. Linked to this we have also found that the ‘Hear Here’ project – hearing aid clinics, staffed by volunteers who service hearing aids for free and replace batteries – is an excellent way of reaching out to the older generation.”

Grant-making by the BGF is managed through the Community Foundation for Surrey (CFS), an independent trust which is part of the national network of community foundations. By making grants through CFS, the Foundation is able to keep its costs to a minimum. CFS was also able, on this occasion, to find two other funds to support the Befriending Network, so underwriting most of the co-ordinator’s salary for a year.

To donate to the BGF go to www. bgf.org.uk, click on ‘Donate to the Foundation’ and use the link DONATE.

Carers’ dedication recognised at cathedral tea Guildford Cathedral played host to over 140 carers recently for the annual carers’ tea event, as thanks was given for their hard work throughout the community.

The event gave carers the opportunity to chat and share experiences with others in the same position over tea and cake, before a musical performance by the Community Gospel Choir. Following the tea they were invited to a special evensong in the cathedral, giving thanks to all the carers in the diocese.

The Bishop of Dorking led tributes to those present, saying: “It’s not easy to be a carer or to be cared for.

We are all called The carers’ tea in the Refectory at Guildford Cathedral to be both and you

are demonstrating both; I regard you as role models for me and for the church. Thank you very much for doing what you do, it is work which all too often goes unappreciated.”

The tea is an annual event hosted by the communities engagement team, aiming to recognise and encourage the work of carers. The Revd Clive Richardson, diocesan carer support adviser said: “Carers make a vital difference to the lives of those they look after, and with almost 10% of adults in Surrey looking after someone else, they support a significant part of the community.”

Resources are available to carers across the diocese from the communities engagement team, as they seek to cultivate community partnerships and share their expertise, helping those who are caring for someone.

For more information on the support available for carers visit www.cofeguildford.org.uk/carers-support

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PLEASE CONSIDER SUPPORTING GILEAD WITH A DONATION OR REGULAR MONTHLY GIVING.

I enclose a one-off gift of £

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We wish to thank readers of this newspaper who have supported Gilead over the last year or so.

We have many different kinds of supporters – those who pray, those who volunteer, those who give large sums and those who give just a little every month. With any kind of support, it is the heart behind the gift that counts, and we’re blessed to have such goodwill from many different people all over the UK.

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£20 pays for simple counselling course materials for one client £80 pays for their food for a month (we budget wisely!) £100 pays for their health and safety approved workwear for their skills training £5 per month will help towards the costs of basic training in First Aid, Health & Safety, Food Hygiene, Literacy and Numeracy – all of which increase employability £10 per month contributes to

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Please return this form to Gilead Foundations, Risdon Farm, Jacobstowe, Okehampton, EX20 3AJ Tel : 01837 851240 Fax : 01837 851520 Email : admin@gilead.org.uk www .gilead.org.uk Registered in England No: 2608644 Limited by Guarantee Registered Charity No: 1002909

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Page 6

Gilead community

It’s the stories of those who have been restored at Gilead over the last 25 years that keeps us going, and encourages us to reach out to more people with the life-changing message of hope and practical help.

We see lives transformed beyond expectations, and it’s a joy. If you can support us in any way, we would like to hear from you. We hope the short stories on this page will encourage you as much as they encourage us.

Any giving makes a difference

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You can help us as we continue to reverse the destructive effects of addiction. Please become a monthly partner with us, or make a one off donation to our bursary fund to help us help those who are considered by many to be ‘beyond help’. We believe in them, and we believe many people share our vision. If you can, please stand with us.

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time of writing, we have five people on application, who we aim to admit before Christmas. None of them have the necessary funding to come, but we believe they all have a good chance of successful rehabilitation leading to productive lives.

This is why we exist, and in the current climate of austerity, we will continue to provide hope and healing for as many people as we can. But we could use some help!

The Wey December 2016 / January 2017

We wish you a Blessed Christmas and 2017

vocational skills training in catering, administration and farm work • £25 per month makes a genuine dent in the programme costs associated with providing rehabilitation ALL donations help, and ANY donation you can make, as a one-off gift or a regular monthly partner, means that we are closer to reaching our goal of taking in anyone who needs help, and who genuinely desires to change, regardless of their funding status.

Growing in the Wey WE CAN

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Bishop Jo joins Archbishop’s interfaith dialogue in Middle East The Rt Revd Jo Wells, the recently installed Bishop of Dorking, travelled to the Middle East in November to be part of ongoing peace discussions between Christians and Muslims, at the invitation of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Bishop Jo joined a global delegation of Anglican leaders to accompany Archbishop Justin Welby to Abu Dhabi and meet with the Muslim Council of Elders for a dialogue on integration, religious freedom and flourishing societies, called ‘Towards an Integrated World’.

On the evening of the first day, she spoke to the ‘Council of the Wise’ on “A Christian approach to ethics, principles and values”. She explained: “I spoke of the lessons learned from the Old Testament experience of exile, where the people of God learn how to live faithfully – indeed, to flourish – as a minority group in an unfriendly context, challenged to seek wellbeing for their oppressors as well as for themselves (Jeremiah 29:4-7). Jesus developed this further in his sermon on the mount, inviting his followers to love their enemies and pray for their persecutors. The flourishing of all people – not just ‘our own’ – is the goal.

“I explained that the West can no longer be described as ‘Christian’ – it is, rather, a secular society. I went on to explore how beneficial this could be for relations between Christians and Muslims, given how both faith groups find ourselves, as minorities in a majority secular world, with all the more in common.

“It was fascinating to learn more of the dynamics of Islam from leaders who represented

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YOUR LEAFLETS AND MORE • Design Bishop Jo in conversation at the Towards an Integrated World event in Abu Dhabi

a range of contexts and countries. On both sides there was an eagerness to understand one another better, not least in some key areas: to correct some misunderstandings, to acknowledge some challenges as well as to seek constructive ways forward in which together we may walk paths that make for peace in our world.”

A video capturing Bishop Jo’s reflections on the meeting can be seen on YouTube; search for Bishop Jo in Abu Dhabi.

Keynote Archbishop Justin gave the opening keynote address at the two-day meeting, in which he spoke of his joy at being able to worship there and the importance of such dialogues. He did not, however, shy away from addressing difficult topics such as the theology behind religious violence and the persecution of Christians in the Middle East: He said: “For me the key finding was that whereas fundamentalist attitudes with an apocalyptic, imminent end of the world approach, in some groups might lead to psychological harm or isolation for their members, it was the sense of who was responsible for bringing in the rule of God that made the difference. If the answer was that God was responsible, the group was unlikely to be violent.

Once they felt that they had a responsibility to do God’s work in the place of God, then

extreme violence was inevitable.

“In other words the issue is theological. What is the understanding of God that we have in terms of responsibility for a righteous society.

He continued: “It would not be over-stating matters to say that Christianity is both the numerically largest

The flourishing of all people – not just our own – is the goal. faith and the most persecuted. The historic centre of the Christian Church in the Middle East has never felt so threatened, but is also under attack in countries as diverse as North Korea and Eritrea, where Christians are harassed, imprisoned, persecuted and killed.

We are grateful for the protection of the Church and advocacy of the rights of Christians in majority Muslim lands and I want to say thank you.” llThe Council of the Wise is a continuation of the meeting that took place at Lambeth Palace in 2015, between Archbishop Justin and the Grand Imam Sheikh Dr Ahmad Al Tayyib and his delegation from the Muslim Council of Elders. The Council is an independent international body of Muslim scholars, experts and dignitaries that was established in July 2014 in order to promote peace and to address the sources of conflict, divisiveness and fragmentation in Muslim communities. It is a joint initiative by Grand Imam, the Sheikh of Al-Azhar, and the forum’s chair and scholar Sheikh Abdullah Bin Bayyah.

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Creationtide liturgy trialled and approved CALL This season of Creationtide, congregations within the diocese trialled a new liturgy celebrating God’s creation. Their positive reaction means it will be made available to all parishes next year.

The three parishes involved, godly attitude towards creation.

Wonersh church also Badshot Lea and Hale, used the liturgy in a special Wonersh with Blackheath creation-focused service. Jane and Holy Trinity in Guildford, approached the liturgical Boswell said: “It worked well resources in different ways – for us and helped us to create a focus on God’s creation. We some for the whole five-week took the opportunity to speak period (1 September–4 October) and others for one-off about some of the work we have begun to do to promote services.

At Holy Trinity, Guildford, the sustainability and creation care Revd Robert Cotton celebrated – and why. Those I spoke to Creation Sunday with a sermon afterwards said they found the whole service refreshing and highlighting the link between environmental concerns and a positive.”

In the parish of Badshot Lea and Hale, special booklets were created and the full five weeks of the season were celebrated. The Revd Lesley Crawley, vicar of the parish and diocesan environmental adviser, commented: “We preached on issues such as climate change and invited our local Christian Aid representative to talk about the climate challenges that are faced by people across the world. The liturgy and subject matter were incredibly well received – many people spoke to me about what a

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Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

Psalm 1 (ESV)

New website aims to help parishes publicise Christmas A new website and mobile app inviting people across the country to attend local services in Christmas week will be available for festive churchgoers from 1 December.

Before that, parishes are being encouraged to upload all their Christmas week services to a central database, enabling people to simply put in their postcode and find Christmas services close to them, or perhaps close to where they are visiting during the festive break.

Uploading service information is free. A parish representative simply needs to visit www.achristmasnearyou.org/upload and complete a short online form as soon as possible before the website goes live on 1 December.

Bishop Andrew said: “One of the encouraging growth areas in church attendance is at Christmas time. A growing number of people are feeling that Christmas just isn’t Christmas without a visit to church.”

The new website and app will be publicised during Advent in a series of short films starring some familiar church faces – including vicar Kate

Bottley from TV show Gogglebox and comedian Paul Kerensa – using the hashtag #JoyToTheWorld.

Once live, www.achristmasnearyou. org will enable prospective winter worshippers to not only find their nearest carol service, nativity play or midnight mass, but filter their choices by date or based on features including accessibility for disabled visitors, parking or whether mince pies and mulled wine will be on offer.

The Revd Arun Arora, Director of Communications for the Archbishops’ Council, said: “Christmas Day is our showcase as a Church, when we sing hymns that people know, we are warm and welcoming and attendances hit an annual high. Using digital apps to publicise these services sits alongside the usual parish work of placing leaflets through people’s doors.

“We think a perfect Christmas includes a Church Christmas. No matter how good the dinner or how expensive the present, a deeper joy is to be found in church at Christmas.”

The website will be supported by a social media campaign from the launch, right up to Christmas Day using the hashtag #JoyToTheWorld.

Churches from across the country will be encouraged to share photos and videos of their churches celebrating and asking the millions of people who attend church at Christmas to tweet about the church services and celebrations they have attended.

Photo: www.sxc.hu

Page 8

The Wey December 2016 / January 2017

T

Contemporary worship band, Ignite, has been rocking the parish of Cove at its monthly evening event for the last two years. During this time it has seen some amazing results that speak to several of the Transforming Church, Transforming Lives goals.

Fundamentally, Ignite fulfils the aims of ‘making disciples’ and ‘increasing believers’. As David Addison, Ignite’s worship leader explained: “We see people from across our community attending, including those for whom we’ve been praying for years. We see people being saved, healed and ministered to in the Spirit and we strive to offer a focus on worship without boundaries, where people feel free to express themselves to sing, dance and praise.”

In December, Ignite will be building on last Christmas’ success when over 300 people participated in their modern, contemporary take

on the traditional Christma

by Laser Light’ will take p 6.30pm in Southwood Co Economides, internationa Soteria Trust, and BBC G finalists, The Reapers Ch demand after their stellar following a year of interna chart success.

Ignite’s loud and lively guest speakers, ministry – has built up a strong co public, both at the events goals of ‘cultivating comm expertise’ and ‘communi Their Facebook pages (@IgniteCoveParis thousands locally, across posters in shops, college groups and other church

Heavenly host hunt – A School children in the Knaphill area are being invited to find to a heavenly host of angels over the next few weeks, as a parish puts a Christmas spin on the recent Pokemon GO phenomenon.

Inspired by the engagement that the Pokemon app has received, members of Holy Trinity & St Saviour’s churches have been knitting, crocheting and crafting angels for an ever-so-slightly ‘lower tech’ version that they are calling ‘Angel GO’! These angels will reside in the shops in Knaphill, to be found and logged by the children of local schools.

Jo Birkby, HT&StS’s Children & Families worker explained: “We have given all the children in our local schools a sheet, or ‘Angeldex’, which gives clues to where they’ll be able to find the angels. The shopkeepers who are participating have given their angel a name and the children will have to find them and fill the name in on their Angeldex. It’s our hope

that this will not only encoura shops, but also create a feel as providing a bit of fun for fa all!’”

The initiative has been re enthusiasm from shopkeepe The ‘hunting’ period is 14 No and there will be several priz the winners selected at rand Holy Trinity Church, Knaphill Brookwood for their Christma This is just one of the way & St Saviour’s is hitting the T Transforming Lives goal of ‘c partnerships’ this Christmas, Brookwood Station to candle December and other great fa Christingle, 20:20 Crib and M can be found at www.htand

The Wonder of Christmas and the Church

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estive worship

y worship format – the band, time, dancers and videos onnection with the wider s and online, tying in with the munity partnerships’, ‘sharing icating effectively’. s and worship livestreams sh) allow them to reach s the UK and beyond. Their es, schools, pubs, youth hes mean that they are

Book review by Daniel Taylor, communications graduate

aphy

recognised throughout the community.

David added: “The Ignite team is made up of volunteers from many churches in the area. We see people from across our community attending and we strive to offer a focus on worship without boundaries. As visitors see us transforming worship, transforming lives and transforming our community, some have been moved to donate towards furthering our outreach, without which we wouldn’t have been able to continue.”

Indeed, Ignite have been invited to share their contemporary Christmas carol event in the Meads shopping centre in Farnborough on 3 December, 11am-2pm.

David added: “We are really excited about these special events and hope that people of all ages, churchgoers and non-churchgoers alike will come and celebrate Christmas with us. It is wonderful to be reaching outside the confines of a church building and to share in worship with so many people.”

Angel GO!

age and support our local ling of community as well amilies as they ‘catch ‘em

eceived with great ers and children alike. ovember–12 December zes, one at each school, dom as they visit either l or St Saviour’s church, as concerts. ys in which Holy Trinity Transforming Church, cultivating community , from carol singing at elit carol services on 18 amily services including Messy Church. Full details dstschurch.org.

Becoming Reverend This book is not suitable to be read in public for fear of snorting out loud with laughter.

The Ignite band rocking the crowd. Credit: Aaron Ashwood Photogr

as carol service. ‘Carols place on 11 December at ommunity Centre, with Andy al speaker and director of Gospel Choir of the Year hoir, who are back by popular r performance in 2015 and ational acclaim and European

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Looking for a good read this Christmas? Join Matt on a revealing account of life and faith, warts and all.

Outspoken Reverend, Matt Woodcock, invites the reader into his life, retelling the story of his turbulent journey to priesthood. His honest reflections on life and faith will probably come as a surprise to anyone who hasn’t seen Rev, as they continually hit either the funny bone or that bit which makes you want to cry a little.

He answers questions which hang, unmentioned, over many of us.

Matt’s life used to make sense. A journalist in York, the city he loves, he was struck by an all-consuming calling.

When we join him he’s dealing with a number of personal struggles as he embarks upon the journey to wearing a dog collar. Tension around his and his wife’s struggle with infertility strains their relationship before he moves to Durham to study at theological college. Along the way many significant personal events affect Matt and help to reveal a personal development we could all learn from.

Through a wealth of colourful supporting

characters, the book deals with some of his profound struggles with faith and the Bible, finding hope for all where some find only darkness.

The story of Matt’s journey is remarkably revealing, as he helps to answer the reader’s questions as he deals with his own. His wonderfully honest record of a man reconciling an extraordinarily powerful calling with a life which used to be simple is a breath of fresh air, and is liable to make the reader shed tears of both laughter and emotion. This book is highly recommended, especially to those who have considered and rejected church; the passion of his calling is infectious and illuminating. It is a fantastically funny, revealing and moving read, not suitable to be read in public for fear of snorting out loud with laughter. llMatt Woodcock, Becoming Reverend: A Diary, is published by Church House Publishing (ISBN: 9781781400104) and is available on Amazon (paperback £9.99 or Kindle version £9.49) and in bookshops now.

The People’s Cathedral lands on new localised Monopoly game square

Looking for gift ideas for Christmas with a local twist? A new s version of the popular Monopoly game on sale locally feature proudly sits which ral, cathed our ng includi rks Guildford landma alongside the famous ‘Go’ square on the classic board game, following a public vote for favourite town spots.

Dean of Guildford, the Very Revd Dianna Gwilliams, said: “We are delighted to feature so prominently on the new Guildford Monopoly board recognising our position as a key landmark for the town, supported enthusiastically by so many local people who voted for us. We hope that those who play the game will want to not only ‘land’ on the spot on the board but also continue to visit us in person.

“The Cathedral is currently undergoing a major transformation and when the work is finished the interior will be even more stunning than it is at present. The People’s Cathedral is here for the whole community every day of the week, and we are proud that we welcome some 100,000 visitors annually to our events and services.”

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The Wey December 2016 / January 2017

Page 9

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‘Take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ’ (2 Cor. 10:5)

The nation’s interest in ‘mindfulness’ has escalated in recent years – a curiosity reflected in the increasing number of requests that Suzette Jones, diocesan health and wellbeing adviser, receives for her talks, courses and drop-in services on the subject.

Mindfulness simply means paying its stillness as their journey through life attention in the present moment, speeds on. It is “giving accessibility to deliberately and with an attitude of silence”. kindly acceptance. It is a natural human Mindfulness can be for anyone capacity that can be developed by regardless of age, ethnicity or faith – various religions have long traditions of regular practice of simple exercises such as observing breathing, walking, meditation, silence, contemplation and prayer. When taught from a Christian speaking and everyday living, allowing people to find comfort and wellbeing in perspective, mindfulness can also

Suzette Jones, diocesan health and wellbeing adviser

connect people with God. As Suzette explains: “In the stillness, in the silence, in the depth of meditation is where I feel closest to God, I feel God’s presence, God’s love; it is where I am, who I am, ageless, wrinkles, warts and all; where God shows his compassion and love for me.”

Suzette established the first monthly drop-in at St Nicolas’ Church, Guildford in 2012, after learning of mindfulness’ benefits regarding pain reduction, addiction and stress. The group now has a database of over 80 people, and around 20 take part each month. As Suzette notes: “There is a spirituality to mindfulness, a deepening of self.

Spirituality means to belong and many who drop in find a belonging here in the stillness.”

She has since delivered mindfulness care to many churches and organisations across the diocese, such as Surrey County Council, Surrey Police, Surrey Social Services, the Royal Surrey Hospital, Allianz, Philips, a mental health charity and staff at a psychiatric hospital.

The monthly drop-in group at St

Mark’s, Upper Hale has been running since 2014 and goes from strength to strength. Lesley Shatwell, LLM at St Mark’s, will be taking over as leader in October.

Interested in learning more?

If you can’t make it to St Mark’s or would like Suzette to come to your church, ‘Mindfulness: A Christian Perspective’ is an introductory talk lasting approximately two hours. It explains the concept, how it can used and why for so many it has become so useful. It invites attendees to ‘dip into the present moment’ with simple exercises to focus and gain attention.

It is free to parishes, while donations to the Bishop of Guildford’s Foundation are encouraged after those talks given to businesses and external agencies.

Suzette also offers a six-week course of two hours per session and an optional retreat day to further explore mindfulness.

She can be contacted at suzette. jones@cofeguildford.org.uk or telephone 01483 790335

Case study: You are going to breathe anyway...

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

For me, one of the joys of mindfulness is that anyone can do it. It isn’t difficult, you are going to breathe anyway – at least I hope you are – so why not do it mindfully?

Mindfulness at St Mark’s isn’t just a room full of people sitting on the floor getting in touch with their inner hippie or lost youth. For a start, the individual exercises aren’t that long – there are benefits in just taking a three minute mindful break between daily tasks.

And it’s not about getting it right or wrong and anyone is free to say, “This just isn’t for me”. It’s all about learning to be “in the moment”, fully aware. We can all be ourselves, which is good enough.

When I tried mindfulness for the first time, I knew

very little about it other than how much better I felt when I practised it. I have found that stilling my mind in this way brings me into closer awareness of God. By taking time out of life’s busyness, by putting down troubles for a moment, I can be myself in the silence where I find God. For me, God is within silence and to be able to share silence with people fills me with joy. Mindfulness offers a simple way in. For other people mindfulness makes them happier and more in touch with themselves and this alone brings forward the kingdom of God. And yes, the cares and troubles are all still there, they don’t magically disappear, but somehow I find they are easier to pick up again. Mindfulness gives me a new perspective on life.

Our initial aims at St Mark’s were to reach out to our local parish and offer the opportunity to explore a

Matthew 11:28

A relaxing meditation session at St Mark’s

Page 10

The Wey December 2016 / January 2017

mindful approach to life. Suzette has been with us for two years and now, as a group, we are going to try stepping out ourselves. We will definitely be following the path Suzette has set – that of welcoming all comers who want to give it a go, and we will keep the same outline of mindful meditation and discussion of outcomes – we want to keep the open ethos of the group and share our practice. We are all learning and exploring together.

We meet at 9.30am one Monday a month – look out for dates on the St Mark’s website: www. badshotleaandhale.org/. Usually around 15-20 people attend, some from church and some from the wider community. It is open to all, with no charges and we are a friendly bunch, welcoming and chatty – why don’t you come along and give it a go?

- Lesley Shatwell, St Mark’s, Upper Hale

Book Review

Outside In reveals how others view the Church, God and Christianity A couple of years ago, in support of his MA dissertation, curate the Revd Will Bissett from Christ Church, Virginia Water, undertook a survey to discover how others view Christianity. The results were sobering and his research has now been expanded and published as a book – Outside In. His book is in two parts. The first is entitled ‘Why the Church needs to wake up and smell the coffee’, and elaborates more on the findings, what these mean, and how churches might respond. The second part, entitled ‘Research into perceptions of the Church’ contains the facts, figures and academic research which support his findings.

Perceptions Outside In explores the perceptions of the Christian faith by those who do not regularly attend church.

In the UK, a majority (albeit

declining) of the population identify as Christian, but a relatively small proportion are engaged in regular church-going. Why is this? Rather than rely on assumptions, the research asked the participants many questions, such as: What do they really think of the Church? Why might they not find it helpful for their spiritual journey and daily life? What are the predominant perceptions, of Church, Christianity, Christians, God, Jesus? Is the Christian message of grace being perceived in any significant way?

Opinions The book explores what the participants thought of church, and outlines the range of opinions found from those who see it as a faith community through to others who simply view it as a forbidding building or institution. It also explores how perceptions vary across the generations.

Part sociological and part theological, Outside In offers

significant insight into how the Church and the Christian faith are really viewed by those we seek to attract.

This book enables churches to better understand how they are truly perceived, and therefore has significant implications for how they could better relate to, and communicate with, their local communities, as well as wider UK society.

Will comments: “My hope is that the book provokes conversations about what it is to be Church. This is not to put down the great work being done in some churches but, based on perceptions of those on the outside, it does show that we need to think about, how we relate and communicate, and the barriers that some, at least, have to get over, before they will listen to what we have to say.” llOutside In is published by Westbow Press and is available on Amazon and at Waterstones at £24.95 (hardback) or £13.95 (paperback) The Revd Will Bissett and his new publication ISBN: 9781512741995.

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The Wey December 2016 / January 2017

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The Wey December 2016 / January 2017

Page 13

Noticeboard Competition to find most innovative community projects in churches The National Churches Trust and the Marsh Christian Trust are inviting entries for the ‘Marsh Awards for Innovative Church Projects’.

This is a competition to find the Christian congregations running the most innovative community activities in a church building, which have been made possible by the installation of new facilities in the last five years. These may be meeting spaces, kitchens, toilets or improved access.

Run with the support of the Marsh Christian

Trust, the Awards are designed to show the positive impact that installing new facilities has on churches and local communities and on harnessing the energy and enthusiasm of volunteers.

A £1,000 award will be presented to the church judged to be the overall winner. There will also be a runners up award of £500.

Key criteria the judges will look for are: llImpact – the level of demonstrable social benefit. llBest practice in management – the level of planning, organisation, effort and co-ordination within the means and circumstances of the project organisers. llImagination – the origin of the idea and reasons for the project. llNeed – how deprived or marginalised communities

are served by the project The awards are open to any Christian congregation in the UK which is a member of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, and which has seen the installation of new facilities between 2012 and 2016.

How to nominate a church Go to www.nationalchurchestrust.org and put Marsh Awards 2017 in the search box at the top right of the home page.

Nominations close on 13 January 2017. Judges will meet in March 2017 to shortlist entries. The winners will be announced on 18 May 2017 at the Churches Trusts Forum annual conference in Manchester.

Claire Walker, chief executive of the National

Cathedral’s coffee concer ts to continue by popular demand Parish Collection date for February issue: from 17 January Don’t forget to look at the Diocesan website: www.cofeguildford.org.uk

EDITORIAL The Wey is compiled at Diocesan House by editors David Green and Kate Jamieson. If you have items for inclusion, or ideas for stories, please send them to: Diocesan House, Quarry Street, Guildford GU1 3XG. Tel: 01483 790347 E-mail: editorial@cofeguildford.org.uk Editorial deadline for the Dec/Jan edition: 3 January (but ideally as soon as possible!)

E-mail copy is preferred.

Please ensure that photographs are sent as JPG attachments and are not embedded in a Word document.

JPGs need to be at least 500KB file size, but preferably larger.

Please limit any letters submitted to 200 words.

Unsigned letters will not be published.

DISTRIBUTION THE WEY is distributed through Deanery Centres and we are grateful for those who give their time to sort papers and enable individual parishes to receive their supplies. If you need advice on distribution of this newspaper, please call the Communications office on 01483 790345 or email ‘editorial’ as above.

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Page 14

fortunate to be The monthly coffee entertained by talented local concerts in the performers Marquee on with varied the cathedral programmes, who green on Stag Hill have been wish to share their music with the so successful community” that they are to continue “We are now putting together in 2017, and a programme of the cathedral informal morning would like to concerts for 2017 hear from local musicians The Colmore brass quintet after their concert in October and I would love to hear from local who would be musicians who would like to take up the opportunity interested in taking part. The concerts of sharing their music with others.” Anyone are designed primarily with senior interested should contact Louise on 01483 547886 citizens in mind, though the events are or email: louise@guildford-cathedral.org open to all and free to attend.

Louise Kenyon, the cathedral’s outreach and Future events to look out for in 2017 include an engagement officer, said “The coffee concerts have astronomical star gazing evening, a Treasury Open Day and a Mothering Saturday crafting event with been an absolute joy. The enormous marquee the Mothers’ Union. provides a bright and accessible space for informal The cathedral remains open throughout the music, we have been able to welcome visitors from care homes and individual visitors to enjoy refurbishment works. Check website for details free coffee and fabulous free music. We’ve been www.guildford-cathedral.org

Churches Trust, said: “The Marsh Awards for Innovative Church Projects provide an opportunity to showcase the best community projects being run in the UK’s church buildings. I’m delighted the Marsh Christian Trust makes these awards possible, which will applaud the vital contribution being made by church- based volunteers.”

Christmas and New Year round-up Age UK Christmas Carol Concert – Guildford Cathedral, Tuesday 13 December at 11.15am. The concert will recognise the work of Age UK Surrey across the diocese, and eight borough mayors have accepted an invitation to attend and join in an appreciation of the work of the charity and its many volunteers. Singing will be led by the Guildford Cathedral Singers and Rydes Hill School choir.

Cobham Christmas Day lunch – St Andrew’s, Cobham is again running a Christmas Day lunch in partnership with Cobham Foodbank and Waitrose. The lunch will take place in the Churchgate centre next to the church at 1pm. All are welcome – please contact the parish office on 01932 867883 to book.

Could you learn more about mental health? – Starting in January, a free, 10-week programme in Guildford ‘An introduction to Mental Health Issues in Pastoral and Spiritual Care’ is being run by the Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

The programme will be held at the Education Centre, Farnham Road Hospital, Guildford, GU2 7LX. For more information email the chaplain richard.adams@sabp.nhs.uk or telephone 01932 872000 x 6463.

An evening with Taizé Hidden Treasure weekend Charles Dickens 7pm, 7 February 2017 Birmingham, 28 April – 1 May 2017 Bishop Jo and David Welch, diocesan youth adviser, are considering organising a trip to ‘Hidden Treasure’. This is a weekend from 28 April to 1 May 2017, for young adults aged 16-35 in Birmingham, organised by Taizé.

Brother Alois, prior of the community, will be taking part and the weekend will be a mix of

Taizé-style worship at gathered evening meetings, workshops and other activities during the day. More information about the weekend can be found at www. taize.fr/birmingham.

It is anticipated that the diocesan group will travel and be accommodated together in suitable but simple accommodation in the city. The weekend is only open to people aged 16-35 (and their

leaders), and will cost around £50-£70.

If you, or people from your parish, would be interested in taking part as individuals or sending a group, please let David Welch know by 14 December, so he can gauge interest to see if the trip is viable. David can be contacted at 01483 484908 or email david.welch@ cofeguildford.org.uk

Make a Mother’s Day, says the MU The Mothers’ Union (MU) are set to launch a new appeal ‘Make a Mother’s Day’ ahead of Mothering Sunday next year with a range of new resources for clergy and congregations, whether or not they have a Mothers’ Union branch.

The MU already have a range of resources on their website www.mothersunion.org with prayers, worship material and children’s activities available. Also a new range will soon be released to support the MU’s aim to make ‘Mothering Sunday’ and ‘The Mothers’ Union’ more closely connected in parishes across England and Wales.

Clergy will also be given the opportunity to provide feedback to help improve the material for 2018.

The Wey December 2016 / January 2017

Christopher Whinney, Charles Dickens’ great-great-grandson

A unique opportunity in the company of Charles Dickens’ great-great-grandson, Christopher Whinney. Enjoy wine and canapés in the Great Hall at Loseley House, followed by a talk, picture show and readings to mark the 205th anniversary of Charles Dickens’ birth. Tickets £45 per person in aid of Guildford Cathedral from 01483 547884, boxoffice@guildford-cathedral.org or via www. guildford-cathedral.org/events/boxoffice

Noticeboard GUILDFORD CATHEDRAL For services, concerts and events at the Cathedral please see the cathedral website www.guildford-cathedral.org or contact the events assistant at 01483 547860 or email events@guildfordcathedral.org.

NOVEMBER CONCERT 26 November, 7.30pm, St Nicolas’ Church, Bury Street, Guildford GU1 4AW Chantry Singers chamber concert, ‘French Connections’. An evening of French choral masterpieces from the14th Century to the present day with Paul Provost, organist at Guildford Cathedral Tickets £12 (16 and under £2) from chantrysingers@gmail.com or 01483 852493. (The Chantry Singers are now recruiting for new members.)

DECEMBER DEEPER HEALING DAY 1 December, 10am – 4pm, Acorn Christian Healing Foundation, Bordon This day retreat focuses on creating a safe space for you to draw closer to God and take new steps forward in your healing journey.

Cost £40 incl refreshments & lunch. To book contact 01420 478121 or email info@ acornchristian.org SEMINAR 3 December, 9.30am–12.30pm, St Mary’s Church, Quarry Street, Guildford GU1 3TY Practical aspects of Christian spirituality, facilitated by Karen Case-Green, Elizabeth Miller, Pam Thorogood and Marie Bew. Free but donations welcome. Email richard@purposefullives.com to book.

CELTIC ADVENT RETREAT 2–4 December, St Columba’s House, Maybury Hill, Woking GU22 8AB This retreat is like sitting by the fire on a cold dark night – warm, comforting and full of cheer. Includes traditional Celtic Christmas stories and music Cost: £210 full board (single accommodation) or £185 (twinbedded accommodation). Tel 01483 766498 or email retreats@ stcolumbashouse.org.uk HEARING CHAMPIONS TRAINING DAY 6 and 8 December, 10am-4pm, Education Centre, Guildford Cathedral, Stag Hill GU2 7UP Part of Hear Here project, this outreach activity enables churches to support their local hard-ofhearing community by providing local access to hearing aid aftercare. The training day gives volunteers the opportunity to learn how to do basic maintenance on NHS hearing aids. Places are limited to 10 people. To book

a place contact tracey.wade@ cofeguildford.org.uk or call 01483 790327.

QUIET DAY 8 December, 10am–4pm Acorn Christian Healing Foundation, Bordon GU35 0AP Led by the Revd Elizabeth Knifton.

Cost £40 incl refreshments & lunch. To book contact 01420 478121 or email info@ acornchristian.org AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL CHRISTMAS SOCIAL 12 December, 6.30– 10pm St. Nicolas’ Community Centre, Bury Street, Guildford GU2 4AW Join members of Guildford Amnesty Group to sign greetings cards to people suffering human rights abuse all over the world. Messages of friendship and solidarity give hope and encouragement to victims of imprisonment and torture. All welcome at this annual social event, a glass of festive cheer will be provided. Parking beside pub opposite for £1.

Further information: Marilyn Jarrett, secretary AI Guildford ai@1square.org ORGAN RECITAL 14 December, 1.10pm, St Mary’s Church, Quarry Street, Guildford GU1 3TY Oliver MacFarlane (Organ Recitalist, Guildford) Admission free, donations invited.

JANUARY 2017 THEOLOGICAL BOOK GROUP 12 January, 7.45-9.30pmSt Columba’s House, Maybury Hill, Woking GU22 8AB An informal book group open to anybody who enjoys reading and discussing selected theological books. No need to book, please check St Columba’s House website for the selected book. Led

by Becca Rowland.

Cost: donation only, tea and coffee provided. More information: 01483 766498 or email retreats@ stcolumbashouse.org.uk HEALING SCHOOL 14 January, 10am – 1pm, Acorn Christian Healing Foundation, Bordon Learn and experience how to become involved in the healing ministry and how to stay involved.

We will focus on developing our sensitivity to the voice of the Holy Spirit and our awareness of how God is at work.

Cost TBC. To book contact 01420 478121 or email info@ acornchristian.org

MINDFULNESS COURSE 19 January – 25 February, St Columba’s House, Maybury Hill, Woking GU22 8AB Mindfulness practice can help us feel awake, aware, be present for more of our lives, choose our actions more wisely, let go of worries and habits which no longer work for us and boost our well-being and compassion for self and others. The course is open to all and runs on Thursday evenings 7-9pm and Saturday 25 February 10am-3pm. Led by Suzette Jones.

Cost: £60, tea and coffee provided, bring your own lunch on Saturday. More information: 01483 766498 or email retreats@ stcolumbashouse.org.uk SPIRITUAL DETOX DAY FOR WOMEN 20 January, 9.30am-3pm, St Columba’s House, Maybury Hill, Woking GU22 8AB Get into good spiritual shape for the New Year, make time to cleanse your spiritual pores, refresh your souls and repair your relationship with God in a peaceful and relaxing environment. Led by Tricia Philips.

Cost: £25, tea, coffee and light lunch provided. More information: 01483 766498 or email retreats@ stcolumbashouse.org.uk WORKSHOP 21 January, 10am – 4pm, Acorn Christian Healing Foundation, Bordon A one day workshop designed to introduce groups to the ancient ‘Celtic’ church and how its particular expression of the Christian faith can be a route to a flourishing church in the future.

Led by David Cole who works for the Community of Aida & Hilda, a Celtic new monastic community.

Cost TBC. To book contact 01420 478121 or email info@ acornchristian.org QUIET DAY 23 January, 10am–4pm, St Columba’s House, Maybury Hill, Woking GU22 8AB An opportunity to experience the Lord’s Prayer in new ways, to explore it as a means of deepening relationships with God, others and ourselves Suggested donation: £15. Tea and coffee provided, please bring your own lunch. Tel 01483 766498 or email retreats@stcolumbashouse. org.uk MINDFULNESS COURSE FOLLOW-ON 23 January, 7-8pm, St Columba’s House, Maybury Hill, Woking GU22 8AB One of three follow-on sessions for those who attended Suzette Jones’ mindfulness course (8 Sept – 25 Oct 2016). Come and share how the practice of mindfulness has been for you and learn from Nina’s insights and experience Led by Nina Harding. Cost: donation only, tea and coffee

provided, No need to book, just turn up. More information: 01483 766498 or email retreats@ stcolumbashouse.org.uk SINGING WORKSHOP 28 January, 10am–4pm, St Columba’s House, Maybury Hill, Woking GU22 8AB A one-day workshop learning simple Christian music from Gregorian chant to modern worship songs and much in between. You don’t have to know how to read music – all you need is an eagerness to learn and share the joy of Christian song. Led by Giles and Marguerite Hutchinson with music from Heart Music.

Cost: £25. Tea, coffee and light lunch provided. Tel 01483 766498 or email retreats@ stcolumbashouse.org.uk

FEBRUARY WORKSHOP 4 February, 10am – 4pm, Acorn Christian Healing Foundation, Bordon A Christian dance workshop.

Details to follow. Cost £5 refreshments provided; bring your own packed lunch. To book contact 01420 478121 or email info@acornchristian.org QUIET DAY 9 February, 10am–4pm Acorn Christian Healing Foundation, Bordon GU35 0AP A Quiet Day is an opportunity to come aside and allow God to minister through his Holy Spirit. with three devotional talks and a service with the opportunity for personal prayer and reflection.

Ministry will be available during the day from team members.

Cost £40 incl refreshments & lunch. To book contact 01420 478121 or email info@ acornchristian.org QUIET DAY 16 February, 9am–4.30pm, St Columba’s House, Maybury Hill, Woking GU22 8AB Details to follow. To book please contact Premier Radio. Led by Micha Jazz Suggested donation: £15. Tea, coffee and two-course lunch included. Tel 01483 766498 or email retreats@stcolumbashouse. org.uk COURSE 17-19 February, St Columba’s House, Maybury Hill, Woking GU22 8AB Prayer Ministry Course - take time out from the busyness of life to draw near to Jesus and experience more of the freedom, healing, forgiveness and victory that He offers. This three-day course includes times of worship, teaching, intercession, listening to the Holy Spirit and an extended time of personal and confidential ministry. Led by a team from Wholeness Through Christ Cost: £280, full board. Tel 01483

766498 or email retreats@ stcolumbashouse.org.uk COURSE 18 February, 10am–4pm Acorn Christian Healing Foundation, Bordon GU35 0AP ‘Marked’ is a day course for 18-35 year olds. It will help you grip the truth of God’s forgiveness, allowing you to experience it for yourself and equipping you to share it with others. You will be looking at what the Bible says on forgiveness through discussion and teaching so you can go confidently into ministry settings, social groups, and areas of life confident in communicating the message of forgiveness.

Cost £40 incl refreshments & lunch. To book contact 01420 478121 or email info@ acornchristian.org QUIET DAY 20 February, 10am–4pm, St Columba’s House, Maybury Hill, Woking GU22 8AB An opportunity to explore our body, the temple of the Lord.

Learning to listen to and love our

body as a means of furthering God’s commandment that we love ourselves in order that we can love others.

Suggested donation: £15. Tea and coffee provided, please bring your own lunch. Tel 01483 766498 or email retreats@stcolumbashouse. org.uk MINDFULNESS COURSE FOLLOW-ON 27 February, 7-8pm, St Columba’s House, Maybury Hill, Woking GU22 8AB One of three follow-on sessions for those who attended Suzette Jones’ mindfulness course (8 Sept – 25 Oct 2016). Come and share how the practice of mindfulness has been for you and learn from Nina’s insights and experience Led by Nina Harding Cost: donation only, tea and coffee provided, No need to book, just turn up. More information: 01483 766498 or email retreats@ stcolumbashouse.org.uk

The newspaper from the Church of England for everyone in the Diocese of Guildford

The Wey – 2017 key dates If you or your parish are involved in a special event next year and you think the wider world should hear about it, make sure you let the communications team know in advance and bear in mind the key dates highlighted below.

The more notice that you can give, the more chance that the team will be able to help.

February issue

Copy deadline: January 3 At collection points from January 17

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Copy deadline: February 3 At collection points from February 21

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Copy deadline: July 3 At collection points from July 18

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November issue

Copy deadline: October 2 At collection points from October 17

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The Wey December 2016 / January 2017

Page 15

Fellow Travellers

Frimley’s African adventure raises £1,300 Sixteen walkers from St Peter’s, Frimley raised £1,300 for the charity Farm Africa recently; the 5-mile course started at St Peter’s, with stations set up along the way to represent the different countries in which the charity operates.

Despite the route to Ethiopia going via Kilimanjaro, all the participants found the walk easy and finished in good time! On their return to St Peter’s there was a quiz in which contestants had to answer questions based on information displayed at each stop on the walk. Five teams received prizes at the following day’s church service, which celebrated the achievements of all involved.

The Revd Stuart Thomas, rector of St Peter’s, Walkers made the most of a gap in rainfall in their charity walk. said: “I congratulate all those who took part. A walk across the whole of East Africa in an afternoon was community’s Christmas lights switch-on event. an education in itself! It helped us to understand the issues facing people in East Africa and the need for St Peter’s church has supported Farm Africa for us to raise funds to help them move from a bare some time; there was a collection for the charity at existence to purposeful living.” harvest festival and a congregation member ran a half marathon for them. The charity helps farmers, The walk also gave the church the opportunity to engage with the local community with local shops pastoralists and fishing communities help themselves sponsoring the prizes, reflecting the Transforming vision. using new agricultural technologies in Kenya, Uganda, It has also had other benefits, including a discussion Ethiopia and Tanzania. More information about the work on how the church might be involved in supporting the of Farm Africa is available at www.farmafrica.org.

Dave and James raise £25,000 for wounded servicemen Dave Elliott, a member of St Peter’s Church, Farnborough, and his running partner James Kyriacopoulos have raised more than £25,000 for charity Walking with the Wounded by racing 170 miles – the equivalent of Guildford to Swansea – across the treacherous terrain and extreme temperatures of the Grand Canyon.

After seven days of exhaustion and dehydration climbing mountains, traversing dry riverbeds and trekking across sand dunes, while laden with their camping supplies and nutrition for the week, Dave and James crossed the finish line of the gruelling ‘Grand to Grand Ultra’ in October.

Dave said of the experience: “It is without doubt the hardest thing I have ever done in my life and I am sure James will agree. What kept me going was how many people we could help with the amazing amount of sponsorship we have been given, so when things were really tough, I thought of them.”

Dave and James battle their way across the extreme terrain of the Grand Canyon

For both of them running has a strong spiritual purpose – a way of connecting with God. Dave explained: “If I look back over the times I am strongest with God, it matches with when I am exercising regularly. I use my exercise sessions to pray and spend time with God.” James added from the race start line: “The last word goes to our shared faith. A faith that brought us together and has opened our lives to this wonderful opportunity and moment. We spent a little while in prayer this morning. It was a wonderful opportunity to take stock of all that has gone before us and lies ahead, to give thanks and praise for the opportunities that have come our way and to consider one another’s needs and that of our fellow runners. Most of all, a reminder to us that this fantastic scenery and environment which we will call home is all thanks to our maker’s mighty hand.”

The monies raised will go to Walking with the Wounded, which retrains and re-skills wounded soldiers, and supports them in finding new careers outside the military. To sponsor Dave and James, visit DaveandJamesG2G’s fundraising page on Virgin Money Giving.

Dave and James at the finish of the gruelling race

Clergy Families Network relaunches

BE SEEN Page 16

To advertise in this newspaper, contact Glenda or Michelle on

01752 225623

or email glenda@cornerstonevision.com

The Clergy Families Network, previously known as ‘Spicelink’, has relaunched following a review of the best way to support clergy families.

Since it was set up 20 years ago, needs have changed, with many spouses being male and most, whether male or female, likely to be working. Many have established support networks of their own, but there is believed to be a continuing need for a familyfocused clergy support network.

Network leader, the Revd Beverly Watson, said, “We are here to support and serve clergy and their families, but we realise that most clergy spouses prefer to do things with their husbands or wives now, rather than without them. So we are planning events for couples and families, rather than spouses on their own.”

Bishop Andrew and his wife, the Revd Beverly The Clergy Families Network is organising a Watson, vicar of All Saints’, Guildford and number of different events for members, allowing them leader of the Clergy Families Network to get together and get to know each other. A supper for clergy and their partners is planned during ‘Tent Week’ at Willow Grange next June and other informal gatherings could include family walks.

A new Facebook page is also planned, to make communications between members easier. It is hoped that the page will become a self-contained support network, where members can get in touch with one another.

The Wey December 2016 / January 2017