Event Reports 2006

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 18th-25th January

Good Friday Walk of Witness

One World Week

Christmas Crib at Farnham library

Christmas Day Lunch for those on their own

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 18th-25th January

St.Andrew's Parish Church, together with the United Reformed Church and The Holy Family Church at Heath End, were the hosts for this years Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Daily prayers and readings were followed from the book prepared by the churches of Northern Ireland. The subjects were: Gathering, Community, Forgive!, Surprise, Mission, Presence, Reconcile, Hope. We were pleased to be led by representatives of various denominations, and even more pleased to see friends from all the churches attending.

Unity service

On Sunday 22nd January at St James' Church in Rowledge around a 100 people attended an afternoon service to mark the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The order of service followed the one written for the occasion on the chosen theme for the week 'Where two or three are gathered in my name'. The vicar of Rowledge, Rev Clive Richardson and the minister of the Methodist Church in Rowledge, Rev Malcolm Groom both took part. Mr Tony Staite was the preacher. Members of both churches in the village were involved in the service as were others from a number of different churches in Farnham. The St James' choir was joined by some members of the Methodist Wesleyan Singers. Following the service many people stayed for a bring and share tea in the church rooms. There was a very warm atmosphere and many commented on how much they had appreciated the ecumenical occasion.

Good Friday Walk of Witness 14th April 2006

Photos © Benedict Parsons

Christians from many Farnham congregations joined together on Good Friday to take part in the annual silent walk of witness through the town. The walk began in the Hart outside the University for the Creative Arts and ended at St Andrew’s Church with a short service.

One World Week

A United Service for One World Week was held at St Joan of Arc Church on the afternoon of October 22nd.

The theme of the service was 'Mind the Gap'. The aim was to point out the inequalities in today's world as trade talks fail the world's poor, as the hole in the ozone layer gets bigger, as violence increases in a divided world and encourages us that if we speak with one voice we can help to do something about it..

There were two local speakers drawing attention to local issues. Vince Crowley spoke about the gardening teams from Bells Piece and Nasir Virji about the work of First Base for the Homeless.

There was a retiring offering for the work of First Base and afterwards there was the opportunity for the congregation to enjoy tea together in the hall.

Christmas Crib in Farnham Library

The crib which was designed by year 7 pupils at Weydon County Secondary School. They assembled it in Farnham Library at the beginning of December and it remained there until 8th January. It was much admired by visitors to the Library. This was the ninth consecutive year that Farnham Library have agreed to a crib being displayed. Different schools are invited each year by me, on behalf of CTF, and Michael McDonnell from St Joan's Catholic Church is the link person between the school and Library.

Christmas Day Lunch at the Gostrey Centre

The Christmas lunch went ahead after a hiccup in the arrangements. The Chairman of Churches Together in Farnham, Roy Graham, made an appeal for a Chef on 96.4 The Eagle Radio Station and this was heard by Aldershot businessman, Paul Foy, who arranged for and paid Chef, Victor May, to come and cook the Christmas Lunch. We are grateful to Paul Foy for providing the Chef and to the Dempster Trust and individuals for donations towards the costs of the lunch. We are also grateful for the team of volunteers who helped with transport, the setting up of the room, food preparation, serving and waiting as well as a multitude of other tasks, without them the event could not go ahead.

The room was set up on the Saturday morning by  a team of volunteers. On the Sunday morning another team came in to prepare all the vegetables ready for the Chef and the 'kitchen team' early on Christmas Morming.

The 'transport team' delivered those who couldn't make their own way to the Gostrey Centre and then the 'room team' helped to make everyone welcome and made sure they had a drink and were settled doen ready for the lunch.

Our local MP, Jeremy Hunt, went round all the tables chatting to the 60 or so guests and the helpers as did Father Tony Whale from St Joan of Arc Church who also gave thanks for the meal before the meal was served.

The table hosts were on hand to make sure everyone had all they needed and the team of waiters were ready to bring the food round to the tables and clear up as the meal progressed.

Jeremy Hunt gave a short speech including Christmas jokes before rushing off to another engagement in his constituency. The Mayor of Farnham, David Attfield, seen here with Roy Graham - Chairman of Churches Together in Farnham, also gave a short speech.

After the meal there was a time of carol singing before Father Christmas arrived to give a small present to each of the guests. The transport team were then on hand to takes people home while the rest of the volunteers helped clear up the room and complete the washing up.

Churches Together in Farnham is very grateful to all the volunteers for giving up their Christmas Day to help provide this lunch, for those most of whom would have otherwise been on their own, on Christmas Day.