ST GILES FARNBOROUGH - EVENTS, NEWS AND NOTICES
Public Worship - Welcome BackI thought that it would be helpful to update you as to where St. Giles is post lockdown. As we go through the post lockdown months there is much to be encouraged and grateful for. Each week sees different people returning to Church after a long time away. This always feels like the joyful reunion of separated friends.Sadly, some people remain unable to return for various reasons, please remember you are not forgotten and I look forward to the day when you will once again be able to take your place in the life of our Church.  If you are now out and about please do all you can to reconnect with St. Giles. In some ways our Church remains in a fragile state as there is much that needs to be rebuilt and consolidated if we are to return St. Giles to its pre-pandemic life. I appreciate how easy it is to get out of the habit of attending Church after so much disruption. It remains my sincere prayer that our Church family will be fully reunited and we will once again continue on our shared journey of faith together. If you have any concerns or anxieties about returning to Church, or as to what service might be best for you, please do get in touch. Above all thank you to everyone who is continuing to support the life of St. Giles in this difficult time. There are a number of ways in which we can support St. Giles. Through our private prayers. Especially if we are not able to attend public worship, prayers for our Church, its members, its life and clergy are essential and much valued. Thank you. Through our presence. There is nothing more encouraging for all of us than well attended services, through them we have a sense of being part of a living and dynamic community. Through volunteering and participation. Thank you to all of you who have continued in your various roles through this difficult time and thank you to those who have willingly taken on new tasks as they have arisen. Please keep your eyes and minds open to vacancies as they are advertised. St .Giles can't do it without you! Through our giving. Thank you so much for all your generous support of St. Giles over this year. If you would like to use the weekly offertory envelopes, or take out a direct debit to St. Giles please get in touch with our Deputy Treasurer, Carol Fryer, at carolfryer@icloud.com . Gifts are love in action. ‘
At a recent PCC Meeting it was suggested that if people
would like to return to Church but are worried about
‘crowds’ then we could designate the gallery as a ‘Safe
Zone.’ At the recent organ recital a few people felt safer
sitting in the gallery. If the main body of the Church is
busy then the gallery will be put aside for six people. If
you would like to use this Safe Zone area please let Liz
know in advance of any service or event. |
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All Souls ServiceSunday 31st OctoberThe invitations to the All Souls services are in the process of being distributed to all those who responded in writing last year. The Parish Secretary has put in the Church porch invitations addressed to those people she recognises as regular congregation members. If there is not an invitation letter for you, and you are expecting one, it may be that it is in the post. Any letters not picked up by Friday 15th October will be posted as the closing date for responses is Friday 22nd October. Spare invitation letters are also in the Church porch. At this year's All Souls service I am delighted to say that Jay Britton, who is a professionally trained soprano and performer will be singing Pie Jesu by Andrew Lloyd Webber at the 11.15 a.m. service. Matthew Charity in Focus:It has been difficult since March 2020 to give the usual support to our Charity in Focus each month. We all hope that 2022 will see the return to our usual fund-raising activities and our nominated charities will benefit.With this in mind there are available slots to be filled, namely one charity for the combined months of January and February, one charity for the combined months of July and August and one charity for December 2022. If you have a charity which is close to your heart that you would like to nominate for 2022 please email Eddie Roberts Flower Arrangingt will not have gone unnoticed that our flower arranging
teams are back in action much to the joy and benefit of all
of us. I am pleased to say that our wonderful team has
returned with renewed enthusiasm and we look forward to
seeing beautiful arrangements each Sunday. Please note that
it is now possible to order memorial arrangements for the
Book of Remembrance and pedestals as well. For Book of
Remembrance flowers please contact Pastoral Care at St. GilesA number of faithful members of St. Giles are now no longer able to attend Church because of illness and frailty. These people have faithfully served our Church over many years and it is vital that we care for their spiritual needs during their vulnerable years.One way that we can do this is to offer them Holy Communion at home. This helps them to feel connected to the Church and part of the community. I am looking for people who might be available to help with these visits. The commitment will be determined by the volunteers and could be one visit per month, which is not an onerous commitment. If you are interested in helping with this very important part of our Church's life, please contact either myself. or Liz at the Parish Office. Full training and supervision will be provided. Matthew
It has been brilliant to see the addition of two further bells at St Giles. Well done to Nick Wilkins and
the team for all their hard work in helping with the
installation. |
ABOUT ST. GILES CHURCH
Charity Film Night:
Charity Film nights are restarting from November.Further Details
Events Calendar:
Tuesday 12th October:
There will be a quiz in aid of the Primrose Centre at the Woodman
Saturday 16th October:
Fabric Maintenance Morning 9.30am – 12.30pm. Please come and spend a few hours helping in our Churchyard and Church. Please bring rakes, tree saws, shovels, spades, brooms etc. Meet in the Church grounds.
Thursday 21st October:
The Friends AGM at 2.30pm in St Giles Church. Hope to see you there.
Friends AGM Minutes 2020
Friends AGM Agenda 2021
Sunday 31st October:
St Nicholas Church Light and Bright Party 5pm – 7pm.
Sunday 7th November:
A memorial service will be held for Stan Eperon at 11.30am. This service will be in place of Matins as Stan and Pat often attended this service and will be followed by refreshments. Stan passed away at the height of the Coronavirus pandemic and numbers were limited to just five at his funeral therefore this service will be a much valued opportunity for his family and friends to gather to remember Stan, to celebrate his life and the wonderful contribution he made to St Giles. I do hope that you will be able to join us.
Sunday 28th November
Confirmation Service at 10.00 a.m. At this service we will welcome The Rt. Revd. Simon Burton-Jones, Bishop of Tonbridge, as preacher and celebrant.