ST GILES FARNBOROUGH - EVENTS, NEWS AND NOTICES

 

 


Arrangements For Services

St. Giles will be open for public worship whenever government and Diocesan directives allow, see Services Page

A booking system has been set-up to manage the numbers able to attend each service, as well as meet the Government's track & trace requirements. Please click
 
https.stgilesfarnborough.setmore.com/ 
and select the service you wish to attend.



I hope you will appreciate that with limited numbers able to attend each service this will be done on a 'first come, first served basis'. Please only contact the Parish Office as a last resort if you do not have internet access and, therefore, cannot use the on-line booking system. 

Click Here for a step-by-step guide to booking on-line.

See also  Covid Safe Services

In the event of more people wanting to attend the Holy Communion services than we can accommodate on a particular Sunday then we will ask people to make their Communion on the following Sunday.. 

Please bear with us as we continue along this new learning curve.  If we are to maintain our Church as a safe place for the resumption of public worship, communication will be crucial.  So do expect regular notices and updates from the Parish Office and remember you must book in for services as detailed above.


Comments

The following comments are to be read in conjunction with the guidelines:

* Holy Communion will be in one kind, bread only.
* The wafers will be consecrated in a sealed container so no words are spoken over exposed elements.
* People will be asked to remain in their pews and come out into the aisle after previous communicants have returned to their seats.
* Holy Communion can be brought to people in the pew.
* There will be is no laying on of hands for healing.
*  Unfortunately we will not be able to have the use of our wonderful servers and chalice assistants.
* There is no permission for the singing of hymns.  Organ and piano music will be available ·
* People are welcome to bring their own prayer books if they have one.
* The peace is not allowed to be shared.
* Please place your offering in bowl on entering the Church. Thank you.
*  You are invited to light a candle, please bring your own matches or lighter.  Single matched will also be available.
* People are welcome to attend the service without receiving Communion if they would prefer.
* At the Open Air service Communion will be administrated in a line so that social distancing can be maintained. 
* Sadly, we will not be able to have our wonderful choir or our bells rung and we look forward very much to the return of these important aspects of our Church’s life.
* Sidespeople/Verger/Churchwardens will be on hand to guide and assist people in safe conduct.
* Refreshments will not be served.  

Can I emphasise that this is something of an experimental opening to help us understand the practicalities and challenges involved in the re-opening of St .Giles.  Can I also emphasise that the safety of all of us is of paramount importance.   I look forward very much to seeing you again.  
 

Parish AGM and Electoral Roll

Sunday 23rd May at 4:00pm
St. Nicholas Church Hall

Notice is given of the Annual General Meeting to be held at St. Nicholas on Sunday 23rd May at 4.00 p.m.  AGM papers will be available early May at the back of both churches (and will be sent out to those who have email) and the Church Accounts will be on the Church noticeboard and also on-line on this website

There are  four vacancies on the Parochial Church Council for St. Giles this year, but none for St. Nicholas.  Due to ongoing Covid restrictions only 40 people will be able to attend and must book online in the same way as for services.  The meeting will not be streamed live.

If you are not on the Electoral Roll of the Parish and you would like to be, please download an application form from the Downloads Page


New Church Bells

It has been brilliant to see the installation of two new bells at St Giles.  Well done to Nick Wilkins and the team for all their hard work in helping with the installation.  We are all looking forward very much to hearing them rung, along with our existing six bells. 

Photos of this historic event will be available in the near future.



Public Worship

We have recommenced public worship with services taking place inside the church on Sundays and Thursdays.

Special online services will also be available from time to time on YouTube. 

Full Details

Please note that numbers are limited to 30 for services inside the church and social distancing, face masks and all Covid safety requirements will remain in place. 

Please pre-book using our online booking system. See panel to the left.

Parish Fete Cancelled

It will not be possible to hold this event this year, as there is simply not enough time or certainty to do it justice. We will be discussing at the PCC possible alternatives and when we might be able to hold a similar event later on in the year.

In the light of this we will be running our ‘Save the Fete Fund’ over May and June. Last year, through the generosity of so many, we were able to raise the same amount of funds that the Fete would usually generate, (£4000). Crucially this meant that St. Giles was able to avoid a huge deficit in its anticipated income stream.

I appreciate that economically things are very stressful for many people and families, so can I emphasise that this will be a gentle campaign that keeps in mind the great generosity that is constantly shown to St. Giles. The fund will be open on 1st May, please make cheques payable to St Giles PCC.

The Revd. Graham Shaw

As I am sure many of you will know our former Rector, Graham Shaw, has been battling cancer for a number of years.  It is with great sadness that I have to report that a recent prognosis of the cancer has not been good. 

I know that many of you will wish to write to Graham and he will, of course, be very appreciative of your love and support.  Graham has communicated that sadly he will not be able to reply to any letters or cards.  

Please remember Graham in your thoughts and prayers at this time.  If you would like an update on Graham’s situation then please contact Julia Hoadley on 01689 853632 or juliamphoadley@gmail.com

ABOUT ST. GILES CHURCH

Charity in Focus:

Film Evenings

Charity Film Evenings are suspended until further notice.

Charities to be Supported

The List of Charities to be supported during the second half of the year has now been finalised.

Read More

Events Calendar:.

Important Note:

All Social Events are cancelled until further notice.

Carol Fryer
01689 855468 / 07951 725069
 carolafryer@icloud.com

Church Attendance over
Holy Week and Easter

It was heartening to see a good number of people back at St. Giles over Holy Week and Easter.  In particular our outdoor family service on Good Friday was well supported, with over 70 people in attendance. It was very good to see some of our brothers and sisters in Christ, after such a long time.  

Over 120 people attended St. Giles over our 5 services on Easter day, with over 40 at the dawn Eucharist!  I am very grateful to all those who worked so hard to make our worship available and safe for everyone.  Although it wasn't on par with Easters of the past, I felt that we rallied around as best as we could to celebrate our Lord’s Resurrection. I was particularly heartened by attendance at the 11.30 a.m. service (22 people), as it was nice to welcome back members of that congregation who I hadn't seen for some time.  I also know that there were many people who celebrated Easter via our mailed out service sheets and our online service.  It was good to know that you were there with us in spirit as well.  

Moving forward, I would once again want to encourage you to return to St. Giles if you are happy and confident to do so.  Generally the 10.00 a.m. service is booked to almost maximum each week, but there is plenty of capacity at the 8.00 a.m. Holy Communion service, the 6.30 p.m. Evening Service and the Thursday morning Communion Service at 10.00 a.m. Part of church attendance is habitual, and it is easy for us to slip out of the habit of going to church and to fill that time with something else.  If you are worried about being with others then, of course, please do stay at home, but if you are venturing out again then please do think about returning to church.  As St. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12: 27:  
 
'You are the body of Christ and individually members of it.’