Parish of Westborough – Guildford

There is certainly a lot of talent among us here at St Francis’ Church. The latest of our social events was a folk music night on Saturday, May 12, at which a number of regulars took part with the addition of some invited guests.

The musicians at the folk music night. Pictures by Mike Ellis.

Music was sung and played by a house band comprising David Rose, Jyl Wheeler and Brian Walter from the church, with addition musicians from David’s own band, Sammy Rat and the Resonators.

Their music covered a wide field, from tradtional songs from around the British Isles and the USA to those by Bob Dylan, Simon and Garfunkel, and on to songs by today’s musicians who are inspired by folk music.

Additionally, Catherine Hall gave beautiful renditions of two traditional folk songs, Peter Turner gave us another of his much-loved monologues, and Penny Smith read an apt poem called Sat Nav.

Brian and Jyl also gave readings. The Murrells grandson William also took part, singing a song from the musical Hairspray.

Bryony Rose joined the band to play guitar and sing Bob Marley’s Redemption Song, and Jackie Drake-Smith came on stage to sing Simon and Garfunkel’s The Boxer as a duet with David.

Our very special guest was Matthew Alexander, former curator of Guildford Museum, who not only sang a traditional folk song that had everyone joining in with the chorus, but performed his special one-man mummers’ play – a traditional drama usually performed around Christmas time.

He finished it off with a morris dance (playing the tune on a harmonica as he danced). The band then drew the evening to a close with the traditional song All Around My Hat.

The evening raised nearly £200 for church funds. Thanks also to our excellent in-house caterers and all those who helped in one way or another on the night.

Others who contributed songs, readings and so on during the evening.

Baptism of Jacob Robert James Haywood on Sunday, April 29.

It was a busy Sunday at St Francis’ Church this week.

Following the regular service of Holy Communion in the morning, led by the Rev Stefanie Hodges, the afternoon first saw the baptism of Jacob Robert James Haywood. This was followed by the annual prize giving to the young players of St Francis Sports football club.

Here are some pictures taken by our verger and photographer Mike Ellis.

The church was full of young footballers.

For details of St Francis Sports click here.

Councillor Fiona White

Surrey County Councillor for the Guildford West area, Fiona White came to St Francis’ Church on Sunday, April 22, and spoke about an initiative called Travel SMART.

It is designed to help people reduce calories, carbon and costs, and includes upgrading cycle routes in the borough of Guildford.

Surrey County Council has funding that it wishes to allocate to local groups  – £150k a year for three years. Fiona asked if anyone has any ideas or suggestions for this area, to contact her.

There are leaflets in the church that give more details about Travel SMART.

Fiona, a Liberal Democrat councillor, also spoke about the Park Barn and Westborough Community Association. She appealed for people from Westborough to consider joining it as this side of the ward is currently under-represented. It’s chairman is Wayne McShane.

For more information contact Fiona on 01252 332381 or email: whitef@guildford.gov.uk

Budding young footballers (boys and girls) are invited to join St Francis Sports by going along to an open day being held at Kings College, Park Barn, on Saturday, April 28, at 10am.

St Francis Sports offers coaching and matches for boys and girls, from mini soccer (age 7 and 9) up to under 17. The club is recruiting players in all age groups.

If interested, please let them know in advance. Send an email to: minisoccer@stfrancissports.co.uk

More details on the club’s website: www.stfrancissports.co.uk

A group from St Francis' Church on their walk of witness on Good Friday.

A group from St Francis Church enjoyed a walk of witness on Good Friday around the streets adjacent to the church.

They stopped at five ‘stations’ and heard a meditation of those who would have walked next to Jesus 2,000 years ago, and sang songs of thanks.

Team Rector, the Rev’d Stefanie Hodges, praised the group’s dedication and courage to witness in their own neighbourhood the sacrifice Christ made for us all.

She said: “We thank God for those who were able to share with onlookers what the walk was about. Well done to all you true and faithful servants; and especially to Cecil who bore the cross over his shoulder for the whole journey.”

St Francis Church was packed on Sunday, April 1, for a special performance of Stainer’s Crucifixion. Singers at the church were joined by those from other local churches for a fantastic musical celebration to herald the start of Holy Week.

The singers who took part in a performance of Stainer's Crucifixion.

And finally, a happy 90th birthday to Harold Barber, who with his wife Rae, have been worshiping at St Francis’ Church for many years (they were married at the church in 1953) and who are key members of our church family.

Harold Barber blows out the candles on his birthday cake. Next to Harold is wife Rae, Penny Ellis is presenting him with the cake, while the Rev'd Stefanie Hodges, looks on.

Children at Cherry Trees respite care centre in East Clandon will have plenty of Easter eggs to take home after their stay courtesy of  St Francis’ Church and a local funeral directors.

We support Cherry Trees as part of our outreach, and this Easter we have had extra support from Co-op Funeralcare on Woodbridge Hill.

Visitors from St Francis' Church with children at Cherry Trees and larger than life TV presenter and entertainer Dave Benson Phillips.

The funeral drectors has been asking people to donate Easter Eggs, and with additional eggs from our young people’s group at St Francis Church, JIMS, more than 50 chocolate eggs were hand delivered to Cherry Trees today (Saturday, April 7).The Rev’d Stefanie Hodges, Karin Lewis from Co-op Funeralcare, and children from JIMS dropped into Cherry Trees with the eggs.

They met some of the children staying there and got a big surprise as larger than life TV children’s presenter Dave Benton Phillips was there entertaining everyone with his fun songs. He was more than pleased to join in with the official photo!

The Rev’d Stefanie Hodges said: “We fully support Cherry Trees and the fantastic work it does for all the young people with severe learning and physical disabilities who go there. Some of our younger church members were visiting for the first time, while others were returning after visiting a couple of weeks ago. I would also like to thank Karin from Co-op Funeralcare for donating and collecting the Easter eggs.”

Diane Peters from St Francis Chucrh, who is one of the organisers of its young people’s group, added: “The young people at Cherry Trees enjoy being with our young people and our youngsters enjoy being with them.

“They have agreed to help with Cherry Trees’ Christmas party, taking round teas and cakes, and with their Christmas service. They are already involved in collecting toys each Christmas.”

Cherry Trees provides home from home respite care for children and young people with severe learning and physical disabilities. It recognises that these children are best looked after at home but, because of their very special needs, they require very special care, often 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

From time to time both they and their families need a break. Cherry Trees is a special place, providing professional care in a safe and loving environment, where every child is valued for who they are. It is a community that values them and enables them to spend time with friends whilst their families have a much-needed break.

Cherry Trees was founded in 1980 by a group of parents and doctors. It has become a lifeline for the families of more than 100 children and young people who are regularly cared for here – for a few hours, a weekend or even a couple of weeks.

For more information about Cherry Trees, click here.

Easter is the greatest Christian festival – when we remember Jesus rising from the dead after dying as sacrifice for the sins of mankind, fulfilling all the prophesies of the Old Testament and his own destiny as the son of God.

It is incredible in so many ways, not least that our creator God should love and care for us so much that He would go through all this, first to redeem us and then to show us his glory.

It is easy to doubt, but the events of 2000 years ago are among the best documented and corroborated of all ancient history.

So this is why we process prayerfully behind a cross around the streets near to St Francis’ Church, Beckingham Road. The walk is built on the twin foundations of regret at our failings but hope at what the future and eternity may bring the walk leaves the church at 10am this Good Friday with reflections and hymns on the journey.

It is also why we enjoy the sad spice of hot cross buns and the fun and joy of new life represented by Easter eggs.

So, Happy Easter!

God believes in you as he does in all of us whether church goers or not.

It is up to each of us how we respond to God’s love.

The Rev’d Stefanie Hodges, Team rector

St Clare’s Church

Monday to Thursday, April 2 to 5: brief meditations for Holy Week at 9am.

Maundy Thursday, April 5: Maundy meal, 7pm (please sign up in church).

Good Friday, April 6: brief meditation at 9.30am – then lifts available (or please offer lifts) to join Guildford town centre Walk of Witness, beginning at 10.30am at the rotunda (bottom of North Street), ending at Holy Trinity Church in the High Street.

Easter Sunday, April 8: join others at the Ganges cross outside Guildford Cathedral for a ‘Son rise’ at 7am.

Quiet liturgical communion at St Clare’s Church at 8am, followed by Easter worship for all ages at 10.30am.

St Francis’ Church

Maundy Thursday, April 5: Holy Communion Supper recalling Jesus’ Last Supper, at 6.30pm.

Good Friday, April 6: Walk of Witness around the parish near the church with pauses for prayers and hymns. Meet inside the church at 10am. Walk followed by hot cross buns.

Showing of the film, The Passion of Christ, in the church hall at noon.

Hour by the Cross, with meditations and readings at 2pm.

Easter Sunday, April 8: Sunrise Service – join us as a new day dawns for a simple open-air service. Meet at the church at 6.30am. Lifts will be available for the short journey to Guildford Cathedral.

Easter breakfast in the hall between services.

Family communion to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection. Wear your Easter bonnets and join the Easter egg hunt afterwards.