Parish of Westborough – Guildford

Sundays:

8am Holy Communion – a quiet liturgical service lasting about 40 minutes

10.30am Worship for All – we aim to be ‘family friendly’. We sing is a variety of styles and there’s usually a cup of tea or coffee after the service.

Most Sundays Holy Communion – we begin and end all together and for part of the time there is a separate group for children. The service usually lasts about one hour and 15 minutes.

On the first Sunday of the month we worship in a more informal style, young and old together. This service usually lasts about 50 minutes.

“The Lord will be your everlasting light”

Visitors flocked to St Francis’ Church’s spring fair held on Saturday, March 10, in the church and hall.

There were lots of stalls selling all kinds of things including handmade cards, Mothering Sunday gifts, plants and floral arrangements, books, preserves and produce, jewellery, cakes
and crafts.

Delicious refreshments were also available as well as activities
for children.

The Bishop of Guildford, the Rt Rev’d Christopher Hill visited us on Sunday, March 4, to lead us in worship and to preach.

It was a joyful occasion and enjoyed by many.

After the service, Bishop Christopher and his wife Hilary joined members of the congregation for a shared lunch.

The photos were taken by Mike Ellis.

Meets on the last Saturday of the month at St Francis’ Church Hall from 11am to 1pm.

Good as new clothes, household goods, toys, books.

Homemade refreshments.

If you need prayer support for anyone or any situation, please phone the Rev’d Stefanie Hodges (01483 504228).

Home Communion is available for any parishioner who is sick or housebound. Please speak with Stafenie.

Home Page

Welcome to our site. Sorry the rest of our site will be up and running again as soon as possible!

PRAYERS 

 the family of Mrs White whose funeral is on 1st November 

 those who continue to need the healing touch of God’s hand especially Geoff, Gerry, Peter, Grace and Dave Holt 

 for those under pressure at work and who have been made redundant 

 the family of Jake Bates whose funeral was held last week 

 for Liam Martin who is charged with the murder of his friend Jake Bates (let us not guess what happened but hold him in God’s mercy and grace) and for his family who suffer too 

COMPASSIONATE FRIENDS SERVICE 

Sunday 4th November 2012 at 4.30 pm with a time to remember our loved ones who have now left us to be with the Lord 

We would very much like to invite those who attend to stay after the service for some refreshments. If you are able to bake a cake for that evening could you please let Stefanie know. 

QUIZ NIGHT 

Andy is coming to host another Quiz Night. It has been arranged for Friday 2nd November at 7.30 pm in the hall. Please let Stefanie know if you would like to come along. 

CRAFT IN COMPANY 

St Francis’ Church’s Craft in Company get together sessions are now monthly and the next one will be held this week on November 2nd from 10am to noon in the church hall. 

Crafts that have made an appearance so far include knitting, crocheting, jewellery making, quilting, sewing, doll’s house furnishings, pergamano, card making, and scrapbooking. Individual projects include wall hangings, cushions, aprons, advent calendars, felt toys, picnic rug, knitted bags and toys, and rag wreaths. There are crafts books to browse and cake to eat. £3 per session (to include cake and hot drinks). Bring your project and craft in company! Chat to Sarah or Jyl for more details. 

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY 

A short said Holy Communion will take place at 9.00 before the Remembrance Service on the 11th November 

The Stoughton & Westborough Branch of the Royal British Legion has delivered the poppies which are placed at the back of the church. The money collected goes to help those who have served and are still serving in Her Majesty’s Service. Members of the Royal British Legion will be joining us at our Remembrance Service at 10.45 am on 11th November. There will be activities in the hall for the children during this service. 

CHRISTMAS FAIR 

Our Christmas Fair will be held on Saturday 1st December from 12 – 3. Please speak to Jyl or Sarah about ways you can help with ‘baking and making’. 

CHANGE TO SERVICE TIMES 

Morning services will change from 9.30 am to 10.00 am starting on January 6th (for a three month trial). There are a number of reasons this has been decided which may not be obvious to you, if you would like to know more please see Stefanie. 

CONGRATULATIONS 

…to Brian Walter on being elected as Churchwarden. Please pray for him as he carries out his calling and please pray too for a Deputy to help him 

THANK YOU 

 to all who helped at the community shop yesterday 

WESTBOROUGH & PARK BARN FUN DAY. 

A great day was had at the community fun day held in the Park Barn Centre. Grants were given out to 5 groups to continue the work that they do in the community. 

 Play Rangers 

 Park Barn youth group 

 Joining-In Magazine (information about church and activities happening in the area). 

 Chips – Holiday Club 

 Guildford Borough Council for outdoor gym equipment for areas in the ward of Westborough. 

It was good to see members of the wider community coming together to show their interest and support for the work that is going on in this ward. 

HARVEST FESTIVAL 

While I appreciate not everyone could make the Harvest Festival Service, it was so encouraging to see so many of you there. I think everyone there was uplifted by our time together and by the wonderful hospitality that was so genuinely given and generosity. 

The ongoing donations of clothes, toys and household goods are overwhelming. Let us continue to pray for God’s hand in the ‘shop’ as we also give thanks for the members of the South African Church. If anyone would be prepared to distribute leaflets to students in the local area with info about the shop, please let Stefanie know. 

We received a message from the South African Church 

To the congregation of St Francis. 

It was such a blessing to welcome you all and join together for the Harvest Service on Sunday. It is such a privilege to feel how the love of Christ can bind strangers together in holy unity. There was an intense awareness of the presence of the Lord and know that the service was blessed. 

I think that this service was one of the highlights of our church year and thank you for the important part you played – from the planning to the actual day. I hope that this wonderful tradition will last for many years to come! 

Ilse Du Toit 

CHURCH HALL 

As you will notice, the ceiling in the hall is complete. We may at last be able to hear each other and enjoy the new look. Frankies Toddlers have already noticed the difference and have said they are thrilled. The next stage of the project will be to have some of the areas re-plastered where the old plaster has blown and is coming away from the wall…. and then finally decorating. 

PLEASE PRAY FOR … 

the family of Mr. Doug Sales whose funeral is on Monday 22nd October. 

the family of Jake Bates whose funeral is on Friday 26th October at Emmanuel (new date) and for Stefanie conducting this difficult service 

Liam Martin, charged with the murder of his friend (let us not guess what happened, but hold him in God’s mercy and grace) and for his family who suffer too 

the family of Mrs White whose funeral is on 1st November 

those who continue to need the healing touch of God’s hand especially Geoff, Gerry, Peter, Grace and Dave Holt Let us thank God for Francis as she is now up and around 

SOCIALS 

Following a request for a social event in October, I have contacted Andy who gave us a great Quiz Night last year and has offered to do another. If you would like this we could aim for 28th October. Please let me know a.s.a.p. whether you would like me to book him and whether you would like it to include a fish & chip supper. Stefanie 

THIS WEEK 

 The election for churchwarden will be held after the service today. Brian Walter has been commended by the DCC to stand. 

 DCC on Thursday 25th October at 7.30 pm (extra meeting) 

CHANGE TO SERVICE TIMES 

Morning services will change from 9.30 am to 10.00 am starting on January 6th (for a three month trial). There are a number of reasons this has been decided which may not be obvious to you, if you would like to know more please see Stefanie. 

Blessings Stefanie 

Craft in Company takes place on the first Friday of the month from 10am to noon in St Francis’ Church.