The March parish magazine is out now and you can download it below.
The last day of the month is Easter Sunday so the magazine contains all our Lent, Holy Week and Easter details, as well as information on other events such as the Farnham Poetry Competition Awards Evening (March 9th), Mothering Sunday (10th), the Easter Craft Market (16th), a collection for refugees (22nd), Unseen Artists (23rd-24th) and many more.
The Badshot Leader takes up the middle six pages with information about the village past and present, including what’s on and planning issues, plus a piece on ‘Badshot Lea’s forgotten hero, William Crumplin.
Elsewhere, there’s a report on Lesley and Alan’s farewell and a thank-you from them; thoughts from Lesley Shatwell, who has just retired; prayer; pictures of events which took place in the parish last month and lots more.
Sunday, February 4th was a bittersweet day – a day to reflect with joy and gratitude on all that Lesley and Alan Crawley had given to the parish over the past 12 years, and a day to say a sad farewell to them as they embarked on their retirement.
That morning, St Mark’s Church was full of people from the parish and beyond, some of whom had known Lesley and Alan from the beginning of their ministry in Badshot Lea and Hale in November 2011, others who had met them more recently, but all keen to wish them well in the next stage of their lives.
Among the well-wishers was Rt Rev’d Paul Davies, Bishop of Dorking, who presided at the service and spoke about how blessed the parish had been to have had ‘two for the price of one’ with Lesley and Alan, who have their own different gifts.
Alan, who has the sort of mind that Bishop Paul said he would “give (his) right arm for”, is a tech expert who set up systems to ensure that the large parish with three churches – St Mark’s, St John’s and St George’s – could be run smoothly, while also having “a gentle patience which enables others to flourish”.
The bishop described Lesley as bringing to the parish “remarkable” leadership and having “levels of ambition and energy that are just not normal”. He said “The worse thing you can ever say to her is ‘I just don’t think that’s possible’ because she’ll prove to you that it is.”
Among the projects which Lesley has turned her energy and ambition to have been restoring ‘Emily’ the Edwardian organ and the Kitty Milroy murals – works of national significance – at St Mark’s, transforming the finances so that the parish is sustainable, as well as ministering in a populous community where life is not always easy.
Bishop Paul said: “If you have been incumbent of Badshot Lea and Hale you have credibility. It’s a large parish with a significant population and it has a good deal of suffering it. (Lesley and Alan) have managed ministry in some difficult situations. Some of the suffering has pulled on their heartstrings enormously and yet they have been faithful in season and out, in times of joy and in sorrow.” Bishop Paul described them as, “two priests who are deeply servants”.
You can watch a video of Bishop Paul’s speech here:
Lesley and Alan recalled many of their own favourite stories from the parish, including the little boy who said ‘cheers’ when Lesley raised the communion chalice, the yodelling song at a funeral, the chocolate brioche for communion, the email from Emily Mangles even though she had been dead for years, and the time Alan was found lying in the churchyard (he was checking to see if there was space for a grave). Then there were the two princesses, and the time Special Branch had to be involved when Jeremy Hunt MP was invited to speak at a meeting.
Dave Walter, who has taken on the role of PCC Lay Vice-Chair and is overseeing the operational side of the parish during the vacancy before we have a new incumbent, spoke on behalf of the parish and reiterated Bishop Paul’s feelings that the parish had been “blessed to have got two for one”. He recounted some memories including the time he had responded to a call for the choir and volunteers to join Lesley at one of the new housing estates while they had a Christmas street party with carol singing. “I enjoy singing carols so I went along. To my horror no other singers arrived so Lesley and I were left to lead the community singing.” Another time Lesley duetted was at the Harvest Supper when she and Bob Shatwell launched into Fairytale of New York by The Pogues.
Dave also recounted a baptism at St Mark’s where the baptism party included 15 godparents. “The church was heaving with people, the regulars in two rows at the back and the baptism party filling the rest of the church. Looking at the congregation, Lesley duly filled the chalice generously. When it came time for communion few, if any, of the baptism party took communion and despite the regulars taking a hearty gulp Lesley was left a significant amount of wine to consume. Some of the regulars were convinced that they could see the moment when the alcohol hit her and had to plan how to get her home safely.”
He added: “One of the significant legacies that Lesley and Alan will leave us is the number of the people from the parish who they have encouraged and supported to start their own ministry journey.” This is something that will stand the parish in good stead as we move to the next stage here in Badshot Lea and Hale.
The parish is now ‘in vacancy’ which means that there is no incumbent. The post will be advertised shortly and it is hoped that a new rector will be appointed this summer. We are looking for someone who is inclusive and keen to walk with us as we continue to grow in our faith and commitment to God and to our community.
This Wednesday (February 14 ) is not only Valentine’s Day but is also Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, the beginning of the season which leads up to Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
Ash Wednesday has its roots in the ancient Jewish tradition of penance and fasting and many Christians mark the day by going to church and having a mark of ashes placed on their foreheads. Here in the parish there will be a service of ashing at St Mark’s, Upper Hale, at noon, and at St John’s, Hale, at 7.30pm.
The ash is made by burning palm crosses, like the ones we use at the Palm Sunday services each year, and you can receive the mark with the words:
“Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return. Turn away from sin and be faithful to Christ.”
It is a solemn reminder of our calling to follow Christ and be his body here on earth.
Come to our free family Barn Dance next Friday -16th – at 6.30pm at St Mark’s, Upper Hale.
There will be music from our resident ceilidh band with caller Kris Lawrence – and a guest appearance from Knickerbocker Glory, Appalachian dancers! There will also be a raffle.
It’s a brilliant evening’s fun for all ages. Even if you can’t dance, come and watch and soak up the atmosphere.
Bring your own refreshments – tea and coffee provided.
And while you are there, have a look at the Kitty Milroy murals.
This Sunday at 11am at St Mark’s, we say goodbye to our much-loved Rector and her husband, Lesley and Alan Crawley, who are retiring after 12 years in the Parish of Badshot Lea and Hale. Everyone is invited to their final service followed by a lunch. The Bishop of Dorking will preside and preach.
We will miss you Lesley and Alan. God bless you in this next stage of your lives.
Your February magazine is out now. Inside you will find a farewell to Lesley and Alan, news about the vacancy, events including our Snowman Drive – the seasonal equivalent of a beetle drive (well, it’s too cold for beetles) and a free Valentine’s Barn Dance. We also explore where Valentine’s Day comes from and what is this thing called love.
There’s also news about the latest Farnham Poetry Competition which the parish runs as part of the Farnham Literary Festival. This year the theme is friendship, so why not celebrate your friends and give it a go.
Don’t forget our wonderful advertisers while you are browsing. They help keep our magazine going, so please check them out, use them and support local businesses.
The Farnham Poetry Competition is returning, run once more by the parish as part of the Farnham Literary Festival which runs this year between March 1 and 10.
This year, the theme is friendship and adults and children alike are invited to write a poem on friendship: what it means to us, who our friends are, why we like them, why friends are important, anything to do with friendship.
There is a children’s competition, open to under-16s, and an adult one and all poems should be sent by email to poetry@badshotleaandhale.org or by post to Farnham Poetry Competition, St Mark’s Church, Alma Lane, Farnham, GU9 0LT, to arrive by 5pm on Friday, February 23.
The children’s poetry competition is being judged by poet Coral Rumble and the adult one by poet Linda Daruvala. The competition is free to enter and there will be prizes for the first prize-winners and runners-up in both categories. The winners will be announced at the poetry final evening on Saturday, March 9, at St Mark’s Church at 5pm, when there will also be an open mic for anyone to share their poetry, and the two judges will also perform their work.
Linda DaruvalaCoral Rumble
Stella Wiseman, who is leading the organisation of the competition, said: “We are so pleased to be running the competition again. There is a huge amount of talent out there exhibited by people of all ages and backgrounds and I am really looking forward to this year’s entries and to see what people make of the theme of friendship. We chose it because friendship is vital to our wellbeing. Humans are social beings and we need each other. I think this is something that lockdown emphasised for us all and we are still living with the effects of those months. So let’s celebrate friendship this year!
“We are delighted to have our old friend Coral Rumble back again to judge the under-16s entries and to welcome Linda Daruvala to judge the adults. They will both be performing at the poetry awards evening on March 9 at St Mark’s and are well worth seeing live.”
We’ve not seen much of the snow, but you can still create a snowman or two at our Snowman Drive at St George’s on Saturday, 24th February at 5.30pm.
This is a seasonal variation on a beetle drive and is a fun way to cheer up a dark winter evening. Create your snowman by rolling a die, then move move from table to table.
It’s £5 to enter, £2.50 children. Bring your own snacks and drinks. If you want a fish and chip supper this will be available for £10 but you must book ahead for this. Please also let us know if you are coming even if you don’t want supper as this will help us judge numbers. To book and/or order food, contact Kris by Wednesday, 21st February: warden.stgeorges@badshotleaandhale.org
Rt Rev’d Dr Christopher Herbert, former Bishop of St Albans, will be giving a talk at St John’s on Friday, January 19th at 7.30pm on ‘The life and times of Bishop Charles Sumner (1790-1874)’ and will be selling his new book there: Building Jerusalem – The Life and Times of Charles Sumner, Bishop of Winchester 1790-1874. Signed copies of the book will be available for £13.00 (cash or cheques only).
Charles Sumner founded both St John’s and St Mark’s and is buried at St John’s. Hale was in the Diocese of Winchester at the time that Charles Sumner was bishop. In fact, the Diocese of Guildford didn’t exist then, but was formed in 1927 from part of the Diocese of Winchester. Bishop Sumner lived in Farnham Castle and founded St John’s in 1844. He then gave land for St Mark’s to be built in 1883 as a daughter church of St John’s, and locals built the church using flints from the nearby common to build the walls.
Charles Sumner also founded Hale School in 1874 as the Bishop Sumner Anglican School.
Bishop Christopher Herbert was Vicar of The Bourne in Farnham between 1981 and 1990, then Archdeacon of Dorking until he was appointed Bishop of St Albans in 1995. He returned to Farnham when he retired in 2009 and he spends much of his time writing and lecturing.
Bishop Christopher has established himself as a respected and sought-after lecturer in the fields of Christian art, spirituality and the ethics of end-of-life care. In each of these areas he lectures across the UK and in Europe. He is a visiting Professor in Christian Ethics at the University of Surrey. The parish is fortunate to have him giving a lecture on Bishop Sumner, so book the date in your diary. To find out more, email news@badshotleaandhale.org or call 07842 761919.
Who exactly is Jesus? The Christmas season celebrates his birth of Jesus of Nazareth, but who was that Jesus and why is he so important that we remember him 2,000 years after his birth? This is the sort of question which will be raised in ‘Questioning Faith’, a series of five Wednesday evening discussions which will take place in Hale, starting on January 3rd.
Questioning Faith is being run by Lesley Crawley, and anyone who is interested is invited to come to The Rectory, 25 Upper Hale Road, each Wednesday at 7.30pm from January 3-31.
Anyone who has questions about God, the Christian faith, church, or anything about the meaning of life, is invited to join in for 90 minutes of discussion every Wednesday evening. The sort of questions raised on Questioning Faith courses include What about the problem of evil? How should we read the Bible; what kind of literature is it? What is faith? Why go to church? What is the nature of God? Who is Jesus? What is prayer?
No question is too small, too daft, or too controversial to ask, and everyone is welcome whatever their beliefs. After the course there will be the opportunity to be confirmed into the Anglican Church at Easter in Guildford Cathedral, though this is, of course, optional.
For further information about Questioning Faith contact Rev’d Lesley Crawley on 01252 820537.
Serving the Villages North of Farnham: Badshot Lea, Hale, Heath End & Weybourne
The Parish of Badshot Lea and Hale 