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Church Buildings, Coronavirus, Easter, Inclusion, News Releases

Happy Easter!

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Day 10:

Happy Easter from the Easter Bunny, Big-Sister-Who-Knows-A-Lot Bunny, A-Bit-Of-A-Worrier Bunny, Quite-Small Bunny, Smallest-Bunny-Of-All (very loudly) and, of course, the Chocolate Chicken.

May you know the blessing and hope of Christ this Easter!

Day 9:

Holy Saturday isn’t as sunny as Good Friday, but the bunnies still manage to get in a walk. Big-Sister-Who-Knows-A-Lot Bunny wants to show them the difference between a park and a recreation ground (which she is careful not to call a ‘rec’ for fear of getting Quite-Small Bunny’s hopes up).

“Wow! This is huge!” says A-Bit-Of-A-Worrier Bunny. “I hope we won’t get lost.”

“Don’t worry, I’m with you,” says the Easter Bunny. “And I know the way.”

“Look!” shouts Smallest-Bunny-Of-All. “We can climb the trees!”

It’s quite a long way up for their little legs, and A-Bit-Of-A-Worrier Bunny is, well, a bit of a worrier about whether they are safe, but from their tree they can see a long way.

“What’s that?” asks Quite-Small Bunny? “Down there on the ground?”

“It’s… it’s…” says Big-Sister-Who-Knows-A-Lot Bunny peering down. “I don’t know.”

“It’s the chocolate chicken!” yells Smallest-Bunny-Of-All.

And it is! The Easter Bunny is overjoyed to see her.

“Can I place an order for eggs?” she asks.

Day 8:

The bunnies are in a reflective mood. Before they tuck in to a hot cross bun (they are only little bunnies so they need only one between them), the Easter Bunny tells them a little bit about Good Friday.

“So Jesus showed everyone a different way and people didn’t like it, is that right?” asks Big-Sister-Who-Knows-A-Lot-And-Wants-To-Know-Even-More Bunny.

“That’s right,” says the Easter Bunny.

“What way was that?” asks A-Bit-Of-A-Worrier Bunny.

“It was a way of love,” says the Easter Bunny.

“Is that why our bun has a kiss on it?” asks Quite-Small Bunny.

The Easter Bunny gives him a hug.

Smallest-Bunny-Of-All hopes that the bun also has chocolate in it. Good thing the Easter Bunny can’t read her mind.

Day 7:

After yesterday’s confusion about ship wrecks and recreation grounds, the bunnies investigate the houses further and discover, to the delight of the children at least, that there is another playground.

“Just a short play,” says the Easter Bunny, “I want to go to the Maundy Thursday service this evening.”

“Evening is years away!” says Quite-Small Bunny.

“No, it’s only a few hours away,” Big-Sister-Who-Knows-A-Lot Bunny corrects him.

“Whose going to baby-bunnysit us when you go to the service?” asks A-Bit-Of-A-Worrier Bunny.

“The chocolate chicken can!” shouts Smallest-Bunny-Of-All from her high perch.

‘If only,’ thinks the Easter Bunny.

Day 6:

The Easter Bunny and her family investigate what else there is near the church they found yesterday. There seem to be lots of houses and people, some of them playing games, and this all makes A-Bit-Of-A-Worrier Bunny, well, worried.

“Supposing they don’t like bunnies,” he says.

“Everyone was very welcoming at church when we went on Sunday, weren’t they?” says the Easter Bunny. “And there’s plenty of space in all these big green fields.”

“They are recreation grounds,” says Big-Sister-Who-Knows-A-Lot Bunny. “Or you can call them ‘recs’.”

“I want to see the rec, I want to see the rec!” says Quite-Small Bunny. “There might be lost treasure.”

It takes the Easter Bunny a while to realise that he thinks he is going to see a ship wreck.

To cheer him up she promises them all ice cream.

“Can I have a chocolate flake in my ice cream?” asks Smallest-Bunny-Of-All.

That reminds the Easter Bunny of a problem. Just where is that chocolate chicken?

Day 5:

It’s a beautiful day and the Easter Bunny takes her family for a walk, this time to another part of north Farnham where she has seen another church.

“It’s a lovely place to live,” she tells them as she leads the way down the road.

“Can we have a burrow in one of the parks here?” asks Quite-Small Bunny.

“They are recreation grounds,” says Big-Sister-Who-Knows-A-Lot Bunny. “The park is a very big area over there,” she says, waving a paw in what she hopes might be the right direction, as she doesn’t always know quite as much as she makes out (shh! don’t tell anyone).

“A big park might be a bit too big for little bunnies,” worries A-Bit-Of-A-Worrier Bunny.

“I don’t mind, as long as there are flowers and playgrounds,” says Smallest-Bunny-Of-All . He scampers off into a clump of daffodils.

“I also want to live somewhere where there are chocolate eggs!” he calls.

That reminds the Easter Bunny of a problem…

Day 4:

There has been a disagreement about what to do today. Big-Sister-Who-Knows-A-Lot Bunny wants to study the spring flowers for a school project.

Smallest-Bunny-Of-All wants to visit the playground.

A-Bit-Of-A-Worrier Bunny doesn’t like disagreements and is feeling a bit upset.

Thankfully Quite-Small Bunny has a solution: “Let’s do both.”

The Easter Bunny thinks that this might give her a greater chance of finding a chocolate chicken.

Bunnies in the playground

Day 3:

It’s Palm Sunday and the Easter Bunny and her family want to go to church.

“Here’s the door,” says Quite-Small Bunny.

“Will we be allowed? We’re not like most of the people here,” says A-Bit-Of-A-Worrier Bunny.

For once Big-Sister-Who-Knows-A-Lot Bunny turns to her mother for the answer.

“Of course,” says the Easter Bunny, “this is a church where everyone is welcomed, whoever we are.”

“Come on in,” says the vicar, “you are very welcome.”

The Easter Bunny hopes that a chocolate chicken has also found her way here.

During the service a small voice can he heard singing ‘Sleeping bunnies’. It’s Smallest-Bunny-Of-All’s favourite song.

Day 2:

The Easter Bunny and her family stop off for a rest on a park bench.

“Where are all the people?” asks Quite-Small Bunny.

“They are having to stay inside and keep safe because of Covid,” says Big-Sister-Who-Knows-A-Lot Bunny.

“Do we have to do that?” asks A-Bit-Of-A-Worrier Bunny.

“We’re bunnies, it’s OK,” says Big-Sister-Who-Knows-A-Lot Bunny.

“Can we go and play in the park?” asks Smallest-Bunny-Of-All.

Meanwhile the Easter Bunny is considering the journey ahead. She doesn’t seem to be as fit as she used to be. Maybe she has spent too much time watching TV and eating biscuits during lockdown.

Also, she still hasn’t solved the problem of the chocolate chicken.

Day 1:

The Easter Bunny and her family are off. They are making their way around the parish, heading for church on Easter Sunday.

But where are they today? And why are they? Who exactly is the Easter Bunny?

Well, since you ask, the Easter Bunny has been investigating her family history and so far has got back to her Great-great-great-great-great-great-and-quite-a-few-more-Grandad in the middle of Europe in the 17th century when he used to carry eggs in a basket to give children at Easter.

“We don’t have to lay the eggs ourselves do we?” asks A-Bit-Of-A-Worrier Bunny.
“Don’t be silly, bunnies don’t lay eggs,” says Big-Sister-Who-Knows-A-Lot Bunny.
“Will we have to ask the chickens for eggs?” asks Quite-Small Bunny.
“Let’s give them chocolate eggs!” says Smallest-Bunny-Of-All.

The Easter Bunny tries to remember whether she knows any chocolate chickens.

Belief, Bible, Easter, Lent

Easter Drama and Reflections

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Every day from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday we will be posting extracts from our Easter drama, Company on the Road, written by Mary Gibson, here on the website and also on social media. Each evening we will post some questions to reflect on, along with the video.

Today is Palm Sunday.

https://videopress.com/v/7oRQ5jer?preloadContent=metadata

The story of Jesus’ last week is told by his friends, disciples, bystanders and other key witnesses, from his entry into Jerusalem on a donkey, to his death and the Resurrection on Easter Sunday.

Follow the story here and find us on social media:

Instagram – @badshotlea_hale
Twitter – @B_Lea_and_Hale
Facebook – @badshotleaandhale

Giving and Fundraising, St John's Church

Cycling virtually end to end for the Church and Dementia research

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Farnham man Paul Eggleton (pictured below) has started his ‘cycle ride’ from John O’Groats to Land’s End to raise money for both the parish and Alzheimer’s Society, but without leaving his house.

On April 1 he started the ‘journey’ on his exercise bike, ‘travelling’ about 20 km a day, so the 1,550km will take him approximately 10 weeks. Today, April 11, he reached Dingwall and will be in Inverness tomorrow.

He was also on the radio this morning, talking to Emily Jeffery of BBC Radio Surrey, and you can hear him at 3:45:45 here:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p09c8k8y

This is a peculiarly lockdown-style fundraising event. Paul says: “I started to use an exercise bike and thought this would be a good way of getting fit and raising money for charity, as we can’t actually get out and do much at the moment.

“I chose the two charities because I see Alzheimer’s as one of the biggest challenges for an aging population and finding a cure would immeasurably improve life for older people, and the St John’s Church tower has crumbling stonework which comes from being nearly 200 years old. It’s a lovely north Farnham landmark and we want to preserve it.”

Paul has set up a fundraising page and will divide all the money raised between Alzheimer’s Society and the fund for restoring the tower at St John’s. To make a donation visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/paul-eggleton-1

He is also tracking his progress on Twitter (https://twitter.com/EndVirtual).

Children and Youth, Coronavirus, St John's Church

Farnham Heath End reflects at St John’s

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This week we welcomed students from Farnham Heath End School to St John’s on the National Day of Reflection on March 23, when they tied ribbons in the churchyard and lit candles in the church in memory of all the people who have died in the past year and in support of those who have been bereaved.

Eight students visited the church on behalf of all students in the secondary school on the day which marked the first anniversary of lockdown.

Leo, a year eight student, said: “It is important to remember that this disease has claimed so many lives and left so many families distraught. I don’t know if we took all the right actions to minimise the loss of life. If this was ever to happen again we should remember these times and try to learn from them.”

Dan Conquer, assistant principal at the school, said: “A year ago we could not have comprehended the loss of life on the scale we have seen and so many families affected. Our students were very reflective as we all considered the events of the past year. Being at the church was a really poignant opportunity to mark that. Our thanks go to St John’s for organising this event.”

St John’s was also open for the three days from March 21 to 23 so that people could visit to tie ribbons on the trees and light candles inside in memory of those who have died.

Guest Blog

Live-stream your event

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Coronavirus, Pastoral Care, Prayer, Services, St George's Church, St John's Church, St Mark's Church

Yellow ribbons and prayer for National Day of Reflection

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A National Day of Reflection is taking place on March 23, the anniversary of the start of the first lockdown. The parish is marking the day by offering special services on the Sunday before – March 21.

At the services there will be a chance to reflect on the year and in particular to remember those who have died during the past 12 months. There will be prayers and yellow ribbons for people to tie in the churchyards in memory of those who have died. Many who have lost a friend or family member will not have been able to attend the funeral service, making the process of grieving more difficult.

Lesley Crawley said: “On March 23 it will be a year since the start of the first lockdown. We had no idea then how tough it would be or that a year on we would be in our third national lockdown.

“It has been a time of great anxiety and for many great grief as they have lost family and friends and may not even have been able to attend their funerals. The church is there to offer support and one way is through our services which we hold both in person in the churches – we have Covid regulations in place – and online. You don’t have to believe in God to come in and seek peace and comfort – the church is for everyone.”

The church services on March 21 will be at St John’s, Hale, at 9.30am, St George’s, Badshot Lea, at 10am and St Mark’s, Upper Hale, at 11am. There will also be a service on the website from 9am.

Art, Children and Youth, Coronavirus

The Poems and the results: The Farnham Lockdown Poetry Festival

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Thank you to everyone who entered the Farnham Lockdown Poetry Festival. We had 56 entries from adults and children alike, with ages ranging from eight to 80+ and lots of strong feelings about the struggles of lockdown, but also the togetherness and the hope that people have found, despite all the difficulties.

The poems are available to download here:

Lockdown Poetry Festival

and a video of some of the poems being read is available below. Also, though it was almost impossible to choose between the poems, a decision was finally made and the Mayor of Farnham announced the winners in the video.

The winning poems are:

Adults

Winner

Two Lockdowns A Lifetime Apart

The Second World War began when I was just four
The Coventry Blitz was like a firestorm from hell
Later that week I burst into tears when I saw
My toy shop Owen Owen was a burnt out shell 

Rationing, conscription and lights blackened at night
This was a long lockdown lasting almost six years 
Countless houses and buildings laid waste was our plight
Near half a million deaths left many in tears

Seventy-five years later in twenty-twenty
Few people can claim they saw what was now coming 
A virus takes hold to disrupt years of plenty
As it spreads round the world the I-phones are humming

This invisible virus now needed a plan
The instinct in shock is to gather together
But to widespread dismay a new lockdown began
Keep two metres apart at all times wherever

With deaths quickly rising and restrictions imposed
Stay at home, avoid friends and even relations 
All but food shops were shuttered and schools were all closed
Wedding parties were banned and all celebrations

I worry my age group holds the country in thrall
We are lucky to have lived so long to this age
It is we who must be careful and should now call
For the economy to be let out of its cage

Being twice locked down it is all but in tatters
The outlook for young people is truly blighted
Surely for their sakes alone all that now matters
Is that their futures be quickly reignited

John Littlewood

Runner up:

Love Your Neighbour As Yourself

Love Your Neighbour as Yourself,
through screen or window, darkly.
Muffled, crackled, frozen. ’Help!’
‘Can you hear me?’ Hardly.

Love Your Neighbour as Yourself,
through greying hair and slowing hours.
Dull repetition, same old heft,
grace of God in breeze or showers.

Love Your Neighbour as Yourself,
but what means as and how fares Self?
We are God’s hands but when My Self,
when love poured out soon threatens Self?

Love Your Neighbour as Yourself,
when sacrifice is hellish hard.
Exhaustion beckons, ‘Pain! Now quell!’
and chaos reigns in your backyard.

Love Your Neighbour as Yourself,
wash the bodies, dig the graves.
Tender care the greatest wealth,
tears of love for all they gave.

Love Your Neighbour as Yourself,
desist from posting online hate.
Don’t bully, scam or hurt by stealth,
or suicide might be their fate.

Love Your Neighbour as Yourself,
when home-penned folk cry out in pain.
When tempers flare, without behest,
‘When will we see our friends again?’

Love Yourself as Neighbour, Blessed,
when out of work graph rises steep.
Everyone needs better, best,
for damaged mental health wounds, deep.

Love Yourself as Neighbour, Blessed,
vaccines roll out to the people.
Schools return and wedding guests,
bells will ring from tower or steeple.

Love Yourself as Neighbour, Blessed,
pubs reopen, shops restock.
Meet with friends and family,’ Yes!!’,
hugs, kisses, treats, as doors unlock.

Love Yourself as Neighbour, Blessed,
when loved ones’ deaths have maimed you.
Remember humour, chuckling chest,
tearful teas and talk refold you.


Love Yourself as Neighbour, Blessed,
Please keep the distance, wear the mask.
Do take the vaccine, take the test,
washing hands not much to ask.

Love Yourself as Neighbour, Blessed,
make time to think and time to rest.
Properly to think ‘No stress!’
how love of Self confers the best.

Love Yourself as Neighbour, Blessed,
clamouring calls you can resist.
Your self-care struggle now confessed,
put Your needs first in To Do list.

Wendy Edwards

Children:

Winner

A Lockdown Poem

Schools have closed
Working from home
Missing family and friends
Will this ever end?
Doing lots of calls
Kitchens into school
Whether it’s computer or phone
Everything happened at home
Clapping for heroes
Rainbows on the windows
Watching the news
Feeling confused
People staying in
Why is that a thing?
Having lots of bubbles
Missing lots of cuddles
Staying with your household 
If it’s hot or cold
Lots of things have stopped
Many bubbles have popped
But we’re staying safe at home
And are never really alone.

Matilda Bowden (9)

Runner-up

Coronavirus

Coronavirus has wrecked all of our lives
Oh how I wish I could punch it
Rage takes over me and I cannot control it|
On the inside I have pain
Now is the time we fight
Anger is the only feeling I can feel
Vans with deliveries come by, wishing us luck
I had covid and I don’t want it to come back        
Run, for covid is here
Understand me please I can’t take this pain anymore
Stand with me, we will defeat it together

Elsie Howard (8)

Services, St George's Church, St John's Church, St Mark's Church

Mothering Sunday

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Everyone is welcome at our Mothering Sunday services this Sunday – March 14.

There will be services in each of the churches – and daffodils for mothers and other special women in our lives – as well as online.

The services in the churches are at 9.30am at St John’s, Hale; 10am at St George’s, Badshot Lea; and 11am at St Mark’s. The services are Covid secure, but please follow all guidelines.

An online service will be here from 9am and on Facebook from 10am.

Mothering Sunday is not just about mothers but about the love of God too, as Lesley Crawley explains: “Mothering Sunday is a chance to say a special thank-you to mothers, grandmothers and other important women in our lives who have given us love and support. It also reminds us that we have a loving God who cares for us more deeply than we can ever begin to imagine.”