Art, Social Events, St Mark's Church

Arts at St Marks…

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…how it all came about

 

There’s something creative happening in Upper Hale.  Our friends Dave and Helena took one look at St Mark’s and declared that it would be just the place for art workshops and an exhibition.

Musicians had been playing for Sunday worship for a while and there have been concerts held in the past to raise fund for Emily (the organ), to socialise and generally to make music for the pleasure it brings.

I love all kinds of music, but since I have been licensed as a lay minister, I have been wanting to share the variety of religious songs, gospel music and folk hymns; and may be to see if I could put them together into a completely musical service.

Creativity was bubbling up throughout our parish and I am not sure who first thought, “We could have a festival to celebrate all of this”, but the idea took hold.  People offered time and expertise, musicians looked through their repertoire to select the right pieces and suddenly, it is all taking shape very quickly.

Perhaps in years to come, when Arts at St Mark’s has grown to the size of Glastonbury or Edinburgh, people will wonder how it all started, but it really was just the spark of creativity which lit up simultaneously in a group of friends and the desire to make it happen for our neighbourhood.

Lesley Shatwell

Art, St Mark's Church

Reflecting on Art

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 Over the August Bank Holiday weekend Alan and I always attend a Christian Arts and Music Festival called ‘Greenbelt’. The festival attracts people from all over the country to meet in a field in Northamptonshire, I think there were about 18000 of us this year. The festival inspires me and challenges me, it reinvigorates me and is the place where I most experience the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. Come with us next year!!

This year I attended a workshop led by St Martin-in-the-fields which was all about reflecting on art. The piece that we looked at was ‘Christ before the High Priest’ by Gerrit van Honthorst.  In the centre is a lighted candle and to the left is a seated Caiaphas pointing his finger accusingly at Jesus, who is standing to the right of the picture, calm and composed. The text that the painting is based upon is found in Matthew 26:57-75.

As we reflected on the painting we were asked a series of questions and I found myself drawn to the image of Jesus, who was bearing so many false accusations and also bearing the anger of the people in the room. I know that I expect God to be able to bear my anger and put up with my false accusations. Particularly when I am tired and hurt I end up accusing God of not being there for me or not caring enough.

We were asked who we identify with in the picture and I found myself identifying with Jesus, as my experience is that people are often angry with me and I too have to bear false accusations. Is I looked at the calmness of Jesus in this situation I wondered whether this is a ministry that we sometimes have to offer to others…. The ability to bear the anger and false accusations of others whilst remaining calm and caring.

I found the experience profound and thought this workshop might be something that we can do in the parish. We might be able to reflect together on art and find that it moves us forward in our spiritual journeys. So I am hoping that I will be able to get a group together to do this in Advent. Perhaps it is something you are interested in? If so contact me – revd.lesley@badshotleaandhale.org or 01252 820537.

Lesley Crawley

Social Events, St Mark's Church

Apple Day

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Come and celebrate the fruits of our community orchard from 10:00 until 11:00am on 1st October at St Mark’s. We have a juicer so if you would like to turn your apples into juice then bring apples that are in good condition, washed and picked from the tree along with clean two litre plastic milk cartons including the lid to put the juice in. We will be having some entertainment including apple tasting and apple-y music (and possibly dance). If that isn’t enough apply-ness there will be pancakes with apple filling to eat! Afterwards, you are welcome to stay for the 11am service if you wish.

Social Events, St Mark's Church

Informal Festival Service – Sunday 22nd October, 11am

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At St Mark’s Church on 22nd October there will be a special Festival Service at 11am. By this time we should have a highly decorated church as the output of the workshops will be on display! The service will be led by Lesley Shatwell. As she is a lay minister, it won’t be a communion service. However, it will be highly unusual, if not unique, in that it will be almost entirely a sung service, including the Gospel reading and sermon! We will make sure the melodies are accessible to all – no weird phrasing or unusual cadences designed to catch the uninitiated. The Music can be found here.

We will finish with a bring and share lunch. All welcome.

Total A4

Social Events, St Mark's Church

Music and Art Workshops – Saturday 21st October

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At St Mark’s Church, Upper Hale there will be workshops in the morning 10 – 12:30 and the afternoon 2 – 4:30. We’re still finalising the times and contents, but there will be a come-all-ye music workshop where musicians of any standard and any instrument are welcome to come along and join in. There will also be a singing workshop, run by Veronica (Nonny) Tabbush, an experienced choir leader who has organised choirs in Aldershot and Bordon. She presently lives in the Bristol area and runs choirs there.

There will be painting and arts and crafts workshops, possibly with photography and stone masonry. We will also be re-drawing the map of Hale.Workshops A4

Social Events, St Mark's Church

Ceilidh – Saturday 21st October, 7-10

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Saturday night ceilidh 7 – 10pm at St Mark’s Church, Upper Hale, GU9 0LT.

The band will be the one that plays for the annual Candlemas barn dance at St Georges, with Kris Lawrence as caller. There could also be a variable number of additional musicians, as those attending the workshop during the day will be welcome to sit in with us. We will also hopefully have a performance from the choir workshop and displays of art and photography generated during the day.

Ceilidh A4

St John's Church

Civic Service at St John’s

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On the 10th of September, St John’s Church, Hale was the venue for the Civic Service for Farnham Town Mayor, Councillor Michael Hodge.

The service was attended by Mike’s family, friends, fellow mayors and community representatives. During the service Mike Hodge committed to serve the people of Farnham to the best of his ability during his year in office.

‘Serving others’ was the theme of the afternoon which the Reverend Hannah Moore explored in her address stating, “it is through service that we either discover our vocation or fulfil it as we stop focusing on our self and start to focus on the needs around us.”

After the formal service, Mayor Hodge said, “I would like to thank everybody who came to the civic service. My thanks also go to the Reverends Hannah Moore and Michael Hopkins, the organist, the choir and everybody else who contributed towards the success of the service.” Reverend Hannah Moore added her thanks to those of Mr Hodge commenting “it was an honour and a privilege for St John’s to host the Civic Service as it provided the Parish of Badshot Lea and Hale with another opportunity to play it’s part within the Farnham community.”

Reverend Hannah Moore will continue to serve the Mayor during his year in office as she acts as his Chaplain. When asked what this role entails she commented, “it means being available to be a listening ear for the Mayor, should he need it during the year and occasionally leading prayers at the Town Council meetings.”

After the service, canapes and refreshments were served from the Sumner Room, which was named after Bishop Charles Sumner, the former Bishop of Winchester and founder of St John’s Church.

Belief

Beyond Belief

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We will be reading “The Orthodox Heretic“, by Peter Rollins as our next book at Beyond Belief.  We will be meeting on 11th October and 15th November and other dates to be arranged at 7:30pm at a location to be arranged!  If you are interested in joining us please contact Alan.

This is a book of modern parables, all with a twist!

Pete himself reads them here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vY8UEaIJAN0., here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flaT8wKkDlo and here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCLDMMA6Sw0.

 

 

Serving the Villages North of Farnham: Badshot Lea, Hale, Heath End & Weybourne