The Easter Bunny and her family are on the move, making their way around the parish.
Every day between now and Easter Sunday they will be in a different place. Keep an eye out for them and let us know where you think they are.
Easter Drama and Reflections
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.
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
Cycling virtually end to end for the Church and Dementia research
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).
Farnham Heath End reflects at St John’s
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.
Adventurers – Palm Sunday
A story about Palm Sunday from Anne Boyman:
Have you been following the bible stories and activities online during the last year? Are you aged between 7and 11? Maybe you’d like to join the Adventurers group when we are finally able to meet again. We meet on Tuesdays during term time at the St Marks Centre from 5.30-7.00.
We enjoy stories, games, craft activities and cooking. You would be very welcome. See you there!
Anne
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Tie Ribbons in the Churchyards For the National Day of Reflection
The 23rd March is a National Day of Reflection, marking a year since the first lockdown. St John’s church will be open for prayer on the 22nd and 23rd and the bell will toll at midday on the 23rd. Please come and tie ribbons of any colour in the churchyards of St John’s, Hale, St Mark’s Upper Hale and St George’s, Badshot Lea in solidarity with the millions of people who are grieving.
Taizé Service – 21st March
Tonight’s Taizé service:
National Day of Reflection
Today we are commemorating a year since all the lockdowns started with a National Day of Reflection. First, here are the notices:
Notices
Giving
Please Give to our Ministry This church relies on donations to provide care and support to everyone in this community. Now more than ever, please consider giving generously to support our mission and ministry by clicking the button above. Thank you for your support.National Day of Reflection
A National Day of Reflection is taking place on March 23, the anniversary of the start of the first lockdown. Please feel free to tie ribbons in the three churchyards to reflect on the year we have had and in solidarity with those who are grieving. St John’s church will be open for prayer on both the 22nd and the 23rd and on the 23rd the bell will toll at midday.Services
Morning Service
Evening Service
Yellow ribbons and prayer for National Day of Reflection
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.
The Parish of Badshot Lea and Hale 