Art doesn’t just stop because our world is locked down.
Artists create art and art breaks free from boundaries. Art is unlimited.
And right now, art is more important than ever. Sadly we are unable to meet regularly at the moment, but that doesn’t stop us from making art.
As soon as our churches re-open, I will be accepting your artwork for our display in St Mark’s, but in the meantime, we are going online – “unlimited”!
Unlimited – open to all (and all means all, not just St Mark’s folk). Mixed ability, mixed ages, mixed backgrounds …. Paintings, drawings, photos, collages, sculpture, mixed media – visual art …
you’re an artist if you are an artist
So what are you waiting for?
Our current theme is Christmas Carols
Simply illustrate your favourite carol and in a couple of lines tell us why you have chosen this and what it means to you. Perhaps you have happy memories of singing the carol, perhaps it almost paints itself just through the words.
Photograph your work and send it to me: LLM Lesley: My email is llmlesley@badshotleaandhale.org
Include a few lines about why you have chosen this carol and we will have an online gallery.
There will be a display of the artwork in St Mark’s as soon as our churches re-open – and all being well, our first service is on 6 December, so why not bring your art along.
Closing date for email receipt of photographs is
Sunday, 13 December, so get creating!
Wednesday Service – 18th November
Wrap up Farnham
Have you got an unwanted coat? It’s now easy to pass it on to someone in need, thanks to the ‘Wrap Up Farnham’ initiative just launched by Farnham Maltings.
The idea is to gather unwanted or unused coats and distribute them to those most in need.
There will be a drop-off point for donated coats at the Maltings from Wednesday, November 25 to Friday, November 27, 10am-4pm, after which volunteers will check the quality before placing them in quarantine.
Coats must:
- be warm and good quality (no light summer jackets)
- be fully cleaned
- have all their buttons or a working zipper
- be something that someone would want to wear
The Maltings has linked up with a number of charities who will collect the coats and distribute them among those in need, including families, older people, those sheltering from domestic abuse and those who are homeless.
If you are a charity who would like to receive coats to pass onto someone in need then please get in touch with Erin Beesley: erin.beesley@farnhammaltings.com at the Maltings.
Further details are available here.
Join our online Christmas tree festival
The Christmas lights are on in Farnham, two houses across the road from my house have their decorations up; it must be time for a Christmas Tree Festival.
This year we can’t hold or take part in standard Christmas Tree Festivals so we’ve decided to go online. We are inviting local individuals, families, groups, schools, charities, churches and businesses to take part by creating a Christmas tree and displaying it in our online Christmas Tree Festival which will be here on the website from December 1st-14th.
All you have to do is send us a picture of a Christmas tree, decorated as you wish, and include something about yourself, your school, business, organisation, charity, church – whatever or whoever your tree is representing and we will display these on our website during the first two weeks of December.
It’s free for charities, churches and schools, and there is a minimal charge for commercial businesses as we are raising funds for the church’s work in north Farnham.
It’s a perfect opportunity for you to tell people about what you do and get your message out there. Our website visitors come from both the local area and as far away as the USA and China and so far this month the website has had more than 9,000 views.
We will also promote our festival on social media through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Not sure what Christmas tree to display? We have a few you can use.
To find out more and take part, contact Stella Wiseman, news@badshotleaandhale.org
Happy Christmas Trees!
Taizé – 15th November
Tonight’s Taizé service:
Sunday Services – 15th November
Today we are celebrating the 2nd Sunday before Advent. Below are the services and the bishop’s sermon. First here are the notices:
Notices
Good News
At a recent consultation Alfie Davies who we have been praying for (Peter Davies’ grandson) was told he is fully in remission – cancer free! They will keep an eye on him over the next five years. Alfie can look forward to leading a normal life. The family would like to thank us for our prayers.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.Magazine
The November issue of our parish magazine is now online with lots inside. Download it by clicking on the green button here:Services
All-Age:
More Traditional:
Sermons
Bishop Andrew’s Sermon
Light, rain and beacons of hope across town
Eight beacons shone out through the rainy skies across Farnham tonight.
The beacons, provided by Farnham Town Council, shone from Badshot Lea, Rowledge, Wrecclesham, The Bourne, Farnham Castle, Central Farnham and Lower and Upper Hale where they were placed in the grounds of St John’s and St Mark’s.
Their lighting marked the beginning of the Christmas season in Farnham and the switching on of the Christmas lights across the town.
The beacons were warmly received across town with typical comments on social media being ‘heart-warming’, ‘beautiful’, ‘fabulous’, ‘amazing’. One man who turned up at St Mark’s took a selfie with the light and explained that he was doing so at all eight.
Towards the end the skies cleared and stars appeared and the evening felt just a little hopeful in this difficult year.
Art and craft fair – shop Now for Christmas Gifts
Welcome to our online art and craft fair, displaying the talent of individuals and small businesses. There’s a huge range here, from illustrations to felt booties, cards to crochet, jewellery, candles, t-shirts, knitting, cushions, bunting, jam, decorations, flowers, ceramics, mosaics, frames, gin…
It’s an ideal way to do your Christmas shopping and support small businesses. Just browse through the pages here – click on the links to take you to the ones you want – and contact the maker direct. There are contact details on every page.
Thank you to everyone who is taking part here. Happy shopping!
Ahmadiyya Muslim Association
Gifts: candles, cards, prints, crochet and knitting
Anna Londei
All that sparkles is Anna Londei with customised clothing
Ash Brockwell
Multimedia Art from transmasculine artivist Ash Brockwell
Aspen Crafts
Cards, coasters, bags, prints and more with an animal theme
Badshot Lea and Hale
The parish’s own stall with Christmas craft and tasty treats
Chris and Co
Mugs, coasters and greeting cards, all made locally
Crafty Marvel Boutique
Upcycled bowling balls, mosaics and ceramics, sold for charity
Csilla Bedy
Crochet creations and essential oils for happiness and wellbeing
Dannie’s Christmas Crafts
Handmade Christmas cards and decorations plus personalised gifts
Dixie and Joy Lettering
Hand-drawn and hand-lettered cards and prints.
Emily Collard Illustration
Art inspired by nature
Finn and Fern
Nordic boho-style macrame home decor and jewellery
Gifts with Bethany
Creativity and colour from a young Textiles graduate
Gloímoí Skin Care
A solution to dry skin with these soft, soothing creams
20% off until December 30th.
HD Watercolour
Pet portraits, family keepsakes, lovely watercolours and acrylics.
Honey Badger Prints
Custom clothing for you and your little ones
Joyful Makes
Handmade craft from recycled material. All for charity.
Kat Giannini
Animal art and pet commissions, cards and bio-friendly wrapping paper.
Mews Gin
Local gin distiller Mews Gin has a range of exciting new gins including London Dry, Rhubarb and Honeyberry Gin.
Mind Your Bonce
Hats, made in Farnham but worn around the world
Monty and the Walrus
High quality fine art prints
Nibbs Gin
Small batch artisan gin from the Surrey/Sussex borders
Personalised Frames by Julie
Bespoke frames which make personalised gifts
Popolo Ceramico
Personalised ceramic gifts and keepsakes
Pretty Practical
Personalised gifts and practical items
Pure Glass
Handmade glass and sterling silver jewellery made in Farnham.
QF Designs
Handmade jewellery made with love, fire and a lot of hammering.
Rene’s Blankets
Not just blankets but bags, decorations and gifts, crocheted and knitted for charity
Resin Expectations
Using the versatile material resin to decorate boxes, clocks, keyrings, and jewellery
Sarah Metcalfe
A Minecraft duvet set to thrill any young fan
Sherlock & Sons
Artisan gins from a quintessentially English distillery
Shirley Watson Design
Individual pieces from a local lino printmaker
The Squirrel Collective
With colourful gloves and letters from Father Christmas, Christmas is covered.
St Clare’s at the Cathedral
Beautiful gifts and cards, innovative worship resources and church supplies.
Steph Lovell Flowers
Contemporary floral designs from a young florist
Susie Lidstone
Local scenes and floral art from one of Farnham’s most popular artists
Tropic
Vegan, cruelty-free make-up and skin care products which support education across the globe.
Usborne Books
Plenty to keep the children occupied with a huge selection of books for youngsters.
Written on my Heart
Embroidery to cheer the soul.
Praying throughout Lockdown
If you have heard the bells ringing every evening since the start of lockdown Mark Two, at St John’s, Hale, and St George’s, Badshot Lea, and have wondered what is going on, the answer is that this is part of a call to prayer.
The archbishops and bishops are calling on everyone to pray at 6pm every day throughout lockdown and churches each to ring a single bell at the same time.
The archbishops wrote: “Bearing in mind our primary vocation as the Church of Jesus Christ to pray and to serve we call upon the Church of England to make this month of lockdown a month of prayer. More than anything else, whatever the nation thinks, we know that we are in the faithful hands of the risen Christ who knows our weaknesses, tiredness and struggles and whose steadfast love endures for ever.
“Above all we recall people to some of the fundamental spiritual disciplines that shape our Christian life. How we do this is up to each congregation and clergy person. We will publish resources to support you… During the first lockdown we cheered for the NHS every Thursday. During this second lockdown we invite you to fast in a way appropriate to you as well as pray for our nation every Thursday, for its leaders, its health and essential services and all those who suffer.”
Resources can be found here and there is a printable prayer booklet available too.
St John’s is also open for private prayer on Thursdays and Sundays, and St George’s on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Beacons of Light and Hope
The night sky will be lit up across Farnham this Saturday by beacons which will shine out from 5-8.30pm from eight places across the town, including St John’s and St Mark’s Churches.
The lights will sweep across the sky from Badshot Lea, Weybourne, Upper Hale, Rowledge, Wrecclesham, The Bourne, Farnham Castle and Central Farnham and will mark the beginning of the Christmas season in Farnham.
During the shining of the beacons, the switching on of the Christmas lights in the town centre and surrounding neighbourhoods, will also take place.
The beacons are being staged by Farnham Town Council to represent the coming together of the Farnham community during 2020 and hopes for a brighter 2021.
Councillor Alan Earwaker, the council’s lead member for tourism and events, said: “COVID may stop us inviting residents to the town centre to see an official Christmas lights switch-on this year but let us bring the lights to you. Wherever you live in Farnham or nearby villages, we hope you will be able to see at least one of our searchlights in the sky. Come out to your doorsteps to see them – and give your neighbours a wave too if you can.”
Picture by Casey Horner on Unsplash
The Parish of Badshot Lea and Hale 