Welcome to the April magazine from the Parish. Inside you will find poetry, an obituary of Rev’d John Innes, news about St George’s Day and St Mark’s Day, St Gertrude, prayer, what’s on, the Church Cat, and much more, including our advertisers without whom it would be hard to publish the magazine. Please do check them out and use their services.
Happy reading!
The Farnham Poetry Competition, part of the Farnham Literary Festival, attracted more than 120 entries from across the country, all writing on the theme of Friendship.
The oldest entrant, whom we know about at least, was 96, the youngest was just four and, once again, we were awed by the talent and creativity of the entrants.
There were two categories: Under-16s, judged by poet Coral Rumble, and adults, judged by poet Linda Daruvala, and the results are:
Under-16. Highly Commended:
Emily Teuten – My Big Sister
Peggy Wingham – My love recipe
Sienna Law and Tilly Wild – Friendship is something no-one can take
Bea Timewell – You and I are sun and moon
Zahra Rafiq – A poem of friendship
Hugo De Gruchy Webster – Friends are big, friends are small
Scarlett Harwick and Bella Lister – Friendship is like nature
Charlotte Keleher – One thing can change the world
Zoran Stimson – True friends, Always disagree
Dolcie Jennings – I am Dolcie and I am 4
Third prize: Emily Tarrant – Peapods
Second prize: Salimata Gassama – Fractured Bonds
Winner: Jet Pariera-Jenks – Digital Friendships
To read the top three prize-winners, click here.
Adults:
Highly Commended
Vinnie McGuire – Locked In A Van
Kate Kennington Steer – Visitation
Elly Jones – Exactly What She Deserves
Victoria D’Cruz – Artistic Licence
Ella Zubeidi – Adrift
Lisette Abrahams – Marking The Miles
Vicky Lowe – A Solitary Word
Third Prize: Kay Wadham – Farewell
Second Prize: Liz Kendall – She’s Never Seen The Mummy
Winner: Nicole Coward – These Are The Women
To read the top three prize-winners, click here.
Thank you to all our entrants and look out for further information about poetry at St Mark’s Church soon.
We’ll be holding our Easter Craft Market on Saturday, March 16th, at St Mark’s Church, Alma Lane, from 10am-2pm.
There will be loads of lovely stalls – from candles to clocks, jumpers to jewels, cards to crafty bits – along with refreshments, live music and an Easter Egg hunt!
If you are a crafter who wants to sell your work, please get in touch as we have a few spaces left. Tables are just £12.50 each. You can find out more here or email craft@badshotleaandhale.org or call us on 07842761919.
Sunday, March 10th is Mothering Sunday and there will be special services in all of the churches:
9.30am: St John’s, Hale;
10am: St George’s, Badshot Lea;
11am: St Mark’s, Upper Hale.
Everyone is welcome as we give thanks for all those who care and protect us. There will be refreshments and posies for everyone.
The day dates back to medieval England, and was once the time when people returned to their ‘mother church’ in their hometown during Lent. This allowed people to reconnect with their families and take a break from their daily routines. The idea was to encourage family connections and encourage them to focus on God during this time. Over time, Mothering Sunday became intertwined with the Christian liturgical calendar, and it was seen as a day to honour the Virgin Mary, often referred to as the ‘Mother of the Church’, recognising her role as Christ’s mother and a symbol of divine compassion and grace.
In modern times, Mothering Sunday in the Church of England is a time for congregations to express gratitude for the love and care provided by mothers and others who care and to recognise that God is both mother and father.
Did you enter the Farnham Poetry Competition? If so, come to the awards evening on March 9th to find out if you have won. And even if you didn’t enter, come to hear some great poems from the winners, shortlisted poets and others who just fancy a go during our ‘open mic’ session. You can also hear our judges, Linda Daruvala and Coral Rumble perform their poetry.
The theme of this year’s competition was friendship and the awards evening will take place at St Mark’s, Upper Hale, from 5pm on 9th, with the under-16s’ awards being presented first so that children can leave early if they wish.
There will be an interval with refreshments and it will be a fun, stimulating evening.
Find out more at farnhamliteraryfestival.co.uk/event/farnham-poetry-competition-awards-evening and join us there.
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.
You can watch Lesley and Alan here:
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.
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.
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.”
The Parish of Badshot Lea and Hale 