Churches Together E-Newsletter 
September / October 2019 Edition

Dear Friends:
 
I love this time of year, it is a time of new beginnings and of endings.  Many of us are returning to work and school after a summer break, reinvigorated and refreshed.  For many children returning to school, there is the excitement of new stationery, shiny shoes, white school shirts and new things to learn.  Alongside all these new beginnings, around us in the natural world are signs of endings, the leaves are changing colour and falling off the trees.
 
As my grandmother would have said:  “the nights are drawing in ...”
 
This season of beginnings and endings brought to mind the verse from John 12:24:  “Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed.  But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”
 
I wonder, what are the things in our lives we need to put down in order that they or we might be more fruitful in the future?  My prayer for each of us is that God will reveal how we can help in his work here in Farnham to reap a great harvest for his kingdom.
 
Every Blessing,
                Hannah
                (Revd Hannah Moore - Chair of Churches Together in Farnham)

An E-Newsletter is published each month, including upcoming activities and an event listing.  To “READ ALL ABOUT IT”, please CLICK HERE to download your copy.

CTF Annual General Meeting 2019

CTF holds its A.G.M. each autumn.  The 2019 A.G.M. takes place on the evening of Thursday 24th October at St.Mark’s Church, Alma Lane, Upper Hale, Farnham GU9 0LT.

The meeting starts at 7:30 p.m and normally ends by 9:00 p.m to give those attending a chance to meet each other afterwards over a glass of wine.

The meeting agenda will include:

• Election of officers for the coming year;
• A brief review of the main activities of CTF during the past year;
• An opportunity for each of the many Christian groups and organisations which support our local community throughout the year to report briefly on their activities (reports are appended to the meeting minutes)
• An opportunity for church leaders, particularly those new to the town, to share their thoughts.

Please come if you can.  This is a public meeting, but of special interest to our town’s churches, their congregations and the hundreds of people active in supporting the local community.

You can download your copy of last year’s A.G.M Minutes from the following link.

 
Please CLICK HERE for more about CTF ...

Revd.Neil Fairlamb
New Priest for All Saints, Tilford

 
On the evening of Tuesday 15th May, the congregation at All Saints Church, Tilford warmly welcomed the Revd.Neil Fairlamb, who was licenced for his new ministry by the Archdeacon of Surrey, the Ven.Paul Davies.

Neil replaces All Saints’ much-loved parish priest Canon Heather Humphrey, who sadly died in February 2018.

Neil (on right of picture) and his wife Yvonne come to Tilford from North Wales where, since 2003, Neil served as Rector of Beaumaris and Ministry Area Leader of Bro Seiriol in the Archdeaconry of Anglesey.

Neil was ordained in the Diocese of Southwark as a non-stipendiary minister, before moving into stipendiary ministry in Wales, becoming Rector of Beaumaris in 2003.

Looking forward to his new appointment, Neil said:

“Yvonne and I have been very happy to have spent 20 years in Bangor Diocese.  We married just as we started in Meirionnydd and have made many friends in the parishes and through wider ecumenical links including Ynys Enlli and the Roman Catholic Church’s outreach activities from St.Beuno’s and Loreto.
 
The new post in Surrey will be an opportunity to care for a traditional but outward looking village community and to part of a busy town ministry in Farnham.  I am so fortunate to be in good health and to be given an opportunity to continue ministry into my 70s, sharing life’s journeys with people - in solidarity with their joys and sorrows as we make our Christian pilgrimage together.
 
Yvonne and I are so grateful for everyone’s support and prayers.”

CLICK HERE for more ...

Frensham Baptist Fellowship Closes

Sadly, after 30 years of meeting in and serving the village and community of Frensham, FBF will be closing their doors at the Marindin Hall on Sunday 21st July 2019.

FBF began on 12th February 1989, initially meeting at the Church of the Good Shepherd, before moving to the Marindin Hall on 13th January 1991.  They express their “gratitude to all who have contributed to the life of FBF and the blessing they have felt from so many who have passed through on life’s journey”.

Churches Together in Farnham’s
Walk of Witness

Good Friday 19th April 2019

Farnham Christians bear Witness on Good Friday

On a beautiful Spring day, many of the town’s Christians gathered in The Hart at lunch-time on Good Friday, setting out in silence on the annual Walk of Witness around the town centre.  The walk ended in St.Andrew’s churchyard, where a short open-air service was held.

The full report with pictures is now available - please CLICK HERE

Churches Together in Farnham

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
18–25th January 2019

As in previous years, Churches Together in Farnham marked the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity by daily prayers during the week, with a Service of Christian Unity on Sunday 20th January 2019.

UNITED SERVICE ON SUNDAY 20TH JANUARY 2019
Around 60 Christians from churches across Farnham gathered for the annual Service of Christian Unity; held this year at St.Thomas-on-the-Bourne.

The service was led by the vicar of St.Thomas, Revd.John Morris, assisted by Bob and Margaret Skinner from Weybourne Community Church, Beth Davenport from the Spire Church, Revd.Hannah Moore of Badshot Lea and Hale, and Michael McDonnell from the Catholic Church of St Joan. The service material originated from the churches of Indonesia and the theme of the service was Justice.

A collection was taken to support Wycliffe Bible Translators;  the service was followed by networking between members of different churches over a fine array of refreshments.

DAILY MORNING PRAYER MEETINGS 18th-25th JANUARY
The Week of Prayer included morning prayer meetings each day in churches across the town, including St.Joan’s, Tilford Rd; the Quaker Meeting House in Tilford Rd.; St.Andrew’s in Church Lane; St.George’s in Badshot Lea; Farnham Vineyard in Union Rd; St.Thomas-on-The Bourne; and The Spire Church in South Street.

More information here ...  

Christmas Day 2018
Food, laughter, gentleness, peace & goodwill

A wonderful lunch took place on Christmas Day for approximately 60 Farnham residents who otherwise would have spent this festive day on their own.

This year the celebration took place at a sparkling new venue, the recently refurbished Memorial Hall off West Street, where guests were treated to an excellent two-course meal including roast turkey with trimmings, Christmas pudding and wine.

The event was attended by both the Mayor of Farnham and Mayor of Waverley, who joined the carol singing and socialised with guests and volunteers. This annual celebration is made possible through the generosity and good will of our local community.  This year, support was received from Bourne Show, Hale Carnival, Morgan’s Butchers, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose.

Our chef was Lou Snape and the lunch was coordinated by Churches Together in Farnham.

Anne Connolly’s report and pictures ... 

CTF Directory - September 2019 edition

The Churches Together in Farnham directory provides contact information for CTF Officers, Member Churches and Associated Organisations.  Download HERE for local printing (PDF format; file size 37,609) or find out more on the “CTF Directory” page.