SIGNPOSTfaith in the local community

A magazine from Saint Nicolas’ Church May/June 2018

Peace and harmony

St Nicolas’ is a parish in the Anglican diocese of Guildford

Connecting with God through Christ, our mission is to be prayerful, centred in the Eucharist and connecting with:

√ Fellow Christians and each other √ Contemporary society√ The needs of our environment √ The local community

Sunday Worship 8: 15 am Morning Prayer & Eucharist 10 am SUNG EUCHARIST with CHILDREN’S CHURCH Third Sunday of each month: FAMILY SERVICE – a shorter & less formal Eucharist for all ages 6pm EvensongWeekday Eucharist usually with Morning or Evening Prayer All weekday services include 5 minutes silence Monday 10 am Tuesday 6:30pm Wednesday 7:45 am Thursday 1 pm Friday 11 am Times of quiet for stillness Sunday 5-5:30pm: Julian Meeting Tuesday 12:30-1pm: Christian Meditation Group Mindfulness: see Weekly Leaflet or www.saintnics.com Baptisms and weddingsTo arrange a baptism contact Father Andrew To plan a wedding contact our Parish Clerk

Contact us: Rector: Andrew Norman 0783 702 1726 or email: ahnorman14@gmail.comCurate: Anne Cooper 0772 133 8030Churchwardens: Marian Coom 01483 564069 Darrol Radley 01483 831702Parish Administrators: Cath Anderson & Jana Phillips 01483 564526The parish office is usually open Tuesday afternoons, Wednesday mornings & all day Friday Email: parishoffice@saintnics.com Parish Clerk: Linda Barnes. Please contact via the Parish Office

Got a story or want to advertise? Email parishoffice@saintnics.com

Lots more information at www.saintnics.com Follow us on Facebook: @saintnicolasguildford

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Dear friendsI’ve just returned from my annual retreat. Does that sound good to you? Lucky me, to have five days of solitude and silence. And in the depths of the beautiful Devon countryside. In ministry we are expected to take this time out each year and I know that I return the better for it.

I go to a centre run by the Society of Mary and Martha. They were founded in 1987 with Anglican roots but a very ecumenical outlook. Sheldon was a working farm until 1967 and is now a cluster of lovingly converted farm buildings with 45 acres of fields and woodlands, tucked away at the end of a no-through road in the Teign Valley.

The centre is run by the resident lay Christian Community assisted by staff and volunteers. Their specialist work is to support people in Christian ministry, especially at times of stress, crisis, burnout or breakdown. But that rather discreet aspect sits within a much more broadly based retreat and education resource open to everyone.

I spend my time at Sheldon in one of the little individual chalets they have. I’m provided with a stocked larder and fend for myself. So there’s space to read and think, to walk and pray; to listen – to myself, to the world, to the needs and conditions of all the people I care for, and in all things to the mystery of God.

Part of how I hope to use this space is in writing an essay about the possibility of taking an ‘integrative’ approach to faith. This is to clarify my thinking that different aspects of the Christian tradition can be engaged with according to what works best for each of us because it is all valid in its own way. And I shall also really appreciate the space to prepare for a Quiet Day I’ve been asked to lead in Shamley Green in July.

But, yes, I will remember to keep it as ‘space’! We do all need it. Once upon a time Sunday was the sabbath (rest day). Now it might seem difficult, but in some ways there are more options to find space, so I thoroughly recommend being creative – and to seek out what’s possible for you!

Love, Andrew

4 Got a story? Email it to parishoffice@saintnics.com

Tickets - 14 16 & under - 2

£

£

Roy Rashbrook - Conductor

Sat. 30 June 7.30 pm

St Nicolas Church Guildford GU2 4AB

Tickets available from the Guildford Tourist Information Centre

155 High Street, Guildford GU1 3AJ Tel. 01483 444334 www.visitguildford.com

Or directly from the choir on 07970 627412 Registered Charity No. 1128357

with

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Summer Family Concert

The Surrey Hills Summer Family concert will take place on Saturday 16th June at 6pm at Cranleigh Village Hall. The concert features the Surrey Hills Singers (Mum’s choir), Young Voices and Training Choir and promises to be a fantastic evening with a programme suitable for all genera-tions of the family. The choirs will perform a mix of styles and favourites including Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect”, the Andrews Sisters “Shoo Shoo Baby”, Jessie J’s “Price Tag”, some lovely folk songs and spirituals and ending with a number of songs from the wonderful musical “Mary Poppins”. The choirs sing from memory so they can engage

directly and share the emotion of each song and some songs are choreographed to add even more entertainment value! You may not have a family member performing, but do still join us for a wonderful evening of great singing. You won’t be disappointed.

Tickets for the concert are £10 for adults and £2 for children under 16 and are available on the door. Or contact Debbie at debbie@surreyhills-choirs.co.uk. Or call 01483 276281. Refreshments are included in the ticket price and are held after the concert with the performers. All three of these choirs are un-auditioned and new members will be welcome in September. Contact Debbie for further details.

Surrey Hills Choirs News & Events

Enjoy songs for summer in the Surrey Hills, with two of Surrey’s award-winning choirs in concert at St Nicholas Church in Guildford on 1st July.

Surrey Hills Chamber Choir is joined by the renowned ladies choir Impromptu for this summer’s celebration of song. Together they will perform a diverse repertoire that promises to entertain, inspire and surprise audiences. The programme includes an amazing mix of spiritual, gospel, folk, clas-sical and contemporary works, and much-loved jazz standards, including: Ezekiel saw de Wheel, Total Praise, Mendelssohn’s Psalm 43, Dubra’s Rīt Jāu Jābūt, the beauti-ful English folk song Blow the wind souther-ly, and the popular Summertime and These Foolish Things.

Tickets for 1st July are £12 for Adults, £5 for children under 16s and include a pro-gramme and drink. Buy tickets online at

www.surreyhills-choirs.co.uk/tickets, call 07513 523933, email graham.webb@tangle-weave.co.uk or buy on the door.

All about the bassAnd if you’d love to be part of that incredible sound, Surrey Hills Chamber Choir is looking for 2nd basses to join its next year’s adventures, including performances at the Cheltenham festival of performing arts in May and a trip to the European Choir Games in Sweden in August.

If you’re an experienced singer and available to rehearse on Wednesdays, 7.30 - 10pm (except for summer holiday breaks in July - August 2018 and mid May - end June 2019) please call Debbie Walton on 01483 276281 and join us for a trial session at the Guildford URC, GU2 4BS.

Summer songs at St. Nicolas

Lots of people have asked me over the last few weeks, “How was your pilgrim-age?” Some of those asking knew that before going I wasn’t convinced. Would it be like a religious Disneyworld? And does faith really depend on how certain things happened ‘historically’ anyway? In fact I came back profoundly affected – as I think all of us in our little group of fifteen did in various ways.

The first impact came when standing in a very slow-moving queue for the Israeli immigration check to enter the coun-try. I felt suspicion and a strongly policed boundary. Later we saw with our own eyes the boundary that prevents any easy passage for Palestinians from the West Bank into Jerusalem. Bethlehem welcomed us with warmth, spring flowers and just at the right moment to see almond trees in full blossom.

The church of the Holy Nativity did seem a religious contrivance. Nevertheless, at its heart I felt a deep sense of presence and holiness. Here began the experience of conflicting feelings. This was where one Yeshua walked and attracted followers and from all of which we found our Jesus Christ – son of Mary … Son of God? What happened for me was how throughout these days my questioning faith was bathed in a current of trustfulness about the events that had unfolded in this place. Millions of pilgrims before me had looked in awe at the desert, and then rested on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, going on to make their own way down the Mount of Olives, and so to kneel where the presence of Christ, believed to be

truly risen, was most palpable.Our eyes were no less opened to the

plight of the Palestinians. We asked one what he hoped for. “A miracle”, he replied. The sense of hopelessness was also very palpable – and the anger. But then we spent a morning at the Yad Vashem holocaust memorial museum in Jerusalem. Tears flood over me even now as I recall it. One emerges feeling the need Jews have for a homeland. Yet also of the tragedy, repeated so often in our world, of the oppressed becoming the oppressors. Now we get embroiled in this mess ourselves in losing the distinction between the absolute imperative of reject-ing all antisemitism and committing to a solidarity with Palestinians – and with whom, surely, we must look to be part of the solution. Much to pray for, much to reflect on; connecting with hard geopolitical realities, connecting with the mystery of a Holy Spirit of unconditional love no less actively alive in our world now just as then.

Father Andrew reflects on moving experiences as hard geo-political realities and the mystery of a Holy Spirit converge.

Conflicting emotions; anger and love: a journey to the Holy Land

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IReliableIEfficientICompetitive

Chantry Singersnext concertA concert by award-winning folk duo Ninebarrow and The Chantry Singers, featuring unique performances of original songs arranged by conductor Roy Rashbrook. Come and hear a fresh take on the choral and folk traditions, in music that is deeply rooted in the landscape and history of the British Isles.

This will take place as part of Guildford Summer Festival on Saturday 30th June 2018 730pm at St Nicolas Church Guildford.

Tickets priced at £14 with concessions from the Guildford Tourist Information Office or from choir members on 07970627412 .Not to be missed!

SPONSOR A CHORISTER

Support the development of young talent in GuildfordHelp build a sustainable future for music at St. Nicolas’ Church

Contact Director of Music, Tim Woodford: timdwoodford@gmail.com

SPONSOR A CHORISTER IN OUR NEW CHILDREN’S CHOIR

St. Nicolas’ Community Centre: work in progressMarian Coom explains why there’s coffee in the church and builders congregating outside the Parish Office...As many of you will have realised by the time you read this edition of Signpost, the project to update and improve the Community Centre alongside St Nicolas Church is well under way. Maybe you have already had a coffee in the temporary refreshment space in church or attended a weekday service in the Sacristy or Sanctuary?

The contractors, Pryer Construction, began work on the 16th of April and work will continue through the summer with completion towards the end of August or beginning of September. Many of the church and community groups have opted to use the church for their meetings and rehearsals during this time, so we have set up a temporary kitchen and refreshment space at the back of the St George’s Chapel with washing up facilities in the Flower Vestry.

The Parish Office has also relocated to behind the St George’s altar and is open during the normal hours. We have provided a temporary toilet facility outside the Narthex door. In addition, the The George Abbot and The Canon pubs have agreed that we can use their toilet facilities during opening hours. The George Abbot pub has a disabled toilet on the ground floor.We do hope that you will ‘bear with us’ as the work is completed over the next few months. The Community Centre (or Parish Centre as it was then known) was built over 40 years ago and has begun to show its

age in recent years with leaking windows, ineffective heating and a kitchen facility that was inadequate. The PCC therefore took the decision to use two generous legacies from the late Marjorie Spooner and Peggy Fletcher to, firstly, restore The Loseley Chapel and now to update the Community Centre for church and community use.

The use of the Community Centre has greatly increased over the years, often with 3 to 4 groups a day using the rooms.The parish and town community is set to expand over the next few years with 93 retirement flats due to be built across the road from the church in the Pegasus Life development, and also increased residential living at the station development. It is hoped therefore that the updated Community Centre will improve and enhance the facilities for today’s users and also for use by future generations of the church and community.

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St. Nicolas joins the Ivy LeagueLast year the RHS published a book all about ivy; its origins, its garden uses (yes, there are lots of them), and its relatives. This called for some pictures of × Fatshedera lizei – a tree ivy, which is a cross between an ivy (Hedera hibernica) and Fatsia japonica.

There are a variety of this hybrid, each with different coloured or shaped leaves. One, with white- or cream-margined leaves and named ‘Variegata’, could not to be found growing anywhere at RHS Garden Wis-ley. The RHS book was in peril. Step up, St Nic’s…

I had noticed a plant growing outside the bell tower entrance to St Nicolas. And yes, you’ve guessed, it was our dear friend ‘Variegata’!! The book was saved! A picture of the plant now takes pride of place in the RHS book. It’s all thanks to the amazing work of David and Marian Coom, who tend to the borders at St. Nic’s and keep them looking so wonderful. But that’s not all… it turns out that the plant was originally growing in their

garden, and they decided to plant a cutting of it at church. Who would have thought that some time later, that plant would win its first modelling contract? What an uplifting tale as we head on into summer. St. Nic’s has joined the Ivy League!

Green-fingered alto, Roz Marshall, reveals how a plant from St. Nic’s garden rescued a Royal Horticultural Society book.

Chapter 1, Verse 1 from the Book of Ivy

Monthly Lunches

May 25th & June 29th11.30am - 1.30pmSt. Nicolas’ Church

10 Got a story? Email it to parishoffice@saintnics.com

Music at St Nicolas continues to grow, both in terms of the quality of the singing and the numbers.

I am especially pleased with the way in which the children’s choir has developed and how well they have supported the family service. We currently have 4-11 year olds singing in the choir and the young children are responding very well. Maybe we should start a ‘Babies choir’, so they can all scream in tune?

I am very grateful for the financial support from some members of the congregation. If anyone else would like to support the St Nicolas Music Development Fund, which includes the children’s choir, then please do get in touch with me or the treasurer Patrick Andrew. We ask for a donation of £50 a term, but any donation (more or less) is greatly appreciated. Your money helps to maintain the children’s choir and gives them a chance they might not otherwise get. We really do rely on financial help.

There is now a great opportunity for YOU to join our growing choir. We have now changed choir practice time from a Friday at 7.15pm (when many of you may be coming back from work) to 11.30am on a Sunday, straight after your sherry or coffee. Changing the time has already resulted in recruiting 4 new members including a new choral scholar - but we would welcome even more new members! Why not come along and join our social choir? Our next choral Evensong is on Sunday 13th May at 6pm.

Songs and praise: join our choir!Director of Music, Tim Woodford, makes a perfect pitch for new recruits to join a chorus already getting rave reviews.

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Guildford scouts meet MeghanThe Scouts enjoyed a Royal day out at the Commonwealth Service, and met Ainsley Harriott too! (Plus a couple of MPs).Scouts and Beaver Scouts from St Nicolas 9th Guildford Scout Group had an exciting day on Monday 12th March when they joined Her Majesty the Queen at Westminster Abbey for the Commonwealth Service. The service is held each year on Commonwealth Day to celebrate the Commonwealth. It is reputed to be one of the Queen’s favourite events.

Six Scouts and six Beaver Scouts, along with two leaders, were invited by the Scout Association to represent the Scout Movement at the service - joining about 750 other children in a congregation of 2000 that included representatives from all 53 Commonwealth countries. Although it was a school day, they had received permission from their schools to attend the service. It was a grand state occasion with almost all the Royal Family present including Meghan Markle, who was attending her first public event with the Queen, as well as senior

politicians and diplomats.Many people in the congregation wore

their national dress. Josh Goodwin, Group Scout Leader, said: “We were very honoured to be asked to represent Scouting at the Commonwealth Service. The Scouts and Beaver Scouts were perfect ambassadors for the Scout Movement. They were very smart, patient in the security queues, well behaved in the Abbey and polite and responsive to all the ex-scouts and guides and other people who spoke to them, including Ainsley Harriott and Members of Parliament. “They certainly seemed to gain an understanding of the Commonwealth and the significance of the service. In addition to the presence of the Queen, Meghan Markle and Liam Payne (of One Direction, who sang a song during the service), they were impressed by all the flags and the national costumes. With the State Trumpeters and a Maori blowing a conch, it was a great event!”

The scouts and beavers met MPs James Duddridge and Nigel Evans (right). Who needs One Direction or Meghan Markle?

10 – 20th May

This is an ecumenical, global prayer movement, which invites Christians around the world to pray between Ascension and Pentecost for people to be open to Jesus Christ and the activity of the Holy Spirit.

“In praying 'Thy Kingdom Come' we all commit to playing our part in the renewal of the nations and the transformation of communities."

Archbishop Justin Welby

Thursday 10th Ascension Day 7:30pm Joint Eucharist at St Mary’s, Quarry Street

At St Nicolas’ we are keeping a Novena of Prayer over the nine days before Pentecost as part of Thy Kingdom Come.

Sunday 13th 10am Eucharist & Confirmation at St Nicolas’ with Bishop Andrew

Sunday 20th Pentecost 10am All Age Eucharist with Baptism Join us for our monthly Family Service - and then perhaps for a quiet evening service – and there's plenty going on at the cathedral:

4pm Taizé Worship 5-7pm Dedicated Prayer Stations 5pm Messy Church in the Chapter House 7pm Contemporary Worship

6pm Evensong & Benediction at St Nicolas’

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DIARY DATESMay is Mary’s Month

Ascension Day10th May

Family Service20th May & 17th June

Corpus Christi1st June, 7.30pm with cheese & wine after

Joint service with Guildford URC3rd June, 10.30am at GURC, Portsmouth Rd.

Pilgrimage to Walsingham15-17th June, joint pilgrimage with the Cathedral

St. Nic’s School Summer Fair30th June _________________TUESDAY GROUPmeets in St George’s Chapel in the church during May and June.Please bring soft drinks (and something to hold them in!)MAY1st : ‘May Day’ – individual contributions8th : ‘The Sea’ – individual contributions15th : ‘What makes me feel better’ – individual contributions22nd : Quiz29th : Half term JUNE5th : Board games12th : ‘Roses’ – individual contributions19th : Quiz – in small teams26th : ‘Coins’ – individual contributions

Thought for a dayTerry Ellis’s thought for May 10 - Ascension Day.This year we celebrate Our Lord’s Ascension into Heaven on the 10th May. As I recall there used to be a semi official half-day holiday for Ascension Day - some schools and local businesses gave the afternoon off to prepare for an evening service - but that all went when general half day working on Saturdays was abolished. Can you imagine having to commute into London for just 4-5 hours work - but I was allowed to “dress down” in a tweed jacket!

To me, however Ascension was always a rather difficult subject to take on board. Unlike the usual human experiences of births, baptisms, and deaths ascension was a rather abstract concept somewhat distant from the normal day-to-day run of events. I had to think a little deeper because if our lives, or indeed anything in the world or the Universe was to have any real meaning it could only be in relation to our Creators purpose. I cannot accept that creation occurred accidentally (as athiests must believe); there has got to be a purpose and to me (and all Christians) it comes through the life, work and teaching of Jesus Christ.

There is a very telling text from the Gospel reading for Easter 3 (Luke 24. 36-48) - when Jesus appeared in the Upper Room, showed the disciples His wounds and then ate a portion of cooked fish. Remember the ancient world knew all about ghosts, visions, apparitions and spooks. Ancient literature has plenty of people being found alive after being supposed dead, plenty of spirits of the dead returning to haunt, spy on, or chat with the living and all manner of minor deities were everywhere (all of whom required votive offerings - and woe betide you if you didn t make an appropriate gift !!) Jesus disciples could so easily have used such categories to explain their extraordinary experiences of the presence of the risen Jesus - but they didn t. Instead they tell an impossible story of a “dead” man appearing and then eating solid food. That they did not is powerful testimony to what actually happened. I can t explain it and neither can anyone else - except by reference to Our Lords Teachings - I am convinced !

Ascension Day precedes by just 9 days the Feast of Pentecost - when the Holy Spirit descends upon the disciples - which is followed a week later by Trinity Sunday. All three events are in the same category of being somewhat abstract and what applies to Ascension should apply equally to the others. We are required to believe something which is outside of our box, but something which our Creator considered important. Let us trust our Creator and have the Faith to believe.

14 Got a story? Email it to parishoffice@saintnics.com

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St Nicolas & Guildford United Reformed Church partnership continues to go from strength to strength. I really want to build on this amazing uni-ty through establishing a common name for both churches’ Sunday Schools (to replace our ‘Children’s Church’). We really want everyone’s voice to be heard – especially the children – on agreeing a new name, so shall be talking to all ages in both churches for their ideas.

Café Play has recently moved to GURC as St Nicolas’ community hall is developed with a new kitchen and improved facilities. The venue change has been a very success-ful with the Café Play community embrac-ing change and continuing to attend weekly. The sharing resources is another strength of the partnership, especially the option to use GURC as our temporary venue.

St Nicolas’ & Guildford United Reformed Church’s greatest partnership is working to-gether and leading an amazing holiday club for many years. I’m so excited to be leading my first holiday club – Seaside Rock – with the amazing volunteers from both churches. Seaside Rock Holiday Club is open to all children aged 5-10 years old (under 5s can attend, but must be accompanied by an adult). There are limited spaces for all ages, especially under 5s. So please e-mail Liam on childrenfamsworker@gmail.com for a consent form. No bookings can be taken on the day, so please book ASAP.

So make sure to bring your bucket and spade down to the beach at Guildford United Reformed Church from Monday 13th – Friday 17th Aug, 9:30am– 12:00pm for lots of seaside games, crafts and activities as we explore bible stories in a fun and exciting way.

It’s amazing how much positive change is possible when churches work together and the amazing impact it has on the local community of Guildford.

Liam Rowlings is Children & Families Worker, St. Nic’s & United Reformed Church.

Email: childrenfamsworker@gmail.com

Playing together nicelyLiam Rowlings reveals how St Nic’s and Guildford United Reformed Church go together like a bucket and spade.

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