Bishop Andrew Watson was a great friend of our parish. A regular visitor and in his final days, following his diagnosis of terminal cancer, he was still sending video and text messages of support to our growing pub ministry.<br>Now the Bible Reading Fellowship have published Bishop Andrew’s final written work. <br>In the weeks before his death, Bishop Andrew collated a decade’s worth of his Chrism sermons at Guildford Cathedral, including “four last songs”; his final writings after receiving his terminal cancer diagnosis. <br>The deeply personal and profound collection, entitled Maundy: Leadership and identity in life and death, includes a foreword from the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, and, of course, an introduction from Bishop Andrew in which he shared that working on this project helped to focus his mind on “some of the key attributes of what it means to be a Christian disciple and minister through testing times.”<br><br>As the BRF’s acting CEO Jules Morgan writes in her introduction: “We do so with gratitude, affection, and a deep sense of honour because this is not simply a book we have chosen to publish, but one that Andrew himself asked us to bring into being in the closing weeks of his life.”<br>With a touching Foreword by Stephen Cottrell, archbishop of York, it also comprises the sermon Andrew preached at his installation as bishop of Guildford. <br><br>More information can be found on <a href="https://emea01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fus.list-manage.com%2F9EG21NBVCgP%3Fe%3D5a0985b6f7%26c2id%3D2bdd87578fd80ddbd6a8aed1368b1f63&data=05%7C02%7C%7C53a9ad7fc8274f36012308decbba1cde%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639172197355205272%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Vr0a3DXZKpxE3pYQKDJF4JbT1aysTiMDrP3jZt1fhec%3D&reserved=0">BRF Resources website.</a>
Join us at Dunsfold Church this Sunday when our Funday@4 team will be taking a fresh look at the Joshua story.There’s lots to learn from what happened to Joshua - whatever our age now. And as well as the great Bible story there’ll be singing, prayers, craft work and a light tea.Obviously this is aimed primarily at children and families but we welcome all ages. So please come along for our 4pm start at Dunsfold Church.
A story from our roving reporter, Mel Shone.Come, Holy Spirit!A serene coolness greeted the assembling congregation at Guildford Cathedral for a Service of Baptism, Confirmation and Reception into the Church of England. Bishop Paul and Dean Bob led the service on the eve of Pentecost. Friends and family of the 18 participants gathered to support their loved ones as they each took a significant step in publicly proclaiming their faith in Jesus Christ. We send our congratulations to our sister and brother-in-Christ, June and Simon, faithful participants in our pub ministry courses at the Sun Inn. June and Simon, please be assured of our continued prayers and fellowship on your journeys ahead. However, there was another familiar face amongst the gathered 18.... Readers might recall that, one Sunday about a year ago, a man hurriedly walked into Dunsfold church after the service, asking about the healing powers of the Holy Well. He had felt the Spirit call him towards Dunsfold church while out driving locally with his family. After some time chatting, Fr Shane led a small group in prayer for him and his family before he left. Dean has been on our Pews News prayer list ever since. So it was simply wonderful to recognise him there at the Cathedral, amongst the 18 confirmations (top right in the photo).It was nothing short of delightful to reconnect with Dean and his family at the service. He remains so grateful for our support here in Dunsfold, both on the day he visited and in our prayers ever since. He asks that you might continue to remember him in your prayers.Within the coolness of the Cathedral interior, the fire of the Holy Spirit burned red hot for all present - the Cathedral Church of the Holy Spirit living up to its name, on the eve of Pentecost! As the Funday@4 children told us at their Pentecost celebration service a few weeks ago, you can be sure that the Holy Spirit is here with us because you can feel it and see it working. Amen to that! A special prayer.Holy Spirit of God, as you come alongside to convict, counsel, and comfort us,bring to mind your words to us, pour into our hearts your love towards us, fill our lives with your gifts to share with others and be a never-failing presence within us, on our journey through lifefor your name’s sake. Amen
Our next Cafe Church will focus on the theme of Eco Church - how we can be better at using the resources God provides us with and protect our precious planet along the way.We will have Alison Moulden, the Environmental Officer for the Diocese of Guildford as our guest speaker and you can hear the latest news about what's within our parish's scope as we make Dunsfold Church more eco friendly.As usual. a free continental breakfast will be served from9.45am so come along, and bring your friends and family. Everyone is welcome.
