After two years we knew Reverend Rutton Viccajee’s time was up as our interim minister and that it was time to say goodbye.But that didn’t stop a high level of sadness pervading his last service at St Peter’s Church, Hascombe and the celebratory lunch that followed it in Hascombe Village Hall.The people turned out in force to offer their thanks and wish Rutton and his wife Kate every happiness in their future life. The Holy Communion service went well, the arrangements for the farewell lunch were exemplary. The chefs of Dunsfold and Hascombe produced an array of fine food to feed the grateful diners.Gifts were presented, Rutton and Kate saluted and our departing priest offered prayers for the challenges that all parties would face going forward as the interregnum began.
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (WPCU) takes place each year from the 18 to 25 January. This special week provides an opportunity to focus our prayers on Christian unity, as well as speak about and experience Christian unity personally, in our village, town or county as well as engage with what happens at a national level.This year the theme ‘You shall love the Lord your God… and your neighbour as yourself’ (Lk 10:27) has come from an ecumenical team from Burkina Faso, facilitated by the local Chemin Neuf Community (CCN). They have reflected on the familiar story of the Good Samaritan, and all are encouraged to Go and do likewise. It is a story about crossing boundaries that calls our attention to the bonds that unite the whole human family. Brothers and sisters from the Catholic Archdiocese of Ouagadougou, Protestant Churches, ecumenical bodies and the CCN in Burkina Faso collaborated generously in drafting the prayers and reflections.Each January individuals pray, and churches and ecumenical organisations celebrate the WPCU in a variety of ways. These include events large and small, a simple prayer meeting, an ecumenical breakfast, a prayer walk, speaker events, online prayer relays, preaching swaps in villages and towns, using social media to share online reflections and prayers from church leaders as well as joint services bringing together Christians from across the traditions in prayer and worship.Please remember in your own prayers Christians throughout the world, many of whom are persecuted because of their faith.
Due to a problem with our boiler the church is certain to be cold for Reverend Rutton’s farewell service tomorrow (January 21st). Please wrap up as warm as you can and join us for the 10am Holy Communion.There will be some refreshments served after the service to warm you up and the mulled wine may be even more popular than ever.
Rev'd Rutton Viccajee - Thank you and Farewell Arrangements.Rutton's time with us as Minister for Dunsfold & Hascombe is almost at an end. His last service will be on the 28th January at St Peter's Church, Hascombe (21st January at St Mary & All Saints' Church, Dunsfold).All are very welcome to join a "bring & share" thank you lunch for Rutton at Hascombe Village Hall after the Hascombe service on the 28th January.Please contact Sandy Crowther if you are planning to come along: hascombechurchsecretary@gmail.com.If you would like to contribute to a farewell gift for Rutton, please contact Churchwarden Sheila: sheilajones4@btinternet.com. If contributing via BACS transfer to the church, please include “for Rutton” in the payment reference. Here are the bank details you will require.Account name: Dunsfold PCCSort code 30-94-41Account number - 01828639Finally... if you (and your children) enjoyed the spectacular Crib Service on Christmas Eve, our children's church Funday@4 Service this month will take place on 28th January at 4pm in Hascombe Village Hall (after the farewell lunch).All are very welcome!
