Even seasoned Dunsfold Church-goers were taken aback by the massive turn-out at this year’s Nativity play on Christmas Eve.Every vantage point in church was taken by a packed house that played their part in creating a truly special no rehearsal play. The cast all delivered their parts with aplomb and we were blessed in having seven weeks-old Eddie playing the baby Jesus. He provided a fitting climax to a memorable service.Credit must go to narrator Judith Lahey-Bean and her team of helpers for organising the play and the costume preparations. The script was tight and perfectly delivered. Archangel Gabriel sparked the first applause of the afternoon with his news of great joy delivered from the pulpit. And we even had some adults turn up in fancy dress to help out the ‘real’ shepherds. The congregation played their part in enthusiastic style. They were asked to sing like a choir of angels looking on at the first Christmas and they didn’t disappoint. In fact, the committed singing seemed to boost the confidence of our young actors.We are also indebted to Nick Lahey-Bean for the photographs of the event. Nick played his part as the photographer from the Bethlehem Herald, a key on-looker at the 2023 Nativity.
Martin Breadmore, the archdeacon of Dorking and acting archdeacon of Surrey, visited the Winn Hall recently to update the parish on the timetable for appointing our next priest.At the time one issue did remain unresolved. The precise nature of how many days the priest would work in relation to it being 0.5FTE plus Sunday. To be precise, did 0.5 reflect two and a half days or three days? Mathematicians among you will spot three days is actually 0.6 of a working week. The archdeacon explained that he was due to meet the Bishop of Guildford to clarify the situation.Archdeacon Martin has now informed us: "I am pleased to be able to tell you that 0.5FTE has been agreed as 3 days plus a Sunday."
