ST GILES FARNBOROUGH - EVENTS, NEWS AND NOTICES
St. Giles Centre - Skip Out:Saturday 16th May 9.30am - 2.00pm.The Moment we have all been waiting for:.. In preparation for the refurbishment of the St Giles Centre, which will begin on Monday June 22nd we will need to empty the building of its contents. That which we need will be safely stored away and the stuff that isn't needed will be recycled or skipped. I would be very grateful if we could assemble a team to undertake this work. Please sign the list in the porch of the church, email me, or just turn up for some of the time or all of it. A light lunch and refreshments will be provided. Matthew St Giles Centre Appeal UpdateWell done everybody. We closed 2025 roundabout the £195,000 mark and we are looking forward to continuing this appeal throughout 2026 so that we can raise enough funds to cover contingencies, unforeseen problems and the overall re-equipping of the centre after the work is completed.On behalf of the fundraising team at St. Giles I would be enormously grateful for your continuing help and support with this. It’s worth mentioning again that what we are aiming to accomplish here is not just a refurbishment of a tired old building, but the equipping of our church with a bright new, modern facility that will be in use in the service of our church and the wider community. I would be grateful if you could continue to offer this essential work to the Glory of God and God’s generous providence by using the following prayer: Almighty God who is the author and giver of all good gifts, we ask for your blessing as we continue to raise funds for the refurbishment of the St Giles Centre. Touch the hearts of your people that in love and generosity we may offer the best of ourselves and resources to the building up of your Kingdom and glorification of your holy name in this place. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen. Matthew Read More   Community Larder &
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Lent Programme 2026Lent is an important time for us as Christians and as a worshipping community.We have an exciting and varied programme for Lent and Holy Week including a full range of traditional and modern services, culminating with our Church’s celebration of Easter Day  Lent CourseThe Course will focus on the Spiritual practise of making a Holy Hour in prayer and devotions. The two sessions will be followed by refreshments.Sundays 1st and 22nd March 4-5pm St Giles Church Please sign the list on the noticeboartd in the Church Porch if you are able to attend. Sermons for LentSunday Evening Sermons 6:30pmStarting on Sunday 22nd February there will be a series of sermons on a number of Christian poets including: Sunday 22nd February Gerard Manley Hopkins Sunday 1st March Samuel Coleridge Sunday 8th March Christina Rossetti (15th March - Mothering Sunday) Sunday 22nd March William Blake Sunday 29th March Edwin Muir Five Years of Community LarderIn February 2026, The St Nicholas Community Larder celebrated its 5th anniversary, having begun on a snowy day in February 2021, when a handful of us were kitted out in many layers and masks, with anti-bacterial gel at the ready. That day we had around half a dozen guests, one of whom is still with us as part of the team.Read More St Giles Children's GroupsThis term we are trialling a slight change to how we run things for our children and young people at St Giles.Sunday School will be for both juniors and seniors, working on the same themes. I have put together a booklet of extension activities for the older children which they can work on alongside the juniors. These older children may now join us whenever Sunday school is running.  Youth Group is for any secondary school aged child/young person and so those seniors who worked with us last year are invited to join us, as is anyone else who fits into that age group.  I hope these new arrangements will suit everyone's needs. Do get in touch if you need any further information. The children's area at the back of church will always be there for our younger under 3s and at All Age Worship. Irene Dancer Recycling Stamps for CharityThank you to everyone who has donated stamps for Against Breast Cancer UK. As I write this, you have donated over 1kg of stamps. I will be removing the box from the porch of St. Giles at the beginning of March and sending off the collection.Please continue to save your stamps. I have collected for my chosen charity for two years now, and I think it has been very successful. If you would like to use this as a means for collecting for your chosen charity in the future, please create a box and put a notice in the pew sheet and the magazine. Helen Roberts |
ABOUT ST. GILES CHURCH
Chocolate Sunday
Sunday 22nd MarchThe smiles on their faces said it all! Last year over 60 smiles were put on the faces of those no longer able to attend our church when they received Easter cards and chocolates from YOU. Once more, you are invited to bring chocolates to the 10am Sunday morning service on 22nd March to be distributed to the housebound in the parish. The Sunday school will write and decorate the Easter cards.
This year, as well as the usual Easter eggs, we are asking for bags of small Easter eggs or cholcolate bars that can be posted through letter boxes if recipients are not at home. Please, no creme eggs, hard toffees or nuts.
For information contact Irene Dancer
idstgiles@btinternet.com
To volunteer with distribution contact
Helen Roberts on 01689 851267 or hcochraneroberts@ntlworld.com
Thanks You.
Coach Trip to Brighton
Saturday 25th April 2026Escape to the seaside for a perfect Spring day in Brighton. Whether you fancy a relaxed lunch, a spot of shopping, or simply soaking up the sea air, this classic coastal trip has something for everyone.·Departing Farnborough at 9.00 a.m.·Returning from Brighton at 5.00 p.m.·Tickets £19.Early booking recommended -tickets sell fast.
Contact: Carol Fryer at carol@stgileschurch.uk
or on 07951 725069
St Giles Summer Fete
Saturday 13 June 2026Rectory Garden
Join us once again for our much-loved annual Summer Fete, set in the beautiful surroundings of Rectory Garden. We’re looking forward to another glorious summer’s day filled with entertainment, laughter and community spirit.
Enjoy a fantastic programme of performances, including
the Rock Choir,
Punch & Judy,
the Sevenoaks & Tonbridge Band,
the Farnborough May Queen, and dancers from Dance Off Studio.
Come along for an afternoon of live music, delicious food, and the usual Pimms — a perfect way to celebrate summer. Make a note in your diary and join us — we’d love to see you there.
Contact: Carol on carol@stgileschurch.uk
or 07951725069
Church Clock
I appreciate that the church clock is still not working; we do have this in hand, and we are hoping to have it up and running in the near future. Thank you for bearing with us in this.Matthew
New Servers
It was wonderful to welcome Mia and Gary as our new Acolytes and servers at St Giles at out Sung Eucharist, which we hold on the 4th Sunday of every month. They were part of our Gospel procession, and they both did really well. I am so grateful for all our servers and the commitment that they show to our church and its services.Matthew
Flowers in St. Giles
The diary for 2026 is now available for requests for flowers in St. Giles. These might be in memory of a loved one or to celebrate a special occasion. We'd be grateful for a donation towards the cost of flowers and suggest £15 for the Book of Remembrance, £30-£35 for a window (large display) or £60 for the main pedestal. We're always happy to try and provide the flowers/colours requested.For more information, or to book a date, please contact
Lynn Taylor on 01689 861597 or email: lynn.taylor47@ntlworld.com..
The St. Giles Flower Arranging Team