Our Lady of Walsingham is a title given to Mary, the mother of Jesus, who is the patron saint of our parish church.On Wednesday, July 2nd, our rector Fr Shane Griffiths will celebrate a Holy Communion service in her honour at Dunsfold Church at 9.30am.The title 'Our Lady of Walsingham' refers to an apparition of Mary that was experienced by Richeldis de Faverches, a devout English noblewoman, in 1061 in the village of Walsingham, Norfolk.According to tradition, Lady Richeldis was instructed to build a replica of the Holy House—the home of the Holy Family in Nazareth. This structure became a shrine and a significant site of pilgrimage, later entrusted to the Canons Regular of Saint Augustine sometime between 1146 and 1174.Our Lady of Walsingham is venerated by Anglicans and Roman Catholics.
Last weekend, almost 30 intrepid adventurers, including Bishop Andrew and Diocesan Secretary Geraldine, descended 160 feet down the side of Guildford Cathedral in the name of charity! All the abseilers were fundraising for the Cathedral to support the £3,500 daily running costs and to boost mission and community outreach.In addition, Bishop Andrew was also fundraising for the Bishop of Guildford’s Communities Fund to support churches who are reaching out to some of our more disadvantaged communities.All the abeseillers were presented with certificates by Dean Bob once they were safely down on the ground, with some giving interviews to BBC Surrey.Bishop Andrew said: “As I was about to step off backwards over the edge of the tower into the 160 ft abyss between me and the ground, I was reminded that, sometimes in our Christian journey we can’t look forwards and see what’s ahead. It’s only in looking backwards and having trust that we can see where God has been at work in helping us through our struggles.”There is still time to donate and help the abseilers reach the £15,000 target.
When was the last time we had to use the phrase ‘weather permitting’ in these parts? Well the arrival of the high winds and rain may impact this Saturday’s (June 7th) planned Pop-Up Stall.We hope our usual sales will take place between 10am and noon outside the village shop and that you will come down to buy some wonderful homemade jams, cake and other produce plus our selection of church souvenirs that make perfect gifts. It’s always great to see you and you’re assured of a warm welcome.But we will check the prevailing weather conditions nearer the time and let you know if anything has changed.
On Saturday 14 June Bishop Andrew will be one of those abseiling from the top of Guildford Cathedral’s tower. Participants will climb the Cathedral’s spiral staircase, consisting of 249 steps, to a height of 160 feet, roughly the height of ten double-decker buses, where they will enjoy stunning panoramic views of Guildford before experiencing the thrill of abseiling back to the ground.Bishop Andrew is taking part in the decent to raise money for both the Bishop of Guildford’s Communities Fund and Guildford Cathedral. Bishop Andrew says: “I don’t have the greatest head for heights, but am looking forward to the Daring Descent as a way of highlighting two great causes which I support every month: the Bishop of Guildford’s Communities Fund (which helps our churches reach out into the most deprived parts of their communities) and our beloved Cathedral Church of the Holy Spirit which costs £3,500 a day to keep open.”You can support Bishop Andrew via this link: https://guildfordcathedral.enthuse.com/pf/bishop-andrew
