Women's Breakfast 28 Jan

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Women’s breakfast - 28th Jan - report

The Guildford Advent Calendar

We had a very inspiring talk about the Guildford Advent Calendar’ organised by Susan Snashall who gave up her time to tell us about the project.

The project took most of last year to organise gaining inspiration from the Brighton Beach Hut Tableaux run through Advent along Brighton sea front.

What was displayed around the town

In Guildford 25 tableaux based on texts from the King James Bible were displayed in shop windows and institutions in the Town Centre with one being opened on each day in Advent.

The verses from the Old Testament told of God's plan for the salvation of all nations and the New Testament verses told of the run up to Christ's birth.

For example:

Day 1 - Genesis 1:1

'In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.'

The tableau for this was produced by Jigsaw School and was displayed in the window of Maloncho's Tandoori.

Day 24 - Luke 2:7, 15

'And she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger.'

This tableau was made by 4th Guildford Brownies and displayed in the Guildford Arts Centre.

Grey day outside -

warm, bright and friendly inside

The morning was cold, grey and damp at 8.30am but soon Church of The Holy Spirit was warm, bright and filled with life as thirty women gathered for another breakfast.

We did allow Colin and Alan to drop in early - to help with the sound system ! - so that Patsy could record, thank you Patsy.

A wonderful breakfast - with porridge!

Joy did a wonderful job ensuring the porridge was cooked to perfection and this was a very welcome addition to the menu. We also enjoyed the usual fresh fruit, croissants all washed down by juice, tea or coffee. The team of helpers before and after were invaluable in making sure the event ran smoothly.

Susan is part of 'Churches Together in Guildford' which facilitates across churches activities such as the Good Friday Walk of Witness, and it supports other joint church projects such as Number 5 for the homeless and Street Angels.

Susan also told us about her involvement with 'Friends International' who befriend and support international students and their families. Providing opportunities for them to meet and be welcomed into local families, for example, for a meal. They also provide meeting places for families with young children who can feel very isolated in Guildford.