UPSET has been expressed by parishioners at St Andrew’s Church, Farnham, in response to a raft of changes.

These include “more contemporary and sometimes gimmicky” services and changes to when the choir could practice, and are said to have been instigated by rector David Uffindell.

Organist Stephen Lacey was given three months’ notice last Tuesday (June 4), as was his daughter Hannah Lacey, a youth worker, to which one parishioner, who wishes to remain anonymous, said they were “stunned, shocked and angry”.

The parishioner added choir members have “agreed between themselves not to sing again” and “some will leave St Andrew’s”.

“Many members of the congregation have already moved to other churches,” they continued.

In a letter to the Herald this week, Janet Martin also raised concerns and said “many” members of the congregation were “no longer happy” to stay at the church.

“Those who expressed their unhappiness were told to find another church,” she continued.

In an open letter to the Bishop of Guildford Andrew Watson, David Richards said it has been a “deeply unhappy period” and “over a quarter of the established regular congregation have gone to worship in other churches”.

Responding to concerns, Reverend Uffindell said they have been “reviewing various areas of our ministry and mission”, including music offering and provision for work with children and families.

He said they had hoped the current director of music and organist would be “open to playing a role” in a music ministry team and, while they have been working with the current part-time children and families worker, they need to “invest more time and resources” in this area.

Rev Uffindell added they have “not come to these conclusions and decisions lightly”, but believes they are “necessary for St Andrew’s to grow as a church”.