Sunday 11 June 2017

Many of you will know, and remember, Ian and Karen Cooke, who worshipped here for several years, until they moved to Milford.  Ian was one of our wonderful sound team and they also belonged to one of our house groups.  We are deeply saddened to have to tell you that Ian died peacefully on Thursday 1st June, after a short illness. We send our love and prayers to Karen, Molly and Stanley. Ian’s funeral will take place at Clandon Wood on Thursday 22nd June at 1.00pm followed by burial.  Any friends who would like to come to the service will be very welcome. Please hold Karen and the children in your prayers, together with Ian’s family and many friends.

Christian Aid
A big thank you to everyone who contributed to the house to house collection in Christian Aid week. June Higgins has paid £1,600 in to the C A account. Gift aid has not yet been added so the final total will be higher.

Update on Music Development Role
Over the past few weeks, at the PCC’s request, we’ve been explaining the importance of music in worship and seeking to set out a vision for where it might develop further if someone was given dedicated time for this (ie: remunerated part time – far less than the previous role). There hasn’t been any response to the invitation to help support this financially so it is now right that we review where we go next with music. We have great musicians and are incredibly grateful for their time, commitment and gifts. We’ll be gathering the musicians together soon. The situation as it currently stands is that we have recently ‘lost’ two musicians, the leader of classic music has had a baby (congratulations Jenna!), there is a space in the area of oversight of music development and we have no-one holding music ministry together. A lack of response is not necessarily a poor response. It may be that everyone is very aware that we need to raise significant funds to complete Old Rectory (more on that very soon); it is possible that we are not meant to be developing music at this time and that God has other priorities for us as His church family; it may be that God wants us to look at Sunday worship differently in the future and we need to be open to this possibility.

A reminder of the Hambledon Prayer Breakfast, 8.30am on Saturday 17th June at Hambledon Church. All welcome.

Fundraising events for Old Rectory
A black tie event called the Music in Munstead Soirée was held on 27th May at Alison Martin’s house in aid of the Old Rectory project. We’re delighted to tell you that the soiree raised £1200 - fantastic! Thank you to all those involved in organising this special event.

There are also tickets still available for Midsummer Music at Malthouse Farm  on Saturday 24th June. A relaxing evening of opera, the joyful strains of jazz and classics from the West End and Gilbert & Sullivan...all in the grounds of Malthouse Farm. Bring a picnic, drinks and something to sit on. Tickets are £22 each and available from www.bhcgodalming.org/tickets/malthouse.

Could you be an occasional sound volunteer?
We would love to recruit a few more volunteers to our sound pool for the Busbridge services. The equipment is extremely easy to use – if you can operate a car radio you can operate our system – and we even have an iPad if you would rather not sit at the back! No previous experience necessary as one-to-one training will be given. If you feel you might be able to help this important ministry please email sound@bhcgodalming.org in the first instance. Thankyou.

Sunday 25th June | The BIG June Parish Picnic
From 11.30am in the Old Rectory garden. Bring a picnic, a rug and the whole family!

Monday 26th June | Boys’ BBQ & Beer Bash
There’s a BBQ, there’s beer (and cider) and lots of manly fun, all in the Old Rectory Garden. This is a ticketed event with limited numbers (but free to go along). Book your tickets at www.bhcgodalming.org/tickets. Each ticket is for you and a friend.

Tuesday 27th June | Great Girls’ Get-together
STOP PRESS!! It has belatedly come to our attention that the team who have beautifully organised this event for the last 3-4 years are unable to do it this year. Unless a team of at least 4 people put their names forward to Catherine McBride ASAP, we will unfortunately have to CANCEL this event. Could this be you? Email catherine.mcbride@bhcgodalming.org.

Another event in the Old Rectory Garden - similar to the boys’ bash in that it’s ticketed, each ticket is for 2 people. Go to the website to book, however, this is a far more refined event; we have wine.

Squires Lunch
The next Squires lunch will be on the 18th June at 12 noon; (due to the Parish picnic taking place on the 25th). If you would like to join us to partake of the gastronomic delights of Squires, please let Terry Swanton know by 14th June.Hope you will be able to join us!

please pray for…
· Those affected by recent events in Manchester & London
· Andrew Baker and his family
· Brian Oxborough, in Milford Hospital
· Students facing exams
· Minster Road and their road stewards, Ruth Bennett, Sarah Black & Nick Moore
· Rectory Close and Salt Lane