Some recent pics from the very happy Easter Egg Hunts in Busbridge and Hambledon, and last Sunday’s Unplugged Frescoustic in the Old Rectory Garden!

This Sunday

An inner examination of our sense of purpose

Reading: Mark 1: 9-15

Come to church or watch at home - Services are back in church and broadcast live on YouTube!

9am Heritage Service - Hambledon

Leader & Speaker: Simon Willetts
Also serving: Reading: Sheelagh V | Welcome & Prayers: Andrew D and Frances D | Music: Jim and Shelagh G | Tech: Dan D & Graham H

9am Classic Service [with communion] - Busbridge

Leader: Keith Harper | Speaker: Simon Taylor
Also serving: Prayers: Maggie J | Music: Gaye C and Lisa O-P | Tech: Ben R and Martin L.

At Busbridge, sound will be on in the churchyard for those wishing to remain outside and listen to the service (no need to sign up, but you may wish to bring a chair!).

10.30AM Contemporary: FUSE all age service - ONLY IN THE OLD RECTORY GARDEN

Mark P and Suzie L lead a fun filled all age service in the Old Rectory garden. This service will not be broadcast online.

Sign up to attend by using the “I’ll be there” link, or scroll down to watch on YouTube.

Click below to WaTch the SERVICES ONLINE

UPDATE - With the easing of restrictions, the better weather and more people back at church, the after church online coffee and catch-ups are moving to once a month:
6.30PM on 2nd Sundays (next on 9 May) and 11.30AM on 3rd Sundays (next on 16 May).

We are still not allowed to offer refreshments at church, but hope to be able to restart the lovely habit of coffee at the end of services after 21 June!

Next Sunday 9 May

anywhere

Reading: Mark 1: 21-34

Children & Youth

In person CYF groups are back!

NEW at 10.30AM Family Garden Service
For families with children aged 0-11. A parent or guardian needs to stay too.

4.30PM Pathfinders - The Hut, Old Rectory

7.30PM Ichthus - The Hut, Old Rectory

Contact the CYF team for details:
Juliet (0-3s), Judith (4-11s), Anto (11-18s)

Services

9AM Hambledon Heritage Service
Speaker: Andy Spencer

9AM Busbridge Classic Service
Speaker: Andy Spencer

10:30AM Contemporary Service: Conversations from the couch

The Notices

Pcc approval for the café at Busbridge Church, and joining the parishes of busbridge and hambledon

The trustees (PCCs) of the churches met recently and we are delighted to share two bits of news with everyone. On Monday 26 April the PCC approved plans for the conversion of the Busbridge Church Centre into a café for parishioners and the local community. More

Hambledon PCC voted to seek diocesan approval for us to become one parish. Busbridge PCC had already voted for this. This does not change anything ‘on the ground’ but it does mean our governance, trusteeship and resources are held together better. We already meet in the same room as a joint PCC so not much would change there. There are no plans to change local ministry, local worship or local presence – particularly for Hambledon and we’re looking at ways to ensure that the commitment to long term clergy residence in the village is secured long, long into the future and as watertight as we can possibly make it.

Outward Giving

Go to the Outward Giving page to find out about the 3 things to support this month:

1. Friends International UK - one of our mission partners which is featured in the latest Outward Giving Update. Friends international is a Christian charity seeking to grow friendship and faith with international students in the UK & Ireland. Over 450,000 international students study at UK universities and some 550,000 come to study English in language schools. FI wants to give students a great time in the UK, chances to experience real local culture, and opportunities to hear the Christian message. Our activities are open to those of all faiths and none.

2. An update on the work of the Nazareth Way in HMP Send. David Jenkins talks to Lesley Mason in an interview about the needs of those in prisons such as Send, and the work of chaplains.

3. Christian Aid week 10-16 May. In the absence of door to door collections again this year, it’s even more important that we support by donating online, joining the local quiz or the sponsored challenge to make 300,000 steps during May! More details.

Join the church membership / Electoral Roll - deadline 6 May for APCMs on 23 May.
This year’s APCMs will be on 23 May, and to vote you must be on the electoral roll. The form and instructions can be downloaded HERE.

Coming Up

Reconnect in worship and prayer - 16 May at 7PM
You are called to reconnect in worship and prayer in Busbridge and Hambledon churchyards, when we will be able to enjoy sung worship and prayer ministry together. The theme for Busbridge will be REVIVAL, and at Hambledon DISCERNMENT!
Scroll down to sign up to the Worship and Prayer evenings. Please wear a face covering, and bring a chair if you'd like to sit rather than stand.

APCMs on 23 May: ‘Quality – God’s future for us’ ON ZOOM & AT CHURCH
The prayer evenings will lead us into the APCMs the following Sunday which will follow the abridged morning services:
9AM Heritage followed by the APCM at 9.30AM
10.30AM Busbridge Combined with the APCM starting at 10.45AM (The Family Garden service will take place at 10.30AM for those with children aged 0-11, so if 2 parents are coming to church it’s possible for one to attend the APCM either on Zoom or in church).

Men Matters Breakfast - all (men) welcome to Zoom in at 9AM on Sat 1 May, with their porridge and coffee to share views on current issues. In the wake of Prince Philip’s funeral, the meeting on 1 May will be a chance to share views on the merits of monarchy.

NEXUS online Talk: Women in the Crimean War - 6 May
At the next meeting Margaret Jackson will give us some insights into the roles of women in the Crimean War, with tales from some who were there.  Margaret has a keen interest in history and in portraying historical figures with experience working at Bletchley Park. It should be a fascinating presentation about a war which started in 1853 to uphold the rights of Christian minorities in the Holy Land.  This will be a free Zoom meeting starting at 8.00pm, but you’re invited to join from 7.45pm so you’ll have a chance to chat with others.  We look forward to seeing you!

Saturday Busbridge Prayer group and Prayerfest 0-30 in 60
These will combine for the foreseeable future, and next meet on 8 May at 8.30AM on Zoom.

Ascension Day 13 May
We will join Godalming Churches Together for a service to be held at at St John’s, Farncombe at 5.30PM. There’s plenty of space available. No need to sign up.

Can you help?

Thanks to all those who completed the post-lockdown survey last week.

The Bridge

Our very grateful thanks and a warm welcome to Kirsty Glaysher and Sally Wood who are joining The Bridge as road stewards for respective parts of the Brighton Road. 

Meanwhile we are still seeking a new road steward for Shackstead Lane (numbers 2-26 only) and Busbridge Lane (numbers 106-146, 111-125)

We're looking for someone who might be able to deliver magazines to 14 houses (the Godalming College end of Shackstead Lane). And we're also looking for a new road steward who, 6 times a year, would be willing to deliver magazines to 32 houses in Busbridge Lane (numbers 106-146 & 111-125).

If you live in, or close to these stretches, (or maybe know someone who does and might be willing to take on the role) please contact the editor, Cathy, at editor.atthebridge@gmail.com. We'd be delighted and most appreciative to hear from you.  

Sundays

To restart, sustain and keep step with easing restrictions, we now need to recall the army of volunteers that served on Sundays and in all ministries pre 2020!

The most pressing need in the coming weeks is for WELCOMERS at all 3 services (Busbridge and Hambledon). We can’t meet our COVID safety procedures (setting up the hygiene station, signing people in, encouraging hands, face and space) without a committed team of Welcomers. Contact the church office if you’d like to help.

CHILDREN, YOUTH & FAMILIES
Tiny Tigers, Ark and Pathfinders await helpers to come forward to run their sessions. A need for helpers coupled with the short term challenge of restricted numbers in our modestly sized church buildings, have inspired plans to run a service for families with 0-11s in the OR gardens at 10.30AM (alongside the Contemporary service) starting next Sunday 9 May. At least one parent or guardian will need to stay with their children and take part in the fun.

SOUND & VISION. We still need more people on the tech and production team to ensure amazing (i.e. worship enhancing but unobtrusive) sound and vision in the churches as well as via YouTube. Good training will be provided and the skill is highly transferable! Watch the promo below, and contact Jacob if you would like to find out more.

BHC seeks an online digital producer and technician!

The advert for this 6 month part-time contract can be found on the job vacancies page. Please take and look and share with anyone who might be interested. Closing date 9 May 2021.

More Digi-disciples needed!

If you are wondering how we put out 3 online services each week, and who is behind the camera, here’s a great video to show what it’s like, and inspire you! Please contact Jacob if you’d like to be involved or find out more. e: jacob.taylor@bhcgodalming.org

Coming Up NEXT:

See the list below or look up dates further ahead in the full calendar. Select the event to join the meetings on Zoom, or sign up.

Please Pray for

• Fox Dene and its road steward Helen Todd

• The Hydons

• ABC toddler group and the parents as the group restarts on Tuesdays.

Services at Busbridge Church and Hambledon Church from 25 April
Services are back in both churches AND broadcast live on YouTube. The Contemporary Conversations service has moved into Busbridge Church, and starts at the slightly later time of 10.30AM. Communion (bread only) will take place on 1st Sundays of the month in the 9AM Busbridge Classic service, and on 3rd Sundays in the 9AM Hambledon Heritage service. Those attending are asked to SIGN UP and wear a FACE COVERING. Singing is not permitted in church, but is allowed outdoors (with face coverings).

Busbridge Church and Hambledon Church are both open daily for private prayer.

The Old Rectory is reopening gradually, and clergy and staff are still mainly working from home. The answerphone is checked regularly, but the best way to reach people is by email.

PRAYER MINISTRY TEAM AVAILABLE

To contact the EMERGENCY prayer chain, email prayer@bhcgodalming.org  or call Lisa Olsworth-Peter on 01483 421267.
Listening prayer is available mid-week.

Catch up on News from other areas

News Items

Prime Time Lockdown Blog

elsewhere

Trinity Trust Team is looking for a Full time Youth Worker to join the Award WinningYouth Ministry Team. For More information go to www.trinitytrustteam.co.uk

Godalming Churches Together Link- Up - April Edition

Biking Pilgrimage for persecuted Christians next May: North Foreland lighthouse (Kent’s most easterly point) to Land’s End
Revd Robert Deberry is organising a bike pilgrimage next spring which will be including Godalming over the weekend 21-22 May 2021. See the letter for details. If you could offer accommodation to 1-2 cyclists for the weekend, please contact the church office.

Please print a pdf copy of the notices (18 April) and deliver to anyone you know who isn’t on email!