CLICK HERE FOR ALL EPISODES
The Transformed Life Lent podcast for all 4 churches joining Godalming Minster has a new episode available every week day in Lent. Why listen? It uses the great devotionals by Dave Smith which run alongside the sermon series on Sundays, and the home group bible studies.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS & DIRECTIONS
Dear Friends,
Hip hip hooray! The monthly Men’s Breakfast celebrates its 20th Anniversary this Saturday, and for this momentous occasion the usual porridge and toast breakfast will be replaced by a full-English! Read the post. The topical discussion over breakfast is evidently an enduringly popular format and we are grateful to Alan and Dudley for their commitment. If (chaps) you’d like to join them, come along to the Old Rectory on Saturday at 8.15am. You can let Dudley and Alan know you are coming by signing up or emailing: mensgroup@bhcgodalming.org.
Thanks too to everyone how came to the Small Group 6Ws Info Evening on Monday 27th Feb. A prize for anyone who can remember all 6Ws which make an easy to run, easy to follow small/home group session. The answer is at the bottom of the notices :). Existing groups are hoping to multiply in the Minster so if you are not in a small group please consider it now and speak to Simon Willetts.
Sunday 5 March:
Belonging to His family
Reading: Ephesians 2:19-22
Busbridge
9.30AM Muddy Church [ALL AGE]
Hambledon Village Cricket Green, GU8 4HF
Led by: Mark Puddephatt and Suzie Lambert
Parking available on Vann Lane. Deli-café open at the Village Shop for coffee etc.
11.15AM Classic Service
Busbridge Church & onine
Led by: Hilary Pettman | Speaker: Clare Haddad
6PM Busbridge Evening Service + Youth
Busbridge Church
Led by: Sarah Rowden & Ben Barnes
Now also on 1st Sundays of the month.
Pathfinder & Ichthus Youth groups remain in church.
Hambledon
10AM Morning Worship
with Children’s Club
Hambledon Church & online
Led by: Dudley Hilton | Speaker: Philippa Baker
Coming Up:
See the events coming up next and look up dates further ahead in the full calendar.
Notices
CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE JOB AD
Ad for our new 4-11s Children’s Pastor - the closing date for applications is 13th Mar. It’s a great job, for a great purpose. Please pray and share, share, share! We are truly blessed to have talented and faithful teams of volunteers from the church family coordinating children’s groups for the time being, but we wait expectantly for the right person to take up the position so that these crucial ministries can fully flourish and soar! Can you help share the ad, pray for the right person to see the ad, talk to friends and contacts who might know people, encourage someone to apply?
Please also pray for the appointment of our new Worship Pastor (interviews taking place in the coming weeks).
Hambledon Coffee Morning & Hearing Aid Clinic - 15 March
Join the Electoral Roll - As we approach the Annual Parochial Church Meeting in May, this is a reminder that we’d love you to join the church electoral roll if you are not on it already. Go to Membership. We are grateful to Mary Parker, electoral roll officer for Hambledon, to Maggie Jagger who is handing over the Busbridge Electoral Roll after 7 years, and to Judith Rolfe who is taking it on!
Bishop’s Lent Appeal 2023 - The Turkey-Syria Earthquake and those suffering deprivation in Guildford Diocese AND Hearing Aid Clinics
Work of the Bishop’s Fund is wide-ranging, but one of the recipients is the Hear Hear project that enables the BHC Hearing Aid Clinics. Penny and Sophie Bessant were recently interviewed for the promotional video: https://youtu.be/iuxeNYG0lUI
Get Involved
St Mark’s Church has plans to start a library and is looking for donations of good Christian books. So many different groups use the hall, so any books about Christian faith for seekers, books about suffering and the problem of pain, autobiographies of Christians would be much appreciated. Perhaps Christian children’s books? We want it to be modern readable material which will be accessible for those who want to find out more about christianity or to deepen what faith they have. There will be a box at the back of Busbridge church labelled “Books for St Marks” for the next few weeks. Any questions please feel free to contact me on eashingstubbs@aol.com.
Church newsletter delivery St Mark’s mission is to reach out to the local community to raise awareness of the Church and all it offers. St Marks Church is issuing a Spring Newsletter to the area around the church in March and if anyone could help deliver, that would be good. There will be teams going out if you want to go in pairs. To sign up or to know more information please contact Sheila on sheila.samuels@bhcgodalming.org.
Are you an online shopper? - The Busbridge Tech team needs you!
The Tech team has not quite recovered to full strength since the pandemic, and now has little resilience to cover holidays or illness – or even a five-week month. The investment that the church has made in both the equipment and its installation has paid off and the system is now straightforward and reliable to use. If you can do an online food shop and use email you are technical enough to be able to join the team (full training and support are provided). We are looking for new people for the laptop, livestreaming and sound desk – which do you fancy? Please contact Patrick Elshen or Vic Hicks if you’re interested in finding out more.
Hot Cross Bun hospitality team needed for the Good Friday Walk
This year the church family walk is from Hambledon Church to Busbridge Church where the multitude of thirsty hikers will arrive at the Old Rectory in need of tea and a hot cross bun. We need a team who are willing to forgo the walk, and organise and serve the refreshments in the Old Rectory. If you can, please let Vic know in the church office.
church family news
We have been saddened to hear of several close bereavements within our church family over the last week. Please pray for Lynne Hargreaves, Caroline Wright and Helen Hudgell, together with their families; pray for them to be aware of God’s presence with them and for comfort as they grieve.
Elsewhere
Godalming Baptist Church Life Issues talks: See the full 2023 Life Issues programme.
To book a place contact Sally Pollard-pollard3@hotmail.co.uk or tel-01483-428646.
NEW ISSUE for March. For news from all the other local churches, see:
Churches Together Link Up - MAR 2023
Don’t forget about…
The MyChurchSuite app. It’s the easiest way to check dates, rotas, church emails, look up church members and sign up to events (without having to enter your details again and again!). Contact the Church Office if you’ve lost your login details or would like to request an account.
Mid-week Prayer Gatherings
Reflective Prayer Mons at 8.45am online.
Busbridge Morning Prayer Weds at 9am online.
Hambledon Morning Prayer takes place on Wednesdays at 9am. All welcome.
Busbridge Saturday Prayer Meeting + PrayerFest 0-30 8-9am 2nd Saturdays of the month [11th Feb]
***Send prayer requests to prayer@bhcgodalming.org***
Groups & Activities
The Men’s Group meets for breakfast at 8.15am on the first Saturdays of the month. See the calendar event for details.
The 2023 Prime Time programme for Jan-Jun is now available, and the next event is the Talk on God’s Trees on Friday 24th March. For all events and details, see Prime Time.
The 2023 Nexus programme is now available, and the next event is a talk on 2nd Mar is about the past, present and future of Milford Hospital. For all events and details, see Nexus.
CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST ADS: CHILDREN’S PASTOR 4-11s
Answer: The 6Ws of Small Groups
Well done for getting this far! On Monday Richard Lloyd suggested the following elements form the basis for a super small group session, and can be included to a greater (20 min) or lesser (5 min) degree on a weekly or, perhaps, rotation basis:
Try and include all these bits in a 2 hour session:
WELCOME - Getting to know each other time for a chat and catch up. Offer refreshments, perhaps even a bring and share meal.
WORSHIP - watch and sing with a worship song or set on YouTube. If someone in your group plays the guitar or piano - brilliant! If this sounds too daunting, start by simply listening.
WORD - bible study using the Swedish method - easy to lead and participate and encourages all members can have a go.
WAIT - Space to reflect and listen to God. Pray, but with a focus on growing closer to Jesus and personal discipleship.
WEIGHT - quick feedback on the session. Was it helpful? Did it support growth in discipleship?
Busbridge and Hambledon Churches are open daily for private prayer.
Yew Tree Café
at Busbridge Church
The Yew Tree Café at Busbridge Church is open 8.30am-4pm weekdays in term time, and 10am-2pm on Saturdays, and 10am-4pm during school holidays.
Pastoral Care
PASTORAL CARE & PRAYER MINISTRY TEAM AVAILABLE
If you, or someone you know at church, are in need of support and care, please contact Sandra Wilkin via the church office, or e: pastoral@bhcgodalming.org.
To contact the EMERGENCY prayer chain, email prayer@bhcgodalming.org or call 01483 421267.