Tree planting for the Coronation
Dear Friends
Last Sunday, after the services to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III, some of our older and youngest members of church helped helped Ed and Alan plant a Pride of India (Golden Rain) tree in the Old Rectory Garden. An area by the path, between the OR and the church near the basket ball area, was sown with wildflower seeds to encourage pollinators and about 36 people helped with this. More seeds have been planted by the fence between the carpark and the lawn. We are sure King Charles would approve!
Other highlights at the coronation brunch were the quiz, the word search, games, craft and, of course, the bouncy castles! It was lovely to share the celebration with some of our Ukrainian friends too, and introduce them to the iconic British summertime tipple “Pimms” - by royal appointment, naturally.
This Sunday is the second week in the sermon series Jesus is King. As we continue to explore this years theme -Living Through Challenging Times we find that post Easter we can easily go back to old habits and ways of thinking however the resurrection of Jesus Christ brings about a new way of living. Through this 10-week sermon series, we can rediscover what Jesus Kingship means and ways in which we can live out our faith as citizens of the Kingdom.
Living in Jesus Kingdom requires us to keep growing into the likeness of Christ. This means accepting His sovereignty over every part of our lives. It means surrendering to His greater glorious name. In part 1 of our sermon series (weeks 1-4) we will explore Jesus kingship in the light of the coronation of King Charles. In part 2, working through some parts of Paul’s letter to Philippians, we’ll explore 5 different areas of our life that we can surrender to God’s rule to enable us to live through challenging times.
This Sunday
Jesus the Servant King
Philippians 2: 1-11
9:30AM Busbridge Contemporary
Led by: Patrick Samuels | Speaker: Simon Willetts
Please see the note below about a change for children’s groups*
11:15AM Busbridge Classic Service
Led by: Margot Spencer | Speaker: Simon Willetts
10AM Hambledon Morning Worship [Holy Communion]
Led by: David Jenkins | Speaker: Chris Garner
6PM Busbridge Evening Service
Led by: Simon Willetts | Speaker: Sarah Rowden
*Please take your children into church with you for the start of the service. They will stay in for approximately 10 minutes for a thanksgiving, then can be taken to be registered in their groups (locations below - please note the change for Ark). Pick up will be at the end of the service from the same place that you dropped off.
Notices
2022 Annual Report and Accounts in advance of the APCMs on 21 May
It’s not often we set you homework, but love it or loath it, we ask you all to read and the annual report and accounts for 2022. They provide a round up of all the mission and ministries of Busbridge&Hambledon Church and are a testament to the Kingdom work and giving of so many. Even the most avid reader of the notices will learn something new, and we are grateful to all the contributors, to Liz G compiling the annual report, and to our the treasurers for the accounts.
Annual Parochial Church Meetings 21 May: 9:30AM Busbridge & 11:30AM Hambledon
The Busbridge APCM will replace normal services on 21 May but still involve an act of worship, and children’s groups!
The Hambledon APCM will take place after the 10AM Service, starting at 11.30am after a break for coffee.
The meetings will provide a chance to celebrate everything that God has done through our churches in the past year, and look ahead to the next 12 months. All church members are encouraged to attend, BUT to vote at APCMs, you must be on the Busbridge Electoral Roll to vote at the Busbridge APCM, and the Hambledon Electoral Roll to vote in Hambledon’s APCM. The electoral rolls are now closed until after the APCMs and available on request from the church office.
Serve on the PCC (briefly)! Would you like to serve on the Busbridge PCC or Hambledon PCC for the next 8 months, before the PCC for Godalming Minster is formed? There are 8 vacancies on the Busbridge PCC and 5 vacancies on the Hambledon PCC. If you have been on the electoral roll for 6 months or more, please consider this important role. Nomination forms are at the back of each church for candidates, and should be submitted to the church office before the meetings.
Christian Aid Week 14-20 May
As part of our commitment to mission, BHC Outward Giving encourages you to support Christian Aid Week 14-20 May, which this year is channeling aid to its Pigeon Pea Project in Malawi. Please give generously. The mighty pigeon pea is drought resistant, so thrives in the dry fields of southern Malawi. It’s an essential part of the diet of millions of people around the world, and as part of it’s fundraising campaign, Christian Aid is asking us to join the Big Pea Challenge this Christian Aid Week! You could host a pea soup lunch, grow and sell plants or get the craft box out and make pea-cussion instruments with the kids. For more details see: Christian Aid Week 2023 | The Big Pea Challenge. if anyone wants to organise any of the above, please let the office know so we can publicise it.
Ascension Day 18 May: Everyone is invited to the Minster-wide Choral Eucharist at St Peter & St Paul’s next Thursday, 18 May at 8pm. The choir will include singers from BHC, and if anyone would like to read or lead intercessions at the service, please let the church office know by Monday.
Alpha Course on Thursdays May-July at 7.30PM: Stay Curious / Who will you invite?
The next course is getting underway at St Mark’s Church, led by Sheila Samuels and Keith Harper. They would love to hear from you if you would like to find out about the course for yourself or someone else. Cooks to provide a meal would also be very welcome. More details >>
Reflective Prayer 8:45am Mondays on Zoom
As there are several Monday Bank Holidays in May, as well as holiday arrangements for those who host and lead Reflective Prayer, Reflective Prayer will take place on just one date in May - Monday 22 May. Do join us on Zoom! We shall resume "normal" service on Monday 5 June.
Bereavement Café - next date Tuesday 30 May in the Old Rectory.
Coming Up / plan ahead
See the events coming up next and look up dates further ahead in the full calendar.
Don’t forget about…
Go to the MyChurchSuite info and instructions.
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. Thanks to Phil M who has tested and modified the instructions which are now on the web site here.
Simon’s sabbatical 11th April-15th July 2023
While Simon Taylor enjoys his sabbatical, the leadership of the benefice is in the capable hands of Simon Willetts, supported by Margot Spencer, the wardens, clergy and staff team. Minster plans will continue to develop.
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.
***Please 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.
Hambledon Coffee Morning and Hearing Aid Clinic takes place 3rd Wednesdays of the month at 10.30am.
The 2023 Prime Time programme for Jan-Jun is now available. For all events and details, see Prime Time.
Nexus meets on the 1st Thursday of the month, with talks and activities for church members and the community. The 2023 Nexus programme can be found on Nexus.
Elsewhere
For news from all the other local churches, see:
Churches Together Link Up - MAY 2023
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.
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.
Busbridge and Hambledon Churches are open daily for private prayer.