Join us to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III in our special Sunday services:

9:30AM Muddy Coronation on Holloway Hill Recreation Ground
Led by Mark Puddephatt and Suzie Lambert

10AM Classic Service *please note the earlier time
Led by Patrick Samuels | Speaker Keith Harper

10AM Hambledon Morning Worship
Led by Simon Willetts | Speaker Dudley Hilton

Then all congregations and friends are invited to
the Big Church Brunch in the Old Rectory Garden from 11AM

6PM Busbridge Evening Service + Youth
Led by Sarah Rowden | Speaker Ben Barnes

Dear Friends

The coronation is fast approaching, and if it wasn't already on your RADAR, the sight of burgeoning bunting is probably getting you in the mood! We'd love to have some fun together after the services this Sunday and you will be most welcome to stay after the 10AM Classic Celebration, or mooch on over after Muddy on the rec, or the 10AM service at Hambledon Church. We will have the bouncy castles for younger ones, and lawn games and quiz activities for the more mature.

We will also be planting a tree in the Old Rectory Garden to mark the occasion of the coronation. Thanks to renowned quizmasters Alan B, Dudley H for arranging these royal entertainments, and Ed Payne and Alan for donating and preparing the ground for the ceremonial planting.

Do please let us know if you plan to come - it always helps. You can use this link to sign up.

Also reminder that the deadline to join the Busbridge or Hambledon Electoral Roll before the APCMs on 21st May is tomorrow, Friday 5 May. Please read on for details.

BYO Picnic, chairs and picnic rugs. Drinks and ice cream will be provided.

Notices

Also for the Coronation, Bishop Michael Baughen recommends The Coronation Prom at the Royal Albert Hall to honour our new King and celebrate the King of Kings. The free broadcast will be available at at 7pm on Saturday 6 May 2023 with a packed programme of behind-the-scenes interviews, expert insights, celebrity guests and more, leading up to the live concert from 7.30pm. Thereafter, it will remain on the All Souls YouTube channel.

Alpha Course starting Thursday 11th May at 7.30PM: Stay Curious / Who will you invite?
The next course is starting soon 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.

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.

Prime Time Walk and Lunch led by Chris G at Farnham Nature Reserve and the Market Garden Café: Sat 13 May - All welcome. More details >>

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 wonderful opportunity 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 deadline for new applications is Friday 5 May.

Join the Electoral Roll by Friday 5 May - We’d love you to join the church electoral roll if you are not on it already. To complete the application form, please go to Membership. Please return the completed form to the church office by 4pm on Friday 5th May.

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
BHC are not planning a church-orientated project or a house-to-house collection for Christian Aid Week 14-20 May. However, please read the web site for how you can support this invaluable charity, and join us at Nexus on 4th May to hear about one of the many Christian Aid projects....

The Nexus Talk on 4th May is about the Christian Aid Pigeon Pea Project in Malawi. This project gives women in remote communities in Malawi the confidence and skills to start up small businesses.  This, in turn helps the women support their families and their local community. It’s an intriguing title, so do come along and find out more. You’re welcome to bring friends. We’ll start the evening with drinks and nibbles to give us a chance to mingle and meet new people before handing over to Laura for her fascinating presentation. 

Bereavement Café - next date Tuesday 30 May in the Old Rectory.

Furniture and household items for local Ukranians
Local Ukrainians, many of whom have now been with their hosts for a year, are trying to find flats to rent so that they can move out and let their hosts have their homes back. As these flats are unfurnished, they need all household items that one might need to furnish a flat from scratch from furniture to saucepans and cutlery. If you have an unwanted item that you think might be useful for them and would be happy to pass it on, would you please contact, in the first instance, Diane Alder e: diane.alder@btinternet.com or text 07920 828 191 or Peter Crane e: Peter.crane1973@virgin.net or text / phone 07712 485 712.

Coming Up / plan ahead

See the events coming up next and look up dates further ahead in the full calendar.

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. 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

The greatest story of all time is movingly recreated with authentic detail, outstanding quality sound and music. The Life of Christ is a passion play not to be missed. It is both educational and entertaining, amusing and serious.

Watch as hundreds of actors bring the story of Jesus to life in an open-air epic production set in stunning Surrey countryside.

 Young and old from all walks of life will be mesmerised as the story unfolds across three captivating acts from 10am to 3.30pm.

The retelling of this evocative story against the peaceful backdrop of the Wintershall grounds has a profound effect on visitors.

Perfect for schools, families, faith groups or theatre lovers, The Life of Christ is highly entertaining and unforgettable. Book your visit now.

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.

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 & 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.