Dear Friends,

We are well into January, and already there have been a few great things going on this new year. The men’s group met for its inaugural breakfast of 2023 at Wetherspoons, Nexus have had their first meeting and our Ukrainian friends celebrated Christmas in Busbridge Church on Saturday 7 Jan (as they do in Ukraine). Thanks to Julie and Michael S and Lizzie B who hosted and made everyone feel so at home. It has been nice to see the church used as a hospitality and multi-way space so well in the Christmas season.

The new year’s highlight was the licensing of Rev Sheila Samuels as Associate Minister for Godalming Minister (when it forms) at St Mark’s Church and Community Centre which took place on 11 January. We share our love and congratulations with Sheila, and join Archdeacon Paul Davies in expressing our gratitude for her faithful service here already, and pray for her pioneering ministry going forward.

The Minster Steering group met last week to progress what it refers to as the “secular” (legal, financial, administrative matters) and “sacred” (mission and worship - what it’s all about!) activities that need to take place to bring Godalming Minster into being in 2023. Work with the diocese and the PCCs will carry on in the background for the time being.

For some of us there’s perhaps a feeling that things are back to full speed before we are ready. If the dull days and mud are dampening your “oomph”, and Spring seems a long way off, try church this Sunday to fan the joy of Christmas! Services, with children’s groups, are back to normal this Sunday.

The theme for 2023 is Living through Challenging Times, and along with the known and unknown international, national and personal challenges, 2023 will be a historic and exciting year for Busbridge and Hambledon Churches as they unite with Godalming Parish to become Godalming Minster. It will undoubtedly stretch many of us in faith, time and energy. In anticipation of some possible “straining at the oars” in any aspect of your life, the bible verse to take with us through 2023 is Mark 6: 50. Do not be afraid - Take Courage it is I. The theme will be introduced in sermons this Sunday.

Sunday Services 15 January

Challenging times:

people priorities, purpose - resources, commitment, finances
Readings: Mark 6:50b

Busbridge

9.30AM Contemporary Service [Holy Communion]
Busbridge Church
Led by: Patrick Samuels | Speaker: Simon Taylor

***All invited for coffee & donuts in the Yew Tree Café between services ***

11.15AM Classic Service
Busbridge Church
Led by: Peter Shaw | Speaker: Simon Taylor

Hambledon

10AM Morning Worship
Hambledon Church
Led by: Hilary Pettman | Speaker: Simon Willetts

4PM Messy Church
Hambledon Village Hall
Led by: Simon Willetts & the Messy Team

Next Sunday 22 January:

10.30AM Churches Together Service at St John’s Church, Farncombe
***No morning services at Busbridge or Hambledon***

6PM Busbridge Evening [Holy Communion]

Coming Up:

See the events coming up next below or look up dates further ahead in the full calendar. Select the event for details and the location (online or on site).

Notices

6PM Service social 29th Jan
The 6PM team would therefore like to invite you to a social gathering for a drink/food and a chat at The Inn on the Lake from 6p.m. - 7:30p.m. Do come along and bring a friend and we can catch up with each other. 

If you have not been to the evening service for a while or if you do not normally come to the 6p.m. service but would like to join us - you would be very welcome. We look forward to seeing you there. Contact Shan Hallam (on behalf of the 6PM Congregational Team)

Alpha in 2023 - BHC with Godalming parish (soon to be Godalming Minster), and will be running the next Alpha course at St Mark’s, starting on Thursday 26 January. “Stay Curious” postcard invitations to the January Alpha course are available. To watch the promo video view the notices in the a web browser.

'The Bereavement Journey' - a 6 week course for those who have been bereaved at any time, starting Tues 21 Feb - 28 March 2023, 7-9PM in the Old Rectory. Contact Sandra Wilkin e: pastoral@bhcgodalming.org for more details. To watch the promo video view the notices in the a web browser.

New Wine Festival - 1st-5th August - Book by 19 Jan for the Earlybird Discount!
Once again a group of happy campers from BHC will be going to New Wine week B at the Kent Event Centre in Maidstone from 1st-5th August. Would you like to join the group? New Wine is a Christian summer festival with impactful teaching, worship, Holy Spirit ministry, community, connection, and transformational encounters with God. There will be programmes for all ages, with New Wine Kids groups and LUMINOSITY for 11-18s. Find out more and book tickets at new-wine.org/united.  Please speak to Suzie Lambert to find out more. See https://www.new-wine.org/events/united23/

Please note that Ben Barnes and BHC youth (years 7-11) are also going to Satellites https://www.youthscape.co.uk/satellites from 4-8 August. Teens only invited!

Ad for Worship Pastor - Please look out for the updated ad for the Worship Pastor for BHC (in due course, Godalming Minster) which will be available shortly. Please pray and share, share, share! Likewise we are still on the hunt a 4-11s Children’s Worker. These are both fundamental roles in the church and the Minster.

Regular Events

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.

Next Hambledon Coffee Morning with Hearing Aid Clinic is Weds 18th Jan 2023. All welcome.

Elsewhere

Godalming Baptist Church has its first Life Issue coming up on Saturday 22nd January from 10.00am-12.30pm (coffee from 9.30am) 'Becoming a grandmother in your church and community' Please see attachment for more details. 

The morning will be led by Kathleen Smith, an inspiring and encouraging Speaker and promises to be a really worthwhile morning. To book a place (£7) please contact Sally-01483-428646 or e-mail-pollard3@hotmail.co.uk  by Friday 13th January as a certain number of attendees is needed for the sessions to take place.

See the full 2023 Life Issues programme

The Surrey Appropriate Adult Service (SAAVS) offers support to vulnerable adults and young people who find themselves detained in Police custody. They are seeking more volunteers and could use your help. Attached are a number of resourses which we hope you could use locally to raise awareness and hopefully help appeal to the next round of volunteers.

Below is further details if you want to do a profile. https://www.cofeguildford.org.uk/whats-on/news/detail/2023/01/06/do-you-have-a-new-year-s-resolution-to-be-more-community-active-to-make-a-difference

Urgent  ‘Open the book’ assembly at Moss Lane - once a month on a Monday afternoon

In order to be able to continue, we are searching for folk who would like to act in a small team, sharing the gospel on a monthly basis for 1 hour to the children of 'Moss Lane’ school. Please come and see what we do before you commit.

Contact Catherine Lawton 07973927233 / catherine@lawtonfamily.net

For news from all the other local churches, see:
Churches Together Link Up - Jan 2023

Don’t forget about…

Minster Update. The Minster Transition Steering Group have published a November Update, which can be found here.

Things in the following areas may not make the notices, but the latest info can be found on the web pages:

Church Family Support Fund
Do you know of anyone who might be struggling to pay their bills in this very challenging time? The Church Family Support Fund is here to help anyone, in the Godalming area, who is in need financially with a one off payment . All details about the fund and an application form can be found on the Busbridge church web site, or please contact Jill Johnston on 01483 422194.

Busbridge and Hambledon Churches are open daily for private prayer.

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.