Dear Friends,

Thanks to all those who have sung their hearts out at the various carol events in the past week, at both churches, the Merry Harriers and the Pavilion by Howling Owl. It’s been wonderful!

Please read on for what’s happening between now and Christmas and the New Year, and on further for the notices for 2023.

The booking system for Christmas Eve means we are looking forward to welcoming some 775 people at St Peter & St Paul’s over the 4PM & 5.15PM services. We hope to have similarly full and atmospheric services at Hambledon, midnight and on Christmas Day. Please share and respond to the Great Invitation!

Simon’s Christmas reflection: The noise and quiet of Christmas is linked below.

The next notices will be published for Sunday 15th January - so please use the what’s on section to check for services and events between now and then.

Happy Christmas and Blessings for the New Year!

Coming Up Next

Christmas Services

CHRISTMAS EVE

Candlelit Celebration for all the family
4PM & 5.15PM | St Peter and St Paul’s Church, Godalming

BOOK NOW

Hambledon Crib Service | 4PM | Hambledon Church
Midnight Communions | 11PM | Busbridge Church | 11.30PM Hambledon Church

CHRISTMAS DAY

Family Celebration, followed by communion | 10AM | Busbridge Church
Family Celebration | 10AM | Hambledon Church
Christmas Choral Eucharist | 10AM | St Peter and St Paul’s Church, Godalming

SUNDAY 1 JANUARY

Topic: Rich indeed
Readings: Numbers 6:22-27, Galatians 4: 4-7 and Luke 2:15-21

10AM Benefice Combined Service
Leader & Speaker: David Jenkins
Hambledon Church & Online

***No service at Busbridge Church***

Sunday 8 January

Topic: The star arrives
Readings: Isaiah 60: 1-6 and Matthew 2: 1-12

Busbridge

9.30AM Muddy Church
Heath Farm, meet at Busbridge Village Hall at 9.20AM

11.15AM Classic Service
Busbridge Church

6PM Busbridge Evening Service
Busbridge Church

Hambledon

10AM Morning Worship [Holy Communion]
Hambledon Church

Notices

Gabe’s Advent Hunt - 18-23 Dec
Contrary to what you might think, there’s no age limit on Gabe’s Advent Hunt around Busbridge - you (and your younger people) can follow the trail, looking for the missing nativity characters anytime next week. It’s hopefully a nice thing to do while you wait and prepare for Christmas! Thanks to Ben Barnes for devising this activity.

28-30 December 10am-2pm. The Yew Tree Café will be closed, but you can still enjoy the cosy café space during the Christmas break. Board games and puzzles provided or bring your own to share. Home standard tea, coffee and hot chocolate free of charge. The Yew Tree café reopens at 8.30AM on Tuesday 3rd January.

Hello 2023!

BHC in 2023
Join us on Sundays and in Small Groups in 2023 as we explore the bible’s teaching and a Christian response to Living through Challenging Times.

Key Verse:
Do Not be Afraid, take courage, it is I
Mark 6:50

Events in the New Year

NEXUS talk 5 Jan ‘Finding yourself in the middle of something big’ – Jon Gidley

We start 2023 with a presentation by Jon Gidley, the Godalming Co-ordinator for Ukrainian refugees.  Jon had wanted to help house some Ukrainians fleeing the war and, from not knowing quite what to do, he found himself organising help and support for 160 Ukrainian refugees arriving in Godalming in desperate need of shelter and community!  Annual subs £20, visitor fee £5. Meet in the Yew Tree Café at 8.00pm and will start the evening with drinks and nibbles to welcome in the New Year before handing over to Jon for his talk.  More Details

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 will be available at all four Godalming Minster churches this Christmas. There are plenty for people to take a supply to give out. Please ask a welcomer. Take a look a the Christmas video and think about whether you feel it’s time to respond yourself, and who you will invite…

'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.

Fridge-Freezer for the Hut
Please let Liz Gorst know if you have a spare fridge-freezer that could replace the one in the CYF Hut. Max height 133cm.

Foundation Governors
We have been delighted to welcome Ruth Roseblade and Seb Cheek as new Foundation Governors for Busbridge Junior School this year and thank them for taking on this important role. We are also very thankful to Matt Rooke for his contribution and to Ron Downhill for his time as Chair.

Are you looking for a way to live out your faith and represent this Church family? We would love to hear from anyone who is keen to join the governor team. Please do contact Penny Harris or Beckie Whiteman via the Church Office.

church family news

Temporary Home needed for the Willetts
Simon and Naomi Willetts are looking for somewhere to live whilst investigations continue into the serious damp problem at their house in Hambledon. If you know of anything suitable, please contact Andrew Dunn (Hambledon church treasurer) on 07973748861, or by email to andrew.dunn@bhcgodalming.org.

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).

Regular Events

Busbridge Morning Prayer Weds at 9am online.

Hambledon Morning Prayer takes place on Wednesdays at 9am. All welcome.

Prayer gatherings for Ukraine (at Busbridge and Hambledon) have stopped for the time being, but prayer will continue in Sunday intercessions and mid-week morning prayer.

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

Churches Together Christmas lunch – volunteers are needed to help with the Christmas lunch on Christmas Day at the Baptist Church for anyone who would otherwise be on their own.  The form setting out the various roles is attached. We are also still looking for a volunteer co ordinator and so if anyone would be willing to do this, please let Sarah Higgins know (sarahhiggins478@gmail.com). Letter to guests and invitation form are also attached for anyone who would like to come.

Christmas Lunch VOLUNTEER Form

Christmas Lunch Invitation

Christmas Lunch Guest Form

Read the latest issue (NOVEMBER) of Churches Together in Godalming and District Link Up.

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.