COVID UPDATE TO SERVICES: 22 DEC 2021
We are looking forward to celebrating Christmas at church, with indoor and open air services. In light of current restrictions, everyone is required to wear a face covering at indoor church services, and we would kindly request you to LFT before attending events at church. We will continue to broadcast services on YouTube.
COVID UPDATE TO SERVICES: 23 DEC 2021
Events and services which particularly attract all ages, including under 12s who are not vaccinated, or required to wear face coverings, will now take place outdoors. This change applies to the following services:
OUTDOOR CHRISTMAS SERVICES
THE WEATHER FORECAST IS WET, AND WE ARE KEEPING AN EYE ON IT! THE SERVICES WILL TAKE PLACE IN LIGHT RAIN, BUT NOT TORRENTIAL CONDITIONS. THERE IS NO COVER FOR THE CONGREGATION, SO PLEASE COME EQUIPPED, AND WATCH THE HOME PAGE FOR UPDATES.
Christmas Eve at Busbridge
3.30PM, 4.30PM & 5.30PM Family Candlelit Celebration - now in the Old Rectory Garden.
Sign up no longer required, unless you would like to receive updates.
Christmas Eve at Hambledon
4PM Crib Service in Hambledon Churchyard
Christmas Day
10AM Christmas Day Celebration at Busbridge - in the Old Rectory Garden
10AM Christmas Day Celebration at Hambledon - in the Churchyard
CHRISTMAS SERVICES IN CHURCH
The following services which tend to be attended mainly by those who are vaccinated and wear face coverings, and do not transfer as well to an outdoor setting, will take place in church as planned:
Christmas Eve
11PM Midnight Communion at Busbridge
CANCELLED: 11PM Midnight Communion at Hambledon
Christmas Day
9AM Said Communion (in one kind, without carols) at Busbridge
PLEASE KEEP AN EYE ON THIS PAGE FOR ANY FURTHER UPDATES.
The BHC Advent Album
Week 4 of Advent: Carols in the Open Air!
Please use the Christmas Services link below to go to the Advent & Christmas section, and get to the heart of Christmas.
this CHRISTMAS
CHRISTMAS EVE
Sharing the heart of Christmas: joy shared
Readings: Luke 2:1-17
Christmas Day
Topic: Your place in the heart of Christmas: joy found
Readings: Luke 2:11-21
COVID UPDATE TO SERVICES: 23 DEC 2021
We are glad looking forward to celebrating Christmas at church, with services indoors and outside. Everyone is required to wear a face covering during (indoor) church services, and we would kindly request you to LFT before attending events at church. We will continue to broadcast services on YouTube. Events and services which particularly attract all ages, including under 12s who are not vaccinated, or required to wear face coverings, will now take place outdoors. This change applies to the following services:
OUTDOOR CHRISTMAS SERVICES
THE WEATHER FORECAST IS WET, AND WE ARE KEEPING AN EYE ON IT! THE SERVICES WILL TAKE PLACE IN LIGHT RAIN, BUT NOT TORRENTIAL CONDITIONS. THERE IS NO COVER FOR THE CONGREGATION, SO PLEASE COME EQUIPPED, AND WATCH THIS SPACE FOR UPDATES.
Christmas Eve at Busbridge
3.30PM, 4.30PM & 5.30PM Family Candlelit Celebration - now in the Old Rectory Garden
Christmas Eve at Hambledon
4PM Crib Service in Hambledon Churchyard
Christmas Day
10AM Christmas Day Celebration at Busbridge - in the Old Rectory Garden
10AM Christmas Day Celebration at Hambledon - in the Churchyard
CHRISTMAS SERVICES IN CHURCH
The following services which tend to be attended mainly by those who are vaccinated and wear face coverings, and do not transfer as well to an outdoor setting, will take place in church as planned:
19 Dec:
6PM Traditional Carol Service at Busbridge
7PM Carols by Candlelight at Hambledon
Christmas Eve
11PM Midnight Communion at Busbridge
CANCELLED: 11PM Midnight Communion at Hambledon
Christmas Day
9AM Said Communion (in one kind, without carols) at Busbridge
PLEASE KEEP AN EYE ON THE HOME PAGE FOR ANY FURTHER UPDATES.
The Churches Together in Godalming & District Service of Light on the Churches Together website (www.godalmingchurches.org) and the Churches Together Facebook page.
Next Sunday 26 dECEMBER
Boxing Day is a a Sunday this year, and there will be no services at Busbridge or Hambledon churches.
In their place,
watch the Guildford Diocese All Age service:
Sunday 2 january
10AM Benefice Combined Service - OPEN AIR
Leader & Speaker: Simon Willetts
Hambledon Churchyard
No service at Busbridge Church.
The Notices
NOW OUTDOORS!
CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIT FAMILY CELEBRATIONS AT BUSBRIDGE CHURCH
Thanks to everyone who booked seats for the Christmas Eve Family celebrations at 3.30pm, 4.30pm or 5.30pm. Now that the services are taking place outdoors, we are able to “un-restrict” numbers and welcome everyone in the Old Rectory garden. The same service will run 3 times at 3.30pm, 4.30pm and 5.30pm. There will be candles and costumes to create a very genuine nativity atmosphere! Please do still sign up to come so that we gauge numbers, and contact you if there are any further changes or instructions.
There is no need to sign up for any other services over Christmas. Please do wear a face covering!
All things happening for Advent and Christmas can be found HERE including the link to book Christmas Eve services at Busbridge. There’s separate pages for the Walking Advent Calendar, Advent Reflections, and Christmas Giving (Hampers and the Christmas Appeal for the Bible Society).
The Bridge Magazine—looking for an new editor and treasurer.
The Jan/Feb edition of the Bridge will for the last issue for the foreseeable future as we wait for people to step into the roles of editor and treasurer. We are so grateful to Cathy Brook and Lesley Reeves for all their work in recent years.
The Bridge is provides a special link between church and community, which we are keen not to lose. Do please contact Vic Hicks if you would like to find out about these roles. The role of Bridge editor is paid, and could be shared with a deputy editor. Click the link for details.
The Nov/Dec Issue of the Bridge is available online HERE, including Christmas events and services at church.
Yew Tree Café seeks Assistant Manager - the ad and job spec for this role is now available on the vacancies page here. Please contact Karen Hart via e: yewtreecafe@bhcgodalming.org if you want to find out about it.
NEW YEAR OPPORTUNITIES
Alpha in 2022: The next online course is starting 11 January so please use Christmas as an opportunity to consider it for yourself or inviting others. Mark Puddephatt will be hosting a pop up house group for 3 weeks. It’s a ‘no obligation’ chance to try out being a small group and all the good things that come with it. As Mark says “There is no down side”. As we grow as a church family, Small Groups are the best (and only way) to look after, feed and nurture members of the family and we’ll be looking at that more in the new year. Contact Keith Harper or Mark Puddephatt via the church office if you are interested in more info on either Alpha or trying a small group.
NEXUS Event: 6 Jan
Godalming couple, Shirley and David Faraday, will share their journey to a more sustainable lifestyle in a humorous, insightful and musical way!! It promises to be a fascinating and fun evening! We can all make a difference! All are welcome, including men! Free for members £5 for visitors We will be collecting Membership fees of £18. Fees cover refreshments, gifts or fees for speakers and charity donations. Our charity for 2022 is Oakleaf. For more information, please phone Janet Harvey on 423264 or Kate Kaye on 415296 or find us on www.bhcgodalming.org/groups
Coming Up NEXT:
See the list below or look up dates further ahead in the full calendar. Select the event for details and the location (online or on site).
Please note:
Busbridge Morning Prayer (Weds, online at 9am) will start again on 5th Jan.
Reflective Prayer (Mondays, online at 8.45am) will start again on 10th Jan.
Please Pray for
Pullman Lane and road stewards Kate Kaye and Kate Brockman
Markwick Lane
Those for whom Christmas is a challenging time
That Christmas will stir and prompt people to consider the gift of Jesus, and their faith a afresh, and try the next Alpha course starting at BHC from 11 Jan
A new editor, deputy editor and treasurer to continue the Bridge magazine.
ELSEWHERE
The Churches Together in Godalming & District Service of Light on the Churches Together website (www.godalmingchurches.org) and the Churches Together Facebook page.
Churches Together in Godalming and District is looking to increase the number of lay church representatives. There are three meetings a year and the opportunity to get involved in Churches Together events as and when you are able to do so. It's a great way of getting to know our fellow Christians in the other local churches and they're a very nice, friendly bunch. Interested? Have a chat to Margot Spencer or drop an e-mail to margot.spencer@bhcgodalming.org
Busbridge and Hambledon Churches are open daily for private prayer.
PRAYER MINISTRY TEAM AVAILABLE
To contact the EMERGENCY prayer chain, email prayer@bhcgodalming.org or call Lisa Olsworth-Peter on 01483 421267.
Listening prayer is available mid-week.