COVID UPDATE TO SERVICES: 16 DEC 2021

In light of the increased caution among many, BHC is offering various options for gathered worship and celebration over Christmas. In addition to mandatory face coverings in the church buildings, 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

19 Dec:
10.30AM Family Carols at Busbridge - now in the Old Rectory Garden
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 will move outdoors into the churchyard if the church is too full.
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
11PM Midnight Communion at Hambledon
Christmas Day
9AM Christmas Day Communion at Busbridge

PLEASE KEEP AN EYE ON THE ADVENT & CHRISTMAS PAGE FOR ANY FURTHER UPDATES.

The BHC Advent Album

Week 3 of Advent: Party, party, party and some carols. CYF Christmas parties and Messy Christingle took place last Sunday, there was a great turn out for Prime Time’s Afternoon Carol service (watch it again) and the Busbridge Junior School Christmas services. ABC Toddler group also had a party, and Ichthus and the Outward Giving group packed 47 hampers for local families at the annual “stuffing party” on Tuesday. Thanks to everyone for their wonderful donations of luxury items, and those that delivered the hampers to the Godalming Foodbank at St Mark’s, local schools and churches.

And the Busbridge heart made the Diocese News! Read the article Creativity is at the Heart of Christmas.

Please use the Christmas Services link below to go to the Advent & Christmas section, and get to the heart of Christmas.

this Sunday 19 December

Dawning joy at the heart of Christmas: our response
Readings: John 1:1 and John 20:28

10AM HAMBLEDON Combined Service
Leader & Speaker: Simon Willetts
Hambledon Church & Online

10.30AM BUSBRIDGE Combined Family Carols - OUTDOOR
Leader: Margot Spencer
The Old Rectory Garden (NOT online)

6PM BUSBRIDGE Carol Service
with the Busbridge Christmas choir
Busbridge Church and online

7PM HAMBLEDON Carols by Candlelight
with the Hambledon Christmas choir
Hambledon Church and online

The Churches Together in Godalming & District Service of Light on the Churches Together website (www.godalmingchurches.org) and the Churches Together Facebook page.

Carols at the Cricket Club - Monday 20 December.

Starts 6pm at Busbridge Church with carol singing on route to Holloway Hill Rec. All welcome.

Message from the Worship Pastor, Ben Ford: We’re planning on the event still going ahead but any singing will be taking place outside the front of the building. We’ll set up the PA just outside and make sure that we can have a good sing-song in what is hopefully a considerably safer environment.

The bar will still be open for those who feel comfortable, and we are keen to support the Howling Owl who are kindly hosting the event. The doors across the front of the venue will remain open for the entirety of the evening to make sure it is well ventilated for those chatting inside. There will also be a hot drinks trailer perched up next building where you can grab a hot drink if you would prefer something to keep you warm.

With the current state of covid we totally understand the need for extra discretion, particularly this precious Christmas time. That said, if you feel comfortable enough to come along and sing aloud outside and support the evening you’d obviously be incredibly welcome. Hopefully it will still be a lot of fun, even if it is a bit cold!

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
Leader & Speaker: Margot Spencer
Hambledon Church & Online

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. 

We have two very important vacancies in one of our key local mission and outreach activities.  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.

Current Editor Cathy Brook will be stepping aside at the end of December after sending then Jan/Feb issue to print.  Lesley Reeves will also be ending her tenure as treasurer so we are looking for someone to take on the accounts (advertising income and printing costs) for the Bridge in the new year too. 

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.

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).

church family news

Please Pray for

• Phillips Close and road steward Keith Harper

• Malthouse Lane and St Dominic’s School

• Those helped by the Church Family Support Fund, the unemployed and the homeless.

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

We are very pleased to be able to run the Churches Together Christmas lunch again this year, subject to any changes in the Covid situation. It will take place at the Baptist Church Godalming on Christmas Day. Guests and volunteers are invited now. Please see the letter to guests and volunteer form below.

Christmas lunch letter to guests

Christmas lunch Volunteer form

See Churches Together Link Up - December Issue for news from around other churches in and around Godalming.

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.