Dear friends,
In the reading from Acts for this Sunday, we see the opening of heart and home. We’ll look at the role of women, the importance of work and ask ourselves: are we a vital part of God’s Harvest?
It’s the same reading at Muddy Church, looked at in a slightly different way, but that’s probably to be expected. Meet at the Holloway Hill (Busbridge) rec, and order your bacon buttie from the Howling Owl in advance. (Coffee and pastries on sale from the coffee van too). Details of how to pre-order are below. What service!
We celebrate Harvest next Sunday 9 October. We call it a “Mission Sunday” as we give to the traditional harvest display of non-perishable produce for mission in our local community, via the Food Bank and The Cellar Café, and financially to mission oversees through our partner charity Five Talents. There’s a list of items that the Food bank needs really urgently, and information about the wonderful work of Five Talents in marginalised communities further afield.
The Minster Vote [16 Oct]: Q&A sessions continue at Hambledon at 11am this Sunday and Monday 3rd October at 8pm, and next Sunday between and after morning services at Busbridge. There is a call to fast and pray before the EPCMs, from 11am on Sat 15th Oct to 11am on 16th October. Information on how to participate is in the notices.
Please read on!
Sunday 2 October
Marks of the Early Church
Week 2: Are you a vital part of God’s harvest?
Reading: Acts 16: 11-15 & 40
9.30AM MUDDY CHURCH
Led by: Mark Puddephatt, Suzie Lambert and the Fuse Team
The Howling Owl at the rec will be open from 9am and will be serving hot drinks and freshly baked pastries, so people might like to bring their wallets. There will also be bacon rolls available, but they will probably be popular! If anyone wants to avoid a wait and guarantee a bacon roll (£3.75 each), they are available to pre order, by emailing Wendy at the Howling Owl in advance, on wendy@howlingowl.co.uk.
11.15AM Busbridge Classic Service [Holy Communion]
Led by: Patrick Samuels | Speaker: Simon Taylor
Busbridge Church
10AM Hambledon Morning Worship
Led by Simon Willetts
Hambledon Church
11AM Minster Q&A session + coffee - all welcome
Hambledon Church
Harvest Festival
9th October
£ Harvest Appeal in aid of Five Talents
There will be a short interview with Five Talents advocates at all services.
Please bring your harvest gifts to church services.
Sunday 9 October
Marks of the Early Church
Week 4: Worldly wealth v Real wealth
Reading: Acts 16:16-32
9.30AM Busbridge Contemporary Service
Led by: Simon Taylor | Speaker: Simon Willetts
Busbridge Church
10.45AM Minster Q&A session + coffee in the Yew Tree Café - all welcome
11.15AM Busbridge Classic Service
Led by: Andy Spencer | Speaker: Simon Willetts
Busbridge Church
12:15PM Minster Q&A session + coffee in the Yew Tree Café - all welcome
6PM Busbridge Evening Service
Led by: Simon Taylor | Speaker: Simon Willetts
Busbridge Church
10AM Hambledon Morning Worship [Holy Communion]
Led by: Patrick Samuels | Speaker: Peter Shaw
Hambledon Church
Harvest Collection for the Foodbank and The Cellar - MOST WANTED LIST:
Baby wipes
Biscuits
Custard
Instant noodles
Peas
Ritz crackers
Tinned chilli
Tinned green beans
Tinned rice pudding
Tinned sweetcorn
Tinned tomatoes
Toilet cleaner
For the full list see: https://parishofgodalming.org.uk/st-marks-food-bank/
Please contact the church office if you can help SHIFT the harvest goods from church to the Cellar and the Food Bank w/c 10 October.
Harvest Appeal for Five Talents
See https://www.fivetalents.org.uk/
Rachel and Kris Lindley of Five Talents last visited Busbridge and Hambledon in 2018, so we are really looking forward to hearing from Five Talents “advocates” Major General Tim Cross, Richard Jones and Richard Grey in our Harvest Services. Five Talents have written to thank us for choosing their cause this Harvest, and for our ongoing support. Here’s their message: Five Talents Letter of Introduction 2022. To make a donation to the Harvest Appeal, please follow the instructions on the GIVING page.
Notices
GODALMING MINSTER: EPCMs (Extraordinary Parochial Church Meetings) will take place on Sunday 16 October: 1.30pm at Hambledon and 3pm at Busbridge. Archdeacon Paul Davies will chair the meetings at which members on the electoral rolls of each church are called to vote on whether to unite the parishes of Busbridge, Hambledon and Godalming to become a Minster.
The Godalming Minster section of the web site now includes a high level summery and FAQs about what the vote involves, and this will be added to over the coming weeks.
Q&A sessions continue this Sunday:
2 October Hambledon 11am
Monday 3 Oct Hambledon 8pm
9 October Busbridge 10.45 and 12.15
Call to Pray and Fast: 11am Sat 15/10-11am Sun 16/10
A group from the church have committed to pray and “flexi-fast” over 24 hours before the EPCMs, and would encourage everyone to take part as they feel able. If you would like to join them, see the guidance for fasting, and attend a prayer gathering:
11-11:30am - Minster EPCM prayer at Busbridge Church
5pm - Minster EPCM prayer at Hambledon Church
8pm - online Minster EPCM prayer - for anyone, including those not able to attend either church for the prayer meetings.
Coming Up:
NEXUS TALK - Thurs 6 Oct: ‘Habitat for Humanity’’ – Jess Ficatier
We’re pleased to welcome Jess Ficatier to talk about ‘Habitat for Humanity’. Jess works for an organisation aiming to provide sustainable homes for people living in climate risk locations. This summer we’ve had a small taste of the impact of climate change. The effect on communities in ‘at risk’ countries is far more extreme and devastating. Do come along and listen to Jess’s insight into this crucially important topic which we all need to try to understand.
We meet in Busbridge Old Rectory (or maybe the Yew Tree Café!) at 8.00pm. There’ll be a welcoming glass of wine, or soft drinks, and nibbles and the chance to catch up with each other before Jess starts her presentation.
All are welcome, including men if they wish to join us.
OUTWARD GIVING - NEWS from our MISSION PARTNERS
No request for funds here, but members of the congregation of this Open Doors partner church should be aware that Brother Andrew, founder of Open Doors, passed away yesterday (Tuesday 27th) peacefully, with his family around him in the Netherlands, at the age of 94. More information available on the Open Doors website www.opendoorsuk.org
TTT – Mission on our doorstep
For over 20 years TTT has been taking the love of Christ to local young people, meeting them at their point of need, whether in church, schools or community settings.
We ask you to uphold us in your prayers as we seek to support young people in finding a purpose and direction in their lives as we point to Jesus as the way, the truth and the life.
Why not check out our website for more on what we do www.trinitytrustteam.co.uk and to sign up for a termly newsletter? You could also support us by attending the concert at
St John’s Church, Farncombe, on 30th September kindly staged by Julian Lewry Music (https://www.wegottickets.com/event/522968)
CANCELLED due to the train strikes.
Memorial Service
Annual Memorial Service, 3pm on 15 October
Please contact Margot Spencer if you have been bereaved in recent months and would like to come and have someone remembered in the service.
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).
Hambledon Morning Prayer takes place on Wednesdays at 9am. All welcome.
Busbridge Morning Prayer is ONLINE on Wednesdays at 9am.
Prayer gatherings for Ukraine are now at Hambledon Church at 7.30pm on 1st Tuesdays of the month.
Next Hambledon Coffee Morning and Hearing Aid Clinic is 19th October. All welcome.
Vacancies
The search for a new FULL TIME 4-11s Children’s Worker continues. Please take a look at the revised job, pray and share it. Simon would be happy to talk to anyone about it, even if the specification and terms are not a perfect match.
Please continue to pray for these vacancies and that God’s people are called to the roles.
New Service times at both churches from September
Pick up a list of the new service times for September from church this Sunday or over the summer. It includes the special Sunday dates for Autumn too, so please watch out for the deviations!
please pray for
Marwick Lane
Quartermile Road and its road steward Jan Pinto
The pre-marriage course this weekend - couples taking part the leaders.
ELSEWHERE
Don’t forget about…
Things in the following areas may not make the notices, but the latest info can be found on the web pages:
Yew Tree Café Opening Hours
8.30am-4pm from 5 Sep and 10am-2pm Saturday!
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.