Dear Friends,
This week we are asking for prayer for two groups in particular which are longing to equip and strengthen God’s Kingdom in and around Godalming Minster over the coming weeks. The Bible Course started last Thursday for a group who will be meeting in the Yew Tree Café on Wednesday evenings, and our Autumn Alpha Courses begin next week with an introductory session and dinner or lunch in the Old Rectory. You can still sign up to Alpha either Wednesdays at 7.30pm, or Thursdays at 12pm, and please do take the opportunity to invite friends along.
Did we say dinner/lunch? Yes! It’s one of the fundamentals of the Alpha course and we are so grateful to those who have offered to provide the 24 Alpha meals over the next 12 weeks. So, while signs up are welcome this week, walk-ins might cause a little embarrassment if we haven’t set your place. Time to get off the fence and let us know you are coming - by end of Tuesday please!
This Sunday
Who is Jesus?
John 20: 24-31
22 September
10am Morning Worship
Hambledon (St Peter’s)
10am Morning Worship [HC]
Franklyn Road (St Mark’s)
10am Classic Service
Brighton Road (Busbridge)
10.30am Contemporary Service
Church Street (St Peter & St Paul’s)
5pm Choral Evensong
Church Street (St Peter & St Paul’s)
6pm Evening Service [HC]
Brighton Road (Busbridge)
Look up services for next Sunday and find more information about congregations and service times on ChurchSuite, or the Sundays page on the web site. If you are on a rota, ChurchSuite will ping you a reminder by email, but you can also use the ChurchSuite app to check yourself.
Notices
September
The Bible Course
Starting in the Yew Tree Café on Weds 18 September for 6 weeks. This course is particularly for the post-alpha group, but open to anyone who would like to join. Please contact Simon Taylor, or sign up on ChurchSuite.
You’re invited to Alpha starting this September
Weds evenings 25th Sept – 27th Nov & Thurs lunchtimes 26th Sept – 28th Nov
To find out more or register for a place go to https://godalmingminster.org/alpha
Alpha Team not quite but nearly complete! A huge thank you to those of you who have already volunteered to help with food and who have signed up to pray for Alpha. We now have catering in place for the evening AND lunchtime sessions. Wonderful! We do still need some heroes to provide refreshments and a simple lunch on the Holy Spirit Day on Saturday 16th November (when both groups come together).
Please volunteer using the the button below, or by email direct to Sandra Wilkin - sandra.wilkin@godalmingminster.org
Please note: The sign up button takes you to the Wednesday evening course, but gives the option to sign up for Thursday lunchtimes instead.
Recruitment of bookkeeping service provider to expanding Minster Finance team
It’s an exciting time as Godalming Minster extends its ministry and activities across our four sites and three former parishes. But with that excitement comes a lot of extra accounting work! To support that important work (which in turn supports our mission and ministry) we are looking to contract the services of an experienced bookkeeper to join the finance team, working from home under the supervision of the Treasurer and Management Accountant. This is a part-time role under a contract for services with flexible work patterns, expected to average around 18 hours per month, but precise number of hours may vary from month to month. Workload is likely to be higher between January and April during preparation of end of year accounts and subsequent audit. Precise responsibilities s can be agreed depending on the skills and experience of the individual, but the main task is monthly bookkeeping of income and expenditure, comprising:
Posting of transactions on Xero – the church’s accounting software
Reconciling transactions to the relevant bank accounts
Other reconciliations where necessary, including Barclaycard statements
Set up and maintain spreadsheet records where necessary
Assist with journals and control account reconciliations as required
Keep electronic and paper files suitable for audit purposes
Any other tasks reasonably required by the Management Accountant and Treasurer
Liaise with Management Accountant, Treasurer and staff members in performing these duties
Training in church accounts and processes will be provided, but the service provider would need to be familiar with general bookkeeping and related software including Excel and ideally Xero. Remuneration will be competitive for such bookkeeping services. To discuss in more detail please contact Lesley Reeves (management accountant: accounts@godalmingminster.org) or Martin Lambert (Treasurer: martin.lambert@godalmingminster.org ).
Coming Up
Bereavement Café 24 September 2.30pm-4pm
The Bereavement Café takes place on the last Tuesdays of the month and is open to anyone who has been bereaved recently or some time ago. More details >
This 5th Sunday 29th September
Breakfast and café church at Franklyn Road
This happens every fifth Sunday (i.e. four times a year) and the next one is on 29 September. We meet at 0930 for breakfast – bacon butties and/or croissants available – moving seamlessly into Café Church at about 10 o’clock. In September, we shall be looking at the story of Jesus’ last supper with his friends, and what the cross means to us. All are welcome, whether you normally come to Franklyn Road or not. We should love to see you … and please feel free to bring a friend.
Brighton Road Six o’clock service Fifth Sunday Special
An extended time of praise and worship together, followed by bring and share refreshments (finger food, sweet or savoury please). All welcome!
October
Compton Phone Box – Local Landmark with global following!
This month at Nexus on Thu 3rd Oct at 8pm:
We are delighted to welcome Mr Chris Sharples, co-founder of the Compton Phone Box upcycling project, who will tell us the story behind this local treasure which makes people smile whilst also raising money for charity. Chris is also Head Gardener for Watts Gallery and a senior florist. Compton Phone Box nearby has its own Instagram following and, recently, the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris were chosen as the theme, with local youngsters keeping a tally of GB medals. All are welcome, including men!
New members welcome! 2024 Annual Subscription £20
Guests: £5.00 contribution towards speaker costs
Our 2024 charity is: Farncombe Community Garden
Newcomers Tea
3pm, Sunday 6 Oct at Spinney Copse. The Taylors are hosting a tea for all those who are dipping their toe, or have jumped right into Godalming Minster in recent months. It might be through getting married, holding a baptism or funeral, attending a group or one of our services. There will be tea and cake, and members of the clergy and ministry teams to chat to. Please let vic.hicks@godalmingminster.org know if you’d like to come, or if you can think of anyone who needs an invitation. We look forward to getting to know you better! Your invitation to the Newcomers Tea.
HARVEST 6th & 13th October
We will be celebrating Harvest over two Sundays:
6th October
Harvest at 9.30am Choral Eucharist
13th October
Harvest at all other services, followed by a bring and share harvest and farewell lunch in The Church Street Octagon:
8am Holy Communion
10am Franklyn Road
10am Classic
10.30am Contemporary
Hambledon will hold its Harvest Festival at Hambledon Village Hall, with an 11am service, followed by lunch: Cottage Pie, apple crumble and a glass of wine or soft drink - £10pp. You can sign up on ChurchSuite HERE and pay in advance or on the door.
John & Sue’s farewell and harvest lunch - 13th October
A reminder that John and Sue’s final service will be Sunday 13th October at the Church Street Contemporary, followed by a bring and share farewell and harvest lunch. Everyone is invited! During the lunch, we will be giving John and Sue a gift of love and gratitude. To contribute to this, please see ways to donate. John and Sue will move to Cornwall soon after 13th October. Please pray for John and Sue as they begin their retirement from parish ministry.
Light Party 31st October
Save and Date and look out for details for the 2024 Light Party!
What’s on Where
See the events coming up next and look up dates further ahead in the full Minster Calendar.
Mission Update - 15 September
Mission beyond: loving people
Key to the vision and purpose of Godalming Minster is to share God’s love by serving others, nurturing our own discipleship and sharing the story and joy of His love by our witness. Traditionally, this is done through Minster led outreach activities, as well as supporting a range of Christian mission initiatives.
In the past, each of our former parishes had different approaches to mission partnership. Under Sheila Samuels, the former Mission and Outward Giving work of two parishes has become part of a new mission team (which now awaits leadership by the new Associate Minister for Mission and Evangelism, based at Franklyn Road).
For the coming season, Godalming Minster aims to develop long term, deeply prayerful relationships with a few regular groups who have a mission and evangelism heart. The mission focus outlined is fixed for the next few years. Each of the mission agencies has a connection to the Minster, so we can share in the successes and challenges of their activities and be actively involved together.
Each festival time of the year, you’ll be able to commit your financial and prayer support to all the mission partners we’re supporting, some of them, or one. You can indicate this on the mission giving forms and online/via your banking. Only our treasurer knows who gives both for mission and in any giving in general.
Harvest is about…loving people and renewing faith - focussing mission locally and nationally
We’ll be collecting harvest goods for the Franklyn Road Foodbank at all Harvest services, and raising funds for the Church Army (National Anglican Evangelism).
Christmas is about…loving people - focusing mission locally
We’ll be raising funds for female inmates at HMP Send, and Godalming based charities The Cellar Camino Café and Skillway. We’ll be collecting Christmas goodies to produce hampers for clients of the Franklyn Road Foodbank and households known to the Minster via our church schools.
Easter is about…following Jesus and renewing faith - focussing mission nationally and overseas
We’ll be raising funds for the Church Pastoral Aid Society (CPAS), and Five Talents (a global mission partner).
In addition, the PCC has set aside annual funds to support youth work in the town through TTT, and Eco church developments, so we can encourage others to also care for God’s creation. Funds also go directly to support our two church schools.
Foodbank Update
The Franklyn Road Foodbank is getting busier at the moment, and currently short of oatcakes, gluten free cereal and biscuits and nappies in all sizes 3-6 please! BUT all donations of food and cleaning items are welcome anytime. See the Foodbank for more info.
Church Family News
We send love to the families and friends of two people who are longstanding friends of Godalming Minster, both with particular connections to Busbridge.
Many people will remember Guy Gammell, who died last Friday in Shottermill House. Please pray for Josie and Henrietta, and their families, as they mourn. Guy’s funeral will be on Wednesday 25 September at Godalming Minster, Church Street, at 2.30 p.m.
We also remember Mary Pagan, whose gifts as a flower arranger enhanced many of our church events. Please pray for her close friends and all who mourn for her. Mary’s service will be in Godalming Minster, Brighton Road, on Thursday 3 October at 12.30 p.m.
Please pray for God’s peace and comfort to surround them all.
Marcus has a few spaces left this September for one-to-one or group drumming lessons. Please do share the info with anyone who might be keen to learn!
Elsewhere
The next Theology Hub event on 24 October is with Rev’d Prof Jeremy Begbie. Jeremy will give a performance lecture (theology and live music) on the topic of the relevance of the arts for people of faith. This will be an excellent evening for discipleship for your key leaders, for people who have recently done Alpha or who might be interested in looking at theology, and for all who are involved in worship and music.
Jeremy is an academic who speaks in a down to earth way that connects with a range of audiences. You can buy your ticket here:
Life Issues 2024 - a programme of talks and course run by Godalming Baptist Church.
Life Issues Talk: Living with Anxious Thoughts - 19th October at Godalming Baptist Church
The last Life Issue session of 2024 is coming up at Godalming Baptist Church on Saturday 19th October 10.00am-12.30pm (coffee from 9.30am). 'Living With Anxious Thoughts' led by Dr Martin Brunet, GP at Binscombe Medical Centre and Dr Jenna McKeown, Clinical Psychologist.
This promises to be such a helpful and informative morning. The session will look at all aspects of anxious thoughts including intrusive thoughts and health anxiety and aims to understand where these thoughts come from and how best to manage them. There is no charge but donations much appreciated towards 'The Farncombe Community Garden'.
Please do contact Sally to book a place-01483-428646 or e-mail pollard3@hotmail.co.uk by Friday 4th October. Thank you so much for all your support
Can we pray for you?
***Please send prayer requests to prayer@godalmingminster.org***
Mid-week Prayer Gatherings
Restart in September!
Community & Fellowship
The Hub at Franklyn Road provides a free lunch and time to socialise every Tuesday from 12-2.30pm. Open to all in the area, and across the Minster. (Donations of homemade cakes are always welcome.)
Nexus meets on the 1st Thursday of the month, with talks and activities for church members and the community. More about Nexus.
The Men’s Group meets for breakfast at 8.15am on the 1st Saturdays of the month. See the calendar for details.
Hambledon Coffee Morning and Hearing Aid Clinic takes place 3rd Wednesdays of the month at 10.30am.
The 2024 Prime Time programme is now available. For all events and details, see Prime Time.
Get Involved / Join a team
We're passionate about people feeling like they're a part of our church family and one of the best places to do that is as part of a team.
No matter your age or experience, there's a team that you can join, serving alongside others and getting to know people better in the church. You can find out about all our opportunities to serve and offer your time and talents on the Join a Team page.
Don’t forget about…
MyChurchSuite is an app for members of Godalming Minster to check dates, rotas, church emails, look up church members and sign up to events (without having to enter your details again and again!). Contact the Minster Office if you’ve lost your login details or would like to request an account. See more instructions.
Yew Tree Café
at Godalming Minster Brighton Road
The Yew Tree Café at Godalming Minster Brighton Road is open 8.30am-4pm weekdays in term time, and 10am-2pm on Saturdays, and 9.30am-4pm during school holidays. There’s wi-fi and power for those that want to work, and Prime Time hosts a drop in session for anyone who’d like a coffee and a chat every Monday from 10.30-11.30am.
Please note the café will be closed on Saturday 3rd August.
PASTORAL CARE & PRAYER MINISTRY
If you, or someone you know at church, are in need of support and care, please contact Sandra Wilkin via the Minster office, or e: pastoral@godalmingminster.org.
To contact the EMERGENCY prayer chain, email prayer@godalmingminster.org or call 01483 421267.