Dear Friends

Here’s a little belated Happy New Year, and a quick reminder that we start 2025 with an “All in One” Service at Church Street to say good bye to our Rector Simon Taylor, Catherine, Jacob, Luke and Daniel.

The service starts at 10.30am but do come early for a light brunch spread of coffee and pastries in Simon’s honour. There will be a chance to sign the card for the Taylors over coffee before the service, and after the service too when there will be more time to catch up and say good bye to the family over a glass of fizz and a piece of cake!

Simon’s last service means, of course, that from Mon 6 Jan Godalming Minster will be in vacancy. Simon Willetts will be leading us during the coming months and is continuing to hold the monthly prayer gathering at 8pm on 1st Wednesdays of the month to pray specifically for everything concerning the vacancy. Please join him at Brighton Road next Wed 8th Jan, or online via zoom (link under prayer gatherings below).

And just to say, in the aftermath of a wonderfully celebrated Christmas across the Minster, we owe heartfelt thanks to Surrey County Councillor Kevin Deanus for fast tracking the clearance of a fallen tree across Church lane in Hambledon after the storms. This meant the road was reopened so that the carol service could go ahead on 15th Dec. And thanks for Alan Harvey for making the call!

A summary of the process to advertise and appoint a new Rector, after Simon’s departure on 5th Jan 2025 can be found in the Archdeacon’s Vacancy Newsletter which you can downloaded using the button below.

Coming Up

Vacancy Prayers Wed 8th Jan 8pm at Brighton Road (in church)

Nexus Thursday 9th January 8pm, Busbridge Old Rectory, GU7 1XB

‘Your New Hospice’ – Phyllis Tuckwell by Heleana Burke: Community Fund Raiser

We’re delighted to have Heleana come and tell us about the new hospice being built for Phyllis Tuckwell.  It will be fascinating to hear how the construction is progressing, and how the new premises will enhance the facilities and services they offer.  Hospice care is becoming ever more vital, and we have chosen Phyllis Tuckwell as our charity for 2025. The team already do a fantastic job so we look forward to hearing how the new building will improve that.  All are welcome, including men!  We’ll welcome the New Year with drinks and nibbles. Our 2025 charity is: Phyllis Tuckwell New members welcome! Annual subs £20, Visitors £5. For information, please contact: janetmharvey@btinternet.com or katekaye2@btinternet.com

Stay Curious. Try Alpha.

Would you like to try Alpha? and/or Who could you invite? More details.

The next Weds evening and Thursday morning Alpha courses are in the diary to start on 29/30 January 2025.

The Bereavement Journey

The next 7-week course for anyone who has been bereaved recently or some time ago, will start on Monday 3 February. More details.

Reflective Prayer - Mondays at 8.45am, online will now take a pause until 13 January 2025. Gertrud and Shan look forward to seeing you on Zoom in the new year.

What’s on Where

There’s lots going on around Godalming Minster every week, for all ages and stages - always too much to list in the notices!

Following Jesus

Mid-week prayer gatherings take place in the Zoom Online Prayer Room (8.45am Mon / 9am Wed), and at Godalming Minster Hambledon (9am Wed) and Franklyn Road (9am Mon and Tue). Vacancy Prayers are 1st Weds of the month around the Minster. Please check the calendar.

If you would like to join a prayer gathering online, please use the link to the online prayer room on Zoom with passcode: 2024.

Small groups meet in homes to study the bible, pray and journey together.
New members are invited to join an existing group, or form their own group.
To find out more and connect with the right one for you, contact Rev Hilary Pettman. e: hilary.pettman@godalmingminster.org.

Loving People

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.)

Prime Time for older people meets every Monday at 10.30am in the Yew Tree Café for a coffee drop in. For all events and details, see Prime Time.

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.

Busbridge Coffee Morning takes place on 1st Wednesdays of the month at 10.30am in the Yew Tree Café.

Hambledon Coffee Morning and Hearing Aid Clinic takes place 3rd Wednesdays of the month at 10.30am.

The Bereavement Café takes place on the last Tuesday of the month, 2.30-4pm in the Busbridge Old Rectory.

Hearing Aid Clinics run at the Busbridge Old Rectory on 2nd Fridays of the month from 2.30-4pm, and at Godalming Library on 3rd Mondays of the month from 10.30am-12pm.

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.

CYF activities for 0-18s include term-time Toddler Groups, The Youth Café and Friday Night Social, as well as Sunday groups and seasonal events.

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.

PASTORAL CARE & PRAYER MINISTRY

Can we pray for you?

***Please send prayer requests to prayer@godalmingminster.org***

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.