In the notices this week:
Godalming Minster services starting on Sunday 28th January, and how to look them up.
A “Rector’s Reflection” on Rev Ian Gordon-Cumming, Busbridge Rector 1978-87, who died last week.
Introducing...Groups and Activities
Look ahead to Lent
What’s New? Mental Wellbeing Group (Kintsugi Hope) starting 21 Feb.
Dear Friends
It feels like a long time coming, but after a few noteworthy Sundays in January 2024, we are finally getting into routine! This Sunday’s services at all four Godalming Minster sites will become the norm for a fourth Sunday of the month. All congregations begin the sermon series on Ephesians on the theme of Transformed Living, and this Sunday’s topic is: Living Worthy. Keeping Unity.
Services across Godalming Minster
Listed in chronological order. [HC is Holy Communion]:
Reading: Ephesians 1: 1-14, 4:1
10am Classic Service - Brighton Road (Busbridge)
10am Sunday Service [HC] - Franklyn Road (St Mark’s)
10am Morning Worship [HC] - Hambledon (St Peter’s)
10.30am Contemporary Service - Church Street (St Peter & St Paul’s)
Coffee from 10.15. Children start in the service before leaving for their groups in the Octagon.
6pm Evening Worship [HC] - Brighton Road (Busbridge)
More information about congregations and service times can be found 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.
12.30 in Prezzo this Sunday - as a treat after the first gathering of the Godalming Minster Contemporary congregation in Church Street, Simon Taylor and family are going for lunch in Prezzo after the service. Simon hopes others might like to join them in the restaurant. If you’d like to treat yourself too, or ask others to join you, please book your table and ask if you can be near those in the Minster group. NB. This is a self-organised!
We have been deeply saddened to hear that Ian Gordon-Cummings died on the morning of Saturday 20th January, at the age of 95. Ian was Rector of Busbridge from 1978 – 1987 and many of us remember him and Janet with great affection – and indeed have stayed in touch with them. Please pray for Janet and their girls – Jane, Jo, Lucy and Debbie (and their families) – as they mourn the loss of a much-loved husband, father and grandfather.
Ian’s funeral will take place in the Lady Chapel of Chichester Cathedral at 2.30p.m. on Thursday 29th February 2024. All are welcome.
Read the Rector’s Reflection: On the shoulders of Giants
Introducing…Groups and Activities
This is a good time to mention some of the social interest groups within Godalming Minster, which link church to life outside, and offer friendship and support and a chance for people to mix between congregations. Examples of such activities are limitless, but among the longer running ones the Men’s group and Nexus offer an open invitation to their next events:
Nexus Talk: Squire’s - a family business with Sarah Squire. Thursday 1st Feb at 7.30pm in the Busbridge Old Rectory. All welcome, entry is £5, or £20 for the year. More details about this event (no need to sign up). Find out about Nexus.
Fab February Fry Up - for men, 8.15am on Sat 3rd Feb in the Busbridge Old Rectory. Simon Taylor will be there to talk all things Minster. More details about the monthly Men’s Breakfasts and sign up.
Also coming up
Bereavement Café - meets next Tuesday 30th Jan from 2.30-4pm. The Bereavement Café is for anyone who has been bereaved recently or some time ago and provides a safe and supportive space to come and chat with members of the pastoral care team, and others who have experienced loss. Every last Tuesday of the month in the Old Rectory. More details >>>
Look ahead to Lent - 14 Feb-30 Mar 2024
Save the dates! More details to follow.
Pancakes at Godalming Minster Franklyn Road, during the day on Shrove Tuesday, 13th February. Sheila and the CYF team are planning a flipping good party during half-term for those with young ones, as well as PrimeTime. More details to follow.
Ash Wednesday
The 8pm Minster Ash Wednesday Communion with ashing will take place at 8pm at Godalming Minster Hambledon. (This annual service will now rotate around the four church sites.)
Journey to Easter with Godalming Minster
The Godalming Minster sermon series for Lent 2024 will be a back to basics look at Christ’s journey to the cross and how we as followers of Jesus can observe Lent well today.
2024 Lent Challenge - part of this year’s Lent challenge is Godalming Minster is offering a free 40-day Small Group trial! Instead of giving up chocolate, join one of the Small Groups, or start your own for 40 days (that’s 6 weeks) and experience bible study, prayer and friendship.
What’s New?
SUPPORT FOR MENTAL HEALTH & WELLBEING - Kintsugi Hope Group
Godalming Minster Pastoral Support Team will be running a 12-week Kintsugi Hope Group, starting on Wednesday evenings from 21st February 2024.
The aim of this group is to provide a safe and supportive environment where participants can explore topics related to mental health and wellbeing. If this is a something you may be interested in, see more info and sign up here, or contact Sandra Wilkin at pastoral@godalmingminster.org.
Coming Up / plan ahead
See the events coming up next and look up dates further ahead in the full calendar.
Can we pray for you?
***Please send prayer requests to prayer@godalmingminster.org***
Mid-week Prayer Gatherings
9AM Morning Prayer
9am weekdays with Rev Sheila Samuels at Godalming Minster Franklyn Road
Monday Morning Reflections on Zoom
If you would like to start your week in quiet reflection over a passage of scripture do join us at 8.45am on Mondays using the link above - you will be very welcome. For any further information please contact: Gertrud Sollars or Shan Hallam.
Wednesdays at 9AM:
Morning Prayer at Godalming Minster Hambledon
Morning Prayer on Zoom via link above.
Groups & Activities
Nexus meets on the 1st Thursday of the month, with talks and activities for church members and the community. See the 2024 Nexus programme, and updates on Nexus.
Ladies’ Drinks take place every 1st Friday of the month, 7.30PM at the The Pavilion by Howling Owl.
The Men’s Group meets for breakfast at 8.15am on the 1st Saturdays of the month. See the calendar event 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 / serving
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 10am-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.
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 Minster office, or e: pastoral@godalmingminster.org.
To contact the EMERGENCY prayer chain, email prayer@godalmingminster.org or call 01483 421267.