Dear Friends

Please keep reading for

• Services this Sunday

• An invitation to the Nexus Garden Visit on 6th June

• The Bereavement Journey course on Wednesdays in June and July

• Job opportunities with Godalming Minster.

• What’s still on in half-term, and Sunday 2nd June.

• Request for prayer and help with the Brighton Road Tower Appeal

The Minster Office will be open Tuesday - Friday as usual, but there will be no notices next week.

This Sunday

Matthew 16: 13-20: Say what you believe to be true

We continue the sermon series: Build on a Rock - based on the life of the disciple Peter. The readings for each week, and a short topic descriptor can be picked up at Minster services this Sunday, and can be printed here.

Services

10am Classic Service
Brighton Road (Busbridge)

10am Sunday Service
Franklyn Road (St Mark’s)

10am Morning Worship
Hambledon (St Peter’s)

10.30am Contemporary Service
Church Street (St Peter & St Paul’s)
Coffee from 10.15am and children’s groups in the Octagon.
(Communion postponed)

5pm Choral Evensong
Church Street (St Peter & St Paul’s)

6pm Evening Worship
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.

Staff and PCC Strategy Day on 18th May
Thanks to the members of the PCC, Clergy, Lay Ministry and staff teams who gave their time last Saturday. We had a great day with Rev Mat Ineson who helped us consider the future. We'll share more details soon. See pics on facebook.

Fridge wanted for the Busbridge Old Rectory kitchen
Following extensive PAT testing across all Minster sites this week, there have been quite a few electrical items that have not made the grade. The fridge freezer in the kitchen at the Busbridge Old Rectory is one of them. Before we invest, please let Liz Gorst know if you have a suitable replacement to donate - Full height, fridge above freezer, or American style (hopes the youth director) to store things like milk supplies for tea and coffee, food for youth groups and cakes for PrimeTime!

Church tower, Brighton Road Busbridge
If you’ve been to the church office or yew tree café you’ll have seen that scaffolding has gone up around the church tower. Initial work has been done to restore the tower. Further work will be needed in the next few weeks. We’re putting an information together for the church and the community. We’ll be asking for help to a) deliver information flyers to the community around the church in the week of June 9th b) prepare yourself for a day of prayer on June 10th for the works, finances and for peace (the church bell is called the Peace Bell) c) consider supporting Ben Rogers in a 48 hour sponsored walk later in June to raise funds for the tower restoration. More information will shared in the next couple of weeks. Thank you to Ian Tomes and the Minster buildings group for their care of all our Minster buildings as we make them suitable for the Minster’s mission and worship.

Coming Up

May

Half-term 27th-31st May: A few things take a break, but the following are STILL ON!

Monday, 27 May Bank Holiday for all activities.

Tuesday, 28 May

9:00am   Morning Prayer at St Marks   (Godalming Minster Franklyn Road)

12:00pm   The Hub   (Godalming Minster Franklyn Road)

2:30pm   Bereavement Café   (The Old Rectory)

Wednesday, 29 May

9:00am   Hambledon Morning Prayer   (Hambledon Church)

Saturday, 1 June

8:15am   Men's Breakfast   (The Old Rectory)

Sunday, 2 June

9:00am   Choral Eucharist   (Godalming Minster Church Street)

10:00am   Classic Service   (Godalming Minster Brighton Road)

10:00am   Morning Worship   (Godalming Minster Hambledon)

10:00am   Morning Worship   (Godalming Minster Franklyn Road)

10:30am   Muddy Church [All Age]   (Holloway Hill Recreation Ground)

6:00pm   Evening Service   (Godalming Minster Brighton Road)

June

Start the Week (an alternative) - Mondays from 3rd June
For the last 4 years, there has been a small group of people meeting on Zoom on a Monday morning to reflect on scripture together. We have worked our way through the gospel of Luke and have now started on Acts. We listen to some music, read a short passage and then quietly listen to what God is saying to us through his word. It has been a rich way of starting the week.

This is not a closed or specialist group, and if you would like to join us, you are very welcome. Come and try it out! The time is Mondays (not bank holidays, and not always during school holidays), 8.45 – 9.30am. If you would like to know more, contact Gertrud Sollars (gertrud.sollars@btinternet.com) or Shan Hallam (hallamshan7@gmail.com), or you can find out the Zoom meeting ID and password from the Minster office (office@godalmingminster.org).

NEXUS Garden Visit to Bridge End Cottage
Nexus invites you to join them for a garden tour and pub meal in the evening of Thursday 6th June. This year Nexus have arranged a private tour of NGS Bridge End Cottage in Ockham. There's lots to see and the head gardener will be on hand to share tips with you. You can find out more, and sign up via ChurchSuite, click here.

Bereavement Journey 5th June - 10th July - Spaces available

Spaces (4) available on the next course. As part of the bereavement support offered by the Godalming Minster Pastoral team, the next Bereavement Journey course starts on 5 June. This course is run nationally, for anyone who has been bereaved recently or sometime ago. Even those caring for a terminally ill loved one may benefit. Please find all the details here, and share with anyone you think of. The group is limited to 8-10 people, so please register with Sandra Wilkin: pastoral@godalmingminster.org.

July

Brighton Road & Franklyn Road Polling Stations
Both churches will be used as a polling stations for the general election on Thursday 4th July.

August

Holiday Club 28-30 August
Save the Date for the first ever Godalming Minster Summer Holiday Club! We need an army of leaders and helpers, as well as children so please watch this space, or chat to Ben Barnes for details.

What’s on Where

See the events coming up next and look up dates further ahead in the full Minster Calendar.

Staff News and Job Vacancies

Yew Tree Café Manager Lizzie Soar is off to pastures new in June! We are hugely grateful for Lizzie’s contribution to the launching and nurturing wonderful ministry of the Yew Tree Café over the past 2 and a half years.

Marcus and his family will be leaving us on the 15th August 2024. We want to take this opportunity to thank Marcus for all that he has contributed to our children and family’s ministry, and for the positive impact he has had in the short time he has been with us. Marcus’ enthusiasm for whole-church worship and engaging the children through worship will leave a lasting impact. We have also been blessed by Anoushka leading Contemporary Worship in recent months, and thank her too.

If you would like to contribute to a leaving gift for Lizzie and/or Marcus, please donate via BACS, to the Office or online.

The job adverts for the posts of Children and Families Pastor (4-11’s) and Yew Tree Café manager can be found on the vacancies page here. Please be praying for the right people to fill these special roles, and share the ads.

Church Family News

Farewell to Jan and Neil Pinto who have moved this week from their home of 30 years to be closer to family in Cambridgeshire. Jan has been been a longstanding member of Busbridge and St Mark’s congregations, and has served humbly and faithfully in the church and the community over the years. Latterly she has worshipped at Franklyn Road and helped at Smartots. Her neighbours on Quartermile Road will miss her as she has been a most diligent and caring road steward, delivering the Bridge magazine and setting up the street WhatsApp in lock down. We send Jan and Neil with our love, prayers and best wishes in their life ahead. Their new address can be found on ChurchSuite (Search for Others), or by contacting the Minster Office.

Mission Update

Foodbank Update for May. The latest shopping list can be found here. Please take a look and add a few items to your next shop.

Karen, the community centre coordinator, updates the shopping list each month with items most needed. You can find the latest shopping list for March on the Foodbank page.

Elsewhere

Life Issues 2024 - a programme of talks and course run by Godalming Baptist Church.

Next Life Issues: Revd Peter Jackson will lead a Life Issue session on Saturday 22nd June on 'Loneliness' ,such an issue for folk of all ages in our society today. Please do come as Peter  will lead the subject of loneliness with great empathy and sensitivity as indeed he did  last year when he led a Life Issue on Bereavement. To book a place, please contact Sally Pollard (contact details as above.) There is no charge but donations appreciated towards the work of 'Silverline'

Can we pray for you?

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

Mid-week Prayer Gatherings

9am Morning Prayer
9am on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays 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.

Community & Fellowship

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 / 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.

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.

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.