In the notices this week:

• Godalming Minster services this Sunday, and how to look them up.

• Godalming Ukrainian Charity Day to mark the 2nd anniversary of the Russian invasion, this Saturday, 24th February in Crown Court and the Wilfred Noyce Centre.

• Service to mark the National Day of Reflection - remembering those those that died during the pandemic (Sunday 3rd March)

• Godalming Minster Social and Community Events coming up: Saturday Movie Matinee, Ladies’ Drinks, Men’s Breakfast and a Nexus Talk by Thursley Common’s Reserve Manager

• Update from the Foodbank

• Yew Tree Café closed this Saturday
  

Dear Friends

Before we dive into what’s coming up, here’s a few testaments to following Jesus, loving people and renewing faith from around Godalming Minster:

Keith Harper is currently leading 12 people on the Alpha course, supported by some wonderful, but “invisible” people who make the food week by week and who support Alpha behind the scenes. If you are interested in joining an Alpha, or can help with a course later in the year, speak to Keith or Sheila.

Demand for hearing aid clinics appears to be going up, with new visitors to the Hambledon clinic which runs during the coffee morning on 3rd Wednesdays, and ever increasing numbers at Godalming Library on 3rd Mondays.

The Classic congregation has seen growing numbers worshipping at Brighton Road, Busbridge Church over the past few weeks.

The Contemporary has a growing team of welcomers, and people have stepped forward to help with the ministry of washing up after coffee.

New members and a new organist have joined the choir, and the new Choral Evensong (monthly on 4th Sundays) is happening at 5pm this Sunday!

If you’ve got any encouraging stories about good things happening, do drop us a line in the Minster Office.

This Sunday

Reading & Topic

Shock! Horror! (Peter's surprise declaration and Jesus' shock prediction)
Readings: Matthew 16: 13-28

Minster Services listed in chronological order:

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 available from 10.15am. Children start in the service before leaving from their groups.

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

6pm Evening Worship [HC] - Brighton Road (Busbridge)

Service Information

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.

This Saturday

Godalming Minster is pleased to be taking part in the Ukranian Charity Event this Saturday. Olena (Assistant Manager, Yew Tree Café) writes: On February 24, 2024, the community of Ukrainians in Godalming invites everyone to the Ukrainian Charity Event dedicated to the 2nd anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Our goal is to show our unity and raise funds for Ukrainian Mission UK volunteers, who deliver humanitarian aid, medicine, and medical equipment to Ukraine. The programme of the events:

11am-2pm – The first part of the event Crown Court, Godalming, GU7 1DY

11am-11.30am – Official opening: raising the Ukrainian flag and playing the national anthem, prayer for Ukraine, and a minute of silence. The Mayors of Godalming and Waverley and a representative of the local Ukrainian support group will say a few words.

11am-2.00pm – Food Festival of Traditional Ukrainian Cuisine. No cost, donations welcome! 11am-1.30pm – Raffle tickets for unique Ukrainian items provided by Ukrainian Mission UK. Draw of winners at 1.30pm.

11.30am-12.30pm – Ukrainian art: performance of folk songs on the bandura and an acrobatic number dedicated to the children of Ukraine.

2.00pm – End of the first part of the event.

5.00pm-7.15pm – The second part of the event. Charity screening of the film "Carol of the Bells"*. Wilfrid Noyce Community Centre, Crown Court, Godalming, GU7 1 DY. Charity contribution - £2. * in Ukrainian with English subtitles, age - 18+

Town Service for the National Day of Reflection, 11am on Sunday 3rd March 2024

Godalming Minster is holding a special civic service at Church Street before moving to the Pepperpot for the national minute’s silence at 12 noon to remember everyone who died during the pandemic. For more details see National Day of Reflection.

The 9am Choral Eucharist, 10am Services and 10.30am Muddy will take place across the Minster as usual, and it is hoped that the congregations will join the wider community at Church Street for 11am, or 12 noon.

Movie Matinee (Yew Tree Café closed).
Doors open at 2pm for the next free-cinema experience at Brighton Road this coming Saturday, February 24th. This month’s offering is a true-life spy drama which hit cinema screens back in 2020.  Set against the backdrop of the Cold War, Benedict Cumberbatch stars as unassuming British businessman Greville Wynne who is recruited by M16 and the CIA to undertake a covert mission within the Soviet Union.  The film will be starting at 2.30pm. We’ll be serving tea, biscuits and popcorn throughout the afternoon as usual but please note; if you were hoping to come and lunch in the Yew Tree Café, the café will be closed as the café team will be in Crown Court running and supporting Godalming’s Ukrainian Charity Day.  This Saturday’s closure is a one-off due to the poignancy of the day for our Ukrainian friends, many of whom have become members of the Godalming Minster family.

Ladies drinks 1st March All Minster ladies are invited to drop in to The Pavilion by Howling Owl, GU7 1QD from 7.30pm to meet or catch up with friends across Godalming Minster. You are welcome to bring a friend too. We are looking forward to seeing you there.

Men’s breakfast 2nd March. The topic for discussion has not yet been announced, but all are invited at 8.15am in the Busbridge Old Rectory for porridge and toast with chat over a relevant matter of the day.

Nexus is looking forward to a talk by James Giles, Reserve Manager for Thursley Nature Reserve at 8pm on Thursday 7th March in the Busbridge Old Rectory. It is a social opportunity with refreshments to start, and will be very interesting for those who enjoy our local commons. There’s a £5 entry, or £20 to join Nexus for the year.

Supporting the Godalming Foodbank
The Godalming Foodbank at Godalming Minster Franklyn Road is open to visitors on Mondays and Wednesdays, coordinated by Karen Milton and supported by volunteers. The foodbank relies on financial donations and groceries which can be dropped to Franklyn Road. A list of most needed items is updated on a monthly basis on the web site HERE.

Church Family News

We send our love to Lorna and Donna whose father Jim died last weekend.  Please pray for them, their Mum and the whole family as they mourn.

Many church friends will be saddened to hear that John Lear died on Thursday,  peacefully at home.  Please pray for Ann, for Robbie, David, Jenny and Debbie, and for the whole family, here and overseas.  John was a much-loved Reader at Busbridge for many years, and we valued his preaching enormously.  It is too early yet to know funeral details, but we will let you know when they are finalised.   

Elsewhere

2024 World Day of Prayer - 1st March
The service this year was prepared by and ecumenical group of Women from Palestine which is the focus country for 2024.  The Service will take place at St John’s Church at Farncombe at 10.30 on Friday 1st March.  The service will be led by the Rev James Rattue and the Rev Hannah Moore, the Rector of St James in Elstead. The service will be followed by refreshments and cake. 

Hope in Depression Course starting 7 March
This course is designed for anyone who lives with depression (even occasional episodes), and/or anxiety. It aims to help participants to better understand and manage depression leading to a more enjoyable life. Run over 3 weeks at St.  Saviour’s Church, with sessions from 7pm to 9:30pm on Thursdays and Mondays, the course will start with a short meal and includes talks on brain function and medication, talking therapies, food and mood and wellness and exercise with discussion in small groups. For more information and to sign up, click here. The link to the course page and for registration is https://st-saviours.org.uk/hope

Chris G (Contemporary congregation) recommends

Guildford Theology Hub: Science and Religion in the 21st Century with Revd Prof David Wilkinson - 14 March at 7pm
Details and Booking

The Theology Hub is an initiative aiming to build something that will resource churches across the Diocese for years to come. We are so excited to host Revd Prof David Wilkinson for what will be a fascinating and very faith building evening. All are welcome to attend.

Churches Together Link Up - February 2024

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

Coming Up

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 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.

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 / 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 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

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.