We set a Godalming Minster record yesterday for the number of pancakes (200+) served to guests who came to Franklyn Road for the Pancake party. The party brought together people from toddler and children’s groups, The Hub and Prime Time to enjoy tea and pancakes and activities to suit all ages. It was all made possible by a thoroughly Minster-wide team of cooks, hosts and game organisers from every congregation. The pancake flipping prize surely went to Patrick Samuels who made 130 of the pancakes, and Sheila’s kitchen team who served lunch for The Hub before welcoming another 100 guests!

In the notices this week:

• Ash Wednesday 8pm Communion

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

• Look ahead to Lent: Pancakes, Ashing and a 40-day challenge
  
  
  

Dear Friends

Here are some slightly early notices for Ash Wednesday and this coming Sunday 18th February.

Please be encouraged to start the Journey to Easter tonight at 8pm for the Ash Wednesday Communion and distribution of Ashes. This service is for everyone in Godalming Minster, and takes place at Hambledon, Church Lane, GU8 4DS.

About the Lent Sermon Series: Journey to Easter - Stories along the way
People love stories!  And they love stories about people.  With this in mind, the sermon series taking us from Ash Wednesday, through Lent and Holy Week has a focus on the people Jesus met during what turned out to be the final journey of his earthly ministry.   The stories range from mercy to hospitality, apprentice training schemes to parables, from startling revelations to betrayal and death.

Please travel with us, then, as we make this journey together – not as observers, but as fellow-travellers.

Margot Spencer, January 2024

If you are looking for something daily, you might also like to consider The Church of England’s Lent course Watch and Pray: Wisdom and hope for Lent and life. There are some great looking resources available:

• Campaign app: The free Watch and Pray app for both iOS and Android will be released in early February. Sign up to make sure you get an email as soon as it becomes available.

• Reflections via email: Sign up and get free daily Lent reflection emails (except Sundays) delivered straight to your inbox from Ash Wednesday to Easter Day. Our daily emails will offer Bible readings, short reflections and a practical challenge, as well as prayers linked to weekly themes.

• Reflection booklets: Daily reflections will also be available as booklets for both adults and children and are available to pre-order from Church House Publishing. Free copies are available at Godalming Minster Franklyn Road, while stocks last!

• Smart speakers: Audio versions of the Lent reflections will also be available for free on Alexa-enabled smart devices from Ash Wednesday (14 February).

This Sunday

Reading & Topic

Genesis 9:8-17 and Luke 9: 1-6 & 10-17
All are welcome! (Hospitality received and given)

Minster Services listed in chronological order:

9am Choral Eucharist - Church Street (St Peter & St Paul’s)
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.

4pm Messy Church - Hambledon Village Hall

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.

Lent Challenge

Part of this year’s Lent challenge is the 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 on a weekly or fortnightly basis. Small groups are encouraged to follow the Journey to Easter sermon series and use the accompanying notes and questions in whatever way they find helpful - to provoke discussion and reflection, or to lead into a time of prayer.  There are six group studies and some for personal reflection over Easter itself. Please contact Hilary Pettman for a place via e: office@godalmingminster.org.

If daytime is an option, Sheila Samuels is hosting a lent small group on Mondays from 12.30pm-2pm starting Monday 19th at St Mark’s House, Franklyn Road. Bring your own lunch, drinks provided. Contact: sheila.samuels@godalmingminster.org.

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. 

Further information:-

https://www.wwdp.org.uk/2024-wdp-free-resources-to-download/

https://www.wwdp.org.uk/2024-theme-and-country-palestine/

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.