In the notices this week:

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

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

• Introducing...Groups and Activities
  
  

Dear Friends

February already?! Time does fly in a Minster. The increased number and span of activities across our four locations probably has something to do with it!

Did you know that Godalming Minster runs a group for babies and toddlers in different locations on four days every week, and every weekday on 2nd weeks of the month? That’s as well as groups for older children on three evenings a week, and Sunday mornings.

The Yew Tree Café celebrated its 2nd anniversary (just a few weeks early) with a little thank you party for all the volunteers. By coincidence we received this pic from someone who was passing by the café at dusk last night. Perhaps they were struck by the light and warmth the Yew Tree Café emits to the community inside and out! Please do visit any weekday between 8.30 and 4, or on Saturdays from 10am-2pm. New volunteers are always welcome and it’s a fun place to serve!

Sunday Services 4 Feb 2024

Listed in chronological order. [HC is Holy Communion]:

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

10am Classic Service [HC] - Brighton Road (Busbridge)

10am All Age Service - Franklyn Road (St Mark’s)

10am Morning Worship - Hambledon (St Peter’s)

10.30am Muddy Church in the Jack Phillips Memorial Park
Meet between the bandstand and the cloister. BYO cup for coffee and hot chocolate.

6pm Evening Worship = Youth - 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.

Also coming up

This is a final reminder about the Men’s group’s Fab February Fry Up - 8.15am on Sat 3rd Feb in the Busbridge Old Rectory. Simon Taylor will be there to talk all things Minster. RSVP. More details about the monthly Men’s Breakfasts and sign up.

Ladies Friday Night Social - come along for a drink at the The Pavilion by Howling Owl, Busbridge Lane on Friday 2 Feb from 7.30pm. Every 1st Friday of the month.

Look ahead to Lent - 14 Feb-30 Mar 2024

Pancake Party at Godalming Minster Franklyn Road, 2.30-4.30pm on Shrove Tuesday, 13th February. Sheila and the CYF team are planning a flipping good party during half-term for those with young ones, Prime Time, and every age in between. You can come at anytime and stay for a short while or the whole duration. Click the invitation for details and sign up.

Ash Wednesday 14 February
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.)

2024 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. Please contact Hilary Pettman for a place. e: hilary.pettman@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.

The Church of England’s Lent theme for 2024 is Watch and Pray: Wisdom and hope for Lent and life. There are some great looking resources available:

Resources for individuals

• 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.

• 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.

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

Kintsugi Hope Group postponed

The previously advertised Kintsugi Hope Mental Wellbeing Group is postponed for the time being. If this was something you were considering, please do still contact Sandra Wilkin to talk about future dates. e: 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 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 / 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.

Elsewhere

Churches Together Link Up - February 2024

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

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 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.