Dear Friends
Drum-roll please…. this Sunday will include the big reveal of our new 4-11s Children and Families Pastor in the morning services at Busbridge (and to all congregations in due course). Marcus Hockley started enthusiastically this week, and has already met a good few church members in the Old Rectory, The Yew Tree Café and at the St Mark’s new after-school Youth Café on Wednesday. “Excited” about Jesus and “can’t wait” to start children’s ministry here, are seldom more truly spoken than in Marcus’ case. This also means the CYF staff team is complete again for the first time in quite a while, and ready to lead us as we work towards “Growing Younger” as part of Godalming Minster. Thanks to all those who have been praying for this and who continue to serve in our Sunday children’s groups.
Also, among other things, in this week’s notices:
There’s a special Choral Evensong at Hambledon this Sunday (6pm).
Please sign up to the 1 Big Summer Party on 16th July.
The National Trust is joining Nexus on 6th July (8PM) to present the plans for the new visitor centre opening soon at Winkworth Arboretum, AND its recent acquisition of Munstead Wood - house and garden of Gertrude Jekyll. Hear it there first!
The Bereavement Café is open again next Tuesday 27th from 2.30-4pm in the Old Rectory.
An urgent plea for people to join the AV rota at Busbridge.
TTT (Trinity Trust Team) celebrates its 20th birthday this Saturday, and everyone’s invited.
This Sunday
See you at church or online this Sunday, as we come to hear about:
confident in his promises
Reading: philippians 3: 10-21
Paul makes a declaration in (3:10) “I want to know Christ”. We may think Paul already knew Christ, but Paul is seeking to be totally enveloped in Christ’s person, purpose and passion. It is not enough to be counted as one of Christ’s he wants to be able to say (1:21) “for me to live is Christ”. How can we be like Paul?
9:30AM Busbridge Contemporary
Led by: Chris Garner | Speaker: Simon Willetts
Busbridge Church
Children start in church before leaving for their groups.
11:15AM Busbridge Classic Service
Led by: Sarah Black | Speaker: Simon Willetts
Busbridge Church
10AM Hambledon Morning Worship
Led by: Hilary Pettman
Hambledon Church
6PM Busbridge Evening Service [Holy Communion]
Led by: Lesley Mason | Speaker: Patrick Samuels
6PM Hambledon Choral Evensong
Led by: Simon Willetts
6PM Sunday 25th June at Hambledon Church. Hambledon Choral Evensongs take place every term, and at key times in the church year. All welcome.
Next Sunday 2 July
The secret of contentment and knowing that we can’t out-give God.
Reading: Philippians 4:10-23
9:30AM Muddy Church on Holloway Hill Rec
BYO cup for coffee and hot chocolate. Look for the flags!
10AM Hambledon Morning Worship
11:15AM Busbridge Classic Service [Holy Communion]
6PM Busbridge Evening Service
Notices
Please sign up to come to 1 Big Summer Party
Click here for details and to sign up!
1 Big Summer Party - 16 July
Everyone, new and old, from any congregation or church activity, fully involved and dipping their toes, is warmly invited to the 1 Big Summer Party in the Old Rectory Garden on Sunday 16th July from 6-8PM. Though church never breaks up, it will be good to kick off our shoes as those in education finish exams and the summer term marathon, and we all embark on the holiday season!
Live music will be provided by the Faith Blues Band who played their first sell-out gig in the Yew Tree Café at the end of April. There will be drinks and a meal for everyone, and a chance to meet people involved in different areas of church life.
We look forward to sharing this event with the wider family that will be part of Godalming Minster, but for those that can remember (fondly), this is a roll up of the BHC Newcomers tea, the invitational Great Girls Get Together and the Boys BBQ and Beer Bash.
Friends are welcome. Who could you invite?
There's a suggested donation of £5 pp, and you can pay as you sign up. And do please sign up - we want to provide enough food and drinks, but not too much! Of course, if you’d like to help, please contact vic.hicks@bhcgodalming.org.
NEXUS TALK 6th July: We are delighted that a team from the National Trust will be joining Nexus on Thursday 6th July to talk about the new Winkworth Visitor Centre and the National Trust’s recent acquisition of Munstead Wood. We’ll meet in the Old Rectory at 8.00pm. The evening will start with drinks and nibbles to give us a chance to mingle and meet new people before handing over to Katherine Mills, General Manager, NT London & SE Operations and her team for the talk. Non members are very much invited to come along. There is a guest contribution of £5 which goes towards speaker costs and refreshments. Details and sign up here.
IMPORTANT Minster matter! - Notice of the DRAFT Pastoral Scheme - issue 2 - has now been given by the Diocese of Guildford and is available for comment until Monday 24th July. Please note the date extension from the original deadline (3rd July). The Pastoral Scheme is the legal document which sets out the organisation of the new Godalming Minster and has been sent to the affected parishes of Godalming, Busbridge, Hambledon and Farncombe. The draft Pastoral Scheme and instructions can be found on the Minster page under About Us HERE. There is a notice on the church doors and a printed copy of the draft pastoral scheme in each of the churches. Notice will also be given in Sunday services between now and 19th July. Please spread the word and let those who might not come to church, or receive the email notices, be aware.
pray & Give thanks for
The ongoing work and those who serve in Busbridge&Hambledon CYF ministries, and for the Trinity Trust Team which has been working in our local schools for 20 years!
All those who are bereaved, and for the the ministry of the Bereavement Café which meets for the 3rd time on Tuesday 27th June, 2.30-4PM in The Old Rectory. More details >>
Those coming to the end of the current Alpha Course - for their faith journey to continue and their relationship with Jesus to be stronger and deeper with every day. More courses will be scheduled and Keith and Sheila would love to hear from you if you would like to find out about the course for yourself or someone else. More details >>
get involved / serving
Busbridge laptop operators URGENTLY required! Those who prefer a screen to a printed service sheet and hymn book, and can use a PC, please offer your help to run the laptop once a month. Training and patience will be provided! Contact Patrick Elshen via the church office if you’d like to help.
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.
MIssion & Outward Giving
Do you know about the amazing work of the Trinity Trust Team with young people across Godalming - now 20 years young? Find out about TTT’s work in the latest newsletter, and come along to the 20th anniversary celebration this Saturday. TTT would love to share its story and future plans with new people as well as its faithful supporters.
Members and supporters from Busbridge&Hambledon Church are invited to TTT’s celebration. Please RSVP. Speak to Julie Nelson, Michael Stubbs and Simon Callaghan if you would like to find out more!
Coming Up / plan ahead
See the events coming up next and look up dates further ahead in the full calendar.
Mid-week Prayer Gatherings
Reflective Prayer Mons at 8.45am online. Reflective Prayer will not take place on bank holiday Monday. Do join us on Zoom when we resume "normal" service on Monday 5 June.
Busbridge Morning Prayer Weds at 9am on Zoom.
Hambledon Morning Prayer takes place on Wednesdays at 9am. All welcome.
Busbridge Saturday Prayer Meeting + PrayerFest 0-30 8-9am 2nd Saturdays of the month in Busbridge Church.
***Please send prayer requests to prayer@bhcgodalming.org***
Groups & Activities
The Men’s Group meets for breakfast at 8.15am on the first 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 2023 Prime Time programme for Jan-Jun is now available. For all events and details, see Prime Time.
Nexus meets on the 1st Thursday of the month, with talks and activities for church members and the community. The 2023 Nexus programme can be found on Nexus.
Bereavement Café - 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 >>>
Don’t forget about…
The MyChurchSuite app. It’s the easiest way 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 Church Office if you’ve lost your login details or would like to request an account. The instructions which are now on the web site HERE.
Simon’s sabbatical 11th April-15th July 2023
While Simon Taylor enjoys his sabbatical, the leadership of the benefice is in the capable hands of Simon Willetts, supported by Margot Spencer, the wardens, clergy and staff team. Minster plans will continue to develop.
Elsewhere
In this month’s Parish Brief
Dean Dianna to retire
It was announced last weekend that Dean Dianna will be retiring later this year. Her final Sunday service will be Choral Evensong on 17 September. More details will be shared nearer the time but if you would like to join the celebration on the 17th do put 6pm into your diaries.
Ordination Weekend on the 1st July/2nd July 2023
Our upcoming Priests and the parishes in which they’re already serving:
…
Bryan Silletti: St Andrew, Cobham
Tori Silletti: St Andrew, Cobham
For news from all the other local churches, see:
Churches Together Link Up - JUNE 2023
Godalming Baptist Church Life Issues talks: We have a thought-provoking and so helpful Life Issue coming up next month at Godalming Baptist Church 'Managing Anger and Conflict' on Saturday 24th June from 10.00am-12.30pm (coffee from 9.30am) led by Revd Peter Jackson.
There is no charge for the session but donations towards the work of 'Emerge' -a christian charity that supports young people in A and E who come in with mental health needs would be much appreciated. To book a place please contact Sally Pollard-01483-428646 or e-mail pollard3@hotmail.co.uk by Friday 16th June.
See the full 2023 Life Issues programme.
To book a place contact Sally Pollard-pollard3@hotmail.co.uk or tel-01483-428646.
Single, employed Christian woman in her forties looking for a room in a house share or with a family on a long-term let in or near Guildford, can pay £650pm maximum, including bills. Tidy, clean, polite, helpful, good with most pets. Looking to move end of June. Contact Sarah Black if you can help.
Yew Tree Café
at Busbridge Church
The Yew Tree Café at Busbridge Church is open 8.30am-4pm weekdays in term time, and 10am-2pm on Saturdays, and 10am-4pm during school holidays.
Pastoral Care
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 church office, or e: pastoral@bhcgodalming.org.
To contact the EMERGENCY prayer chain, email prayer@bhcgodalming.org or call 01483 421267.
Busbridge and Hambledon Churches are open daily for private prayer.