32 people come along to the Prime Time bowls event yesterday, and in every way it was a perfect afternoon. The temperature was just right and there was a lovely atmosphere. Grateful thanks to Holloway Hill Bowling Club for allowing us to use their facilities and to the club members who provided the bowls coaching for their fellow Prime Time members. See Prime Time for the next event.
Dear Friends,
Here’s a quick update to keep everyone going through August, and to start looking forward to September! (The next issue of the notices will be for Sunday 3rd September.)
This Sunday
Who do you think you are? - Solomon
1 Kings 3:16-28
10AM Busbridge Combined Service
Busbridge Church & online
with multi-age children’s group
10AM Hambledon Morning Worship
Hambledon Church
Next Sunday 27 August
Who do you think you are? - Joseph
Matthew 2:13-15 and 19-23
10AM Busbridge Combined Service
Busbridge Church & online
with multi-age children’s group
10AM Hambledon Morning Worship
Hambledon Church
6PM Busbridge Evening Service
Busbridge Church
Notices
get ready for September and Beyond
Invitation to join a Small Group
The group which meets fortnightly on Tuesday mornings (9.20am - 11am) seeks new members interested in possibly joining them for the start of the September term. All ages welcome. Please contact Cathy Brook via My ChurchSuite or the church office for more details.
New ladies social on 1st Fridays of the month - starting 1 Sep, 7.30PM at the Howling Owl. Come along for a social drink at the Holloway Hill Pavilion by Howling Owl. Open to absolutely all ladies reading this, and their friends. Contact Karen Hart of Sarah Black via My ChurchSuite or the church office for details.
Nexus - The next talk is on Thursday 7 September at 7.30PM
Compassion in World Farming = Environmentally friendly food. This is particularly topical at the moment, and Nexus is delighted to welcome the UK Head of Godalming based charity, Compassion in World Farming. Compassion in World Farming is the largest farm animal welfare charity in the world , which has 400,000 supporters in the UK. CiWF works to improve conditions for farm animals, to oppose industrial factory farms with caged systems, and work to promote a more environmentally-friendly food system. This is a very topical and important subject, and it will be fascinating to hear about it direct from Nick. Do come along and bring a friend so we can spread the message! 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 after our summer break. £5 for visitors (or £20 for the year). Pick up a flyer at church.
New Wine 2024 - Book Now!
Having just got back from a wonderful week at New Wine, the BHC contingent is keen to encourage a bigger group to go together next year. It will be at Shepton Mallet, from 25th to 30th July, and there is just one week, so no week A or B to choose from.
Tickets are already available and selling quickly, so if people want to book, it would be good to get onto it sooner rather than later, especially if you want places in the fabulous children’s programme. Speak to Suzie Lambert for an enthusiastic testimony and more information!
The next Bereavement Journey course will start on Wednesday 18th October. Read more >
MINSTER-WIDE
A few of the congregation at St Marks Church have been diagnosed with breast cancer and others have different cancers.
As a way of responding and showing support, Sandy Avenell is going to host an afternoon tea to raise money for ‘Breast Cancer Now’ Charity at St Marks Church on the 3rd September from 3-5pm. We at St Mark’s Church will help Sandy host this and would like to open the invitation to everyone across the Minster.
The Bible Course
7.30PM Thursdays Sep-Oct 2023
Click here for details and to sign up
The Bible Course - starting Thursday 7th September at St Mark’s Church.
Save the date! This is a chance for everyone Minster-wide who hasn’t followed the course before to join the highly recommended Bible Course.
The Bible Course is a brilliant way to bring the Bible to life and understand the whole storyline— from Genesis to Revelation. Along the way you will pick up tools and skills to help you read it yourself and apply it to your life. Though it was written for beginners in an extremely accessible in style, it will still challenge the experienced bible reader and help anyone rediscover the Bible afresh.
If you are not part of a mid-week small group, this is a chance to get a feel for the format, experience bible study in a group, and get to know members of the church family better. If you’d like to know more, contact Keith Harper who is leading the eight sessions at St Mark’s on Thursday evenings in September (7.30pm-8.30/9pm).
Training for leading Intercessions, Welcoming, Reading and leading services - Sat 7 Oct
This is advanced notice of a training session which will be held on Saturday 7 October. This will run from 0930 to 1130 and will consist of several distinct sessions covering leading intercessions, welcoming, reading, service leading. If you are not involved in any of these ministries, but would be interested to know what is involved, please come along. If you are someone who is already involved, please can we encourage you to make a note of the date and come for a refresher.
People are welcome to come to any or all of the sessions and further details about timing will be available nearer the time. If you would like to know more, please have a word with (or drop an e-mail to) Margot Spencer margot.spencer@bhcgodalming.org or Simon Willetts simon.willetts@bhcgodalming.org
Minster Reorganisation now approved!
Busbridge&Hambledon Church and Godalming Parish have received confirmation from the Church Commissioners that the Pastoral Scheme for Godalming Minster was formally approved by the Bishop of Guildford on 7th August, and will come into legal effect on 1st January 2024. In the meantime, the leaders in all three parishes are already thinking like a Minster, lots of things are already happening jointly, and we will be inviting everyone to step into the new identity starting gradually this Autumn. Watch this space!
WANTED: TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION FOR YOUTH WORKER RELOCATING TO GODALMING (FROM SEPTEMBER 1ST FOR 6 WEEKS)
The Trinity Trust Team has recently appointed a new Team Youth Worker (single male, aged 30) who will be relocating from Scotland at the end of August. This is more great news for Christian youth work across Godalming.
Do you have a spare double room with en-suite facilities or vacant annexe at a reasonable rate for 6 weeks whilst he undertakes his first half term with us? If you can help us in housing Ola then please contact our Chair (Michael Stubbs) on: michael@trinitytrustteam.co.uk
Surrey Churches Ride & Stride will take place on Saturday 9th September to raise money to help preserve our local church buildings. If you have any cyclists who wish to take part as a member of a group then they are very welcome to join me (and perhaps others) as we set out from St John's church, Farncombe at 10.00am on 9th September. All of the necessary forms etc are available for download on the following website: http://www.surreychurchespreservationtrust.org/ride-stride/
Week of accompanied prayer
The Guildford network of spiritual directors is offering a week of accompanied prayer from 8.-13th October this year. A week of accompanied prayer is a bit like a retreat from home – you meet once a day (in person or on zoom) with a retreat guide who will suggest Bible passages to pray with and meditate on and talk about what you find. Participants in the past have found a week like this to deepen their prayer life and their walk with God; it also gives you a taste of what spiritual direction is about. Gertrud Sollars (gertrud.sollars@btinternet.com) has more information. See the flyer and application form.
Save the Date!
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.
Coming Up / plan ahead
See the events coming up next and look up dates further ahead in the full calendar.
Mid-week Prayer Gatherings
Mid-week morning prayer gatherings take a break in August. Busbridge and Hambledon Churches are open daily for private prayer and reflection.
Monday Morning Reflections
We shall resume our sessions on Monday 4th September ( same time, same place). If you would like to start your week in quiet reflection over a passage of scripture do join us in September - you will be very welcome. For any further information please contact: Gertrud Sollars or Shan Hallam.
Wednesdays: Busbridge Morning Prayer and Hambledon Morning Prayer now take a break for summer and will restart in September (dates tbc).
Can we pray for you?
***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 Jul-Dec 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.
Elsewhere
For news from all the other local churches, see:
Churches Together Link Up - AUGUST 2023
Godalming Baptist Church Life Issues talks
See the full 2023 Life Issues programme.
To book a place contact Sally Pollard-pollard3@hotmail.co.uk or tel-01483-428646.
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.