Dear Friends,
September is here, a new season begins, and for Busbridge&Hambledon Church and the parish of Godalming, the inception of Godalming Minster is just months away.
This calls for a vision which we all can get inspired by, with a map and a plan of how we are going to start the journey together. The scripture passages this half term will help us to equip ourselves spiritually to respond to God’s call as individuals and groups, as we consider People, Place and Purpose.
Wonderfully, many of you have already stepped in, and - metaphorically - “out of the boat”. Along with the sermons, we hope to hear from some of those who are already taking practical action pursuit of the Minster’s 3 main priorities: i) Growing Younger, ii) Mission-Evangelism and iii) Discipleship. You can catch up on sermons and services you miss online, or explore the themes more deeply with others in a mid-week small group.
There is also a broad range of events, courses and activities starting in the coming weeks, and momentum will build thereafter. Read on for more details on this week’s highlights:
Muddy Church at Jack Phillips Memorial
Hymns and Pimm’s, 6PM at Hambledon
NEW! Ladies drinks (7.30PM tonight at the Howling Owl)
Men’s breakfast (Saturday)
Mid-week prayer groups restarting next week
The Bible Course, and Nexus which are all happening in the next 7 days!
This Sunday
Sermon series: People, Place & Purpose
Topic: The Way of Love | Matthew 22: 34-40
9.30AM Muddy Church
Jack Phillips Memorial Park - by the Cloister
GU7 1ES - WHAT 3 WORDS LOCATION /// BLAZE.OUTFIT.SWEPT
BYO cups for coffee and/or hot chocolate
Then come for coffee and squash in The Octagon at St Peter & St Paul’s Church
More details >
10AM Hambledon Morning Worship
Hambledon Church & online
Leader & Speaker: Simon Willetts
11.15AM Busbridge Classic Service [Holy Communion]
Busbridge Church & online
Leader: Frances Shaw | Speaker: Simon Taylor
6PM Busbridge Evening Service + Youth
Busbridge Church
Leader & Speaker: Simon Taylor
6PM Hymns & Pimm’s
Hambledon Church
Leader & Speaker: Simon Willetts
Next Sunday 10 SEPTEMBER
The Glorious Deeds of the Lord:
Telling the New Generations
Psalm 78: 1-8
9.30AM Busbridge Contemporary Service
Busbridge Church & online
with crèche and children’s groups for ages 3-14
11.15AM Busbridge Classic Service
Busbridge Church & online
10AM Hambledon Morning Worship [Holy Communion]
Hambledon Church
6PM Busbridge Evening Service
Busbridge Church
Notices
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.
Men's Breakfast Saturday 2nd September
Do join us for breakfast this coming Saturday 2nd September at 8.15am in the Old Rectory. As usual we’ll be serving porridge, toast and marmalade and tea or coffee, after which we’ll move on to a time of discussion and sharing. This month our topic of the day is ... Protest.
The Bible Course
7.30PM Thursdays Sep-Oct 2023
Click here for details and to sign up
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.
Invitation to join a Small Group
The group which meets fortnightly on Tuesday mornings (9.20am - 11am) seeks new members interested in joining them for the September term. All ages welcome. Please contact Cathy Brook via My ChurchSuite or the church office for more details.
Mid-week prayer meetings restart in the first week of September. See below for days and details.
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 >
Attention Road Stewards: The Bridge Magazine - Sep/Oct is now ready to collect and deliver from Busbridge Church. With huge thanks for your commitment to delivering The Bridge to every home. It’s
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 - 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
WANTED: ACCOMMODATION FOR YOUTH WORKER RELOCATING TO GODALMING
The Trinity Trust Team has recently appointed a new Team Youth Worker (single male, aged 30). This is more great news for Christian youth work across Godalming.
Ola is looking for a one bed, flat studio or annexe at reasonable rent. If you can help 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
Busbridge and Hambledon Churches are open daily for private prayer and reflection.
Monday Morning Reflections on Zoom
We shall resume our sessions on Monday 4th September at 8.45am on Zoom. 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 at 9AM: Morning Prayer at Hambledon Church
Restarts on 6th September.
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.