Dear Friends,
It’s very hot, so let’s keep it brief! Please read on for what’s happening, and find out more at church this Sunday. In the meantime, drop into the Yew Tree Café for a range of iced drinks to go with the “welcome back to school” brownies (free, on a first come, first served basis).
This Sunday
The Glorious Deeds of the Lord:
Telling the New Generations
Psalm 78: 1-8
9.30AM Busbridge Contemporary Service
Leader: Patrick Samuels | Speaker: Ben Barnes
Busbridge Church & online
with crèche and children’s groups for ages 3-14 - all in the Old Rectory
11.15AM Busbridge Classic Service
Leader: Peter Shaw | Speaker: Simon Taylor
Busbridge Church & online
10AM Hambledon Morning Worship [Holy Communion]
Leader: David Jenkins | Speaker: Hilary Pettman
Hambledon Church
6PM Busbridge Evening Service
Leader: Simon Taylor
Busbridge Church
The Busbridge Classic and Hambledon congregations will mark the 1st anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s death (8th Sep) with special prayers, and the national anthem.
Next Sunday 17 SEPTEMBER
Sermon series: People, Place & Purpose
Topic: Youth work today: What can we learn from david?
| 1 samuel 17: 20-46
9.30AM Busbridge Contemporary Service [Holy Communion]
Busbridge Church & online
with crèche and children’s groups for ages 3-14 - all in the Old Rectory
11.15AM Busbridge Classic Service
Busbridge Church & online
10AM Hambledon Morning Worship
Hambledon Church
4PM Messy Church
Hambledon Village Hall
Notices
Invitation to Saturday Morning Prayer, tomorrow 9 Sep, 8-9am at Busbridge Church
A group meets monthly, on 2nd Saturdays, to pray for our church and community, and any particular prayer requests from church members and groups. Please do let Michael know if you have prayer request via e: prayer@bhcgodalming.org.
It’s a time of totally open prayer, though there is not pressure to pray out loud. Anyone within the new Godalming Minster is welcome to attend, and there will be an increasing focus on praying for the formation and flourishing of the Minster, and everyone it involves.
Saturday morning prayer is just one way to join the Godalming Minster “Prayer Community”. There are mid-week prayer gatherings at all 4 churches each week, and special sessions to pray for the Minster will be confirmed next week.
The Bible Course
7.30PM Thursdays Sep-Oct 2023
Click here for details and to sign up
The Bible Course - starting Thursdays at St Mark’s Church.
This is a chance for everyone Minster-wide to join the highly recommended Bible Course. The introductory session took place on 7th Sep, but it’s not too late to join!
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).
Invitation to join a Small Group
September is a great time to try a mid-week small group, as most groups enjoyed a summer break and will be starting to meet again this week and next.
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.
A Wednesday evening group would also welcome new members. Please let Margot Spencer e: margot.spencer@bhcgodalming.org know if this is a good time for you!
New Wine 2024 - Book Now!
Having returned from a wonderful week at New Wine, the BHC contingent is keen to encourage a bigger Godalming Minster group to go together next year. It will be at Shepton Mallet, from 25th to 30th July.
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 >
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!
PET SERVICE
1st Oct, 10AM at Hambledon Church
Muddy Church will be joining Hambledon for it’s inaugural pet service on Sunday 1st October. Guidance to follow, but essentially, bring your pet along - as long as it’s safe for them and others! What could go wrong?
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
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.
Next talk: Anxiety, Fear and Panic
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.