Dear Friends,
Muddy, Messy and Hambledon are all looking forward to the first Pet Service this Sunday - now outdoors to avoid congestion in the aisles! We do hope to see you there with your beloved furry (or scaly) friend.
The following is probably common sense and might raise an eyebrow or a smile, but thank you for your cooperation!
Owners are responsible and liable for their own pets.
Keep dogs on short leads and bring small and exotic animals in cages or other suitable containers.
If your pet is particularly timid or unruly, please leave them at home and bring a photo instead.
We will try to set aside an area for people with allergies or phobias, but you attend at your own risk.
We plan to be outside so come prepared for the weather conditions.
Overflow parking is available in Hambledon Nursery School.
It will be a shortish service, and the coffee and croissant will be shared before you know it, but if that all sounds a little on the wild side:
Also this Sunday 1st October
Topic: Stepping out in Faith
| Deuteronomy 1: 3-18
11.15AM Busbridge Classic Service [Holy Communion]
Busbridge Church & online
6PM Busbridge Evening Service with baptism
Busbridge Church
We give thanks that one of our young people has chosen to be baptised, and this will take place at Busbridge Church during the 6pm service this Sunday.
Notices
All Roles Sunday Service Workshop - Sat 7 Oct
For those who serve as welcomers, service leaders, readers, and leaders of intercessions, AND those who would like to join the team in one of these roles.
Margot and Simon W will lead the workshop from 09.30 to 11.30 consisting of several distinct sessions:
All timings 'ish' -
0930 – 0945 welcome and refreshments
0945 – 1015 welcoming
1015 - 1030 reading
1030 – 1100 intercessions
1100 - 1130/45 service leading
Depending on how you wish to serve, you don’t need to attend the full 2 hours, (though it might help to understand the other roles), but it would be great if you could make the bit that is relevant to what you do. Here's the link to the event. It would be super if you could sign up HERE.
Coffee and croissants will be provided by one of the team!
MINSTER NEWS!
In readiness for Godalming Minster and the welcoming in of the now and new, St Peter and St Paul’s will shortly begin phase 1 of its reordering plans! Think space for the band, a coffee station at the back….so contemporary worshippers can feel at home and start to dream. The first step is to remove some pews, reposition some of them, extend the chancel area and create a level, open space at the rear of the nave. This project will be led by Will (SSPP warden) and Ken who looks after maintenance of the church, and they are requesting additional support:
Able bodied help wanted for moving pews at St Peter and St Paul’s - Sat 7th Oct, AM
The Christian Science church has offered to store some of the pews that can’t be discarded, so if you can help load them on and off the trailer on the morning of Sat 7 October, please let the church office know. John Harkin writes:
“If we can achieve phase 1 within the timeframe, the AV company will be able to move in during November (subject to all the AV parts being available) and install the new system so that everything is ready for … January 2024. This is an exciting time in the life and future witness of SPSP and the whole Minster parish. Thank you for your (practical) support and prayers.”
Confirmation
Several young people will be confirmed during the Deanery confirmation service at St John’s, Farncombe on 5th November. If you would like to find out about confirmation please contact Simon Taylor e: simon.taylor@bhcgodalming.org.
Please pray for these young people who are giving their lives to Jesus, and that our work as Godalming Minster to “grow younger” yields many more!
Harvest - 8th October
Harvest will be celebrated in all services on 8th October, with the traditional gathering of non-perishable gifts for the Godalming Food Bank at St Mark’s. (The Foodbank and Godalming & Villages Community Store share any surplus with each other to keep both locations stocked). Please check the web page for the “most wanted” items and bring them along to services next Sunday. Volunteers to transport the the gifts from Busbridge or Hambledon to the Foodbank on Franklyn Road the following week would be great. Please let the office know if you can help.
BHC also runs an outward giving appeal at key times of the year (Easter, Harvest and Christmas), and this year the Harvest Appeal is in aid of Mechanics for Africa. The web site gives a great impression of the charity and it’s work, and there will be more information available next week. Representatives from MfA will be interviewed on 8th October too. Give to Mechanics for Africa online now >>> Ref. Harvest.
It’s back! The biggest and loudest church event of the year. We are delighted to be hosting the first Light Party since 2019, and you can book you place(s) now by following this link. The invitation has gone out to children at Busbridge Infants, Juniors and St Mark’s and All Saints. Spaces are limited so please sign up soon, and share the invitation.
Nexus Talk on Thurs 5th October 8.00pm Busbridge Old Rectory
Making Connections Project – Send Prison
Volunteer mentors Caroline L and Penny H (contemporary congregation members) will share some aspects of life in the prison. They both have a passion for the work that they do there with Lesley Mason MBE, Send Prison Chaplain.
This includes the important Making Connections Project – funded by the Nazareth Way chaplaincy charity, which is one of BHC’s key mission partners. This project provides discretionary grants to prisoners being discharged to help them survive in their first few days after release until benefits become available. It will be enlightening to get some insight into life at this Prison where the focus is on personal development and preparing women for getting back into the outside world after they have served their term.
We’ll meet in the Busbridge Old Rectory at 8.00pm. The evening will start with drinks and nibbles to give us a chance to mingle and meet new people. Refreshments to start, 2023 Annual subscription £20, Guests £5 contribution towards speaker costs.
There are still places on the next Bereavement Journey course, which is now 7 sessions and finishes on 6 December. Please use the link below for details, and share with anyone you know who might benefit.
The next Bereavement Journey course will start on Wednesday 18th October. Read more >
Invitation to join a Small Group
It’s a great time to try a mid-week small group, and there is a new group starting on Thursday evenings, hosted by Debs and Tom Jones and led by Hilary Pettman. Please let Hilary know if you would like to find out more.
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!
church family news
We have been deeply saddened to learn of the sudden death of Malcolm Brunning, a much-loved former member of Busbridge church. He and Denise kept up their longstanding connection with us through remaining faithful Prime Timers. We send our love to Denise, Andrew, Edward and the whole family. Please pray for them all, as they adjust to such a sudden loss. Malcolm’s funeral service will be held in Godalming Parish Church on 13th October 2023 at 3:00 pm.
The funeral of Paul Unwin will take place at Hambledon Church on Thursday 12th October at 1pm.
A service of Thanksgiving for the life of John Postill will take place at Busbridge Church on Saturday 21st October, at 2pm, followed by refreshments in the Yew Tree Café.
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.
Can we pray for you?
***Please send prayer requests to prayer@bhcgodalming.org***
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
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
The new Bishop of Dorking (Paul Davies) is being welcomed at Evensong on Sunday 8th October, at Guildford Cathedral. Book your (free) ticket via the Cathedral box office.
For news from all the other local churches, see:
Churches Together Link Up - SEPTEMBER 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
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.
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.
MODERN SLAVERY, RIGHT HERE , RIGHT NOW
An awareness event, Saturday 21st October, St Mary's Church, Quarry Street, Guildford, GU1 3TY. 9:30-3pm Talks will be given by DCI Kerry Loveless, Surrey Police and South-east regional lead for Modern Slavery and Allison Sutcliffe Diocese Modern Slavery Advisor.
Guildford Mothers Union is pleased to have been invited by the Diocese to have a stand and would love members to join us in 'manning it' for whatever time you can spare, or just support the event, and spread the word. Please let one of us know: Dorothea (dorothea.nattrass@gmail.com, 01428 653216) / or Diana (diana@parenting@gmail.com, 07782186229).
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.