Dear Friends,
Join us for Harvest this Sunday when we'll be hearing from the trustees of Mechanics for Africa - a very local Christian charity working in Zambia, and gathering non-perishable harvest gifts for the Food Bank. See the shopping list on parishofgodalming.org.uk/st-marks-food-bank/
Harvest also seems a natural time to reflect on some of the early signs of reward from some of the pioneering Minster activities. Just in the last week there have been some lovely stories from the first Minster Pet Service at Hambledon last Sunday, and the Pre-Marriage Course last Saturday. Revs Sheila and Patrick Samuels led prayers at Godalming Council for the start of Black History month, a great privilege and opportunity, which we give thanks for. Surely the baptism of one of our Pathfinders at the 6pm service is cause for celebration too? Let’s be encouraged by those who are stepping in, and stepping up, and join them!
As well as Mission Sunday, there is no shortage of ways you can exercise your gifts or connect with a church group, whatever your interest:
Tonight at 8pm (Thursday 5th Oct) at Nexus, another of our local mission partners will be profiled when two of our church volunteer mentors at HMP Send will be sharing their experience and passion for supporting female prisoners. (Come along at 8pm to the Old Rectory).
Ladies are invited for a drink at the Pavilion at the Howling Owl tomorrow, Friday, from 7.30pm.
The Men’s Breakfast is tackling the topic of recent “church” involvement in policy and politics over tea, toast and porridge - 8.15am in the Old Rectory. (And while they are at it, a small team will be doing a little early morning reordering at St Peter & St Paul’s - more heavy lifters welcome).
You can then learn or brush up on your Sunday role as Welcomer, prayer leader, preacher or service leader at the workshop running from 9.30-11.30am.
More details for all of the above can be found in the notices to follow.
SERVICES this Sunday
Psalm 145
Sharing God’s Abundant Goodness
9.30AM Busbridge Contemporary Service
Leader: Simon Taylor | Speaker: Suzie Lambert
& joined by Richard Rowe, Mechanics for Africa
Busbridge Church & online
with crèche and children’s groups for ages 3-14 - all in the Old Rectory
11.15AM Busbridge Classic Service
Leader: Simon Taylor | Speaker: Chris Payne
Busbridge Church & online
10AM Hambledon Morning Worship [Holy Communion]
Leader: Margot Spencer joined by Susie Mooney, Mechanics for Africa
Hambledon Church
6PM Busbridge Evening Service
Leader: Simon Taylor
Busbridge Church
NEXT SUNDAY 15 OCTOBER
2 Cor 1:18-23
It’s a “yes” (to Jesus) from me!
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
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’s a special update for BHC congregations. Give to Mechanics for Africa online now >>> Ref. Harvest.
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 talk about some aspects of life in the prison, and the 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 the Prison where the focus is on personal development and preparing women for getting back into the outside world after they have served their term. The evening will start with drinks and nibbles to give us a chance to mingle and meet new people. £5 entry fee, or £20 for annual membership.
Annual Memorial Service
Each year we hold a Memorial Service to remember friends and family members who have died, either recently or at any time, however long ago. This year’s service is on Saturday 18 November at 3.00 p.m. Invitations will be going out within the next few weeks, and there will be spare invitation letters at the back of all our churches. During the service we read out the names of those we remember and light candles in their memory. Refreshments are served afterwards and all are welcome to stay. The service is open to everyone, so please put the date in your diary.
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 others, 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, 8AM
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 lorry 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.”
BOOK here, OR OFFER TO HELP: 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 your 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.
There are still places on the next Bereavement Journey course, 7 sessions starting Wednesday 18 October. Please use the link below for details, and share with anyone you know who might benefit.
The next course is on Wednesdays from 7-9pm, starting 18 October. Click here for details to sign up.
NEW Hymns in the Afternoon - Friday 13th October, 2.30pm, for 5 weeks
With the help of our Anna Chaplain and Prime Time Team member Jane Tomes, Prime Time is starting Hymns We Love - a 5 week series of sessions which uses well-loved hymns to explore the Christian faith. Each session features a beautifully shot video set in a historic English church, and tells the story of the hymn and the gospel message behind it. It is a series that has been developed specifically for use in groups of older adults and so is perfect for Prime Time, but may have wider appeal too. All are welcome.
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!
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!
church family news
The funeral of Paul Unwin will take place at Hambledon Church on Thursday 12th October at 1pm.
The funeral of Malcolm Brunning will be held in Godalming Parish Church on 13th October 2023 at 3:00 pm.
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
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.
Ladies’ Drinks takes place every 1st Friday of the month, 7.30PM at the The Pavilion by Howling Owl.
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.
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
Wanted: self-contained flat or annexe for Christian youth worker (Ola from TTT) from early October. Quiet, respectful and tidy tenant prepared to pay rent in return for own private space. If you have, or know of such accommodation in the Godalming area, please contact andy@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.