We look forward to seeing you this Sunday!
Dear Friends,
It’s half-term, so the notices are “light” this week, but there is still some important stuff (and slight amendments) since last week’s edition, so please read through to check you are working with the latest information!
SUNDAY 29 OCTOBER
“Lie in” Sunday - watch out for the clocks going back!
John 2. 13-25
God with us - The Challenge
9.30AM Busbridge Contemporary Service
Busbridge Church & online
Crèche and children’s groups for ages 3-14 take place in the Old Rectory.
11.15AM Busbridge Classic Service
Busbridge Church & online
10AM Hambledon Morning Worship
Hambledon Church & online
6PM Busbridge Evening Service Social!
Inn on the Lake
On Sunday 29th October there will be a 6pm congregation social at the Inn on the Lake. There is no evening service as it is a 5th Sunday. The service team will be there to greet you so do come and join us for a drink and a chat. All welcome.
Notices
A call to prayer for Godalming Minster, Monday 30 Oct, 7.30pm - as we countdown to the legal establishment of Godalming Minster on 1 Jan 2024, a prayer gathering will take place on Monday 30th October, from 7.30-8PM at Busbridge Church. All from the parishes of Godalming, Busbridge and Hambledon are encouraged to attend.
The last Bible Course session took place last Thursday at St Mark's. Sheila and Keith were overwhelmed with joy and thanks at having 23 attendees (representing all the Minster churches and others). Please pray for “next steps” - for attendees and future courses.
Sunday 5th November, 6.30pm - Confirmation Service at St John’s, Farncombe
The 6PM congregation will not be meeting at Busbridge on 5 Nov, but are encouraged, with others, to attend the Confirmation Service to support our candidates for confirmation, including Ben Barnes and members of Ichthus. 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! If you would like to find out about confirmation please contact Simon Taylor e: simon.taylor@bhcgodalming.org.
Busbridge is blessed to have a great team of Road Stewards who deliver The Bridge magazine six times per year. We are currently looking for a volunteer to deliver in the Monteagle, Westdene and Birchanger area near Summerhouse Road. This will take less than 30 minutes, so it is a commitment of less than 3 hours per year! We would also like a Road Steward who could cover for other Road Stewards who are on holiday as required. Please email David Brockman if you think you can help or want more information at editor.atthebridge@gmail.com.
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.
We have nearly 100 children signed up to the Light Party, and need more helpers who are not already accompanying children. It will be very good fun indeed! Please complete the online form below.
NEXUS
Thursday 2nd November 8.00pm in Busbridge Old Rectory: Norwegian Expedition in Photos, shown by Helen Sturney
Helen has kindly offered to share with us her experiences of a cruise to see the Northern Lights in Norway. This included expeditions in rigid inflatable boats and visiting the most northerly point in Norway’s Artic Circle. For us, this will be a photographic adventure, including pictures of the Ice Cathedral and other Norwegian wonders. Come and enjoy this and more in the warmth and comfort of our familiar Minster Room venue!
We’ll meet in the Busbridge Old Rectory at 8.00pm. The evening will start with refreshments and a chance to mingle and meet new people. We’ll then hand over to Helen for her photo presentation.
NEW Hymns we Love - Fridays, 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.
The next course is on Wednesdays from 7-9pm, starting 18 October. Click here for details to sign up.
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.It’s not too late to join the Bereavement Journey course, continuing Wednesday 1 November. Please use the link below for details, and share with anyone you know who might benefit.
For those looking ahead further, the dates for Christmas services and events are now available on the calendar, and on A church near you. Some details might get a tweak, but you can at least save the dates. You will be able to pick up a programme in church after half term. Before that there is plenty in the following notices which we kindly ask for your attention!
church family news
Last Saturday’s Thanksgiving service for the life of Rev John Postill is now available, with sound, here: https://youtu.be/mv1cfRzt7js.
“A humongous thank you to everyone who so kindly helped to ensure John’s Thanksgiving Service and afterwards went smoothly. Everyone was so helpful whatever the task.” Jeannie.
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
If you would like to start your week in quiet reflection over a passage of scripture do join us at 8.45am on Mondays - you will be very welcome. For any further information please contact: Gertrud Sollars or Shan Hallam.
Wednesdays at 9AM:
Morning Prayer at Hambledon Church
Morning Prayer on Zoom
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
For news from all the other local churches, see:
Churches Together Link Up - OCTOBER 2023
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.
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.