Click here for booking instructions, or e: janetmharvey@btinternet.com
Dear Friends,
This Sunday is national church Safeguarding Sunday, and we will be marking it in services with a special prayer or song, suitable for the congregation. Jenny Lansdowne is the Safeguarding Officer for BHC, and will continue this role for Godalming Minster, alongside Sarah Higgins who is the safeguarding officer for St Peter and St Paul’s. Everything we do as a church and Minster is underpinned by our Safeguarding policy. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, but we are hugely grateful to Jenny and Sarah for leading us in this undertaking.
Advent & Christmas - we are celebrating as Godalming Minster as Christmas is too good a chance to miss to share our new identity tell people about the changes afoot. There’s a full programme coming soon, but the imminent items are:
Book now for the Christmas Quiz organised by Nexus on Sat 2 Dec, 7.30 at Busbridge Church. It’s just 2 weeks away, and a great fun start to the Advent season. With quizmasters from the men’s group, it’s really a joint collaboration, and a great chance to draw everyone together from across the congregations and ministries.
Donations for outward giving Hampers are needed now! Within Godalming Minster, what was the Besom hamper project is now going to be coordinated by the Foodbank. Please pick up a shopping list from church this Sunday, and bring your goodies to the Yew Tree Café any day of the week until 3 December.
Oh, and in recent weeks, 14 people have joined a small group! We pray for new friendships and faith deepening relationships, and that it will be a blessing to the new joiners and their group in the weeks, months and years to come.
SUNDAY 19 NOVEMBER
GOD WITH US: HOPE AND RECONCILIATION.
John chapter 21 verses 1 to 19.
9.30AM Contemporary Service
Busbridge Church & online
All gather in church before the children leave for their groups in the Old Rectory.
11.15AM Busbridge Classic Service
Busbridge Church & online
10AM Hambledon Morning Worship
Hambledon Church & online
4PM Messy Church
Hambledon Village Hall
SUNDAY 26 NOVEMBER
The Advent Sermon Series begins
”Be prepared”
Ezekiel 34: 11-16, 20-24, Ephesians 1: 15-end, Matthew 25: 31 - end
9.30AM Contemporary Service
Busbridge Church & online
All gather in church before the children leave for their groups in the Old Rectory.
11.15AM Busbridge Classic Service
Busbridge Church & online
10AM Hambledon Morning Worship
Hambledon Church & online
6PM Busbridge Evening Service
Busbridge Church
Notices
Annual Memorial Service 18 Nov, 3PM at Busbridge Church
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. 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 look up the details HERE if you would like to come.
Godalming Minster’s first Alpha course is starting on 11 January 2024 at Godalming Minster St Mark’s Franklyn Road. It will actually be the 3rd course run together, but we are starting a bigger campaign for this one. You can a) sign up yourself, b) invite a friend or family member, c) offer to cook or help with hospitality for one of the sessions or d) all of the above. Keith Harper will be delighted to hear from you whichever option you choose!
Christmas sur-thrival 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. There is now a very simple holding page for www.godalmingminster.org to direct everyone to Christmas events and services, and the existing church web sites. (Development of an exciting new web site for January is getting underway.) If you missed the short presentation at church last Sunday, you can find it HERE.
Christmas Hampers
Godalming Minster is collecting goodies to make up gift hampers for local families, some of whom are supported by the Foodbank at St Mark’s year round, and some who appreciate a little help at this time of year. We hope to make the hampers a real treat and show of love and generosity to those who might not be able to enjoy the nicer things at Christmas. It is especially appreciated if the items are from the luxury range rather than value range. There will be more details and a specific shopping lists available next week, but no gifts will be wasted. You can drop items hamper off at the Yew Tree Café from next week until 3 December.
Save the dates (More details to follow):
Special Parochial Church Meeting on 7 Jan, 11.30 at Godalming Minster Busbridge Church Brighton Road
Godalming Minster Launch service on 14 January, 10.30am at Godalming Minster Church Street.
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 >>>
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.
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 - NOVEMBER 2023
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.