A photo from the last ever joint Busbridge and Hambledon PCC meeting, showing that members have a great time! We thank them all for their service. Members for the new Godalming Minster PCC will be elected at the SPCM on 7 January 2024. Read on for more info.
Dear Friends,
149 people were remembered at the Memorial Service last Saturday. As always, the home baking and cheerful service was magnificent and really appreciated by those who attended in person. For those who couldn’t attend, it was obviously still important. As an online attendee wrote:
“I was very pleased and moved to hear all of my family remembered by name – it is comforting to know that their memory lives on in our old parish church, as well as in me, here in New Zealand.”
Thanks to absolutely everyone involved, and to Margot who led the service and all it’s arrangements.
The Bereavement café is running twice more this year, as usual next Tuesday 28 Nov 2.30-4pm, and in the evening from 7-8.30pm on Tuesday 12 Dec for mulled wine and mince pies. The Bereavement Café will be in Old Rectory on both occasions.
The notices this week are largely concerned with Advent and Christmas, and the countdown to Godalming Minster. However, please also spend a few moments to consider the Alpha course information in preparation for the course starting on 11 January - and what it might mean for you.
The sermon series for Advent begins this Sunday, with the teaser “Are we ready for what’s coming?” Ha ha! All sorts of answers might come to mind… Thankfully it’s not referring to your Sainsbury’s Christmas slot or shopping achievements on so called “Black” Friday. Not even to the preparations for starting a Minster. But is should make us sit up and draw us closer to God as we follow the most loved Christmas story through Advent.
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
Led by Clare Haddad | Speaker Simon Taylor
All gather in church before the children leave for their groups in the Old Rectory.
11.15AM Busbridge Classic Service
Busbridge Church & online
Led by Sarah Black | Speaker Simon Taylor
10AM Hambledon Morning Worship
Hambledon Church & online
Led by Dudley Hilton | Speaker Simon Willetts
6PM Busbridge Evening Service [Holy Communion]
Busbridge Church
Led by Patrick Samuels | Speaker Simon Willetts
SUNDAY 3 DECEMBER -ADVENT SUNDAY
The Advent Sermon Series is underway.
”Beginnings and Endings”
Mark 13: 24-end
9.30AM Muddy Advent
The Jack Phillips Memorial Park
Led by Mark Puddephatt and Suzie Lambert
BYO cups for coffee, instruments and warm coats!
11.15AM Classic Advent Reflections & Taizé [Holy Communion]
Busbridge Church & online
Led by Patrick Samuels
10AM Hambledon Morning Worship
Hambledon Church & online
Led by Simon Willetts
6PM Advent Evensong
Hambledon Church
Led by Simon Willetts
6PM Campfire Carols
Busbridge Old Rectory Gardens
Led by Ben Barnes
Notices
Advent & Christmas
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.) Pick up a Christmas programme at church this Sunday, or download the pdf below:
Click above for booking instructions, or e: janetmharvey@btinternet.com
Book now (by 29 Dec latest) for the Christmas Quiz organised by Nexus on Sat 2 Dec, 7.30 at Busbridge Church. It’s just a week 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. Dietary requirements can be met, but please BYO drinks, glasses and cutlery.
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. See the shopping lists and select 3 or 4 items to buy. No gifts will be wasted! You can drop hamper items off at the Yew Tree Café from next week until 3 December.
Churches Together Christmas Day Lunch - Call for Helpers
Churches Together in Godalming and District for many years has organised a Christmas Day Lunch for people who would otherwise spend the day on their own. Invitations to attend are distributed through the Godalming churches, doctors’ surgeries and community centres.
Guests arrive at Godalming Baptist Church in Queen Street for a soft drink followed by a full Christmas lunch. After lunch there is entertainment and everyone is given a small gift. The day is very good fun and a lovely way to spend Christmas!
Volunteers are needed for a variety of roles: preparing food and setting tables on 24 December; providing transport on Christmas Day, helping in the kitchen with serving and washing up, hosting the day; providing entertainment and a team to help clear away. If you can help, or would like to be a guest, please complete and return the forms below.
Godalming Minster News & to dos!
Pray Together! We are truly seeking God’s glory in the creation of Godalming Minster and call everyone to pray together at Busbridge Church at 7.30pm on Monday 27 Nov and again on 4 Dec. If you can’t make these prayer gatherings, please join a Morning prayer on Wednesdays at 9am on Zoom or at Hambledon Church, or pray in your small group, with a friend, or on your own. Creating a Minster (the first of it’s kind) is a thrilling but not uncomplicated prospect, particularly following the busy Christmas season. Please pray for everyone involved, and especially our clergy and church wardens.
Save the dates:
A Special Parochial Church Meeting (SPCM) will follow morning services on Sunday 7 Jan, 11.30am at Godalming Minster Busbridge Church Brighton Road. At this important meeting, those people present will vote in the Godalming Minster Officers and PCC members: ·
2 Churchwardens
To the Parochial Church Council 15 (maximum) lay representatives
To the Deanery Synod: 6 (maximum) lay representatives
Other matters of parochial or general church interest
Eight representatives from Busbridge Church, three from Hambledon Church will be elected to serve on the Minster PCC. Anyone who is on the current Electoral Rolls is eligible to vote. The electoral rolls will close to new applicants on 18 December and the roll will be published on 24 December (2 Sundays before the SPCM). Apply to the Electoral Roll.
You are invited to the Godalming Minster Launch service on 14 January, 10.30am at Godalming Minster Church Street. The service will be led by The Rt Revd Andrew Watson, Bishop of Guildford, with hymns accompanied by the choir, and band led worship. There will be children’s activities in the Octagon and prosecco and coffee afterwards.
Stay Curious Try Alpha - course starting 11 Jan 2024
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. Invitations are on their way for you and for people you’d like to invite. Pray for boldness in sharing the invitation! Keith Harper will be delighted to hear from you whichever option you choose!
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.