You may have seen the promotion for The First Nowell video on Instagram and Facebook already, but here it is again! The full version of the video has gone down well at last Sunday’s Christingle (new and wonderful), and at the Afternoon Carol Service on Monday (described by some as “the best Afternoon Carol service yet”!). You can also see it at the Carol services this Sunday, on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. It’s a wonderful effort from so many, but special thanks to our multi-talented associate vicar/ worship pastor/music producer Rev Simon Willetts, and to Ben Barnes and Jacob Taylor for making it all happen.
Dear Friends
It’s time to sing some (more) carols!
We are now breaking from normal services for the Christmas period and look forward to the best bible story, singing, and church get togethers of the year!
[Excuse the distraction from Christmas, but this is the last call for applications to the Busbridge or Hambledon Electoral Rolls - closing date 18 Dec. See notice re. the SPCM on 7 January below.]
SUNDAY 17 DECEMBER -CAROL SERVICES!
Singing Joy to the Lord
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
10AM Family Carol Service
Busbridge Church & online
for everyone in Godalming Minster
(no morning services at Hambledon, St Peter & St Paul’s and St Mark’s)
Led by Mark Williams | Speaker Margot Spencer
Please wear your Christmas Jumper!
6PM Carol Service
St Mark’s Church
Led by Sheila Samuels
6.30PM 9 Lessons & Carols
St Peter & St Paul’s Church
Led by John Harkin
7PM Carols by Candlelight
Hambledon Church & online
Led by Simon Willetts
For Christmas Services
Sunday 24 December & Monday 25 December
See www.godalmingminster.org/christmas
Sunday 31 December
We are calling it Minster-Eve! All are invited to the last service for the benefice of Busbridge&Hambledon, 10am at Hambledon Church. Alternatively you are most welcome at for the last Godalming parish service, 10am at St Mark’s Church.
January 2024
As we transition to Godalming Minster, Sundays in January are a little unusual. There’s a full list below. The Godalming Minster service pattern which starts on 28 January, will be available in full shortly.
Sundays
7 January
10am Busbridge Classic Service with Communion (at new time)
10am Hambledon Morning Worship
10.30am Muddy Church / Holloway Hill Recreation Ground (at new time)
11.30am SPCM for Godalming Minster at Busbridge
A Special Parochial Church Meeting for members of the Godalming Minster Electoral roll to vote in the new Godalming Minster PCC members and Deanery Synod representatives. If you are on the electoral rolls for Busbridge, Hambledon or Godalming, you will automatically be transferred to the Godalming Minster Electoral Roll. Closing date for new applications is 18 December. See below for details.
6pm Busbridge Evening Service + Youth
14 January
10.30am Godalming Minster Launch Service at St Peter & St Paul’s Church Street.
The Bishop of Guildford invites you to a celebration of the new Godalming Minster. Children’s groups will take place during the service, coffee and prosecco to follow. Free parking is available in the Crown Court car park, a short walk away. (No services at Godalming Minster Brighton Road or Hambledon.)
21 January
10.30am Godalming and District Churches Together Service
at Godalming Minster St Peter & St Paul’s Church Street.
(No services at Godalming Minster Brighton Road or Hambledon.)
28 January
Start of the Godalming Minster service pattern. Please note the new times and locations:
10am Busbridge Classic Service (new time)
Godalming Minster Busbridge Church Brighton Road
(Takes place every Sunday, with communion on 1st Sundays of the month)
10am Hambledon Morning Worship with communion
Godalming Minster Hambledon Church Lane
(Takes place every Sunday, with children’s club on 1st, 2nd and 4th Sundays, and communion on 2nd Sundays of the month)
10.30am Contemporary Service at Godalming Minster St Peter & St Paul’s Church Street.
The Busbridge Contemporary congregation is moving to Church Street in January, gathering at the later time of 10.30am. Children’s groups will take place in the Octagon. Drivers, please park in the Crown Court car park (free on Sundays). Arrive in time for coffee before the service starts. (Takes place every Sunday apart from 1st Sundays of the month when it’s Muddy Church for all ages. Communion on 3rd Sundays of the month)
6pm Evening Service with communion
Godalming Minster Busbridge Church Brighton Road
(Takes place 1st Sundays + Youth, 2nd Sundays and 4th Sundays + Communion).
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 is getting underway.) Pick up a Christmas programme at church this Sunday, or download the pdf above.
Help make it all happen
It be great to spread the load this Christmas and support our service and worship leaders in making every service and event a success. Please look at the programme and let the Church office know when you are available, or better still use the nifty form below!
This year’s Christmas Appeal is in aid of Elam Ministries (see https://www.elam.com) and read the update below. It’s not too late to make a donation.
Churches Together Christmas Day Lunch - Helpers needed
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.
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. Keith Harper will be delighted to hear from you whichever option you choose!
Godalming Minster News & to dos!
Call to Prayer! We are truly seeking God’s glory in the creation of Godalming Minster and call everyone to pray together at St Peter & St Paul’s Church Street at 7.30pm on Monday 18 Dec. You can also 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.
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 - DECEMBER 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.