Dear Friends
With 2 sleeps, and 8 services to go until the choice of 4 services on Christmas morning, you now just need the right hand column of the Christmas Unwrap Christmas programme to see you through to 31st Dec! It’s been a most wonderful time of preparation together with everyone in Godalming Minster, and the two pub carol events at the Howling Owl and The Merry Harriers this past week really brought the communities of Busbridge and Hambledon out in force, and in forceful singing!
Also see www.godalmingminster.org/christmas
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.
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.
Then when you awake on New Year’s Day, as if by magic (which it most definitely isn’t) Busbridge&Hambledon Church will be Godalming Minster as a legal entity.
January 2024
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!
As we transition to Godalming Minster, Sundays in January are a little unusual. There’s a full list on page 4 of the New Year, New Minster pdf below, and you can pick a copy up from church on 31st Dec or 7th Jan. There will also be more information to follow as we change name and the online domain to godalmingminster.org in early January. Please await instructions! Until then you can contact the clergy and staff team at the Minster in the same ways as before.
Godalming Minster News & to dos!
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 Roll is now closed and published in each of the Godalming Minster churches.
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.
All welcome to the first Nexus event of 2024 - click here for more details.
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.
The prayer gatherings take a break for Christmas and New Year, and restart week commencing Wed 3rd January.
Monday Morning Reflections on Zoom
Restarts 8 Jan: 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. See the 2024 Nexus programme, and updates 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 2024 Prime Time programme 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 (not Boxing Day) 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
Life Issues session 27th Jan 2024: Overwhelmed - Finding balance
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.