Dear Friends

This week BHC is celebrating! The Children, Youth and Families team held a Minster-wide end of term party for all worthy volunteers on Weds, some of the small groups breaking for summer also shared meals, drinks or a BBQ, Messy Church is running a special end of term sports church this Sunday at 4PM, before the 1 Big Summer Party in the Old Rectory Garden, 6-8PM!

Simon Taylor returns from sabbatical this Sunday too, so Simon Willetts, Margot Spencer and the wardens who have held the reigns for the last 3 months might also be feeling a mild “hoorah”!

The end of the academic year, for those it affects, roughly halfway through the year, is also an appropriate time to reflect and recommit ourselves to the church vision to Love God, Make Disciples, Transform Communities by responding unconditionally to Christ’s love.

All congregations joining the Godalming Minster will be reflecting on the teaching theme for 2023: Living Through Challenging Times, the key verse Mark 6: 50

“Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

as we are introduced to the priorities and goals to support the vision as we form Godalming Minster. All in all, it is a Sunday not to be missed!

This Sunday

See you at church, or online this Sunday to hear about:

A reflection on 2023 so far

Challenging times: people priorities, purpose - resources, commitment, finances
Reading: Mark 6:50b

9:30AM Busbridge Contemporary [Holy Communion]
Leader: Sheila Samuels | Preacher: Simon Taylor
with children’s groups

Jenna and Steve invite you for coffee and cake between the Contemporary and Classic services to celebrate Arthur’s Thanksgiving taking place in the 9.30AM Contemporary Service. They’d love to share the occasion with as many friends as possible!

10AM Hambledon Morning Worship
Leader: Dudley Hilton | Preacher: David Jenkins
with children’s club
11:15AM Busbridge Classic Service
Leader: Peter Shaw | Preacher: Simon Taylor

4PM Messy End of Term Sports Church
Hambledon Football Club, Hambledon Road, GU8 4DL

6PM 1 Big Summer Party in the Old Rectory Garden

Next Sunday 23 July

Who do you think you are? Abraham
Readings: Genesis 12:1-9

Watch out! The summer service programme begins this week. Busbridge Contemporary and Busbridge Classic services combine. Children’s groups take a break but Ben and Marcus will host a multi-age group on 23 July, 30 July, 20 August and 27 August.

10AM Busbridge Combined Service
Led by: Philippa Baker | Speaker: Margot Spencer
Busbridge Church

10AM Hambledon Morning Worship
Led by: Simon Willetts
Hambledon Church

6PM Busbridge Evening Service [Holy Communion]
Led by: Simon Willetts | Speaker: David Brockman

Notices

Very last chance to sign up for 1 Big Summer Party

1 Big Summer Party - 16 July

Thanks to everyone who has signed up! It’s going to be fun. The band are fully rehearsed and Sheila and Patrick will be head chefs on the BBQ. Ben Barnes and the youth have tested out their new garden games and have promised that the over 18s can also have a go. A selection of beers, Pimms and soft drinks will be available, but you are also welcome to BYO wine.

There's a suggested donation of £5 pp, and you can pay as you sign up or use the bucket on arrival.  And do please sign up - we want to provide enough food and drinks, but not too much! Of course, if you’d like to help the salad and pudding team, please contact vic.hicks@bhcgodalming.org.

Simon’s sabbatical - ending soon
We hope that Simon has had a wonderfully restorative and reflective time on sabbatical, but we look forward to welcoming him back this Sunday. Simon will be preaching at Busbridge Contemporary and Classic, but you can also catch up online live or on demand.

Monday Reflection
We meet in the zoom room for our  final Monday morning reflection on 17th July, 8:45 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. before we break for the summer. We shall resume our sessions on Monday 4th September ( same time, same place). If you  would like to start your week in quiet reflection over a passage of scripture do join us  in September - you will be very welcome. For any further information please contact : Gertrud Sollars or Shan Hallam.

IMPORTANT Minster matter! - Notice of the DRAFT Pastoral Scheme - issue 2 - has now been given by the Diocese of Guildford and is available for comment until Monday 24th July. Please note the date extension from the original deadline (3rd July). The Pastoral Scheme is the legal document which sets out the organisation of the new Godalming Minster and has been sent to the affected parishes of Godalming, Busbridge, Hambledon and Farncombe. The draft Pastoral Scheme and instructions can be found on the Minster page under About Us HERE. There is a notice on the church doors and a printed copy of the draft pastoral scheme in each of the churches. Notice will also be given in Sunday services between now and 19th July. Please spread the word and let those who might not come to church, or receive the email notices, be aware.

Church Family News

We send our love to Olena, our lovely café assistant manager, whose father died suddenly on Tuesday.  Please pray for Olena and her whole family, as they reunite across countries, to support one another and make funeral arrangements.  Pray for safe travel, and for them all to know God’s peace, love and comfort surrounding them.

pray & Give thanks for

Lizzie, Donna and all the café volunteers who lead and support the ministry of the Yew Tree Café, and the blessing they are to customers. We pray for staff cover over the summer months and a continued flow of visitors.

For those who serve in the children’s and youth groups, that they will have a blessed summer holiday period and return refreshed in September.

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.

Mid-week Prayer Gatherings

Reflective Prayer Mons at 8.45am on Zoom. (Summer break 24 Jul - 28 Aug. Restarting 4 Sep)
Busbridge Morning Prayer Weds at 9am on Zoom.
Hambledon Morning Prayer takes place on Wednesdays at 9am in Hambledon Church. All welcome.
Busbridge Saturday Prayer Meeting + PrayerFest 0-30 8-9am 2nd Saturdays of the month in Busbridge Church.

Can we pray for you?

***Please send prayer requests to prayer@bhcgodalming.org***

Groups & Activities

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 Jan-Jun is now available. For all events and details, see Prime Time.

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.

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 - JULY 2023

Godalming Baptist Church Life Issues talks
See the full 2023 Life Issues programme.
To book a place contact Sally Pollard-pollard3@hotmail.co.uk or tel-01483-428646.

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 & 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.