Dear Friends

Penny Naylor writes [excerpt from the email to Prime Time]:

Our prayers were certainly answered last week as the Garden Party at Prior’s Field School approached and the weather forecast in the preceding couple of days got worse and worse.  On the day however, the forecast improved and the skies cleared just in time for the decision to be made that it should be OK to hold the event outdoors.  It really felt as though God was in this with us and the Garden Party itself felt particularly special.  Thank you to every Prime Time member who contributed to the collection for Emma, the member of staff at Prior’s Field who has been the driving force behind our partnership and who will be leaving the school at the end of this term.  Thanks to your generosity, we were able to give Emma a lovely bouquet of flowers in addition to the picture that was our original aim.

Although saying goodbye to someone is always a sad moment, last Thursday’s Garden Party did not feel like a sad occasion; rather a celebration of this wonderful partnership that Emma has instigated and the start of a new chapter as Miss Vicki Cottle takes over being Prior’s Field’s Prime Time Lead. We invite you to be part of this new chapter in the life of Prime Time, starting with the Summer Celebration on July 21st in the Old Rectory Garden.

This Sunday

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

Taking our place in the kingdom
Matthew 4:12-25

As Jesus’ ministry begins, it becomes clear that His kingdom is on the move.  It’s victory is sure. Seeing this advance gives us hope, purpose and proof. As we hear Jesus today are we ready to follow and take our place?  19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.

9:30AM Busbridge Contemporary
with children’s groups
Led by: Margot Spencer | Speaker: Hilary Pettman

11:15AM Busbridge Classic Service
Led by: Keith Harper | Speaker: Hilary Pettman
Busbridge Church

10AM Hambledon Morning Worship [Holy Communion]
Led by: Simon Willetts | Speaker: Sarah Rowden
with children’s club
Hambledon Church

6PM Busbridge Evening Service
Led by: Sarah Rowden | Speaker: Sarah Rowden

Next Sunday 16 July

A reflection on 2023 so far

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

9:30AM Busbridge Contemporary [Holy Communion]
Leader: Sheila Samuels | Preacher: Simon Taylor
with children’s groups
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
6PM 1 Big Summer Party in the Old Rectory Garden

Notices

Please sign up to come to 1 Big Summer Party

1 Big Summer Party - 16 July

Thanks to everyone who has signed up - it’s already quite a party! As is the way at BHC, we expect more will sign up in the final days and hours, and roll up on the day. If you can decide sooner, it’s such a great help...

Everyone, new and old, from any congregation or church activity, fully involved and dipping their toes, is warmly invited to the 1 Big Summer Party in the Old Rectory Garden on Sunday 16th July from 6-8PM.  Though church never breaks up, it will be good to kick off our shoes as those in education finish exams and the summer term marathon, and we all embark on the holiday season!

Live music will be provided by the Faith Blues Band who played their first sell-out gig in the Yew Tree Café at the end of April.  There will be drinks and a meal for everyone, and a chance to meet people involved in different areas of church life. 

We look forward to sharing this event with the wider family that will be part of Godalming Minster, but for those that can remember (fondly), this is a roll up of the BHC Newcomers tea, the invitational Great Girls Get Together and the Boys BBQ and Beer Bash.   

Friends are welcome, and if you know you are coming, please invite and encourage others.

There's a suggested donation of £5 pp, and you can pay as you sign up.  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, please contact vic.hicks@bhcgodalming.org.

NEXUS TALK Thursday 6th July: We are delighted that a team from the National Trust will be joining Nexus on Thursday 6th July to talk about the new Winkworth Visitor Centre and the National Trust’s recent acquisition of Munstead Wood. We’ll meet in the Old Rectory at 8.00pm. The evening will start with drinks and nibbles to give us a chance to mingle and meet new people before handing over to Katherine Mills, General Manager, NT London & SE Operations and her team for the talk.   Non members are very much invited to come along. There is a guest contribution of £5 which goes towards speaker costs and refreshments. Details and sign up here.

We’re Hiring! Church Office Cleaner - 3 hours per week
We are currently seeking a reliable Part-Time Office Cleaner in the Old Rectory (see the Role and Person Specification for further details). Do you know anyone who might be interested? If so, please contact the church office: church.office@bhcgodaming.org

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

Jenna and Steve invite you for coffee and cake between the Contemporary and Classic services next Sunday 16th 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!

MIssion & Outward Giving

Skillway, part of the Warehouse Christian Trust, is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year! Skillway was a diversification of the work of the Cellar Café (est. 1971) when local church members, including Chris Jagger and Shelagh Godwin, recognised the need to help young people who were struggling academically and behaviourally in mainstream school. 25 years on, Skillway has helped hundreds of teens by teaching them artisan skills such as woodwork and metal work, and through pastoral mentoring.

As a mission partner, Busbridge&Hambledon Church has supported Skillway from its beginnings with funds and volunteers and will continue to do as part of Godalming Minster. Please do read Skillway’s latest newsletter to get a flavour of what goes on. Follow @skillwayworkshops on Facebook and Instragram too!

pray & Give thanks for

Congratulations to Jamie Klair and his family. Many of you will remember Jamie - a long standing member of our church family and a  significant presence in our youth groups and worship bands over many years. Last Sunday he was ordained at Worcester Cathedral  and will be serving as curate alongside our very own James Ellin, who takes up his new post as Associate pastor at All Saints, Worcester. We give thanks for their calling and pray for every blessing on their  ministry. 

get involved / serving

Busbridge laptop operators URGENTLY required! Those who prefer a screen to a printed service sheet and hymn book, and can use a PC, please offer your help to run the laptop once a month. Training and patience will be provided! Contact Patrick Elshen via the church office if you’d like to help.

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 online.
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. *UPGRADED THIS WEEK* 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.

Simon’s sabbatical 11th April-15th July 2023
While Simon Taylor enjoys his sabbatical, the leadership of the benefice is in the capable hands of Simon Willetts, supported by Margot Spencer, the wardens, clergy and staff team. Minster plans will continue to develop.

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.

Small Ad Single, employed Christian woman in her forties looking for a room in a house share or with a family on a long-term let in or near Guildford, can pay £650pm maximum, including bills.  Tidy, clean, polite, helpful, good with most pets.  Looking to move end of June. Contact Sarah Black if you can help.

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.