Sunday 9 April 2017 - Palm Sunday

We have two simply gorgeous events coming up to fundraise money for the Old Rectory…

Music in Munstead Soirée
Saturday 27th May, 7.30pm

Alison Martin is hosting this lovely black tie event at her gorgeous home, Tillies, in Munstead Heath Lane. Tickets are £40 and include a buffet dinner, wine and the evening will be accompanied by the talented young Steinway artist and winner of several prestigious piano competitions, Harry Nowakowski-Fox. To book your tickets or for any enquiries contact Clare Haddad.

And on 24th June, 6.00pm - 9.30pm you can enjoy a relaxing evening of opera, the joyful strains of jazz and classics from the West End and Gilbert & Sullivan at Midsummer Music at Malthouse. Bring your picnic, drinks and something to sit on (sorry- no gazebos as the site is sloping). Tickets are a mere snip at just £22 per person and can be purchased easily online at www.bhcgodalming.org/tickets/malthouse or for more information email malthouse@bhcgodalming.org.

Easter Garden Service
Nicky Hemery is co-ordinating a team of helpers to serve the tea at the Easter Garden service on Saturday 15th April, 3.00pm. If anyone would like to help, please get in touch with Nicky. We also need cakes, lots of cakes! So please get baking and bring your donations of cakes for the Saturday.

Road to Easter...
...is back for another year at Hambledon (big thanks to Rog Matthews who has spearheaded this for the last few years). If you haven’t been before, this BHC Easter event is a series of thought-provoking installations in and around Hambledon Church. It is open for all of Holy Week and is a lovely activity to do for the whole family.

Hot Cross Bun Family Adventure!
This year's Hot Cross Bun Family Adventure will be from Hambledon Church to Busbridge Church on Good Friday (14th April) starting at 2.15pm. A brilliant event for the whole family (and dogs welcome too). It’s a great way of getting to know new people or catch up with old friends. Plus the cakes are nice when you finish the walk! All welcome.

Hambledon Prayer Breakfast
A reminder that the Hambledon Prayer Breakfast on April 15th (Easter Saturday) will be at the usual time but will be just coffee/tea and a hot cross bun. All welcome.

Farewell to Michael & Amy Johnston - Sunday 23rd April
We would like as many of you as possible to come say farewell to both Amy and Michael at morning and evening services on 23rd April (yes, APCM day). After the 10.30am service there will be self-service tea and coffee available from the marquee by the centre. There are also rumours of doughnuts. Don’t miss the chance to say your goodbyes to these lovely people.

Meals on Wheels
Ever thought about helping an older person by delivering lunch? Meals on Wheels is run by Waverley Council, who have asked if anyone would like to deliver lunch to a lonely elderly person in and around Godalming. No long term commitment required if you could only manage one delivery that would be a very generous and kind act for the community. To find out more please contact Mark Pateman mark.pateman@bhcgodalming.org.

Christian Aid Week Co-ordinator needed
Channel for Mission are looking for a willing volunteer to co-ordinate the Busbridge end of Christian Aid week. Michael Stubbs has been doing this worthwhile job for the past four years but can no longer do it. What it involves... putting notices into the Notice Sheet, organising buckets in the church for donations, liaising with June Higgins over a house-to-house collection, and, perhaps, organising a sponsored walk (the Surrey Advertiser used to do one at the end of April), take part in CA’s Big Breakfast, or organising a coffee morning. Any offers to Robbie Hume, Sandra Campbell, Joanna Cookes, Jean Adams (Hambledon) or Shelagh Godwin.

The APCM
A reminder that the APCM is coming up - have you put it in your diaries yet? It’s on Sunday 23rd April, Hambledon 10.30am, Busbridge 7.00pm and will follow directly after the services; 10.00am Hambledon, 6.30pm Busbridge. (You can go to either one - you don’t have to go to a particular congregation to attend. How exciting!)

Sunday 2 April 2017

Christian Aid Week Co-ordinator needed
Channel for Mission are looking for a willing volunteer to co-ordinate the Busbridge end of Christian Aid week. Michael Stubbs has been doing this worthwhile job for the past four years but can no longer do it. What it involves... putting notices into the Notice Sheet, organising buckets in the church for donations, liaising with June Higgins over a house-to-house collection, and, perhaps, organising a sponsored walk (the Surrey Advertiser used to do one at the end of April), take part in CA’s Big Breakfast, or organising a coffee morning. Any offers to Robbie Hume, Sandra Campbell, Joanna Cookes, or Jean Adams (Hambledon) or Shelagh Godwin.

Stars in Their Eyes
If you missed this event you’ll be kicking yourselves! How often do you get the opportunity to see Tom Jones, Snow Patrol, Elvis(‘s), Elton John and more, all in one show?! It was an absolutely fantastic evening - thanks to everyone who performed, the judges, the punters, the voters, the bar staff, the setter-uppers and the taker-downers and most of all a HUGE thanks to the talented Tim Davies who put on such an entertaining event. Not only was it fun, fun, fun but it also raised an impressive £1700 for Old Rectory. Thank you!

Huge thanks to Carole Keating and her team of helpers for the lovely posies which they made for Mothering Sunday. Much appreciated by all the recipients - not only mothers!

Hearing Aid Clinic
If you need to make use of our regular Hearing Aid Clinic please note that this month’s session will be held on Friday 7th April, 2.00pm - 4.00pm, as the second Friday of the month falls on Good Friday.

Notice from Busbridge Infant School...
Busbridge Infant School currently leaves the Hambledon Road and Rectory Gardens access gates open outside of school hours for the convenience of parents and local residents. There is no formal public right of way across the School. Due to recent vandalism, we will regrettably have to keep the Hambledon Road and Rectory Gardens access gates closed and locked outside of school hours. This means that it will not be possible to walk across the school grounds from Hambledon Road to Rectory Gardens and vice versa. The gates will be open from 7.00am to 9.10am and from 3.00pm to 5.00pm on school days. This will take effect from 5.00pm on Friday, 31st March 2017.

The APCM
A reminder that the APCM is coming up - have you put it in your diaries yet? It’s on Sunday 23rd April, Hambledon 10.30am, Busbridge 7.00pm and will follow directly after the services; 10.00am Hambledon, 6.30pm Busbridge. (You can go to either one - you don’t have to go to a particular congregation to attend. How exciting!)

Old Rectory update
We are delighted to announce that two developments occurred in the past week or so. Last Monday the PCC voted to approve the project up to the amount which has been raised so far and planning permission was granted on Wednesday. The Old Rectory team are now looking at costs and priorities and will share this information with the church as soon as we have it.

What can you do?
· Give thanks and pray for those involved in the planning (from Old Rectory team members through to the Waverley Planners)
· Approach Mark Williams to offer to help with an Action Team
· Contact Dudley Hilton to offer to support and care for Probation Service people with us every Wednesday and which started last week
· We appreciate many have given financially, but the Team are keen for anyone who is able to set up a monthly direct debit of any amount for the project to do so, as this will help with longer term planning
· Pray that this project will honour the Living God who intervenes in our lives and will give us confidence in our faith

Space for God
Is this prayer event in your diary too? Tuesday 4th April, 8.00pm - 9.00pm, Busbridge Church.

Hot Cross Bun Family Adventure!
This year's Hot Cross Bun Family Adventure will be from Hambledon Church to Busbridge Church on Good Friday (14th April) starting at 2.15pm. We are looking for some help with serving tea and/or making cakes. Offers please to Frances Shaw, frances.shaw@bhcgodalming.org.

Nexus
On 6th April, Ann Wilson MBE, Vice Chair of the Surrey Gypsy Traveller Communities Forum, will give an insight into Surrey’s largest ethnic minority, their lives, traditions and aspirations. An evening not to be missed! We look forward to seeing you in the Busbridge Church Centre at 8.00pm. There’ll be drinks, nibbles and a chance to catch up before the talk starts. All are very welcome!

please pray for…
· The APCM
· Brian Oxborough as he recovers in hospital
· Those being baptised today
· The planning for upcoming Easter events
· The Alpha course - finishing soon
· Grosvenor Road and their road stewards, Dawn O’Toole and Sarah Blagden
· Mary Vale and Church Lane

Sunday 26 March 2017 - Mothering Sunday

Old Rectory update
We are delighted to announce that two developments occurred in the past week. On Monday the PCC voted to approve the project up to the amount which has been raised so far and planning permission was granted on Wednesday. The Old Rectory team are now looking at costs and priorities and will share this information with the church as soon as we have it.
What can you do?

· Give thanks and pray for those involved in the planning (from Old Rectory team members through to the Waverley Planners)

· Approach Mark Williams to offer to help with an Action Team

· Contact Dudley Hilton to offer to support and care for Probation Service people with us every Wednesday and which started last week

· We appreciate many have given financially, but the Team are keen for anyone who is able to set up a monthly direct debit of any amount for the project to do so, as this will help with longer term planning

· Pray that this project will honour the Living God who intervenes in our lives and will give us confidence in our faith

Hot Cross Bun Family Adventure!
This year's Hot Cross Bun Family Adventure will be from Hambledon Church to Busbridge Church on Good Friday (14th April) starting at 2.15pm. We are looking for some help with serving tea and/or making cakes. Offers please to Frances Shaw, frances.shaw@bhcgodalming.org or ph 421574.

Reverence service
Have you got it noted down in your diaries that there is a special Reverence choral evensong service at Hambledon on Sunday 2nd April at 3.30pm? There is no Hambledon Heritage service at 9.00am on this day so even more reason to go along to this reflective event.

‘The Journey’
Meditation presents The Journey - a one hour reflection on the life of Jesus with readings and songs, followed by refreshments. Saturday 10th June, 6.30pm, Busbridge Church. No charge, but there’ll be a retiring collection in support of the Old Rectory project.

Nexus
On 6th April, Ann Wilson MBE, Vice Chair of the Surrey Gypsy Traveller Communities Forum, will give an insight into Surrey’s largest ethnic minority, their lives, traditions and aspirations.  An evening not to be missed!  We look forward to seeing you in the Busbridge Church Centre at 8.00pm.  There’ll be drinks, nibbles and a chance to catch up before the talk starts.  All are very welcome!

Sermons on the website
Are you getting annoyed that the latest sermons aren’t on the website? Does it irritate you that you can’t catch up on the service you missed? Do you have an hour a week spare, to load the sermons onto the website? Fabulous! We need you! Tony Nunn has done a sterling job maintaining this for years but is no longer able to do it. If you’d like to put your name forward for this important role, then get in contact with Karen in the Church Office in the first instance (01483 421267).

BIG Spring Clean!
We’ve finally put a date in the diary for the super duper BIG Spring Clean! For those of you who are new to Busbridge&Hambledon, this is held at Busbridge Church and we usually have up to 80 volunteers of all ages in teams doing painting, cleaning, clear up, gardening, building stuff and handing out tea and biscuits! It runs from 10.00am - 2.00pm and includes a fabulous slap up lunch. It’s also a great way of getting to know new people, so what more could you ask for? So put Saturday 10th June in your diaries and if you’re really keen and you’d already like to volunteer your services for this fun event, email karen.kinder@bhcgodalming.org.

Explorers volunteers urgently needed
Would you be interested in joining our lively and creative Explorers team? We are looking for helpers to join us in teaching the 7-11s about Jesus once a month. Please contact amy.johnston@bhcgodalming.org to find out more or to sign up!

Easter Garden Service
Is happening on Saturday 15th April and we need people to make cakes and co-ordinate the tea at this busy event. Contact Catherine Taylor if you can help ASAP. Thanks!

Is this you?
Calling all architects, structural engineers or those with expertise in technical drawing!  We are seeking someone willing to act as a mentor to a gentleman in Chiddingfold who is trying to rebuild his life following some very dark times. He has an interest in these skills and professions and has asked if we could try and find someone who shares this experience and from whom he could learn.  Full support and training will be given to anyone taking on this role. Contact Penny Naylor for more information.

Thanks to everyone who gave to our Easter Appeal for Open Doors. If you weren’t able to be in services last week, donation envelopes will be available in both churches for the next couple of weekends.

please pray for…
· Brian Oxborough as he recovers in hospital
· The baptisms happening next weekend
· The BJS & BIS Easter Services next week
· Mothering Sunday
· The planning for upcoming Easter events
· The Alpha course - finishing soon
· Greenhill Close and their road steward, Carole Keating
· Maplehatch Close & Wormley Lane

Sunday 19 March 2017

The total raised for the Channel for Mission SALCET Christmas appeal, including Gift Aid, was £3341.60. Thanks to all who contributed to such a good outcome.

Mystery at Busbridge Church...
At the risk of this notice sounding like an episode of The Vicar of Dibley, has anyone seen the ’Welcome to Busbridge Church’ framed sign that goes on the church front door? It has been missing since Christmas and we’d really like it back. If you know where it is, please hang it back on the front door ASAP.

Stars in their Eyes!
...is almost upon us! This fabulous fundraising event is happening on Saturday 25th March, 7.30pm at the Wilfrid Noyce Centre. There are strong rumours that Snow Patrol may be rocking Godalming and it may indeed be the case that Elvis isn’t dead, after all. Tickets are an absolute bargain at just £5 each - available after the services or easier still, from going online to buy your ticket on www.bhcgodalming.org/tickets/stars2017.

Mothering Sunday - NEXT WEEK
Carole Keating is looking for volunteers to help her make posies for Mothering Sunday. If you would like to join her on Saturday 25th March at 10.00am in Busbridge Church Centre, please contact Carole. Any donations of greenery would also be gratefully received.

Explorers volunteers urgently needed
Would you be interested in joining our lively and creative Explorers team? We are looking for helpers to join us in teaching the 7-11s about Jesus once a month. Please contact amy.johnston@bhcgodalming.org to find out more or to sign up!

Mission Sunday
Today is Mission Sunday, when the focus of Channel for Mission’s Easter appeal will be Open Doors.  Welcome to all our special speakers in services today. Open Doors is an international ministry serving persecuted Christians and churches worldwide. Founded in 1955, it supplies Bibles, leadership training, literacy programmes, livelihood support and advocacy services. Please look out for special gift envelopes available in all the pews.

Connections Conference - 1st June, 10am - 4pm
Venue: Holy Trinity Church, Church Road, Claygate, Surrey KT10 0JP. Who is it for: all church members and ordained ministers with a heart for older people
Cost: Free of charge (bring your own lunch)
Book on holytrinityclaygate.org.uk/connectionsconference

Amy & Michael Johnston
As you’ve probably heard, Amy (our Children’s Worker) and Michael (our Worship Leader) are heading back to Northern Ireland in April. We will miss them greatly. If you would like to contribute towards a farewell gift for them, please either drop off your contribution to the church office in a marked envelope or you can make a payment online marked ‘Johnston farewell’ to sort code 60-09-04, account no. 00705349.

Marriage Course
A new Marriage Course will be starting in April - could your marriage benefit from an MOT?! If you are interested in attending please email marriagecourse@bhcgodalming.org ASAP. Leaflets with more information are at the back of church or on the website www.bhcgodalming.org/courses.

Diocese of Guildford Transforming Work
The Diocese are putting on a series of events looking at how we can be open to God’s transforming power in our daily work so that we live fruitful lives for God and for those around us. For more information go to www.cofeguildford.org.uk/transforming-work or look out for brochures at the back of church.

Old Rectory Fundraising Events - Update March 2017
Future dates (please put them in your diary):
Saturday 25th March: Stars in Their Eyes
At the Wilfrid Noyce 7.30pm. Organiser: Tim Davies and team. Email stars@bhcgodalming.org
Saturday 27th May: Black Tie Soiree at Tillies, Munstead
Organiser: Clare Haddad
Saturday 10th June: ‘The Journey’ at Busbridge Church 6.30pm Organiser: Shelagh Godwin, jimdogshome@aol.com.
Saturday 24th June: Mid-Summer Music at Malthouse Farm 6.30pm. Organiser: Carol Jones/Caroline Luard and team (details in due course)
Saturday 9th September: Festival of Song: The Star, Witley Organiser: Gary Balchin
Saturday 18th Nov: Auction of Promises perhaps? We just need someone to take this forward - any offers?
Email Rosie James for further info

please pray for…
· The BHC Staff team - leadership, admin and clerical support
· Those who have recently lost loved ones
· The planning for upcoming Easter events
· The Alpha course - finishing soon
· Foxdene and their road steward, Helen Tod
· Latimer Road & Vann Lane

Sunday 26 February 2017

LENT Bible Verse & Text Challenge – Launch from 1st March 2017 for 40 Days – If interested, Text BHC to 60777
Thanks to a generous donation we will be having the LENT Bible Verse & Text Challenge. Thank you to our donor! For those that wish to join the text challenge, the first text will begin on 1st of March and there will be one text a day with a bible verse and a challenge each day for 40 days. If you are interested in receiving the text challenge daily for 40 days, please text BHC to 60777. 

Clean Household Scrap/Junk Needed...for next weekend!
The scrapheap challenge is on...for 5th March! At the 150th Celebration, the children’s and youth ministries need you to keep hold of the following items and drop them in to the collection bin at the back of church: cardboard tubes, shoe boxes, juice cartons, cardboard boxes (small), Pringle tubes, plastic lids and takeaway cartons, egg boxes, plastic 1 litre and 2 litre bottles. Please ensure they are clean! Thanks.

Thank you to the 93yr old gentleman from Nottingham who sent a kind donation for Old Rectory. He’s never been to this church but he’s heard about what is going on and wants to support us.

Women’s World Day of Prayer Friday 3rd March
Godalming is joining in this worldwide day of prayer with a service at St Mark's Church, Ockford Ridge, at 2pm on Friday 3rd March. The service has been compiled by the women of the Philippines this year. Everyone is welcome. Refreshments and Fair Trade stall after the service. Do come and support this important occasion.
Maggie Jagger (Busbridge rep for WWDP)

Wanted - a person or persons willing to befriend a dog-loving asylum seeker who would like to accompany them on occasional dog walks. Want to know more? Contact Penny Naylor at the Church Office or email penny.naylor@bhcgodalming.org.

Nexus
On Thursday 9th March our talk is: “Living Life to the Full with my Guide Dog”.  Helen McCann is an amazing woman who doesn’t let her visual impairment stop her enjoying a full and active life.  She’s even training to run the London Marathon this year in support of Guide Dogs for the Blind!   Come and be inspired by Helen’s story. We look forward to seeing you in the Church Centre at 8.00pm.  There’ll be drinks, nibbles and a chance to catch up before the talk starts.  All are very welcome!

Old Rectory ‘Giving Weeks’ Update
1 week to go to our 5th March Anniversary Service!
Prayer: We've had over 20 signups for our days of 24/7 prayer coverage from March 1st - 4th.  We still need lots more help if we're to secure our continuous prayer coverage. It's a vital activity for all of us to join in together; think how inspiring and powerful it will be to have continuous prayer from our church for several days?! Remember - this is a virtual prayer room from home, work or travel, just www.24-7prayer.com/signup/9545ad to sign up for a slot to pray wherever you are at that time. We'll kick off with a whole church prayer meeting in Busbridge Church at 9pm on March 1st after the 8pm 150th anniversary Ash Wednesday service.
Action: There's just one week remaining in our 8 Weeks Of Giving for the Old Rectory project. A huge thanks to everyone who has contributed to date. Our goal is to have enough funds to have the Old Rectory, start using it and kick off the first part of the renovation work to the Old Rectory, but of course before we can do that we need to reach our funding goals and provide the Taylor family with clear support as they take the big step of moving home. So if you've been praying about contributing but haven’t got round to it yet, could we please encourage you to do so soon. There’ll be another chance to give later in the year once we have the final tenders in for of all the alteration works. The next week we’ll know what we have raised and what this means for the future, so join us on Sunday 5th March, 10am at Busbridge Church.

Fundraising without really trying…?
As part of our continued efforts to raise funds for the Old Rectory project it has been suggested that since households do not pay council tax in February and March then perhaps some might consider donating the equivalent amount of Feb or March (or both) to the Old Rectory project?

Marriage Course
A new Marriage Course will be starting in April - there are limited places so if you are interested in attending please email marriagecourse@bhcgodalming.org ASAP. Leaflets with more information are at the back of church or on the website www.bhcgodalming.org/courses.

Celebration Service
Join us for our celebration service in Busbridge Church at 10.00am on Sunday 5th March, with special activities for children. Have you signed up for the lunch yet?? Email 150th@bhcgodalming.org with “service” as your message title, or sign up in the back of church.

please pray for…
· Busbridge Junior and their Head Teacher recruitment team
· Those doing the March Marriage Preparation course
· The first 150th Anniversary Celebration event
· Those facing divorce
· The Alpha course
· Crownpits Lane and their road steward, Lynn Hargreaves
· Huntsman Lane & The Hydons