Sunday 22 September 2019

Thank you to everyone who made Simon Willetts’ licensing such a roaring success. It was an uplifting occasion and involved many people. Particular thanks to Rev David Jenkins, Liz and Richard Cooke and others who do a huge amount behind the scenes.

BHC PrayerSpace this Wednesday, 7.30-9pm Come along and pray for the community and the nation with others from the deanery.  The church will be set up with visual prompts for prayer based on the parable of the sower, and the format will informal.

Confirmation Course starting soon
The Confirmation course evenings are 2, 9, 23 Oct. The Confirmation service is at Busbridge Church on 24 Nov. We’ve got a great group wanting to look at confirmation so if you’d like to join us please contact Simon by 25 Sep.

Still seeking a Children and Families worker...Could God be calling you to work with children and families (4-11s)? We’d love to hear from you if this could be for you full time, part time, term time… we’re exploring possibilities and Simon or Anto would like to hear from you.

Harvest Festival & Mission Sunday, 6 October
Our harvest charity will be Elam Ministries which works with Iranians and Afghans, both in the country and outside it.  An Elam representative will speak at our services that morning, and gift aid envelopes will be available in church for your financial contributions.

We are also collecting harvest items for the Cellar in Crown Court, which has a tremendous ministry to those in the town and around who have fallen on hard times (and anybody can go in for a cuppa !). They would particularly like donations of the following:  toilet rolls, cleaning products, soap powder, toiletries, sauces, pickles, tinned tuna, tinned beans, tea bags, coffee, child-friendly cereal (not muesli)

(NO THANK YOU: soup, pasta or rice)

Please bring your donations to the church on 6 October.

There will be a Harvest breakfast at Hambledon from 9.15am.

BHC10KM - Spire2Spire
Keen runners are invited to join the run between Busbridge and Hambledon churches on 6 October.  The run will start and finish at the Old Rectory, leaving at 8.30am to be back for the 10am Harvest Festival celebrations in the Classic and Contemporary services. Please log your interest with ruthroseblade@gmail.com.

Annual Memorial Service, Saturday 19 October, 3pm
This is an open invitation to all who may wish to come.  If you have been bereaved within the last two years, you will already have received a personal letter of invitation.  However, in order to spread the net of welcome as widely as possible, extra letters are available at the back of both churches, and at Contemporary.  Anyone who has been bereaved, however long ago, is warmly invited to join us.  We shall  be delighted to welcome any family members or friends who might like to come with you. 

Ladies Events coming up

Film night on Monday, 30 September 7.30pm : The Intouchables.  We’ll be watching a beautiful film based on a true story which we will follow up with a discussion around who and what defines disability?  Email ladies@bhcgodalming.org to book your sofa seat. 

Ladies Pudding Night, Friday 18 October, 8pm ...And for desert? is a delicious opportunity for ladies across Busbridge and Hambledon to relax on a Friday evening in a lovely Busbridge home.  Bring a homemade bake, something to drink, invite your friends and enjoy time out.  Email ladies@bhcgodalming.org to book.

An Hour for Our Church?
Do you work from home? or part-time? Do you have a spare hour?  If so could you help for an hour a week.  We have a wide range of things that need doing on a regular basis such as tidying, gardening, checking and moving resources.  Contact liz.gorst@bhcgodalming if you’d like to help.

Busbridge Church heating
With regret, the heating can’t be turned on until work to a couple of the radiators and pipework is completed, and the system is refilled.  You may need to keep coats on for services and events as the weather turns cooler.  

This week’s EXTRAS —please take the separate handouts:

Update on our LLM trainees—for news on Keith Harper and Philippa Baker as they start their 3rd year of training. 

September’s Channel for Mission Update— News from the Trinity Trust Team.

Sunday 15 September 2019

Simon (Taylor ) says...Thank you to everyone who was involved in the grand reopening of Busbridge Church last Sunday. There are too many people to name individually but particular thanks to Catherine Taylor and the food team for the incredible buffet lunch and thank you to those who stayed behind and cleared up.  It was a great celebration of God’s faithfulness.

The PCC (church trustees) met last week and these were among the items discussed: The PCC considered some changes that might happen in churches near to us (Elstead, Peper Harow, Thursley, Shackleford, Compton). The need for a children’s worker who is called by God was reiterated (and that this could be part-time for someone within our church). We congratulated Simon Willetts and Anto Ficatier on their arrival. The PCC approved the spending of some money which has been donated by the AllChurches Trust for youth work and buildings.

4-11s Children’s Worker position. If this could be for you and you’d like to find out more why not chat to Anto or Simon Taylor? The role description is on the web site, but the hours are adaptable.

This is a final call for interest in joining a confirmation group which will meet four times in October or November. Please speak to Simon Taylor.

The licensing of Simon Willetts as Associate Vicar
All are welcome to the service at 6pm, and particularly to come to Clock Barn Hall afterwards for drinks and the Living Water Gospel Choir, from 7.30pm.   Due to this special occasion, 5pm PrayerFest 0-30 in 60 and 6.30pm Unplugged at Busbridge which usually take place on 3rd Sundays have been moved to Sunday 29 September.

BHC10KM - spire to spire
If the idea of getting up early appeals, running between Busbridge and Hambledon churches, before the Harvest Festival celebrations at Busbridge - then save Sunday 6th October 8.30am in your diaries, and log your interest with ruthroseblade@gmail.com.

Annual Memorial Service, Saturday 19 October, 3pm
This is an open invitation to all who may wish to come.  If you have been bereaved within the last two years, you will already have received a personal letter of invitation.  However, in order to spread the net of welcome as widely as possible, extra letters are available at the back of both churches, and at Contemporary.  Anyone who has been bereaved, however long ago, is warmly invited to join us.  We shall  be delighted to welcome any family members or friends who might like to come with you. 

All services and church activities which were moved to the Old Rectory for the reordering are now back in Busbridge church!  With regret, the heating can’t be turned on until work to a couple of the radiators and pipework is completed, and the system is refilled.  You may need to keep coats on for services and events as the weather turns cooler.  

Another important diary date:  Sunday 6 October is Harvest Festival & Mission Sunday for Elam.  Further details to follow!

This week’s extras—please take the separate handouts:

Update on our LLM trainees—for news on how Keith Harper and Philippa Baker’s progress as they start their 3rd year of training.  Also, September’s Channel for Mission Update— News from the Trinity Trust Team. 

Sunday 8 September 2019

Busbridge Church reopening celebration, 8 September…!
This is a whole benefice service and there are no other morning services at Busbridge, and the 9am Heritage Service at Hambledon will start at the earlier time of 8.30am.  There will be great activities for all our young people during the service, along with an ice cream van and bouncy castles in the Old Rectory.  Lunch will follow the service. 

Busbridge Reordering Update
Today we celebrate the reopening of the church after phase 1 of the reordering project.  Phase 2 will start shortly to deliver the improvements to the sound system, lighting and visual facilities.  The lastest TROT (The Re-Ordering Team) update  fully  explains what’s happened, what’s next and what’s needed!

The licensing of Simon Willetts as Associate Vicar
Simon will be licensed at Hambledon on Sunday 15 September at 6pm.  We are expecting a full church for the service, and seats will be limited, but everyone is invited to come to Clock Barn Hall afterwards for light refreshments, from 7.30pm. 

Due to this special occasion, 5pm PrayerFest 0-30 in 60 and 6.30pm Unplugged at Busbridge which usually take place on 3rd Sundays have been moved to Sunday 29 September.

NEW:  DADS— starting next Tuesday, 10 September, 8pm
How to be a father and feel like a son of God?  This is a new monthly meeting to offer friendship and guidance for those with children, and those who identify with any aspects of fatherhood. The first session will be in the Old Rectory, and then take place on 1st Tuesdays of the month once the Church Centre is available. Starting with refreshments.  Contact Chad.Grayer@hotmail.co.uk  for details.

Heritage Open Days, 14-15 September  Both churches will be open and manned to receive visitors who might drop in as part of the Heritage weekend.  If you would like to volunteer for the rota contact the church office.  Programmes listing all the places to visit are available from the church office.

BHC PrayerSpace, Wednesday 25 September, 7.30pm
We are  taking part in a national prayer event which calls Christians all over the UK to pray for their neighbours and their communities simultaneously.  We will be joined by the Bishop of Guildford, the Archdeacon of Surrey and others from churches in the Godalming deanery for an interactive and inspiring time of prayer, in a church which now has space to worship more creatively!  All welcome.

BHC10KM - spire to spire
If the idea of getting up early appeals, running between Busbridge and Hambledon churches, before the Harvest Festival celebrations at Busbridge - then save Sunday 6th October 8.30am in your diaries, and log your interest with ruthroseblade@gmail.com.

Term time ministries restart this week with a few exceptions.  Please check the web site or call the office to confirm dates for WoW and Sing it Out.

All services and church activities which were moved to the Old Rectory for the reordering are now back in Busbridge church!

Sunday 1 September 2019

Busbridge Church reopening celebration, 8 September…!
This will be a whole benefice service and there will be no other morning services at Busbridge, and the 9am Heritage Service at Hambledon will start at the earlier time of 8.30am.  There will be great activities for all our young people during the service, and lunch will follow shortly after.  (Large cardboard boxes are needed for the children’s work—please drop to the Old Rectory if you have any.)  Be here to celebrate the start of a new and exciting chapter in the life of the church.

The licensing of Simon Willetts as Associate Vicar
Simon will be licensed at Hambledon on Sunday 15 September at 6pm.  We are expecting a full church for the service, and seats will be limited, but everyone is invited to come to Clock Barn Farm afterwards for light refreshments. 

Nexus:  We have a change of speaker for our 5th September event and we are delighted that Alan Hamilton will now be joining us.  Alan has many years’ experience in global plant conservation, having worked with WWF and, more recently, with conservation charity, Plantlife.  Alan will talk to us on this increasingly relevant topic.  We’ll meet in the Old Rectory at 8.00pm and will have a chance to catch up with a drink and nibbles before Alan begins his talk.  All are very welcome, including men!

Marriage Course starting 12 September
There’s a place for one or two more couples on the next Marriage Course.  Seven evening sessions running roughly fortnightly, each starting with a candlelit dinner for two.  Please see details on the web site or contact David or Sandra Wilkin via marriagecourse@bhcgodalming.org. 

NEW:  DADS— starting 10 September, 8pm
How to be a father and feel like a son of God?  This is a new monthly meeting to offer friendship and guidance for those with children, and those who identify with any aspects of fatherhood. The first session will be in the Old Rectory, and then take place on 1st Tuesdays of the month once the Church Centre is available. Starting with refreshments.  Contact Chad.Grayer@hotmail.co.uk  for details.

Heritage Open Days, 14-15 September  Both churches will be open and manned to receive visitors who might drop in as part of the Heritage weekend.  If you would like to volunteer for the rota contact the church office.  Programmes listing all the places to visit are available from the church office.

BHC PrayerSpace, Wednesday 25 September, 7.30pm
We are  taking part in a national prayer event which calls Christians all over the UK to pray for their neighbours and their communities simultaneously.  We will be joined by the Bishop of Guildford, the Archdeacon of Surrey and others from churches in the Godalming deanery for an interactive and inspiring time of prayer, in a church which now has space to worship more creatively!  All welcome.

Early Birds’ Space for God restarts this Tuesday and then on first Tuesdays in the Old Rectory.

Busbridge Reordering Update
With all the events planned in Busbridge church for September, we can see that the it’s time to give thanks for the work done in the church so far.  Please see the separate update for full details of what’s happened, what’s next and what’s needed!

Sunday 25 August 2019

Welcome to Simon and Naomi and Anto and Jess
Our new Associate Vicar, Simon, and Youth Minister, Anto are finally here, and we are looking forward to introducing them over the next few weeks. 

Simon will be officially licensed at Hambledon on Sunday 15 September at 6pm.  We are expecting a full church for the service, and seats will be limited, but everyone is invited to come to Clock Barn Farm afterwards for light refreshments. 

Anto and Jess have been with our young people at Soul Survivor last week.  Thanks to all for their offers of furniture, they are quite comfortable now.  If anyone can help with a desk, an office chair or with sourcing a car, please email anto.ficatier@bhcgodalming.org. 

Last Combined Service at Busbridge next Sunday...
On Sunday 1 September Ed Olsworth-Peter will be leading a ‘Combined Special’ with different options  to follow during the service, similar to this year’s Palm Sunday service.  We are extremely grateful to the school for hosting us while the church has been closed this summer.

At Hambledon, normal services at 9am and 10.30am resume from 1 September.  

Busbridge Church reopening celebration, 8 September…!
This will be a whole benefice service and there will be no other morning services at Busbridge, and the 9am Heritage Service at Hambledon will start at the earlier time of 8.30am.  There will be great activities for all our young people during the service, and lunch will follow shortly after.  (Large cardboard boxes are needed for the children’s work—please drop to the Old Rectory if you have any.)  Be here to celebrate the start of a new and exciting chapter in the life of the church.

Marriage Course starting 12 September
There’s a place for one or two more couples on the next Marriage Course.  7 evening sessions running roughly fortnightly, each starting with a candlelit dinner for two.  Please see details on the web site or contact David or Sandra Wilkin via marriagecourse@bhcgodalming.org. 

NEW:  DADS— starting 10 September, 8pm
How to be a father and feel like a son of God?  This is a new monthly meeting to offer friendship and guidance for those with children, and those who identify with any aspects of fatherhood. The first session will be in the Old Rectory, and then take place on 1st Tuesdays of the month once the Church Centre is available. Starting with refreshments.  Contact Chad.Grayer@hotmail.co.uk  for details.

Heritage Open Days, 14-15 September  Both churches will be open and manned to receive visitors who might drop in as part of the Heritage weekend.  If you would like to volunteer for the rota contact the church office.  Programmes listing all the places to visit are available from the church office.

BHC PrayerSpace, Wednesday 25 September, 7.30pm
We are  taking part in a national prayer event which calls Christians all over the UK to pray for their neighbours and their communities simultaneously.  We will be joined by the Bishop of Guildford, the Archdeacon of Surrey and others from churches in the Godalming deanery for an interactive and inspiring time of prayer, in a church which now has space to worship more creatively!  All welcome.

Busbridge Reordering Update
With all the events planned in Busbridge church for September, we can see that the it’s time to give thanks for the work done in the church so far.  Please see the separate update for full details of what’s happened, what’s next and what’s needed!

Church Office holiday hours
The Church Office remains open Mon-Thurs in the holidays, from 10-3pm, and email and phone messages will be checked regularly.