Sunday 26 January 2020

All Age services next Sunday:  Hambledon Messy Church (10.30am) and Busbridge Fuse (10am)
Hambledon is getting Messy again next Sunday (2 Feb) at 10.30am and will be exploring ‘Creation’ with paper plates, clay and gingerbread amongst other creative crafts.  At Busbridge, it’s FUSE in  Contemporary. 

Jam Together for different ages
Dates coming up this term:

• Sun 9 Feb Senior JAM for ages 13-18 from 2-4.30pm, 

• Wed 12 Feb NEW Junior JAM for years 5 and 6 after school from 3.30pm to 5.30pm. 

• AND there’s one for adults coming up too on Friday 24 April at 7.30pm. 

For details contact lisa.olsworth-peter@bhcgodalming.org.  These are definite ‘bring/tell a friend’ opportunities.  Spare instruments, instructions, encouragement and refreshments provided. 

NEW-ish!—Youth Academies for Music and Public speaking.  Continue 2 Feb, 4-6pm:  Lisa and Anto are running the next simultaneous sessions for 11-18s to develop worship music and/or speaking and equip young people to share the good news.  Please encourage young people you know.  Fun and fellowship guaranteed! No experience necessary. Refreshments provided.  For more info email anto.ficatier@bhcgodalming.org (public speaking in Busbridge Centre ) or lisa.olsworth-peter@bhcgodalming.org (music in The Hut).

Hambledon Prayer Breakfasts:  The next one is on Saturday 15 February.  Come to church at 8.30am for prayer followed by a light breakfast.  Prayer Breakfasts take place on the 3rd Saturday of every month.

Ladies’ Film Night, Tuesday 4 February, 7.30pm.  Feb’s watch is a Netflix special called ‘Call to Courage’ - “a bit like a stand up show but this has depth, meaning and slightly fewer gags!”.  Spaces on the comfy sofa(s) are limited, so please email ladies@bhcgodalming.org to register.   On 3 March the film will be ‘Christopher Robin’ with a discussion topic: Growing Up. 

Diocese news

Culture of Invitation with Michael Harvey, 24 April 2020. 
The diocese is running daytime session and a condensed session in the evening at St Peter’s Church, Wrecclesham.  The welcomers from each congregation have been invited, but the topic is relevant to all church members, and particularly those who recognise the importance of a good welcome.  Contact the Church Office for more details or look it up on cofeguildford.org.uk.

Safeguarding: The Church of England has commissioned a second Past Cases Review (known as PCR2) to look at the handling of safeguarding cases. The Diocese of Guildford is taking part in this review and more details can be found at: https://www.cofeguildford.org.uk/about/safeguarding-inclusion/past-cases-review-2-(pcr2).”

Vacancies: The diocese is looking to fill two voluntary positions; the Chair of the Diocesan Board of Finance (DBF) and the Chair of the Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC). As we seek to make the very best use of all our assets (people, property and finance), we would love you to consider these exciting voluntary roles, which will play a key part of our mission to be a Transforming Church, Transforming Lives across the diocese and beyond.  Please also join with us as we pray for the right people to fill these roles.  (Details of the posts are on the diocese web site).

Nexus, 6 Feb: Insight into the work of the Samaritans.  Nexus will be joined by the director of the Guildford Samaritans. Free for members or £5 for visitors.  8pm in the Old Rectory.

Prime Time tea & talk on 10 Feb: Friends against scams: A speaker from the National Trading Standards Scams Team is coming to help empower us to take a stand against scams.  RSVP to primetime@bhcgodalming.org 

Dates for the Bible Course:  Part of the vision for engaging in fellowship, this course for the whole church will run at Busbridge, 8pm on Wednesdays from 4 March to 29 April (not 8 April in Holy Week).  It’s a highly recommended course from the Bible Society which looks at the BIG picture, and works for all levels of bible reading experience.  Please save the dates.

Blood pressure clinics—amendment to the item in the Bridge magazine re. new —as plans for offering blood pressure clinics are being considered further, the introduction of this  service alongside the Hearing Aid Clinics has been postponed from 14 February.   

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Sunday 12 January 2020

Resolution & Vision Sunday—12 January
There will be an important message next week about what the theme and aspirations for the church  in 2020.  Do try and come and hear from Simon Taylor and Simon Willetts as they present the vision, and what it means as a church family and us as individuals.  This will be presented over two Sundays:  12 and 26 January.

The Bridge Magazine—Jan/Feb 2020
The new issue of the Bridge will be hitting the streets this week, and is available to view on the web site.  This edition features some great news and pics from recent church events (with a lot of dressing up) and a Q&A with Anto, and his hopes for youth ministry in Busbridge&Hambledon. 

The Bridge team would like to thank Sarah Black for her many years of service as a road steward for Minster Road. They are very grateful to Sarah for her support and the role she has played in this community network.

Humanimal Tea and Talk – Thursday 16 January, 2-4pm in the Old Rectory – Non-Prime Timers welcome!
You may have seen the Super Vet, Noel Fitzpatrick, on television – the Humanimal Trust is his charity and one of his representatives is coming to talk to us about how the Trust drives collaboration between vets, doctors and researchers.  All welcome to the talk, and for tea and cake served by the Prime Time team.

Hambledon Prayer Breakfasts resume on Saturday 18 January.  Come to church at 8.30am for prayer followed by a light breakfast.  Prayer Breakfasts take place on the 3rd Saturday of every month.

Ladies’ Friday Night Curry, 24 January
Katrina Williams invites ladies for a home-cooked curry on Friday 24 January, 7.30pm.  Curry and rice will be provided, but offers of side dishes and drinks would be welcome.  Please email katrina@yewhouse.net if you would like to come by 20 January.  (Numbers are limited!)

Funerals and Bereavements
We send much love to two of our church members who were bereaved just before Christmas -

Christine Blanchard, whose sister, Carol Selby, died on 13 December.  Carol’s funeral will take place in Hambledon on Friday 17 January.  Please pray for Christine, Michael and the Selby family, that they will know God’s peace.

Bob Sallybanks, whose twin brother George died on 17 December.  Please pray for Bob, Jo (Cookes) and the whole family, that they may be surrounded by God’s love and comfort.

For those that remember Beryl Knapton—Godalming Baptist Church writes: One of our longstanding members, Beryl Knapton (widow of the late Peter Knapton), passed away on Friday 3rd January 2020 at the age of 95.  Her Service of Thanksgiving will be held at Godalming Baptist Church on Monday 10 February 2020 at 12.30pm.  Peter was the pastor over at Chiddingfold Baptist Church for a while, though many years ago now.

NEW!—Youth Academies for Music and Public speaking.  Starting today 12 January, 4-6pm:  Lisa and Anto are running the first of 3 simultaneous sessions for 11-18s to develop worship music and/or speaking and equip young people to share the good news.  Please encourage young people you know.  Fun and fellowship guaranteed! No experience necessary. Refreshments provided.  For more info email anto.ficatier@bhcgodalming.org (public speaking in Busbridge Centre ) or lisa.olsworth-peter@bhcgodalming.org (music in The Hut). Here’s Anto to tell you about Youth Mic Academy!

Channel4Mission
Channel for Mission would like to thank all those who donated to our Mission appeals during 2019. Our Easter appeal raised £2500 for Send Prison (The Nazareth Way), and our Harvest appeal raised £1615.00 for Elam, which ministers to the Iran region. We do not yet know the total for the Christmas appeal for SALCET, which is ongoing.  These sums donated by the church congregations are much appreciated.  Please see the latest Channel for Mission Update for details of how we have spent the budget allocated to us for outward giving.

Channel4Mission is still looking for people, as a  matter of urgency to join the team: we are looking for people with a passion for mission. Please contact Shelagh on jimdogshome@aol.com

The Bailey family would like to thank all our friends in Busbridge for your good wishes and prayers. We are settling into our new home and finding our feet in Wallingford: we welcome visitors! We pray that 2020 will be a year of blessing for you.

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Sunday 22 December for Christmas & New Year 2019

Happy Christmas—we look forward to seeing  each other at the services this week, and sharing the joy of Christ’s birth. To all those that are serving and helping in any way, we thank you!  Please keep thinking about the Christmas challenge:
* When are you coming?
* Who are you bringing?
* How are you serving?

Christmas Candles
Many of our Christmas celebrations involve candles, and particularly the  renowned Christmas Eve Candlelit Celebration (X 4!) at Busbridge.  If you or your children are planning to come in nativity costumes (and we hope you do!), please take special care with, or avoid highly flammable materials. There will be nativity costumes to borrow on arrival which have are treated with fire proof spray and these costumes will be collected in before the hand held candles are lit.  (Other fire safety measures will also be in place.) 

Let us know what you think
After you have been ...brought someone... and helped... we’d like to hear everyone’s thoughts on the services. A short online survey is now open for you to tell us what you think.  Please find it here

Going Greener - Busbridge&Hambledon has been awarded a Bronze Eco Church award by the A Rocha Eco Church scheme.  For information about what this means we are doing well, and the goals for the Silver award, see ecochurch.arocha.org.uk.

The church office will close at midday on Christmas Eve, and reopen at 9am on Thursday 2 January.  If you need a member of clergy when the office is closed for a bereavement or urgent pastoral matter, please contact the following:
4 and 25 December: Dave Preece 07943 135170
26 and 27 December: John Postill  01428 687968
28 and 29 December: Margot and Andy Spencer 01483 416333
30 December and 1 January: John Postill 01428 687968

There is a further list of emergency numbers in a perspex box at the foot of the front door of the Old Rectory.

From the West End to Busbridge—Lisa Olsworth-Peter talks at Nexus, 9 January 2020  Not to be missed! All welcome (including men) to join Nexus at their first event of the new year to hear Lisa talk and sing.  Free for members or £5 for visitors.  The evening starts with nibbles and drinks in the Old Rectory.  Annual subs of £18  are due for Nexus members and can be paid on the night.  The 2020 programme will be available to pick up too.

Advance notice to get training!  The next BHC Spire2Spire run from Busbridge to Hambledon and back again, has been aptly scheduled for 12 Jan 2020 — Resolution Sunday!  Runners will get a smoothie on return to Busbridge before the 10am services!

Funerals
A number of dear friends known to the church family have died recently and we ask you to pray that their loved ones will know God’s love and care, especially over the Christmas season: 

The funeral service for Elizabeth Chadwick will take place at Guildford Crematorium on Friday 20 December 2019 at 11.15am. Please pray for Dave, his brother and the wider family, for comfort and peace.

We send our love to Gary Sherwin, whose mother, Eileen, died 7 December.  Please hold Gary, Lorna, Annie, Rosie and Edward in your prayers; also remember Gary’s sister and the wider family. 

Longstanding church members will remember Jill and Derek Pitt, who moved to Milford some years ago.  We are saddened to hear that Derek died last Tuesday, 10 December.  Derek’s thanksgiving service will take place at Milford Church, on Monday 30 December 2019 at 2pm.  All friends are warmly invited to the service and also to refreshments afterwards at the West Surrey Golf Club.

The team in the church office would like to thank everyone for the cards and treats that have been arriving (sometimes anonymously!) this week. 

The next notices will be published for 5 January 2020, but an important date for your diary is Resolution Sunday on 12 January when services will be back to normal, and we will be outlining the vision and theme for Busbridge&Hambledon in 2020.

Sunday 15 December 2019

What Christmas Services are you coming to and Who will you invite?

New (but familiar) for Christmas 2019!
Busbridge Carol Singing, Sunday 15 December, from 5pm. Carollers will be taking their voices out to Busbridge, on a route from the church to Holloway Hill recreation ground, finishing in the sports pavilion bar. The Christmas choir will be leading the singing, and all voices of any calibre are welcome. The cricket club will be opening the bar and have invited members of the cricket and tennis clubs to join us there at 6.30pm. Please listen out, join in and help spread the word.

Living Advent 2019— Angel Story
Busbridge Church now has a 6ft fairy lit angel flying over the church pathway. Come and see during Advent. There will be a special storytelling event straight after school on 19 December. The story will be about the Angel Gabriel, and has been written especially by a published writer who will also come and read it on the day. Refreshments will be given out round a campfire in the churchyard (weather permitting!) before the storytelling around a mock campfire in church. All very welcome to come and listen.

The funeral service for Elizabeth Chadwick will take place at Guildford Crematorium on Friday 20th December 2019 at 11.15am. Please pray for Dave, his brother and the wider family, for comfort and peace.

Advance notice to get training! The next BHC Spire2Spire 10km run from Busbridge to Hambledon and back again, has been scheduled for 12 Jan 2020 —Resolution Sunday!

Sunday 8 December 2019

MISSION SUNDAY / CHRISTMAS APPEALS
SALCET is the recipient of this year’s Christmas Appeal—Chris and Maggie Jagger will speak at the services this morning about the work of SALCET. This month’s C4M Update contains a wonderful insight into Chris and Maggie Jagger’s work in Uganda and El Salvador this year. You will also be given a giving envelope for the appeal, but please make a donation by BACS if you prefer to: Busbridge PCC | 60-09-04 | 00705349 ref. C4M SALCET.

Besom hampers - Last call for Hamper goodies
Thanks for donations and help offered so far. To prepare the 25-30 hampers the C4M team still need:

1. 5 more large flat boxes from the stack at Sainsbury's, WRAPPED neatly in Christmas paper.

2. HAMPER DONATIONS—deliver to the church office: Food items (luxury and seasonal items preferred, but please do not include alcohol, perishable or home-made items), household items, Christmas decorations, candles, napkins and paper table cloths, crackers...

3. PACKING HAMPERS Thursday 12 December (yes, it's election night) from 7-8.15pm at Spinney Copse in Hambledon Road, by kind invitation of Simon and Catherine Taylor, who will be offering mulled wine and nibbles to keep us going.

4. DELIVERING HAMPERS—We need more volunteers (adults only) to deliver the hampers to their recipients over the weekend of 13-15 December. If you can help with any of the above, please sign up in church or contact Shelagh

t: 417725 / e: jimdogshome@aol.com.

Also see besom.org.

A GUIDE TO ADVENT & CHRISTMAS
Please take a handout with all our seasonal events and services between now and the end of December.

Sherry with the Rector - Helpers needed to (drink sherry and) make up Christingle kits on Monday 9 Dec, 2pm. We hope that a social tipple and mince pie with Simon might disguise the ruse to draw in helpers to make up 500+ Christingle packs for Christmas eve! Come and join Prime Time members for this fun and very useful afternoon.

LAST CHANCE TO BUY TICKETS FOR
Christmas Rocks Ladies’ Night, Friday 13 December, 7-9pm. Surprise and bless the local community by painting a Christmas message or decoration on a small stone. Lovely refreshments and other Christmas craft activities (gift tags, decorations etc) will also be available. Tickets £5 are available now from the office.

Marvellous Movie Matinee—14 December, 2.30pm Woody and friends return for their fourth adventure. At treat for families. Free—with popcorn.

New (but familiar) for Christmas 2019!
Busbridge Carol Singing, Sunday 15 December, from 5pm. Carollers will be taking their voices out to Busbridge, on a route from the church to Holloway Hill recreation ground, finishing in the sports pavilion bar. The Christmas choir will be leading the singing, and all voices of any calibre are welcome. The cricket club will be opening the bar and have invited members of the cricket and tennis clubs to join us there at 6.30pm. Please listen out, join in and help spread the word.

Living Advent 2019— Angel Story
Busbridge Church now has a 6ft fairy lit angel flying over the church pathway. Come and see during Advent. There will be a special storytelling event straight after school on 19 December. The story will be about the Angel Gabriel, and has been written especially by a published writer who will also come and read it on the day. Refreshments will be given out round a campfire in the churchyard (weather permitting!) before the storytelling around a mock campfire in church. All very welcome to come and listen.

Christmas Choristers Rehearsals continue from 11.30am to 1pm on 8th and 15th Dec in Busbridge church. Please contact Julie Nelson julienelson@phonecoop.coop if you would like to join in.

Church Centre to be used as Polling Station
The Busbridge Church centre will be used as a polling station for the general election on 12 December. No access from Wednesday afternoon.

The funeral service for Elizabeth Chadwick will take place at Guildford Crematorium on Friday 20th December 2019 at 11.15am. Please pray for Dave, his brother and the wider family, for comfort and peace.

Admissions Info for Busbridge Junior School If you are thinking of submitting a church application to Busbridge Junior School please get the Supplementary Information Form to the church office by 10 December (ensuring that your application meets the criteria on the form).

Advance notice to get training! The next BHC Spire2Spire run from Busbridge to Hambledon and back again, has been scheduled for 12 Jan 2020 —Resolution Sunday!