Sunday 8 March 2020

Welcome to the friends and family of Alastair Cooke as they bring him for baptism at Hambledon Contemporary.

Busbridge Church reordering Phase 2: sound and vision etc. — While work is underway, the church will be closed until Friday 13 March.  As the work has generated even more dust than anticipated, Sunday services have also been moved to the Old Rectory for this week.  Please check the website or call the office to check venue changes for events in church.

Covid-19
The Diocese of Guildford has issued guidance to parishes in light of Coronavirus, and is closely following the advice from the Department of Health.  At the time of writing (5 March) the CofE and Diocese of Guildford reiterate the general advice on frequent, thorough hand washing and use of hand gels in church services (as well as self-isolation in those who have any symptoms) but says there is no need to take special measures on suspending the Chalice or Sign of Peace.  However, depending on the needs of the community, parishes may consider sharing communion in one kind (bread only) and contactless Signs of Peace.  BHC has decided that the latter measures would be prudent as we have many in our congregations who travel widely, as well as those who may be  more vulnerable to the virus.  So, for the time being members of our congregations are asked not to touch (shake hands or kiss) for the Peace, and only the consecrated bread will be distributed during communion. (Wine will also be consecrated but not shared). 

We have a limited supply of hand gel in the churches for the HC services, but it is proving difficult to get more and we need to keep it for use by the clergy.  Please bring your own if you can.

This affects HC services at 8am Quiet and 10am Classic on  8 March. There will be a further update next week. 

The Bible Course—continues next Wednesday
***The second Wednesday session of the Bible course will take place in the Busbridge Junior School Hall while Busbridge church closed.***  The Bible Course is running on Wednesday evenings, and on Thursday mornings until 6/7 May.  There’s a handout with all the info, and more information on bhcgodalming.org and the Bible Society’s pages.  Children are welcome to come with parents to the Thursday morning sessions in the Old Rectory.

Men’s Chilli Night, Friday 3 April at Mark’s
It’s the chaps turn now.  Mark Williams is hosting a chilli night on 3 April.  All gents welcome, along with donations of beer/wine.  Please take an invitation.  The recent ladies’ curry night was extremely popular and spaces ran out, so please RSVP quickly.

BOOKING for New Wine Summer Camp—Earlybird discount until 8 April:  Please take the invitation to join the BHC group at New Wine at Peterborough Showground from 2-8 August. 

There are 2 ways to book:  For youth from 11-18 attending Luminosity without parents, please contact Anto: anto.ficatier@bhcgodalming.org. 

Adults and families attending together, please book directly through the New Wine website: new-wine.org Book for week 2, and request to book with Busbridge and Hambledon Church to be in the same camping village as everyone from our church (page 2 of the booking process under Camping location, select “I’m camping with my church or team” then search on Busbridge ….. to find Busbridge & Hambledon Church—ID: 278275.)  Please also email karenhart58@btinternet.com to be added to communications to the church group.

Jam Together
Today for Senior JT for 13-16s in the Hut.  An Adult Jam  will be  on Friday 24 April, in church from 7.30pm. Sessions for younger ages will be arranged too.  If you know anyone who sings or is learning a rock/pop instrument and would like to try playing in a band, contact lisa.olsworth-peter@bhcgodalming.org.

BHC Spire2Spire 10km Run—the next run will take place on Sunday 26 April.  Loop route departs Busbridge Church at 8.30am and returns for the 10am services, via Hambledon.

The Big Busbridge Spring Clean is Saturday 16 May.  Everyone is invited to this grand morning. Starts 9.30am. Free BBQ lunch at 1.15pm and everyone goes home by 2pm.  Email liz.gorst@bhcgodalming.org now to sign up.

‘What’s on your washing Line?’ A creative Lent installation will be on display outside Busbridge Church from 2 March until Easter.   Come and have a look.

***DATES AND EVENTS FOR LENT AND EASTER ARE NOW ON THE WEB SITE—PLEASE ALSO TAKE ‘A WHAT’S ON YOUR WASHING LINE?’ LEAFLET TO KEEP HANDY***.

Sunday 1 March 2020

Busbridge Church reordering Phase 2: sound and vision etc. — While work is underway, the church will be closed until Friday 13 March.  As the work has generated even more dust than anticipated, (and the clean up for each Sunday is impractical) Sunday services have also been moved to the Old Rectory for the next two weeks.  Please check the web site or call the office to check venue changes for events in church.

The Bible Course—starting 4 (and 5) March 2020  - for all members of Busbridge&Hambledon Church
***The first two Wednesday sessions of the Bible course will take place in the Busbridge Junior School Hall while Busbridge church closed.***  This Lent, please come along to the Bible Course starting on 4 March.  It’s will run on Wednesday evenings, and on Thursday mornings until 6/7 May.  There’s a handout with all the info, and more information on bhcgodalming.org and the Bible Society’s pages.  Home groups are joining for this course and it will be all church members are encouraged to join them.  Children are welcome to come with parents to the Thursday morning sessions in the Old Rectory.

BOOKING for New Wine Summer Camp—earlybird discount until 8 April:  Please take the invitation to join the BHC group at New Wine at Peterborough Showground from 2-8 August. 

There are 2 ways to book:  For youth from 11-18 attending Luminosity without parents, please contact Anto: anto.ficatier@bhcgodalming.org. 

Adults and families attending together, please book directly through the New Wine website: new-wine.org Book for week 2, and request to book with Busbridge and Hambledon Church to be in the same camping village as everyone from our church (page 2 of the booking process under Camping location, select “I’m camping with my church or team” then search on Busbridge ….. to find Busbridge & Hambledon Church—ID: 278275.)  Please also email karenhart58@btinternet.com to be added to communications to the church group.

The latest Outward Giving (formerly Channel4Mission) update about the work of Five Talents is available this week.  Find out more on www.bhcgodalming.org/outward-giving.  

Jam Together
The next date for Senior JT for 13-16s has been rescheduled to 8 March in the Hut.  An Adult Jam  will be  on Friday 24 April, in church from 7.30pm. Sessions for younger ages will be arranged too.  If you know anyone who sings or is learning a rock/pop instrument and would like to try playing in a band, contact lisa.olsworth-peter@bhcgodalming.org. 

NEXUS: On Thursday 5th March, come and hear Philip Underwood talk about his life as a vet in Godalming.  Many of you will have taken your pets to him over the years, and he’ll no doubt have some amusing anecdotes about his ‘patients’, as well as heart-warming tales of pets restored to an active life following illness or accident.  We’ll meet in the Busbridge Old Rectory at 8pm and have a glass of wine, or a soft drink, and nibbles before Philip starts his talk.  All are welcome!  

BHC Spire2Spire 10km Run—the next run will take place on Sunday 26 April.  Loop route departs Busbridge Church at 8.30am and returns for the 10am services, via Hambledon.

Change to the Prime Time programme April/May
30 April – A ’Seated Movement’ taster session will start at 10.30am in the Old Rectory, led by a tutor from GLive.  The session is a forerunner to activities and workshops that will be part of the Rooted in Guildford Mental Health and well being festival in Guildford in May.  This replaces the published May visit to Birtley House sculpture exhibition which is not running this year.

The Big Busbridge Spring Clean is Saturday 16 May.  A great chance to meet new people and be a church family where 80+ people including families do a huge amount of cutting, digging, cleaning, tidying, washing… 

Everyone is invited to this grand morning. Starts 9.30am. Free BBQ lunch at 1.15pm and everyone goes home by 2pm.  Email liz.gorst@bhcgodalming.org now to say you’re coming.

‘What’s on your washing Line?’ A creative Lent installation will be on display outside Busbridge Church from 2 March until Easter.   Come and have a look.

***DATES AND EVENTS FOR LENT AND EASTER ARE NOW ON THE WEB SITE—PLEASE ALSO TAKE ‘A WHAT’S ON YOUR WASHING LINE?’ LEAFLET TO KEEP HANDY***.

Sunday 23 February 2020

Lent begins this week and we mark it at the benefice Ash Wednesday communion with ashing, 8pm at Hambledon.

Busbridge Church reordering Phase 2: sound and vision etc. —the church will be closed weekdays Monday 24 Feb—Friday 13 March.  Mid-week events will take place in the Old Rectory or the Centre.  Please check the web site or call the office to find out.

The Bible Course—starting 4 (and 5) March 2020  As part of developing our vision for engaging more deeply in scripture as a  church family, please come along to the Bible Course starting on 4 March.  It’s going to run on Wednesday evenings, and on Thursday mornings until 29/30 April.  This is a really accessible course from the Bible Society which follows the storyline of the bible and how all its books fit within the big picture.    There’s a handout with all the dates and times, which also points to more information on bhcgodalming.org and the bible society’s pages.  Please do take a look and plan to come.

Jam Together
The next date for Senior JT for 13-16s has been rescheduled to 8 March.  An Adult Jam  will be  on Friday 24 April, in church from 7.30pm. Sessions for younger ages will be arranged too.  If you know anyone who sings or is learning a rock/pop instrument and would like to try playing in  a band, contact lisa.olsworth-peter@bhcgodalming.org. 

BHC Spire2Spire 10km Run—the next date is set for Sunday 26 April.  Loop run departs Busbridge Church at 8.30am and returns for the 10am services, via Hambledon. 

Simon Taylor’s sabbatical
Simon is away now until mid-March, and then May-July Simon Taylor will be on sabbatical for a period of study leave. Simon will be conducting research into two aspects of Christian theology.  While he’s away, matters for the Rector will be fielded by Rev Simon Willetts.

Please note: Hereon Channel for Mission and the C4M group  will be called, simply, Outward Giving.  Look out for future news or find  out more on www. bhcgodalming.org/outward-giving  

NEXUS: On Thursday 5th March, come and hear Philip Underwood talk about his life as a vet in Godalming.  Many of you will have taken your pets to him over the years, and he’ll no doubt have some amusing anecdotes about his ‘patients’, as well as heart-warming tales of pets restored to an active life following illness or accident.  We’ll meet in the Busbridge Old Rectory at 8pm and have a glass of wine, or a soft drink, and nibbles before Philip starts his talk.  All are welcome!  

Hands Up Please! (the next few items are, some unrequited, calls for volunteers...)
At last, the date you’ve all been waiting for!  The Big Busbridge Spring Clean is set for Saturday 16th May.  A great chance to meet new people, make friends and be a church family where 80+ people including families and people who make teas  and keep us stocked with biscuits do a huge amount of cutting, digging, cleaning, tidying, washing… 

Email liz.gorst@bhcgodalming.org now to say you’re coming. Everyone is invited to this grand morning. Starts 9.30am Free BBQ lunch at 1.15pm and everyone goes home by 2pm.

Interested in church history? Busbridge church has a fascinating history and we have numerous documents and photos, which we have been collecting together.  They are now in the History cupboard in the vestry.  We need people to help sort and catalogue the information.  If you are able to spend some time to help with this, please contact Michael Stubbs: michaeleashing@aol.com. Times to suit you!

Soup for Prime Time Lunch on 20 March
Please contact Penny Naylor if you are able to make soup, or help at the lunch on 20 March in church.  Expenses will be reimbursed.  All welcome to attend too. 

Deanery Synod
We are looking for 7 great people to join something very important. There are three 1.5hr meetings a year and you aren’t tied in to being there for longer than a year.  The decisions made in the 3 meetings affect churches in an around Godalming, Haslemere, Aldershot and Guildford. Simon T and the Deanery Synod needs you! If you’d like to know more, please get in touch with Simon Taylor after 12 March. 

Would you like this by email? To go on the list contact vic.hicks@bhcgodalming.org. (You can unsubscribe at any time too!).

Sunday 16 February 2019

Busbridge is hosting the next Churches Together Prayer Breakfast next Saturday, 22 Feb at 8am in the Old Rectory.  Prayers will be led by Gwen and Wendy from GUC.  All welcome!

The Bible Course—starting 4 (and 5) March 2020  As part of developing our vision for engaging more deeply in scripture as a  church family, please come along to the Bible Course starting on 4 March.  It’s going to run on Wednesday evenings, and on Thursday mornings until 29/30 April.  This is a really accessible course from the Bible Society which follows the storyline of the bible and how all its books fit within the big picture.    There’s a handout with all the dates and times, which also points to more information on bhcgodalming.org and the bible society’s pages.  Please do take a look and plan to come.

A huge thank you to all who have given towards the redevelopment of the Church Centre and to those who have offered to give their time. A thank you letter is on its way to those who have given already. This is a gentle reminder to those who intend to give but haven’t yet got round to it, please could you do so in the next couple of days? The group are starting to finalise the plans and need to know what resources are there. Thank you again to all who have pledged time and/or funds, and to all who are praying.

Jam Together
Senior JT for 11-16s has been rescheduled from last Sunday to 8 March.  An Adult Jam  will be  on Friday 24 April, in church from 7.30pm. To find out more, contact lisa.olsworth-peter@bhcgodalming.org. 

Congratulations to Becky Whiteman (Contemporary congregation) who has recently been appointed as a governor for Busbridge Junior School.

History is not what it was!
Busbridge church has a fascinating history and we have numerous documents and photos, which we have been collecting together.  They are now in the History cupboard in the vestry.  We need people to help sort and catalogue the information.  If you are able to spend some time to help with this, please contact Michael Stubbs: michaeleashing@aol.com. Times to suit you!

At last, the date you’ve all been waiting for!  The Big Busbridge Spring Clean is set for Saturday 16th May.  A great chance to meet new people, make friends and be a church family where 80+ people including families and people who make teas  and keep us stocked with biscuits do a huge amount of cutting, digging, cleaning, tidying, washing… 

Email liz.gorst@bhcgodalming.org now to say you’re coming. Everyone is invited to this grand morning. Starts 9.30am Free BBQ lunch at 1.15pm and everyone goes home by 2pm.

We send our love to Claire Clench, whose father died last Thursday.  Please hold Claire, Andrew, Maddy and Robert in your prayers, together with Claire’s sister and the wider family.

BHC Spire2Spire 10km Run—the next date is set for Sunday 26 April.  Loop run departs Busbridge Church at 8.30am and returns for the 10am services, via Hambledon. 

Where’s Simon T?
Simon is away now until mid-March, and then May-July Simon Taylor will be on sabbatical for a period of study leave. Simon will be conducting research into two aspects of Christian theology.  We’re fortunate to have so many great people, musicians, welcomers, PAs, clergy, LLMs, staff, wardens… that Simon is convinced no-one will notice he’s not here!  (While Simon’s away, matters for the Rector will be fielded by Simon Willetts).

Deanery Synod
We are looking for 7 great people to join something very important. There are three 1.5hr meetings a year and you aren’t tied in to being there for longer than a year.  There are no other meetings but the decisions made in those three meetings affect churches in Godalming, south to Haslemere, west towards Aldershot and north towards Guildford. Simon T and the Deanery Synod needs you! If you’d like to know more, please get in touch with Simon Taylor after 12 March. 

An evening with Justin Welby,
Thursday 19 March 7.30pm at the Lakeside Complex near Camberley. More than 1,000 clergy, PCC members and other ministry leaders have already booked places. We are now excited to let everyone know that there are some extra spaces for any member of a church. If you would like to join us (about 25 of BHC are already going) then book your places online here. It is free.

Would you like this by email? To go on the list contact vic.hicks@bhcgodalming.org. 

(You can unsubscribe at any time too!).

Sunday 9 February 2020

Hambledon Combined Holy Communion Vision Sunday Service - NEXT WEEK! 
Please note the change of time and come to our Vision Sunday Service— 9:45am for coffee for a 10am start.  We will be having a simple Hambledon combined service: starting with a brief time of worship, a brief vision recap, some time for facilitated group discussion and then closing with Holy Communion.  All are welcome!  

Prime Time tea & talk on 10 Feb, 2-4pm: Friends against scams—Now in the church:
As we have had such a great response to the talk on Monday, the event has been moved to the church.  Space is still available  and it’s not too late to come along.  A speaker from the National Trading Standards Scams Team is coming to help empower us to take a stand against scams.  If possible, RSVP to primetime@bhcgodalming.org 

Deanery Synod
We are looking for 7 great people to join something very important. There are three 1.5hr meetings a year and you aren’t tied in to being there for longer than a year.  There are no other meetings but the decisions made in those three meetings affect churches in Godalming, south to Haslemere, west towards Aldershot and north towards Guildford. Simon T and the Deanery Synod needs you! If you’d like to know more, please ask Simon right now.

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.

The Bible Course—starting 4 (and 5) March 2020
As part of developing our vision for engaging more deeply in scripture, we are encouraging the whole church family to come along to the Bible Course starting on 4 March.  It’s going to run on Wednesday evenings, and on Thursday mornings until 29/30 April.  This is a really accessible course from the Bible Society which follows the storyline of the bible and how all its books fit within the big picture.    There’s a handout with all the dates and times, which also points to more information on bhcgodalming.org and the bible society’s pages.  Please do take a look and plan to come.

Copies of Michael Baughen’s Lent Course—A Passion for Christ are also available to buy at church from this Sunday (£3.50).

An evening with Justin Welby,Thursday 19 March 7.30pm at the Lakeside Complex near Camberley. More than 1,000 clergy, PCC members and other ministry leaders have already booked places. We are now excited to let everyone know that there are some extra spaces for any member of a church. If you would like to join us (about 25 of BHC are already going) then book your places on the diocese web site cofeguildford.org. It is free.

New 4-11s Ministry Leader
We are looking forward to Judith Hawkey  joining the Children, Youth and Families team on  10 February.  Judith will be introduced in all services in the coming weeks.  Please pray for Judith as she starts her new job, and that her ministry will be fruitful. 

Jam Together for different ages
Today 9 Feb Senior JAM for 11-16s from   2-4.30pm in the Hut.  Come along if you play guitar, drums, piano/keys or any other rock and pop instrument.  And if you’d like to sing.

Wed 12 Feb NEW Junior JAM for years 5 to 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. 

Please take flyers and help spread the word.  Contact lisa.olsworth-peter@bhcgodalming.org.  These are definite ‘bring/tell a friend’ opportunities.  Spare instruments, instructions, encouragement and refreshments provided. 

Where’s Simon T?
From the middle of February to mid-March, and then May-July Simon Taylor will be on sabbatical for a period of study leave. Simon will be conducting research into two aspects of Christian theology. One is the ‘Disneyisation of Christian faith’ (culturalism: theming, consumption, commercialisation of emotion and identity through merchandising and association with ‘big, better, faster, entertaining’) and ‘Mcdonaldisation of belief’ (rationalisation: if people want it, it must be worth giving it to them). The second area of research involves looking at a theology of decision-making within a church setting.

We’re fortunate to have so many great people, musicians, welcomers, PAs, clergy, LLMs, staff, wardens… that Simon is convinced no-one will notice he’s not here!  (While Simon’s away, matters for the Rector will be fielded by Simon Willetts).