Sunday 28 June 2020

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This Sunday

FREEDOM FROM HOPELESSNESS | Galatians 5: 1-12

Click HERE for the ONLINE Services on YouTube

Available from
9AM Heritage Service (BCP) With traditional liturgy from the Book of Common Prayer and hymns recorded at Busbridge and Hambledon.

10AM BHC Main Online ServiceThe main act of worship for Busbridge&Hambledon Church with contemporary band-led worship music.

Both servicesWelcome: Dave Preece
Speaker: Simon Taylor
Reading: Faith Guildford
Prayers: Margot Spencer
Music: Becky Whiteman

5PM Prayerfest 0-30 Praying for young people and young  adults.

This week’s ‘A Word from’ Simon Willetts: What we might learn from the Hambledon Buzzard

Recent articles you might have missed:  Rector’s Reflection: GOD’S NORMAL: HOW ARE WE TO BE AS A CHURCH FAMILY?; A Word from Andy Spencer: A thought for Father’s Day; and Hello from Prime Time.  These can be found under News on the Home page of the web site.

What happens on the 4 July?We welcomed the announcement earlier this week that, with the further easing of COVID 19 restrictions, churches will be able to open for worship from 4 July.  A limit on numbers, and social distancing will still be in place, and we are awaiting full details of the guidelines from the CofE next week.  -  There will be an update on plans on the web site, and in the notices next week.  

Our online worship and events will continue and we recognise that it will be a long time before we can fully return to worshipping together, and things are likely to be  different when we do.  If you have not seen the thinking so far on church in the future, please take a look at the documents by Simon Taylor on the web site under Rescue, Recovery, Renew.

Busbridge Church and Hambledon Church are open daily from 9.30am to 4.30pm for private prayer and we encourage everyone to pop in. There are notices and images displayed to guide prayer if people wish, and at Busbridge, an invitation to take part in the prayer walk in the church yard and add a pebble to the Chain of Hope. (Have you decorated your link in the chain yet?) We hope this will encourage you to drop in while we cannot gather physically to worship.

Thanks to those that have volunteered for the rota to open and close the churches. This involves a government stipulated cleaning and checking process to keep visitors safe.

Prayerfest 0-30 this SundayYoung people and the affects of the current crisis on their future plans, development and emotional health are very much on our hearts and minds at the moment.  All are invited to join Shan Hallam and those involved with CYF ministry to pray specifically for all ages from 0-30 from 5pm on Sunday.

Listening Prayer—8am on Mondays
The Prayer Ministry team invite everyone to an early Monday session to simply listen for God.  Join us for 50 minutes (or as much as you can manage) of listening prayer.  A chance to listen to what God might be saying to you, or our Church community. An opportunity to be still before God with music, a piece of scripture followed by a short reflection and then a time of silence.  At the end there is an invitation to share what God may have said to you if you would like too.  Such a great start to the week. 

COMING UP

Alpha OnlineThe course got off to a great start last week, and more participants are due to join from next Wednesday.  Please pray for participants and leaders.  The course is open to late joiners too—email: david.preece@bhcgodalming.org and find all the details on the web site under Courses.

For others elsewhere on their journey, the next Helpful Habits course has been moved to Tuesdays, and will start on 30 June, 8-9pm.  The course involves 3 or 4 stand-alone sessions on different ways of praying.   The first one, will be ‘Praying with my pen’.  To discuss or to register, please contact Gertrud Sollars, e: Gertrud.sollars@btinternet.com.

Hope in Depression—course starts 6 JulyThis 6 week course was developed by the Hope in Depression charity for delivery by churches, and we are grateful that Simon Willetts has previous experience leading the course and is able to offer the online version to anyone in the local community.  The course is free, and can help those suffering with depression and those supporting them.  The details and the registration form are on the web site, under courses here.  Do please pass this onto anyone who might benefit.

In the community
Hello from Prime Time—the next PT event will a quiz and catch up on Zoom on 6 July.  Penny’s weekly mailings to Prime Time members can now be found on the web site under news. 

#CreativeKindness. You can find information about how our young folk are spreading light and hope to those who aren’t using the internet and see some of the lovely creations on the web site. Do keep them coming.

PLEASE PRAY FOR

This item has been absent in the notices for a while, so to cover the parishes in prayer, road by road, and picking up where we left off...this week please pray for these roads and their residents, and perhaps include them on a prayer walk this week:

· LATIMER ROAD AND ROAD STEWARD LINDA SMITH

· HAMBLEDON CRICKET GREEN AND VOLUNTEERS AT THE VILLAGE SHOP.

DON’T FORGET

If you are not connected in some way and would like to be, please let us know  (e: catherine.garner@bhcgodalming.org).

The Coronavirus Response team is ready to help those self-isolating— e: coronaresponse@bhcgodalming.org.

The CFSF is receiving donations AND applications for financial gifts.  Details on https://www.bhcgodalming.org/c19-givingandsupport.  

If you have anything to post, thoughts, prayers, musings—remember the BHC Together facebook group is yours to do so!

Prayer Ministry team available

To contact the EMERGENCY prayer chain, email prayer@bhcgodalming.org  or call 01483 421267.

Listening prayer is available mid-week.

For more information contact Jeannie Postill t 01428 687968

Sunday 21 June

This Sunday

HOPE WORTH SHARING WITH THE NEXT GENERATION | PSALM 78: 1-8

Click HERE for the ONLINE Services on YouTube

Available from
9AM Heritage Service (BCP) with traditional liturgy from the Book of Common Prayer and hymns recorded at Busbridge and Hambledon.

10AM BHC Main Online Service
The main act of worship for Busbridge&Hambledon Church with contemporary band-led worship music.

Both services
Welcome: Simon Taylor
Speaker: Dave Preece
Reading: Pippi Williams
Prayers: Liz Cooke
Music: Paul Ridsdale-Smith

11AM After Service Coffee on zoom (Busbridge 8am, Classic and 6.30pm congregations) - see what’s on for joining instructions.

Be part of the worship this Sunday to see a father and son doing a bacon butty BBQ in the rain. Father and son look rather similar. Frighteningly so!  We feel another set of out takes in the near future!!!!

New articles to read this week: 

Rector’s Reflection: GOD’S NORMAL: HOW ARE WE TO BE AS A CHURCH FAMILY?; includes news of working alongside other local churches.

A Word from Andy Spencer: A thought for Father’s Day; Andy reminisces about the London to Brighton bike ride, but sadly there’s no photographic evidence.

and Hello from Prime Time. - Penny, self-confessed technophobe, is ironically our latest ‘blogger’. The emails she sends to Prime Time members are now going on the web site for all to enjoy.

Notices

Churches Opening for private prayer
We are delighted that Busbridge Church and Hambledon Church are now open daily from 9.30am to 4.30pm for private prayer. We know that many of you will welcome this opportunity.

Painting by Chad in Busbridge Church to guide prayer and reflection

For visitors to the church, our aim is to provide a warm welcome and a way to connect with God, or perhaps discover Him for the first time.  There are notices and images displayed to guide prayer if people wish, and at Busbridge, an invitation to take part in the prayer walk in the church yard and add a pebble to the Chain of Hope.  (Have you decorated your link in the chain yet?) We hope this will encourage you to drop in while we cannot gather physically to worship. 

Thanks to those that have volunteered for the rota to open and close the churches.  This involves a government stipulated cleaning and checking process to keep visitors safe.  Please let liz.gorst@bhcgodalming.org  know if you would be able to help on a weekly basis.

This Sunday is Unplugged Live at 6.30pm on zoom.  The first service had about 100 attendees of all ages, as well as youth - so our largest live and interactive event so far.  To keep us on time, please zoom in from 6.20pm to exchange ‘hellos’ as the service will start promptly at 6.30pm.  There will end the formality!   

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COMING UP

Alpha Online—starting 24 June
The ALPHA course has attracted lots of participants since it was  adapted for use online in March.  The current crisis has led people to evaluate life now and as they knew it, and provided the time to engage in wider questions.  Alpha works for people at many stages of their Christian journey:

· If you are new to the Christian faith or just starting to ‘dip your toe in’

· If your friends or family ask you about what you believe and you’re never really sure what to tell them

· If you’ve been a Christian for a long while but have never felt you could ask questions about your faith

· If you’re fairly new to church and want to get to know some more people.

Busbridge&Hambledon has run many Alpha courses in the past and indeed many of our church members are the fruit of those courses. Dave Preece is starting the online version on Wednesday 24 June at 7.30pm.  Please pass on the details to people and encourage them to sign up on the web site.    And if you can help support or facilitate on Wednesday evenings, please contact david.preece@bhcgodalming.org, before the prep session on Monday 22 June.

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HELPFUL HABITS PRAYER COURSE

For others elsewhere on their journey, the next Helpful Habits course has been moved to Tuesdays, and will start on 30 June, 8-9pm.  The course involves 3 or 4 stand-alone sessions on different ways of praying.   The first one will be ‘Praying with my pen’.  To discuss or to register, please contact Gertrud Sollars, e: Gertrud.sollars@btinternet.com.

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Hope in Depression—course starts 6 July

This 6 week course was developed by the Hope in Depression charity for delivery by churches, and we are grateful that Simon Willetts has previous experience leading the course and is able to offer the online version to anyone in the local community.  The course is free, and can help those suffering with depression and those supporting them.  The details and the registration form are here.  Do please pass this onto anyone who might benefit.

All invited to pray—As well as Morning Prayer on weekdays, there are 3 opportunities to gather virtually in prayer for different things—Prayerfest this Sunday focuses on prayer for children, youth and young adults at this particularly challenging time for them, Churches Together and Hambledon prayer breakfasts next Saturday morning also welcome all.

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In the community

CYF team news—this week Anto, Judith and Simon delivered their first virtual Praise assembly to the year 6 and Keyworkers’ children who are back in Busbridge Junior School.  All the tech went well!

Juliet delivered Kindness4keyworkers gifts to Hambledon Nursery staff as they welcomed back their nursery school leavers.  The Head at HN was really grateful said the staff would be ‘blown away’ by the gesture.

Hello from Prime Time—the next PT event will a quiz and catch up on Zoom on 6 July.  Penny’s weekly mailings to Prime Time members can now be found on the web site under news. 

Penny has had an offer from Sister Mary at the convent to make a limited number of reusable face masks for vulnerable people who need help to source one.  If you would like a lovely gingham face mask, please contact penny.naylor@bhcgodalming.org.

Facemasks made by Sister Mary

#CreativeKindness. You can find information about how our young folk are spreading light and hope to those who aren’t using the internet and see some of the lovely creations on the web page here. Please do keep them coming and let Penny know if there’s anyone who might like to be on the receiving end.

DON’T FORGET

The Coronavirus Response team is ready to help those self-isolating.
e: coronaresponse@bhcgodalming.org.

If you are not connected to a small group in some way and would like to be, please let us know. 
e: catherine.garner@bhcgodalming.org. 

The CFSF is receiving donations AND applications for financial gifts.  Details on https://www.bhcgodalming.org/c19-givingandsupport.  

If you have anything to post, thoughts, prayers, musings—remember the BHC Together facebook group is yours to do so! 

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Prayer Ministry team available

To contact the EMERGENCY prayer chain, email prayer@bhcgodalming.org  or call 01483 421267.

Listening prayer is available mid-week.

For more information contact Jeannie Postill t 01428 687968

Sunday 14 June 2020

NEWS THIS WEEK:

What’s On, Churches reopen for private prayer, Alpha Online starting 24 June, Busbridge, Chain of Hope.

LATEST RECTOR’s REFLECTION: George Floyd

Rector’s reflections & A Word from: ……. Please check the news section on the home page, and top menu regularly for updates and reflections from Simon Taylor and the clergy team. 

This Sunday

Waiting for Hope | Titus 2:1; 11-15

Click HERE for the ONLINE Services on YouTube

Available from
9AM Heritage Service (BCP)
with traditional liturgy from the Book of  Common Prayer and hymns recorded at Busbridge and Hambledon.

10AM BHC Main Online Service
The main act of worship for Busbridge&Hambledon Church with  contemporary band-led worship music.

Both services
Welcome: David Preece
Speaker: Simon Willetts
Reading: Frances Shaw
Prayers: Daniel and Fran Duffell
Music: David Marson

11AM After Service Coffee on zoom (Hambledon and Contemporary congregations) - see what’s on for joining instructions.

NOTICES

Churches Reopening for private prayer
We are delighted to let you know that from Monday 15 June we plan to open Busbridge Church and Hambledon Church daily from 9.30am to 4.30pm (approx.) for private prayer. We know that many of you will welcome this opportunity.

As per government and CofE guidance, there will be instructions to visitors to use hand gel on the way in and way out, to avoid touching surfaces and to keep at least 2m apart from others.  Opening daily will involve a government stipulated cleaning and checking process when the church is opened and closed each day.  This will fall to staff initially, while we seek to fill a rota of volunteers.  Please let liz.gorst@bhcgodalming.org know if you would be able to commit to this humble act of service on a weekly basis.

For visitors to the church, our aim is to provide a warm welcome and a way to connect with God, or perhaps discover Him for the first time.  There will be notices and images displayed to guide prayer if people wish, and at Busbridge, an invitation to take part in the prayer walk in the churchyard and add a pebble to the Chain of Hope (see the video above).  We hope this will encourage you to drop in while we cannot gather physically to worship.  Our starting theme in the churches next week is Why Pray?

COMING UP

The next film discussion in this coming Tuesday 16 June at 8pm on the documentary 13th which has been selected for its relevance to the Black Lives Matter movement following the death of George Floyd.  As we are challenged to think more about our own understanding of the complex story of racism, this documentary about the issues facing African Americans might be a good place to start.  Details for the film, the meeting details and the questions for discussion are on the web site calendar.

The next Unplugged Live service will be on Sunday 21 June at 6.30pm, but do zoom in from 6.20pm to exchange ‘hellos’ as the service will start promptly at 6.30pm.  There will end the formality!  

Click here for Alpha at Busbridge&Hambledon

Alpha Online—starting 24 June
The ALPHA course has reaped a good harvest since it was  adapted for use online in March.  The current crisis has led people to evaluate life now and as they knew it, and provided the time to engage in wider questions.  Alpha works for people at many stages of their Christian journey:

· If you are new to the Christian faith or just starting to ‘dip your toe in’

· If your friends or family ask you about what you believe and you’re never really sure what to tell them

· If you’ve been a Christian for a long while but have never felt you could ask questions about your faith

· If you’re fairly new to church and want to get to know some more people.

Busbridge&Hambledon has run many Alpha courses in the past and indeed many of our church members are the fruit of those courses.  Simon Willetts will be leading the introductory session of the online version on Wednesday 24 June at 7.30pm.  Please pass on the details to people and encourage them to sign up on the Alpha page here.    And if you can help support or facilitate on Wednesday evenings, please contact simon.willetts@bhcgodalming.org, ideally before the prep session on Wednesday 17 June.

For others elsewhere on their journey, the next HELPFUL HABITS prayer course has been provisionally scheduled to start on Weds 24 June.  The course involves 3 or 4 stand-alone sessions on different ways of praying. The first one, will be  ‘Praying with my pen’.  To discuss or to register, please contact Gertrud Sollars, e: Gertrud.sollars@btinternet.com.

In the community

Kindness for Keyworkers. The next recipients of our small care packs will l be staff at Hambledon Nursery and St Dominic's School.  We’ve had lovely messages from staff at BJS and Hydon Hill to say thank you.  Thanks to those on the Coronavirus Response volunteer list who have helped Judith and Penny make up the gift bags too.  

“I am just writing to thank you and your amazing volunteers for the time and kindness in making gifts for our amazing team we have at Hydon Hill. ... you can’t go wrong with biscuits and chocolate.

...There is no denying it has been a very challenging time for everyone. The staff have risen to the challenges as they have arisen, like the professionals they are.

It is humbling to us to thing that others are thinking and caring for our carers. We appreciate what the wider community has done for us here.
”

— Thank you letter from Hydon Hill Cheshire Home

#CreativeKindness.  You can find information about how our young folk are spreading light and hope to those who aren’t using the internet and see some of the lovely creations on the #CreativeKindness page here. Do keep them coming.

Church family news

We send our love to Simon Gilbert, whose mother died last weekend.  Please hold Simon, Juliet and the whole family in your prayers.

Many people will remember Jean and Harry Whitehouse, who were members of Busbridge Church for a number of years, before they moved to Eastbourne in 2015.  Ed and Chris Payne, among others, have visited them there and kept in touch.  We have been saddened to hear that Harry died last week; Jean remains in their flat, with a carer.  Please pray for Jean and their family, that God will sustain them and give them his peace.

ELSEWHERE

Outward Giving: SALCET has been very busy this week because El Salvador got totally bashed by Storm Amanda (the first hurricane of this season) on 31 May (Pentecost Sunday!) and there have been massive floods, loads of landslides and 17 deaths. El Salvador is in strict lockdown because of Covid 19 as well, and the poorer people have been struggling for food even before the storm.

It wasn't really reported in the UK - we only heard this last weekend when we received messages from our projects in El Salvador. Anyway, SALCET has been able to send financial aid to 2 of our projects where they have been flooded out and need food parcels too, and this has largely been made possible by the generosity of Busbridge&Hambledon and the money raised in the Christmas collection.  So, we want to thank everyone and ask for ongoing prayers for El Salvador.

We received the following e-mail from El Salvador this morning, from Ruth Cruz who is organising the help for San Carlos, which is very encouraging. Having more trouble getting money through to Carlos Gomez at Panchimalco, but hopefully it will arrive early next week. Christ and Maggie Jagger.

“
Dear Dr Chris, Margaret, and Nathalie:
Warmest greetings from El Salvador. I trust God that you are doing well. May God bless you.
I acknowledge receipt of $1,225.oo USD sent by SALCET. I was able to cash it at Davivienda, which was great because they have a branch in my neighborhood. Brother Vladmir picked me up at my home and brought me back. I cashed it without any problem and I did not have to wait because there were only two people in the bank. I am also glad that my scheduled day was Wednesday.
The foods requested by the community have already been purchased. I bought the cooking oil, tomato sauce pouches, milk and coffee because we can carry them in Vladimir’s car. Carlos ordered the rest at a big supermarket in Ayutxtepeque, which is the closest one to the community house. They will deliver the groceries directly to the community house, which is great, on the same day that the foods will be distributed with a little charge.
We have scheduled to give out the groceries this coming Sunday at 8:30 am. a total of 30 baskets at the community house. The supermarket will make the 30 baskets and we will add the rest of the food. The people from all the suppliers have been very nice and have given us a nice delivery service because of the lockdown. They will have a list of the 30 beneficiaries and I have also called the Church Pastor brother Cideos so he can go to pick up his food. There are 29 families plus the Pastor, who lives in another neighborhood but he has pastoring that church for almost 20 years.
I will be sending you the invoices on Sunday. Thank you for your loving concern for this people of San Carlos, they are very grateful to you. We will be sending you pictures and the thank you note from the Community Committee Blessings. from Ruth

”

Don’t forget

¨ If you are not connected in some way and would like to be, please let us know  (e: catherine.garner@bhcgodalming.org).  The Coronavirus Response team is ready to help those self-isolating— e: coronaresponse@bhcgodalming.org.

¨ The CFSF is receiving donations AND applications for financial gifts.  Details on https://www.bhcgodalming.org/c19-givingandsupport.  

¨ If you have anything to post, thoughts, prayers, musings—remember the BHC Together facebook group is yours to do so! 

Sunday 7 June

THIS SUNDAY

Joyful living: The Fruit of Hope Romans 12:9-21
The sermon for the YouTube services this week has been recorded by Simon Willetts. 

9am       Heritage online service (BCP)  |         BHC Godalming YouTube from 9am

10am      BHC benefice online service |           BHC Godalming YouTube from 10am
Mark Williams is welcoming, Suzie Lambert is reading and prayers are led by Chad Grayer. 

The pdf above lists the events for next week and next Sunday - or please use the calendar.

This week’s reflection:

Save the Date! has been contributed by Frances Shaw and can be found on the web site in ‘A Word from’.  Please check the news section on the home page, and top menu regularly for updates and reflections from the clergy team. 

This week we’ve also added information about thinking and planning for the New Normal of church.  See the Rescue, Recovery, Renewal section under COVID 19 or the link from the home page.  For the moment you’ll find Simon Taylor’s paper and presentation on The New Normal, and a podcast in which Ed Olsworth-Peter is interviewed for Leaders Asking the right questions.  If you have any thoughts, insights or feedback please email church.office@bhcgodalming.org.  You may not, and it’s OK to pray, wait and see. 

Jill Johnston has also written this week to acknowledge the valued contribution that Pat Hilton made as a Pastoral Assistant.

Anto and Judith dropping off the Kindness for Keyworkers gift bags.

Kindness for Keyworkers.

Staff at Busbridge Infant and Junior Schools, and La Verna and Hyden Hill care homes were delighted to receive the little gifts packages to show our appreciation and offer encouragement.  Judith and Penny picked the treats with love and care (on a budget) and they have been well received. 

#CreativeKindness. 

For those we know that aren’t on the internet and are finding harder to stay connected. Thanks for those who’ve supported their children in creating these messages and pictures to spread some cheer.  Do keep them coming. Please see the details on the web site. 

Coronavirus Response Team news & Volunteers Week 1-7 June

Ten weeks in, we really want to express enormous thanks to all who have volunteered to be part of the community response team, by shopping, posting letters, collecting  prescriptions or making a friendly ‘phone call to those in isolation.  None of us knows how long this situation will continue, but many are still regularly shopping for local residents and, as we recognise that it is a huge commitment, we are so grateful to you all.

We also know that, for various reasons, some have had to step down from regular volunteering; others have not been used as much as they had hoped.   Huge thanks to you too.  We could not have done it without you. Margot Spencer (on behalf of the Coronavirus Response Team)

P.S. Busbridge&Hambledon Church is mentioned in the roundup for Volunteers Week too which provides a view of lots of local activities.. 

Church family news

Happy 90th Birthday to (Bishop) Michael Baughen and Congratulations to Jim and Shelagh Godwin on their Golden wedding anniversary this week.  They will all be sorry to miss planned celebrations, special hymns, cake after church (and the birthday bumps?) - but we do send our love.

Congratulations to the Roseblades on the safe arrival of baby Stellan last Sunday—a brother for Jacob and Lucca. As you can see, all is well.  Ruth’s bump has been just out of shot for the last few interviews in the online services, and she has been excused from filming this week.

If anyone would like a link to watch Alan Mayne’s committal service please contact the administrator at Godalming Baptist church on email: office.gbc@btinternet.com.

Sharing Memories Churchyard photos project

We’re creating a team to put our Busbridge churchyard records on our website so people can access them. Thanks to Sue Saunders, Dennis Amy and others we already have the photos and the information. We would like to offer these on our website. Hambledon Churchyard records are already searchable but we don’t have photos yet.  You might like to look at our website (who we are/history pages) to see the churchyard memorials information that we’ve already made available to everyone.  If you could get involved please contact Michael Stubbs e: michaeleasing@aol.com.

The Cellar on the Move

Please see HERE for the letter from Chris Jagger about the Cellar.  Due to the current crisis and uncertainty, the trustees of the Warehouse Christian Trust took the difficult and very sad decision not to renew the lease on the café in Crown Court in May, after serving the vulnerable in our community there, in the name of Jesus, for more than 40 years.  WCT is grateful to local churches including Busbridge&Hambledon for their support over the years, financially and in prayer and volunteers, and is asking for this to continue as it looks for a new venue and makes plans to carry on its important ministry.  A number of Busbridge&Hambledon church members are involved as supporters and trustees and would be happy to answer any questions— Chris Jagger, Shelagh Godwin, Ray Brown, Vic Hicks, David Hart, Jacqueline Hindley, Nick Harris, Gillian Dally and Guy Gammell.

COMING UP

The zoom film discussions provide an opportunity to explore social and ethical themes presented in mainstream film and documentary, through a Christian lens.  The next film discussion is in the diary for Tuesday 16 June at 8pm on the documentary 13th which has been selected for its relevance to the Black Lives Matter movement following the murder of George Floyd.  As we are challenged to think more about our own understanding of the complex story of racism, this documentary about the issues facing African Americans might be a good place to start.  Details for the film, the meeting details and the questions for discussion are on the web site calendar.

The next Unplugged Live service will be on Sunday 21 June at 6.30pm, but do zoom in from 6.20pm to exchange ‘hellos’ as the service will start promptly at 6.30pm.  There will end the formality!  

Don’t forget

¨ If you are not connected in some way and would like to be, please let us know  (e: catherine.garner@bhcgodalming.org).  The Coronavirus Response team is ready to help those self-isolating— e: coronaresponse@bhcgodalming.org.

¨ The CFSF is receiving donations AND applications for financial gifts.  Details on https://www.bhcgodalming.org/c19-givingandsupport.  

Sunday 24 May 2020

This week’s ‘A Word from’ : Connected by a big Heart - Clare Haddad (LLM)

BLESSINGS THIS WEEK
We’re aware that people are under financial pressure. Thank you to everyone who had found that they can continue to give to God’s work at this time. We’re hugely grateful to all of you. Special thanks to some, particularly at Hambledon, who usually give weekly via green envelopes and haven’t been able to do this in services; so you have contacted Andrew Dunn with your giving. Thank you so much.

We’re pleased to share that the Church Family Support Fund has made a series of gifts to local people in the past few days. Please pray for those who have been blessed in this way.

Special thanks this week goes to the Unplugged team and Anto for a great live Unplugged last Sunday. It was well worth being part of.

Since CYF has moved online the ministry has grown!  Our Ichthus group for 14-18s has doubled in size since Anto first started last summer, and there are more and more Pathfinders on zoom every Sunday.  Initial Zoom sessions for Explorers (7-11s) have been really well received too, and our little ones love the YouTube videos.  So, we are still reaching and teaching 100+ young people once or twice a week, and this year we are also aiming to keep activities going over the ‘stay-at-home’ holidays.  

If anyone wonders whether delivering CYF (or any) ministry online takes less time, please think again!  Planning and recording, as well as delivering the live sessions is fully occupying our CYF team (paid and volunteers), and for variety as well as support, we are looking for people who can give a bit of their time too.  Leaders have found that contributing one piece of the session weekly is a lot easier than planning and delivering their whole monthly session ‘solo’ - and it’s great fun being part of the CYF team.  So please, if you would be willing to record something, help to lead online sessions, help for Bible studies etc, please contact anto.ficatier@bhcgodalming.org for more details.

PRAYER Opportunities & Resources

Please take a look at the PRAYER area of the web site which provides details, ideas and encouragement for prayer together and individually.  We are meeting at least once a day on zoom to pray, and the sessions are open to all.  The Prayer Ministry Team, the Emergency Prayer Chain, and Listening Prayer are all still available via prayer@bhcgodalming.org.  Coming up:

PrayerFest 0-30 in 60.  Please come and join us in the prayer zoom this Sunday at 5pm to pray for children and young people in our churches and wider community.  Many young people, children and families  are finding this time of lockdown a real struggle and with schools starting to think about some of its pupils returning – there is a lot to pray about.  Contact:  Shan Hallam Shan D Hallam e: hallamshan7@gmail.com. 

Thy Kingdom Come: Ascension to Pentecost. 

Thy Kingdom Come is a global 11 day prayer campaign which started yesterday and runs til Pentecost on 31 May.  The challenge this year is ‘Light Up the World with Prayer’.  Your small group may be using the web site resources to pray and the 9am Morning Prayer will be participating too.  See www.thykingdomcome/global.

FRIENDSHIP with the community

Last week Margot attended a (Zoom) meeting run by Waverley Borough Council, which also included various volunteer community groups, help-lines and a local mental health charity, together with staff from Surrey County Council and the Citizens’ Advice Bureau.  All had heartening stories to tell of armies of volunteers and the kindness of people in the communities helping those in isolation or quarantine.  As we enter what is being called the Recovery phase, some are still very busy; others (like us) are finding that the requests for help have levelled out.  This has inevitably left some volunteers feeling that they have not been used as much as expected.  If you are one of those who has not been called on to help yet, please accept our apologies - and be encouraged by the possible explanation that this time of crisis has brought out the best in us all, so that we have all become good neighbours - and good Samaritans - to those in need.

Kindness for Keyworkers. In the immediate future, Penny Naylor and Judith Hawkey will be grateful for help with an initiative for care home staff and teachers in our local schools.  They are putting together small tokens of love (hand cream and chocolate) for key workers in our local care homes and school staff.  If you would like to make a contribution, please send by BACS and use ref: key workers.  Or get in touch (coronaresponse@bhcgodalming.org ) if this sounds like something you would like to be involved with.

#CreativeKindness.  Penny has received a number of lovely items to pass on to older people we know that aren’t on the internet and are finding harder to stay connected. Thanks for those who’ve supported their children in creating these messages to spread some cheer.  Do keep them coming. Please see the details on the web site. 

Worship Playlist
For those who love our well known hymns, here is a spotify play list you might find it helpful to 'like' for your own worship/listening.  Click the icon above. Thanks to Alan Harvey for compiling this one.

Don’t forget

If you are not connected in some way and would like to be, please let us know  (e: catherine.garner@bhcgodalming.org).  The Coronavirus Response team is ready to help those self-isolating— Email: coronaresponse@bhcgodalming.org.

The CFSF is receiving donations AND applications for financial gifts.  Details on https://www.bhcgodalming.org/c19-givingandsupport.  

If you have anything to post, thoughts, prayers, musings—remember the BHC Together facebook group is yours to do so!