Vic Hicks
Notices for 24 Nov 24
Vic Hicks
Notices for 17 Nov 24: Safeguarding Sunday
Vic Hicks
Notices for Remembrance Sunday 2024
Vic Hicks
Notices for 3 November 2024
Vic Hicks
Notices for 27 October 2024

Notices for Christmas 2021

COVID UPDATE TO SERVICES: 22 DEC 2021

We are looking forward to celebrating Christmas at church, with indoor and open air services. In light of current restrictions, everyone is required to wear a face covering at indoor church services, and we would kindly request you to LFT before attending events at church. We will continue to broadcast services on YouTube.

COVID UPDATE TO SERVICES: 23 DEC 2021
Events and services which particularly attract all ages, including under 12s who are not vaccinated, or required to wear face coverings, will now take place outdoors. This change applies to the following services:

OUTDOOR CHRISTMAS SERVICES

THE WEATHER FORECAST IS WET, AND WE ARE KEEPING AN EYE ON IT! THE SERVICES WILL TAKE PLACE IN LIGHT RAIN, BUT NOT TORRENTIAL CONDITIONS. THERE IS NO COVER FOR THE CONGREGATION, SO PLEASE COME EQUIPPED, AND WATCH THE HOME PAGE FOR UPDATES.

Christmas Eve at Busbridge
3.30PM, 4.30PM & 5.30PM Family Candlelit Celebration - now in the Old Rectory Garden.
Sign up no longer required, unless you would like to receive updates.
Christmas Eve at Hambledon
4PM Crib Service in Hambledon Churchyard
Christmas Day
10AM Christmas Day Celebration at Busbridge - in the Old Rectory Garden
10AM Christmas Day Celebration at Hambledon - in the Churchyard

CHRISTMAS SERVICES IN CHURCH

The following services which tend to be attended mainly by those who are vaccinated and wear face coverings, and do not transfer as well to an outdoor setting, will take place in church as planned:

Christmas Eve
11PM Midnight Communion at Busbridge
CANCELLED: 11PM Midnight Communion at Hambledon
Christmas Day
9AM Said Communion (in one kind, without carols) at Busbridge

PLEASE KEEP AN EYE ON THIS PAGE FOR ANY FURTHER UPDATES.

The BHC Advent Album

Week 4 of Advent: Carols in the Open Air!

Please use the Christmas Services link below to go to the Advent & Christmas section, and get to the heart of Christmas.

this CHRISTMAS

CHRISTMAS EVE
Sharing the heart of Christmas: joy shared
Readings: Luke 2:1-17

Christmas Day
Topic: Your place in the heart of Christmas: joy found
Readings: Luke 2:11-21

COVID UPDATE TO SERVICES: 23 DEC 2021
We are glad looking forward to celebrating Christmas at church, with services indoors and outside. Everyone is required to wear a face covering during (indoor) church services, and we would kindly request you to LFT before attending events at church. We will continue to broadcast services on YouTube. Events and services which particularly attract all ages, including under 12s who are not vaccinated, or required to wear face coverings, will now take place outdoors. This change applies to the following services:

OUTDOOR CHRISTMAS SERVICES

THE WEATHER FORECAST IS WET, AND WE ARE KEEPING AN EYE ON IT! THE SERVICES WILL TAKE PLACE IN LIGHT RAIN, BUT NOT TORRENTIAL CONDITIONS. THERE IS NO COVER FOR THE CONGREGATION, SO PLEASE COME EQUIPPED, AND WATCH THIS SPACE FOR UPDATES.

Christmas Eve at Busbridge
3.30PM, 4.30PM & 5.30PM Family Candlelit Celebration - now in the Old Rectory Garden
Christmas Eve at Hambledon
4PM Crib Service in Hambledon Churchyard
Christmas Day
10AM Christmas Day Celebration at Busbridge - in the Old Rectory Garden
10AM Christmas Day Celebration at Hambledon - in the Churchyard

CHRISTMAS SERVICES IN CHURCH

The following services which tend to be attended mainly by those who are vaccinated and wear face coverings, and do not transfer as well to an outdoor setting, will take place in church as planned:

19 Dec:
6PM Traditional Carol Service at Busbridge
7PM Carols by Candlelight at Hambledon
Christmas Eve
11PM Midnight Communion at Busbridge
CANCELLED: 11PM Midnight Communion at Hambledon
Christmas Day
9AM Said Communion (in one kind, without carols) at Busbridge

PLEASE KEEP AN EYE ON THE HOME PAGE FOR ANY FURTHER UPDATES.

The Churches Together in Godalming & District Service of Light on the Churches Together website (www.godalmingchurches.org) and the Churches Together Facebook page.

Next Sunday 26 dECEMBER

Boxing Day is a a Sunday this year, and there will be no services at Busbridge or Hambledon churches.

In their place,
watch the Guildford Diocese All Age service:

Sunday 2 january

10AM Benefice Combined Service - OPEN AIR
Leader & Speaker: Simon Willetts
Hambledon Churchyard

No service at Busbridge Church.

The Notices

NOW OUTDOORS!
CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIT FAMILY CELEBRATIONS AT BUSBRIDGE CHURCH
Thanks to everyone who booked seats for the Christmas Eve Family celebrations at 3.30pm, 4.30pm or 5.30pm. Now that the services are taking place outdoors, we are able to “un-restrict” numbers and welcome everyone in the Old Rectory garden. The same service will run 3 times at 3.30pm, 4.30pm and 5.30pm. There will be candles and costumes to create a very genuine nativity atmosphere! Please do still sign up to come so that we gauge numbers, and contact you if there are any further changes or instructions.

There is no need to sign up for any other services over Christmas. Please do wear a face covering!

All things happening for Advent and Christmas can be found HERE including the link to book Christmas Eve services at Busbridge. There’s separate pages for the Walking Advent Calendar, Advent Reflections, and Christmas Giving (Hampers and the Christmas Appeal for the Bible Society).

The Bridge Magazine—looking for an new editor and treasurer. 

The Jan/Feb edition of the Bridge will for the last issue for the foreseeable future as we wait for people to step into the roles of editor and treasurer. We are so grateful to Cathy Brook and Lesley Reeves for all their work in recent years.

The Bridge is provides a special link between church and community, which we are keen not to lose. Do please contact Vic Hicks if you would like to find out about these roles.  The role of Bridge editor is paid, and could be shared with a deputy editor.  Click the link for details.

The Nov/Dec Issue of the Bridge is available online HERE, including Christmas events and services at church.

Yew Tree Café seeks Assistant Manager - the ad and job spec for this role is now available on the vacancies page here. Please contact Karen Hart via e: yewtreecafe@bhcgodalming.org if you want to find out about it.

NEW YEAR OPPORTUNITIES
Alpha in 2022: The next online course is starting 11 January so please use Christmas as an opportunity to consider it for yourself or inviting others. Mark Puddephatt will be hosting a pop up house group for 3 weeks. It’s a ‘no obligation’ chance to try out being a small group and all the good things that come with it. As Mark says “There is no down side”. As we grow as a church family, Small Groups are the best (and only way) to look after, feed and nurture members of the family and we’ll be looking at that more in the new year. Contact Keith Harper or Mark Puddephatt via the church office if you are interested in more info on either Alpha or trying a small group.

NEXUS Event: 6 Jan
Godalming couple, Shirley and David Faraday, will share their journey to a more sustainable lifestyle in a humorous, insightful and musical way!!  It promises to be a fascinating and fun evening! We can all make a difference! All are welcome, including men! Free for members   £5 for visitors We will be collecting Membership fees of £18.  Fees cover refreshments, gifts or fees for speakers and charity donations. Our charity for 2022 is Oakleaf. For more information, please phone Janet Harvey on 423264 or Kate Kaye on 415296 or find us on www.bhcgodalming.org/groups

Coming Up NEXT:

See the list below or look up dates further ahead in the full calendar. Select the event for details and the location (online or on site).

Please note:

Busbridge Morning Prayer (Weds, online at 9am) will start again on 5th Jan.
Reflective Prayer (Mondays, online at 8.45am) will start again on 10th Jan.

Please Pray for

  • Pullman Lane and road stewards Kate Kaye and Kate Brockman

  • Markwick Lane

  • Those for whom Christmas is a challenging time

  • That Christmas will stir and prompt people to consider the gift of Jesus, and their faith a afresh, and try the next Alpha course starting at BHC from 11 Jan

  • A new editor, deputy editor and treasurer to continue the Bridge magazine.

ELSEWHERE

The Churches Together in Godalming & District Service of Light on the Churches Together website (www.godalmingchurches.org) and the Churches Together Facebook page.

Churches Together in Godalming and District is looking to increase the number of lay church representatives. There are three meetings a year and the opportunity to get involved in Churches Together events as and when you are able to do so. It's a great way of getting to know our fellow Christians in the other local churches and they're a very nice, friendly bunch. Interested? Have a chat to Margot Spencer or drop an e-mail to margot.spencer@bhcgodalming.org

Busbridge and Hambledon Churches are open daily for private prayer.

PRAYER MINISTRY TEAM AVAILABLE

To contact the EMERGENCY prayer chain, email prayer@bhcgodalming.org  or call Lisa Olsworth-Peter on 01483 421267.
Listening prayer is available mid-week.

Notices for 19 December

COVID UPDATE TO SERVICES: 16 DEC 2021

In light of the increased caution among many, BHC is offering various options for gathered worship and celebration over Christmas. In addition to mandatory face coverings in the church buildings, events and services which particularly attract all ages, including under 12s who are not vaccinated, or required to wear face coverings, will now take place outdoors. This change applies to the following services:

OUTDOOR CHRISTMAS SERVICES

19 Dec:
10.30AM Family Carols at Busbridge - now in the Old Rectory Garden
Christmas Eve at Busbridge
3.30PM, 4.30PM & 5.30PM Family Candlelit Celebration - now in the Old Rectory Garden
Christmas Eve at Hambledon
4PM Crib Service will move outdoors into the churchyard if the church is too full.
Christmas Day
10AM Christmas Day Celebration at Busbridge - in the Old Rectory Garden
10AM Christmas Day Celebration at Hambledon - in the Churchyard

CHRISTMAS SERVICES IN CHURCH

The following services which tend to be attended mainly by those who are vaccinated and wear face coverings, and do not transfer as well to an outdoor setting, will take place in church as planned:

19 Dec:
6PM Traditional Carol Service at Busbridge
7PM Carols by Candlelight at Hambledon
Christmas Eve
11PM Midnight Communion at Busbridge
11PM Midnight Communion at Hambledon
Christmas Day
9AM Christmas Day Communion at Busbridge

PLEASE KEEP AN EYE ON THE ADVENT & CHRISTMAS PAGE FOR ANY FURTHER UPDATES.

The BHC Advent Album

Week 3 of Advent: Party, party, party and some carols. CYF Christmas parties and Messy Christingle took place last Sunday, there was a great turn out for Prime Time’s Afternoon Carol service (watch it again) and the Busbridge Junior School Christmas services. ABC Toddler group also had a party, and Ichthus and the Outward Giving group packed 47 hampers for local families at the annual “stuffing party” on Tuesday. Thanks to everyone for their wonderful donations of luxury items, and those that delivered the hampers to the Godalming Foodbank at St Mark’s, local schools and churches.

And the Busbridge heart made the Diocese News! Read the article Creativity is at the Heart of Christmas.

Please use the Christmas Services link below to go to the Advent & Christmas section, and get to the heart of Christmas.

this Sunday 19 December

Dawning joy at the heart of Christmas: our response
Readings: John 1:1 and John 20:28

10AM HAMBLEDON Combined Service
Leader & Speaker: Simon Willetts
Hambledon Church & Online

10.30AM BUSBRIDGE Combined Family Carols - OUTDOOR
Leader: Margot Spencer
The Old Rectory Garden (NOT online)

6PM BUSBRIDGE Carol Service
with the Busbridge Christmas choir
Busbridge Church and online

7PM HAMBLEDON Carols by Candlelight
with the Hambledon Christmas choir
Hambledon Church and online

The Churches Together in Godalming & District Service of Light on the Churches Together website (www.godalmingchurches.org) and the Churches Together Facebook page.

Carols at the Cricket Club - Monday 20 December.

Starts 6pm at Busbridge Church with carol singing on route to Holloway Hill Rec. All welcome.

Message from the Worship Pastor, Ben Ford: We’re planning on the event still going ahead but any singing will be taking place outside the front of the building. We’ll set up the PA just outside and make sure that we can have a good sing-song in what is hopefully a considerably safer environment.

The bar will still be open for those who feel comfortable, and we are keen to support the Howling Owl who are kindly hosting the event. The doors across the front of the venue will remain open for the entirety of the evening to make sure it is well ventilated for those chatting inside. There will also be a hot drinks trailer perched up next building where you can grab a hot drink if you would prefer something to keep you warm.

With the current state of covid we totally understand the need for extra discretion, particularly this precious Christmas time. That said, if you feel comfortable enough to come along and sing aloud outside and support the evening you’d obviously be incredibly welcome. Hopefully it will still be a lot of fun, even if it is a bit cold!

Next Sunday 26 dECEMBER

Boxing Day is a a Sunday this year, and there will be no services at Busbridge or Hambledon churches.

In their place,
watch the Guildford Diocese All Age service:

Sunday 2 january

10AM Benefice Combined Service
Leader & Speaker: Margot Spencer
Hambledon Church & Online

No service at Busbridge Church.

The Notices

NOW OUTDOORS!
CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIT FAMILY CELEBRATIONS AT BUSBRIDGE CHURCH
Thanks to everyone who booked seats for the Christmas Eve Family celebrations at 3.30pm, 4.30pm or 5.30pm. Now that the services are taking place outdoors, we are able to “un-restrict” numbers and welcome everyone in the Old Rectory garden. The same service will run 3 times at 3.30pm, 4.30pm and 5.30pm. There will be candles and costumes to create a very genuine nativity atmosphere! Please do still sign up to come so that we gauge numbers, and contact you if there are any further changes or instructions.

There is no need to sign up for any other services over Christmas. Please do wear a face covering!

All things happening for Advent and Christmas can be found HERE including the link to book Christmas Eve services at Busbridge. There’s separate pages for the Walking Advent Calendar, Advent Reflections, and Christmas Giving (Hampers and the Christmas Appeal for the Bible Society).

The Bridge Magazine—looking for an new editor and treasurer. 

We have two very important vacancies in one of our key local mission and outreach activities.  Do please contact Vic Hicks if you would like to find out about these roles.  The role of Bridge editor is paid, and could be shared with a deputy editor.  Click the link for details.

Current Editor Cathy Brook will be stepping aside at the end of December after sending then Jan/Feb issue to print.  Lesley Reeves will also be ending her tenure as treasurer so we are looking for someone to take on the accounts (advertising income and printing costs) for the Bridge in the new year too. 

The Nov/Dec Issue of the Bridge is available online HERE, including Christmas events and services at church.

Yew Tree Café seeks Assistant Manager - the ad and job spec for this role is now available on the vacancies page here. Please contact Karen Hart via e: yewtreecafe@bhcgodalming.org if you want to find out about it.

NEW YEAR OPPORTUNITIES

Alpha in 2022: The next online course is starting 11 January so please use Christmas as an opportunity to consider it for yourself or inviting others. Mark Puddephatt will be hosting a pop up house group for 3 weeks. It’s a ‘no obligation’ chance to try out being a small group and all the good things that come with it. As Mark says “There is no down side”. As we grow as a church family, Small Groups are the best (and only way) to look after, feed and nurture members of the family and we’ll be looking at that more in the new year. Contact Keith Harper or Mark Puddephatt via the church office if you are interested in more info on either Alpha or trying a small group.

Coming Up NEXT:

See the list below or look up dates further ahead in the full calendar. Select the event for details and the location (online or on site).

church family news

Please Pray for

  • Phillips Close and road steward Keith Harper

  • Malthouse Lane and St Dominic’s School

  • Those helped by the Church Family Support Fund, the unemployed and the homeless.

ELSEWHERE

The Churches Together in Godalming & District Service of Light on the Churches Together website (www.godalmingchurches.org) and the Churches Together Facebook page.

Churches Together in Godalming and District is looking to increase the number of lay church representatives. There are three meetings a year and the opportunity to get involved in Churches Together events as and when you are able to do so. It's a great way of getting to know our fellow Christians in the other local churches and they're a very nice, friendly bunch. Interested? Have a chat to Margot Spencer or drop an e-mail to margot.spencer@bhcgodalming.org

We are very pleased to be able to run the Churches Together Christmas lunch again this year, subject to any changes in the Covid situation. It will take place at the Baptist Church Godalming on Christmas Day. Guests and volunteers are invited now. Please see the letter to guests and volunteer form below.

Christmas lunch letter to guests

Christmas lunch Volunteer form

See Churches Together Link Up - December Issue for news from around other churches in and around Godalming.

Busbridge and Hambledon Churches are open daily for private prayer.

PRAYER MINISTRY TEAM AVAILABLE

To contact the EMERGENCY prayer chain, email prayer@bhcgodalming.org  or call Lisa Olsworth-Peter on 01483 421267.
Listening prayer is available mid-week.

Notices for 12 December

Mission Sunday

In aid of the Bible Sunday
& Hampers for local families.

The BHC Advent Album

Week 2 of Advent: This week Prime Time made light work of 300 + Christingle kits over sherry with the Rector; Muddy Church last Sunday planted a wild flower garden and lit a special Advent candle made out of the stem of a parasol mushroom - with a blow torch….; More displays were revealed on the Advent walk and CYE gap students visited to help spray all the nativity costumes with fire retardant solution. If you have any pics to share from activities at either church or in the community, please send them in.

Please use the Christmas Services link below to go to the Advent & Christmas section, and get to the heart of Christmas.

this Sunday 12 December

Open to the heart of Christmas: purpose found
Readings: Isaiah 35:1-10 / Luke 1:26-38

We welcome Gareth Davies, Church Engagement Manager, from the Bible Society at Hambledon, and we’ll be hearing about the work of the Bible Society during the 9.15am and 10.30am services at Busbridge. Please read the letter to Busbridge&Hambledon Church from Gareth Davies HERE.

9.15AM BUSBRIDGE Classic Service [Holy Communion]
Leader: Maggie Jagger
Speaker: Margot Spencer
Busbridge Church & Online

9.30AM HAMBLEDON Heritage Service
Leader: David Jenkins
Speaker: Dudley Hilton
Hambledon Church & Online

10.30AM BUSBRIDGE Contemporary Service
Leader: Patrick Samuels & Mark Williams
Speaker: Margot Spencer
Busbridge Church & Online

4PM HAMBLEDON Messy Christingle
Hambledon Church

UPDATE - 10 December 2021
In the light of the recent changes to government advice and legislation, people are once again required to wear face coverings in services. Hand sanitiser is available in both churches for those that wish to use it. Holy Communion is celebrated in one kind by each congregation once a month (at a service in the benefice each Sunday.): Holy Communion Sundays. We are sharing Communion in one kind only - i.e. bread (wafer) - for the foreseeable future. We shall review this from time to time, as circumstances change and regulations permit.

ALSO FOR MISSION SUNDAY: CHRISTMAS HAMPERS
We have requests from local schools and organisations for 56 hampers for families and households in need this Christmas. Next Tuesday 14 December is the deadline for donations for hamper boxes (Christmas paper covered cardboard fruit trays, easy to collect from the front of Sainsbury’s), and luxury goodies to go in the hampers. The Outward Giving team also needs volunteers to deliver the hampers between 15th and 18th December. Please contact Shelagh ASAP if you can help, and bring donations to Busbridge church this Sunday. To donate to the Christmas Appeal for the Bible Society, please go to the Giving page.

Next Sunday: 19 December

Dawning joy at the heart of Christmas: our response
Readings: John 1:1 and John 20:28

10AM HAMBLEDON Combined Service
Leader & Speaker: Simon Willetts
Hambledon Church & Online

10.30AM BUSBRIDGE Combined Family Carols
Leader: Margot Spencer
Busbridge Church (NOT online)

6PM BUSBRIDGE Carol Service
with the Busbridge Christmas choir
Busbridge Church and online

7PM HAMBLEDON Carols by Candlelight
with the Hambledon Christmas choir
Hambledon Church and online

The Notices

Tom and Debbie Jones would like to invite anyone who is interested in helping out on future Family Life courses at BHC – including the Pre-Marriage and Marriage Courses – to join them for coffee after the Contemporary service in The Hut at Old Rectory on Sunday 12 December, where they can give you further details of the courses and ways in which you could help.

AFTERNOON CAROL SERVICE hosted by Prime Time: The first of the carol services will be at 2.30pm on Monday 13 December at Busbridge Church. We are looking forward to a performance by children from Busbridge Junior School during the service too. Mulled wine and mince pies will be served afterwards and all are welcome. A lift is needed for a much loved church and prime time member to come to the service. Please contact penny.naylor@bhcgodalming.org if you can help.

CHRISTMAS EVE family candlelit services at 3.30pm, 4.30pm and 5.30pm are Busbridge are now fully booked, but do keep checking the events for spaces to come available due to cancellations. We are aware that peoples plans are likely to be changing, so please let us know if you can’t make it, or use the link in your confirmation email to cancel. We will provide an update in the next fortnight if the situation changes.

There is no need to sign up for any other services over Christmas. Please do wear a face covering!

Nexus: We’re really pleased that our Charity Quiz went to so well last Saturday!  Many thanks to all those who joined us on Zoom to make it such a great evening.  Alan Betts and Dudley Hilton put together an excellent Quiz for us, once again!

Especially, we’d like to thank you for your generous donations to our Just Giving page, whether you took part in the Quiz or just wanted to support our fundraising efforts for Phyllis Tuckwell.  It was very kind of you all and we’re delighted to announce that we raised £1,082.50, including Gift Aid.  That’s a fantastic amount to support the work of the marvellous local hospice care team at Phyllis Tuckwell, and we’re sure it will be very much appreciated. Thanks again. For more information, please contact Janet Harvey on janetmharvey@btinternet.com or Kate Kaye on katekaye2@btinternet.com or find us on www.bhcgodalming.org/groups

All things happening for Advent and Christmas can be found HERE including the link to book Christmas Eve services at Busbridge. There’s separate pages for the Walking Advent Calendar, Advent Reflections, and Christmas Giving (Hampers and the Christmas Appeal for the Bible Society).

The Bridge would like to thank Nikki White and John Kimbell who are stepping down from their role as road stewards in Busbridge Lane and Leithfield Park. Our very grateful thanks go to both of them for all their help over many years.

A warm welcome to Michelle Collins and Joanne Weston who have kindly offered to take over the Leithfield Park patch - much appreciated. This does leave a vacancy for 21 houses at numbers 1-26 Busbridge Lane if anyone thinks they might be able to help out? Contact Cathy at editor.atthebridge@gmail.com

The Bridge Magazine—looking for an new editor and treasurer. 

We have two very important vacancies in one of our key local mission and outreach activities.  Do please contact Vic Hicks if you would like to find out about these roles.  The role of Bridge editor is paid, and could be shared with a deputy editor.  Click the link for details.

Current Editor Cathy Brook will be stepping aside at the end of December after sending then Jan/Feb issue to print.  Lesley Reeves will also be ending her tenure as treasurer so we are looking for someone to take on the accounts (advertising income and printing costs) for the Bridge in the new year too. 

The Nov/Dec Issue of the Bridge is available online HERE, including Christmas events and services at church.

Yew Tree Café seeks Assistant Manager - the ad and job spec for this role will be available next week, but do contact Karen Hart via e: yewtreecafe@bhcgodalming.org if you want to find out about it.

NEW YEAR OPPORTUNITIES

Alpha in 2022: The next online course is starting 11 January so please use Christmas as an opportunity to consider it for yourself or inviting others. Mark Puddephatt will be hosting a pop up house group for 3 weeks. It’s a ‘no obligation’ chance to try out being a small group and all the good things that come with it. As Mark says “There is no down side”. As we grow as a church family, Small Groups are the best (and only way) to look after, feed and nurture members of the family and we’ll be looking at that more in the new year. Contact Keith Harper or Mark Puddephatt via the church office if you are interested in more info on either Alpha or trying a small group.

FINAL reminder: BUSBRIDGE JUNIOR SCHOOL APPLICATIONS

If you are thinking of submitting a church application to Busbridge Junior School for September 2022, please visit the Busbridge Junior School website and familiarise yourself with their admission criteria (‘About Us’, ‘Admissions’). If you meet the criteria, email catherine.garner@bhcgodalming.org for an information sheet. The deadline to submit the supplementary info form to the church office is 10 December.

Coming Up NEXT:

See the list below or look up dates further ahead in the full calendar. Select the event for details and the location (online or on site).

church family news

Some of you may remember Jo King, who was a member of our congregation for several years. Jo died on 6th November and there will be a Thanksgiving Service in Busbridge Church this Friday, 3rd December at 11.30 a.m.. All who knew or remember Jo are very welcome to attend as we celebrate her life. Please pray for her family and many friends - for God's comfort and peace for them all.

We were deeply saddened to hear of the death of Muriel Campbell on 21 November. She has been a faithful, active and lifelong member of Hambledon Church and village and her presence will be much missed. A service will be held in Hambledon Church on Thursday 9 December at 2.30 p.m., to which all who knew and loved Muriel are welcome. Please pray for Ion and the whole family, that they may be sure of God's peace and comfort.

Please Pray for

  • Park Road and road steward Anthony Field and Frances Morris

  • Lane end

  • Those working in medicine.

ELSEWHERE

Churches Together in Godalming and District is looking to increase the number of lay church representatives. There are three meetings a year and the opportunity to get involved in Churches Together events as and when you are able to do so. It's a great way of getting to know our fellow Christians in the other local churches and they're a very nice, friendly bunch. Interested? Have a chat to Margot Spencer or drop an e-mail to margot.spencer@bhcgodalming.org

We are very pleased to be able to run the Churches Together Christmas lunch again this year, subject to any changes in the Covid situation. It will take place at the Baptist Church Godalming on Christmas Day. Guests and volunteers are invited now. Please see the letter to guests and volunteer form below.

Christmas lunch letter to guests

Christmas lunch Volunteer form

See Churches Together Link Up - December Issue for news from around other churches in and around Godalming.

Busbridge and Hambledon Churches are open daily for private prayer.

PRAYER MINISTRY TEAM AVAILABLE

To contact the EMERGENCY prayer chain, email prayer@bhcgodalming.org  or call Lisa Olsworth-Peter on 01483 421267.
Listening prayer is available mid-week.

Notices for 5 December

Week 1 of Advent! Starting with 4 special services on Advent Sunday, Busbridge Church decorating and the Advent launch at school pickup on 1 December. And! the first of the Walking Advent Calendar displays have been revealed….the calendar display of “recycled robins” for 2nd Dec are most endearing. Please use the Christmas Services link below to go to the Advent & Christmas section, and get to the heart of Christmas.

Ben, Simon and Shelagh bring you the notices for this Sunday: About the “Heart of Christmas” and the Outward Giving/Mission campaigns for 2021. Please note that the Busbridge Christmas Eve services require booking, and the 3.30pm service is full, spaces are very limited at 4.30pm, so book now for 5.30pm. No need to book any other services. On Christmas Eve, you are welcome to come along to the 4pm Crib service at Hambledon, or the 11pm Midnight Communion services at either church.

Watch the notices!

this Sunday

Peace at the heart of Christmas: lives restored
Readings: Isaiah 11:1-10

9.15AM BUSBRIDGE Classic Service [Holy Communion]
Leader: Margot Spencer
Speaker: Chris Payne
Busbridge Church & Online

9.30AM HAMBLEDON Heritage Service
Leader: Dudley Hilton
Speaker: Simon Willetts
Hambledon Church & Online

10.30AM Muddy Church for Advent + bacon sarnies & coffee after
Leader: Mark Puddephatt and Suzie Lambert
The Old Rectory Garden
We are continuing the tree theme, linking berries to Advent. Please bring a hand fork and a reusable cup (for coffee). Musicians! please bring your instruments and download the music and chords

10.30AM Hambledon Contemporary
Leader: Simon Willetts

6PM BUSBRIDGE Evening Service
Busbridge Church

UPDATE - 2 December 2021

In the light of the recent changes to government advice and legislation, coupled with people's desire for caution, the Rector and wardens have taken the decision to kindly request people to once again wear face coverings in services. Hand sanitiser is available in both churches for those that wish to use it. Holy Communion is celebrated in one kind by each congregation once a month (at a service in the benefice each Sunday.): Holy Communion Sundays.

In the light of the continuing rise in Covid infections, the decision had already been made to revert to offering Communion in one kind only - i.e. bread (wafer) - for the foreseeable future. We shall review this from time to time, as circumstances change and regulations permit.

Sunday 12 December

Open to the heart of Christmas: purpose found
Readings: Isaiah 35:1-10 / Luke 1:26-38

9.15AM BUSBRIDGE Classic Service [Holy Communion]
Leader: Maggie Jagger
Speaker: Margot Spencer
Busbridge Church & Online

9.30AM HAMBLEDON Heritage Service
Leader: David Jenkins
Speaker: Dudley Hilton
Hambledon Church & Online

10.30AM BUSBRIDGE Contemporary Service
Leader: Patrick Samuels & Mark Williams
Speaker: Margot Spencer
Busbridge Church & Online

4PM HAMBLEDON Messy Christingle
Hambledon Church

The Notices

CHRISTMAS!…

All things happening for Advent and Christmas can be found HERE including the link to book Christmas Eve services at Busbridge. There’s separate pages for the Walking Advent Calendar, Advent Reflections, Christmas Giving (Hampers and the Christmas Appeal for the Bible Society) and the Nexus Christmas Quiz next Saturday.

2 more people needed to make up a team!
To join the online Christmas Charity Quiz on Saturday 4 December at 7.30pm! Nexus will be raising funds for the wonderful local hospice care team at Phyllis Tuckwell. Our brilliant quizmaster duo will be with us again.  Alan Betts will be masterminding the setting of thought-provoking questions and delivering these in his inimitable style; and Dudley Hilton will oversee the amusing graphics, the technical stuff and score keeping!! 

To join the Quiz, please make a donation to Phyllis Tuckwell on www.justgiving.com/PamelaDaltonWilliams and email Janet Harvey <janetmharvey@btinternet.com>.

Next Thursday 9 Dec: Sherry with the Vicar - Prime Time needs reinforcements to help make up Christingle kits, and share a tipple! Come along to the Old Rectory between 2-4pm and help Simon Taylor and members of Prime Time make up the 400+ Christingle kits for the Messy Christingle and Christmas Eve services. There will be tea, mince pies and sherry. It is Christmas after all! Contact Penny.Naylor@bhcgodalming.org, or come along on the day.

The Bridge Magazine—looking for an new editor and treasurer. 

We have two very important vacancies in one of our key local mission and outreach activities.  Do please contact Vic Hicks if you would like to find out about these roles.  The role of Bridge editor is paid, and could be shared with a deputy editor.  Click the link for details.

Current Editor Cathy Brook will be stepping aside at the end of December after sending then Jan/Feb issue to print.  Lesley Reeves will also be ending her tenure as treasurer so we are looking for someone to take on the accounts (advertising income and printing costs) for the Bridge in the new year too. 

The Nov/Dec Issue of the Bridge is available online HERE, including Christmas events and services at church.

Some reminders…

MISSION: The November Outward Giving Update is about the Guildford Besom. It thanks Busbridge&Hambledon Church for it’s support and has some great examples of how the money we’ve given has enabled care and ministry to vulnerable people moving into new homes around Guildford.

Waverley have offered to help resettle some Afghan refugees. The churches response is being coordinated by the Diocese but the BHC home group led by Julia Stubbs is the contact point in Busbridge. If you have anything to donate please contact Julia Stubbs (eashingstubbs@aol.com) or Sarah Black (sarahblack536@gmail.com) or there will be a box at the back of church on Sunday.

The first family who are arriving this week  have 2 young children .

Things  they need for the family  are :
-household items, food parcels, toiletries etc
-clothes  and toys for a boy aged 2 and a 4-year-old girl. 
-any household electricals have got to be new, for health and safety reasons.
Most families have arrived with very little and would be very grateful for anything our church can do to help support families to resettle here in the UK.

BUSBRIDGE JUNIOR SCHOOL APPLICATIONS

If you are thinking of submitting a church application to Busbridge Junior School for September 2022, please visit the Busbridge Junior School website and familiarise yourself with their admission criteria (‘About Us’, ‘Admissions’). If you meet the criteria, email catherine.garner@bhcgodalming.org for an information sheet. The deadline to submit the supplementary info form to the church office is 10 December.

Coming Up NEXT:

See the list below or look up dates further ahead in the full calendar. Select the event for details and the location (online or on site).

church family news

Some of you may remember Jo King, who was a member of our congregation for several years. Jo died on 6th November and there will be a Thanksgiving Service in Busbridge Church this Friday, 3rd December at 11.30 a.m.. All who knew or remember Jo are very welcome to attend as we celebrate her life. Please pray for her family and many friends - for God's comfort and peace for them all.

We were deeply saddened to hear of the death of Muriel Campbell on 21 November. She has been a faithful, active and lifelong member of Hambledon Church and village and her presence will be much missed. A service will be held in Hambledon Church on Thursday 9 December at 2.30 p.m., to which all who knew and loved Muriel are welcome. Please pray for Ion and the whole family, that they may be sure of God's peace and comfort.

Please Pray for

  • Park Road and road steward Anthony Field and Frances Morris

  • Lane end

  • Those working in medicine.

ELSEWHERE

We are very pleased to be able to run the Churches Together Christmas lunch again this year, subject to any changes in the Covid situation. It will take place at the Baptist Church Godalming on Christmas Day. Guests and volunteers are invited now. Please see the letter to guests and volunteer form below.

Christmas lunch letter to guests

Christmas lunch Volunteer form

See Churches Together Link Up - November Issue for news from around other churches in and around Godalming.

Catch up on News from other areas

Featured
Simon and Catherine 2024.jpg
Moving On: Simon's announcement 8 Sep 2024

Busbridge and Hambledon Churches are open daily for private prayer.

PRAYER MINISTRY TEAM AVAILABLE

To contact the EMERGENCY prayer chain, email prayer@bhcgodalming.org  or call Lisa Olsworth-Peter on 01483 421267.
Listening prayer is available mid-week.

Notices for 28 November

ADVENT SUNDAY

Seeing the heart of hope: Vicious Cycles Broken
Readings: Isaiah 2:1-5

9.15AM BUSBRIDGE Classic: Taizé for Advent Sunday: A Patchwork of Hope
Leader & Speaker: Philippa Baker
Busbridge Church & Online
A reflective service with music and quiet spaces to prepare for the season of Advent which will take place in the nave of the church. Download the service order.

10.30AM BUSBRIDGE Contemporary [Holy Communion]
Leader: Mark Williams
Speaker: Simon Willetts
Busbridge Church & Online

4PM Advent Evensong
With benefice choir.
Hambledon Church

6PM UNPLUGGED
Led by the Youth Team. With lighting up of the Advent heart.
Busbridge Church

Sunday 5 December

Peace at the heart of Christmas: lives restored
Readings: Isaiah 11:1-10

9.15AM BUSBRIDGE Classic Service [Holy Communion]
Leader: Margot Spencer
Speaker: Chris Payne
Busbridge Church & Online

9.30AM HAMBLEDON Heritage Service
Leader: Dudley Hilton
Speaker: Simon Willetts
Hambledon Church & Online

10.30AM Muddy Church for Advent
Leader: Mark Puddephatt and Suzie Lambert
The Old Rectory Garden
We are continuing the tree theme, linking berries to Advent. Please bring a hand fork and a reusable cup (for coffee). Musicians! please bring your instruments and download the music and chords

6PM BUSBRIDGE Evening Service
Busbridge Church

Please note: Hand sanitiser and face coverings are available in both churches for those that wish to use them. Holy Communion is celebrated by each congregation once a month (at a service in the benefice each Sunday.): Holy Communion Sundays.

Communion UPDATE - 15 Nov 2021
In the light of the continuing rise in Covid infections, coupled with people's desire for caution, we have taken the decision to revert to offering Communion in one kind only - i.e. bread (wafer) - for the foreseeable future. We realise that this will be disappointing news for some of you, but hope that you will bear with us as we try to navigate our way safely through what is still a very uncertain situation. We shall review this from time to time, as circumstances change and regulations permit.

The Notices

Movie Matinees are back! Hosted by Prime Time, open to all.

Farewell to Lisa. We sadly say goodbye to Lisa who is leaving the staff team this Sunday. She will be at Busbridge services on Sunday, and helping to launch the Advent season before she departs. We are grateful for all she has been to Busbridge&Hambledon Church in the 3 and a half years, and send her off with our love and prayers. The Olsworth-Peters are staying in Chiddingfold, so Lisa, Ed, Henry, Lily and George won’t be vanishing completely.

CHRISTMAS!…

All things happening for Advent and Christmas can be found HERE including the link to book Christmas Eve services at Busbridge. There’s separate pages for the Walking Advent Calendar, Advent Reflections, Christmas Giving (Hampers and the Christmas Appeal for the Bible Society, and the Nexus Christmas Quiz next Saturday.

Advent week 1: Look out for Buddy the dog and Coolio camel outside Busbridge church from 3.15-45pm on Wednesday 1 Dec, and don’t miss window display number 1 in the Walking Advent Calendar. Collect a map from church this Sunday, or download it from the web site. Choose and start an Advent reflection series and prepare your heart for Christmas!

Please join us for the online Christmas Charity Quiz on Saturday 4 December at 7.30pm! Nexus will be raising funds for the wonderful local hospice care team at Phyllis Tuckwell. Our brilliant quizmaster duo will be with us again.  Alan Betts will be masterminding the setting of thought-provoking questions and delivering these in his inimitable style; and Dudley Hilton will oversee the amusing graphics, the technical stuff and score keeping!! 

To join the Quiz, please make a donation to Phyllis Tuckwell on www.justgiving.com/PamelaDaltonWilliams

Once you have donated, please email Janet Harvey by Monday 29th November, on: janetmharvey@btinternet.com, so she can organise teams and get details to the Church Office for sorting into breakout rooms. If you are a Zoom user, please give Janet the email address you use for Zoom, then Zoom will recognise you!!

The Bridge Magazine—looking for an new editor and treasurer. 

We have two very important vacancies in one of our key local mission and outreach activities.  Do please contact Vic Hicks if you would like to find out about these roles.  The role of Bridge editor is paid, and could be shared with a deputy editor.  Click the link for details.

Current Editor Cathy Brook will be stepping aside at the end of December after sending then Jan/Feb issue to print.  Lesley Reeves will also be ending her tenure as treasurer so we are looking for someone to take on the accounts (advertising income and printing costs) for the Bridge in the new year too. 

The Nov/Dec Issue of the Bridge is available online HERE, including Christmas events and services at church.

Yew Tree Cafe update

We are delighted to announce that we have appointed Lizzie Soar to be our Café Manager! Lizzie comes with a wealth of experience having set up and successfully run a similar café locally. She will start work mid January to finalise the interiors, train volunteers and assistants, and get everything up and running ready for the opening. We will introduce her to the church properly in January but you might see her visiting in the meantime.

We will be going out to advert soon for Assistant Managers, and in the New Year will be looking to recruit lots of lovely volunteers to help out n this exciting project, watch this space!

The build continues, the external terracing is underway and all the electrics have been first fixed internally. We still await a date for our new windows to be delivered, but Mark Patemen and his team are working hard around this as much as possible.

Please continue to pray for the supply issues around the building, for recruitment of Assistants, and do consider if volunteering in the café might be for you. Do email any questions or comments to Karen at yewtreecafe@bhcgodalming.org

Karen and the Café management team (Carol Jones, Sarah Black, Chris Garner)

Some reminders…

MISSION: The November Outward Giving Update is about the Guildford Besom. It thanks Busbridge&Hambledon Church for it’s support and has some great examples of how the money we’ve given has enabled care and ministry to vulnerable people moving into new homes around Guildford.

Waverley have offered to help resettle some Afghan refugees. The churches response is being coordinated by the Diocese but the BHC home group led by Julia Stubbs is the contact point in Busbridge. If you have anything to donate please contact Julia Stubbs (eashingstubbs@aol.com) or Sarah Black (sarahblack536@gmail.com) or there will be a box at the back of church on Sunday.

The first family who are arriving this week  have 2 young children .

Things  they need for the family  are :
-household items, food parcels, toiletries etc
-clothes  and toys for a boy aged 2 and a 4-year-old girl. 
-any household electricals have got to be new, for health and safety reasons.
Most families have arrived with very little and would be very grateful for anything our church can do to help support families to resettle here in the UK.

The Outward Giving team needs new members urgently, to oversee the outward giving and work with our mission partners. To find out about the work that the OG team makes happen on behalf of Busbridge&Hambledon Church, please see the Outward Giving page.

Ben Ford has joined the staff team as Worship Pastor (part-time) and will oversee music and worship at Busbridge&Hambledon over Christmas and the coming months.  Ben will be introduced in services from 21 November. 

Anto is delighted to announce the appointment of Ed Sherwin to the role of Children’s Worker Assistant. Ed will be working with the Children, Youth and Families team (CYF) on a part time basis until July 2022 and will focus on the delivery of 4-11s children’s work. Ed has grown up in the church family so don’t be surprised if his face is familiar (photo to follow next week). Let’s give Ben and Ed the usual warm BHC welcome.

PCC News
The PCC met last week and discussed a sense that we need to shape our church life around mission and looking outwards and how people might lead this and get involved. The church finances were reviewed including an update on whether the financial shortfall to run our existing mission and worship was still around £40,000. The great news was that there’d been a fantastic response and we’re now looking to cover around £25,000. The PCC felt that we should be explaining about finances more regularly and how finance fuels Christian mission and presence locally and that we should be explaining the quiet works of mission that we undertake without fanfare. There is a space for one more Christian governor of our church school (see Anto for more info). We’d like to look at Christian ecology and our stewardship of resources. Recent staff and volunteer leadership changes were looked at, including welcoming Ed Sherwin (interim children’s work young person) and Ben Ford (part time worship pastor).

BUSBRIDGE JUNIOR SCHOOL APPLICATIONS

If you are thinking of submitting a church application to Busbridge Junior School for September 2022, please visit the Busbridge Junior School website and familiarise yourself with their admission criteria (‘About Us’, ‘Admissions’). If you meet the criteria, email catherine.garner@bhcgodalming.org for an information sheet. The deadline to submit the supplementary info form to the church office is 10 December.

Coming Up NEXT:

See the list below or look up dates further ahead in the full calendar. Select the event for details and the location (online or on site).

church family news

We have been deeply saddened to hear of the death of Muriel Campbell last Sunday. She has been a faithful, active and lifelong member of Hambledon Church and village and her presence will be much missed. A service will be held in Hambledon Church on Thursday 9 December at 2.30 p.m., to which all who knew and loved Muriel are welcome. Please pray for Ion and the whole family, that they may be sure of God's peace and comfort.

We send love also to Bea Coleman, whose father died last weekend. Please hold Bea, Tim and the whole family in your prayers, for God's love to surround them and his peace to be with them.

Please Pray for

All those who attend the annual benefice Memorial Service on Saturday 6 November, that they might find comfort, and give thanks for our bereavement team and pastoral assistants as they care for those who have lost loved ones.

Please continue to pray for the COP26 conference in Glasgow from 31st October - 12th November. At this significant time for our country and the world we must unite in prayer. 

  • Park Road and road steward Anthony Field and Frances Morris

  • Lane end

  • Those working in medicine.

ELSEWHERE

We are very pleased to be able to run the Churches Together Christmas lunch again this year, subject to any changes in the Covid situation. It will take place at the Baptist Church Godalming on Christmas Day. Guests and volunteers are invited now. Please see the letter to guests and volunteer form below.

Christmas lunch letter to guests

Christmas lunch Volunteer form

We offer our prayers and support to staff, pupils and parents at Busbridge Infant School following it’s recent Ofsted Inspection. Please watch a message from Head Teacher, Darren Heatley outlining plans to respond.
http://www.busbridge-infant.surrey.sch.uk/website/ofsted_reports/63957

Waverley Abbey Trust (CWR), based in Waverley Abbey House Farnham. We are primarily a college offering Christian counselling training and Spiritual Direction courses. The catering is an important part of the students experience and we are currently understaffed. It's a great job for youth who may be looking for part-time work between studies or at weekends. Or for anyone looking for a full-time position of this kind. There are both full time and part-time opportunities.  The job descriptions, person specifications and main terms of employment are available from Iain Jones. Iain.jones@waverleyabbey.org 

See Churches Together Link Up - November Issue for news from around other churches in and around Godalming.

Catch up on News from other areas

Featured
Simon and Catherine 2024.jpg
Moving On: Simon's announcement 8 Sep 2024

Busbridge and Hambledon Churches are open daily for private prayer.

PRAYER MINISTRY TEAM AVAILABLE

To contact the EMERGENCY prayer chain, email prayer@bhcgodalming.org  or call Lisa Olsworth-Peter on 01483 421267.
Listening prayer is available mid-week.

 
 

FIND US EVERY SUNDAY at Church Street Godalming Town Centre, Brighton Road Busbridge, Franklyn Road & Hambledon and MID-WEEK at the the Old Rectory, Old Rectory Gardens GU7 1XB and the Yew Tree Café, Hambledon Road, GU7 1XB.