E is for Extraordinary

Dear friends,

It’s the end of summer, or the school holidays at least, and there’s an odd mixed feeling of wishing it would go on longer, and readiness for a renewed sense of purpose and direction. If that’s the case for you, look no further than church this September. Here are the headlines:

Ben Barnes, Director of Youth and Children

Owen Morgan, Assistant Café Manager

  • Welcome to Ben Barnes, the new Director of Youth and Children, and to Owen Morgan, Assistant Manager at the Yew Tree Café who joined the BHC staff team this week. You can meet Ben and his family at Muddy this Sunday, and at church from 11 Sep. Owen will, of course, be found in the Yew Tree Café on a Monday, Tuesday and Friday (and every other Saturday).

  • SAVE THE DATE for the EPCMs (Extraordinary Parochial Church Meetings) on Sunday 16 October: 1.30pm at Hambledon and 3pm at Busbridge. Archdeacon Paul Davies will chair the meetings at which members on the electoral rolls of each church are called to ratify the PCCs’ decision to join with Godalming parish and become a Minster. [More details below]

  • The new service times start this week for Muddy Church and Busbridge Classic, and will take effect in Hambledon from 11 September.

  • Muddy (All Age) Church restarts this Sunday at the Jack Philips Memorial - at the the new Contemporary service time of 9.30am. Look out for friends from St Peter and St Paul’s and St Mark’s.

In anticipation of the 2022 "Autumn Spruce" day on 17 September, here's the sort of thing you can expect!

  • To prolong the summer atmosphere a little longer, Hymns and Pimms (6PM this Sunday at Hambledon) promises to be a joyous way to regather after the summer and enjoy singing a selection of peoples favourite hymns. All welcome.

  • Please sign up for the The Autumn Spruce on 17 September. It’s a great way to help and meet people who you might not get the chance to mix with at other times. There’s jobs to suit everyone!

  • The church is now hiring a new full time Worship Pastor, and full time 4-11s Children’s Worker. If you can help by sharing the ads, praying for the vacancies or applying we’d love to hear from you.

  • Alpha led by Sheila Samuels at St Mark’s starting 15 Sep. Could this be the time to join the course, or help with catering?

If it’s the fundamental bits of church life you are looking forward to again:

  • Services, youth and children’s work, and mid-week prayer and activities restart in the next fortnight. Please check the calendar.

  • The teaching series for the new term starts on 11 September. Marks of the Early Church will follow the Acts of the Apostles and will ask us to reflect on what we can learn form the first century church, both as individuals and as a church.

  • To complement the sermon series and continuing the theme for the year on building Christian Character, the recommended study for Small Groups is on The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren and the groups will be attempting to answer 3 simple questions: Why am I alive? Does my life matter? What is my purpose? If you would like to join a small group or find out more e: smallgroups@bhcgodalming.org.


Sunday 4 September

*New Term*New Service times*

Produce enduring faithfulness
Readings: 2 Timothy 2:1-13

No Morning Service

6PM Hymns & Pimms
Hambledon Church

9.30AM Muddy Church
(Replaces the Contemporary service in Church)

11.15AM Classic Service [Holy Communion]
Led by: Patrick Samuels | Speaker: Simon Taylor
Busbridge Church


Sunday 11 September

marks of the early church
week 1: the importance of individual response to jesus

Reading: Acts 9:1-19

10AM Sunday Morning Worship [Holy Communion]
Led by: Simon Willetts | Speaker: David Jenkins
Hambledon Church

9.30AM Contemporary Service
Led by: Hilary Pettman | Speaker: Andy Spencer
Busbridge Church

Children’s groups restart. Drop off from 9.20am Creche and Explorers in the Old Rectory and the Ark in the Village Hall.

11.15AM Classic Service
Led by: Peter Shaw | Speaker: Andy Spencer
Busbridge Church

6PM Busbridge Evening Service
Led by: Simon Taylor
Busbridge Church


Click here for details and to sign up

Having missed the Spring Clean and the Summer Blitz, come September the churches will be in much need of a back to church Autumn “Spruce”! Please sign up now. We do need your help, but the getting together is just as important. Click the flyer to sign up.

GODALMING MINSTER: EPCMs (Extraordinary Parochial Church Meetings) will take place on Sunday 16 October: 1.30pm at Hambledon and 3pm at Busbridge. Archdeacon Paul Davies will chair the meetings at which members on the electoral rolls of each church are called to ratify the PCCs’ decision to join with Godalming parish and become a Minster.

  • More about what the vote entails will follow beforehand, but do send any questions to David Wilkin e:david.wilkin@bhcgodalming.org.

  • You need to be on the Electoral Roll to vote at the EPCM. The closing date for new applications is 23 Sep (21 days before the meeting). Forms are available at the back of the churches, or to download here.


Coming Up:

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).

Men’s Breakfast - The topic for this Saturday is the proposed regeneration project in Godalming. For details select the event.

Monday Reflective Prayer on Zoom restarts on 5 September and Hambledon Morning Prayer also restarts next week on Wednesday 7 Sep. Busbridge Morning Prayer on Wednesdays will restart the following week on 14 Sep.

Prayer gatherings for Ukraine will take at Hambledon Church at 7.30pm on 1st Tuesdays of the month, from 6 Sep.

NEXUS starts its Autumn term on Thursday 8th September, when Patrick Samuels, our recently ordained Curate, will give his talk on ‘My Life Journey’.  It will be interesting to hear of his faith journey, as well as a little of his other interests and former careers, before he joined us at Busbridge and Hambledon Church. Do come along and get to know Patrick better.

We meet in Busbridge Old Rectory at 8.00pm. There’ll be a welcoming glass of wine, or soft drinks, and nibbles and the chance to catch up with each other before Patrick starts his presentation. All are welcome, including men if they’d like to come along.

Autumn Alpha Course - an Autumn Alpha course will start on Thursday 15th September at St Mark’s Church and run on Thursdays until 24th November (with a break for half-term). Contact Sheila.Samuels@bhcgodalming.org if you’d like to join the course or find out more. We are looking for a catering team to provide one or more of the meals. Please let Sheila know if you’d like to help with this fundamental and most enjoyable element!

Vacancies

Worship Pastor We are now advertising for a permanent full time Worship Pastor. It’s a crucial role, and the ad is posted on the BHC vacancies page, the Guildford Diocese web site and New Wine jobs section. Do you know anyone who might be interested? 

We'd love to be able to offer subsidised or free housing for the post to widen the attraction. Might you, or anyone you know, offer to have them as a lodger, or have them living in your annex? Please speak to Karen Hart, 07891 114306, for further details or a chat.

The search for a new FULL TIME 4-11s Children’s Worker continues. Please take a look at the revised job, pray and share it. Simon would be happy to talk to anyone about it, even if the specification and terms are not a perfect match.

Please continue to pray for these vacancies and that God’s people are called to the roles.

Also, the Diocese of Guildford is now advertising for a Hear Here! Project Lead and given BHC’s involvement with the project, it would be lovely if someone from BHC wanted to go for it.  Penny Naylor would be happy to speak to anyone about the project and the new role if people want to find out a bit more while considering whether or not to apply. The skills needed are experience of leading initiatives, managing projects and keeping on top of all the associated admin.  Knowledge of how to retube a hearing aid or how to run a hearing aid clinic are not required as Sophie will continue to oversee all the technical side of things.

Please see the job ad here.

Please pray for

  • The start up of children’s and youth groups

  • Hambledon Road and the Nursery School

  • Monteagle and Westdean and its road stewards Jo and Guy Cookes


New Service times at both churches from September

A reminder that the Busbridge Contemporary will take place first at 9.30am and the Classic at 11.15am.

Hambledon is introducing a single 10AM service with a blended format, with Common Worship liturgy and informal contemporary elements, from September. Children’s work will be available at 10AM apart from Messy Church Sundays (3rd of the month).

Pick up a list of the new service times for September from church this Sunday or over the summer. It includes the special Sunday dates for Autumn too, so please watch out for the deviations!


ELSEWHERE

Read the latest issue (SEPTEMBER) of Churches Together in Godalming and District Link Up.

Godalming Baptist Church Life Sessions. Please see the full brochure here. September’s talk is on Compassion Fatigue


Don’t forget about…

Things in the following areas may not make the notices, but the latest info can be found on the web pages:

Yew Tree Café Opening Hours
8.30am-4pm from 5 Sep and 10am-2pm Saturday!


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 01483 421267.
Listening prayer is available mid-week.

happy bank holiday weekend!

In anticipation of the 2022 "Autumn Spruce" day on 17 September, here's the sort of thing you can expect!

Dear friends,

If you are not away, you might be embarking on some garden tidying or a small and manageable DIY project at home or for someone else. It could be an excellent warm up for the church Autumn Spruce on 17 September! Watch the short video above if you’d like to be enthused.

Read on for details about:

  • What and where this Sunday and next (the services)

  • The BHC4Ukraine lunch last Sunday

  • The ad for a new full time Worship Pastor, and FULL TIME 4-11s Children’s Worker

  • HMP Send appeal - How about lunch with Helen?

  • Muddy Church and Hymns & Pimm’s - 4 Sep

  • Changes to services in September

  • Alpha starting 15 Sep


Sunday 28 August

Philip and the Ethiopian official
Reading: Acts 8:26-40

10AM Morning Worship
Led by: Fran Duffell | Speaker: David Jenkins
Hambledon Church

10.30AM Combined Worship
Led by: Simon Taylor | Speaker: Margot Spencer
Busbridge Church

6PM Busbridge Evening Service
[Holy Communion]
Led by: Simon Willetts
Busbridge Church

This is Ben Ford’s last Sunday leading worship. Thanks to him for his wonderful contribution to the musical life of the church, and “raising the roof” in the last 9 months. We wish God’s guidance and blessing in whatever good things are next.


Sunday 4 September

*New Term*New Service times*

Produce enduring faithfulness
Readings: 2 Timothy 2:1-13

No Morning Service

4PM Hymns & Pimms
Hambledon Church

9.30AM Muddy Church
(Replaces the Contemporary service in Church)

11.15AM Classic Service [Holy Communion]
Led by: Andy Spencer | Speaker: Keith Harper
Busbridge Church


Notices

Thank you to Sarah Black, Will Godwin and the team who hosted an event for Ukrainians and their hosts, last Sunday afternoon, in the Old Rectory Garden and church. The young people produced an incredibly moving presentation about their experiences and it was humbling for everyone who was there to hear them sharing their hearts so openly. If you’d like to support Sarah and Will in this mission of care and love, please get in touch.

Sarah writes:

We had a wonderful time with Ukrainian guests and their hosts in the Old Rectory last Sunday.  Busbridge and Hambledon provided a delicious picnic spread with sausage rolls, cheese straws, sandwiches, cakes and delicious strawberries donated by Hall Hunter Partnership.

Unbeknown to us, the Ukrainian young people had put together a presentation to teach us more about Ukraine.  They had film of life before the war and sadly many images of life as it is now.  A quiz worked out what we know and what we don’t about Ukraine and everyone came away with a far greater understanding of life and culture in a country that has become so much closer to us.

Everyone was incredibly friendly, many people had excellent language skills and were happy to try out their English on the locals filling in the gaps with a bouncy castle, pop up tennis, face painting by one of the Ukrainian Mums and lots of chat and opportunity to develop friendships.

We are looking at another date when we can invite the young people to showcase their presentation again, along with tea and cake.  Watch out for more information.

SIGN UP NOW to the Autumn Spruce!

Click here for details and to sign up

Having missed the Spring Clean and the Summer Blitz, come September the churches will be in much need of a back to church Autumn “Spruce”! Please sign up now. We do need your help, but the getting together is just as important. Click the flyer to sign up.

And on the subject of cleaning up and clearing out, if anyone is a keen user of online market places (e.g. ebay, freecycle, facebook marketplace) the church office would love to hear from you. The church has an ebay account, but is looking for someone to post the items and monitor the account.

Worship Pastor We are now advertising for a permanent full time Worship Pastor. It’s a crucial role, and the ad is posted on the BHC vacancies page, the Guildford Diocese web site and New Wine jobs section. Do you know anyone who might be interested? 

We'd love to be able to offer subsidised or free housing for the post to widen the attraction. Might you, or anyone you know, offer to have them as a lodger, or have them living in your annex? Please speak to Karen Hart, 07891 114306, for further details or a chat.

The search for a new FULL TIME 4-11s Children’s Worker continues. Please take a look at the revised job, pray and share it. Simon would be happy to talk to anyone about it, even if the specification and terms are not a perfect match.

Please continue to pray for these vacancies and that God’s people are called to the roles.

Outward Giving request to support the HMP Send appeal: Why not have lunch with Helen? (Leaflets are at the back of the churches)

Having served her time at HMP Send Helen is about to be released. On a Friday afternoon, just as everything is closing for the weekend, Helen walks through the prison gates with just £76 in her pocket. This is hardly enough to find her food, accommodation, and everything else she needs to see her through the weekend. And, quite likely, nobody knowing her background will trust her with a job either.

Most likely, through desperation, she will return to a life of crime simply to get some cash. And soon she will be behind bars again. Is this really necessary?

The BHC Outward Giving Group has come up with a scheme to help Helen and women like her. Give up a meal out during the summer or autumn and donate the money saved to the Nazareth Way at HMP Send. Prison Chaplain Lesley Mason will be delighted to see us helping in this way. Think of what £3000 would do in helping Helen and those like her out of their predicament.

If you are challenged by this, please donate £50 (the price of the average meal out) or anything you can afford to ‘Lunch with Helen Fund’, Busbridge PCC, Old Rectory, Old Rectory Gardens, Godalming GU7 1PU, by cheque, or direct to Busbridge PCC account 00705349, sort code 60-09-04, putting ‘Lunch with Helen Fund’ in the reference field. Shelagh Godwin, for the BHC Outward Giving Group


Coming Up:

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).

NEXUS starts its Autumn term on Thursday 8th September, when Patrick Samuels, our recently ordained Curate, will give his talk on ‘My Life Journey’.  It will be interesting to hear of his faith journey, as well as a little of his other interests and former careers, before he joined us at Busbridge and Hambledon Church. Do come along and get to know Patrick better.

We meet in Busbridge Old Rectory at 8.00pm. There’ll be a welcoming glass of wine, or soft drinks, and nibbles and the chance to catch up with each other before Patrick starts his presentation. All are welcome, including men if they’d like to come along.

Autumn Alpha Course - an Autumn Alpha course will start on Thursday 15th September at St Mark’s Church and run on Thursdays until 24th November (with a break for half-term). Contact Sheila.Samuels@bhcgodalming.org if you’d like to join the course or find out more. We are looking for a catering team to provide one or more of the meals. Please let Sheila know if you’d like to help with this fundamental and most enjoyable element!

Vacancies

Also, the Diocese of Guildford is now advertising for a Hear Here! Project Lead and given BHC’s involvement with the project, it would be lovely if someone from BHC wanted to go for it.  Penny Naylor would be happy to speak to anyone about the project and the new role if people want to find out a bit more while considering whether or not to apply. The skills needed are experience of leading initiatives, managing projects and keeping on top of all the associated admin.  Knowledge of how to retube a hearing aid or how to run a hearing aid clinic are not required as Sophie will continue to oversee all the technical side of things.

Please see the job ad here.

Please pray for

  • The vacancies on the staff team

  • Staff, children and parents as the new school year begins

  • Hambledon Park

  • New Road and Salt Lane, Hydestile and its road stewards Olwen Downhill


New Service times at both churches from September

A reminder that the Busbridge Contemporary will take place first at 9.30am and the Classic at 11.15am.

Hambledon is introducing a single 10AM service with a blended format, with Common Worship liturgy and informal contemporary elements, from September. Children’s work will be available at 10AM apart from Messy Church Sundays (3rd of the month).

Pick up a list of the new service times for September from church this Sunday or over the summer. It includes the special Sunday dates for Autumn too, so please watch out for the deviations!


ELSEWHERE

Read the latest issue (JULY) of Churches Together in Godalming and District Link Up.

From Godalming Baptist Church: Maureen Jones is retiring from her role as Friendship Lunch cook. We are so grateful for all her very hard work over many years. We are now seeking a new cook . Friendship Lunch is a great outreach to the local community to show God's love to many who live alone.  We need someone who would be willing to work fortnightly  Thursdays (or monthly)  9.00am-2.00pm and fortnightly on  Wednesdays in preparation (or monthly) 

Please contact Sally Pollard-01483-428646 -e-mail-pollard3@hotmail.co.uk for more details. A warm welcome awaits!

Godalming Baptist Church Life Sessions. Please see the full brochure here. September’s talk is on Compassion Fatigue


Don’t forget about…

Things in the following areas may not make the notices, but the latest info can be found on the web pages:

Yew Tree Café Opening Hours
10am-4pm [takeaway to 4.30pm] Weekdays in school holidays. 8.30am-4pm from 5 Sep.
10am-2pm Saturday


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 01483 421267.
Listening prayer is available mid-week.

BHC Notices for 21 August

From the GCT facebook page: Despite the very high temperatures last Sunday over 200 people attended the Churches Together Service of Worship at Godalming Bandstand. The wonderful trees provided some very welcome shade.

This annual service is part of the Godalming Staycation organised by Godalming Town Council. Our grateful thanks go to Rev Sheila Samuels for coordinating the Service and to all the Ministers for their contributions and to the wonderful band for leading us all in joyful praise in a beautiful location.

Prime Time Bowls afternoon on Weds 17 Aug - the heavens opened just as everyone went inside for tea!

Click here for details and to sign up.

Dear friends,

There were fears that the weather would be too hot for the bandstand service last Sunday, and then that rain would stop play for the Prime Time bowls afternoon yesterday. That’s Great Britain and the British for you! Happily, both events were blessed with shade from the trees, and a later than forecast thunderstorm.

Hopefully it will also be just right for the Ukraine Independence Day lunch party at the Old Rectory this Sunday, as Ukrainian families and their hosts get together for lunch, games and the bouncy castles. If you’d like to be involved with the BHC4Ukraine group, please let Sarah Black and Will Godwin know.

Read on for details about:

  • What and where this Sunday and next (the services)

    The ad for a new full time Worship Pastor, and other vacancies

  • HMP Send appeal - How about lunch with Helen?

  • Changes to services in September

  • Hymns & Pimm’s - 4 Sep

  • Alpha starting 15 Sep


Sunday 21 August

Ezekiel's Call and the Vision of God's glory
Readings: Ezekiel 1:1-6 & 14-21

10AM Morning Worship [Holy Communion]
Led by: David Jenkins | Speaker: Dudley Hilton
Hambledon Church

10.30AM Combined Worship [Holy Communion]
Led by: Andy Spencer | Speaker: Keith Harper
Busbridge Church


Sunday 28 August

Philip and the Ethiopian official
Reading: Acts 8:26-40

10AM Morning Worship
Led by: Fran Duffell | Speaker: David Jenkins
Hambledon Church

10.30AM Combined Worship
Led by: Simon Taylor | Speaker: Margot Spencer
Busbridge Church

6PM Busbridge Evening Service
[Holy Communion]
Led by: Simon Willetts
Busbridge Church

This is Ben Ford’s last Sunday leading worship. Thanks to him for his wonderful contribution to the musical life of the church, and “raising the roof” in the last 9 months. We wish God’s guidance and blessing in whatever good things are next.


Notices

Worship Pastor We are now advertising for a permanent full time Worship Pastor. It’s a crucial role, and the ad is posted on the BHC vacancies page, the Guildford Diocese web site and New Wine jobs section. Do you know anyone who might be interested? 

We'd love to be able to offer subsidised or free housing for the post to widen the attraction. Might you, or anyone you know, offer to have them as a lodger, or have them living in your annex? Please speak to Karen Hart, 07891 114306, for further details or a chat.

The search for our new 4-11s Children’s Worker continues. Please take a look at the job, pray and share it. Simon would be happy to talk to anyone about it, even if the specification and terms are not a perfect match.

Please continue to pray for all these vacancies and that God’s people are called to the roles.

Outward Giving request to support the HMP Send appeal: Why not have lunch with Helen? (Leaflets are at the back of the churches)

Her name may be Helen, but it may be something else. Having served her time at HMP Send she is about to be released. On a Friday afternoon, just as everything is closing for the weekend, Helen walks through the prison gates with just £76 in her pocket. This is hardly enough to find her food, accommodation, and everything else she needs to see her through the weekend. And, quite likely, nobody knowing her background will trust her with a job either.

Most likely, through desperation, she will return to a life of crime simply to get some cash. And soon she will be behind bars again.

Is this really necessary?

The BHC Outward Giving Group has come up with a scheme to help Helen and women like her. Give up a meal out during the summer or autumn and donate the money saved to the Nazareth Way at HMP Send. Prison Chaplain Lesley Mason will be delighted to see us helping in this way. Think of what £3000 would do in helping Helen and those like her out of their predicament.

If you are challenged by this, please donate £50 (the price of the average meal out) or anything you can afford to ‘Lunch with Helen Fund’, Busbridge PCC, Old Rectory, Old Rectory Gardens, Godalming GU7 1PU, by cheque, or direct to Busbridge PCC account 00705349, sort code 60-09-04, putting ‘Lunch with Helen Fund’ in the reference field.

Shelagh Godwin, for the BHC Outward Giving Group

SIGN UP NOW to the Autumn Spruce!

Click here for details and to sign up

Having missed the Spring Clean and the Summer Blitz, come September the churches will be in much need of a back to church Autumn “Spruce”! Please save the date. We do need your help, but the getting together is just as important. (After Christmas, it’s Simon Taylor’s favourite event of the year!) Click the flyer to sign up.

And on the subject of cleaning up and clearing out, if anyone is a keen user of online market places (e.g. ebay, freecycle, facebook marketplace) the church office would love to hear from you. The church has an ebay account, but is looking for someone to post the items and monitor the account.


Coming Up:

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).

NEXUS starts its Autumn term on Thursday 8th September, when Patrick Samuels, our recently ordained Curate, will give his talk on ‘My Life Journey’.  It will be interesting to hear of his faith journey, as well as a little of his other interests and former careers, before he joined us at Busbridge and Hambledon Church. Do come along and get to know Patrick better.

We meet in Busbridge Old Rectory at 8.00pm. There’ll be a welcoming glass of wine, or soft drinks, and nibbles and the chance to catch up with each other before Patrick starts his presentation. All are welcome, including men if they’d like to come along.

Autumn Alpha Course - an Autumn Alpha course will start on Thursday 15th September at St Mark’s Church and run on Thursdays until 24th November (with a break for half-term). Contact Sheila.Samuels@bhcgodalming.org if you’d like to join the course or find out more. We are looking for a catering team to provide one or more of the meals. Please let Sheila know if you’d like to help with this fundamental and most enjoyable element!

Vacancies

Also, the Diocese of Guildford is now advertising for a Hear Here! Project Lead and given BHC’s involvement with the project, it would be lovely if someone from BHC wanted to go for it.  Penny Naylor would be happy to speak to anyone about the project and the new role if people want to find out a bit more while considering whether or not to apply. The skills needed are experience of leading initiatives, managing projects and keeping on top of all the associated admin.  Knowledge of how to retube a hearing aid or how to run a hearing aid clinic are not required as Sophie will continue to oversee all the technical side of things.

Please see the job ad here.

Please pray for

  • The BHC4Ukraine group as they prepare to welcome Ukrainian families and their hosts for lunch at the Old Rectory to mark Ukrainian Independence day on 21 August

  • The vacancies on the staff team

  • Feathercombe Lane

  • North Munstead Lane and its road stewards Mark and Katrina Williams


New Service times at both churches from September

A reminder that the Busbridge Contemporary will take place first at 9.30am and the Classic at 11.15am.

Hambledon is introducing a single 10AM service with a blended format, with Common Worship liturgy and informal contemporary elements, from September. Children’s work will be available at 10AM apart from Messy Church Sundays (3rd of the month).

Pick up a list of the new service times for September from church this Sunday or over the summer. It includes the special Sunday dates for Autumn too, so please watch out for the deviations!


ELSEWHERE

Some church members may have seen the following plans for Godalming. The press release is included in the notices for general interest, and to assure you that the Godalming Minster Evaluation Steering Group are aware of the plans and will be liaising with Waverley.

News Release Issued by Waverley Borough Council: Wednesday 3 August 2022

Waverley seeks views on potential Godalming regeneration

Waverley Borough Council is asking for feedback from residents and local businesses about potential plans to regenerate three council owned sites in central Godalming. The council has been considering options for its head office at The Burys for a number of years, as it has very poor energy efficiency, making it very expensive to heat and maintain.

More recently, the council has begun to look more holistically at its land assets in central Godalming to ensure it is maximising their value for residents. It has now widened the scope of its regeneration project to include the main car park in central Godalming, Crown Court, and The Wharf, which has most recently been used as a car park for council staff.

Early options appraisals by the council indicate that The Wharf and Crown Court car parks could both support low density housing in a mixture of tenures, including social rented and affordable homes. Much of The Burys site is in Flood Zone 2, and it is therefore unsuitable for new housing, however revenue from the sale of new market homes on The Wharf and Crown Court sites could fund the redevelopment of The Burys site, making the entire project cost-neutral.

Waverley is heavily reliant on revenue from car parks, and from the outset has sought to ensure there would be no net loss of parking within central Godalming as a result of the regeneration works. The council’s viability assessment indicates that redevelopment of The Burys site could support a multi-deck car park that would replace any loss of parking on Crown Court and The Wharf. Options for a decked carpark have been considered, which place the car parking behind an attractive façade and within the current height of the office building.

The council has a range of engagement opportunities planned for members of the public over the summer. Residents are invited to drop into the reception area of The Burys to view displays about the project and potential options, and to offer feedback via an online survey. The displays, online survey, FAQs and further information are available online at www.waverley.gov.uk/GodalmingRegen. There will also be events for local businesses and partners throughout the summer and pop-up displays in the High Street. Comments and questions are also welcomed by email to: Burysdevelopment@waverley.gov.uk

The council will undertake full consultation later this year.

Councillor Paul Follows, Leader of Waverley Borough Council, said: “Last year, our ageing building cost over £210,000 to heat and complete only the most essential maintenance. Our estimate for this year is around £410,000, so we’re under a great deal of financial pressure to find a solution urgently.

“I’m really pleased that we’ve been able to come up with some options that will see the current level of parking spaces maintained, while bringing new, genuinely affordable housing to the centre of Godalming. At this stage, there are no concrete plans, but we’ve got some fantastic options to create new community spaces, support and enhance the High Street, develop future income streams for the council and future-proof our offices, using new housing to fund it all.

“We really need your views, so please do come into the reception at the Burys and see our displays about the opportunities we’ve identified or visit the webpage and feedback to us via the online survey or our dedicated email address.” 

For further information contact:

Tel: 01483  523296
Web : www.waverley.gov.uk
Email: communications@waverley.gov.uk

Read the latest issue (JULY) of Churches Together in Godalming and District Link Up.

From Godalming Baptist Church: Maureen Jones is retiring from her role as Friendship Lunch cook. We are so grateful for all her very hard work over many years. We are now seeking a new cook . Friendship Lunch is a great outreach to the local community to show God's love to many who live alone.  We need someone who would be willing to work fortnightly  Thursdays (or monthly)  9.00am-2.00pm and fortnightly on  Wednesdays in preparation (or monthly) 

Please contact Sally Pollard-01483-428646 -e-mail-pollard3@hotmail.co.uk for more details. A warm welcome awaits!

Godalming Baptist Church Life Sessions. Please see the full brochure here. September’s talk is on Compassion Fatigue

Vacancies at Waverley Abbey
We currently have a number of excellent job opportunities. Should you know of anyone who may be interested, please could you forward them the details. The jobs are advertised on the Waverley Abbey website and can be accessed using this link https://www.waverleyabbeytrust.org/vacancies


Don’t forget about…

Things in the following areas may not make the notices, but the latest info can be found on the web pages:

Yew Tree Café Opening Hours
10am-4pm [takeaway to 4.30pm] Weekdays in school holidays. 8.30am-4pm from 5 Sep.
10am-2pm Saturday


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 01483 421267.
Listening prayer is available mid-week.

BHC Notices for 14 August

One of the newly wed couples and their band of guests dancing down The Drive from Busbridge Church to their wedding reception last Saturday. Congratulations Georgie and Tim!

Dear friends,

Busbridge and Hambledon can feel quiet at this time of year, particularly in the heat, but at the churches there have been some busy services on Sundays, wonderful weddings and a steady flow of visitors to the Yew Tree Café. Both churches offer ways to connect on Sundays and mid-week.

There’s a particularly big get together this Sunday at the Godalming Bandstand for the Churches Together service at 10.30am. There are no morning services at Busbridge or Hambledon church, but everyone is also very welcome to the 6pm Evening Service at Busbridge.

This week we are delighted to announce a few arrivals: 2 baby boys (see Church Family News) and - drum roll please - the Director of Youth and Children! Ben Barnes comes with his family from St Paul’s Church, Camberley and will start his ministry at Busbridge&Hambledon Church on 1st September. Ben, Sophie and their two children are in the process of moving to Busbridge, and we can’t wait to meet them all on or after Sunday 4th September. Please do be praying for the family as they settle in, their daughter prepares to start school and Ben and Sophie start their new ministry and jobs here.

Read on for details about:

  • What and where this Sunday (the services)

  • Summer Services

  • Changes to services in September

  • HMP Send appeal - How about lunch with Helen?

  • Hymns & Pimm’s - 4 Sep

  • Alpha starting 15 Sep

  • Please sign up for the big Autumn Spruce - 17 Sep

  • Plans for Godalming Regen - press release from Waverley.


Sunday 14 August

10.30AM Churches Together Service at Godalming Bandstand. All welcome.

6PM Busbridge Evening Service
Led by: Simon Taylor
Busbridge Church


Sunday 21 August

Ezekiel's Call and the Vision of God's glory
Readings: Ezekiel 1:1-6 & 14-21

9.30AM Morning Worship [Holy Communion]
Led by: David Jenkins | Speaker: Dudley Hilton
Hambledon Church

10.30AM Combined Worship [Holy Communion]
Led by: Andy Spencer | Speaker: Keith Harper
Busbridge Church


There’s a handout in both churches to remind you about summer holiday services which start at Busbridge from 24 July, and at Hambledon during August. Please take one home:

Notices

Outward Giving request to support the HMP Send appeal: Why not have lunch with Helen? (Leaflets are at the back of the churches)

Her name may be Helen, but it may be something else. Having served her time at HMP Send she is about to be released. On a Friday afternoon, just as everything is closing for the weekend, Helen walks through the prison gates with just £76 in her pocket. This is hardly enough to find her food, accommodation, and everything else she needs to see her through the weekend. And, quite likely, nobody knowing her background will trust her with a job either.

Most likely, through desperation, she will return to a life of crime simply to get some cash. And soon she will be behind bars again.

Is this really necessary?

The BHC Outward Giving Group has come up with a scheme to help Helen and women like her. Give up a meal out during the summer or autumn and donate the money saved to the Nazareth Way at HMP Send. Prison Chaplain Lesley Mason will be delighted to see us helping in this way. Think of what £3000 would do in helping Helen and those like her out of their predicament.

If you are challenged by this, please donate £50 (the price of the average meal out) or anything you can afford to ‘Lunch with Helen Fund’, Busbridge PCC, Old Rectory, Old Rectory Gardens, Godalming GU7 1PU, by cheque, or direct to Busbridge PCC account 00705349, sort code 60-09-04, putting ‘Lunch with Helen Fund’ in the reference field.

Shelagh Godwin, for the BHC Outward Giving Group

New Service times at both churches from September

A reminder that the Busbridge Contemporary will take place first at 9.30am and the Classic at 11.15am.

Hambledon is introducing a single 10AM service with a blended format, with Common Worship liturgy and informal contemporary elements, from September. Children’s work will be available at 10AM apart from Messy Church Sundays (3rd of the month).

Pick up a list of the new service times for September from church this Sunday or over the summer. It includes the special Sunday dates for Autumn too, so please watch out for the deviations!

Hambledon Coffee Morning & Hearing Aid Clinic restarting on 3rd Wednesdays of the month.
We are looking forward to the return of the Hambledon coffee morning at 10.30am on 3rd Wednesdays of the month. NHS hearing aid maintenance and replacement batteries will also be available once more.

Who might you invite? Contact Jacqui Rook via the church office if you would like a lift to church.


Coming Up:

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).

SIGN UP NOW to the Autumn Spruce!

Having missed the Spring Clean and the Summer Blitz, come September the churches will be in much need of a back to church Autumn “Spruce”! Please save the date. We do need your help, but the getting together is just as important. (After Christmas, it’s Simon Taylor’s favourite event of the year!) Click the flyer to sign up.

Autumn Alpha Course - an Autumn Alpha course will start on Thursday 15th September at St Mark’s Church and run on Thursdays until 24th November (with a break for half-term). Contact Sheila.Samuels@bhcgodalming.org if you’d like to join the course or find out more. We are looking for a catering team to provide one or more of the meals. Please let Sheila know if you’d like to help with this fundamental and most enjoyable element!

Vacancies

Worship Pastor We are now advertising for a permanent full time Worship pastor. Do you know anyone who might be interested? 

We'd love to be able to offer subsidised or free housing for the post to widen the attraction. Might you, or anyone you know, offer to have them as a lodger, or have them living in your annex? Please speak to Karen Hart, 07891 114306, for further details or a chat.

The search for our new 4-11s Children’s Worker continues. Please take a look at the job, pray and share it. Simon would be happy to talk to anyone about it, even if the specification and terms are not a perfect match.

Please continue to pray for all these vacancies and that God’s people are called to the roles.

Church Family News

Jenna and Stephen welcomed Arthur on 22 July and Anto and Jess welcomed bebé Leopold on 28th July.  Huge congratulations to all!

A number of church friends will remember Neil Pinto’s mother Doreen, who died peacefully on Friday, 22nd July, aged 95.  She was a frequent visitor for over thirty six years and became a familiar figure here.  As we give thanks for Doreen’s life and Christian faith, please pray for God’s peace and comfort for Neil, Jan and the wider family.  The funeral will be at Doreen’s home church in the Midlands.

Please pray for

  • The BHC4Ukraine group as they prepare to welcome Ukrainian families and their hosts for lunch at the Old Rectory to mark Ukrainian Independence day on 21 August.

  • Hambledon Cricket Green

  • Oakdene road and its road steward Catherine Hobden


ELSEWHERE

Some church members may have seen the following plans for Godalming. The press release is included in the notices for general interest, and to assure you that the Godalming Minster Evaluation Steering Group are aware of the plans and will be liaising with Waverley.

News Release Issued by Waverley Borough Council

Date: Wednesday 3 August 2022

Waverley seeks views on potential Godalming regeneration

Waverley Borough Council is asking for feedback from residents and local businesses about potential plans to regenerate three council owned sites in central Godalming. The council has been considering options for its head office at The Burys for a number of years, as it has very poor energy efficiency, making it very expensive to heat and maintain.

More recently, the council has begun to look more holistically at its land assets in central Godalming to ensure it is maximising their value for residents. It has now widened the scope of its regeneration project to include the main car park in central Godalming, Crown Court, and The Wharf, which has most recently been used as a car park for council staff.

Early options appraisals by the council indicate that The Wharf and Crown Court car parks could both support low density housing in a mixture of tenures, including social rented and affordable homes. Much of The Burys site is in Flood Zone 2, and it is therefore unsuitable for new housing, however revenue from the sale of new market homes on The Wharf and Crown Court sites could fund the redevelopment of The Burys site, making the entire project cost-neutral.

Waverley is heavily reliant on revenue from car parks, and from the outset has sought to ensure there would be no net loss of parking within central Godalming as a result of the regeneration works. The council’s viability assessment indicates that redevelopment of The Burys site could support a multi-deck car park that would replace any loss of parking on Crown Court and The Wharf. Options for a decked carpark have been considered, which place the car parking behind an attractive façade and within the current height of the office building.

The council has a range of engagement opportunities planned for members of the public over the summer. Residents are invited to drop into the reception area of The Burys to view displays about the project and potential options, and to offer feedback via an online survey. The displays, online survey, FAQs and further information are available online at www.waverley.gov.uk/GodalmingRegen. There will also be events for local businesses and partners throughout the summer and pop-up displays in the High Street. Comments and questions are also welcomed by email to: Burysdevelopment@waverley.gov.uk

The council will undertake full consultation later this year.

Councillor Paul Follows, Leader of Waverley Borough Council, said: “Last year, our ageing building cost over £210,000 to heat and complete only the most essential maintenance. Our estimate for this year is around £410,000, so we’re under a great deal of financial pressure to find a solution urgently.

“I’m really pleased that we’ve been able to come up with some options that will see the current level of parking spaces maintained, while bringing new, genuinely affordable housing to the centre of Godalming. At this stage, there are no concrete plans, but we’ve got some fantastic options to create new community spaces, support and enhance the High Street, develop future income streams for the council and future-proof our offices, using new housing to fund it all.

“We really need your views, so please do come into the reception at the Burys and see our displays about the opportunities we’ve identified or visit the webpage and feedback to us via the online survey or our dedicated email address.” 

For further information contact:

Tel: 01483  523296
Web : www.waverley.gov.uk
Email: communications@waverley.gov.uk

Read the latest issue (JULY) of Churches Together in Godalming and District Link Up.

From Godalming Baptist Church: Maureen Jones is retiring from her role as Friendship Lunch cook. We are so grateful for all her very hard work over many years. We are now seeking a new cook . Friendship Lunch is a great outreach to the local community to show God's love to many who live alone.  We need someone who would be willing to work fortnightly  Thursdays (or monthly)  9.00am-2.00pm and fortnightly on  Wednesdays in preparation (or monthly) 

Please contact Sally Pollard-01483-428646 -e-mail-pollard3@hotmail.co.uk for more details. A warm welcome awaits!

Godalming Baptist Church Life Sessions. Please see the full brochure here. September’s talk is on Compassion Fatigue

Vacancies at Waverley Abbey
We currently have a number of excellent job opportunities. Should you know of anyone who may be interested, please could you forward them the details. The jobs are advertised on the Waverley Abbey website and can be accessed using this link https://www.waverleyabbeytrust.org/vacancies


Don’t forget about…

Things in the following areas may not make the notices, but the latest info can be found on the web pages:

Yew Tree Café Opening Hours
8.30am-4pm [takeaway to 4.30pm] Weekdays
10am-2pm Saturday


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 01483 421267.
Listening prayer is available mid-week.

A bumper set of Notices for 17 July 2022

Dear friends,

This edition will serve for the next few weeks - until 14 August, and hopefully there’s enough news and info to get you through until then. In fact, after the big read this week you might be glad of the break! This Sunday concludes the sermon series on Daniel and there’s end of term celebrations at Busbridge after the Contemporary Service, and at Hambledon Messy Church at 4PM. All welcome. It would be great to see you before the summer break begins, and church might be the coolest place!

A message from david wilkin, chair of the minster evaluation steering group, Rev simon taylor and canon john harkin re. the Outcome of the PCCs’ votes to become a Godalming Minster

On Monday 11th July the PCCs of Busbridge Church, Hambledon Church, St Peter and Paul with St Mark’s voted on the proposal to unite and become a Minister Parish for the Godalming and wider area. The PCC members are the Trustees of their parishes, so the matter was taken seriously and they all spent considerable time in thought, preparation and prayer reviewing the significant ‘Recommendation to PCC’s 11th July 2022’ document before voting. One PCC allows electronic votes to be cast pre-meeting and these are recorded separately. The results of the deliberations and voting are as follows:

  1. Busbridge PCC. Unanimous vote yes. No abstentions. The PCC also voted to give up its own patronage of itself

  2. Hambledon PCC. Unanimous vote yes. No abstentions. The PCC also voted to give up its patronage of Busbridge Church up

  3. St Peter and Paul with St Mark’s PCC. Unanimous vote yes with no abstentions for those present. Two electronic pre-votes cast, 1 yes and 1 no

The Minster proposal has therefore been passed by all PCCs by a clear individual and collective majority, with only 1 vote against. Now that we have a clear proposal which has been thoroughly tested by the PCCs there will be meetings over the coming weeks for all church members where details of the proposal will be fully explored with lots of space for questions. We will also gather for more prayer times.

Bishop Andrew will be writing to all 3 PCCs with his reaction and thoughts, and in the Autumn the PCCs decision will be brought to special Archdeacon’s APCMs across all the parishes for further prayer and ratification. If you are on the Busbridge and Hambledon Electoral Rolls, the recommendation documentation will be sent to you by email shortly, and will be available on request from the church office. 

With grateful thanks to all PCC members and to every member of the Minister exploration groups, for giving many hours to this matter.

David, Simon and John

Background info can be found on the Minster Evaluation page:


Read on for details about:

  • What and where this Sunday (the services)

  • Summer Services

  • Changes to services in September

  • Update on the new Director of Youth and Children (Youth Minister)

  • Hymns & Pimm’s - 4 Sep

  • Alpha starting 15 Sep

  • The big Autumn Spruce - 17 Sep

  • Yew Tree Café seeks an Assistant Manager (part-time) - see job ad and share!


Sunday 17 July

THE TIME OF THE END
Daniel 12

HAMBLEDON

9.30AM Heritage Service
Leader: Andy Spencer | Speaker: Dudley Hilton
Hambledon Church & Online

10.30AM Alpha Course
Hambledon Church

4PM Messy Church Summer Party
Hambledon Village Hall

BUSBRIDGE

9.10AM Classic Service
Led by: Keith Harper | Speaker: Clare Haddad
Busbridge Church & Online

10.30AM Contemporary Service [Holy Communion]
Led by: Patrick Samuels | Speaker: Clare Haddad
Busbridge Church & Online

Contemporary Social 17th July: The Contemporary congregation will celebrate the end of term on 17th July, with a picnic in the Old Rectory Garden after the service. Drinks and gazebo provided. The bouncy castle will be up. BYO picnic. Everyone, from all congregations welcome!

Carparking for Busbridge services: The church has use of the Busbridge Village Hall carpark on Sunday mornings. Please make use of it to avoid congestion on Hambledon road.

 

Sunday 24 July

Crossing the Red Sea
Reading: Exodus 14

9.30AM Heritage Service
Hambledon Church & Online

10.30AM Alpha Course
Hambledon Church

Summer Holiday services start:
10.30AM Combined Worship

Busbridge Church & Online

6PM Evening Service
Led by: Simon Willetts


The Church Office will be shut on Fridays over summer from 29th July to 2nd September inclusive.

There’s a handout in both churches to remind you about summer holiday services which start at Busbridge from 24 July, and at Hambledon during August. Please take one home:

Notices

New Service times at both churches from September

Thanks to the 112 members of the Busbridge Classic or Contemporary congregations who responded to the questions about the changes to service times from September. The Contemporary will now take place first at 9.30am and the Classic at 11.15am. Swapping the order will a) make it easier for some Classic members for whom 9.10am is too early (those who need care and transport) and b) ease the time pressure on the more complex set up for the Contemporary service.

As ever, there isn’t an arrangement to suit everyone, but if the responses are indicative of the wider congregations:

  • Changing the service times would make little difference to how often MOST (41%) members of both congregations worship or serve.

  • The proposed times would enable a further 35% of people across both congregations to come more easily/often. Moreover there is broad agreement that it will greatly help those who we rely on to lead Contemporary worship.

For the fewer (but no less important) worshippers for whom the change makes it harder to attend their preferred service, the congregation leaders will be in touch with you if you gave your name. If you’d like to speak to Frances or Patrick about it, please get in touch on Sunday or via the church office.

Conversations about moving to one 10AM service have also taken place in Hambledon, and there is support for introducing a blended format, with Common Worship liturgy and informal contemporary elements, from September. Children’s work will be available at 10AM apart from Messy Church Sundays (3rd of the month).

Please pick up a list of the new service times for September from church this Sunday or over the summer. It includes the special Sunday dates for Autumn too, so please watch out for the deviations!

Hambledon Coffee Morning & Hearing Aid Clinic restarting Weds 20th July
We are looking forward to the return of the Hambledon coffee morning at 10.30am on 3rd Wednesdays of the month. NHS hearing aid maintenance and replacement batteries will also be available once more.

Who might you invite? Contact Jacqui Rook via the church office if you would like a lift to church.


There’s some exciting news coming about the appointment of the new Director of Youth and Children who, all being well, will start in September. We are just waiting for some important dotting of Is and crossing of Ts before we announce the special person in the next few weeks.

Coming Up:

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).

The Prime Time visit to Mane Chance has been postponed due to the amber weather warning for Monday - it’s forecast to be way too hot for horses and their visitors to enjoy the occasion safely. Prime Time hopes to reschedule the visit for September.

Nexus have just a few spaces for the visit to Blackdown Ridge Vineyard on 4 August. Please select the event and contact Kate Kaye if you’d like to join.

SAVE THE DATE!

Having missed the Spring Clean and the Summer Blitz, come September the churches will be in much need of an Autumn “Spruce”! Please save the date. We do need your help, but the getting together is just as important. (After Christmas, it’s Simon Taylor’s favourite event of the year!)

Autumn Alpha Course - an Autumn Alpha course will start on Thursday 15th September at St Mark’s Church and run on Thursdays until 24th November (with a break for half-term). Contact Sheila.Samuels@bhcgodalming.org if you’d like to join the course or find out more. We are looking for a catering team to provide one or more of the meals. Please let Sheila know if you’d like to help with this fundamental and most enjoyable element!

Vacancies

The job for an new Yew Tree Café assistant manager (to replace Luke when he leaves for uni) is now published. It’s a very enjoyable role

The search for our new 4-11s Children’s Worker continues. Please take a look at the job, pray and share it. Simon would be happy to talk to anyone about it, even if the specification and terms are not a perfect match.

If you’d like to find out about the verger duties, Cat Garner would be thrilled to hear from you!

Worship Pastor - the ad for a new worship pastor to take over from Ben Ford as soon as possible after August will be going out shortly too. Watch this space, and share it when available.

Please continue to pray for all these vacancies and that God’s people are called to the roles.

Please Pray for

  • Christian summer camps incl New Wine

  • Clock Barn Lane and the Cheshire Home

  • Old Barn View and its road steward Jane Tomes


ELSEWHERE

Read the latest issue (JULY) of Churches Together in Godalming and District Link Up.

Concert in Busbridge Church, 30 July: A Renaissance Sequence
On the evening of Saturday July 30th, Busbridge Church will be the venue for a classical music concert by a newly formed choral group consisting of 8 young singers between the ages of 17- 22, all of whom are lovers of choral music.

The group consists of students from King Edward's School, Witley, prospective and undergraduate students of both the Royal Academy of Music and Cambridge University, as well as some who are members of the world-renowned Rodolfus Choir. For info and tickets see: A Renaissance Sequence Tickets, Sat 30 Jul 2022 at 19:00 | Eventbrite

Recommended by the BHC Prayer Ministry team:
Acorn Healing Conference is being held on Friday 19th & Saturday 20th at St. Alban's Church, Hindhead.  This is an excellent opportunity for everyone and especially those involved in ministry of any kind. For details and to book, see:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/acorn-healing-hub-conference-tickets-335228325947

Compassion Course
Amid so much stress and mental health issues would you be interested in attending a course of three evenings on 14th, 21st & 28th July to explore Compassion for ourselves and towards others?  It is run by The Revd. Haydon Wilcox at St. Columba’s House, Woking. Contact: admin@stcolumbashouse.org.uk or ring 01483 766498 for more details.

*** We know that 1 or 2 people are planning to go from Busbridge to the Compassion course in July - if you are interested and would like to lift share, please contact the church office. ***

Godalming Baptist Church Life Sessions. Topics covered: Decision Making and the Will of God; Autism; Growing Old Disgracefully - holding onto what matters with increasing age; Bereavement; Come and Be Colourful. Please see the full brochure here.

September talk is on Compassion Fatigue


Don’t forget about…

Things in the following areas may not make the notices, but the latest info can be found on the web pages:

Yew Tree Café Opening Hours
8.30am-4pm [takeaway to 4.30pm] Weekdays
10am-2pm Saturday


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 01483 421267.
Listening prayer is available mid-week.