In the notices this week:
This Sunday - not to be missed!
About Godalming Minster weekly notices
Godalming Minster email, socials and other online accounts
Your new PCC
The Alpha Course - for you or a friend
Saturday Prayer Gathering
Mental Wellbeing group starting in Feb
Dear Friends,
Here we are, almost a fortnight into life in Godalming Minster. This Sunday is a special one as we all come together for the official launch of Godalming Minster, 10.30am at Godalming Minster St Peter & St Paul’s Church Street. There you will be joined by bishops, MPs, mayors, councillors, representatives from local schools and town services, all taking part in a very historic event for the Godalming area. The service will feature elements representing all corners of the Minster, and finish with a celebration at the end.
Please arrive in plenty of time. If you are arriving by car, we suggest parking in the Crown Court car park (free on Sundays), exit river side and then look out for a Welcomer in a high-viz jacket to direct you. Tea, coffee and squash will be available from 9.50-10.20am in the Lady Chapel area, to the far right of the main door. Choral and contemporary music will be sung and played by the choir and band from approx 9.50am.
The Clergy team and community leaders will be making an informal procession from the Pepperpot to Godalming Minster Church Street just after 10am.
During the service, children of any age will be invited to nip out for a while to take part in fun activities in the Octagon. If that’s not enough, there will be limited edition Godalming Minster cookies to go with the prosecco (or non-alcoholic alternative) after the service!
This will be the only service taking place in Godalming Minster this Sunday. Everyone has a part to play, and we give thanks for everyone involved in the planning of this Sunday.
More notices for January 2024
This is the first issue of the weekly notices for Godalming Minster, sent to subscribers from all Godalming Minster congregations. Please send submissions to vic.hicks@godalmingminster.org by 9am Wednesday for inclusion. We have united 4 busy churches and will aim to balance minster-wide items with the news and events from all congregations and activities, while trying to avoid an overwhelming amount of content. The plan is also to publish a monthly printed news sheet for different locations, which will include more local items and events calendars.
You may have noticed that Clergy and staff emails have now been changed to firstname.lastname@godalmingminster.org. This includes email addresses for John Harkin, Sarah Bryans, Karen Milton and Sheila Samuels. Please update your email address books! Messages sent to the old bhcgodalming.org addresses will be forwarded for the time being.
Social Media - On Instagram, the BHCGodalming acount has changed to @godalmingminster, and the existing followers have been transferred with it. The name change has been requested on Facebook, so that could happen anytime too.
The URL (domain name) for ChurchSuite and YouTube will be updated to Godalming Minster next week. The fully united web site will take a bit longer, but the bhcgodalming.org site will be incorporating content from Godalming Parish in the meantime.
Stay Curious Try Alpha
It’s not too late to join Godalming Minster’s Alpha course, 7.30pm on Thursdays at Godalming Minster St Mark’s Franklyn Road. You can a) sign up yourself, b) invite a friend or family member, c) offer to cook or help with hospitality for one of the sessions or d) all of the above. Keith Harper will be delighted to hear from you whichever option you choose!
YOur NEw PCC
Thanks to all those who attended the Special Parochial Church Meeting (SPCM) last Sunday 7 Jan at Godalming Minster Busbridge Church Brighton Road. For an official, legal meeting of its kind, there was an amazing atmosphere, and we give thanks for the service of those who stood down from the former 3 PCCs, and those who were elected to the new Godalming Minster PCC:
Adrian Sadler
Andrew Dunn
Andy Spencer
David Chadwick
David Jenkins
David Wilkin - Church Warden
Dudley Hilton
Gavin Harper
Graham Sopp
Hilary Reeve - Electoral Roll Officer
Ian Tomes
James Wilson
Janice Arnold
Jill Mace
John Harkin
Karen Hart
Leo Miles
Malcolm Smith
margot spencer
Martin Lambert - Treasurer
Mike Hawkey
Patrick Elshen
Patrick Samuels
Sarah Black
Seb Cheek
Sheila Samuels
Simon Taylor
Simon Willetts
Steve Kinder
Will Bryans - Church Warden
As we transition to Godalming Minster, Sundays in January are a little unusual. There’s a full list on page 4 of the New Year, New Minster pdf above.
Saturday Morning Prayer Gathering - 13 Jan 8-9am at Godalming Minster Busbridge Church Brighton Road. All invited to attend, or request prayer. If you are aware of anything we need to pray for please let Michael Stubbs know e: michaeleashing@aol.com. We pray for our Minster leaders and events, and any prayer requests received. Saturday morning prayer takes place on 2nd Saturdays of the month.
Hambledon Coffee Morning & Hearing Aid Clinic - all are invited to meet or catch up at Hambledon Church at 10.30am next Wednesday, and every 3rd Sunday of the month. Penny Naylor will also be there to service NHS hearing aids.
SUPPORT FOR MENTAL HEALTH & WELLBEING - Kintsugi Hope Group- starting in February
Godalming Minster Pastoral Support Team will be running a 12-week Kintsugi Hope Group, starting on Wednesday evenings from 21st February 2024.
The aim of this group is to provide a safe and supportive environment where participants can explore topics related to mental health and wellbeing in a facilitated peer mentoring type setting. The content is designed to help people know ‘it’s OK not to be OK all the time’, more deeply understand the reality of God’s love for them, experience an increase in self-worth, confidence, and wellbeing and grow towards a more resilient and hopeful future. Numbers will be limited. If this is a group which you may be interested in, please sign up here, or contact Sandra Wilkin at pastoral@godalmingminster.org
The Hub at St Mark’s Franklyn Road welcomes guests on Tuesdays from 12.30-2.30pm, and serves a free lunch in a warm and friendly atmosphere, followed by time to socialise. All welcome, including those who would like to help cook or provide a cake. Contact sheila.samuels@godalmingminster.org.
Next Saturday - Movie Matinee, 2.30pm at Godalming Minster Busbridge Church Brighton Road. Come along and enjoy a free cinema experience, complete with popcorn and refreshments. In this month’s film released in 1995, cartographers Reginald (Hugh Grant) and George (Ian McNeice) visit a Welsh village in order to measure the height of a local peak. But when the villagers discover their prized mountain could be categorized as a hill if it doesn't reach 1,000 feet; the offended community come together to protect the source of their local pride. Movie Matinee’s are hosted by Prime Time.
Coming Up / plan ahead
See the events coming up next and look up dates further ahead in the full calendar.
Can we pray for you?
***Please send prayer requests to prayer@godalmingminster.org***
Mid-week Prayer Gatherings
Monday Morning Reflections on Zoom
If you would like to start your week in quiet reflection over a passage of scripture do join us at 8.45am on Mondays using the link above - you will be very welcome. For any further information please contact: Gertrud Sollars or Shan Hallam.
Wednesdays at 9AM:
Morning Prayer at Hambledon Church
Morning Prayer on Zoom via link above.
Groups & Activities
Nexus meets on the 1st Thursday of the month, with talks and activities for church members and the community. See the 2024 Nexus programme, and updates on Nexus.
Ladies’ Drinks takes place every 1st Friday of the month, 7.30PM at the The Pavilion by Howling Owl.
The Men’s Group meets for breakfast at 8.15am on the first Saturdays of the month. See the calendar event for details.
Hambledon Coffee Morning and Hearing Aid Clinic takes place 3rd Wednesdays of the month at 10.30am.
The 2024 Prime Time programme is now available. For all events and details, see Prime Time.
Bereavement Café - The Bereavement Café is for anyone who has been bereaved recently or some time ago and provides a safe and supportive space to come and chat with members of the pastoral care team, and others who have experienced loss. Every last Tuesday of the month in the Old Rectory. More details >>>
get involved / serving
We're passionate about people feeling like they're a part of our church family and one of the best places to do that is as part of a team.
No matter your age or experience, there's a team that you can join, serving alongside others and getting to know people better in the church. You can find out about all our opportunities to serve and offer your time and talents on the Join a Team page.
Don’t forget about…
The MyChurchSuite app. It’s the easiest way to check dates, rotas, church emails, look up church members and sign up to events (without having to enter your details again and again!). Contact the Minster Office if you’ve lost your login details or would like to request an account. The instructions which are now on the web site HERE.
Yew Tree Café
at Godalming Minster Brighton Road
The Yew Tree Café at Godalming Minster Brighton Road is open 8.30am-4pm weekdays in term time, and 10am-2pm on Saturdays, and 10am-4pm during school holidays.
Pastoral Care
PASTORAL CARE & PRAYER MINISTRY TEAM AVAILABLE
If you, or someone you know at church, are in need of support and care, please contact Sandra Wilkin via the Minster office, or e: pastoral@godalmingminster.org.
To contact the EMERGENCY prayer chain, email prayer@godalmingminster.org or call 01483 421267.
