Dear Friends

Jesus Comes as King!

We are looking forward to see everyone in one place at 10am this Palm Sunday (13 April) when we’ll all come together for a procession and service at Church Street. The service will carry on into a bring and share brunch-lunch in the Octagon. There are no other services across the Minster so please do come and enjoy this special occasion at the start of Holy Week together.

Here’s the plan:

9.30-9.50am Drop your contribution for the bring and share brunch-lunch (savoury or sweet) in The Octagon, then head up to the Pepperpot and collect a Palm Cross and and song sheet from a welcomer.

10am Join the procession from the Pepperpot down Church Street to the Minster.

After the service: coffee will be available at the back of church after the service, before we head into the Octagon for the food.

If anyone would like to help clear up, please do offer as things start wrapping up.

Easter

Look up Easter events and services here, and pick up a printed programme at church this Sunday. You’ll have the chance to visit all parts of the Minster over the the Easter period, and we’re grateful to everyone who has already put their hand up to serve at one service or event, or other. Offers are still welcome – please get in touch with the office.

Events & Services

PALM SUNDAY 13 April

10am All in One [all age] Service
Starting with a procession from the Pepperpot, and followed by a bring and share lunch.

HOLY WEEK

Mon-Wed 8PM Reflections at Brighton Road
from John’s gospel.

8PM Maundy Thursday Service & Passover Meal at Franklyn Road
Share, Watch and Pray
We remember The Last Supper, sharing a simple meal of soup, bread and cheese,
which flows into communion at our tables.
Please sign up so that we know numbers and dietary requirements for catering purposes.

Sign Up for Maundy Thursday

GOOD FRIDAY 18 April

10AM Good Friday Service [all age] – Church Street

11.30AM Godalming Act of Witness
On Godalming High Street outside Wetherspoons
A short service including a drama by the Trinity Trust Team
and refreshments at Godalming Baptist Church at 12noon. More details below.

12 NOON An Hour at the Cross – Hambledon

2PM The Good Friday Hot Cross Bun Adventure! [all age]
A walk from Godalming Minster Hambledon to Godalming Minster Brighton Road, Busbridge to on footpaths and bridleways via Hydon’s Ball. The full walk is about 5km.

If you would prefer a shorter version, please join the adventure at Hydon’s Ball car park at 3.15pm.

Tea and hot cross buns will await you in the Busbridge Old Rectory Garden at the finish!

Please sign up for the Hot cross bun adventure

Saturday 19 April

3PM Easter Garden Service & Egg Hunt—Old Rectory Garden
This wonderful outreach service is now full, but we’d love more donations of cakes for the tea. Please contact ben.barnes@godalmingminster.org and drop your contribution to the Old Rectory anytime next week in office opening hours 9-4pm, or from 2-4.30pm on Good Friday.

8.30PM Service of Fire & Light – Godalming Minster Church Street
Join the Minster choir at this service.

EASTER DAY 20 April

Celebrate the Resurrection with us on Easter Day, with services for all the family.

6.45AM Sunrise Service at Minster Field

9AM Choral Eucharist for Easter – Church Street

10AM Easter Day Celebration – Brighton Road

10AM Easter Day Celebration [communion] – Hambledon

10AM Easter Day Celebration [communion] – Franklyn Road

11am Contemporary Easter Celebration [communion] – Church Street

6pm Easter Praise – Brighton Road

If anyone can help stewarding on the high street and handing out service orders, please contact Michael Stubbs e: volunteer@godalmingminster.org.

Coming Up

Come to St Mark’s Community Centre “Annual General Meeting” AND QUIZ NIGHT

At St. Mark’s Community Centre, Franklyn Road, GU7 2LD

ON FRIDAY 11th APRIL at 6.30pm for 7pm START

£10 per person, includes ENTRY – HOT SUPPER – DESSERT- and HOT DRINK

Bring your own bottle and glass. Raffle £1 for 5 tickets

Download APPLICATION FORMS or AVAILABLE IN THE COMMUNITY CENTRE. PLEASE SUBMIT BY MONDAY 7th APRIL (for catering purposes) MORE INFORMATION PLEASE RING KAREN on 01483 418741 or email karen.milton@godalmingminster.org

Big Spring Clean at Brighton Road Sat 10 May

Sign up

Please join us at Brighton Road from 10-2am for an intensive but joyous time of cleaning, sorting, gardening and light DIY. There’s tasks for all ages, so the whole family can come along. Satisfaction guaranteed: It’s more fun that it sounds, and doing chores together builds us as a family. Liz our facilities manager will be organising the teams and task lists, providing tools and equipment, and lunch will be provided in the Old Rectory garden once we’ve all downed tools.

Annual Parochial Church Meeting 8pm Wed 14 May

Please save the date:  As mentioned above, the PCC have confirmed the date for the first Godalming Minster APCM for 8pm on 14 May at Godalming Minster Church Street.  Everyone is encouraged to attend as we look back over the first year, elect new members to the PCC, and other church officers.  It is also an opportunity to come together and thank and encourage the PCC and those in leadership roles in the parish, and consider what God has in store for the next season.  As we are in vacancy, Chris Bessant Area Dean will be chairing the meeting.  There’ll be refreshments to start.  The Annual Report and Accounts for 2024 will be published in advance. 

Nexus in May: Arthouse Unlimited with Colin Stokes

Thursday 1st May at 8.00pm in the Busbridge Old Rectory, GU7 1XB

ARTHOUSE Unlimited is a charity that showcases the artistic talents and skills of adults who live with diverse learning and physical disabilities. Colin will tell how their inclusive art sessions provide a safe and collaborative space for artists to express themselves freely, fostering positive emotional health and overall well-being. He’ll bring along some products for us to see and will talk about future plans for the charity.

Join us at 8.00pm in the Busbridge Old Rectory for drinks and nibbles and a chance to chat to others before Colin starts his presentation. All are welcome, including men! £20 Annual Subscription or £5 for visitors. 

Notices

Yew Tree Café seeks new manager

We are sad to let you know that our wonderful café manager, Chantal, is to move back to South Africa at Easter. This was unexpected for her as well as the café, and we are praying for a smooth relocation, and for Chantal and her husband’s next season in Cape Town.

The ad for a new manager is now live here, so please do share it and pray for a swift appointment. If you think you have some time or a skill that could be useful to help the café in the interim (back office or front of house) please let us know. e: yewtreecafe@godalmingminster.org.

NEW Parish Electoral Roll 2025 – Apply before 20 April!

New for 2025:  Complete your application online

Every six years we start a new Parish Electoral Roll from scratch. The Parish Electoral Roll is the register of its voting members and allows you to play a full part in the life of the parish.  As a member, you can attend and vote at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting – this year on Wed 14 May, 8pm at Church Street.

Whether or not you have been on the Roll in the past, if you want to be on the new Church Electoral Roll, you must complete a new application form.   

A link to the online form was emailed to those on the existing Electoral Roll, by Hilary Reeve on 12 March.  If this is you, your invitation is prepopulated with the details we have for you.  (This saves filling in your name and address.) If you haven’t received an email from Hilary, you can use the link above.

TAKE CARE to sign the form digitally using your mouse on a PC or laptop, or your finger on a phone, tablet or laptop touchpad.

PROBLEMS?
Don’t worry, if the online form doesn’t work or you prefer paper, application forms are available at all church services or you can download here.

All completed forms must be returned by Sunday 20 April either:

· by placing a paper form in the red box to be found at the back of each church; or

· by emailing a scanned form to the Electoral Roll Officer electoralroll@godalmingminster.org

Hilary Reeve
Electoral Roll Officer e: electoralroll@godalmingminster.org

What’s on Where

There’s lots going on around Godalming Minster every week, for all ages and stages – always too much to list in the notices!

Elsewhere

Next Life Issues at Godalming Baptist Church:
The Challenge of Aging – The Saga Years on Sat 26 April 10-12.30pm

led by Revd Peter Jackson. Peter leads with great compassion, empathy and humour and this promises to be such a worthwhile morning.

Peter will address such questions as: How can we live well as we live longer? Is there a difference between ageing and maturity? Is ageism a factor in our society? 

There is no charge for the morning but donations would be very much appreciated towards the work of Age UK Charity. To book a place please contact Sally Pollard-01483-428646 or e-mail pollard3@hotmail.co.uk.

Find out about
Easter Holiday Club for YR-6 at Milford Baptist Church – Deep Sea Divers

Job Opportunity

Falcon Development Officer. This role is now on the CPAS website. Seeking someone who is passionate about children living in tough circumstances having the opportunity to experience Christian hospitality, generosity and kindness, whilst exploring life with Jesus. They will be strategic and drive the first phase of a Falcon strategic review, as CPAS explores the best way to grow this ministry. The role is three days a week, home based, with a monthly meeting at the office in Coventry.

Regular activities which support our vision of Following Jesus, Loving People and Renewing Faith:

Following Jesus

Mid-week prayer gatherings take place in the Zoom Online Prayer Room (8.45am Mon / 9am Wed), and at Godalming Minster Hambledon (9am Wed) and Franklyn Road (9am Mon and Tue). Vacancy Prayers are 1st Weds of the month around the Minster. Please check the calendar.

If you would like to join a prayer gathering online, please use the link to the online prayer room on Zoom with passcode: 2025.

Small groups meet in homes to study the bible, pray and journey together.
New members are invited to join an existing group, or form their own group.
To find out more and connect with the right one for you, contact Rev Hilary Pettman. e: hilary.pettman@godalmingminster.org.

Loving People

The Hub at Franklyn Road provides a free lunch and time to socialise every Tuesday from 12-2.30pm. Open to all in the area, and across the Minster. (Donations of homemade cakes are always welcome.)

Prime Time for older people meets every Monday at 10.30am in the Yew Tree Café for a coffee drop in. For all events and details, see Prime Time.

Nexus meets on the 1st Thursday of the month, with talks and activities for church members and the community. More about Nexus.

The Men’s Group meets for breakfast at 8.15am on the 1st Saturdays of the month. See the calendar for details.

Busbridge Coffee Morning takes place on 1st Wednesdays of the month at 10.30am in the Yew Tree Café.

Hambledon Coffee Morning and Hearing Aid Clinic takes place 3rd Wednesdays of the month at 10.30am.

The Bereavement Café takes place on the last Tuesday of the month, 2.30-4pm in the Busbridge Old Rectory.

Hearing Aid Clinics run at the Busbridge Old Rectory on 2nd Fridays of the month from 2.30-4pm, and at Godalming Library on 3rd Mondays of the month from 10.30am-12pm.

The Yew Tree Café at Godalming Minster Brighton Road is open 8.30am-4pm weekdays in term time, and 10am-2pm on Saturdays, and 9.30am-4pm during school holidays. There’s wi-fi and power for those that want to work, and Prime Time hosts a drop in session for anyone who’d like a coffee and a chat every Monday from 10.30-11.30am.

CYF activities for 0-18s include term-time Toddler Groups, The Youth Café and Friday Night Social, as well as Sunday groups and seasonal events.

Get Involved / Join a team

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…

MyChurchSuite is an app for members of Godalming Minster 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. See more instructions.

PASTORAL CARE & PRAYER MINISTRY

Can we pray for you?

***Please send prayer requests to prayer@godalmingminster.org***

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.

Dear Friends

The Alpha course concluded this week with some really positive reviews. This term’s group had very little Christian background and all have found Alpha impactful and taken significant steps forward. We’re now preparing for at least 2 baptisms shortly!

All the guests agreed that sharing a meal at the start of each session is hugely valuable in building a sense of community.  Here are some of the feedback comments from participants: “What lovely people looking after us every week”, “simply delicious meal again tonight”, “please pass on my thanks for all the wonderful suppers”, and from one of the table hosts; “I hadn’t realised how vital it was that each session started with a hot meal, but it enabled the group to get to know each other in a relaxed way. So many folk were involved and I’m not going to attempt to list them, but please assure them that it was such a witness to the attendees. Heartfelt thanks to them all!” 

Finally a huge ‘thank you and well done’ to Lesley Mason for organising and running the course. It’s been an enormous undertaking and very well received.

You can register your interest for the next course at anytime, and we’ll be in touch when the next series of sessions is in the diary. See godalmingminster.org/explore/growing-faith/Alpha.

The other great news this week is the new Godalming Minster web site. Take a look at godalmingminster.org and you can quickly get a sense of what a wonderful lot of work to build God’s Kingdom everyone is up to. The mobile phone version of the web site is still being finessed and there is doubtless some dud links and QR codes in the digital ether, but we hope you agree it shows a degree of the progress we have made as Godalming Minster. Do get in touch if you can’t find what you are looking for.

Now back to the final weeks of Lent before Easter. Don’t miss a Sunday! This week we are thinking about what it takes to grow more as a thriving Christian community, and how we’re going to do it. Then comes Palm Sunday (13 April) when we’ll all come together for a procession and service at Church Street followed by lunch, before Holy Week, Good Friday and Easter Day. We look forward to seeing you!

This Sunday

Passion Sunday
Passion Sunday marks the start of Passiontide, the last two weeks in Lent which commemorate the final acts and suffering of Jesus before his death and resurrection. We will also be using the name ‘Passion’ to think about our response to Him through our service and giving to Godalming Minster. We’ll be looking at the things that help us lead a full and fruitful life in Christ, and what we can achieve together with the right resources.

Readings:
Malachi 3:6-12 and 2 Corinthians 9:6-7

9am Choral Eucharist
Church Street
Find the music list for April here

10am Morning Worship
Franklyn Road

10am Classic Service [HC]
Brighton Road

10am Morning Worship
Hambledon

10.30am Contemporary
Church Street
Coffee from 10.15am and children’s groups in the Octagon.

6pm Evening Worship
Brighton Road

Coming Up

Mothers’ Union
The next meeting of the Mothers’s Union is at 2pm on Wednesday 9th April at St John’s, Farncombe when the Rev James Rattue will be speaking about Gardens Designed to Scare. All are welcome. 

Easter

Look up Easter events and services here, and pick up a printed programme at church this Sunday. You’ll have the chance to visit all parts of the Minster over the the Easter period, and we’re grateful to everyone who has already put their hand up to serve at one service or event, or other. Offers are still welcome – please get in touch with the office.

NEW: Palm Sunday All in One followed by a bring and share lunch at Church Street
Palm Sunday falls on the middle weekend of the Easter holidays this year, and is a nice time to all get together. We’ll start with a procession from the Pepperpot down Church Street to the church. Meet at 9.50am. It will be an all age service, followed by lunch in the Octagon. Please drop you food (savoury or sweet) in the Octagon from 9.30am. Coffee will be available after the service.

Easter Events to sign up for

Everyone is welcome, but there are a few events which we ask for sign ups to help with catering:

Maundy Thursday supper and communion
We remember the last supper at Franklyn Road. There will a light supper of soup, bread and cheese at 7pm. Sign up.

Good Friday Hot Cross Bun Hambledon-2-Busbridge cross country adventure
Approx 5 km walk finishing at the Old Rectory for tea and hot cross buns. How many hot cross buns do we need? Sign up

Easter Garden Service and Egg Hunt
This service is already half full. Sign up.

Come to St Mark’s Community Centre “Annual General Meeting” AND QUIZ NIGHT

At St. Mark’s Community Centre, Franklyn Road, GU7 2LD

ON FRIDAY 11th APRIL at 6.30pm for 7pm START

£10 per person, includes ENTRY – HOT SUPPER – DESSERT- and HOT DRINK

Bring your own bottle and glass. Raffle £1 for 5 tickets

Download APPLICATION FORMS or AVAILABLE IN THE COMMUNITY CENTRE. PLEASE SUBMIT BY MONDAY 7th APRIL (for catering purposes) MORE INFORMATION PLEASE RING KAREN on 01483 418741 or email karen.milton@godalmingminster.org

Big Spring Clean at Brighton Road Sat 10 May

Sign up

Please join us at Brighton Road from 10-2am for an intensive but joyous time of cleaning, sorting, gardening and light DIY. There’s tasks for all ages, so the whole family can come along. Satisfaction guaranteed: It’s more fun that it sounds, and doing chores together builds us as a family. Liz our facilities manager will be organising the teams and task lists, providing tools and equipment, and lunch will be provided in the Old Rectory garden once we’ve all downed tools.

Annual Parochial Church Meeting 8pm Wed 14 May

Please save the date:  As mentioned above, the PCC have confirmed the date for the first Godalming Minster APCM for 8pm on 14 May at Godalming Minster Church Street.  Everyone is encouraged to attend as we look back over the first year, elect new members to the PCC, and other church officers.  It is also an opportunity to come together and thank and encourage the PCC and those in leadership roles in the parish, and consider what God has in store for the next season.  As we are in vacancy, Chris Bessant Area Dean will be chairing the meeting.  There’ll be refreshments to start.  The Annual Report and Accounts for 2024 will be published in advance.  

Notices

Yew Tree Café seeks new manager

We are sad to let you know that our wonderful café manager, Chantal, is to move back to South Africa at Easter. This was unexpected for her as well as the café, and we are praying for a smooth relocation, and for Chantal and her husband’s next season in Cape Town.

The ad for a new manager is now live here, so please do share it and pray for a swift appointment. If you think you have some time or a skill that could be useful to help the café in the interim (back office or front of house) please let us know. e: yewtreecafe@godalmingminster.org.

NEW Parish Electoral Roll 2025 – Apply before 20 April!

New for 2025:  Complete your application online

Every six years we start a new Parish Electoral Roll from scratch. The Parish Electoral Roll is the register of its voting members and allows you to play a full part in the life of the parish.  As a member, you can attend and vote at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting – this year on Wed 14 May, 8pm at Church Street.

Whether or not you have been on the Roll in the past, if you want to be on the new Church Electoral Roll, you must complete a new application form.   

A link to the online form was emailed to those on the existing Electoral Roll, by Hilary Reeve on 12 March.  If this is you, your invitation is prepopulated with the details we have for you.  (This saves filling in your name and address.) If you haven’t received an email from Hilary, you can use the link above.

TAKE CARE to sign the form digitally using your mouse on a PC or laptop, or your finger on a phone, tablet or laptop touchpad.

PROBLEMS?
Don’t worry, if the online form doesn’t work or you prefer paper, application forms are available at all church services or you can download here.

All completed forms must be returned by Sunday 20 April either:

· by placing a paper form in the red box to be found at the back of each church; or

· by emailing a scanned form to the Electoral Roll Officer electoralroll@godalmingminster.org

Hilary Reeve
Electoral Roll Officer e: electoralroll@godalmingminster.org

What’s on Where

There’s lots going on around Godalming Minster every week, for all ages and stages – always too much to list in the notices!

Elsewhere

Next Life Issues at Godalming Baptist Church:
The Challenge of Aging – The Saga Years on Sat 26 April 10-12.30pm

led by Revd Peter Jackson. Peter leads with great compassion, empathy and humour and this promises to be such a worthwhile morning.

Peter will address such questions as: How can we live well as we live longer? Is there a difference between ageing and maturity? Is ageism a factor in our society? 

There is no charge for the morning but donations would be very much appreciated towards the work of Age UK Charity. To book a place please contact Sally Pollard-01483-428646 or e-mail pollard3@hotmail.co.uk.

Find out about
Easter Holiday Club for YR-6 at Milford Baptist Church – Deep Sea Divers

Regular activities which support our vision of Following Jesus, Loving People and Renewing Faith:

Following Jesus

Mid-week prayer gatherings take place in the Zoom Online Prayer Room (8.45am Mon / 9am Wed), and at Godalming Minster Hambledon (9am Wed) and Franklyn Road (9am Mon and Tue). Vacancy Prayers are 1st Weds of the month around the Minster. Please check the calendar.

If you would like to join a prayer gathering online, please use the link to the online prayer room on Zoom with passcode: 2025.

Small groups meet in homes to study the bible, pray and journey together.
New members are invited to join an existing group, or form their own group.
To find out more and connect with the right one for you, contact Rev Hilary Pettman. e: hilary.pettman@godalmingminster.org.

Loving People

The Hub at Franklyn Road provides a free lunch and time to socialise every Tuesday from 12-2.30pm. Open to all in the area, and across the Minster. (Donations of homemade cakes are always welcome.)

Prime Time for older people meets every Monday at 10.30am in the Yew Tree Café for a coffee drop in. For all events and details, see Prime Time.

Nexus meets on the 1st Thursday of the month, with talks and activities for church members and the community. More about Nexus.

The Men’s Group meets for breakfast at 8.15am on the 1st Saturdays of the month. See the calendar for details.

Busbridge Coffee Morning takes place on 1st Wednesdays of the month at 10.30am in the Yew Tree Café.

Hambledon Coffee Morning and Hearing Aid Clinic takes place 3rd Wednesdays of the month at 10.30am.

The Bereavement Café takes place on the last Tuesday of the month, 2.30-4pm in the Busbridge Old Rectory.

Hearing Aid Clinics run at the Busbridge Old Rectory on 2nd Fridays of the month from 2.30-4pm, and at Godalming Library on 3rd Mondays of the month from 10.30am-12pm.

The Yew Tree Café at Godalming Minster Brighton Road is open 8.30am-4pm weekdays in term time, and 10am-2pm on Saturdays, and 9.30am-4pm during school holidays. There’s wi-fi and power for those that want to work, and Prime Time hosts a drop in session for anyone who’d like a coffee and a chat every Monday from 10.30-11.30am.

CYF activities for 0-18s include term-time Toddler Groups, The Youth Café and Friday Night Social, as well as Sunday groups and seasonal events.

Get Involved / Join a team

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…

MyChurchSuite is an app for members of Godalming Minster 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. See more instructions.

PASTORAL CARE & PRAYER MINISTRY

Can we pray for you?

***Please send prayer requests to prayer@godalmingminster.org***

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.

This Sunday

The clocks spring forward for British summer time at 00:00!

Reading: Colossians 3 12-17

9am Choral Eucharist
Church Street

9.30am Café Church
Franklyn Road
Every 5th Sunday of the month. Come at the earlier time for breakfast which rolls into an informal service seated café style in the hall. All welcome at 9.30am (or for the start of worship at 10am).

10am Classic Service
Brighton Road

10am Morning Worship [HC]
Hambledon

10.30am Contemporary
Church Street
Coffee from 10.15am and children’s groups in the Octagon.

6pm Praise Night
Brighton Road
The 6pm congregation gather for an extended time of worship on 5th Sundays. Roots Youth (11-18s) meets in church before leaving for their time together in The Hut.

Next week 6 Apr is Passion Sunday

Passion Sunday marks the start of Passiontide, the last two weeks in Lent which commemorate the final acts and suffering of Jesus before his death and resurrection. We will also be using the name ‘Passion’ to think about our response to Him through our service and giving to Godalming Minster. We’ll be looking at the things that help us lead a full and fruitful life in Christ, and what we can achieve together with the right resources.

Coming Up

Prayer Gathering for the Minster and Vacancy

Wed 2 Apr 8pm Franklyn Road GU7 2LD

This month’s prayer gathering follows the shortlisting of applications for the Rector position (interviews will take place on 7-8 May), and an interview for a new Associate Minister for Mission and Evangelism and Franklyn Road. We will come together to pray at this critical time and share a short time of worship and reflection together. Please join us.

Nexus

Thu 3rd April 8pm Busbridge Old Rectory GU7 1XB

This month’s talk is on Godalming Youth Service – Empowering our young people to thrive and will be given by Tom Manning, Youth Officer Godalming Town Council

Tom will share with us initiatives by Godalming Youth Service, to empower local young people to achieve their potential through diverse and fun programmes. These are available free of charge to all of secondary school age in Godalming and villages who would like to participate. Come along and find out what our local Town Council is doing for our youth! Join us at 8.00pm in the Busbridge Old Rectory for drinks and nibbles and a chance to chat to friends before Tom starts his presentation. All are welcome, including men!

Easter

Look up Easter events and services here, and pick up a printed programme at church this Sunday. You’ll have the chance to visit all parts of the Minster over the the Easter period, and we’re grateful to everyone who has already put their hand up to serve at one service or event, or other. Offers are still welcome – please get in touch with the office.

NEW: Palm Sunday All in One followed by a bring and share lunch at Church Street
Palm Sunday falls on the middle weekend of the Easter holidays this year, and is a nice time to all get together. We’ll start with a procession from the Pepperpot down Church Street to the church. Meet at 9.50am. It will be an all age service, followed by lunch in the Octagon. Please drop you food (savoury or sweet) in the Octagon from 9.30am. Coffee will be available after the service.

Easter Events to sign up for

Everyone is welcome, but there are a few events which we ask for sign ups to help with catering:

Maundy Thursday supper and communion
We remember the last supper at Franklyn Road. There will a light supper of soup, bread and cheese at 7pm. Sign up.

Good Friday Hot Cross Bun Hambledon-2-Busbridge cross country adventure
Approx 5 km walk finishing at the Old Rectory for tea and hot cross buns. How many hot cross buns do we need? Sign up

Easter Garden Service and Egg Hunt
This service is already half full. Sign up.

Come to St Mark’s Community Centre “Annual General Meeting” AND QUIZ NIGHT

At St. Mark’s Community Centre, Franklyn Road, GU7 2LD

ON FRIDAY 11th APRIL at 6.30pm for 7pm START

£10 per person, includes ENTRY – HOT SUPPER – DESSERT- and HOT DRINK

Bring your own bottle and glass. Raffle £1 for 5 tickets

Download APPLICATION FORMS or AVAILABLE IN THE COMMUNITY CENTRE. PLEASE SUBMIT BY MONDAY 7th APRIL (for catering purposes) MORE INFORMATION PLEASE RING KAREN on 01483 418741 or email karen.milton@godalmingminster.org

Homes for Ukraine

We share a request from Diane Alder who has been involved in placing individuals and families from Ukraine. She asks if anyone can provide a home for the sister-in-law of a lady already supported locally: Marina (36) and her daughter, Milana (1.5) are currently living in Kyiv and have recently taken the difficult decision to leave her husband and family in Ukraine for the sake of their daughter. Marina is a manager in an e-commerce company, speaks good English (B2), and has a driving license. Please contact diane.alder@btinternet.com for more details.

Big Spring Clean at Brighton Road Sat 10 May

Sign up

Please join us at Brighton Road from 10-2am for an intensive but joyous time of cleaning, sorting, gardening and light DIY. There’s tasks for all ages, so the whole family can come along. Satisfaction guaranteed: It’s more fun that it sounds, and doing chores together builds us as a family. Liz our facilities manager will be organising the teams and task lists, providing tools and equipment, and lunch will be provided in the Old Rectory garden once we’ve all downed tools.

Annual Parochial Church Meeting 8pm Wed 14 May

Please save the date:  As mentioned above, the PCC have confirmed the date for the first Godalming Minster APCM for 8pm on 14 May at Godalming Minster Church Street.  Everyone is encouraged to attend as we look back over the first year, elect new members to the PCC, and other church officers.  It is also an opportunity to come together and thank and encourage the PCC and those in leadership roles in the parish, and consider what God has in store for the next season.  As we are in vacancy, Chris Bessant Area Dean will be chairing the meeting.  There’ll be refreshments to start.  The Annual Report and Accounts for 2024 will be published in advance.  

Notices

Yew Tree Café seeks new manager

We are sad to let you know that our wonderful café manager, Chantal, is to move back to South Africa at Easter. This was unexpected for her as well as the café, and we are praying for a smooth relocation, and for Chantal and her husband’s next season in Cape Town.

The ad for a new manager is now live here, so please do share it and pray for a swift appointment. If you think you have some time or a skill that could be useful to help the café in the interim (back office or front of house) please let us know. e:yewtreecafe@godalmingminster.org.

NEW Parish Electoral Roll 2025 – Apply before 20 April!

New for 2025:  Complete your application online

Every six years we start a new Parish Electoral Roll from scratch. The Parish Electoral Roll is the register of its voting members and allows you to play a full part in the life of the parish.  As a member, you can attend and vote at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting – this year on Wed 14 May, 8pm at Church Street.

Whether or not you have been on the Roll in the past, if you want to be on the new Church Electoral Roll, you must complete a new application form.   

A link to the online form was emailed to those on the existing Electoral Roll, by Hilary Reeve on 12 March.  If this is you, your invitation is prepopulated with the details we have for you.  (This saves filling in your name and address.) If you haven’t received an email from Hilary, you can use the link above.

TAKE CARE to sign the form digitally using your mouse on a PC or laptop, or your finger on a phone, tablet or laptop touchpad.

PROBLEMS?
Don’t worry, if the online form doesn’t work or you prefer paper, application forms are available at all church services or you can download here.

All completed forms must be returned by Sunday 20 April either:

· by placing a paper form in the red box to be found at the back of each church; or

· by emailing a scanned form to the Electoral Roll Officer electoralroll@godalmingminster.org

Hilary Reeve
Electoral Roll Officer e: electoralroll@godalmingminster.org

Alpha

Find out more >

Please sign up or register your interest at any time and we’ll be in touch when the next dates are announced.

The Bereavement Journey

Please register your interest at anytime for the next series of sessions for anyone who has been bereaved recently or some time ago. The pastoral care team would be happy to speak to anyone who wants to find out a bit more, so please do get in touch now. More details.

Church Family News

We have been saddened to hear of the death of Raymond Brown on 13 March.  For many years Ray was a faithful member of the 8 o’clock service in Busbridge, and served as Treasurer for the Warehouse Christian Trust (The Cellar Camino Café and Skillway).  His funeral will be on Wednesday 16 April at 2.15pm at Guildford Crematorium.  Please hold Lesley, Neil and Tracy in your prayers, and ask for God’s comfort to surround them all.

What’s on Where

There’s lots going on around Godalming Minster every week, for all ages and stages – always too much to list in the notices!

Elsewhere

Next Life Issues at Godalming Baptist Church:
The Challenge of Aging – The Saga Years on Sat 26 April 10-12.30pm

led by Revd Peter Jackson. Peter leads with great compassion, empathy and humour and this promises to be such a worthwhile morning.

Peter will address such questions as: How can we live well as we live longer? Is there a difference between ageing and maturity? Is ageism a factor in our society? 

There is no charge for the morning but donations would be very much appreciated towards the work of Age UK Charity. To book a place please contact Sally Pollard-01483-428646 or e-mail pollard3@hotmail.co.uk.

Find out about
Easter Holiday Club for YR-6 at Milford Baptist Church – Deep Sea Divers

Regular activities which support our vision of Following Jesus, Loving People and Renewing Faith:

Following Jesus

Mid-week prayer gatherings take place in the Zoom Online Prayer Room (8.45am Mon / 9am Wed), and at Godalming Minster Hambledon (9am Wed) and Franklyn Road (9am Mon and Tue). Vacancy Prayers are 1st Weds of the month around the Minster. Please check the calendar.

If you would like to join a prayer gathering online, please use the link to the online prayer room on Zoom with passcode: 2025.

Small groups meet in homes to study the bible, pray and journey together.
New members are invited to join an existing group, or form their own group.
To find out more and connect with the right one for you, contact Rev Hilary Pettman. e: hilary.pettman@godalmingminster.org.

Loving People

The Hub at Franklyn Road provides a free lunch and time to socialise every Tuesday from 12-2.30pm. Open to all in the area, and across the Minster. (Donations of homemade cakes are always welcome.)

Prime Time for older people meets every Monday at 10.30am in the Yew Tree Café for a coffee drop in. For all events and details, see Prime Time.

Nexus meets on the 1st Thursday of the month, with talks and activities for church members and the community. More about Nexus.

The Men’s Group meets for breakfast at 8.15am on the 1st Saturdays of the month. See the calendar for details.

Busbridge Coffee Morning takes place on 1st Wednesdays of the month at 10.30am in the Yew Tree Café.

Hambledon Coffee Morning and Hearing Aid Clinic takes place 3rd Wednesdays of the month at 10.30am.

The Bereavement Café takes place on the last Tuesday of the month, 2.30-4pm in the Busbridge Old Rectory.

Hearing Aid Clinics run at the Busbridge Old Rectory on 2nd Fridays of the month from 2.30-4pm, and at Godalming Library on 3rd Mondays of the month from 10.30am-12pm.

The Yew Tree Café at Godalming Minster Brighton Road is open 8.30am-4pm weekdays in term time, and 10am-2pm on Saturdays, and 9.30am-4pm during school holidays. There’s wi-fi and power for those that want to work, and Prime Time hosts a drop in session for anyone who’d like a coffee and a chat every Monday from 10.30-11.30am.

CYF activities for 0-18s include term-time Toddler Groups, The Youth Café and Friday Night Social, as well as Sunday groups and seasonal events.

Get Involved / Join a team

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…

MyChurchSuite is an app for members of Godalming Minster 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. See more instructions.

PASTORAL CARE & PRAYER MINISTRY

Can we pray for you?

***Please send prayer requests to prayer@godalmingminster.org***

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.

Dear Friends

It feels like Spring has sprung, for the moment at least, and it was lovely to see so many people milling about outside and in at Brighton Road yesterday. Last Saturday’s movie matinee was really popular and Penny has seen record numbers at the Hearing Aid Clinics at the library and Hambledon in the past week, so hat’s off to Older People’s ministry and every good thing it’s doing for the wider community!

At Franklyn Road the community centre is always busy and the Minster team runs The Hub, the Foodbank and the afterschool Youth Café for St Mark’s and All Saints. Numbers have been steadily growing so let’s give thanks for that. Please also pray for the team and all the 2025 wedding couples taking part in the Marriage Preparation Day on Sat 22 Mar at Brighton Road.

Have we missed something? No doubt! In the office we are working on a new web site, which is now being polished by the web designer. It really shows what an active community we are and how many different people are involved.

To support all this, can we encourage ourselves in prayer? The Minster staff team will be gathering in the church at Brighton Road on Mondays at 9.15am for Morning Prayer. You are invited to join them, or any one of the mid-week prayer sessions around the Minster:

• Mondays 8.45am Reflective Prayer on Zoom & 9.15am at Brighton Road

• Tuesdays 9am at Franklyn Road

• Wednesdays 9am at Hambledon and on Zoom

• 8pm 1st Weds of the month – Prayer Gathering for the life of the Minster – 2nd April at Franklyn Road (we rotate the location).

This Sunday

Topic: Jesus anointed at Bethany
Reading: John 12:1-10

10am Morning Worship
Franklyn Road

10am Classic Service
Brighton Road

10am Morning Worship
Hambledon

10.30am Contemporary
Church Street
Coffee from 10.15am and children’s groups in the Octagon.

5pm Choral Evensong
Church Street

6pm Evening Worship
Brighton Road
Roots Youth (11-18s) meets in church before leaving for their time together in The Hut.

Notices

NEW Parish Electoral Roll 2025 – Apply before 20 April!

Every six years we start a new Parish Electoral Roll from scratch. The Parish Electoral Roll is the register of its voting members and allows you to play a full part in the life of the parish.  As a member, you can attend and vote at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting – this year on Wed 14 May, 8pm at Church Street.

2025 is the year we start a new Electoral Roll.  Whether or not you have been on the Roll in the past, if you want to be on the new Church Electoral Roll, you must complete a new application form.   

New for 2025:  Complete your application online

A link to the online form has been emailed to those on the existing Electoral Roll, by Hilary Reeve on 12 March.  If this is you, your invitation is prepopulated with the details we have for you.  (This saves filling in your name and address.) If you haven’t received an email from Hilary, you can use the link above.

TAKE CARE to sign the form digitally using your mouse on a PC or laptop, or your finger on a phone, tablet or laptop touchpad.

PROBLEMS?

The online form seems to be working well for many of you, but we are aware that a few people have had trouble – this maybe to do with the set up of your device or screen. Don’t worry, if the online form doesn’t work or you prefer paper, application forms are available:

·                at all church services

·                from the Electoral Roll Officer (Hilary Reeve)

·                to download here.

All completed forms must be returned by Sunday 20 April either:

· by placing a paper form in the red box to be found at the back of each church; or

· by emailing a scanned form to the Electoral Roll Officer electoralroll@godalmingminster.org; or

· by completing the online application form.

Hilary Reeve
Electoral Roll Officer e: electoralroll@godalmingminster.org

Coming Up

Look up Easter events and services here, and pick up a printed programme at church this Sunday. You’ll have the chance to visit all parts of the Minster over the the Easter period, and we’re grateful to everyone who has already put their hand up to serve at one service or event, or other. Offers are still welcome – please get in touch with the office.

NEW: Palm Sunday All in One followed by a bring and share lunch at Church Street
Palm Sunday falls on the middle weekend of the Easter holidays this year, and is a nice time to all get together. We’ll start with a procession from the Pepperpot down Church Street to the church. Meet at 9.50am. It will be an all age service, followed by lunch in the Octagon.

Easter Events to sign up for

Everyone is welcome, but there are a few events which we ask for sign ups to help with catering:

Maundy Thursday supper and communion
We remember the last supper and Jesus washing the disciples feet at Franklyn Road. There will a light supper of soup, bread and cheese at 7pm. Sign up.

Good Friday Hot Cross Bun Hambledon-2-Busbridge cross country adventure
Approx 5 km walk finishing at the Old Rectory for tea and hot cross buns. How many hot cross buns do we need? Sign up

Easter Garden Service and Egg Hunt
This service is already half full. Sign up.

Churches Together

Churches Together AGM, Monday 17 March, 7.30 pm, St John’s Church, Farncombe

All are welcome to this open meeting. As well as the annual business there will be a short discussion of the role of ‘saints and other holy people’ in our church communities.

Forthcoming Prayer Breakfasts 22 March – Cellar Café

Come to St Mark’s Community Centre “Annual General Meeting” AND QUIZ NIGHT

At St. Mark’s Community Centre, Franklyn Road, GU7 2LD

ON FRIDAY 11th APRIL at 6.30pm for 7pm START

£10 per person, includes ENTRY – HOT SUPPER – DESSERT- and HOT DRINK

Bring your own bottle and glass. Raffle £1 for 5 tickets

Download APPLICATION FORMS or AVAILABLE IN THE COMMUNITY CENTRE. PLEASE SUBMIT BY MONDAY 7th APRIL (for catering purposes) MORE INFORMATION PLEASE RING KAREN on 01483 418741 or email karen.milton@godalmingminster.org

Homes for Ukraine

We share a request from Diane Alder who has been involved in placing individuals and families from Ukraine. She asks if anyone can provide a home for the sister-in-law of a lady already supported locally: Marina (36) and her daughter, Milana (1.5) are currently living in Kyiv and have recently taken the difficult decision to leave her husband and family in Ukraine for the sake of their daughter. Marina is a manager in an e-commerce company, speaks good English (B2), and has a driving license. Please contact diane.alder@btinternet.com for more details.

Big Spring Clean at Brighton Road Sat 10 May

Sign up

Please join us at Brighton Road from 10-2am for an intensive but joyous time of cleaning, sorting, gardening and light DIY. There’s tasks for all ages, so the whole family can come along. Satisfaction guaranteed: It’s more fun that it sounds, and doing chores together builds us as a family. Liz our facilities manager will be organising the teams and task lists, providing tools and equipment, and lunch will be provided in the Old Rectory garden once we’ve all downed tools.

Annual Parochial Church Meeting 8pm Wed 14 May

Please save the date:  As mentioned above, the PCC have confirmed the date for the first Godalming Minster APCM for 8pm on 14 May at Godalming Minster Church Street.  Everyone is encouraged to attend as we look back over the first year, elect new members to the PCC, and other church officers.  It is also an opportunity to come together and thank and encourage the PCC and those in leadership roles in the parish, and consider what God has in store for the next season.  As we are in vacancy, Chris Bessant Area Dean will be chairing the meeting.  There’ll be refreshments to start.  The Annual Report and Accounts for 2024 will be published in advance.  

Alpha

Find out more >

The spring term Alpha is now well underway, but you can sign up or register your interest at any time and we’ll be in touch when the next dates are announced.

The Bereavement Journey

Please register your interest at anytime for the next series of sessions for anyone who has been bereaved recently or some time ago. The pastoral care team would be happy to speak to anyone who wants to find out a bit more, so please do get in touch now. More details.

Church Family News

Congratulations to Seb and Izzie (Contemporary congregation) who announced their engagement this week! We wish them joy, and pray for God’s blessing as they prepare for their marriage. (They were just in time for the Marriage Prep Day on Saturday, so thanks to everyone involved for doing the “quickstep”.)

We have been deeply saddened to hear of the death of Trevor Kennea, a much-loved and longstanding church member. Trevor died peacefully last week at the age of 91.  Please pray for his daughter Carole and son Nigel and their families, that they will know God’s peace and comfort as they mourn.  A service to celebrate Trevor’s life will be held in Brighton Road on Friday 11 April at 12.30 pm.  All friends are warmly invited to attend both the service and also refreshments afterwards at The Withies Inn, Compton. If possible, please could you let Carole know by e-mail  carole.dunscombe@gmail.com or 07775 797970.

We send our love and sympathy to Richard Redfern and family, following the death of Daphne in late February.  Daphne’s service will be in Church Street on Thursday 27 March at midday.  All friends welcome.

We also send our love to Karen Beamer, whose father died earlier this month.  Please surround Karen and the whole family with your prayers.

What’s on Where

There’s lots going on around Godalming Minster every week, for all ages and stages – always too much to list in the notices!

Elsewhere

Next Life Issues at Godalming Baptist Church:
The Challenge of Aging – The Saga Years on Sat 26 April 10-12.30pm

led by Revd Peter Jackson. Peter leads with great compassion, empathy and humour and this promises to be such a worthwhile morning.

Peter will address such questions as: How can we live well as we live longer? Is there a difference between ageing and maturity? Is ageism a factor in our society? 

There is no charge for the morning but donations would be very much appreciated towards the work of Age UK Charity. To book a place please contact Sally Pollard-01483-428646 or e-mail pollard3@hotmail.co.uk.

Find out about
Easter Holiday Club for YR-6 at Milford Baptist Church – Deep Sea Divers

Following Jesus

Mid-week prayer gatherings take place in the Zoom Online Prayer Room (8.45am Mon / 9am Wed), and at Godalming Minster Hambledon (9am Wed) and Franklyn Road (9am Mon and Tue). Vacancy Prayers are 1st Weds of the month around the Minster. Please check the calendar.

If you would like to join a prayer gathering online, please use the link to the online prayer room on Zoom with passcode: 2025.

Small groups meet in homes to study the bible, pray and journey together.
New members are invited to join an existing group, or form their own group.
To find out more and connect with the right one for you, contact Rev Hilary Pettman. e: hilary.pettman@godalmingminster.org.

Loving People

The Hub at Franklyn Road provides a free lunch and time to socialise every Tuesday from 12-2.30pm. Open to all in the area, and across the Minster. (Donations of homemade cakes are always welcome.)

Prime Time for older people meets every Monday at 10.30am in the Yew Tree Café for a coffee drop in. For all events and details, see Prime Time.

Nexus meets on the 1st Thursday of the month, with talks and activities for church members and the community. More about Nexus.

The Men’s Group meets for breakfast at 8.15am on the 1st Saturdays of the month. See the calendar for details.

Busbridge Coffee Morning takes place on 1st Wednesdays of the month at 10.30am in the Yew Tree Café.

Hambledon Coffee Morning and Hearing Aid Clinic takes place 3rd Wednesdays of the month at 10.30am.

The Bereavement Café takes place on the last Tuesday of the month, 2.30-4pm in the Busbridge Old Rectory.

Hearing Aid Clinics run at the Busbridge Old Rectory on 2nd Fridays of the month from 2.30-4pm, and at Godalming Library on 3rd Mondays of the month from 10.30am-12pm.

The Yew Tree Café at Godalming Minster Brighton Road is open 8.30am-4pm weekdays in term time, and 10am-2pm on Saturdays, and 9.30am-4pm during school holidays. There’s wi-fi and power for those that want to work, and Prime Time hosts a drop in session for anyone who’d like a coffee and a chat every Monday from 10.30-11.30am.

CYF activities for 0-18s include term-time Toddler Groups, The Youth Café and Friday Night Social, as well as Sunday groups and seasonal events.

Get Involved / Join a team

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…

MyChurchSuite is an app for members of Godalming Minster 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. See more instructions.

PASTORAL CARE & PRAYER MINISTRY

Can we pray for you?

***Please send prayer requests to prayer@godalmingminster.org***

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.

Dear Friends

Thanks to the CYF team and those who came to help run the jolly messy Pancake Party at Brighton Rd this week. They served an estimated 200 pancakes to children and parents, and it was great to see people coming into the church from different schools.

Ash Wednesday followed Shrove Tuesday and many marked the start of Lent with communion and the imposition of ashes at Church Street in the choral tradition.

You can still pick up a Living Hope CofE Lent booklet at church this Sunday, or from the Busbridge Old Rectory, or order your own copy here: ttps://www.chpublishing.co.uk/features/living-hope. Alternatively to follow the sermon series in the gospel of John this Lent, try Tim Chester’s book The Glory of the Cross which has 47 reflections for Lent from the gospel of John. You can order it from the Good Book Company or Amazon.

The Easter events and services are now on ChurchSuite and showing in the calendar (select the filter category for key times services and events), and you can pick up a printed programme at church in the coming weeks.

This Sunday

Topic: Sign 6 – Healing of the blind man
Reading: John 9: 1-41

8am BCP Holy Communion
Church Street

10am Morning Worship
Franklyn Road

10am Morning Worship [HC]
Hambledon

10am Classic Service
Brighton Road

10.30am Contemporary
Church Street
Coffee from 10.15am and children’s groups in the Octagon.
Guest preacher: John Valentine

6pm Evening Worship
Brighton Road
Roots Youth (11-18s) meets in church before leaving for their time together in The Hut.

Notices

Lord for the Years – a talk by the composer, and Prime Timer, Bishop Michael Baughen

On 21st Feb Prime Time hosted a very special Hymns we love event with the composer of the music of the famous 20th century hymn, Lord for the Years. You can watch parts of Bishop Michael’s interview with Jane Tomes on YouTube here: https://youtube.com/live/HpoXd9I_Dfc

Prime Time events in March – the Movie Matinee (15 March) and Tea and Talk with Keith Field (25 March) – acknowledge this holy season of Lent, albeit with the usual hospitality, tea, cake and/or popcorn. To subscribe to Prime Time monthly update e: penny.naylor@godalmingminster.org, or look up event details in the church calendar on ChurchSuite.

Yew Tree Café now open til 4.30pm

The YTC has extended its opening hours to 4.30pm mon-fri during term time to serve those picking up from after school clubs. Do visit anytime between 8.30am-4.30pm weekdays, and 10am-2pm on Saturdays in term-time (9.30pm-4pm in the school holidays). Follow yewtreecafegodalming on Instagram for the latest news and stories – thank you Ian B for a wonderful promotion about volunteering in the café!

Road Stewards needed

The latest issue of The Bridge magazine for Busbridge has just been published, and we are so grateful to the team of road stewards who faithfully collect and distribute the magazine to their neighbours. That’s 1800 copies between them! We are currently looking for people to deliver to Phillips Close, and parts of Brighton Rd, and Hambledon Rd. Please get in touch with Lorna via the office if would like to help.

Coming Up

Nexus 6 March

The Joanna Wildlife Hospital – a new chapter. Talk by Lily Pan and Steve Kirby

The Hydestile Wildlife Sanctuary combined with the Bramley based Joanna Wildlife Hospital following the death of Hydestile co-founder Graham Cornick.  Their new joint venture, The Joanna Wildlife Hospital, is now up and running and Lily and Steve will tell us about the vital work they do rescuing injured wildlife and nurturing the creatures before releasing them back into the wild.  It should be a very interesting evening.

Do join us at 8.00pm in the Busbridge Old Rectory for drinks and nibbles and a chance to chat to old and new friends before Lily and Steve start their presentation.
All are welcome, including men!

World Day of Prayer

This year’s service takes place on Friday 7 March 2025 at 10.30 a.m., with coffee served from 10 o’clock.  Godalming & Farncombe Mothers’ Union is joining forces with the Haslemere branch, and the service will be held at Haslemere Methodist Church, Lion Green, Haslemere GU27 1LD.  If you are not sure where it is, go through Haslemere High Street and bear right down Wey Hill towards Shottermill.  The church is a modern building on the left-hand side, on Lion Green.  The theme is “I made you wonderful” and the service shares the stories of three generations of Christian women from the Cook Islands.  This is a warm invitation to join us ‘to become part of the great wave of prayer’.

And here is the link to our fundraising page https://gofund.me/45b22a19

Mothers Union

Mother’s Union next meet on Tue 11 March at 2pm St.Peter and Paul Church Street. The topic is Gunpower Works and Andrew Norris is the speaker.

Alpha

Find out more >

The spring term Alpha is now well underway, but you can sign up or register your interest at any time and we’ll be in touch when the next dates are announced.

The Bereavement Journey

Please register your interest at anytime for the next series of sessions for anyone who has been bereaved recently or some time ago. The pastoral care team would be happy to speak to anyone who wants to find out a bit more, so please do get in touch now. More details.

20 mile walk for Ukraine

It’s not too late to sponsor Ben Rogers and Natalia Maievska who walked the entire River Wey Navigation from Weybridge to Godalming – a lot of it in the rain! Read the story on BBC Surrey

Ben and Natalia are raising funds for Ukraine Mission, a small group of British volunteers from Guildford who have been delivering aid, equipment, and medicine to medics, rescue teams, and civilians in Ukraine since April 2022.

Here is the link to their fundraising page https://gofund.me/45b22a19

Church Family News

A note from the Taylors (sent a couple of weeks ago):
When we wrote our Thank you! note in the notices back in January we were not expecting to send a second one. In the past week we’ve become even more aware of everyone’s kindness, this time for the ever so generous financial gift that has been collected for us since our farewell. So, we we’d like to say a second thank you. We are deeply touched by this. Our prayers continue for everyone and for your future. With our love, Simon, Catherine, Jacob, Luke and Daniel.

We send our love to two members of our church community who have been bereaved recently.  Fiona Andrade-Brown’s mother, Rosemary, died last week.  Rosemary and Alan were long-time congregation members at Church Street, so are well-known to a number of people there.  Please pray for Fiona, her brother David and the wider family, asking God to give them his comfort and peace. 

We also pray for Jill Mace, whose brother Philip died this week. Please pray that God will surround Jill and the whole family with his love and care.

What’s on Where

There’s lots going on around Godalming Minster every week, for all ages and stages – always too much to list in the notices!

Elsewhere

SUPPORTING THOSE “LIVING WITH CANCER AND BEYOND” – FROM A RELATIVE’S PERSPECTIVE

Led by Daphne Bleach

Saturday 15th March 2025 10 am – 12.30 pm
(Coffee available from 9.30 am)

at Godalming Baptist Church,
Queen Street, Godalming, Surrey GU7 1BA

* Do you know what to say, and not to say, when someone says “I have cancer”?

* How does a diagnosis of cancer affect someone?

* How we can encourage someone to “live well with cancer”?

* What help and support is available to patients and their relatives?

* Living beyond treatment – the “elephant in the room”

* Who is there for those when no further treatment is available’?

Daphne is a Care Companion, offering help and support to families and those who are dying as they approach end of life.  Following her talk in 2024, Daphne will lead another informative and sensitive talk about how to come alongside and support those living with cancer, to help all of us make the best of the precious time we have together. Daphne Bleach is a Christian, whose nursing career spans over 40 years.

Please reserve a place, with payment of £7, by contacting Sally Pollard

email: pollard3@hotmail.co.uk, tel: 01483 428646

by Friday 28th February

Following Jesus

Mid-week prayer gatherings take place in the Zoom Online Prayer Room (8.45am Mon / 9am Wed), and at Godalming Minster Hambledon (9am Wed) and Franklyn Road (9am Mon and Tue). Vacancy Prayers are 1st Weds of the month around the Minster. Please check the calendar.

If you would like to join a prayer gathering online, please use the link to the online prayer room on Zoom with passcode: 2025.

Small groups meet in homes to study the bible, pray and journey together.
New members are invited to join an existing group, or form their own group.
To find out more and connect with the right one for you, contact Rev Hilary Pettman. e: hilary.pettman@godalmingminster.org.

Loving People

The Hub at Franklyn Road provides a free lunch and time to socialise every Tuesday from 12-2.30pm. Open to all in the area, and across the Minster. (Donations of homemade cakes are always welcome.)

Prime Time for older people meets every Monday at 10.30am in the Yew Tree Café for a coffee drop in. For all events and details, see Prime Time.

Nexus meets on the 1st Thursday of the month, with talks and activities for church members and the community. More about Nexus.

The Men’s Group meets for breakfast at 8.15am on the 1st Saturdays of the month. See the calendar for details.

Busbridge Coffee Morning takes place on 1st Wednesdays of the month at 10.30am in the Yew Tree Café.

Hambledon Coffee Morning and Hearing Aid Clinic takes place 3rd Wednesdays of the month at 10.30am.

The Bereavement Café takes place on the last Tuesday of the month, 2.30-4pm in the Busbridge Old Rectory.

Hearing Aid Clinics run at the Busbridge Old Rectory on 2nd Fridays of the month from 2.30-4pm, and at Godalming Library on 3rd Mondays of the month from 10.30am-12pm.

The Yew Tree Café at Godalming Minster Brighton Road is open 8.30am-4pm weekdays in term time, and 10am-2pm on Saturdays, and 9.30am-4pm during school holidays. There’s wi-fi and power for those that want to work, and Prime Time hosts a drop in session for anyone who’d like a coffee and a chat every Monday from 10.30-11.30am.

CYF activities for 0-18s include term-time Toddler Groups, The Youth Café and Friday Night Social, as well as Sunday groups and seasonal events.

Get Involved / Join a team

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…

MyChurchSuite is an app for members of Godalming Minster 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. See more instructions.

PASTORAL CARE & PRAYER MINISTRY

Can we pray for you?

***Please send prayer requests to prayer@godalmingminster.org***

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.

Dear Friends

After a short lull since the new year, Lent begins next week, and there’s lots to get involved in. Pick up a Living Hope CofE Lent booklet at church this Sunday, or order your own copy here: https://www.chpublishing.co.uk/features/living-hope. The version for children will be given out at CYF groups over the next week, but do contact Ben.barnes@godalmingminster.org for a copy.

If you’d like to dive deeper into our sermon series in the gospel of John this Lent, try Tim Chester’s book The Glory of the Cross which has 47 reflections for Lent from the gospel of John. You can order it from the Good Book Company or Amazon.

This week the ad for the position of Rector has been published on the CPAS web site and in the Church Times. The closing dates for applications is 23 March. Please be praying for the applicants and the selection process over the coming weeks and months.

Read on for:

• Support the 20 mile walk for Ukraine

• The choir at Chichester Cathedral last Sunday

• Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday

• World Day of Prayer on 7 March.

This Sunday

Topic: Sign 5 – Walking on Water
Reading: John 6:15-21

9am Choral Eucharist
Church Street

10am Morning Worship
Franklyn Road

10am Morning Worship
Hambledon

10am Classic Service [HC]
Brighton Road

10.30am Contemporary: Muddy Church in the Park
Phillips Memorial Park between the memorial and the bandstand.
For all ages – BYO cup for coffee and hot chocolate

6pm Evening Worship
Brighton Road
Roots Youth (11-18s) meets in church before leaving for their time together in The Hut.

Ash Wednesday 5 March

7pm Ash Wednesday Communion with ashing
Church Street
Readings: Psalm 51 and John 8:1-11
Everyone across Godalming Minster is invited to mark the start of Lent together. This service encompasses the monthly prayer gathering for the vacancy.

Notices

20 mile walk for Ukraine

They did it! Last weekend Ben Rogers and Natalia Maievska walked the entire River Wey Navigation from Weybridge to Godalming – a lot of it in the rain! Read the story on BBC Surrey

Ben and Natalia are raising funds for Ukraine Mission, a small group of British volunteers from Guildford who have been delivering aid, equipment, and medicine to medics, rescue teams, and civilians in Ukraine since April 2022.

While Ben and Natalia finished as planned, they had to trudge through a lot of mud along various sections of the tow path which added to the challenge. Thanks to everyone who helped them along the Wey / way….!

It’s not too late to sponsor them. Here is the link to their fundraising page https://gofund.me/45b22a19

Also last Sunday, our Minster Choir received a very warm welcome from Chichester Cathedral when they deputised for their choir and sang for Matins and the Choral Eucharist. Then they travelled back to Godalming for the 5pm Evensong at Church Street! There are two chances to experience choral evensong in March: Sunday 16th 4pm at Hambledon and Sunday 23rd 5pm at Church Street. These services offer a special time of wonderful music and reflection sung by talented choirs, so please do support our traditional music across the Minster.

Road Stewards needed

The latest issue of The Bridge magazine for Busbridge has just been published, and we are so grateful to the team of road stewards who faithfully collect and distribute the magazine to their neighbours. That’s 1800 copies between them! We are currently looking for people to deliver to Phillips Close, and parts of Brighton Rd, and Hambledon Rd. Please get in touch with Lorna via the office if would like to help.

Coming Up

Men’s Breakfast Sat 1 March – “Woke”

Do join us this coming Saturday at 8.15am for our monthly breakfast and discussion. After last month’s excesses (for those who couldn’t make it, you missed a full-on fry up!), we’re back to our normal service of exquisitely and lovingly prepared porridge, toast and marmalade etc. Just come along to the Old Rectory, Brighton Road, to “share and enjoy”!

The topic for discussion this time is all things “woke” (an adjective meaning being aware of social problems such as racism and inequality – what might perhaps previously have been called “politically correct”). 

Come along and share your thoughts on all this and more.

Alan and Dudley, For Godalming Minster Men’s Group

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Party

The CYF team is hosting a pancake party in Busbridge Church on Shrove Tuesday 4 Mar from 3.15-5pm. It’s timed so that families can drop in for as little or as long as they want after school pick up, but everyone is welcome so please come and support this community event. More details and sign up.

Nexus 6 March

The Joanna Wildlife Hospital – a new chapter. Talk by Lily Pan and Steve Kirby

The Hydestile Wildlife Sanctuary combined with the Bramley based Joanna Wildlife Hospital following the death of Hydestile co-founder Graham Cornick.  Their new joint venture, The Joanna Wildlife Hospital, is now up and running and Lily and Steve will tell us about the vital work they do rescuing injured wildlife and nurturing the creatures before releasing them back into the wild.  It should be a very interesting evening.

Do join us at 8.00pm in the Busbridge Old Rectory for drinks and nibbles and a chance to chat to old and new friends before Lily and Steve start their presentation.
All are welcome, including men!

World Day of Prayer

This year’s service takes place on Friday 7 March 2025 at 10.30 a.m., with coffee served from 10 o’clock.  Godalming & Farncombe Mothers’ Union is joining forces with the Haslemere branch, and the service will be held at Haslemere Methodist Church, Lion Green, Haslemere GU27 1LD.  If you are not sure where it is, go through Haslemere High Street and bear right down Wey Hill towards Shottermill.  The church is a modern building on the left-hand side, on Lion Green.  The theme is “I made you wonderful” and the service shares the stories of three generations of Christian women from the Cook Islands.  This is a warm invitation to join us ‘to become part of the great wave of prayer’.

And here is the link to our fundraising page https://gofund.me/45b22a19

Mothers Union

Mother’s Union next meet on Tue 11 March at 2pm St.Peter and Paul Church Street. The topic is Gunpower Works and Andrew Norris is the speaker.

Alpha

Find out more >

The spring term Alpha is now well underway, but you can sign up or register your interest at any time and we’ll be in touch when the next dates are announced.

The Bereavement Journey

Please register your interest at anytime for the next series of sessions for anyone who has been bereaved recently or some time ago. The pastoral care team would be happy to speak to anyone who wants to find out a bit more, so please do get in touch now. More details.

What’s on Where

There’s lots going on around Godalming Minster every week, for all ages and stages – always too much to list in the notices!

Elsewhere

SUPPORTING THOSE “LIVING WITH CANCER AND BEYOND” – FROM A RELATIVE’S PERSPECTIVE

Led by Daphne Bleach

Saturday 15th March 2025 10 am – 12.30 pm
(Coffee available from 9.30 am)

at Godalming Baptist Church,
Queen Street, Godalming, Surrey GU7 1BA

* Do you know what to say, and not to say, when someone says “I have cancer”?

* How does a diagnosis of cancer affect someone?

* How we can encourage someone to “live well with cancer”?

* What help and support is available to patients and their relatives?

* Living beyond treatment – the “elephant in the room”

* Who is there for those when no further treatment is available’?

Daphne is a Care Companion, offering help and support to families and those who are dying as they approach end of life.  Following her talk in 2024, Daphne will lead another informative and sensitive talk about how to come alongside and support those living with cancer, to help all of us make the best of the precious time we have together. Daphne Bleach is a Christian, whose nursing career spans over 40 years.

Please reserve a place, with payment of £7, by contacting Sally Pollard

email: pollard3@hotmail.co.uk, tel: 01483 428646

by Friday 28th February

Following Jesus

Mid-week prayer gatherings take place in the Zoom Online Prayer Room (8.45am Mon / 9am Wed), and at Godalming Minster Hambledon (9am Wed) and Franklyn Road (9am Mon and Tue). Vacancy Prayers are 1st Weds of the month around the Minster. Please check the calendar.

If you would like to join a prayer gathering online, please use the link to the online prayer room on Zoom with passcode: 2025.

Small groups meet in homes to study the bible, pray and journey together.
New members are invited to join an existing group, or form their own group.
To find out more and connect with the right one for you, contact Rev Hilary Pettman. e: hilary.pettman@godalmingminster.org.

Loving People

The Hub at Franklyn Road provides a free lunch and time to socialise every Tuesday from 12-2.30pm. Open to all in the area, and across the Minster. (Donations of homemade cakes are always welcome.)

Prime Time for older people meets every Monday at 10.30am in the Yew Tree Café for a coffee drop in. For all events and details, see Prime Time.

Nexus meets on the 1st Thursday of the month, with talks and activities for church members and the community. More about Nexus.

The Men’s Group meets for breakfast at 8.15am on the 1st Saturdays of the month. See the calendar for details.

Busbridge Coffee Morning takes place on 1st Wednesdays of the month at 10.30am in the Yew Tree Café.

Hambledon Coffee Morning and Hearing Aid Clinic takes place 3rd Wednesdays of the month at 10.30am.

The Bereavement Café takes place on the last Tuesday of the month, 2.30-4pm in the Busbridge Old Rectory.

Hearing Aid Clinics run at the Busbridge Old Rectory on 2nd Fridays of the month from 2.30-4pm, and at Godalming Library on 3rd Mondays of the month from 10.30am-12pm.

The Yew Tree Café at Godalming Minster Brighton Road is open 8.30am-4pm weekdays in term time, and 10am-2pm on Saturdays, and 9.30am-4pm during school holidays. There’s wi-fi and power for those that want to work, and Prime Time hosts a drop in session for anyone who’d like a coffee and a chat every Monday from 10.30-11.30am.

CYF activities for 0-18s include term-time Toddler Groups, The Youth Café and Friday Night Social, as well as Sunday groups and seasonal events.

Get Involved / Join a team

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…

MyChurchSuite is an app for members of Godalming Minster 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. See more instructions.

PASTORAL CARE & PRAYER MINISTRY

Can we pray for you?

***Please send prayer requests to prayer@godalmingminster.org***

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.

Dear Friends

As you can see, Ben R will soon be treading another path to fundraise. He’ll be wearing shoes this time, and has a walking partner. Please do encourage them both by supporting Ukraine Mission on gofundme.

Next week is half-term, so there will be a break in the weekly notices, and for some of our weekly activities. Please check the calendar. Not everything is stopping, and by next Friday you might find the Prime Time tea and talk with Michael Baughen a worthwhile way to spend the afternoon. There’ll be room for everyone in the church, so do come along, even if you are not a Prime Time regular.

This Sunday

The Third Sign: Healing the crippled man
John 5: 1-15

9am Choral Eucharist
Church Street

10am Morning Worship
Franklyn Road

10am Morning Worship
Hambledon

10am Classic Service
Brighton Road

10.30am Contemporary Service
Church Street
Coffee from 10.15am and children’s groups in the Octagon

6pm Evening Worship
Brighton Road
Roots Youth (11-18s) meets in church before leaving for their time together in The Hut.

Notices

‘Lord for the Years’ with Michael Baughen

Prime Time tea and talk Friday 21 Feb 2.30pm at Brighton Road

‘Lord, for the years your love has kept and guided’ has been acclaimed as one of the 20th century’s finest hymns and it is included regularly in church services across the world; indeed you may have even sung it yourself.  But were you aware that the now familiar tune of this hymn was composed by a current member of Prime Time?

Michael Baughen, a former Bishop of Chester and composer of the music for this much loved, modern hymn has spent the last decade living in Godalming and worshipping at Busbridge Church (now Godalming Minster Brighton Road).

We are delighted that Michael has accepted our invitation to come and talk to Prime Time about his involvement in this modern classic and what the meaning of the hymn is for him. The interview with Michael will be followed by the customary Prime Time tea and cake and time to chat with friends about what you have heard throughout the afternoon.  This is a free event, although donations on the day will be welcomed to help cover expenses.

Alpha

Find out more >

Thanks to everyone who has stepped up to provide a meal and hospitality for the Alpha course this term. All Wednesday evenings are now covered. What a witness to life as part of a church family! – the provision of a hot meal never goes unnoticed by the guests who are quite amazed that people, volunteers, would cater for them.

The next Alpha course if not scheduled yet, but you can sign up or register your interest at any time and we’ll be in touch when the dates are announced.

Exploring vocations

 Is there any way that God may want to use me? 

·       Are there any special skills I need?

·       How do I find out?

·       Who can I talk to?

John Valentine, Dean of the Local Ministry Programme, Guildford and I are putting on an evening for enquirers, as well as for those who have been serving in a variety of ways without specific training but using their considerable God-given gifts. It might be useful for them to reflect on what they do and how they do it, in a more structured way.

If this is you, you are invited to our special Vocations Evening on Tuesday 25th February at 8.00 in the Old Rectory. We would like to stress that this meeting is for us all to explore possibilities and to answer any of your questions. There are no expectations or obligations attached to this invitation.

We look forward to seeing you there.

John Valentine, Dean of the Local Ministry Programme, Guildford.
Andy Spencer, Assistant Minister, Godalming Minster.

World Day of Prayer

This year’s service takes place on Friday 7 March 2025 at 10.30 a.m., with coffee served from 10 o’clock.  Godalming & Farncombe Mothers’ Union is joining forces with the Haslemere branch, and the service will be held at Haslemere Methodist Church, Lion Green, Haslemere GU27 1LD.  If you are not sure where it is, go through Haslemere High Street and bear right down Wey Hill towards Shottermill.  The church is a modern building on the left-hand side, on Lion Green.  The theme is “I made you wonderful” and the service shares the stories of three generations of Christian women from the Cook Islands.  This is a warm invitation to join us ‘to become part of the great wave of prayer’.

And here is the link to our fundraising page https://gofund.me/45b22a19

The Bereavement Journey

Please register your interest at anytime for the next series of sessions for anyone who has been bereaved recently or some time ago. The pastoral care team would be happy to speak to anyone who wants to find out a bit more, so please do get in touch now. More details.

What’s on Where

There’s lots going on around Godalming Minster every week, for all ages and stages – always too much to list in the notices!

Elsewhere

Tonight! 13th Feb, local artist and Minster member Steve Kinder invites you to the preview of his exhibition at the Guildford Institute from 6.30-7.30pm. Douglas Kurn photographer and Steve will give a short talk at 7pm. The exhibition runs from 17 Feb to 14 March 2025.

SUPPORTING THOSE “LIVING WITH CANCER AND BEYOND” – FROM A RELATIVE’S PERSPECTIVE

Led by Daphne Bleach

Saturday 15th March 2025 10 am – 12.30 pm
(Coffee available from 9.30 am)

at Godalming Baptist Church,
Queen Street, Godalming, Surrey GU7 1BA

* Do you know what to say, and not to say, when someone says “I have cancer”?

* How does a diagnosis of cancer affect someone?

* How we can encourage someone to “live well with cancer”?

* What help and support is available to patients and their relatives?

* Living beyond treatment – the “elephant in the room”

* Who is there for those when no further treatment is available’?

Daphne is a Care Companion, offering help and support to families and those who are dying as they approach end of life.  Following her talk in 2024, Daphne will lead another informative and sensitive talk about how to come alongside and support those living with cancer, to help all of us make the best of the precious time we have together. Daphne Bleach is a Christian, whose nursing career spans over 40 years.

Please reserve a place, with payment of £7, by contacting Sally Pollard

email: pollard3@hotmail.co.uk, tel: 01483 428646

by Friday 28th February

Following Jesus

Mid-week prayer gatherings take place in the Zoom Online Prayer Room (8.45am Mon / 9am Wed), and at Godalming Minster Hambledon (9am Wed) and Franklyn Road (9am Mon and Tue). Vacancy Prayers are 1st Weds of the month around the Minster. Please check the calendar.

If you would like to join a prayer gathering online, please use the link to the online prayer room on Zoom with passcode: 2025.

Small groups meet in homes to study the bible, pray and journey together.
New members are invited to join an existing group, or form their own group.
To find out more and connect with the right one for you, contact Rev Hilary Pettman. e: hilary.pettman@godalmingminster.org.

Loving People

The Hub at Franklyn Road provides a free lunch and time to socialise every Tuesday from 12-2.30pm. Open to all in the area, and across the Minster. (Donations of homemade cakes are always welcome.)

Prime Time for older people meets every Monday at 10.30am in the Yew Tree Café for a coffee drop in. For all events and details, see Prime Time.

Nexus meets on the 1st Thursday of the month, with talks and activities for church members and the community. More about Nexus.

The Men’s Group meets for breakfast at 8.15am on the 1st Saturdays of the month. See the calendar for details.

Busbridge Coffee Morning takes place on 1st Wednesdays of the month at 10.30am in the Yew Tree Café.

Hambledon Coffee Morning and Hearing Aid Clinic takes place 3rd Wednesdays of the month at 10.30am.

The Bereavement Café takes place on the last Tuesday of the month, 2.30-4pm in the Busbridge Old Rectory.

Hearing Aid Clinics run at the Busbridge Old Rectory on 2nd Fridays of the month from 2.30-4pm, and at Godalming Library on 3rd Mondays of the month from 10.30am-12pm.

The Yew Tree Café at Godalming Minster Brighton Road is open 8.30am-4pm weekdays in term time, and 10am-2pm on Saturdays, and 9.30am-4pm during school holidays. There’s wi-fi and power for those that want to work, and Prime Time hosts a drop in session for anyone who’d like a coffee and a chat every Monday from 10.30-11.30am.

CYF activities for 0-18s include term-time Toddler Groups, The Youth Café and Friday Night Social, as well as Sunday groups and seasonal events.

Get Involved / Join a team

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…

MyChurchSuite is an app for members of Godalming Minster 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. See more instructions.

PASTORAL CARE & PRAYER MINISTRY

Can we pray for you?

***Please send prayer requests to prayer@godalmingminster.org***

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.

Dear Friends

Thanks to all who supported the marvellous Cut out Cancer Concert last Saturday at Church Street. Godalming Minster co-hosted the concert with the Rotary. This was one of two concerts, and the Godalming event alone raised c.£5,000! All proceeds from this event were donated to the Royal Surrey Hospital to help provide specialist high-tech, robotic surgical equipment for its new cancer centre.  This state of the art medical technology will improve the experience and outcomes of thousands of people whose lives are affected by cancer each year.

The audience enjoyed an eclectic mix of performances by the Topic of Cancer Choir, Brighton Road (Marielle Postill and Mark Guile), Jim and Shelagh Godwin with Caroline Luard, DRCS Jazz band and the Motivation by Music gospel choir.

We are now preparing for the next season in the church calendar, and counting down to Lent which begins on Ash Wednesday 5 March. If Lent is a time which encourages self-reflection, and a deepening of discipleship, there is no better time to join a small group! Along with the benefit of praying and studying the bible with others, support, fellowship and sometimes food are also included! Godalming Minster has groups which meet at different times and days of the week, so if you’d like to find out where you might fit please e: hilary.pettman@godalmingminster.org.

Also, have you tried the Yew Tree Café’s new cappuccino cake? It’s flying off the counter apparently, along with other new menu items for children and adults. Do pop in if you’ve not been for a while. The staff and volunteers would love to see you! (Weekdays 8.30-4, Saturdays 10-2 and half-term 17-21 Feb 9.30-3.30).

Read on in the notices for:

• Racial Justice Sunday 9 Feb

• Events coming up.

This Sunday

Racial Justice Sunday 2025 – Coat of Many Colours

This year is an important one for racial justice on these shores as it marks the 30th anniversary of RJS. RJS was established by the Methodist Church in 1995 following the tragic racist murder of Black teenager Stephen Lawrence in southeast London in April 1993.

Godalming Minster will be joining churches nationally to mark the anniversary in services and our prayers. Please take time this week to reflect and pray on some of the resources published by Churches Together in Britain and Ireland here: https://ctbi.org.uk/resources/racial-justice-sunday-9-february-2025/

Services

The Second Sign: Healing an Official’s Son
John 3: 43-54

8am BCP Holy Communion
Church Street
followed by breakfast in the Octagon

10am Morning Worship
Franklyn Road

10am Morning Worship [HC]
Hambledon

10am Classic Service
Brighton Road

10.30am Contemporary Service
Church Street
Coffee from 10.15am and children’s groups in the Octagon

6pm Evening Worship
Brighton Road
Roots Youth (11-18s) meets in church before leaving for their time together in The Hut.

Notices

Alpha – running on Weds eve

More details.

We’re still looking for people to provide the meals that are an integral part of the course.  It’s fun and easier to do this with a friend or 2, or with your homegroup, but we can always provide extra hands to serve if you prefer to prepare it on your own. The evening course runs until Easter – we provide a hot meal and a light pudding. Do ask Karen Hart (07891 114306), or Lynda Donaldson (07596 921125) for further details and to offer your services! Or email the church office office@godalmingminster.org

The Bereavement Journey

Please register your interest at anytime for the next series of sessions for anyone who has been bereaved recently or some time ago. The pastoral care team would be happy to speak to anyone who wants to find out a bit more, so please do get in touch now. More details.

Serving Opportunities – we God can use you here!

Here are some opportunities to make a fulfilling commitment – and meet some quite urgent needs, perhaps for a season, or a year. We need people’s time and love in a number of areas to keep sustain our missional activities. These are the ones under the priority areas of following Jesus, loving people and renewing faith that the leadership team are most aware of at the moment!:

Tuesdays
ABC Toddlers 9-11.30pm
Join Sophia at our busy toddler group in the Old Rectory. She’s currently flying solo and help with set up, welcoming and in the kitchen would be most welcome. Contact sophia.barnes@godalmingminster.org.

11-2pm Set up and host the Warm Hub at Franklyn Road
The Hub is open year-round serving a free lunch followed by tea and social time. In the winter months it’s a registered warm space. Awareness is growing in the local community and the Hub serves 15-20 regular guests each week. You would be serving alongside a small but faithful team who have been running the Hub since it began in 2020. Contact Michael and Julia Stubbs via the Minster Office.

Wednesdays
After-school youth café at Franklyn Road
The youth café welcomes 25+ years 5 and 6 children from St Mark’s and All Saints each week from 3-4.30pm and offers a snack and different games and activities. The great team of volunteers get alongside the children to provide them with a safe and welcoming space to chat and share their interests. (The after school café provides a great extension of the work that members of Godalming Minster are doing to support its church school with assemblies and class support.)

Wednesday evening
Alpha at the Busbridge Old Rectory
One of the best ways to explore and share your faith story and the gospel is by hosting a table and facilitating discussion, or cooking and serving a meal for the Alpha course. Karen Hart is coordinating the catering for the next courses which start in the last week of January 2025. There are more details below.

Fridays
Friday night youth social 7-9pm in the Busbridge Old Rectory
The popular session for 11-14s is currently running at limited capacity. Ben and the team can’t take any more young people without more volunteers. Contact ben.barnes@godalmingminster.org.

Sundays
The Ark and Explorers at Church Street 9.45am-12pm
We are looking for more people to support our excellent children’s groups for 0-11s on a Sunday in the Octagon – once or twice a month. If you would like to to share the gospel with young people in a fun and creative way, with songs and games, please get in touch with jenny.lansdowne@godalmingminster.org.

Please note that a DBS certificate is required to serve with young and vulnerable people. For info see the safeguarding policy. Training, instructions and support are provided for every role, and we also ask everyone to sign a volunteer agreement which sets out the scope for each role.

What’s on Where

There’s lots going on around Godalming Minster every week, for all ages and stages – always too much to list in the notices!

Elsewhere

SUPPORTING THOSE “LIVING WITH CANCER AND BEYOND” – FROM A RELATIVE’S PERSPECTIVE

Led by Daphne Bleach

Saturday 15th March 2025 10 am – 12.30 pm
(Coffee available from 9.30 am)

at Godalming Baptist Church,
Queen Street, Godalming, Surrey GU7 1BA

* Do you know what to say, and not to say, when someone says “I have cancer”?

* How does a diagnosis of cancer affect someone?

* How we can encourage someone to “live well with cancer”?

* What help and support is available to patients and their relatives?

* Living beyond treatment – the “elephant in the room”

* Who is there for those when no further treatment is available’?

Daphne is a Care Companion, offering help and support to families and those who are dying as they approach end of life.  Following her talk in 2024, Daphne will lead another informative and sensitive talk about how to come alongside and support those living with cancer, to help all of us make the best of the precious time we have together. Daphne Bleach is a Christian, whose nursing career spans over 40 years.

Please reserve a place, with payment of £7, by contacting Sally Pollard

email: pollard3@hotmail.co.uk, tel: 01483 428646

by Friday 28th February

Following Jesus

Mid-week prayer gatherings take place in the Zoom Online Prayer Room (8.45am Mon / 9am Wed), and at Godalming Minster Hambledon (9am Wed) and Franklyn Road (9am Mon and Tue). Vacancy Prayers are 1st Weds of the month around the Minster. Please check the calendar.

If you would like to join a prayer gathering online, please use the link to the online prayer room on Zoom with passcode: 2025.

Small groups meet in homes to study the bible, pray and journey together.
New members are invited to join an existing group, or form their own group.
To find out more and connect with the right one for you, contact Rev Hilary Pettman. e: hilary.pettman@godalmingminster.org.

Loving People

The Hub at Franklyn Road provides a free lunch and time to socialise every Tuesday from 12-2.30pm. Open to all in the area, and across the Minster. (Donations of homemade cakes are always welcome.)

Prime Time for older people meets every Monday at 10.30am in the Yew Tree Café for a coffee drop in. For all events and details, see Prime Time.

Nexus meets on the 1st Thursday of the month, with talks and activities for church members and the community. More about Nexus.

The Men’s Group meets for breakfast at 8.15am on the 1st Saturdays of the month. See the calendar for details.

Busbridge Coffee Morning takes place on 1st Wednesdays of the month at 10.30am in the Yew Tree Café.

Hambledon Coffee Morning and Hearing Aid Clinic takes place 3rd Wednesdays of the month at 10.30am.

The Bereavement Café takes place on the last Tuesday of the month, 2.30-4pm in the Busbridge Old Rectory.

Hearing Aid Clinics run at the Busbridge Old Rectory on 2nd Fridays of the month from 2.30-4pm, and at Godalming Library on 3rd Mondays of the month from 10.30am-12pm.

The Yew Tree Café at Godalming Minster Brighton Road is open 8.30am-4pm weekdays in term time, and 10am-2pm on Saturdays, and 9.30am-4pm during school holidays. There’s wi-fi and power for those that want to work, and Prime Time hosts a drop in session for anyone who’d like a coffee and a chat every Monday from 10.30-11.30am.

CYF activities for 0-18s include term-time Toddler Groups, The Youth Café and Friday Night Social, as well as Sunday groups and seasonal events.

Get Involved / Join a team

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…

MyChurchSuite is an app for members of Godalming Minster 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. See more instructions.

PASTORAL CARE & PRAYER MINISTRY

Can we pray for you?

***Please send prayer requests to prayer@godalmingminster.org***

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.

This Saturday – please support:

Cut out Cancer Concert – – 7pm Sat 1st Feb 2025 at Godalming Minster Church Street More details

Featured artists are: MBM Gospel Choir, Brighton Road, Classical duo Caroline and Jim and the DRCS Jazz Ensemble.

This concert will be an uplifting, emotional and entertaining event for the local community. Everyone is welcome and admission is free but we hope that the audience will be generous in their appreciation, make a donation and help make this a successful fundraising evening.

Dear Friends

This Sunday, we continue in John’s gospel, exploring the first sign or miracle Jesus performed: turning water into wine. John tells us that on day three of the wedding celebrations, the party was out of wine, or at least down to the dregs. It’s perhaps an odd idea that Jesus chose reveal his identity in the first instance by fuelling the celebrations with fine wine. (Nothing to do with reaching the end of “dry January”!) So this week in services and small groups we’ll be exploring what it tells us about the abundance, and best in life, that Jesus offers us; what it says about Him, and what it means to us.

Read on in the notices for:

• Courses starting: Alpha and The Bereavement Journey

• Call to Prayer 8pm next Weds 5 Feb at Hambledon

• Racial Justice Sunday 9 Feb

• Regular events coming up.

This Sunday

The First Sign – Turning Water into Wine
John 2:1-11

9am Choral Eucharist
Church Street

10am Morning Worship
Franklyn Road

10am Morning Worship
Hambledon

10am Classic Service [HC]
Brighton Road

10.30am Church in the Park (Contemporary All Age)
The Phillips Memorial Park, by the cloister, GU7 1ES
WHAT 3 WORDS LOCATION /// blaze.outfit.swept
BYO cup for coffee.

6pm Evening Worship
Brighton Road
Roots Youth (11-18s) meets in church before leaving for their time together in The Hut.

Coming Up

Racial Justice Sunday 9 February – Coat of Many Colours

This year is an important one for racial justice on these shores as it marks the 30th anniversary of RJS. RJS was established by the Methodist Church in 1995 following the tragic racist murder of Black teenager Stephen Lawrence in southeast London in April 1993.

Godalming Minster will be joining churches nationally to mark the anniversary in services and our prayers. Please take time this week to reflect and pray on some of the resources published by Churches Together in Britain and Ireland here: https://ctbi.org.uk/resources/racial-justice-sunday-9-february-2025/

Stay Curious. Try Alpha.

More details.

It’s not too late to join the Weds evening Alpha course which is now running at 7.30pm in the Old Rectory. There’s room for more so please contact lesley.mason@godalmingminster.org who will be delighted to hear from you.

We’re still looking for people to provide the meals that are an integral part of the course.  It’s fun and easier to do this with a friend or 2, or with your homegroup, but we can always provide extra hands to serve if you prefer to prepare it on your own. The evening course runs from 29th January for 10 weeks – we provide a hot meal and a light pudding. Do ask Karen Hart (07891 114306), or Lynda Donaldson (07596 921125) for further details and to offer your services! Or email the church office office@godalmingminster.org

The Bereavement Journey

The next 7-week course for anyone who has been bereaved recently or some time ago, will start on Monday 3 February. This will be the third course at Godalming Minster, and feedback from past participants has been very positive. The pastoral care team would be happy to speak to anyone who wants to find out a bit more, so please do get in touch now. More details.

Minster Prayer Gathering – 8pm 5 Feb at Hambledon

Everyone! Please gather with Simon Willetts at Godalming Minster Hambledon to pray for Godalming Minster and the people we serve, as we await a new Rector and other appointments. There is a short time of worship and reflection before we share a time of prayer. A reminder that Morning Prayer takes place online, and at Franklyn Road and Hambledon during the week. See below for details.

Nexus: Uzbekistan and the Silk Road By Gill Hillman

Thu 6 Feb at 8pm in the Busbridge Old Rectory: To bring some warmth to a winter’s evening, we look forward to hearing about Gill Hillman’s explorations of Uzbekistan and the Silk Road – with lots of stunning photographs! All are welcome, including men! Annual subscription £20.  Visitors £5 donation. New members welcome! For information, please contact: janetmharvey@btinternet.com or katekaye2@btinternet.com

Serving Opportunities – we God can use you here!

Here are some opportunities to make a fulfilling commitment – and meet some quite urgent needs, perhaps for a season, or a year. We need people’s time and love in a number of areas to keep sustain our missional activities. These are the ones under the priority areas of following Jesus, loving people and renewing faith that the leadership team are most aware of at the moment!:

Tuesdays
ABC Toddlers 9-11.30pm
Join Sophia at our busy toddler group in the Old Rectory. She’s currently flying solo and help with set up, welcoming and in the kitchen would be most welcome. Contact sophia.barnes@godalmingminster.org.

11-2pm Set up and host the Warm Hub at Franklyn Road
The Hub is open year-round serving a free lunch followed by tea and social time. In the winter months it’s a registered warm space. Awareness is growing in the local community and the Hub serves 15-20 regular guests each week. You would be serving alongside a small but faithful team who have been running the Hub since it began in 2020. Contact Michael and Julia Stubbs via the Minster Office.

Wednesdays
After-school youth café at Franklyn Road
The youth café welcomes 25+ years 5 and 6 children from St Mark’s and All Saints each week from 3-4.30pm and offers a snack and different games and activities. The great team of volunteers get alongside the children to provide them with a safe and welcoming space to chat and share their interests. (The after school café provides a great extension of the work that members of Godalming Minster are doing to support its church school with assemblies and class support.)

Wednesday evening
Alpha at the Busbridge Old Rectory
One of the best ways to explore and share your faith story and the gospel is by hosting a table and facilitating discussion, or cooking and serving a meal for the Alpha course. Karen Hart is coordinating the catering for the next courses which start in the last week of January 2025. There are more details below.

Fridays
Friday night youth social 7-9pm in the Busbridge Old Rectory
The popular session for 11-14s is currently running at limited capacity. Ben and the team can’t take any more young people without more volunteers. Contact ben.barnes@godalmingminster.org.

Sundays
The Ark and Explorers at Church Street 9.45am-12pm
We are looking for more people to support our excellent children’s groups for 0-11s on a Sunday in the Octagon – once or twice a month. If you would like to to share the gospel with young people in a fun and creative way, with songs and games, please get in touch with jenny.lansdowne@godalmingminster.org.

Please note that a DBS certificate is required to serve with young and vulnerable people. For info see the safeguarding policy. Training, instructions and support are provided for every role, and we also ask everyone to sign a volunteer agreement which sets out the scope for each role.

What’s on Where

There’s lots going on around Godalming Minster every week, for all ages and stages – always too much to list in the notices!

Following Jesus

Mid-week prayer gatherings take place in the Zoom Online Prayer Room (8.45am Mon / 9am Wed), and at Godalming Minster Hambledon (9am Wed) and Franklyn Road (9am Mon and Tue). Vacancy Prayers are 1st Weds of the month around the Minster. Please check the calendar.

If you would like to join a prayer gathering online, please use the link to the online prayer room on Zoom with passcode: 2025.

Small groups meet in homes to study the bible, pray and journey together.
New members are invited to join an existing group, or form their own group.
To find out more and connect with the right one for you, contact Rev Hilary Pettman. e: hilary.pettman@godalmingminster.org.

Loving People

The Hub at Franklyn Road provides a free lunch and time to socialise every Tuesday from 12-2.30pm. Open to all in the area, and across the Minster. (Donations of homemade cakes are always welcome.)

Prime Time for older people meets every Monday at 10.30am in the Yew Tree Café for a coffee drop in. For all events and details, see Prime Time.

Nexus meets on the 1st Thursday of the month, with talks and activities for church members and the community. More about Nexus.

The Men’s Group meets for breakfast at 8.15am on the 1st Saturdays of the month. See the calendar for details.

Busbridge Coffee Morning takes place on 1st Wednesdays of the month at 10.30am in the Yew Tree Café.

Hambledon Coffee Morning and Hearing Aid Clinic takes place 3rd Wednesdays of the month at 10.30am.

The Bereavement Café takes place on the last Tuesday of the month, 2.30-4pm in the Busbridge Old Rectory.

Hearing Aid Clinics run at the Busbridge Old Rectory on 2nd Fridays of the month from 2.30-4pm, and at Godalming Library on 3rd Mondays of the month from 10.30am-12pm.

The Yew Tree Café at Godalming Minster Brighton Road is open 8.30am-4pm weekdays in term time, and 10am-2pm on Saturdays, and 9.30am-4pm during school holidays. There’s wi-fi and power for those that want to work, and Prime Time hosts a drop in session for anyone who’d like a coffee and a chat every Monday from 10.30-11.30am.

CYF activities for 0-18s include term-time Toddler Groups, The Youth Café and Friday Night Social, as well as Sunday groups and seasonal events.

Elsewhere

BULLYING – IT’S HAPPENING EVERYWHERE
Led by Revd Peter Jackson
Saturday 25th January 2025 10 am – 12.30 pm
(Coffee available from 9.30 am) at Godalming Baptist Church,
Queen Street, Godalming, Surrey GU7 1BA

What is bullying?
What is the difference between bullying and harassment?
We often associate bullying with children but many adults are bullied.
In what situations does bullying happen?
What are the signs that bullying might be taking place?
What does it feel like to be bullied?
How do we deal with bullying?

 Come and join us to look at some of these issues together, and find out ways of combatting bullying whether for our own preservation, or in coming alongside others who are experiencing this intimidating behaviour.

 The session will be free of charge, but voluntary donations are invited for The National Bullying Helpline. Please reserve a place, by contacting Sally Pollard email: pollard3@hotmail.co.uk, tel: 01483 428646.

Get Involved / Join a team

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…

MyChurchSuite is an app for members of Godalming Minster 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. See more instructions.

PASTORAL CARE & PRAYER MINISTRY

Can we pray for you?

***Please send prayer requests to prayer@godalmingminster.org***

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.