Shining Love!
Love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
1 Peter 4:8
# 20 Tuesday 29th March
Shining Hospitality!
Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.
1 Peter 4:9
# 19 Monday 28th March
They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you.
1 Peter 4:4
BHC4Ukraine: Organise. Support. Host. Finance. Pray. Check
“Hope is a spark of glory”
Thomas Brooks Preacher of the House of Commons c1648
If you’ve signed up to host Ukrainian refugees or are likely to do so, please could you complete a simple poll so that we have an idea of possible numbers involved. Please do this in the next 48 hours
HOSTS FOR UKRAINIANS POLL LINK
We are wondering how widespread the hosting-support might be.
The question this raises is how the spark ignited in us by the Holy Spirit has become a flame of Christ-shaped compassionate hope. Sparks of hope change us and bring goodness from even the deepest places of darkness and despair.
A spark of hope
In 2004 a Ukrainian reformer stood for president. His name was Viktor Yushchenko. He suffered a strange case of dioxin poisoning but he courageously refused to back down. He knew that a huge majority of 92% of the population had voted for independence some years previously.
On the 2004 election night two things happened. Despite his exit poll lead, Yushchenko seemed to lose the election. The other situation concerned an unknown lady called Natalya.
Natalya was the deaf-sign-translator who featured at the bottom of the tv screen to communicate to the deaf community that Yuschenko had lost the election, except she didn’t! Natalya instead signed these words, which ignited like a spark:
“Don’t believe what they say. They are lying and I am ashamed to translate these lies. Yushchenko is our President!”.
One woman’s stand sparked hope amongst the deaf community as they texted and emailed friends. A reaction set in. Half a million people gathered in Kyiv and a spark became a flame. [For more on Natalya, see Christianity Today March 2022]
The spark in us
What is the spark that has been ignited in us as we have seen recent images and heard the news? How has the spark become a flame in our lives? How do we sense this spark within us is a calling of the Holy Spirit to live differently, be transformers for good and become more Christ like?
As a church, we aspire to reflect the living flame of Christ because Christ is eternal hope in a darkening world. As the lights have gone out in a part of eastern Europe it surely brings the light of our faith into glowing focus.
We are called to offer hospitality to the traumatised refugee because loving deeply reflects our hope in Christ (1 Peter 4:9). Hospitality is the Greek word philoxenos – love of the stranger. We cannot all take someone into our homes and each person’s circumstance is different. The flame of hope will burn differently for each of us. One may have a gift of a home to share, another may provide food, someone may bring their administrative skills into an organising group, someone else may offer finances (1 Peter 4:10-11).
In recent days the PCC (church trustees) has met, the church leadership has discussed Ukraine and the Channel for Mission group has expanded to encompass a team of willing volunteer organisers. We desire to commit us as a church to six things: organise, host, finance, support, pray, check. None are of the magnitude of Natalya’s words or deeds, but each is a word and deed that communicates that the spark has become a flame of our faithfulness to God. None of us can do all of them.
The flame of response
1 Organise. We need organisers. We’ve learnt from how Afghan and Syrian refugees have been supported. We have formed an organising group to co-ordinate how we might respond as a church, with hosts and with local people. We need several more members. Please email Simon Taylor, Simon Willetts or Shelgah Godwin to join the group. This is a group which will act as a conduit to coordinate work with others locally like the council, churches, Hambledon village team and voluntary groups. It may place refugees or this may be done by the council/government. It will ensure we provide welcome and look at how to support people. It will not be sourcing furnishings or fridge, running or errands. It is an organising group.
2 Host. If you have signed your home up to receive a refugee, or intend to do so, please complete the poll in the next 48 hours. We will keep any information you share confidential. We will only share your name and contact details with the organising group. We simply seeking to gain a general sense of the numbers involved.
3 Finance. Be ready to provide financially, probably via our church family support fund and restricted specifically to Ukrainian support, locally for the refugees/hosts so that they can do things like open a bank account. Please don’t give to this yet. Do give to DEC and other groups directly sending funds elsewhere. Hambledon church and village community are already working together and have an organising team and have raised several thousand pounds which is being held in the church account in a special restricted fund.
4 Support. Be ready to offer practical support to refugees/hosts. You might want to let the organising team know if you have any particular gifts or interests to offer.
5 Pray, and join our regular vigils 7.30pm Hambledon and 8pm Busbridge – Tuesdays.
6 Check our webpage on this whole situation; we will keep it updated.
# 18 Friday 25th March
The resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities, and powers in submission to him.
1 Peter 3:22
The BHC theme for Lent this year is “Letting the Light Shine”, and cultivating JOY, even in testing times. To accompany the journey through 1 Peter in the sermon series, there are short daily thoughts from church members. Why not add the page to the Home screen on your phone (use the forwarding function), or on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Notices for 27 March – MOTHERING SUNDAY
Patrick and Simon provide the headlines for this Sunday.
In other BHC news this week, a fleet from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission came to install the replacement headstone for the F.W.S McLaren grave… a long project which the churchwardens are pleased to have completed. There will be a dedication of the new gravestone in due course…
…and the Yew Tree café at Busbridge Church opened to a steady stream of happy customers!
Love the beautiful new church café. Such an amazing new addition to Busbridge.
Just one of the positive messages from a local resident and parent at Busbridge Junior School.
The café is open 8.30am-4.30pm Monday to Friday. Coffee for Sunday services at Busbridge will move into the café on 3rd April, but if you want to try coffee from excellent barista machine, and the delicious cakes and snacks, please pop in on a weekday.
This Sunday 27 March
Carefree
1 Peter 5: 6-14
Part 6 of the sermon series The Character of Living Holiness, with readings from 1 Peter
9.15AM BUSBRIDGE Classic Service
Led by: Maggie Jagger
Speaker: Ruth Roseblade
Busbridge Church & Online
9.30AM HAMBLEDON Heritage Service
Leader: Simon Willetts
Speaker: Margot Spencer
Hambledon Church & Online
10.30AM BUSBRIDGE Contemporary Service [Holy Communion]
with Mothering Sunday craft for those in children’s groups
Leaders: Andy Spencer
Speaker: Ruth Roseblade
Busbridge Church & Online
10.30AM HAMBLEDON Contemporary Service
Leader & Speaker: Simon Willetts
Hambledon Church
6PM UNPLUGGED Youth Service
Led by Anto Ficatier and the Unplugged team
Old Rectory Garden: Unplugged will happen in the Old Rectory garden this Sunday. Food will be served. BYO chair or rug.
Next Sunday 3 April
Mission Sunday in aid of The Guildford BESOM
Reading: James 2:14-26
We are happy to receive cash, cheque, card and online donations, but for efficiency and the lowest fees, BACS IS BEST! Use the donate button for details.
9.30AM HAMBLEDON Heritage Service
Leader: Simon Willetts
Speaker: Dudley Hilton
Hambledon Church & Online
10.30AM BUSBRIDGE Combined Service
Leader: Simon Taylor
Speaker: Simon Taylor
Busbridge Church & Online
Followed by the blessing of the Yew Tree Café with The Venerable Paul Davies, Archdeacon of Surrey. Coffee after the service will be served in the café.
10.30AM HAMBLEDON Contemporary Service
Leader: Simon Willetts
Speaker: Dudley Hilton
Hambledon Church
6PM BUSBRIDGE Evening Service
Leader & Speaker: Simon Willetts
Busbridge Church
Please see the latest Rector’s Reflection: BHC4Ukraine – Organise, Support, Host, Pray, Check and complete the poll if you have registered with the government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme.
Prayer vigils continued for Ukraine on Tuesday, and more people joined the BHC4Ukraine group. The role and remit of the group will be agreed at a Zoom meeting at 7pm on Monday 28th March.
The weekly prayer vigils for Ukraine will continue on TUESDAYS: 7.30pm at Hambledon Church, and 8pm at Busbridge Church.
JOIN THE “BHC 4 UKRAINE” TEAM
While we await the launch of the government’s programme, the Outward Giving group is gathering a team to coordinate “community sponsorship” opportunities, and ways to welcome individuals and families into the parish as they are settled with hosts. If you would like to join those who have already stepped in, please contact Shelagh Godwin e: shelagh.godwin@bhcgodalming.org.
GIVE £
Hambledon is collecting for the DEC via the Hambledon Ukraine Appeal which instigated by members of the village and church. There are cash and electronic collection points in the church, pub, Hambledon Nursery and the village shop which will go to the Just Giving campaign: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/hambledonukraineappeal
New Church Directory (See the My ChurchSuite Consent Request)
We will be turning on the address book function in MyChurchSuite on Monday 29 March. This means that if you have a MyChurchSuite account for the phone app, or web site, you will be able to share your details and look up other people in the Church Address book. Please note that the app is password protected, and only available to church members. It means that the church can improve data protection and security, while communicating with each other more effectively. You can find out more here: https://support.churchsuite.com/article/106-what-is-my-churchsuite-overview
Everyone who received the notices by email will shortly be receiving an email request from ChurchSuite titled [BHC Godalming] Consent Request. This has been sent out by Vic and Cat in the office and is not spam.
1 minute job! Please use the link in the email to review and grant consent (or not) for your details to be used and shared in MyChurchSuite. You can choose to share all contact details, or just your email, or phone number for example. If you do not review and update your details and consent by Monday, the information we currently hold for you will be used. i.e. if you have previously granted consent for your details to be shared, they will be visible in the My ChurchSuite Directory. If you haven’t previously granted consent, they won’t be. But please do check!
If you already have a user ID for MyChurchSuite, you will be able to use the Address book to look up the contact details of other church members who have agreed to share their details. If you have not ever logged onto MyChurchSuite, have never had an account, or have lost the password, we will send out a new email to create an account. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Church Office.
Thanks to those who have recorded a thought on a verse from 1 Peter. They are so encouraging! Catch up by using the page link above.
To help those providing hospitality, please use the Easter page above to sign up to the Hot Cross Bun adventure, and the Easter Garden Service and Egg Hunt.
Help needed for Lent & Easter Events:
Cakes & bakes for the Easter Garden Service on Saturday 15 April. Please let us know if you can make something for the delicious cake table during the egg hunt in the Old Rectory garden by filling in the cake form. The cakes must be NUT FREE and it is helpful if people could list the ingredients. Thanks to those who have already committed to make and bake.
Helpful Habits Refresher – Mondays at 8.45am on Zoom
Did you start a habit of quiet prayer sometime in the past and feel you have become rusty? Or would you like some help with quiet, reflective prayer times? Gertrud Sollars and Shan Hallam are going to use the Reflective Prayer times on Monday mornings in Lent to present and practise different ways of listening to God in quiet, using scripture and anything else that helps. No need to book – join us on Zoom, meeting ID 946 391 4833, password 2022, Mondays from 8.45 to 9.30. We only have 45 minutes, so please come on time. Still to go: 21.03.22 Praying with poetry, 28.03.22 Praying with the imagination, 04.04.22 Praying the Examen /prayer doodling, 11.04.22 Prayer journaling /writing to God.
‘Inspired to…Bloom’ Frances will be talking about the Language of Flowers, a concept popular in Victorian times whereby flowers were attributed meanings and a bouquet of flowers was full of symbolism. Frances will also make reference to the various floral symbols included in the fabric and architecture of Busbridge Church as well as highlighting some of the many floral references contained within the Bible and how we ourselves might be inspired to ‘bloom’. Tea & cake will be served after the talk.
Event details: Busbridge Church, Monday March 28th at 2.30pm. For catering purposes please can people book onto the event by emailing: primetime@bhcgodalming.org A free event although donations welcomed towards the cost of refreshments.
Please check the Godalming Minster Evaluation page under News for the proposal, and updates from the steering group.
CALL TO PRAYER for the Minster Evaluation Process:
9AM Wednesdays on Zoom
5PM Sunday 10 April at St Peter and St Paul’s Church
Members of BHC, St Mark’s and St Peter & St Paul are called to pray together to undergird the discussions regarding the Bishop’s suggestion that we become one parish with St. Peter and St. Paul and St. Mark’s Churches and form a Minster. The first prayer meeting on 13 March was wonderfully led and attended. Please join the next special meeting at St Peter and St Paul’s 10 April.
Verger needed for weddings and funerals at Busbridge
We have a vacancy to fill from the end of May. Ad-hoc verger duties are paid per service, and more details are available on request. If you are interested, please see the job ad linked below, and get in touch catherine.garner@bhcgodalming.org. Training will be given, and there is a chance to learn alongside Keith Harper at a service on 6 April. More details >
Coming Up:
See the list below or look up dates further ahead in the full calendar. Select the event for details and the location (online or on site).
Looking Ahead
Nexus Event: ‘Who’d go out in the Woods at Night?’ Answer: Surrey Search and Rescue! That’s the chilling title of the presentation on Thursday 7th April by Rosie Jordan, Events Manager for Surrey SAR. Surrey Search & Rescue is an entirely voluntary specialist search team which assists the emergency services find missing vulnerable adults and children. They are on-call 24 hours a day, with a team of 80+ people and search dogs, to respond across Surrey and surrounding areas. This gives just an inkling of what that means for vulnerable missing people in our area. Do come along to learn more and see how we can support this vital charity. We’ll meet in the Busbridge Old Rectory at 8.00pm. You’ll be welcomed with a glass of wine or a soft drink and have a chance to catch up with each other before Rosie begins her talk. We look forward to seeing you. We invite you to become a member of Nexus, for a fee of £18. There’s a £5.00 visitor fee for non-members. All are welcome, including men!
The Big Spring Clean will take place on 23 April – in the morning at Busbridge and the afternoon at Hambledon. It’s a great church family event, with physical work rewarded by a BBQ lunch and/or afternoon tea.
Alpha @ Hambledon Contemporary. The next Alpha course will take place on Sundays at 10.30am in Hambledon Church, starting on 24 April. Anyone wishing to explore the Christian faith is invited. Watch this space for more details, and get in touch with Simon.Willetts@bhcgodalming.org if this is something you’d like to try.
Join the Electoral Roll / 2022 APCMs on 22 May: 10.30am Busbridge & 4pm Hambledon. To vote in the elections of church officers (church wardens) and other matters you must be on the electoral roll. If you have not already enrolled, please submit you application form ASAP – see Electoral Roll.
Heritage Weekend 17-18 September 2022
The regular Heritage weekend reps are unable to be at Busbridge Church to show people around this year. If you would like to help at any time on the afternoons, please contact Michael Stubbs e: volunteer@bhcgodalming.org. A confirmation of whether a welcomer and guide will be available is needed before the brochure goes to print in April.
Please Pray for
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Mothering Sunday
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Summerhouse road steward Jill Johnston
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Rock Hill
ELSEWHERE
Please see the March issue of Link Up HERE and info on other local church events:
£ donations to St Mark’s Foodbank
From time to time the foodbank needs to buy specific items for customers that they don’t have in stock. Unfortunately cash reserves are low and the foodbank is appealing for financial donations as well as goods. To give money, please donate by BACS to St Marks Community Centre, sort code 402212, a/c 91277766, or send cheques to St Marks, Franklyn Road, Godalming GU7 2LD.
Godalming Baptist Church Life Sessions are back in 2022. Topics covered: Decision Making and the Will of God; Autism; Compassion Fatigue; Growing Old Disgracefully – holding onto what matters with increasing age; Bereavement; Come and Be Colourful. Please see the full brochure here.
HOWLING OWL at the Holloway Hill Recreation ground:
The bar is open:-
Sundays 12-6pm, Tuesday 7.30-10.30pm, Thursday 8.30-10.30pm
The horse box is open:-
Saturday and Sunday 9am-5pm
Busbridge and Hambledon Churches are open daily for private prayer.
PRAYER MINISTRY TEAM AVAILABLE
To contact the EMERGENCY prayer chain, email prayer@bhcgodalming.org or call 01483 421267.
Listening prayer is available mid-week.
# 17 Thursday 24th March
Do not be frightened. But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord.
1 Peter 3:14
# 16 Wednesday 23rd March
The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
1 Peter 3:12
#15 Tuesday 22 March
Repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
1 Peter 3: 9
# 14 Monday 21st March
Considerate people stand out!
Be considerate as you live
1 Peter 3: 7