Author: vick.hicks

Last week we said that a brochure with vision and possibilities for worship including worship ministry and re-ordering Busbridge Church would come out this week. Following the PCC meeting, looking at the details further and after some helpful feedback after last week’s brief information, we feel it right to defer for a week so that we get the correct information out to you all, for response and discussion on Dec 2nd. There will be people available after services this Sunday (25th Nov) to informally answer immediate questions. Please speak to Rosie and Simon (Busbridge Contemp), David Mace (Busbridge Classic), Simon (6.30pm) or David Jenkins (Hambledon). There will be official Q&A sessions on Dec 9th across the Benefice.

The Alpha course (an opportunity to explore the meaning of life and the Christian faith in a relaxed environment) starts on January 9th in the Old Rectory. Please be praying and thinking about who you could invite; invitation cards will be available soon. We are holding a prayer evening for the course this coming Wednesday (28th) at 8.00pm, also in the Old Rectory. Please come and join us to pray – the course will be a life-changing event for some and we need to cover it with prayer. An hour or so of your time would be really appreciated and will make a difference!”

The Channel for Mission team would like to thank everyone at BHC for the very generous donations given to the Five Talents at Harvest last month. An incredible £2,921.25 was raised.

Church Centre Redevelopment Update: Dave Preece has been in conversation with Guildford Diocese with regards to permissions and faculties needed for the Church Centre Redevelopment. The team are working on design and cost plans to present to the PCC. For more information please speak to Dave.

Home groups are one of the ways our church family meet up midweek to grow closer together as family and closer to Christ as saviour. In 2019 we’ll look at their central place in our future, the church vision and how we live-out our calling as disciples of Jesus at BHC. If you’d like to get involved in a mid-week group please call the church office or ask a service leader about them. If you are a home group leader and you haven’t yet contacted Simon to confirm your email address please could you do so this week?

The Busbridge Contemporary service on 2nd December is going to be of the like, never seen before! All welcome to come along to the Fuse Christingle! An interactive service for the whole family, there are rumours of a different spin on a Christingle…did someone say Jaffa Cakes?!

PLEASE PRAY FOR…

·  The proposed changes to Busbridge Church
·  The search for our new Youth Minister at BHC
·  The bereaved
·  Monteagle and Westdean and their road stewards Guy & Jo Cookes
·  Quartermile Road & Roundals Lane

Some resources for Home Groups for Advent to Epiphany have been added to the website for those who’d like to use them. Access them via www.bhcgodalming.org/hgresources.

An information booklet with the outline and vision for the Busbridge church reordering and the benefice wide music worship ministry will be distributed next Sunday, 25th November.  This is an exciting opportunity for the benefice to embrace a fresh dynamic for worship and service.  Intriguing? Do read the booklet.

This afternoon there is the very first drop-in Christmas Crafternoon happening in the Old Rectory from 2.00pm – 6.00pm. Open to all ages (under 16s must be accompanied by an adult), you can bring your own crafts if you’d like or dip into the crafts on offer. Strong rumours of tea and cake too. Do pop in you have a chance and bring out your creative side.

The next ladies’ film night is happening on Tuesday at 7.30 pm and we are now showing The Shack – not The Greatest Showman as previously advertised. It is helpful to know numbers for catering purposes so if you’d like to come along then please email ladies@bhcgodalming.org (we’ll let you know the location by return email).

Speaking of all things cinematic, we have a lovely Christmas Marvellous Movie Matinee planned for 2.30pm on Saturday, 8th December at Busbridge Church. In this adaptation of the beloved children’s tale by Dr. Seuss, the reclusive green Grinch decides to ruin Christmas for the cheery citizens of Whoville. This event follows after the Busbridge Junior School fair, so why not head over to the church whilst you’re feeling all Christmassy? Invite your friends along to this super afternoon!

The next Churches Together Prayer Breakfast is happening at 8.30am on Saturday, 24th November, in the Hambledon Church Room. All welcome to come along.

The next Squires Lunch will be on Sunday 25th November at 12.15pm. Squires will be doing special Christmas Lunch plus the normal lunch menu will be available as usual that day. We do hope you will be able to join us for an early start to the festive season. For more information please speak to Brian & Pat Oxborough.

PLEASE PRAY FOR…

·  The planned changes to Busbridge Church

·  The Ford, Puddephatt and Bajer families

·  Claire Pearson and Doris Borthwick

·  The search for our new Youth Minister at BHC

·  Those working in medicine

·  Minster Road and their road stewards Ruth Bennett, Sarah Black and Nick Moore

·  Parkfield and Rock Hill

We send our love to Niki Ford whose mother, Barbara, died on Monday.  Please pray for peace and comfort for Niki and Pete, Annabelle, Sophie Charlie and Toby … also for the wider family, Niki’s siblings and their families.

And also to Mark Puddephatt, whose father died last Sunday (4th November).  Please hold Mark and Dawn, Theo, Reuben and Millie in your prayers, together with Mark’s mother, Molly, and the wider family.

Cherry Slater’s funeral service will be in Busbridge Church on Friday 16th November 2018, at 12noon, followed by refreshments in the Village Hall. All who knew Cherry will be very welcome.

We interviewed for the Youth Ministry post last week but the panel was unanimous in deciding not to appoint any of the candidates. Please pray for the Pathfinder and Ichthus volunteers and young people, for Becky and Juliet and for the disappointed candidates. We are taking Diocesan advice and will advertise again very soon.

 The next Squires Lunch will be on Sunday 25th November at 12.15pm. Squires will be doing special Christmas Lunch plus the normal lunch menu will be available as usual that day. We do hope you will be able to join us for an early start to the festive season. For more information please speak to Brian & Pat Oxborough.

Our Church needs prayer and needs you!
There is a prayer time on the 2nd Saturday of every Month (8.00 – 9.00am with refreshments after) in Busbridge Church to pray for our leaders and events coming up. Prayer can be out loud or silent. Upcoming dates are listed on the website www.bhcgodalming.org/whats-on…do book it in your diary and come along.

 

The Nexus Charity Quiz Night is only three weeks away, on Saturday 1st December! It’s in Busbridge Village Hall and starts at 7.30pm. We’re delighted to have the dedicated and entertaining duo, Alan Betts and Dudley Hilton, masterminding the quiz for us.  Tickets are £12, to include a quiche supper and some delicious homemade desserts. The raffle is in support of our chosen charity: SERV Surrey and South London. This is your last chance to get one of the few remaining tickets from Janet Harvey on 01483 423264 or email her at: janetmharvey@btinternet.com.  We need to have firm numbers by 23rd November. If you’ve signed up for tickets but haven’t collected them yet, now is the time, please! You can pay electronically if you wish; call for details. It’ll be a great start to the Christmas festivities.

 

PLEASE PRAY FOR…

·  The Ford, Puddephatt and Bajer families

·  Doris Borthwick as she returns home from hospital

·  Claire Pearson and family

·  The planned changes to Busbridge Church

·  Those working in medicine

·  Maryvale and their road steward Jackie Beale

·  Park Road and Potters Hill

 

We have been saddened to hear of the death of Cherry Slater, last Thursday, 25th October.  Cherry was a longstanding church member and Prime Timer; she had recently moved to Winchester to be near her daughter.  Cherry’s funeral service will be in Busbridge Church on Friday 16th November 2018, at 12noon, followed by refreshments in the Village Hall. All who knew Cherry will be very welcome.

We send our love to Javier Bajer, whose father died last week, in Argentina.  Please pray for Javier, Sil and the children, and for the wider family. 

Church space update…The group looking at opening up the main space (nave) of Busbridge Church are meeting on November 6th in the Old Rectory to look at final plans, costs and to discuss keeping everyone informed of progress. We’ll share further information as soon as we have it. 

Have you ever wished you could arrive at church to the sound of church bells?  Well, for one week, you can! Come along in good time for our Remembrance Sunday service next week, to hear the Lammas Ringers, who will be ringing a peal of bells outside Busbridge Church before the service.

Please come and join Jeannie Postill at the next Space for God as she facilitates us in a  time of deliberately  giving  God time and  space. We meet in church on Tuesday 6th November from 8.00 -9.00pm. You are welcome to come for part or all of this hour.

Our Church needs prayer and needs you!
There is a prayer time on the 2nd Saturday of every Month in Busbridge Church to prayer for our leaders and events coming up. Prayer can be out loud or silent. The next one will be on Saturday 10th November 8.00 – 9.00am with refreshments after. Do book it in your diary for next week and come along.

Nexus Charity Quiz Night on Saturday 1st December in Busbridge Village Hall at 7.30pm. Our Quizmaster is Alan Betts, with Dudley Hilton keeping track of the scores. There’ll be a charity raffle in support of ‘SERV Surrey and South London’, whose amazing volunteers deliver emergency blood products and baby milk for the NHS at night, whatever the weather. Tickets are £12 including a quiche supper and some delicious homemade desserts. Tickets are selling fast, and you can buy yours by contacting Janet Harvey. It’s always a great evening. All are very welcome.

Busbridge Church Centre will be transformed into a giant advent calendar again this December. To make this happen, we need 24  x A3 pictures with Christmas related themes. All different varieties of picture are welcome – you don’t need to be artistic to take part. For more details or to contribute a picture please email advent@bhcgodalming.org.

 

PLEASE PRAY FOR…

·  The  interviews for the Youth Minister role

·  Claire Pearson and family

·  The planned changes to Busbridge Church

·  Those working in Social Services

·  Latimer Road and their road steward Linda Smith

·  Old Rectory Gardens and Markwick Lane

Prayer for the Fourth Sunday before Advent

God of glory, touch our lips with the fire of your Spirit, that we with all creation may rejoice to sing your praise; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

Could this be you? We’re offering two great opportunities to work with us in delivering our vision of ‘loving God, making disciples and transforming communities’. Both are part-time midweek positions and might be possible as mainly term-time based roles 1) Approx 10 hours a week developing and organising small groups, home groups, evangelism and integration of new people into this lovely church family. 2) The opening of the Old Rectory means that we have more activity going on (already!) so we are reorganising how the office and admin works. We’re offering a new approx. 8 hour a week admin support position. The roles could be for one person (combined c18hrs a week) or be treated as two roles. Speak to Simon if you are interested in finding out more about either or both roles.

We’re updating our email contact list of home group and connect (all the small groups) group leaders so that we can communicate with leaders effectively and get feedback on things. If you are a home group leader or lead a small group please email Simon so we can build this confidential list.

A reminder that there is a Prime Time event taking place on Wednesday 24th October at the Old Rectory commencing at 2.00pm. Alan Betts will be sharing some of his knowledge and expertise in an interactive talk about trees and local woodland. Contact the Prime Time Team at the Church office or email primetime@bhcgodalming.org to let us know you are coming.

Our annual Memorial Service will be held on Saturday 3rd November at 3.00pm in Busbridge Church. All are welcome. Letters of invitation have been sent to people bereaved within the last two years and to anyone else who has requested a letter.  f you would like someone remembered by name at the service, spare copies of the letter are available at the back of both churches. Please help yourself to one and return it to Margot via the church office. Thank you!

Superhero Sunday  is happening in the Busbridge Contemporary on 28th October where we’ll be looking at Psalm 139:1-7 and how Jesus is our Superhero! Dust off your superhero costumes, or come as you are as we have an whole church family service (no children’s groups but crèche will run as normal during the service).

Busbridge Church Centre will be transformed into a giant advent calendar again this December. To make this happen, we need 24  x A3 pictures with Christmas related themes. All different varieties of picture are welcome – you don’t need to be artistic to take part. For more details or to contribute a picture please email advent@bhcgodalming.org.

BHC is planning on running an Alpha Course in the New Year. There will be opportunities for all kinds of involvement, whatever you feel comfortable and capable of committing to: praying regularly, providing food, helping in a group, setting up, clearing up, providing music, marketing skills, leaflet drops, whatever, there’ll be a role for you! So, if you’re interested in helping out do let Paul Ridsdale-Smith know, on alpha@bhcgodalming.org. And of course, do start to think about who you will invite to come along.

 

PLEASE PRAY FOR…

·  Our upcoming Light Party

·  Those applying for the Youth Minister role

·  The planned changes to Busbridge Church

·  The work of Nexus

·  Latimer Road and their road steward Linda Smith

·  Old Rectory Gardens and Markwick Lane

Which are we in life? We’ve been looking at this scenario recently as a church community.
Stop following everyone else’s road. Be transformed. Have a renewed mind.

Test and Discern so know what’s really good. (Romans 12:2, The Bible)It is important to know the past and the basis of where you’ve come from in life, business and background.

The famous psychologist M. Scott Peck wrote ‘The Road Less Travelled’ and he noted a common theme: that the vast majority of people consider that they look ahead, based on their conscious awareness but the, conscious is driven by their sub-conscious.

He would draw a small circle with a huge outer circle around it and label the smaller one ‘conscious’ leaving the enormous one the collective experience and understanding of the sub-conscious. Was it sensible to consider that something that huge wasn’t a ‘driver’ into the future?

Testing and discerning in order to make good decisions is healthy. It is important to look down at today. To take a moment to consider the things that we rarely consider.

The Mindfulness movement has brought this to an increasing number of people. The Bible spoke into this long ago with a verse from the New Testament “be transformed by the renewing of your mind”. As a church we’ve been looking at today: who we are, the things we do and the reason for this. One of the key questions has been whether a vicar is still needed, wanted or desired in the village. We’ve come to the view that this is something which is for the general good of all and we are moving forward with this.

It is important to look to the future. There is a beautiful Hebrew word in Scripture: parach. We know it as ‘flourish’. Flourishing involves two things for the Christian. It is a combination of the two people who met at the crossroads where one was looking ahead and the other focused on the road just travelled.

The Hebrew means to ‘blossom and bud; to bear something new as it unfurls’. It is like looking down a road of a new dawn in life or the sealing of a corporate decision that leads to good things. It also means looking back and seeing the old ways cease; a dying off of that which has been holding us back; literally ‘withering it to nothing’ so that it has no power over us any longer.

You’re invited to explore the crossroads.

As a church we are looking back down the road of the best of the past; looking at today and mindful of a flourishing future. If this is something that sparks thoughts for you; perhaps about a different future, being the same person but with a new ethic which allows the past to wither away; a desire to pause, reset and consider today; then we’re offering a course over several weeks in the New Year to explore whether this holds water and a Christian approach which centres life differently is worth pursuing.

If you’d like to find out more information about this course (called Alpha) then put alpha course trailer into YouTube for a 2 minute intro. It’s about looking back, down and forwards all at once. To take this a step further and ask about the course that we’re putting on, email alpha@bhcgodalming.org.

Simon Taylor

BHC is planning on running an Alpha Course in the New Year – seems like an age away, but there are only 72 sleeps until Christmas! There will be opportunities for all kinds of involvement, whatever you feel comfortable and capable of committing to: praying regularly, providing food, helping in a group, setting up, clearing up, providing music, marketing skills, leaflet drops, whatever, there’ll be a role for you! So, if you’re interested in helping out do let Paul Ridsdale-Smith know, on alpha@bhcgodalming.org. And of course, do start to think about who you will invite to come.

Calling all singers! We have some choir rehearsals coming up, with plans to lead worship at the Classic service on the First Sunday of Advent (2/12) as well as preparing for the carol service. The next couple of rehearsals are 4/11, 18/11 and 25/11, in the main church, 11.30-12.30. We would love to have you join us whether you have sung with the choir before or not (whilst preferred, you don’t have to be able to attend all rehearsals). Please contact Jenna for more information. Hope to see you there!

We’re looking for 2-4 great people to help the Busbridge Church reordering team get things organised. Speak to Frances Shaw, David Mace, Andy Spencer, Ian White or Simon Taylor to join the team. Thank you to the 2 people who stepped forward on the Away Day.

For the ladies, we have one of our popular Evening of Yumminess events on Friday, 19th October at Annie’s home. A great opportunity to invite along your friends. A free event – we just ask you to bring a bottle or dessert or cake. A great way to get to know other ladies in the church and/or to invite along non church friends for a fun evening with lots of scrummy puds! Email Nicky on ladies@bhcgodalming.org to let us know you are coming and for the venue address.

A reminder about the upcoming Hambledon Ladies Breakfast on Saturday 10th November with guest Simon Crowther, speaking about The Cellar & Skillway. Tickets are £9 and are available from Hambledon Village Shop.

Also the Hambledon prayer breakfast, Saturday 20th October, 8.30am in the Church Room.

Thanks to Carol Keating for the lovely harvest decorations in church as well as those who made the Messy Vintage scarecrows.

 

PLEASE PRAY FOR…

·  Our upcoming Light Party

·  Those applying for the Youth Minister role

·  The planned changes to Busbridge Church

·  Local Schools and the Trinity Trust Team

·  Home Farm Road and their road steward Jean Hawden

·  Oakdene Road, Malthouse Lane & St Dominic’s School

 

If you are reading this in the morning, there’s still time to come along to our Newcomers’ Welcome tea, this afternoon  at 3.00pm-4.00pm. Yew House, Hascombe Road. All welcome.

 Church Cottage Renovation update…
Thank you to Ed Payne who has been working on the garden. Inside, decoration work continues as does the DIY jobs list. Please pray for continued good progress. Owen Roseblade and David Hart

Thank you to everyone for a great church family Away Day last Sunday. It was an AMAZING day where we looked at faithfulness and flourishing. Two important bits of news which came out of the day were:
 1) That after 28 years we have permission to renew the interior of Busbridge Church! We have until August 2019 to complete this.
2) That we would love to develop Lisa’s role. We will be sending information out in the next two weeks about these exciting signs of flourishing but in the meantime, if you are itching to be on a team to deal with the renewal of the church then speak to Simon Taylor or Frances Shaw.
We’ll be sending out a survey next week to get some feedback from those who came to the Away Day – keep an eye out for that one.

An Alpha course will be running in the new year; we are taking numbers now. If you would like to come, bring someone, or have someone you’d like to invite please email alpha@bhcgodalming.org.

If you are interested in helping out at the Light Party there is a Light Party Meeting on Monday 8th October 7.45pm-9.00pm. To find out more or if you’d like to be involved please email becky.bradley@bhcgodalming.org.

The great Lego Card Swap is happening again at FUSE on Sunday morning…bring your cards and your list of missing numbers and let’s get swapping! Find Becky at the end of the service and we’ll find those last missing cards…

Don’t forget about the Marvellous Movie Matinee happening next weekend, Saturday 13th October, 2.30pm at Busbridge Church, which stars Gary Oldman as Winston Churchill.

PCC met recently and approved appointing the Youth Minister post – you can view it on our website. The PCC has also decided to reappoint to Bryan’s role plus we will also be making some changes for our admin and office people due to the great way that the Old Rectory’s use is increasing; providing some administrative support for this. If you’d like to consider volunteering for either of these (approx. 10 hours a week each) roles then please speak to Simon Taylor.

 PLEASE PRAY FOR…

·  Our upcoming Light Party
·  Those applying for the Youth Minister role
·  The planned changes to Busbridge Church
·  Ockford Ridge Foodbank and those it supports
·  High Ridge and their road stewards Barbara Hubble & Debbie Scott
·  Munstead Heath Lane, Hambledon Rd and Hambledon Nursery School

 

Church Family Away Day

LAST CHANCE! Book your place NOW!

www.bhcgodalming.org/awayday2018

 

Church Cottage Renovation update…

Decoration work continues, banisters are in (with thanks to David and some help from the parolee team). The jobs list is getting shorter and site should be ready for carpet removal soon. Praise God for no major problems so far. Owen Roseblade & David Hart

 

We’re delighted that Major General Tim Cross is speaking at Busbridge , 6.30pm Sunday 7th Oct. He’ll be speaking on Christian faith and his involvement with the charity Five Talents. Major General Cross served in the Balkans where he established refugee camps and in other theatres and has said of our nation “The moral component of fighting power is about leadership, it’s about ethics, it’s about culture, it’s about how you get people to fight and embedded within that is an element of justice and righteousness. If you lose the moral component, you lose everything. We…have gone through 30-40 years really of pretending that this moral component is not important, and that I don’t need to have a Biblical foundation in my life. And I challenge that.” A service to put in the diary!

 

Women’s Film Night – Tuesday 25th September 7.30pm; The Shack 12A – a profound and thought provoking film to watch and discuss. Wine and soft drinks provided – please bring nibbles. To book your sofa space email ladies@bhcgodalming.org.

 

Nexus event on Thursday 4th October, 8.00pm Busbridge Centre: Linda Dolan, an RHS Horticultural Advisor, will take us on a tour of Wisley through the months, highlighting which plants to look out for in different seasons and in different areas of this lovely flagship RHS garden. Do come along and hear about the Wisley gardens, which we’re so lucky to have ‘on our doorstep’. 

 

We are looking for anyone who might be willing to volunteer their kitchen for use for a possible Christmas ladies’ event? We looking at running a Christmas bread making morning – trying our hand at panettone, Swedish cinnamon star bread and more. Cathy Brook is happy to run and organise the morning but ideally we need a venue suitable for 6 – 10 ladies to comfortably gather. Any offers? Contact Cathy on 01483 420633 if you can help.

 

PCC met last week and approved appointing the youth minister post – you can view it here: www.new-wine.org/find-a-job/job/1042. The PCC has also decided to reappoint to Bryan’s role plus we will also be making some changes for our great admin and office people due to the great way that the Old Rectory’s use is increasing; providing some administrative support for this. If you’d like to consider volunteering for either of these (approx. 10 hours a week each) roles then please speak to Simon Taylor.

 

PLEASE PRAY FOR…

·  Our upcoming Away Day & Light Party

·  Hambledon Village Shop

·  Heathfield Close and their road steward Sue Hardy

·  Minster Road and Lane End

 

Hello and welcome to our services today! If you are new or visiting, we hope you will feel at home.

 

 

Church Family Away Day

Book your place NOW!

www.bhcgodalming.org/awayday2018

 

The next Newcomers’ welcome afternoon tea is on Sunday 7th October, 3.00pm – 4.00pm. Open to all who feel like newcomers, regardless of how long you’ve been coming! Children are welcome and activities will be provided for them. Please email newcomers@bhcgodalming.org if you’d like to come along.

 

Oct half term Holiday Club & Light Party

As we didn’t get enough leaders’ or children’s sign ups we’ve decided to convert the holiday club into a most excellent annual Light Party. We’ll be having a unique Light Party Sunday service on 28th October (10.00am, Busbridge Contemporary) followed with a family SUPEREHERO theme bonanza at the Old Rectory on Wed 31st October (4.00pm-6.30pm). Over 80 adults and children came last year so get ready for some great fun and a positive alternative to darker things. Prizes for adults/children dressed as a superhero. WE NEED HELPERS. To help or register your child’s interest email lightparty@bhcgodalming.org.

 

Advance notice and date for your diaries…Our annual Memorial Service will be held on Saturday 3 November 2018 at 3.00 p.m. in Busbridge Church.  Nearer the time, a personal letter of invitation will be sent to those who have been bereaved within the last two years.  The service is also open to anyone who has been bereaved, no matter how recently or long ago, and all are welcome.  Margot Spencer

 

School applications: If you are thinking of submitting a church application to Busbridge Junior School then you’ll need to:

1) visit the Busbridge Junior School website and

familiarise yourself with their admission criteria (‘About Us’, ‘Policies’, ‘Admission Criteria for 2019-2020’). We have hard copies in the office if you don’t have access to a computer.

2) pick up an information sheet from the church office

3) bring the church reference form to the church office by 10th December at the latest (please ensure that you are eligible – the criteria are on the information form)

4) a member of the clergy will meet with you to discuss your application and if approved, you need to take your signed Benefice verification to the school by the application closing date (15/01/19).

 

We have been very sad to hear of the death of Janet Matthews, who was a faithful and much-loved member of Busbridge church for over 30 years. She moved to Burford, three years ago, to live near her daughter, Gill.

 

PLEASE PRAY FOR…

· Our upcoming Away Day, Light Party & Newcomers Welcome tea

· Those working in education

· Hambledon Road & Heath Lane and their road steward Simon Taylor

· Mary Vale & Hambledon Park

 

Prayer available at all services

Communion: Gluten free wafers available at all services. Please ask the person administering the bread if you require this.

 

Prayer for the Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity

Lord of creation, whose glory is around and within us: open our eyes to your wonders, that we may serve you with reverence and know your peace at our lives’ end, through Jesus Christ our Lord.