Power of Trust

PART 2 IN THE NEW YEAR SERMON SERIES ON PHILIPPIANS – Fulfilled lives

Reading: Philippians 2:12-18

Speakers this Sunday
Heritage – Simon Willetts
Classic – Gertrud Sollars
Contemporary – Simon Taylor and David Preece are “on the couch”.

ONLINE SERVICES THIS SUNDAY

Find Sunday services on YouTube.
Select the services below for a direct link to the live stream broadcasts of the Classic and Contemporary services from the Old Rectory Garden.

Catch Up after on Zoom

Get together on Zoom after each service for a virtual coffee:

ALL WELCOME to drop in on Zoom at any of the times above.

Next Sunday 24 January

No services from Busbridge&Hambledon Church.
We are joining Godalming Churches Together for the United Service online at 10.30AM. Go to: http://www.godalmingchurches.org/
Every year, Godalming & District Churches Together holds a United Service in January, to mark the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.  This year, the service will be online, with several of the local ministers taking part.  The service will be pre-recorded, and set to go live at 10.30am on Sunday morning.

There will also be children’s work provided by the amazing Trinity Trust Team.  Within the service, there will be the option to go off to do the children’s work and then return to the main service.

Sunday Morning “coffee and catch up” sessions on Zoom will take place on 24 January in the BHC Public Zoom room, as follows:

10AM – Heritage Congregation
11.30AM – Classic with Contemporary (moved to avoid the GCT United Service)
7PM – Evening congregation (Busbridge 6.30PM)

CYF Groups
As usual: 4PM Pathfinders (Zoom), 7.30PM Ichthus (Zoom)

Our online services will resume on 31 January including Unplugged on Zoom at 6PM.

Coming Up NEXT this Week:

See the list below or look up dates further ahead in the full calendar. Select the event to join the meetings on Zoom, or sign up.

the notices

Outward Giving – January Update
We’ve received letters of thanks from all the charities that the church supported through Outward Giving in 2020, some with helpful insights into what your money has helped to achieve and support. All the letters can be found on the Outward Giving page HERE. Please do read them and be encouraged in your generosity. The total for the Christmas Appeal for TTT is to follow.

Congratulations to Philippa and Keith, our new LLMs (Licensed Lay Ministers), who received their academic awards at a zoom ceremony this week presided over by Bishop Jo.  Both say that it’s been a blessing and a privilege to undertake the 3-year training and want to thank their respective Parish Support Groups for walking with them.  The stand-out memories for both are their respective placements at Shalford, St Mary’s and Beacon, Bordon.  They are happy to answer any questions you may have regarding the course or you can see the interview they did with Dave last summer: https://youtu.be/ybB2Z_JMYmc.

On Friday 22nd January we are being called along with all Christians from across the country to join together to pray for our nation in need! To pray for our government, our NHS, our schools and colleges, provision for the poor, mental health and relationships, for a revival in our nation and that our Churches can be visible and beacons of light! Here’s more about it:  https://youtu.be/BKJC3TyZNzg

You can either take an hour that works for you to pray or join us in one of 3 Zoom prayer sessions which will be hosted at the following times;

8am – hosted my Michael Stubbs
1pm – hosted by Lisa Olsworth-Peter
6pm – hosted by Shan Hallam

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

 2 Chronicles 7:14

Church Family Support Fund – accepting applications
A timely reminder that the Church Family Support Fund is able to help local individuals and families in need with financial gifts NOW – to pay for things such as a laptop or PC for remote learning, or a replacement washing machine or fridge. Information on how the fund operates, and to make an application on behalf of someone, see the CFSF page.

The JAN/FEB edition of the Bridge is available online … click here. The printed copies are expected to be delivered to Busbridge Church next week and will be safely sorted and dropped to road stewards for delivery. Those handling the magazines (max 2 people for any copy) will wear gloves and a face covering. Recipients may wish to take an extra precaution and wait 72 hours before reading it to allow for natural sanitisation.

Road Stewards needed for The Bridge magazine for College Hill and Brighton Road.
The Bridge magazine is looking for two or more new road stewards who, 6 times a year, would be willing to deliver magazines to either College Hill and High Ridge (59 houses) or the lower part of Brighton Road, Underhill Close and part of Latimer Road (89 houses). We’d be more than happy to split or share these larger bundles between two road stewards if needed. If you live in, or close to, either of these roads, (or maybe know someone who does and might be willing to take on the role) please contact the editor, Cathy, at editor.atthebridge@gmail.com. We’d be delighted and most appreciative to hear from you.  

CANCELLED Nexus Online Talk – Walking the Camino Way with Ceri Apark
Unfortunately this event scheduled for 14 January has been postponed. Watch the notices for a new date, or email nexus@bhcgodalming.org to join the mailing list so Janet and Kate can let you know.

Starting Soon

See What’s on above for info on the following:

Junior Lockdown Choir – starting Thursdays from 21 January
To support children in our church and local community, particularly while they are not attending school physically, Lisa Olsworth-Peter is starting a Junior Lockdown Choir. Singing encourages a child to express their emotions and sharpens their ability to communicate while exercising lip and tongue movement. But one of the biggest benefits of singing is the repeated use of the ‘memory muscle’. (We have all sung nursery rhymes with our children but as children get older the power of singing in their lives can still be extremely beneficial.) The choir will sing a range of Disney and pop songs suitable for each age group, and do different vocal exercises that will stimulate facial muscles, the body and the brain. The choir is being promoted through Busbridge Infant and Junior schools and St Mark’s Primary, but open to all primary age children. If you know any primary age children who would be interested, please pass the message on to go to the Lockdown Choir page and complete the registration form.

Hope in Depression Course
Clare Haddad is leading the next 6 week Hope in Depression Course on Tuesday evenings, starting 26 January. Find all the details, and register in confidence on the Hope in Depression page, and please do share the details with anyone suffering with mental health problems, and those supporting them.

Alpha Online starting 9 February – is it for you? / Who will you invite?
It’s starting again soon! The next course will run on Tuesdays, starting 9 February for 11 weeks. The course begins with a ‘no obligation’ introductory session led by (Rev) Hilary Pettman and Keith Harper, LLM.  Hilary and Keith have been involved in several Alphas, both the physical courses and online. To register your interest, please go to the Alpha page and complete the form, or send the link to a friend.

Church Member news

We send our love to Carol Jones, whose father died on Wednesday, 13 January.  Please hold Carol, Stuart and the whole family in your prayers, together with the wider family.

Further to the note last week about the deaths of John Winder and Mary Rodway, their respective funerals are to be held over the next two weeks. Because of the current Covid restrictions, both are limited to family only. However, if friends wish to make a donation in their memory, Mary’s family have asked for gifts to go to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution Donate to the RNLI and help save lives at sea ; John’s family have suggested Water Aid – one of John’s favourite charities https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/JohnWinderRIP

Listening – worship recommendations from the Music Pastor
Thank you Alan Harvey for introducing me to this beautiful piece of music https://open.spotify.com/track/7n4T8CRVo55rXpX2wvtRdF,
It’s still close enough to enjoy a song that expresses the wonderment of our dear Jesus’ birth.

English translation
O great mystery,
and wonderful sacrament,
that animals should see the newborn Lord,
lying in a manger!
Blessed is the virgin whose womb
was worthy to bear
the Lord, Jesus Christ.
Alleluia!

Also…

https://open.spotify.com/track/5qAT7JJik2qSd9lFWsyBqd
Sovereign Over Us, written by Michael Smith, performed by Shane&Shane

“Jeremiah 29:11 ‘For I know the plans I have for you’, declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”

Busbridge Church closed until 25 January
We are sorry but the church is closed as we set up and install technology for broadcasting online services. Busbridge Church will be open again daily for private prayer from 25 January 2021.  Hambledon Church is open daily from approximately 9.30pm-4pm.

The Old Rectory is closed for the time being and clergy and staff are working from home. The answerphone is checked regularly, but the best way to reach people is by email.

Catch up on News from other areas

Please Pray for

• Alvernia Close and its road steward Kate Brockman

• Clock Barn Lane and the Cheshire Home

• Local health services and surgeries.

 

What’s On

Click Here for What’s on this week and beyond. It’s all in the calendar and more details for each event can be found when you select it.

PRAYER MINISTRY TEAM AVAILABLE

To contact the EMERGENCY prayer chain, email prayer@bhcgodalming.org  or call Lisa Olsworth-Peter on 01483 421267.
Listening prayer is available mid-week.

NEW YEAR SERMON SERIES:

PHILIPPIANS – Fulfilled lives

Readings:
Online Heritage Service – 1 Philippians 1:1-14 – Andy Spencer preaches on Finding Joy in Lockdown

Online Classic & Contemporary – 1 Philippians 1:12-18 – Simon Taylor speaks on The Significance of Satisfaction

Online Services this Sunday

Find our services on YouTube.
Pre-recorded services will be available anytime (on demand) after they premiere. Live broadcasts will available to watch at the time, and uploaded at a later date.

Also this Sunday

Get together on Zoom after each service for a virtual coffee:

10AM Heritage Coffee
(Rev Simon Willetts looks forward to seeing the Heritage congregation to chat about the plans for broadcasting live from Hambledon, and prayers and ideas for services in 2021.)
10.45AM Contemporary Coffee
11.30AM Classic Coffee

ALL WELCOME to drop in on Zoom at any of the times above.

Next Sunday 17 January

Power of Trust
Reading: Philippians 2:12-18

Online services

9AM Heritage (BCP)
Speaker: Simon Willetts

9AM Classic from Busbridge Church

10.15AM Contemporary: Conversations from the Couch
Speaker: Dave Preece

Services all on YouTube, followed by virtual coffees on Zoom.

Coming Up NEXT this Week:

See the list below or look up dates further ahead in the full calendar. Select the event to join the meetings on Zoom, or sign up.

the notices

Worship during Lockdown 3
As we head through January we’re offering a number of ways to worship on Sundays. We also meet for prayer most mornings (zoom) and in midweek small groups (online). In the light of the national situation announced on 4/1/2021, there are no face-to-face gatherings or worship.

We’re confident of the future in Christ as we head into 2021. This means we’re present, active, worshipping and caring in the community and we do this because we know Christ. As 2 Corinthians 5:17-18 says

“THEREFORE, IF ANYONE IS IN CHRIST, THE NEW CREATION HAS COME: THE OLD HAS GONE, THE NEW IS HERE! ALL THIS IS FROM GOD, WHO RECONCILED US TO HIMSELF THROUGH CHRIST AND GAVE US THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION:”

We’re worshipping, praying and growing in faith online through January. We’re encouraging everyone to do this. If you are alone, isolated or know someone not online and who needs to worship in person then please get in touch with the church office.

To read more about the theology and the practical reasons for this please see the latest Rector’s Reflection on worship, here: reflections on worship in COVID.

From the 2nd Sunday of January we are offering:

• Hambledon Heritage BCP pre-recorded online continues to be at 9am.

• The Classic is livestreamed at 9am.

• Conversations on the Couch worship is livestreamed at 10.15am.

• Zoom “coffee” after each service.

• Children’s and Youth groups online: 9AM Ark (3-7s), 11.15AM Explorers (7-11s), 4PM Pathfinders (11-14s), Ichthus (15-18s).

Simon Taylor

this week

Busbridge Church closed until 18 January
We are sorry but the church is closed as we set up and install technology for broadcasting online services. Busbridge Church will be open again daily for private prayer from 18 January 2021. 

Hambledon Church is open daily from approximately 9.30pm-4pm.

Thank you to the team of volunteers who open and close the churches, and check the Covid 19 safety processes and instructions are in place for visitors.

The Old Rectory is closed for the time being and clergy and staff are working from home. The answerphone is checked regularly, but the best way to reach people is by email.

The JAN/FEB ediition of the Bridge is available online … click here

Road Stewards needed for The Bridge magazine for College Hill and Brighton Road.
The Bridge magazine would like to thank Sue Keen for her long standing service as a road steward in Busbridge Lane. The team are very appreciative of all the help Sue has given over many years. Thank you. 

The Bridge magazine is looking for two or more new road stewards who, 6 times a year, would be willing to deliver magazines to either College Hill and High Ridge (59 houses) or the lower part of Brighton Road, Underhill Close and part of Latimer Road (89 houses). We’d be more than happy to split or share these larger bundles between two road stewards if needed. If you live in, or close to, either of these roads, (or maybe know someone who does and might be willing to take on the role) please contact the editor, Cathy, at editor.atthebridge@gmail.com. We’d be delighted and most appreciative to hear from you.  

Nexus Online Talk – Walking the Camino Way with Ceri Apark
All welcome to the New Year Nexus talk next Thursday (14 Jan) at 8PM, in the BHC Public Zoom room. Church member Ceri Apark will tell us of the challenges and highpoints of her five weeks walking along the pilgrimage route, the Camino de Santiago de Compostela, in Spain. Our Zoom meeting will start at 8.00pm, but you’ll be able to join from 7.45pm and have a chat with others. You’ll need to supply your own drinks and nibbles! See event info HERE.

Starting Soon

Junior Lockdown Choir – starting Thursdays from 21 January
To support children in our local community, particularly while they are not attending school physically, Lisa Olsworth-Peter is starting a Junior Lockdown Choir. Singing encourages a child to express their emotions and sharpens their ability to communicate while exercising lip and tongue movement. But one of the biggest benefits of singing is the repeated use of the ‘memory muscle’. (We have all sung nursery rhymes with our children but as children get older the power of singing in their lives can still be extremely beneficial.) The choir will sing a range of Disney and pop songs suitable for each age group, and do different vocal exercises that will stimulate facial muscles, the body and the brain. The choir is being promoted through Busbridge Infant and Junior schools and St Mark’s Primary, and sessions will be scheduled to fit in and around the remote school day. If you know any primary age children who would be interested, please pass the message on to email Lisa.Olsworth-Peter@bhcgodalming.org.

Hope in Depression Course
Clare Haddad is leading the next 6 week Hope in Depression Course on Tuesday evenings, starting 26 January. Find all the details, and register in confidence on the Hope in Depression page, and please do share the details with anyone suffering with mental health problems, and those supporting them.

Church Member news

Over the holiday period, we have been saddened by the death of two of our oldest church members:  Mary Rodway (102) died on 22 December and John Winder (99) on 30 December.  Both have remained much-loved members of our church family, despite being housebound for some time.  Please hold their respective families in your prayers, as they make funeral arrangements at this difficult time.  We give thanks for the lives of these two faithful pilgrims, and pray for God’s peace and comfort to be with all who mourn.

We send our love and virtual hugs to Jane Tomes, whose mother, June, died on the morning of 7 January.  Please hold Jane, Ian and the whole family in your prayers, and pray especially for Jane and her sister as they make funeral arrangements in the current difficult circumstances.

Please Pray for

• Admiral Way and road steward Derek Pearsall

• Church Lane, Hambledon

• The Emergency Services

• BHC Mission Partner: Elam Ministries. Join the Iran 30 prayer initiative: https://www.elam.com/iran30

 

What’s On

Click Here for What’s on this week and beyond. It’s all in the calendar and more details for each event can be found when you select it.

PRAYER MINISTRY TEAM AVAILABLE

To contact the EMERGENCY prayer chain, email prayer@bhcgodalming.org  or call Lisa Olsworth-Peter on 01483 421267.
Listening prayer is available mid-week.

Go to Christmas for details of all events and services this week.

Here are all the details for the carol services (5!) this Sunday and Christmas services on Thursday and Friday. There is a vast array of pre-recorded and live carols to accompany your singing, whether it be at home, in your car, or behind a face mask in the Hambledon Churchyard or Old Rectory Gardens!

The message to go with this is as strange as the year it follows:
If you haven’t booked, please don’t come – join our services online instead!
We are almost reaching the limit for numbers at all the carol services this Sunday, for the Drive ins and Christmas Day and safety and social distancing must regrettably take priority over our usual warm and all embracing welcome. If you have signed up, you will get a separate email with some reminders and links to the Christmas song sheets – should you wish to sing off your phone rather than a carol sheet.

The first of the special Christmas events is the annual Afternoon Carol Service for Prime Time, which premieres today at 3pm on YouTube and will be followed by a tipple and a mince pie on in the BHC Zoom room afterwards. The service has some lovely contributions for everyone to enjoy, including Busbridge Junior School children and the choir from King Edwards School, Witley.

THIS SUNDAY

Comfort and Joy

Reading: Luke 1: 26-38

Carol Services

At Church – Outdoors

Booking is essential and there are only a few spaces left at each of the outdoor Carol Services this Sunday. We kindly request you not to come if you haven’t signed up in advance. Face coverings, NHS Test & Trace and 2m social distancing will be firmly enforced! There are 3 online Carol Services to watch on YouTube too, listed below.

Online

Find our Christmas services on YouTube. The pre-recorded services will be available anytime (on demand) after they premiere. Live broadcasts will available to watch at the time, and uploaded at a later date.

Also this Sunday

11.30AM Zoom Christmas Coffee hosted by the Busbridge Classic Congregation. ALL WELCOME to drop in on Zoom to wish each other a Happy Christmas.

Sunday and everyday in Advent: DAILY ADVENT REFLECTIONS
A reading, a question and a prayer compiled by Andy Spencer, and read by different church members, is available on the YouTube channel every day in Advent. This Sunday’s reflection is read by Sheila Samuels. For all the reflections, or if you prefer to download and read them yourself, see Advent Daily Reflections.

Next Sunday 27 Deceember

NO SERVICES at busbridge or Hambledon.

The Diocese of Guildford are providing an All Age Service for 27 December, and this will be available to watch on the BHC YouTube channel next Sunday.

If you prefer something classic that is not all-age, you may wish to point people to join the livestream from the Cathedral’s service of Holy Eucharist on 27 December at 9.45am. The livestreams can be watched on the Cathedral Facebook page and also via the Cathedral YouTube Channel.

Sunday 3 January

10AM Whole Benefice Service at Busbridge Church – in church and on live on YouTube
(no other services at Busbridge or Hambledon). Please sign up HERE if you’d like to attend.

Coming Up this Week:

See the list below or look up dates further ahead in the full calendar. Select the event to join the meetings on Zoom, or sign up.

the notices

Worship in Tier 2 – update since the announcement of new tiers

The latest government announcement does not impact the rules under which Busbridge&Hambledon Church has been operating. In Tier 2 churches are allowed to hold services with face coverings and social distancing in place. Singing is allowed at outdoor services (with face coverings).

The Diocese of Guildford recommends that people who live in a tier 3 area should attend a church near them, and not travel to a lower tier to attend church. As Waverley is the only borough in Surrey which is not moving to tier 3 on Saturday 19 December, this advice may apply to some members of Busbridge&Hambledon Church. If you wish to cancel a booking to one of the Christmas Services please look up the confirmation email and use the cancel option, or email the church office: church.office@bhcgodalming.org.

Thank you to Mark Pateman and his team for completing the internal refurbishment of School House in a timely and professional manner. The property is now available to rent through a local Godalming letting agent.

Road Stewards needed for The Bridge magazine for College Hill and Brighton Road.
The Bridge magazine is looking for two or more new road stewards who, 6 times a year, would be willing to deliver magazines to either College Hill and High Ridge (59 houses) or the lower part of Brighton Road, Underhill Close and part of Latimer Road (89 houses). We’d be more than happy to split or share these larger bundles between two road stewards if needed. If you live in, or close to, either of these roads, (or maybe know someone who does and might be willing to take on the role) please contact the editor, Cathy, at editor.atthebridge@gmail.com. We’d be delighted and most appreciative to hear from you.

Fairtrade Shop
Many of you will know that Emmanuel Church, Stoughton, Guildford have operated a shop selling Fairtrade/Traidcraft good for many years.  This year they have moved online due to Covid restrictions and have a wide range of Christmas items which they have kindly said they can deliver to BHC congregations in Godalming and Hambledon.  They also offer click and collect.o please if your are still interested in buying Fairtrade/Traidcraft  items, do visit their new website:- Emmanuel Church Fairtrade Shop – Emmanuel Church Fairtrade Shop

 Outward Giving & Outreach
Please see Christmas Giving for the Outward Giving December Update about the Trinity Trust Team, and Ways to Give. The collections at the Services on 20 December and Christmas Day will also go to the Christmas Appeal.

The BHC YouTube channel has lots of new material on it – the Unlocked Nativity produced by our 0-3s (pure joy!), the virtual tour of the Busbridge Comfort and Joy exhibition and all the Advent Reflections to be joined by carols galore.

There have been some lovely new displays revealed this week on the Advent Walk, and you can watch or read the daily reflections on the web site. As you can see from the film, the Comfort and Joy exhibitions are definitely worth a visit and there’s more news on events at Christmas, and Christmas Services in the notices and under What’s On/Comfort-Joy.

See: www.youtube.com/bhcgodalmingonline for all services and to listen again to the the sermons. Remember too that you can find extra news and pictures of what’s happening at church during the week on our Facebook and Instagram and Twitter pages.

To ask for help and support if you are self-isolating, email: coronaresponse@bhcgodalming.org.

Closing between Christmas and New Year
The clergy and staff team will be on leave between Christmas and New Year.  There will be a recorded message on Church Office answerphone to direct you to the person on call on any particular day.  The church office telephone is 01483 421267.   The next notices will be sent out on 8 January.  Please refer to the web site in the meantime.

Please Pray for

Safety and logistics for physical and online services this Christmas.

For all those attending to receive the good news of Christmas, and be touched by the Holy Spirit.

and give thanks for the Prayer Ministry team who have been faithfully praying all year for our church, church members and those in our communities. The team will be walking and praying around the perimeter of Godalming College during the Drive in services on Christmas Eve.

Busbridge Junior school and staff members recovering from coronavirus, for the children who are self-isolating.

What’s On

Click Here for What’s on this week and beyond. It’s all in the calendar and more details for each event can be found when you select it.

PRAYER MINISTRY TEAM AVAILABLE

To contact the EMERGENCY prayer chain, email prayer@bhcgodalming.org  or call Lisa Olsworth-Peter on 01483 421267.
Listening prayer is available mid-week.

THIS SUNDAY

MISSION SUNDAY

See Christmas Giving
for the Outward Giving December Update about the Trinity Trust Team, and
Ways to Give.

Comfort and Joy

Reading: PsALM 126

ESSENTIAL LINKS FOR ONLINE SERVICES

services

We are delighted that as well as joining Sunday services online, we can also welcome members of the congregation to church. To maintain social distancing, numbers are limited, and on a first signed up, first served basis. At Busbridge, seats will be in pairs 2m apart. Only one sign up name is required per pair of seats, for either an individual or couple in the same bubble. Use the green links below to sign up.

9AM Online Heritage Service (pre-recorded, YouTube)
With Andy Spencer

9AM Said Service for Advent | Hambledon Church (Zoom & YouTube Live Stream)
With Andy Spencer and David Jenkins
Coming to church? Click here to sign up

9AM Classic Service from Busbridge Church (Zoom & YouTube Live Stream)
With Simon Taylor and Ben Cahill- Nicholls
Music: Karen Hart, Annie Bryett and Graham Sheldrake
Click here to sign up

10.15AM Contemporary Conversations on the Couch (Zoom & YouTube)
On the couch: Mark Williams and David Preece
Click here to sign up

6PM Unplugged – the spirit of Christmas (Zoom)
With Anto Ficatier and members of Pathfinders and Ichthus

Sunday and everyday in Advent: DAILY ADVENT REFLECTIONS
A reading, a question and a prayer compiled by Andy Spencer, and read by different church members, is available on the YouTube channel every day in Advent. This Sunday’s reflection is read by Sheila Samuels. For all the reflections, or if you prefer to download and read them yourself, see Advent Daily Reflections.

Children & Youth

It’s Christmas party week for Ark and Explorers: 9AM Ark, 11.15AM Explorers. Pathfinders and Ichthus will be at Unplugged at 6PM.
All welcome, but contact Juliet, Judith or Anto for access info to the CYF Zoom room, and to join the right email list for your children’s age.

Next Sunday 20 Deceember: Carols!

Comfort and Joy continues…Reading: Luke 1:26-38

9AM Online Heritage Carol Service on YouTube (pre-recorded)
Speaker: Simon Willetts

10AM Family Carols | Old Rectory Garden
Leader: Margot Spencer

4PM Hambledon Carol Service | Hambledon Churchyard
Leader: Simon Willetts
Sign up here, wrap up warm and bring a torch!

6PM Carols by Starlight | Old Rectory Garden
Leader: Simon Taylor
Sign up here, wrap up warm and bring a torch!

See the list below to sign up for services as they become visible, or look up dates further ahead in the full calendar.

Coming Up this Week:

Select the event to join the meetings on Zoom, or sign up.

The Notices

The Preeces are moving on
The Right Revd Martin Seeley, the Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, is delighted to announce that the next Priest in Charge of the benefice of Saxmundham with Kelsale cum Carlton will be The Revd David Preece.  David is presently Assistant Curate in the benefice of Busbridge and Hambledon, Godalming in the Guildford Diocese.  This is subject to the completion of legal formalities and when those matters have been completed we will be able to announce a date for David’s licensing service.

The Bishop has asked me to pass on his thanks to the parish representatives and all those involved in the process of David’s appointment, and he assures you of his prayers.  Please pray for David, his wife Hannah and their two young daughters as they prepare for their move. 

Worship in Tier 2
Under Tier 2 restrictions, congregations are allowed to attend church services, with social distancing and face coverings (and no singing). Our online services will continue, as in lockdown, but this Sunday we are also inviting small numbers to be in the congregation. Sign Up instructions can be found when you select each service.

To allow for more people to attend, and sing, our Christmas services will take place in Busbridge and Hambledon churchyards, or the Old Rectory Garden, and will also be broadcast on YouTube.

Face coverings will still be necessary, social distancing of 2m between bubbles, and Track and Trace will also be in place.

Comfort & Joy!

For more details and information on Christmas see What’s On/Advent & Christmas 2020. It has info on the Advent Reflections, Walking Advent (calendar and map), the Christmas Exhibitions, Outward Giving and SIGN UP TO ***Christmas Services***.

Walking Advent – Click here for the MAP.
The Busbridge Advent Calendar Walk takes you to a new display for every day from 1-24 December. Each display has a letter to collect to spell out the secret phrase. Go daily, or visit a few at a time.

The Comfort & Joy Exhibitions at both churches are open and receiving a steady trickle of visitors who are delighted by the items of art, craft, and poetry on show. Thanks for all the wonderful contributions of all things Comfort and Joy (art, craft, poetry, scripture, videos). You and other visitors will be able to enjoy and reflect on the exhibitions when you pop in to pray next week. (Churches are open for individual prayer daily and COVID 19 safety precautions are in place).

Christmas Eve Drive in Carol Services The 4.30PM service is fully booked, and the 6PM has limited space left. If you have booked already, please hang onto the confirmation email as you will need to show the check in page with QR code (printed or on your phone) on arrival. Please don’t hesitate to check. Look out for a further email with instructions w/c 21 December.

Thanks to those that have volunteered to help on Christmas Eve. We still need more people to help with parking. If you can help, please contact Patrick Samuels who is leading the team of organisers. This is a wonderful opportunity for outreach and spreading the good news of Christmas, so please also pray for the event, those involved in leading, and those attending.

Road Stewards needed for The Bridge magazine for College Hill and Brighton Road.

The Bridge magazine is looking for two or more new road stewards who, 6 times a year, would be willing to deliver magazines to either College Hill and High Ridge (59 houses) or the lower part of Brighton Road, Underhill Close and part of Latimer Road (89 houses). We’d be more than happy to split or share these larger bundles between two road stewards if needed. If you live in, or close to, either of these roads, (or maybe know someone who does and might be willing to take on the role) please contact the editor, Cathy, at editor.atthebridge@gmail.com. We’d be delighted and most appreciative to hear from you.

Fairtrade Shop
Many of you will know that Emmanuel Church, Stoughton, Guildford have operated a shop selling Fairtrade/Traidcraft good for many years.  This year they have moved online due to Covid restrictions and have a wide range of Christmas items which they have kindly said they can deliver to BHC congregations in Godalming and Hambledon.  They also offer click and collect.o please if your are still interested in buying Fairtrade/Traidcraft  items, do visit their new website:- Emmanuel Church Fairtrade Shop – Emmanuel Church Fairtrade Shop

 Outward Giving & Outreach

Christmas Hampers
Shelagh writes: many many many thanks for the wonderful effort on the part of everyone who contributed to and prepared and delivered hampers. Many needy families have benefited, and hampers have also been delivered to Busbridge Infants’ and St Mark’s and All Saints’ school. Here is one example out of many! See Christmas Outward Giving for all details.

Prayer fest: 0-30 in 60
Please join us to pray for  our children, young people and all the wonderful people in our church and locality who minister to them. This Sunday 13 Dec 2020 at the earlier than usual time of 4-5PM in the BHC Public Zoom room. Do join for all or part of this hour and then tune in to another “live” Unplugged Service. Bring your own cuppa and mince pie!

Thank you to Nexus and all its Christmas quizzers who are taking part in the online charity quiz this Saturday. The quiz has generated more than £1360 in donations for the Guildford Samaritans. Thanks to organisers Janet Harvey, Kate Kaye, Pamela Cookney and quiz masters Dudley and Alan for all their efforts.

Churches Together in Godalming & District present the Christmas Service of Hope this Saturday at 4pm

With contributions from the Mayor of Godalming Penny Rivers, Charterhouse School, Godalming Junior School, St Edmund’s School, St Mark and All Saints School, St John’s Church Farncombe and Trinity Trust Team.

For more information about Christmas events and services in and around Godalming visit www.godalmingchurches.org

Thank you to everyone involved and wishing you all a very merry Christmas.

We send our love and heartfelt sympathy to Debs Jones and her family following the death of her mother in South Africa last week. The family are very grateful for all the prayers that have been offered for her Mum during her illness. Debs and her family will be travelling to South Africa for the funeral.  Please continue to hold them all in your prayers.

Please Pray for

Busbridge Junior school and staff members recovering from coronavirus, for the children who are self-isolating, and for the school Christmas services at Busbridge Church next week.

What’s On

Click Here for What’s on this week and beyond. It’s all in the calendar and more details for each event can be found when you select it.

PRAYER MINISTRY TEAM AVAILABLE

To contact the EMERGENCY prayer chain, email prayer@bhcgodalming.org  or call Lisa Olsworth-Peter on 01483 421267.
Listening prayer is available mid-week.

Pics of a couple of things that have gone on this week: Judith and Cat had a great time helping pupils from BJS make their angels for the schools exhibition in Guildford Cathedral. The children’s theme was heroes, so here you have two nurses, a Sainsbury’s member of staff, two teachers, an Amazon worker, Joe Wicks and a friend in BJS uniform! The last image is of the goodies to be shared between 2 BESOM hampers, collected and soon to be arranged and delivered by one of the Small Groups.

THIS SUNDAY

Comfort and Joy

Reading: Isaiah 40: 1-11

We are delighted that we can welcome small congregations back to church this Sunday. To maintain social distancing, numbers are limited, and on a first signed up, first served basis. At Busbridge, seats will be in pairs 2m apart. Only one sign up name is required per pair of seats, for either an individual or couple in the same bubble.

ESSENTIAL LINKS FOR ONLINE SERVICES

services

9AM Online Heritage Service (pre-recorded, YouTube)
With Hilary Pettman

9AM Said Service for Advent | Hambledon Church
With Hilary Pettman and Margot Spencer
Click here to sign up

9AM Classic Service from Busbridge Church (Zoom & YouTube Live Stream)
Leader: Keith Harper
Speaker: Patrick Samuels
Music: Alan Harvey and Chris Payne
Click here to sign up

10.15AM Contemporary Conversations on the Couch
Leader: Simon Taylor
On the couch: Simon Willetts and Patrick Samuels
Click here to sign up

Sunday and everyday in Advent
A reading, a question and a prayer compiled by Andy Spencer, and read by different church members, will be available on the YouTube channel every day in Advent. This Sunday is read by Hambledon churchwarden, Fran Duffell. For all the reflections, or if you prefer to download and read them yourself, see Advent Daily Reflections.

Children & Youth

This Sunday on Zoom: 9AM Ark, 11.15AM Explorers, 8.30PM Youth Late Night Worship.
All welcome, but contact Juliet, Judith or Anto for access info to the CYF Zoom room, and to join the right email list for your children’s age.

Next Sunday 13 December – Mission Sunday

See Christmas Giving
for the Outward Giving December Update about the Trinity Trust Team, and
Ways to Give.

Comfort and Joy continues…Reading: Psalm 126

9AM Online Heritage Service (BCP) on YouTube (pre-recorded)
Speaker: Andy Spencer and interview with Andy Poulson, TTT

9AM Hambledon Heritage Said Service for Advent
Speaker: David Jenkins and Interview with Andy Poulson, TTT

9AM Busbridge Classic on Zoom and YouTube (broadcast live)
Speaker: Ben Cahill-Nicholls (Ordinand) and Interview with Andy Poulson, TTT

10.15AM Contemporary – Conversations on the Couch
On the couch this week: Mark Williams and Dave Preece
Interview with Andy Poulson, TTT

Go to the Sunday Services page to sign up for services as they become visible, or look up dates further ahead in the full calendar.

Coming Up this Week:

Go to What’s On and select the event to join the meetings on Zoom.

The Notices

Worship in Tier 2
From this Sunday congregations are once again allowed to attend church services, with social distancing and face coverings (and no singing). As space is limited in both churches, our online services will continue, as in lockdown, on 6 and 13 December, but we are also inviting small numbers to be in the congregation. Sign Up instructions can be found when you select each service.

The even better news is that singing is now allowed outdoors! Happily, to allow for more people to attend, we had already planned to hold our Christmas services in the churchyards – and now there is an added reason to be outside for the 3 different kinds of carol service on 20 December, Christmas Eve at Hambledon, and Christmas morning. We understand that face coverings will still be necessary, but will confirm that as soon as possible. Social distancing between bubbles, and Track and Trace will also be in place.

Comfort & Joy!

For more details and information on Christmas see What’s On/Advent & Christmas 2020. It has info on the Advent Reflections, Walking Advent (calendar and map), the Christmas Exhibitions, Outward Giving and the ***Christmas Services***.

Walking Advent – Click here for the MAP.
Have you worked out the beginning of the secret phrase yet? Like opening the numbered doors on an advent calendar, the Busbridge Advent Calendar Walk will take you to a new window display for every day from 1-24 December. Each display has a letter to collect to spell out the secret phrase. This was organised by Judith for Busbridge Juniors and Infants, but a nice exercise for everyone, young and older. Go daily, or visit a few at a time.

The Comfort & Joy Exhibitions at both churches from Monday 7 December. Thanks for all the wonderful contributions of all things Comfort and Joy (art, craft, poetry, scripture, videos). You and other visitors will be able to enjoy and reflect on the exhibitions when you pop in to pray next week. (Churches are open for individual prayer daily and COVID 19 safety precautions are in place).

Christmas Eve Drive in Carol Services – 4.30pm and 6pm
Book now. The 4.30PM service has a few spaces left, and the 6PM is steadily filling but still has plenty of room. If you have booked already, please hang onto the confirmation email as you will need to show the check in page with QR code (printed or on your phone) on arrival. (Cue: a flurry of emails to vic.hicks@bhcgodalming.org…) Please don’t hesitate to check. We might struggle to answer on Christmas Eve! Look out for a further email with instructions w/c 21 December.

Thanks to those that have volunteered to help on Christmas Eve. We still need more people to help with parking. If you can help, please contact Patrick Samuels who is leading the team of organisers.

Outward Giving & Outreach

Christmas Hampers
We will again be supporting BESOM this Christmas. Through the home and church groups, we are busily co-ordinating ‘Besom’ hampers for needy people in the community. In 2020, the needs now are greater than ever.

We are looking to create 7 hampers for families at Busbridge Infants’ School, to be delivered to the school before they break up. We are looking for donations of goodies to fill these boxes within the next two weeks. See Christmas Outward Giving for all details.

Busbridge Church Christmas cards for sale

Pack of ten of 2 designs with envelopes for £4. The cards say Happy Christmas inside! Contact the church office to place an order.

Well done Nexus and all its Christmas quizzers who are taking part in the online charity quiz this Saturday. The quiz has generated more than £1360 in donations for the Guildford Samaritans. Thanks to organisers Janet Harvey, Kate Kaye, Pamela Cookney and quiz masters Dudley and Alan for all their efforts.

BUsbridge Junior School applications

If you are thinking of submitting a church application to Busbridge Junior School for September 2021, here are some instructions:

1)            Visit the Busbridge Junior School website and familiarise yourself with their admission criteria (‘About Us’, ‘Admissions’)
2)            Email catherine.garner@bhcgodalming.org for an information sheet
3)            Bring the Supplementary Information Form to the church office by 10th December at the latest (please ensure that you are eligible – the criteria are on the 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 Church verification form to the school by the application closing date (15/01/2021)

 

What’s On

Click Here for What’s on this week and beyond. It’s all in the calendar and more details for each event can be found when you select it.

PRAYER MINISTRY TEAM AVAILABLE

To contact the EMERGENCY prayer chain, email prayer@bhcgodalming.org  or call Lisa Olsworth-Peter on 01483 421267.
Listening prayer is available mid-week.

This is how they do it! Please get in touch if you’d like to help with online services.

THIS SUNDAY

Comfort and Joy

Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9

ESSENTIAL LINKS FOR SERVICES
Zoom Password: 2020

services

9AM Online Heritage Service (pre-recorded, YouTube)
With David Preece and Michael Baughen

9AM Classic Service for Advent Sunday (Zoom & YouTube Live Stream)
Advent service, including some reflective Taize music, as we look forward to ‘God coming to be with us’ at Christmas-time.
Leader: Philippa Baker
Speaker: Michael Baughen
Music: Karen Hart

10AM FUSE & MESSY CHRISTINGLE (Zoom only)

Led by the Hambledon Messy and Busbridge FUSE teams. You will need an orange, a candle, red ribbon or tape, 4 cocktail sticks, sweets and a small piece of tin foil.

Or collect your pack from either church porch and just supply the orange! All welcome, even the over 12s!

After dark: Advent Stars light up at Hambledon and Busbridge Churches
See Rob Hewlett talking about why he’s making the giant stars for Advent in the Christmas video.

WATCH the Advent Reflection for Advent Sunday
(Video available on Sunday) A reading, a question and a prayer compiled by Andy Spencer, and read by different church members, will be available on the YouTube channel every day in Advent. If you prefer to read them yourself, see Advent Daily Reflections.

Children & Youth
10AM Messy Christingle – as above
7.30PM Christmas Film NIght (11-18s)

Next Sunday 6 December

Comfort and Joy continues…Reading: Isaiah 40: 1-11

9AM Online Heritage Service (BCP) on YouTube (pre-recorded)
Speaker: Margot Spencer

9AM Busbridge Classic on Zoom and YouTube (broadcast live)
Speaker: Patrick Samuels

10.15AM Contemporary – Conversations on the Couch
On the couch this week: Simon Taylor and Patrick Samuels

Tip for Sundays: TRY ZOOM, BUT HAVE YOUTUBE AS A BACKUP!

Coming Up this Week:

Go to What’s On and select the event to join the meetings on Zoom.

The Notices

Moving to Tier 2
From the 2 December congregations are once again allowed to attend church services, with social distancing and face coverings (and no singing). As space is limited in both churches, our worship will continue online, as in lockdown, on 6 and 13 December. (The 9AM service at Hambledon may resume – TBC next week).

Comfort & Joy!

For more details and information on Christmas see What’s On/Advent & Christmas 2020. It has info on the Advent Reflections, Walking Advent (calendar and map), the Christmas Exhibitions, Outward Giving and the ***Christmas Services***.

Walking Advent – In recent years we’ve had “Shedvent”, “Living Advent” and now, for the very exceptional, COVID 19 restriction permitting, 2020 experience… “Walking Advent”! Like opening the numbered doors on an advent calendar, the Busbridge Advent Calendar Walk will take you to a new window display for every day from 1-24 December. Go daily, or visit a few at a time. Click here for the MAP.

Next Saturday – join the Christmas Charity Quiz led by popular quiz masters Dudley and Alan. This is always a full and fun event in the Busbridge Village Hall, so please join in online. It’s one of our best fundraising opportunities too, so your support for the Guildford Samaritans will be much appreciated. To take part you need to make a donation (see left) by Monday 30 November.

The Comfort & Joy Exhibitions at both churches from Monday 7 December. Thanks for all the wonderful contributions of all things Comfort and Joy (art, craft, poetry, scripture, videos). You and other visitors will be able to enjoy and reflect on the exhibitions when you pop in to pray. Please note and share the message that the churches are open for individual prayer daily from 7 December and COVID 19 safety precautions are in place.

Christmas Eve Drive in Carol Services – 4.30pm and 6pm

Early bookings indicate that this ONLY ‘ALL SINGING’ celebration will be very popular, and space in the Godalming College car park is limited. The 4.30PM service has a few spaces left, but there is plenty of room at the 6PM at the moment. More advertising is out to the local schools and the wider communities of Busbridge and Hambledon next week, so please don’t leave it too late!

Thanks to those that have volunteered to help on Christmas Eve. We have a small army, but still need more troops – especially stewards to help direct traffic. If you can help, please contact Patrick Samuels who is leading the team of organisers, ASAP.

Outward Giving & Outreach

Christmas Hampers
We will again be supporting BESOM this Christmas. Through the home and church groups, we are busily co-ordinating ‘Besom’ hampers for needy people in the community. In 2020, the needs now are greater than ever.

UPDATE – We are looking to create 7 hampers for families (yet unidentified) at Busbridge Infants’ School, to be delivered to the school before they break up. We are looking for donations of goodies to fill these boxes within the next two weeks. See Christmas Outward Giving for all details.

Busbridge Church Christmas cards for sale

Pack of ten of 2 designs with envelopes for £4. The cards say Happy Christmas inside! Contact the church office to place an order.

BUsbridge Junior School applications

If you are thinking of submitting a church application to Busbridge Junior School for September 2021, here are some instructions:

1)            Visit the Busbridge Junior School website and familiarise yourself with their admission criteria (‘About Us’, ‘Admissions’)
2)            Email catherine.garner@bhcgodalming.org for an information sheet
3)            Bring the Supplementary Information Form to the church office by 10th December at the latest (please ensure that you are eligible – the criteria are on the 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 Church verification form to the school by the application closing date (15/01/2021) 

Press Release from the Diocese of Guildford:
Are you a survivor or victim of church related abuse? Read more

 

What’s On

Click Here for What’s on this week and beyond. It’s all in the calendar and more details for each event can be found when you select it.

PRAYER MINISTRY TEAM AVAILABLE

To contact the EMERGENCY prayer chain, email prayer@bhcgodalming.org  or call Lisa Olsworth-Peter on 01483 421267.
Listening prayer is available mid-week.

THIS SUNDAY

Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God

Reading: Matthew 5:8

9AM Online Heritage Service (pre-recorded, YouTube)

9AM Classic Service from Busbridge Church (Zoom & YouTube Live Stream)
Leader: Hilary Pettman
Speaker: Peter Shaw

10.15AM Contemporary Conversations from the Couch (Zoom & YouTube Live stream)
On the couch this Sunday: Simon Willetts and Simon Taylor

6PM Unplugged (Zoom)
Led by Anto Ficatier and members of Ichthus and Pathfinders

ESSENTIAL LINKS for services

Find the services on Zoom and YouTube:

Zoom – BHC Public Room | PMI: 946-391-4833 | Password: 2020

BHC Godalming YouTube: www.youtube.com/bhcgodalmingonline

Both Zoom and YouTube worked well last Sunday so you might like to try both. This week on Zoom, there will be time to “Unmute” for a few minutes after each service finishes to say Hello to one another.

Children & Youth

There’s a new video for the Ark children on Sunday and Explorers are meeting on Zoom. Pathfinders and Ichthus will be at the very excellent 6PM Unplugged.

Next Sunday 29 November

Advent Sunday
New Sermon Series: Comfort and Joy

Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9

9AM Online Heritage Service (BCP) on YouTube (pre-recorded)
Speaker: Michael Baughen

9AM Busbridge Classic on Zoom and YouTube (broadcast live)
Michael Baughen

10AM MESSY CHRISTINGLE on Zoom
Led by the Hambledon Messy and Busbridge FUSE teams. You will need an orange, a candle, red ribbon or tape, 4 cocktail sticks, sweets and a small piece of tin foil. – Or collect your pack from either church porch from next Tuesday and just supply the orange! All welcome, even the over 12s!

5PM Advent Star lights up at Hambledon Church
5.30PM Advent Star lights up at Busbridge Church
See Rob Hewlett talking about why he’s making the giant stars for Advent in the Christmas video.

Tip for Sunday: TRY ZOOM, BUT HAVE YOUTUBE AS A BACKUP!

The Classic and Contemporary services from Busbridge Church will be available live on both Zoom and YouTube. Zoom will provide the more interactive experience (you will be able to see other members of the congregation) but it requires more internet bandwidth, so the sound and picture might not be so good. We recommend you have the BHC Godalming YouTube channel ready or bookmarked, in case we need to switch the broadcasts to YouTube only.

Coming Up Next Week:

Go to What’s On and select the event to join the meetings on Zoom.

N.B. All welcome to join in and invited friends to the informal film discussion next Tuesday. Click the event for details and take the opportunity for an online social event during lockdown.

The Notices

***Christmas***

Comfort & Joy!

For more details and information on Christmas see What’s On/Advent & Christmas 2020. It has info on the Advent Reflections, Advent Walkabout Calendar, the Christmas Exhibitions, the Christmas Quiz, Outward Giving and more. Please keep checking – the fully programme of services and events will be published next week – and subject to change when we receive guidance after 2 December.

If, having watched the video, been to the Drive In on 6 Sep, you are keen to book your parking space – please do it now! Early bookings indicate that this ONLY ‘ALL SINGING’ celebration will be very popular, and space in the Godalming College car park is limited to about 100 spaces. So, we are running the service twice, at 4.30PM and 6PM . More advertising will go to the local schools and the wider communities of Busbridge and Hambledon next week, so this weekend is your chance to choose your service time.

Thanks to those that have volunteered to help on Christmas Eve. We have a small army, but still need more troops – especially stewards to help direct traffic. If you can help, please contact Patrick Samuels who is leading the team of organisers, ASAP.

Get ready for the Advent Walkabout Calendar – the map will be published next week of where to look for windows 1-24 around the streets of Busbridge. Something similar is happening in Hambledon too, so please check the details on the Village web site!

Outward Giving & Outreach

Christmas Quiz in aid of the Guildford Samaritans – 5 December at 7.30PM
The ever popular Christmas Quiz organised by Nexus is online this year, but still with renowned Quiz masters Dudley Hilton and Alan Betts! Purely social and fun (for those that know a bit about anything), this is a great opportunity to enjoy being together for an evening and raise money for the Samaritans. To take part, the first step is making a donation via the Just Giving page. Enter individually or in teams of up to 6. All the details are in the Advent & Christmas pages HERE!

The BESOM Christmas Hamper project
We will again be supporting BESOM this Christmas. Through the home and church groups, we are busily co-ordinating ‘Besom’ hampers for needy people in the community. With the COVID crisis still in full swing, the needs now are greater than ever.

The Outward Giving Group is thrilled with the response to the appeal to people to make hampers for the needy. We could still do with some more offers,  and would like to stress that items should come from the luxury range if possible.

If you would like to make a hamper individually, here is what to do:

•  Collect a flat ‘banana’ box from Sainsbury’s and wrap it with Christmas paper. There are also some ready wrapped boxes available at the back of Busbridge Church.

• Start collecting goods from the list of suitable items

• Contact Shelagh Godwin on jimdogshome@aol.com to be allocated a suitable recipient

• Fill box according to specifications

• Contact the recipient by phone or e-mail to arrange a delivery time

• Deliver hamper to recipient: leave outside the front door or in porch, Besom requests that you do not ring the bell

Busbridge Church Christmas cards for sale

Pack of ten of 2 designs with envelopes for £4. The cards say Happy Christmas inside! Contact the church office to place an order.

BUsbridge Junior School applications

If you are thinking of submitting a church application to Busbridge Junior School for September 2021, here are some instructions:

1)            Visit the Busbridge Junior School website and familiarise yourself with their admission criteria (‘About Us’, ‘Admissions’)
2)            Email catherine.garner@bhcgodalming.org for an information sheet
3)            Bring the Supplementary Information Form to the church office by 10th December at the latest (please ensure that you are eligible – the criteria are on the 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 Church verification form to the school by the application closing date (15/01/2021) 

 

What’s On

Click Here for What’s on this week and beyond. It’s all in the calendar and more details for each event can be found when you select it.

PRAYER MINISTRY TEAM AVAILABLE

To contact the EMERGENCY prayer chain, email prayer@bhcgodalming.org  or call Lisa Olsworth-Peter on 01483 421267.
Listening prayer is available mid-week.

Winter Lockdown

From 5 November to 2 December churches will be closed except for broadcasting acts of worship and individual prayer. Attendance at services is sadly not permitted. Please join us every Sunday online, on YouTube or Zoom. (See below for details).

This Sunday

this sunday online

Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy
Reading: Matthew 5:7

11.30AM-12.15 Join the Classic Congregation in the BHC Public Zoom Room for a virtual coffee after the services this morning!

Find the services on Zoom and YouTube:

Zoom – BHC Public Room | PMI: 946-391-4833 | PW: 2020

BHC Godalming YouTube: www.youtube.com/bhcgodalmingonline

Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy
Reading: Matthew 5:7

In the Online Heritage service at 9AM, David Hodson asks: What happened to that kinder, considerate, gentler, caring and more merciful society that we said we would have during the first lockdown in the spring?  Why for some life is now decidedly far less kind and merciful?’ Why it is that we have become both a far more tolerant society and yet in some ways far less willing to be merciful? Where these western values differ from the Christian church, and what Christ teaches us in how to be merciful and why to be merciful?

Anto Ficatier will give the talk in the Classic service at 9AM from Busbridge and Peter Shaw will chat to Dave Preece during Conversations from the Couch at 10.15AM.



Children & Youth

There’s a new video for Creche and Tiny Tigers on Sunday (Noah’s Ark), The Ark will be learning about Daniel in the Lion’s Den on Zoom, and Explorers, Pathfinders and Ichthus all continue to meet on Zoom too. See the calendar and contact CYF for details.

Next Sunday

Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God
Readings: Matthew 5:8

9AM Online Heritage Service (BCP) on YouTube (pre-recorded)

9AM Busbridge Classic on Zoom and YouTube (broadcast live)

10.15AM Busbridge Contemporary: Conversations from the Couch on Zoom and YouTube

Tip for Sunday: TRY ZOOM, BUT HAVE YOUTUBE AS A BACKUP!

The Classic and Contemporary services from Busbridge Church will be available live on both Zoom and YouTube. Zoom will provide the more interactive experience (you will be able to see other members of the congregation) but it requires more internet bandwidth, so the sound and picture might not be so good. We recommend you have the BHC Godalming YouTube channel ready or bookmarked, in case we need to switch the broadcasts to YouTube only.

Go to What’s On and select the event to join the meetings on Zoom.

The Notices

The Bridge Magazine – Nov-Dec edition out now
You can read this, and past editions online HERE. The Bridge team would like to pass on their sincere thanks to four long-standing road stewards who are stepping down from the role. Our very grateful appreciation goes to Ruth Bennett, Jean Hawden, Linda Smith and Debbie Scott; all of whom have been loyal deliverers of the magazines for many years. And a warm welcome to Katharine & Chris Rothwell and Gemma Taylor who have kindly stepped forward as new volunteers. It’s wonderful that with our volunteers help and support we’re able to connect with over 1900 homes in the locality. Thank you everyone

***Christmas***

Comfort & Joy!

Winter Lockdown

From 5 November to 2 December churches will be closed except for broadcasting acts of worship and individual prayer. Attendance at services is sadly not permitted. Please join us every Sunday online, on YouTube or Zoom. (See below for details).

This Sunday

Children & Youth

this sunday on youtube

All CYF meetings are taking place on Zoom or YouTube in November. NB to Ark! – you need some craft equipment for this Sunday. Select the event below for details.

Next Sunday

9AM Online Heritage Service (BCP) on YouTube (pre-recorded)

9AM Busbridge Classic on Zoom and YouTube (broadcast live)

10.15AM Busbridge Contemporary: Conversations from the Couch on Zoom and YouTube

Zoom – BHC Public Room | PMI: 946-391-4833 | PW: 2020

BHC Godalming YouTube: www.youtube.com/bhcgodalmingonline

Go to What’s On and select the event to join the meetings on Zoom.

The Notices

winter lockdown

Rector’s Reflections… Simon Taylor: Lockdown II: You have such beautiful feet.
Please read the message from Simon about our calling in the winter lockdown, and everything that’s going on away from church. It’s got some crucial info about Sundays in the next month too…

Our worship pastor Lisa Olsworth-Peter also blogged earlier this week: Find your own Song. (Lisa would have us all in a Gospel Choir so here is something to listen to as you read on: Glory Glory Hallelujah London Community Gospel Choir.)

Dudley and Alan have been writing to those in the Mens Matters group with an invitation to Zoom over breakfast tomorrow to discuss “lockdowns, the death of democracy and anything else that takes their fancy…” and Penny’s weekly PrimeTime blog can be found on the home page too.

Some of these “thoughts” go out on facebook, instragram and Twitter. For those that use social media: Are you following BHC Godalming?!

Worship at Home
Your worship leaders have selected these worship songs for you to bring you some comfort as we begin our next lockdown. These are free to listen to, but you need to register for a Spotify account: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3s8sufAl0KllESKKM9nHxJ

A month of Prayer

National Month of Prayer & National Day of Prayer this Friday 13 November
The Archbishops of Canterbury and York are calling the nation to unite in prayer during the second lockdown. The following link from the Church of England website included the Archbishops’ letter to the nation, and gives very specific and helpful daily focus’ for prayer during November. They have also made this coming Friday a national day of prayer which we are awaiting further details about.

https://www.churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-churches/call-prayer-nation#sunday

To support this, a reminder that Morning Prayer takes place on Zoom at 9AM on Tuesdays and Thursdays. ‘Listening Prayer’ continues to take place on on Monday mornings at the slightly later time of 8.45-9.30AM on Zoom.

Winter lockdown Prayer Vigil – Sign Up here
As previously planned, on Saturday 14 November we call our Church community to join us in a 12 hour prayer vigil to pray for families in our community and across the nation affected by the pandemic.

• For those that have lost loved ones

• For those who have lost employment and are struggling financially

• For protection for the vulnerable

• For relationships that are under extreme pressure

• For those that cannot again see their grandparents, parents, children and grandchildren due to the 2nd lockdown

• For those families coping with mental health illnesses

Prayerfest 0-30 in 60 will cover the 5-6pm hour to pray for our own Children, Youth and Families, CYF ministry, the schools in our local area. CYF and members of Ichthus will cover 6-7PM. You can sign up HERE to take an hours slot to pray in your own home, or on a walk. If you would like to pray with people you can join us in the BHC Public Prayer Room for one of the 3 Zoom sessions: 8am – 9am |  12midday – 13:00  | 17:00 – 18:00.

The Bridge Magazine – Nov-Dec edition out now
Your copy will be dropping through the letterbox shortly, with thanks as ever to our road stewards. You can also read this, and past editions online HERE.

condolences

We send our love to Chris Rothwell, whose mother Gillian died on 24th October.  Please hold Chris and his father in your prayers, together with Katie and the boys, and the wider family.

We have been saddened to hear of the death last Friday (30th October) of Christine Blanchard.  Christine was a longstanding resident of Hambledon and also well-known to the church family in Hambledon.  We send our love and prayers to her son Michael and the wider family.

At least we had last Sunday…

BHC certainly made the most of our pre-lockdown freedoms, with 4 services at Hambledon and Busbridge on Sunday, and two Light parties. FUSE in the Busbridge Junior School felt quite poignant, especially while loudly clapping, and silently praising to the re-written lockdown verse in “This little light of mine”.

All Souls Service
Replacing our usual Memorial Service with an online version, making it one of our morning services, and with minimal people in church, gave the whole occasion a very different feel.  It was strange not to be able to welcome people who have been coming for years, as well as some who have been bereaved more recently.  However, the astonishing response seems to indicate that it was – for this year at least – the right thing to do.  It also seems that many more people were able to access it online than would have been able to travel here to attend in person, as well as sending it to far-flung family members who watched wherever they live.  230 people have seen it and we remembered 126 people by name, which is also something of a record.

Whatever part you played – whether it was publicity, creating the online link, setting up the church, flowers, lighting nightlights, welcoming, sound and a/v, live-streaming, music, preaching, clearing and cleaning afterwards – thank you!  

Thanks also to all of you who prayed.  The messages I have received since yesterday seem to indicate that your prayers were very effective, so this comes with my love and thanks to you all. Margot Spencer.

Some footage and a takeaway from the Fire Pit service last Sunday evening

This Sunday

Part 4 in the Autumn Sermon series: The Beatitudes – “Falling Upwards”

online

at church

COVID-19 SAFETY NOTICE & SIGN UP INFO FOR SUNDAY SERVICES

On Zoom – BHC Public Room | PMI: 946-391-4833 | PW: 2020

Go to What’s On and select the event to join the meetings on Zoom

Children & Youth

1 November – Half-term: No CYF groups this Sunday (Ark, Explorers, Pathfinders or Ichthus).

BUT!

Busbridge Contemporary FUSE (all age service) – Sunday 1 November, 10AM
& both Light Parties will provide acts of worship for our older children and youth. Email Anto Ficatier for details or sign up via the calendar.

Next Sunday

The Notices

ELECTION RESULTS FROM THE VIRTUAL APCMS on SUNDAY 25 OCTOBER

Thanks to all those who joined the APCMs on Zoom last Sunday, and voted in the following church officers: Busbridge Churchwardens 2020-2021
Frances Shaw
Keith Harper

Hambledon Churchwardens 2020-2021
Derek Pearsall
Fran Duffell
Thanks were given to Liz Cooke on completion of her 6 year term as churchwarden.

The Electoral Roll which allows you to vote at the APCMs is now reopen for applications. Please find the application form here.

All Souls Service THIS Sunday 1 Nov
As we are unable to hold our annual Memorial service in the usual way this year but the 10AM service at Busbridge will be on the theme of All Souls, and include a reading of names of loved ones. Priority to attend the service will be given to church members who have been bereaved in 2020. Space in church is limited, but it is also possible to sit and listen to the service in the churchyard. If you usually attend the Classic service, or would like to attend this special service, please sign up in the usual way.

If you would like someone remembered by name during the service, please use the sign up form for the event, or email Margot Spencer.  Please note that, by submitting a name, you are giving permission for it to be read out and broadcast to a wider audience than would usually be the case. 

FIRE PIT service at Busbridge Church, Sunday 1 Nov at 7PM
An outdoor service with fire pits for warmth, light and to signify the presence of the Holy Spirit. This will be a short gathering with a charismatic feel.  We need you (and your fire-pits, torches and maybe umbrellas) to come! Please sign up in advance to assist with Test and Trace. If you are able to bring and care for a fire-pit on the day, please contact Annie (abryett@hotmail.com)

Remembrance Services, 8 November

10.30AM outside at Busbridge Church and Hambledon Church
The Remembrance services replace 9AM at Hambledon 10AM Busbridge Classic & Contemporary services. Brighton Road and the roads surrounding the church will be closed from 10AM to 12noon to allow for additional standing room around the war memorial.

Prayer Opportunities and changes to times:

Change to Morning Prayer on Zoom: From November, Morning Prayer will be at 9AM on Tuesdays and Thursdays. ‘Listening Prayer’ will continue to take place on on Monday mornings at the slightly later time of 8.45-9.30AM on Zoom. Space for God (early bird) has migrated. It is not quite so early any more, on
the first Wednesday of the month (e.g. 4th November) from 7.45 to 8.30AM. Morning Prayer restarts at Hambledon Church at 9.30AM every Wednesdays from 4 November. Also the Prayer Ministry team will be leading a 12 hour prayer vigil on 14th November to pray for families affected by Covid crisis and for the community initiatives that are working with them including Godalming food bank and the Cellar. All welcome to sign up to join the team to pray from the Church or at home, 1 hour slots. Email Michael Stubbs. The prayer page will shortly be updated to reflect these changes but you can find out about the different meetings on the PRAYER page.

NEXUS is back on 5 November at 8pm, with an online talk by Simon Willetts titled: Never Say Never. All welcome to the talk in the BHC Public Zoom Room. The event can be found in What’s On. (Save the Date for the NEXUS Christmas Quiz on Saturday 7 December, starting at 7.30PM in the BHC Zoom room too.)

Who is Missing?
With the threat of increased restrictions, if there is anyone you can think of that you haven’t seen or heard from at church or on Zoom, and may not receive (or read!) the notices, please consider trying to make contact. In April our Small Group leaders led an activity to contact everyone on the church database to check they were OK and invite them to connect with a small group. This is a follow up to that, but we are asking all members of the church family to think about those who may be self isolating, in need of support or a friendly phone call every now and then. If you have any questions or need to pass on a request for further support, please contact Jill Johnston in the Pastoral Care team.

Live Streaming We know that people have commented on the quality of the internet coverage on Sundays in Busbridge. We’re working on providing the technology and are hugely grateful to Tim Davies and others for their time on this. There have been a lot of internet problems in the Busbridge area recently which has made our live stream go jittery from time to time. We’re purchasing some equipment including a backup box which uses the mobile phone network so we are hoping that our more usual smoothness will return this Sunday. Thankyou for bearing with us.  If you’d like to help fund the work we are doing in this area please speak to Martin Lambert (treasurer) or for more information and a confidential chat about the vision for it, Simon Taylor (Busbridge) or Simon Willetts (Hambledon).

Road Stewards needed for The Bridge magazine for Grayling Close and Windy Wood.
The Bridge magazine is looking for two new road stewards who, 6 times a year, would be willing to deliver magazines to either Grayling Close (46 houses) or Windy Wood (38 houses). If you live in, or close to, either of these roads, (or maybe know someone who does and might be willing to take on the role) please contact the editor, Cathy, at editor.atthebridge@gmail.com. We’d be delighted and most appreciative to hear from you. 

***WARNING: Christmas section ***

With a shortage of opportunities to gather people all at once, our key community event for Advent and Christmas will be the “Comfort & Joy” Exhibitions at Busbridge Church and Hambledon Church – open to anyone to get involved and contribute creative works loosely on the theme, and to visitors from 7 December. We’ve adopted the Church of England theme for Christmas 2020 (which you can read about here) and are calling on church members and the local communities to make it your own.

If you would like to find out more, contribute something to either exhibition, or encourage a local friend or group to produce something, please contact Lisa Olsworth-Peter. We want lots of community involvement and visitors at both churches! BIG Advent Stars made by Rob Hewlett will be lighting up at both churches at 5PM on Advent Sunday, 29 November.

Christmas Eve Drive In “Bling your Car” at Godalming College! Given the likelihood of existing or higher COVID 19 restrictions severely limiting numbers (and singing!) in church, a drive in carol service offers the safest opportunity to gather and share a Christmas experience with your church family and the local community – and exercise your lungs in the confines of your car. We are delighted that Godalming College has offered its grounds to host the event. The central, well known location, tarmac carpark, lights and other infrastructure make the organisation quite easy – but there’s still some planning to do! If you can help on Christmas Eve, please contact Patrick Samuels who is leading the team of organisers, ASAP. We need people to help on the evening but also those who can help plan and organise now.

Outward Giving & Outreach
CORRECTION TO LAST WEEK: The Busbridge&Hambledon Church Christmas £ Appeal will be in aid of the Trinity Trust Team. Take a look at their web site to find out about TTT’s great work with young people in the Godalming area. More information and how to give will follow in advance of Mission Sunday on 13 December.

We will again be supporting BESOM this Christmas through by preparing hampers for delivery to families in need. Unfortunately the Taylors’ jolly hamper filling party won’t be possible this year, so the Outward Giving team are working out how, what and when. Please be ready for instructions!

The BHC ladies group coordinated by Nicky Hemery are liaising with the Godalming Community Store and hope to be able to give out Meaningful Chocolate Real Advent Calendars to bless community store clients before 1 December. Each calendar is £3.50. If you would like to contribute to the fund to buy a calendar, please contact Nicky Hemery.

Churches Together in Godalming will not be able to run their usual Christmas lunch this year, but there may be many people who are on their own with families unable to visit them. We are hoping to put together a list of volunteers who would visit anyone on their own on Christmas Day, with a small gift and card. We would go in pairs and not enter people’s houses. If anyone would like to volunteer to join us, please contact Gillian Martin (martin2ls@btinternet.com) or if you or anyone else would like a visit, please contact Gwen Wheatman (gwenwheatman@hotmail.co.uk).

Busbridge Church Christmas cards for sale

Pack of ten of 2 designs with envelopes for £4. The cards say Happy Christmas inside! Contact the church office to place an order.

Please pray for

Please pray for these roads and their residents, and perhaps include them on a prayer walk this week:

• Ramsden Road, Busbridge and road steward Ruth Roseblade

• Church Lane, Hambledon

And those working in healthcare and medicine.

What’s On

Click Here for What’s on this week and beyond. It’s all in the calendar and more details for each event can be found when you select it.

6 week Road Closure on Brighton Road from 26 October

Gas works will begin on 26 October between Crownpits Lane and Latimer Road, and a diversion via the A3100, Broadford Road, A281 and the B2130 will be in place. Please allow extra time if this affects your journey to church, or school.

PRAYER MINISTRY TEAM AVAILABLE

To contact the EMERGENCY prayer chain, email prayer@bhcgodalming.org  or call Lisa Olsworth-Peter on 01483 421267.
Listening prayer is available mid-week.