This Sunday

Part 3 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

4PM Busbridge APCM

5.30PM Hambledon APCM

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

Children & Youth

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

Children are more than welcome to come to services and be part of our worship as we gather as a church family, but children’s groups are not currently running in the morning services. From 15 November: The CYF team will run outdoor games on the school playground and field for children aged 4-11 during the 10AM services at Busbridge.

0-3s (approx) Parents are welcome to use the creche room in Busbridge Junior School with babies or children.

Next Sunday

Light Parties next weekend

Unplugged Light Party
for Pathfinders and Ichthus – Sat 31 7.45-9PM

Explorers Light Party – Sun 1 November, 4-5PM

in Busbridge Church
Numbers limited – sign up via What’s On

The Notices

VIRTUAL APCM – SUNDAY 25 OCTOBER

The Annual Parochial Church Meetings will be held this Sunday 25 October on Zoom at:

4PM for Busbridge Church
5.30PM Hambledon Church

Simon Taylor and Simon Willetts will be recapping on 2020 and sharing the vision for Busbridge&Hambledon Church going forward.

These meetings will be held in the BHC Public Zoom room (ID: 946-391-4833 password: 2020). The combined benefice annual report and separate accounts for 2019 are now available.

The Electoral Roll which allows you to vote at the APCMs is now closed and is available from the church office.

All Souls Service Next Sunday 1 Nov
Traditionally, this is the season of All Saints and All Souls, when the church gathers to remember, with thanksgiving, those who have died, whether recently or long ago.  And, at this time of year, we would normally be to our annual Memorial Service. 

Sadly, because of the Covid-19 pandemic, we are unable to hold our 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)

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).

News from Busbridge and Hambledon PCC group on the Response Racism and Cultural Bias in the local church: See A Word from Andy Spencer during Black History Month

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.

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. 

The NEW Cellar “Camino” Cafe
The Cellar Café is re-opening in its new home on Monday morning! The Cellar’s new premises is in Waverley Borough Council’s old staff café, the walkway off Bridge Street (opposite Waitrose) between the Borough Hall and the CAB.

The Cellar is rebranding after 41 years and we will be called ‘Cellar Camino Cafe’ – it will also be housing the ‘Community Fridge’. The new venue is an answer to persistent and faithful prayer since the lease ended in Crown Court in July. It’s cheaper, larger and better equipped than the old building and offers new possibilities for serving the vulnerable in our community. The Trustees feel that the mission of the Cellar has never been more needed than now, and are delighted that they can be here to support anybody and everybody in our community over the coming months. Do drop in for a coffee anytime! The Cellar web site will be updated to incorporate the new name and address shortly, but the details about how to give, get involved and support are still correct. To find out more speak to: Chris Jagger, Shelagh Godwin, Ray Brown, David Hart or Vic Hicks.

***starting to think about Christmas***

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.

The other key community event for Advent and Christmas will be the “Comfort & Joy” Exhibitions at Busbridge Church and Hambledon Church – open to anyone to contribute creative works loosely on the theme, and to visitors from 7 December. 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.

Outward Giving & Outreach
We will again be supporting BESOM this Christmas through the Christmas £ Appeal on Mission Sunday (13 December), and 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.

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:

• Quartermile Road and road stewards Jan Pinto and Denise Brunning.

• Wormley Lane

And those working in social services.

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.

coming up:

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.)

Remembrance Services, 8 November

10.30AM at Busbridge Church and Hambledon Church
(The Remembrance services replace 9AM at Hambledon 10AM Busbridge Classic & Contemporary services)

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.

furniture wanted

If anyone has a set of bunk beds, a King size Divan base (mattress not needed), a children’s wardrobe or a white desk which they’d like to sell or part with to a member of the church family, please contact the church office.

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 those who mourn for they will be comforted
Reading: Matthew 5:4

online

at church

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

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

11.30AM Zoom Coffee Morning hosted by 8AM and Busbridge Classic congregations

5PM PrayerFest 0-30 in 60

7PM Zoom Coffee & Chat hosted by the Evening Congregation (formerly 6.30PM)

7.45PM Christmas Planning meeting for helpers – all volunteers welcome.

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

Children & Youth

Children are more than welcome to come to services and be part of our worship as we gather as a church family, but there won’t be children’s groups running in the morning services. Sunday School for younger age groups is on Zoom, and older youth groups meet later on Sunday as follows:

0-3s (approx) Parents are welcome to use the creche room in Busbridge Junior School as a ‘breakout’ room for wriggly/noisy babies or children.

9AM Ark (3-7s) on Zoom. Details on request from Judith Hawkey.

11.15AM Explorers (7-11s) on Zoom. Details on request from Judith Hawkey.

4PM Pathfinders Youth Club, The Hut (for 11-14s)

7.30PM Ichthus Games Night, The Hut (for 15-18s)

Next Sunday

VIRTUAL APCM – SUNDAY 25 OCTOBER

The Annual Parochial Church Meetings will be held on Sunday 25 October on Zoom at:

4PM for Busbridge Church
5.30PM Hambledon Church
Sadly there will be no Quality Street this year, as these meetings will be held in the BHC Public Zoom room (ID: 946-391-4833 password: 2020). The combined benefice annual report and separate accounts for 2019 are now available. Simon Taylor and Simon Willetts will be recapping on 2020 and sharing the vision for Busbridge&Hambledon Church going forward.

The Electoral Roll which allows you to vote at the APCMs is now closed and is available from the church office.

Would you be interested in becoming a PCC member? Find the application form here:

Would you like to influence churches in the area of Godalming, south to Haslemere and west towards Aldershot? The Deanery Synod and Simon Taylor need your input – it’s a commitment of three meetings a year – please get in touch with Simon Taylor directly to find out more.

The Notices

Keith and Philippa’s LLM licensing this Saturday

Keith Harper and Philippa Baker will be admitted as License Lay Minister (Readers) at a special service at St Thomas-on-the-Bourne this Saturday at 5PM. Because of COVID-19 restrictions, there will be a limited-size congregation, but the service will be live streamed on St Thomas’s YouTube Channel.  Do please join in from home and support them as they take this significant step.  And please pray for Philippa and Keith – and the other LLMs from across the diocese – as they begin their new ministry.

Help to plan Christmas

Thank you to everyone (nearly 200 people!) who filled in the 1 minute Christmas survey. We now know that 91% of us are here at Christmas; many want to gather on Christmas morning; and even more would join a special child-friendly half hour drive in carols (with nearly lit candles) service.

If you are one of the 50+ people who said you might be able to help with Christmas Eve drive-in carol service(s) in Busbridge, you are welcome to a thirty minute zoom meeting on 946-391-4833 (2020), 7.45pm Sunday 18th October. We need you! Simon T.

SMALL GROUP NEWS

This Sunday

Blessed are the poor in spirit for they shall inherit the Kingdom of God
Reading: Matthew 5:1-3

online

at church

Children & Youth

Children are more than welcome to come and be part of our worship as we gather as a church family, but there won’t be children’s groups running in the morning services.

0-3s (approx) Parents are welcome to use the creche room in Busbridge Junior School as a ‘breakout’ room for wriggly/noisy babies or children.

4-11s (Ark & Explorers) on Zoom. Details on request from Judith Hawkey.

4PM Pathfinders Youth Club, The Hut (for 11-14s)

7.30PM Ichthus Games Night, The Hut (for 15-18s)

COVID-19 Safety notice for sunday services

Please also help Busbridge&Hambledon Church to comply with NHS Test and Trace, and save a little time when everyone arrives, by signing up to services in advance.

Details and instructions for each service can be found when you click the service title to sign up, but in short we are continuing to follow the government mantra: Hands. Face. Space. Hand sanitiser will be available on entry to the services, face coverings must be worn and social distancing of 2m will be observed. (This means there is a limited capacity in the churches and school hall, and later arrivals may be asked to listen outside).

NHS Test & Trace App & QR codes: Smart phone users may also have the new NHS COVID-19 Test & Trace app – a QR code poster is on display at Busbridge Church, Hambledon Church and the Old Rectory, and the government asks you to check in to all BHC venues using the app too. (Yes, please sign up and check in on both systems so we can establish and alert close contacts in the church community should a + test be reported.)

Next Sunday

11.30AM Zoom Coffee Morning hosted by 8AM and Busbridge Classic congregations

5PM PrayerFest 0-30 in 60 – Zoom

7PM Zoom Coffee & Chat hosted by the Evening Congregation (formerly 6.30PM)

The Notices

Help to plan Christmas

Do excuse us for mentioning the “C” word so early this year. Though we usually start planning in July, we are careful not to mention it (much) before November.

This year presents a different challenge and we’d like to get a feel for a few proposals before the wheels are fully set in motion.

The survey doesn’t give it all away. Details for how we will mark and celebrate, and draw in the local communities of Busbridge and Hambledon will be following in the coming weeks.

Please take 3 mins to complete a short survey here!

it’s Ordination Season – & we know a few candidates!

Please pray for the following candidates as they are ordained this weekend and next. You can watch the ordinations live via the Guildford Diocese web site:

Sheila Samuels is being ordained as Priest at St Mark’s, Ockford Ridge – 9AM on Saturday at St Bart’s, Haslemere. More details & to watch live

James Ellin, former Youth Minister at BHC, is being ordained as Deacon at St John’s Egham – 2.30PM on Sunday at St John’s Egham. More details & to watch live. James has been in touch this week with the details (below) and would love us to be with him, Emma and Elodie virtually, and in prayer….

Next Saturday, 17 October:

Keith Harper and Philippa Baker will be licensed as LLMs (License Lay Minister) at St Thomas-on-the-Bourne – details to follow next week.

“Doing Life Together”
‘Doing Life Together’ is the theme we are using as Sunday worship, mid week ministry and mission and outreach are linked, interwoven and streamlined to foster discipleship as we journey through challenging and uncertain times. It’s based on the theology of Acts 2: 42. Small Groups are central to the plan to create a better relationship between Sundays and everything that happens mid-week, and to keep people connected in bible study, outreach activities with local “mission partners”, and serving the church and one and other. Mid-week church events and activities, teaching, training, courses etc. will be run via small groups, on the night they meet, to keep to one night a week and reduce diary conflicts and overload. Small Groups and local Mission Partners will be (re)introduced during services over the next few weeks in a series of short videos. This Sunday Simon Willetts talks to Mark Puddephatt about what’s so good about Small Groups.

Virtual APCM – Sunday 25 October

Annual Parochial Church Meetings will be held on Sunday 25 October at:

4PM for Busbridge Church
5.30PM Hambledon Church
Sadly there will be no Quality Street this year, as these meetings will be held in the BHC Public Zoom room (ID: 946-391-4833 password: 2020). The annual report and accounts for 2019 will be available the week before the meeting and Simon Taylor and Simon Willetts will be recapping on 2020 and sharing the vision for Busbridge&Hambledon Church going forward.

The Electoral Roll which allows you to vote at the APCMs is now closed and will be published in church this Sunday.

Would you be interested in becoming a PCC member? Find the application form here:

Would you like to influence churches in the area of Godalming, south to Haslemere and west towards Aldershot? The Deanary Synod and Simon Taylor need your input – it’s a commitment of three meetings a year – please get in touch with Simon Taylor directly to find out more.

Congratulations to Ieva and Rufus (Contemporary congregation) on the birth of baby daughter Marni this week. We are so happy to hear news of the safe arrival, and send our love and prayers.

Our love and prayers go to Mark Puddephatt whose mother died this week, and to Dawn and the family as they mourn. We pray for God’s love and comfort to surround them in the days and weeks ahead.

Please pray for

The Prayer Ministry team will be holding a 12 hour prayer vigil for those who have lost employment due to Coronavirus, and students away at university, this Saturday, 10 October. If you would like to submit a name to be prayed for, e: Lisa Olsworth-Peter

Prisons Week – A week of Prayer is 11-17 October For details and resources see: prisonsweek.org

The Mill Medical Practice as they prepare for the drive through flu vaccination clinic next Saturday, 17 October. It’s a big community effort, and Linda Smith asks for your prayers for the weather, safety, that there will be a good response, and all will go smoothly!

FEBA – Come and join our small prayer group which meets under socially distanced conditions and will be meeting on Monday 19 October from 10.30 for an hour to pray for Feba, a media organisation with partners in most of the world’s trouble spots. Further details can be obtained from Shelagh at jimdogshome@aol.com

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

• Phillips Close and road steward Keith Harper

• Vann Lane

Churches Together Link Up – October 2020

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.

This week

Monday & Thursday Prayer Meetings, Toddler Sing Along and the Hambledon Prayer Breakfast, 9:30AM next Saturday

Look out for details to follow on:

All Souls service, 10AM Busbridge Church, 1 Nov

7PM Busbridge Churchyard service, 1 Nov

Remembrance Services, 8 Nov

(….Advent & Christmas!)

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.

Mission Sunday – Harvest

Reading: Ruth 2:1-12

Our 2020 Harvest Appeal is in aid of Tearfund and we will be hearing from Charlotte Nobbs at Tearfund in all of the Services. To donate to the Harvest Appeal, please make a bank transfer to Busbridge PCC, donate on tearfund.org or take a giving envelope from church.

There will be a traditional collection of non-perishable gifts in aid of the Godalming Food Bank and the Community Store, so please bring your offerings to any of the services this Sunday.

This Sunday

online

at church

Be strong and take heart Cry. Declare. Trust.

Psalm 27:1 and 11-14

Online

AT CHURCH

Children & Youth this Sunday

10:30AM Explorers on Zoom

0-11s (Ark and all ages) come along to the last 4PM Outdoor Family service.

3.45PM Pathfinders, The Hut (sign up required)

5PM Prayerfest 0-30 on Zoom

More details for each service can be found when you click the button to sign up, but in short we are continuing to follow the government mantra: Hands. Face. Space. Hand sanitiser will be available on entry to the services, face coverings must be worn and social distancing of 2m will be observed.

Please also help Busbridge&Hambledon Church to comply with NHS Test and Trace, and save a little time when everyone arrives, by signing up to the services in advance.

NEW: Smart phone users may also have the new NHS COVID-19 Test & Trace app – a QR code will also be on display at Busbridge Church, Hambledon Church and the Old Rectory, and you are requested to check in to all BHC venues using the app too. (Yes, please sign up and check in on both systems so we can establish and alert close contacts in the church community should a + test be reported.)

The Notices

HARVEST
Next Sunday, 4 October, is our Harvest celebration. There will be a traditional collection of non-perishable gifts in aid of the Godalming Food Bank and Community Store, so please bring your offerings to any of the three services next Sunday:

You can sign up to next Sunday’s services by selecting the service above.

Our Harvest Appeal this year is for Tearfund, and there will be a video talk about the international work of Tearfund at each service. Giving envelopes will be available, but ideally donations should be made by bank transfer to Busbridge PCC: sort code 60-09-04 | Account No: 00705349 | Ref: Harvest.

See Tearfund.org, and ask Anto about the Tearfund bible study course that Ichthus are following this term.

BUSBRIDGE CONTEMPORARY
It’s back! The contemporary congregation is returning to Busbridge Junior School next Sunday at 10AM for an all age Harvest special in and around the school hall. It aims to be short and simple to test all our coronavirus safety processes in a different worship setting, before the service resumes with children’s work from 13 October. An email with more information is going out to those in the Contemporary congregation this week.

Restarting the Bible course
Does anyone remember that evening, and the anticipation back in March, when 100+ people from all congregations gathered (shoulder to shoulder) in the Busbridge Junior School hall for the introductory session of the Bible Course? A most promising of starts was soon dampened by the imminent lockdown, and we hoped that the course would have a short postponement. Now that the vision for a whole church Bible Course is not possible anytime soon, the course is going to run in Small Groups. All the info is under the Courses menu on the web site HERE, where you can find the great little promo filmed by Simon Willetts. Ignore the dates, because the message is still true. If you are not a member of a Small Group and would like to do the 8 week course, please contact Cat Garner as soon as possible and we’ll link you in to a group that best suits you.

“Doing Life Together”
Over the coming weeks you will start to hear the phrase ‘Doing Life Together’ as Sunday worship, mid week ministry and mission and outreach are linked, interwoven and streamlined to foster discipleship as we journey through challenging and uncertain times. It’s based on the theology of Acts 2: 42.

Small Groups are central to the plan to create a better relationship between Sundays and everything that happens mid-week, and to keep people connected in bible study, outreach activities with local “mission partners”, and serving the church and one and other.

Mid-week church events and activities, teaching, training, courses etc. will be run via small groups, on the night they meet, to keep to one night a week and reduce diary conflicts and overload. Lots of people have joined a small group in lockdown, and Simon Willetts has worked with Small Group leaders to design a monthly and annual plan for groups to follow, with ongoing support and training for the leaders. For some of our 35 small group leaders this has required a step up in commitment, and we are very grateful for their positive response and example. New members, and those who want to connect less formally, are ALWAYS welcome and we can find a home in a small group for everyone.

3 Sunday Services, available online – we need to keep Sundays simple, and be able to reach those who wish to gather as well as those who can not. The aim is to start live streaming from Hambledon Church and Busbridge Junior School by the end of October so that those who can not come to church can feel part of the service in real time, or watch and worship later. (Live streaming is up and running well at Busbridge Church). There will be some flexibility to evolve the format and monthly pattern of each service as time goes on. However, with current restrictions and safety procedures, and changes in many of our lifestyles, we know from the summer survey and feedback since, that running six services every week is neither viable or desirable.

P.S. “Available Online” are two little words which are hereon indispensable to church mission, but carry with them a lot of background work and investment. Once the equipment has been bought and installed (broadband, cameras for Busbridge and Hambledon churches, and the Junior School etc.) you will need people to set up and operate it. Thanks to those who have come forward to make it all possible. #alwaysroomformore!

Specific Age Ministries
Children, Youth & Families – Creative, flexible & lots outdoors. Physical and online meetings are restarting for all age groups, and there will be groups for children attending 10AM services at Busbridge every Sunday from 13 October. (While we can’t provide a creche to leave little ones, there will be a break out room (with a live link from the Contemporary service once the tech is installed) for parents with wrigglers! Information is going out to parents this week and next, and will be published on the CYF pages of the web site. Plans for the Unplugged youth service are also in progress.

Older People – many of those involved in Prime Time and other Older People’s work are vulnerable or shielding, and the much enjoyed social events and outings are not possible under the current ‘rule of 6’. Penny Naylor and the team will continue to plan fun events on Zoom for those that can access them, but the weekly email, also sent by post, and telephone calls are the main method of connecting and caring. Isolation and loneliness among older people in our community is a big concern, and Older People’s Ministry and the Befriending initiative is an example of the local mission groups that Small Groups will be able to partner with.

There is more to say on every area, and this will be explained in services and on the web site in the next few weeks so you will know how and where to connect. And though we are still in September, please rest assured that we are starting to plan for a different kind of Christmas.

Busbridge Church Heritage Weekend Quiz – Click here are the answers. If you missed the questions that went out for Heritage Weekend the week before last, you may still find out some interesting facts about Busbridge Church in the quiz answers, without doing the hard work!

OUR PRAYERS

We have heard the sad news that Jean Whitehouse died peacefully last week, in a nursing home in Eastbourne.  Please pray especially for her family, still mourning Harry, who died in June.  Because of Covid restrictions on the number of people who can attend funerals, friends who would like to see the service online are warmly invited to do so.  It will be held at Eastbourne Crematorium on Monday 5 October at 2.00 p.m.  Please contact Ed and Chris Payne, if you would like the link for the service.

We have also been deeply saddened to hear that Betty Towner died peacefully on Wednesday (23rd September).  She has been a member of Busbridge church for a great many years, but has been resident in a nursing home in Hindhead for the last three months.  We don’t yet know about funeral arrangements, but will let you know as soon as we hear.  Please pray for Betty’s family and many friends, especially her grandson William.

Film Night Discussion: Lady Bird – All invited to a zoom chat on Monday 28 September at 7.30pm to discuss this 2017 coming of age film. The film is available in iPlayer at the moment, or to rent on Amazon. Email ladies@bhcgodalming.org for the Zoom details.

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

• Parkfield and road steward Alan Betts

• The Hydons

  Click Here for What’s on this week
  Prayer Meetings, Toddler Sing Along and Film Discussion: Lady Bird

  PRAYER MINISTRY TEAM AVAILABLE

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

This Sunday

He has been good to me. Turn. Bring. Ask. Trust
Readings: Psalm 13  


AT CHURCH

9AM BCP Said Service at Hambledon Church
Leader & Speaker: Simon Willetts
SIGN UP

10AM Morning Worship at Busbridge Church – Common Worship & Hymns
Leader: Peter Shaw | Speaker: Simon Taylor | Music: Alan Harvey

10AM SIGN UP WATCH LIVE ON YOUTUBE

4PM Outdoor Family service in the Old Rectory Garden
Leader: Mark Williams | Speaker: Dave Preece | Music: David Marson.

4PM SIGN UP WATCH LIVE ON YOUTUBE

More details for each service can be found when you click the button to sign up, but in short we are continuing to follow the latest government mantra: Hands. Face. Space. Hand sanitiser will be available on entry to the services, face coverings must be worn and social distancing of 2m will be observed.

Please also help Busbridge&Hambledon Church to comply with NHS Test and Trace, and save a little time when everyone arrives, by signing up to the services in advance.

ONLINE

9AM HERITAGE ONLINE Service on YouTube (Speaker: Simon Taylor)

10AM Live Stream of Busbridge Morning Worship

4PM Live stream of the Outdoor Family Service

Find all our online services on the

THE NOTICES

9AM at Hambledon
Last Sunday’s service at Hambledon went very well and people were glad to be back.  Space is at a premium in Hambledon Church with social distancing measures in place.  Please do sign up for services in advance so that we can contact people to warn them if it looks like there will be a space issue.  (Some people may be asked to stay in the vestry or church room.)  We appreciate your grace and patience at this time and look forward to seeing you.  Getting internet installed has proved slow, but we aim to have the technology in place to start live streaming services from Hambledon in the coming weeks.  In the meantime, the Heritage Online service will be available on YouTube from 9AM too.

10AM at Busbridge
If space runs out in church, the service can be listened to in the churchyard where there are outside speakers.  (Bring a chair for the Glyndebourne experience!) It is still really helpful to sign up beforehand to help the Welcomers when everyone arrives.

Sunday’s 4pm Service
It was great to worship together with so many people on Sunday afternoon in the Old Rectory garden and through the live stream. We know that we had lessons to learn following Sunday afternoon and so this week things will be a little different. There will be more engaging things for children and the garden will look different…

Please bring a pen!

We look forward to worshipping with you again in person or online at 4pm.

Alpha
Last Wednesday (16th September) saw the final session of our Alpha Online course. We have had a fantastic journey together over the last 3 months exploring our faith. A huge thank you to those who came along, to Keith and Hilary for helping facilitate the course, and to all those praying for us too. We will miss our weekly Zoom discussions aided by the Alpha videos!

Harvest Festival—4 October
We will be celebrating Harvest on Sunday 4 October and our Outward Giving partner will be Tearfund.  Please bring non-perishable gifts on to the services that day, which will be passed onto the Food Bank and Community Store.

All Souls and Remembrance
It seems unlikely that we shall be able to hold our annual Memorial Service this autumn, and certainly not in its usual format, nor with the usual numbers who attend.  However, given that many people have been bereaved during the year, by Covid 19 or through other causes, it seems important to hold some sort of service which acknowledges that and helps people to mourn their losses.  The C of E has suggested that churches might use the occasion of All Souls, on Sunday 1st November, to remember those we have loved and lost.  There will be a 10AM benefice service at Busbridge centred around that theme. 

Likewise, Remembrance will necessarily take a slightly different form this year.  It will still be on the second Sunday in November (8th), and we await more guidance on how it will be marked nationally. More details about both services will follow, nearer the time. 

THE BIGGER PICTURE TO FOLLOW SOON

In the next few weeks, the church leadership team will be sharing a vision and plan for integrating services, worship and life in a way that is simple and robust and will see the church family and wider community through the coming months. Here are just some hints of what’s to come from October:

• We are phasing in the services we offer to give space for new things, and to allow people to assess how and where they can serve, as it seems less people are available to support the range of services and activities held in the past.

• Home or ‘Small’ Groups are going to be even more important – join one!

• CYF and older ministry are planning activities online, and physical where possible.

• We are praying and planning for Contemporary services to start again in BJS at 10am

• We have people who have to remain at home at the centre of what we want to do – online is here to stay and we’re going to offer more of it, not less.

OTHER NOTICES

The Church Office in the Old Rectory is now open Monday to Friday, though staff will be in on a rota basis in ‘bubbles’. Visitors are welcome, but we do ask that they read the instructions on the front door and observe Hands (wash hands on entry using the first bathroom on the left). Face (please wear a face mask inside the building). Space (Stay 2m apart from others). Please conduct conversations with staff and others outside where possible.

Film Night Discussion: LadyBird – All invited to a zoom chat on Monday 28 September at 7.30pm to discuss this 2017 coming of age film. The film is available in iPlayer at the moment, or to rent on Amazon. Email ladies@bhcgodalming.org for the Zoom details.

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

• Park Chase and road steward Linda Alcock

• Salt Lane.

  PRAYER MINISTRY TEAM AVAILABLE

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

Above: Photos (including some spectacular drone shots) from the BIG DRIVE IN service last Sunday with Godalming Baptist Church. It was wonderful for so many to be able to come together to worship. It’s not about the numbers, but many drove in, and many more watched the service live on YouTube – the unedited version is still available on the BHC Godalming YouTube channel. Once again, our huge thanks to the Harvies for hosting the service at Heath Farm, and to Rupert for operating the JCB. We certainly found out which of our clergy has a head for heights, and who doesn’t! Thanks for all the encouraging feedback, … and points to consider if we do it again.

This Sunday

Topic: How lovely is your dwelling place Dwell. Blessing. Protection
Readings: Psalm 84

ONLINE

9AM HERITAGE ONLINE Service on YouTube
Speaker: Frances Shaw


AT CHURCH

9AM BCP Said Service at Hambledon Church
Leader & Speaker: Simon Willetts

10AM Morning Worship at Busbridge Church – Common Worship & Hymns
Leader: Simon Taylor | Speaker: Frances Shaw | Music: Lisa Olsworth-Peter

4PM Outdoor Family service in the Old Rectory Garden
Leader: Simon Willetts | Speaker: Dave Preece |
Music: Lisa Olsworth-Peter.

More details for each service can be found when you click the button to sign up, but in short we are continuing to follow the latest government mantra: Hands. Face. Space. Hand sanitiser will be available on entry to the services, face coverings must be worn and social distancing of 2m will be observed.

Please also help Busbridge&Hambledon Church to comply with NHS Test and Trace, and save a little time when everyone arrives, by signing up to the services in advance.

THE NOTICES

What do you know about Busbridge Church? This weekend is usually English Heritage weekend, and visitors are welcome to visit Hambledon Church over the weekend, and Busbridge Church (Sunday only due to a wedding on Saturday). To mark the occasion Lesley Reeves and Michael Stubbs have prepared a little quiz about Busbridge Church to test you, and those coming to the service or for private prayer to look for something new in and around the church building. Click the link for the Busbridge Church Heritage Weekend Quiz. Answers to follow next week!

THE PLAN FOR SEPTEMBER & BEYOND

Services for the rest of September:

9AM BCP Said Service at Hambledon Church

9AM Heritage Online Service on YouTube (continues until October when the service at Hambledon Church can be live streamed).

10AM at Busbridge – live streamed on YouTube. The live stream is being trialled from 13 September with temporary equipment.

4PM Outdoor Family service in the Old Rectory Garden
during September. A more weather proof venue is being sought for when the weather turns more Autumnal!

Work is underway at both Busbridge and Hambledon Churches to enable live streaming of services so that those who continue to shield, or have benefited from anytime, anywhere online worship, can still participate.

The Children’s Youth and Families team will be in contact with the different age groups to share details of activities and online meetings in September, but all children are invited to the 4PM Outdoor services on Sundays in September.

The Bigger Picture to follow soon

In the next few weeks, the church leadership team will be sharing a vision and plan for integrating services, worship and life in a way that is simple and robust and will see the church family and wider community through the coming months. Here are just some hints of what’s to come from October:

• We are phasing in the services we offer to give space for new things, and to allow people to assess how and where they can serve, as it seems less people are available to support the range of services and activities held in the past.

• Home or ‘Small’ Groups are going to be even more important – join one!

• CYF and older ministry are planning activities online, and physical where possible.

• We are praying and planning for Contemporary services to start again in BJS at 10am

• We have people who have to remain at home at the centre of what we want to do – online is here to stay and we’re going to offer more of it, not less.

Other NOTICES

The Church Office in the Old Rectory is now open Monday to Friday, though staff will be in on a rota basis in ‘bubbles’. Visitors are welcome, but we do ask that they read the instructions on the front door and observe Hands (wash hands on entry using the first bathroom on the left). Face (please wear a face mask inside the building). Space (Stay 2m apart from others). Please conduct conversations with staff and others outside where possible.

Helpers are needed to clear School House Garden (Brighton Road) as soon as possible. Please contact keith.harper@bhcgodalming.org.

Busbridge Prayer Group is meeting tomorrow, 12 September from 8-9AM on Zoom. Please contact Michael Stubbs (michael.eashing@aol.com) if you would like to add a prayer request, or join the session.

Film Night Discussion: LadyBird – All invited to a zoom chat on Monday 28 September at 7.30pm to discuss this 2017 coming of age film. The film is available in iPlayer at the moment, or to rent on Amazon. Email ladies@bhcgodalming.org for the Zoom details.

Please pray for Please pray for these roads and their residents, and perhaps include them on a prayer walk this week:
· Old Rectory Gardens and road steward Simon Taylor
· Roundals Lane.

THIS WEEK

Monday
8AM Listening Prayer
9AM Morning Prayer (Zoom)

Tuesday
9.45AM Toddler Sing A-long with Ted (Zoom)
7.30PM Ichthus Small Group (Zoom)

Thursday
9AM Morning Prayer (Zoom)

Saturday
9.30AM Hambledon Prayer Breakfast (Zoom)

See What’s On for event details and links to Zoom.

PRAYER MINISTRY TEAM AVAILABLE

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

For more information contact Jeannie Postill t 01428 687968.

THIS SUNDAY

I want to see!
Reading: Mark 10: 46-52

ONLINE

9AM HERITAGE ONLINE Service on YouTube Click here
Mark 8.22-38. 

Topic: Should have gone to Specsavers: when seeing seems impossible.  How Christ gradually develops our faith and understanding along with the very counter-cultural challenges of giving up our own self interests for the sake of others.

Speaker: David Hodson

AT A FIELD IN GODALMING AND LIVE ON YOUTUBE

10AM The BIG DRIVE IN, Heath Farm, Heath Lane, GU7 1UN

Gates open at 9.25am

Tune in on the radio to 87.7 MHz (channel only available from Sunday morning)

Watch the livestream on YouTube – Click HERE. The service will be available to watch anytime afterwards as well.

It’s our “back to church Sunday” and so that as many can gather together to worship as possible, safely, Busbridge&Hambledon Church and Godalming Baptist Church are holding the Big Drive In service!

With our grateful thanks to the Harvies for the use of their field, we have enough room for everyone to come in cars and listen in on a special radio channel – on 87.7 MHz. There will be music, family friendly bits, and worship and teaching.

Gates open at 9.25am so please allow time to drive up the track, park up and tune in before the service starts at 10am.

Directions to Heath Farm, GU7 1UN: Head for Busbridge Junior School and take the unmade road (Heath Lane) up to Heath Farm on the left – home of the Munstead Horse Trials. 

As everyone will stay safely in their cars, we don’t need to take names for Test, Track and Trace – however, it would be helpful to know how many to expect on the day, and to manage traffic and parking as necessary. 

So, if you please, do sign up in advance of this service (just the driver is fine).  But it’s not necessary.  All welcome to turn up on the day from 9.30am.

DRIVE IN SIGN UP

If you are watching from home and would like to join in the singing, please download the service song sheet here.

Next Sunday

Psalm 84 How lovely is your dwelling place
Dwell. Blessing. Protection.

9AM HERITAGE ONLINE Service on YouTube Click here
Speaker: Frances Shaw

10AM Morning Worship at Busbridge Church – Common Worship & Hymns
Leader: Simon Taylor | Speaker: Frances Shaw

4PM Outdoor Family service in the Old Rectory Garden

The Notices

He’s done it! 180 miles walked & £2400 + raised for the redevelopment of Busbridge Church Centre!

Congratulations to Ben Rogers on completing a huge 180 mile walk Monday to Wednesday this week. The Greensands Way, took him from Haslemere to a place called Ham Street, Kent. Ben says he found it a challenge – both walking and keeping his shoes on, knowing Ben – and is now resting his knee which started to complain a bit!

You may remember that we have been raising funds to redevelop the Church Centre to make it more community focused. As we look to a future where the structure of worship and mission will be evolving, we believe that a coffee drop in could be even more key, and plans are progressing. It’s not too late to sponsor Ben for this huge achievement, ideally via GoFundMe here

Thanks to those who have sponsored Ben already, and those that supported him on the walk, in prayer and in company. But the biggest thanks to Ben – we are so grateful.

THE PLAN FOR SEPTEMBER

Just to confirm and update what’s been published in earlier notices, the services on 13, 19 and 26 September will be as follows

9AM Heritage Online Service on YouTube (continues until October when the 9AM Heritage Service will restart at Hambledon Church – livestreamed).

10AM at Busbridge – livestreamed on YouTube.

4PM Outdoor Family service in the Old Rectory Garden
during September. A more weather proof venue is being sought for when the weather turns more Autumnal! Members of the contemporary congregation have received an update email from Dave Preece this week.

Work is underway at both Busbridge and Hambledon Churches to enable livestreaming of services so that those who continue to shield, or have benefited from anytime, anywhere online worship, can still participate.

The Church Office in the Old Rectory to be open from 7 September, though staff will be in on a rota basis.

The Sep-Oct edition of The Bridge magazine is now ready for collection from church by our road stewards, and will be arriving on doorsteps in the next week or so. If you want a preview, the online version is already available online HERE.

The Bridge team would like to express their grateful thanks for Mary Connolly who’s stepping down as a road steward for Windy Wood. They are very appreciative of all Mary’s help over many years delivering the magazine.

We send our love to Dave Preece, whose grandmother died, aged 95, at the end of July; her funeral service was held on 18 August.  Please pray for Dave, Hannah, Zoe and Esther, as well as for Dave’s mother and the wider family.

Helpers needed to clear School House Garden (Brighton Road) as soon as possible. Please contact keith.harper@bhcgodalming.org.

Film Night Discussion: LadyBird – All invited to a zoom chat on Monday 28 September at 7.30pm to discuss this 2017 coming of age film. The film is available in iPlayer at the moment, or to rent on Amazon. Email ladies@bhcgodalming.org for the zoom details.

Please pray for Please pray for these roads and their residents, and perhaps include them on a prayer walk this week:
· Old Barn View and road steward Jane Tomes
· Rock Hill.

THIS WEEK

Monday
8AM Listening Prayer
9AM Morning Prayer (zoom)

Tuesday
9.45AM Toddler Sing A-long with Ted (zoom)

Wednesday
7.30PM Alpha Course

Thursday
9AM Morning Prayer (zoom)

Saturday
8AM Busbridge Prayer Group (zoom)

See What’s On for event details and links to zoom.

ELSEWHERE

Please see info about the Surrey Churches Ride & Stride with a Difference on 12 September. (Busbridge and Hambledon Churches are on the route.)

Ladywell Convent is recruiting for a Companion – see Job Ad here

PRAYER MINISTRY TEAM AVAILABLE

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

For more information contact Jeannie Postill t 01428 687968.

Save the Date! It’s “back to church Sunday” and so that as many can gather together to worship as possible, safely, we are holding the first every Busbridge&Hambledon Drive In service!

With our grateful thanks to The Harvies for the use of their field, we have enough room for everyone to come in cars and listen in on a special radio channel. There will be music, family friendly bits, and worship and teaching lead by Simon Taylor and Simon Willetts.

Gates open at 9.30am so please allow time to drive up the track, park up and tune in before the service starts at 10am.

Directions: Head for Busbridge Junior School and take the unmade road (Heath Lane) up to Heath Farm on the left – home of the Munstead Horse Trials. 

As everyone will stay safely in their cars, we don’t need to take names for Test, Track and Trace – however, it would be helpful to know how many to expect on the day, and to manage traffic and parking as necessary. 

So, if you please, do sign up in advance of this service (just the driver is fine).  But it’s not necessary.  All welcome to turn up on the day from 9.30am.

THIS SUNDAY

Theme: Two Lives Restored | Reading: Mark 5: 21-42

ONLINE

9AM HERITAGE ONLINE Service on YouTube Click here
Topic: Holding onto belief in tough times
Leader: Simon Taylor
Speaker: David Hodson

AT CHURCH

PRAYER BREAKS OUT EVENT
9AM & 10AM

All are welcome to our ‘Prayer Breaks Out’ event.

With an introductory explanation and reflection at 9.00 repeated at 10.00, there is the opportunity to follow a prayer route through the church, church yard and Old Rectory Garden. Along the way there will be places to stop and indulge in different activities for all ages, as well as an opportunity to receive prayer ministry.

See you at either 9.00 or 10.00 on Sunday (23rd August) at Busbridge Church.

We hope many of you from both Busbridge & Hambledon will come over the course of the 2 sessions. Numbers in church will be restricted, so it would be helpful to know if you are coming and which service in church you intend to attend, and we ask for names for Test, Track and Trace.  Please sign up for either time.

9AM start

10AM start

Face coverings are now compulsory in church. The speakers are now working outside the church so that people can sit in the churchyard and listen to the service too. Bring a chair if you’d like to sit inside/just in case church is full.

The Notices

THE PLAN FOR SEPTEMBER

The weeks in August feel quieter, but Busbridge&Hambledon Church is busy planning for when everyone is back holidays, back to school and back to church! Circumstances permitting, the plan for Sunday Services from 13 September (after the Drive In on 6 Sep) is:

9AM at Hambledon

10AM at Busbridge

4PM Outdoor Family service in the Old Rectory Garden
during September. A more weather proof venue is being sought for when the weather turns more Autumnal! Members of the contemporary congregation have received an update email from Dave Preece this week.

Work is underway at both Busbridge and Hambledon Churches to enable livestreaming of these services so that those who continue to shield, or have benefited from anytime, anywhere online worship, can still participate.

We are planning for the Church Office in the Old Rectory to be open from 7 September, though staff will be in on a rota basis.

Ben’s Bank Holiday walk (108 miles!)
Many of you may remember that we have been, though it seems like a very long time ago, raising funds to redevelop the Church Centre to make it more community focused. As we look to a future where the structure of worship and mission will be evolving, we believe that a coffee drop in could be even more key, and plans are progressing. To ‘do his bit’ and Ben Rogers is undertaking the challenge of doing a sponsored walk to raise funds for the Church Centre redevelopment. The route he’s chosen is the Greensands Way, taking him from Haslemere to a place called Hamstreet, Kent. It is a 108 mile route which he plans to complete 31st August – 2nd September.

Ben is asking for sponsorship for this huge commitment, ideally via GoFundMe here

Any prayers you have to offer would also be a powerful encouragement. If God does speak to in way (word, picture, song) please do forward them to myself at benspets87@outlook.com.’

But an expedition such as this also needs a support crew, refreshment stops, cheering crowds, chalk slogans on the roads, flags waving etc. If you want to be part of this over the bank holiday weekend, please email: church.office@bhcgodalming.org.

Churches Together Link-Up – August Edition Click here for news from all the churches around Godalming.

Please pray for Please pray for these roads and their residents, and perhaps include them on a prayer walk this week:
· Oakdene Road and road steward Catherine Hodden
· Potters Hill.

THIS WEEK

Monday
8AM Listening Prayer

Tuesday
9AM Morning Prayer

Wednesday
7.30PM Alpha Course

Thursday
9AM Morning Prayer

Saturday
(Wedding at Hambledon Church)

See What’s On for event details and links to zoom.

NEXT SUNDAY

Topic: Some Picnic! | Reading: Mark 6: 30-44
Speaker for the Online and Church services: Philippa Baker, LLM

9AM Heritage ONLINE on YouTube Click here

10AM BHC Main ONLINE Service on YouTube Click here

10AM Morning Worship for the benefice at Busbridge Church

ELSEWHERE

Please see info about the Surrey Churches Ride & Stride with a Difference on 12 September. (Busbridge and Hambledon Churches are on the route.)

Ladywell Convent is recruiting for a Companion – see Job Ad here

PRAYER MINISTRY TEAM AVAILABLE

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

For more information contact Jeannie Postill t 01428 687968.