Category: Weekly notices

Dear Friends,

It’s one day to go until the fantastic, much better alternative to Halloween – Godalming Minster’s Neon Light Party at Brighton Road! Please pray for Ben, Jenny and the CYF volunteers who are organising and leading this wonderful community event for children in years R-6. And thank you to everyone involved.

In the this week’s notices:

• Services this Sunday

• Vacancies, Archdeacon’s meeting and prayer gatherings

• Help needed in Advent and Christmas

This Sunday

How can I resist evil (and make the most of my life)?
Readings: Genesis 3.1-13 & Ephesians 6.10-18

9am Choral Eucharist
Church Street

10am Classic Service [HC]
Brighton Road

10am Morning Worship
Hambledon

10am Morning Worship
Franklyn Road

10.30am Church in the Park
Contemporary All Age at The Phillips Memorial Park

6pm Evening Service
Brighton Road

Look up services for next Sunday and find more information about congregations and service times on ChurchSuite, or the Sundays page on the web site. If you are on a rota, ChurchSuite will ping you a reminder by email, but you can also use the ChurchSuite app to check yourself.

Notices

Clergy and staff news

Prep. for Simon’s leaving and the vacancy starting 5 Jan 2025:

Archdeacon’s Public Meeting

Mon 4 Nov, 7.30pm at Church Street
The Archdeacon of Surrey, The Venerable Catharine Mabuza will be briefing the parish of Godalming Minster on the process to advertise and appoint a new Rector, after the departure of Simon Taylor on 5th Jan 2025. Everyone who is part of Godalming Minster is strongly encouraged to attend.

Vacancy Prayers 8-9pm 1st Weds of the month

Starting next Wed 6 Nov, Simon Willetts invites you to these prayer gatherings specifically to pray for the Minster during the Vacancy and to seek God for new Rector.  There will be a a short and informal time of worship, teaching and prayer at each of the sessions, and the gatherings to move each Minster location: 6 Nov will be at Franklyn Road, 4 Dec Church Street, 8 Jan Brighton Road, 5 Feb Hambledon and then 5 Mar Ash Weds at Church Street…

If you would like to join the prayer gathering online, please use the link to the online prayer room on Zoom with passcode: 2024.

Help needed in Advent

Please do express your willingness to serve during Advent and at Christmas, at particular events or in general, by emailing the team in the office: e: office:godalmingminster.org. We need musicians, AV, stewards and people to welcome and serve refreshments at numerous services from 24th Nov to 25th December.

Church Family News

We have been saddened to hear of the death of John Stevens, on Sunday 27 October, after a period of illness.  He was a longstanding member of Godalming Parish Church (as it was) and also an active member of Churches Together, including a number of years as treasurer.  Please pray for Sue and the family, asking God to surround them with his peace and comfort.

Many of you will know that Frances Trickey has been poorly for some time.  It is with great sadness that we share that she died last Thursday evening (24th October).  There are no funeral details yet, but we will pass them on as soon as we hear.  Please pray for Jolyon, Josh, Abi and the whole family as they mourn, asking God to give them his peace and comfort.

Coming Up

October

Neon Light Party, 31st Oct 4-5.30pm at Brighton Road
Open to anyone is school years R-6. Go to ChurchSuite for more details and sign up.

November

Men’s Breakfast Sat 2nd Nov 8.15am in the Busbridge Old Rectory
This month we’ll be looking at one of the worst kept secrets in recent history, today’s Budget, and assessing how it measures up theologically as well as fiscally. Leaving any party allegiances at the door (as we always do), does it achieve the biblical imperative of looking after the widows, orphans and foreigners among us? And what about tax generally – is it a case of “Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s”? Should we regard paying our taxes as a civic pleasure to finance a civilised society or legalised theft of hard-won assets? Who knows where else our discussion will take us…? Come along on Saturday to find out!

Busbridge Coffee Morning Wed 6th Nov 10.30-11.30AM in the Yew Tree Café
Members of the Classic Congregation would love to have a coffee and chat with anyone from the Brighton Road and other Minster Congregations. They meet in the Yew Tree Café once every 1st Wednesday morning of the month.

Nexus 7 Nov – Felt Christmas Trees & Mulled Wine
Helen Sturney will once again use her artistic talents to help us make Felt Christmas Trees to use as decorations during the festive season.  No cutting or sewing involved so just bring yourselves along to enjoy a fun and relaxed craft evening, with a glass of mulled wine!  8pm in the Busbridge Old Rectory. All are welcome!

Remembrance Sunday Services

10am Franklyn Road All Age Service, followed by 11am Act of Remembrance
10.30am Hambledon
10.45am Brighton Road
10.45am Act of Remembrance at Godalming War Memorial, Phillips Memorial Park. Please assemble at 10.30am in advance of the procession of the Mayor’s Civic Party, The Union Flag, clergy and the choir from Godalming Minster Church Street (The Octagon).

Celebrate the Light(s)!

Sunday 24 Nov We are starting the celebrations even earlier this year, with the new invitation from Godalming Town Council for Godalming Minster Church Street to be the finish of the Lights switch on event on Sunday 24 Nov. The Christmas street lights will be extended into the church this year and the town procession from Crown Court will finish inside with some carols, mulled wine and mince pies. We are asking people to sign up to give an idea of numbers, and so we can email further details nearer the time.

Also on 24th Nov, 6pm at Guildford Cathedral, if you are planning to join Simon Taylor for his installation as an honorary canon of the Cathedral, please book your place, so that catering can be provided for the after-party:
www.guildford-cathedral.org/events/boxoffice/814

December

Advent & Christmas 2024

The programme for Advent and Christmas will be available in early November, but the events and services across the Minster are already listed on the web site. See Advent & Christmas.

Churches Together Christmas lunch
Volunteers are needed to help with the Christmas lunch on Christmas Day at Godalming Baptist church for anyone who would otherwise be on their own. The form setting out the various roles is attached. There is also a letter to guests and invitation form attached for anyone who would like to come. Any queries in relation to volunteers, please contact Gillian Martin (Franklyn Road congregation), who is co ordinating volunteers (gmartin1502@outlook.com); and for queries in relation to guests, please contact Carole Goffe-Wood (shosholozo@hotmail.com). Sarah Higgins chair of committee (and Choral congregation) e. sarahhiggins478@gmail.com Thank you.

What’s on Where

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

Following Jesus

Mid-week prayer gatherings take place on Zoom (8.45am Mon / 9am Wed),
and at Godalming Minster Hambledon (9am Wed) and Franklyn Road (9am Mon and Tue). Please check the calendar.

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

Loving People

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Get Involved / Join a team

We’re passionate about people feeling like they’re a part of our church family and one of the best places to do that is as part of a team.

No matter your age or experience, there’s a team that you can join, serving alongside others and getting to know people better in the church. You can find out about all our opportunities to serve and offer your time and talents on the Join a Team page.

Don’t forget about…

MyChurchSuite is an app for members of Godalming Minster to check dates, rotas, church emails, look up church members and sign up to events (without having to enter your details again and again!). Contact the Minster Office if you’ve lost your login details or would like to request an account. See more instructions.

PASTORAL CARE & PRAYER MINISTRY

Can we pray for you?

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

If you, or someone you know at church, are in need of support and care, please contact Sandra Wilkin via the Minster office, or e: pastoral@godalmingminster.org.

To contact the EMERGENCY prayer chain, email prayer@godalmingminster.org or call 01483 421267.

Dear Friends,

In the this week’s notices:

• Juliet G’s last Sunday as our 0-4s Younger Families Worker

• A request for a Christmas hamper organiser(s)

• Vacancies, Archdeacon’s meeting and prayer gatherings

• Services this Sunday.

This Sunday

How does God guide us?
Readings: Romans 12.1-21

10am Classic Service
Brighton Road

10am Morning Worship
Hambledon

10am Morning Worship [HC]
Franklyn Road

10.30am Contemporary
Church Street

5pm Choral Evensong
Church Street

6pm Evening Service [HC]
Brighton Road

Look up services for next Sunday and find more information about congregations and service times on ChurchSuite, or the Sundays page on the web site. If you are on a rota, ChurchSuite will ping you a reminder by email, but you can also use the ChurchSuite app to check yourself.

Notices

Clergy and staff news

Goodbye to Juliet
We will be saying goodbye to Juliet Gilbert this Sunday 27th Oct at Contemporary. After an incredible 10 years of faithful service, our wonderful 0-4s worker will be stepping down to spend more time with her family. Her final working day will be Wednesday, 30th October. We are beyond grateful for the countless lives Juliet has impacted, the love and creativity she’s poured into our little ones, and the joy she’s brought to our church family. Please join us in expressing our heartfelt thanks and praying for her as she embarks on this next chapter. Please see ways to give and if you’d like to contribute to a gift.

Vacancies
You might not be a candidate, but do please be aware and tell others that Godalming Minster is currently advertising for three key roles: Associate Minister for Franklyn Road, Mission & Evangelism, Children’s Pastor 4-11s and now Younger Families Pastor 0-4s. You can find the details on our vacancies page, the diocese jobs page and on New Wine jobs. The most important request is to pray. Pray for God’s people to respond to a calling here, and for those involved with the interviews and appointments.

Prep. for Simon’s leaving and the vacancy starting 5 Jan 2025

Archdeacon’s Public Meeting

Mon 4 Nov, 7.30pm at Church Street
The Archdeacon of Surrey, The Venerable Catharine Mabuza will be briefing the parish of Godalming Minster on the process to advertise and appoint a new Rector, after the departure of Simon Taylor on 5th Jan 2025. Everyone who is part of Godalming Minster is strongly encouraged to attend.

Vacancy Prayers 8-9pm 1st Weds of the month

Starting 6 Nov, Simon Willetts invites you to these prayer gatherings specifically to pray for the Minster during the Vacancy and to seek God for new Rector.  There will be a a short and informal time of worship, teaching and prayer at each of the sessions, and the gatherings to move each Minster location: 6 Nov will be at Franklyn Road, 4 Dec Church Street, 8 Jan Brighton Road, 5 Feb Hambledon and then 5 Mar Ash Weds at Church Street…

Help needed at The Hub on Tuesdays 12.30-2pm

Now going into its third winter, The Hub at Franklyn Road serves a free hot lunch for approx 12-20 guests every Tuesday. The team is in need of a few more helpers on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis. Please contact volunteer@godalmingminster.org if you would like to find out more.

Cakes and bakes needed for The Hub, Prime Time and The Bereavement Café

Godalming Minster certainly gets through a fair amount of cake at its many community activities. It’s quite fundamental to the warm hospitality we offer! If you can bake something for any of the ministries above, perhaps on a regular basis, please contact volunteer@godalmingminster.org.

Help needed in Advent

Please do express your willingness to serve during Advent and at Christmas, at particular events or in general, by emailing the team in the office: e: office:godalmingminster.org. We need musicians, AV, stewards and people to welcome and serve refreshments at numerous services including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day!

A Hamper Specialist

Specifically we are looking for someone or two to coordinate Christmas outreach and giving of gift hampers for people in our community. This started as a joint endeavour with Guildford Besom, and has since continued more locally as an initiative for the church to show our love to people in the Minster family, and families at the church schools. Regular customers of the Foodbank will receive a special parcel of goodies at Christmas, but to extend our giving further we need someone to identify recipients, arrange collections, hamper packing and delivery. If you can be involved please contact vic.hicks@godalmingminster.org.

Coming Up

October

Neon Light Party, 31st Oct 4-5.30pm at Brighton Road
Open to anyone is school years R-6. Go to ChurchSuite for more details and sign up
Please pray for Ben, Jenny and the CYF volunteers who are organising and leading this wonderful community event which offers a bright alternative to Halloween!

November

Nexus 7 Nov – Felt Christmas Trees & Mulled Wine
Helen Sturney will once again use her artistic talents to help us make Felt Christmas Trees to use as decorations during the festive season.  No cutting or sewing involved so just bring yourselves along to enjoy a fun and relaxed craft evening, with a glass of mulled wine!  All the trees will look great so you can take yours home and use it to decorate your home as you choose. All are welcome!

Remembrance Sunday Services

10am Franklyn Road All Age Service, followed by 11am Act of Remembrance
10.30am Hambledon
10.45am Brighton Road
10.45am Act of Remembrance at Godalming War Memorial, Phillips Memorial Park. Please assemble at 10.30am in advance of the procession of the Mayor’s Civic Party, The Union Flag, clergy and the choir from Godalming Minster Church Street (The Octagon).

Celebrate the Light(s)!

Sunday 24 Nov We are starting the celebrations even earlier this year, with the new invitation from Godalming Town Council for Godalming Minster Church Street to be the finish of the Lights switch on event on Sunday 24 Nov. The Christmas street lights will be extended into the church this year and the town procession from Crown Court will finish inside with some carols, mulled wine and mince pies. We are asking people to sign up to give an idea of numbers, and so we can email further details nearer the time.

Also on 24th Nov, 6pm at Guildford Cathedral, if you are planning to join Simon Taylor for his installation as an honorary canon of the Cathedral, please book your place, so that catering can be provided for the after-party:
www.guildford-cathedral.org/events/boxoffice/814

December

Advent & Christmas 2024

The programme for Advent and Christmas will be available in early November, but the events and services across the Minster are already listed in the calendar.

What’s on Where

There’s lots going on around Godalming Minster every week, for all ages and stages – always too much to list in the notices! See the full Minster Calendar to look ahead to the end of December, including Remembrance and Christmas.

Following Jesus

Mid-week prayer gatherings take place on Zoom (8.45am Mon / 9am Wed),
and at Godalming Minster Hambledon (9am Wed) and Franklyn Road (9am Mon and Tue). Please check the calendar.

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

Loving People

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

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

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

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

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

The 2024 Prime Time programme is now available. For all events and details, see Prime Time.

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

Get Involved / Join a team

We’re passionate about people feeling like they’re a part of our church family and one of the best places to do that is as part of a team.

No matter your age or experience, there’s a team that you can join, serving alongside others and getting to know people better in the church. You can find out about all our opportunities to serve and offer your time and talents on the Join a Team page.

Don’t forget about…

MyChurchSuite is an app for members of Godalming Minster to check dates, rotas, church emails, look up church members and sign up to events (without having to enter your details again and again!). Contact the Minster Office if you’ve lost your login details or would like to request an account. See more instructions.

PASTORAL CARE & PRAYER MINISTRY

Can we pray for you?

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

If you, or someone you know at church, are in need of support and care, please contact Sandra Wilkin via the Minster office, or e: pastoral@godalmingminster.org.

To contact the EMERGENCY prayer chain, email prayer@godalmingminster.org or call 01483 421267.

Dear Friends,

This week the Minster’s rather long Harvest Festival concluded with the St Mark’s and All Saints school harvest assembly at Franklyn Road. Thanks to everyone who has given so generously to the Foodbank at whichever service you came to, and for your donations to the Harvest Appeal for the Church Army. (If you still wish to give, please see the Giving page.)

Last Sunday Hambledon shared a hot harvest lunch with new friends at the village hall, and many of you from across the Minster came together at Church Street to say goodbye to John and Sue Harkin. The bring and share Harvest lunch was wonderful! John and Sue moved down to Cornwall this week, leaving us this message:

Sue and I wish to thank you all for allowing us to serve alongside you over the last few years, it has been a privilege. Along the way we have got to know many of you from across the congregations and it has been a real joy to share in some small way in your lives. We are very grateful for the opportunity and pray you feel supported and encouraged for the future as you continue to grow and mature in your walk with the Lord.

Thank you too for such a wonderful retirement occasion last Sunday, what a treat! We were very grateful for the ‘This is your life’ format as a way of saying goodbye after the service. We really appreciate your cards and the gift voucher to use at The Horn of Plenty Hotel and Restaurant near our new home; we shall remember you all as we raise a glass when sitting in the restaurant! We are also grateful for many of you sharing personally, we feel quite humbled, and for your gifts.

Please be assured of our continued prayers for Godalming Minster.
May the Lord bless each one of you.

John and Sue

This Sunday

Who is the Holy Spirit?

And what does the Holy Spirit do?
Readings: Joel 2.28-9,Luke 24.45-49, Gal 5. 22-23, 1 Cor 12.4-11

9am Choral Eucharist
Church Street

10am Classic Service
Brighton Road

10am Holy Communion
Hambledon

10am Morning Worship
Franklyn Road

10.30am Contemporary
Church Street

6pm Evening Service
Brighton Road

Look up services for next Sunday and find more information about congregations and service times on ChurchSuite, or the Sundays page on the web site. If you are on a rota, ChurchSuite will ping you a reminder by email, but you can also use the ChurchSuite app to check yourself.

Notices

Clergy and staff news

Vacancies
You might not be a candidate, but do please be aware and tell others that Godalming Minster is currently advertising for three key roles: Associate Minister for Franklyn Road, Mission & Evangelism, Children’s Pastor 4-11s and now Younger Families Pastor 0-4s. You can find the details on our vacancies page, the diocese jobs page and on New Wine jobs. The most important request is to pray. Pray for God’s people to respond to a calling here, and for those involved with the interviews and appointments.

Goodbye to Juliet
After an incredible 10 years of faithful service, our wonderful 0-4s worker, Juliet Gilbert, will be stepping down to spend more time with her family. Her final working day will be Wednesday, 30th October. We are beyond grateful for the countless lives Juliet has impacted, the love and creativity she’s poured into our little ones, and the joy she’s brought to our church family. Her dedication has truly shaped and blessed this ministry.

While we will certainly miss Juliet, we are excited for this new season in her life and wish her and the family every blessing! Please join us in expressing our heartfelt thanks and praying for her as she embarks on this next chapter. We will be saying goodbye to Juliet on Sunday 27th Oct at Contemporary. Please see ways to give and if you’d like to contribute to a gift.

Prep. for Simon’s leaving and the vacancy starting 5 Jan 2025

Archdeacon’s Public Meeting

Mon 4 Nov, 7.30pm at Church Street
The Archdeacon of Surrey, The Venerable Catharine Mabuza will be briefing the parish of Godalming Minster on the process to advertise and appoint a new Rector, after the departure of Simon Taylor on 5th Jan 2025. Everyone who is part of Godalming Minster is strongly encouraged to attend.

Vacancy Prayers 8-9pm 1st Weds of the month

Starting 6 Nov, Simon Willetts invites you to these prayer gatherings specifically to pray for the Minster during the Vacancy and to seek God for new Rector.  There will be a a short and informal time of worship, teaching and prayer at each of the sessions, and the hope (subject to other bookings) is for the gatherings to move each Minster location. The venue for 6 Nov will be confirmed next week.

Remembrance Sunday Services

10am Franklyn Road All Age Service, followed by 11am Act of Remembrance
10.30am Hambledon
10.45am Brighton Road
10.45am Act of Remembrance at Godalming War Memorial, Phillips Memorial Park. Please assemble at 10.30am in advance of the procession of the Mayor’s Civic Party, The Union Flag, clergy and the choir from Godalming Minster Church Street (The Octagon).

Help needed at The Hub on Tuesdays 12.30-2pm

Now going into its third winter, The Hub at Franklyn Road serves a free hot lunch for approx 12-20 guests every Tuesday. The team is in need of a few more helpers on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis. Please contact volunteer@godalmingminster.org if you would like to find out more.

Cakes and bakes needed for The Hub, Prime Time and The Bereavement Café

Godalming Minster certainly gets through a fair amount of cake at its many community activities. It’s quite fundamental to the warm hospitality we offer! If you can bake something for any of the ministries above, perhaps on a regular basis, please contact volunteer@godalmingminster.org.

Christmas 2024

The programme for Advent and Christmas will be available in early November, but the events and services across the Minster are already listed in the calendar. We are starting the celebrations even earlier this year, with the new invitation from Godalming Town Council for Godalming Minster Church Street to be the finish of the Lights switch on event on Sunday 24 Nov. The Christmas street lights will be extended into the church this year and the town procession from Crown Court will finish inside with some carols, mulled wine and mince pies. We are asking people to sign up to give an idea of numbers, and so we can email further details nearer the time.

Also on 24th Nov, 6pm at Guildford Cathedral, if you are planning to join Simon Taylor for his installation as an honorary canon of the Cathedral, please book your place, so that catering can be provided for the after-party:
www.guildford-cathedral.org/events/boxoffice/814

Help needed in Advent

Please do express your willingness to serve, at particular events or in general, by emailing the team in the office: e: office:godalmingminster.org. We need musicians, AV, stewards and people to welcome and serve refreshments at numerous services including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day!

Specifically we are looking for someone or two to coordinate Christmas outreach and giving: Gift hampers for people in our community and fundraising for our mission partners The Cellar and Skillway, and HMP Send. If you can be involved please contact vic.hicks@godalmingminster.org.

Coming Up

October

Annual Memorial Service – 3pm on 19th October at Church Street
Invitations have been sent to all those who have had a family funeral at Godalming Minster in recent years, and we extend a warm invitation to anyone who has lost a loved one, recently or some time ago, to join us for this special occasion. To help with our catering arrangements, please sign up online. If you would like someone remembered by name during the service, please indicate when you sign up.  We should be grateful to have the information as soon as possible, please, and by Tuesday 15 October, at the latest. Click here to sign up.

Nexus 7 Nov – Felt Christmas Trees & Mulled Wine
Helen Sturney will once again use her artistic talents to help us make Felt Christmas Trees to use as decorations during the festive season.  No cutting or sewing involved so just bring yourselves along to enjoy a fun and relaxed craft evening, with a glass of mulled wine!  All the trees will look great so you can take yours home and use it to decorate your home as you choose. All are welcome!

Then on Saturday 7th December, it’ll be the annual Nexus Christmas Charity Quiz, with our excellent quizmasters Alan Betts and Dudley Hilton. It will be held in the Busbridge Church again this year and we’ll make it look very festive and welcoming.  Put this date in your diary NOW!! More details will be sent out soon and will be found on the Godalming Minster website in due course. We’d love to see you there!

What’s on Where

There’s lots going on around Godalming Minster every week, for all ages and stages – always too much to list in the notices! See the full Minster Calendar to look ahead to the end of December, including Remembrance and Christmas.

Elsewhere

Sponsored walk in aid of the vulnerable and disadvantaged in our diocese – Saturday 12th October (9am)

Following two successful sponsored walks over recent years, our Bishops Andrew and Paul are inviting you to join them once again on a sponsored Bishops Camino along the Hogs Back to the Watts Chapel in Puttenham and back via the Wey towpath. The  circular route is 7.5 miles (12km) and there will be three prayer stops along the way.

The previous walks have raised over £6,000 for the Bishop of Guildford’s Communities Fund, which provides funds for parish projects that help the disadvantaged and vulnerable across the Diocese of Guildford. Bishop Andrew would love your help once again so that the Fund can continue to support deserving community projects. Please follow the link below for more details and how to sign up.

Bishop of Guildford’s Communities Fund – Diocese of Guildford (cofeguildford.org.uk)

The next Theology Hub event on 24 October is with Rev’d Prof Jeremy Begbie. Jeremy will give a performance lecture (theology and live music) on the topic of the relevance of the arts for people of faith. This will be an excellent evening for discipleship for your key leaders, for people who have recently done Alpha or who might be interested in looking at theology, and for all who are involved in worship and music.

Jeremy is an academic who speaks in a down to earth way that connects with a range of audiences. You can buy your ticket here:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/theology-and-the-arts-with-revd-prof-jeremy-begbie-tickets-957018988557

Life Issues 2024 – a programme of talks and course run by Godalming Baptist Church.

The last Life Issue session of 2024 is coming up at Godalming Baptist Church on Saturday 19th October 10.00am-12.30pm (coffee from 9.30am).  ‘Living With Anxious Thoughts’ led by Dr Martin Brunet, GP at Binscombe Medical Centre and Dr Jenna McKeown, Clinical Psychologist. 

This promises to be such a helpful and informative morning.  The session will look at all aspects of anxious thoughts including intrusive thoughts and health anxiety and aims to understand where these thoughts come from and how best to manage them. There is no charge but donations much appreciated towards ‘The Farncombe Community Garden’.  

Please do contact Sally to book a place-01483-428646 or e-mail pollard3@hotmail.co.uk by Friday 4th October.  Thank you so much for all your support

Following Jesus

Mid-week prayer gatherings take place on Zoom (8.45am Mon / 9am Wed),
and at Godalming Minster Hambledon (9am Wed) and Franklyn Road (9am Mon and Tue). Please check the calendar.

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

Loving People

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

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

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

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

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

The 2024 Prime Time programme is now available. For all events and details, see Prime Time.

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

Get Involved / Join a team

We’re passionate about people feeling like they’re a part of our church family and one of the best places to do that is as part of a team.

No matter your age or experience, there’s a team that you can join, serving alongside others and getting to know people better in the church. You can find out about all our opportunities to serve and offer your time and talents on the Join a Team page.

Don’t forget about…

MyChurchSuite is an app for members of Godalming Minster to check dates, rotas, church emails, look up church members and sign up to events (without having to enter your details again and again!). Contact the Minster Office if you’ve lost your login details or would like to request an account. See more instructions.

PASTORAL CARE & PRAYER MINISTRY

Can we pray for you?

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

If you, or someone you know at church, are in need of support and care, please contact Sandra Wilkin via the Minster office, or e: pastoral@godalmingminster.org.

To contact the EMERGENCY prayer chain, email prayer@godalmingminster.org or call 01483 421267.

Dear Friends,

We come to the end of Godalming Minster’s fortnight Harvest Festival this Sunday, and so far the schools and congregations have been very generous. Thank you. As Harvest services have alternated with weddings and funerals, we are also very grateful to the Harvest transportation team of 1, Graham!, who has worked faster than an Amazon delivery driver to move the harvest gifts from the other churches to the Foodbank at Franklyn Road after each service.

The Foodbank relies on Harvest and Christmas collections to boost stock levels, and would appreciate any items on the Foodbank shopping list.

The financial Harvest Appeal is for the Church Army and you can look up ways to give on the giving page.

Harvest Sunday

Why does caring for our world matter?
Reading: Psalm 8

13 October

8am BCP Holy Communion
Church Street (St Peter & St Paul’s)
followed by breakfast in the Octagon

10am All Age Harvest Festival
Franklyn Road (St Mark’s)

10am Classic Harvest Festival
Brighton Road (Busbridge)

10.30am All Age Contemporary Harvest Festival [HC]
Church Street (St Peter & St Paul’s)

Hambledon will hold its Harvest Festival at Hambledon Village Hall, with an 11am service, followed by lunch: Hot main, pudding and a glass of wine or soft drink – £10pp. Tickets are available from the Village Shop and at Church Services.

11.45am Farewell Celebration for John and Sue Harkin
A bring and share Harvest lunch at Church Street (St Peter & St Paul’s).
See the notices for details.

6pm Evening Service
Brighton Road (Busbridge)

Look up services for next Sunday and find more information about congregations and service times on ChurchSuite, or the Sundays page on the web site. If you are on a rota, ChurchSuite will ping you a reminder by email, but you can also use the ChurchSuite app to check yourself.

Notices

This Sunday, 13th October, is the Harkins’ Farewell celebration lunch, at Church Street, following the Harvest services at all Minster locations. Everyone is invited! John and Sue will be at the Contemporary Harvest Service for their last act of worship at Godalming Minster, but the toasts and thank yous will be saved for afterwards. During the lunch, we will be giving John and Sue a gift of love and gratitude. To contribute to this, please see ways to donate.

If you are coming to the lunch from elsewhere, please note the slight change of start time to 11.45am for the speeches and thank yous for John and Sue. The bring and share buffet will be set up on in the Lady Chapel (in the area right of the altar, behind the band).

Here’s what you need to know for the bring and share lunch!:

What will be provided
Buffet tables laid out to receive the food,
paper plates, cutlery, cups and glasses.
Bread baskets
Tea, coffee and a choice of soft drinks.

What to bring
Something for the buffet for 4-6 people. Here are some suggestions for the uninitiated!:
crisps or savoury snacks
cheese
meats
“antipasti”
sausage rolls
salads such as salad, pasta/cous cous/potatoe/roasted veg
quiche

Puddings: cakes, brownies, cookies, crumble

Join the hospitality team
If you can help organise, set up and and clear up, please get in touch with Sarah Bryans or Vic Hicks e: office@godalmingminster.org.

Help needed at The Hub at Franklyn Road on Tuesdays
12.30-2pm

Now going into its third winter, The Hub serves a free hot lunch for approx 12-20 guests every Tuesday. The team is in need of a few more helpers on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis. Please contact volunteer@godalmingminster.org if you would like to find out more.

Cakes and bakes needed for The Hub, Prime Time and The Bereavement Café

Godalming Minster certainly gets through a fair amount of cake at its many community activities. It’s quite fundamental to the warm hospitality we offer! If you can bake something for any of the ministries above, perhaps on a regular basis, please contact volunteer@godalmingminster.org.

National Week of Prayer 12-20 October

Let’s join Christians across the UK and beyond; to humble ourselves, repent and pray for lives to be transformed by Jesus, and to see a spiritual awakening in the nations. It’s for Christians from across traditions, denominations and communities; joining together as one. For details and ways to be involved see https://www.nationalweekofprayer.uk/.

Archdeacon’s Public Meeting

Mon 4 Nov, 7.30pm at Church Street
The Archdeacon of Surrey, The Venerable Catharine Mabuza will be briefing the parish of Godalming Minster on the process to advertise and appoint a new Rector, after the departure of Simon Taylor on 5th Jan 2025. Everyone who is part of Godalming Minster is encouraged to attend.

Applications for church school places

Attention parents of children in year 2: if you have been a regular member of Godalming Minster for 3 years and wish to apply for a church place at Busbridge Junior School, please contact Jenny Lansdowne for information.
e: jenny.lansdowne@godalmingminster.org.

Coming Up

October

Annual Memorial Service – 3pm on 19th October at Church Street
Invitations have been sent to all those who have had a family funeral at Godalming Minster in recent years, and we extend a warm invitation to anyone who has lost a loved one, recently or some time ago, to join us for this special occasion. To help with our catering arrangements, please sign up online. If you would like someone remembered by name during the service, please indicate when you sign up.  We should be grateful to have the information as soon as possible, please, and by Tuesday 15 October, at the latest. Click here to sign up.

What’s on Where

There’s lots going on around Godalming Minster every week, for all ages and stages – always too much to list in the notices! See the full Minster Calendar to look ahead to the end of December, including Remembrance and Christmas.

Elsewhere

Sponsored walk in aid of the vulnerable and disadvantaged in our diocese – Saturday 12th October (9am)

Following two successful sponsored walks over recent years, our Bishops Andrew and Paul are inviting you to join them once again on a sponsored Bishops Camino along the Hogs Back to the Watts Chapel in Puttenham and back via the Wey towpath. The  circular route is 7.5 miles (12km) and there will be three prayer stops along the way.

The previous walks have raised over £6,000 for the Bishop of Guildford’s Communities Fund, which provides funds for parish projects that help the disadvantaged and vulnerable across the Diocese of Guildford. Bishop Andrew would love your help once again so that the Fund can continue to support deserving community projects. Please follow the link below for more details and how to sign up.

Bishop of Guildford’s Communities Fund – Diocese of Guildford (cofeguildford.org.uk)

The next Theology Hub event on 24 October is with Rev’d Prof Jeremy Begbie. Jeremy will give a performance lecture (theology and live music) on the topic of the relevance of the arts for people of faith. This will be an excellent evening for discipleship for your key leaders, for people who have recently done Alpha or who might be interested in looking at theology, and for all who are involved in worship and music.

Jeremy is an academic who speaks in a down to earth way that connects with a range of audiences. You can buy your ticket here:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/theology-and-the-arts-with-revd-prof-jeremy-begbie-tickets-957018988557

Life Issues 2024 – a programme of talks and course run by Godalming Baptist Church.

The last Life Issue session of 2024 is coming up at Godalming Baptist Church on Saturday 19th October 10.00am-12.30pm (coffee from 9.30am).  ‘Living With Anxious Thoughts’ led by Dr Martin Brunet, GP at Binscombe Medical Centre and Dr Jenna McKeown, Clinical Psychologist. 

This promises to be such a helpful and informative morning.  The session will look at all aspects of anxious thoughts including intrusive thoughts and health anxiety and aims to understand where these thoughts come from and how best to manage them. There is no charge but donations much appreciated towards ‘The Farncombe Community Garden’.  

Please do contact Sally to book a place-01483-428646 or e-mail pollard3@hotmail.co.uk by Friday 4th October.  Thank you so much for all your support

Following Jesus

Mid-week prayer gatherings take place on Zoom (8.45am Mon / 9am Wed),
and at Godalming Minster Hambledon (9am Wed) and Franklyn Road (9am Mon and Tue). Please check the calendar.

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

Loving People

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

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

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

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

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

The 2024 Prime Time programme is now available. For all events and details, see Prime Time.

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

Get Involved / Join a team

We’re passionate about people feeling like they’re a part of our church family and one of the best places to do that is as part of a team.

No matter your age or experience, there’s a team that you can join, serving alongside others and getting to know people better in the church. You can find out about all our opportunities to serve and offer your time and talents on the Join a Team page.

Don’t forget about…

MyChurchSuite is an app for members of Godalming Minster to check dates, rotas, church emails, look up church members and sign up to events (without having to enter your details again and again!). Contact the Minster Office if you’ve lost your login details or would like to request an account. See more instructions.

PASTORAL CARE & PRAYER MINISTRY

Can we pray for you?

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

If you, or someone you know at church, are in need of support and care, please contact Sandra Wilkin via the Minster office, or e: pastoral@godalmingminster.org.

To contact the EMERGENCY prayer chain, email prayer@godalmingminster.org or call 01483 421267.

Dear Friends,

The first of the Harvest services took place today at Brighton Road for Busbridge Junior School, including the much loved “Harvest Samba” sung with gusto by the children. The donations from the school are already on the Foodbank shelves at Franklyn Road! The Choral congregation will celebrate Harvest this Sunday so it’s now time to add a bit extra to your shopping trolleys to bring along for the Foodbank.

The Foodbank relies on Harvest and Christmas collections to boost stock levels, and would appreciate nappies in all sizes, oatcakes and gluten free cereal and biscuits as well as other non perishables on the Foodbank shopping list.

The financial Harvest Appeal is for the Church Army and you can look up ways to give on the giving page.

This Sunday

How can I have faith?
Reading: Acts 2: 22-39

6 October

9am Choral Eucharist for Harvest
Church Street (St Peter & St Paul’s)

10am Morning Worship
Franklyn Road (St Mark’s)

10am Classic Service [HC]
Brighton Road (Busbridge)

10am Morning Worship
Hambledon (St Peter’s)

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

6pm Evening Service
Brighton Road (Busbridge)

Look up services for next Sunday and find more information about congregations and service times on ChurchSuite, or the Sundays page on the web site. If you are on a rota, ChurchSuite will ping you a reminder by email, but you can also use the ChurchSuite app to check yourself.

Notices

Coming up next Sunday, 13th October, is the Harkins’ Farewell celebration lunch, 12 noon at Church Street, following the Harvest services at all Minster locations. Everyone is invited! John and Sue will be at the Contemporary Harvest Service for their last act of worship at Godalming Minster, but the toasts and thank yous will be saved for afterwards. During the lunch, we will be giving John and Sue a gift of love and gratitude. To contribute to this, please see ways to donate.

Here’s what you need to know for the bring and share lunch!:

What will be provided
Buffet tables laid out to receive the food,
paper plates, cutlery, cups and glasses.
Bread baskets
Tea, coffee and a choice of soft drinks
Some seating for those that need it, but mostly standing room!

What to bring
Something for the buffet for 4-6 people. Here are some suggestions for the uninitiated!:
crisps or savoury snacks
cheese
meats
“antipasti”
sausage rolls
salads such as salad, pasta/cous cous/potatoe/roasted veg
quiche

Puddings: cakes, brownies, cookies, crumble

Join the hospitality team
If you can help organise, set up and and clear up, please get in touch with Sarah Bryans or Vic Hicks e: office@godalmingminster.org.

Help needed for the Light Party on 31 Oct, 3-6pm

Please let the CYF team know, e: jenny.lansdowne@godalmingminster.org, if you can help at the this year’s Light Party for 4-11s at Brighton Road. This event was fully booked out last year so we need a team in place before we open the bookings!

Recruitment of bookkeeping service provider to expanding Minster Finance team

It’s an exciting time as Godalming Minster extends its ministry and activities across our four sites and three former parishes.   But with that excitement comes a lot of extra accounting work!  To support that important work (which in turn supports our mission and ministry) we are looking to contract the services of an experienced bookkeeper to join the finance team, working from home under the supervision of the Treasurer and Management Accountant.   This is a part-time role under a contract for services with flexible work patterns, expected to average around 18 hours per month, but precise number of hours may vary from month to month.  Workload is likely to be higher between January and April during preparation of end of year accounts and subsequent audit.   Precise responsibilities s can be agreed depending on the skills and experience of the individual, but the main task is monthly bookkeeping of income and expenditure, comprising:

1. Posting of transactions on Xero – the church’s accounting software

2. Reconciling transactions to the relevant bank accounts

3. Other reconciliations where necessary, including Barclaycard statements

4. Set up and maintain spreadsheet records where necessary

5. Assist with journals and control account reconciliations as required

6. Keep electronic and paper files suitable for audit purposes

7. Any other tasks reasonably required by the Management Accountant and Treasurer

8. Liaise with Management Accountant, Treasurer and staff members in performing these duties

Training in church accounts and processes will be provided, but the service provider would need to be familiar with general bookkeeping and related software including Excel and ideally Xero.   Remuneration will be competitive for such bookkeeping services.    To discuss in more detail please contact Lesley Reeves (management accountant:  accounts@godalmingminster.org) or Martin Lambert (Treasurer: martin.lambert@godalmingminster.org ).

Coming Up

October

Compton Phone Box – Local Landmark with global following!

This month at Nexus on Thu 3rd Oct at 8pm:

We are delighted to welcome Mr Chris Sharples, co-founder of the Compton Phone Box upcycling project, who will tell us the story behind this local treasure which makes people smile whilst also raising money for charity. Chris is also Head Gardener for Watts Gallery and a senior florist. Compton Phone Box nearby has its own Instagram following and, recently, the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris were chosen as the theme, with local youngsters keeping a tally of GB medals. All are welcome, including men!

New members welcome! 2024 Annual Subscription £20
Guests: £5.00 contribution towards speaker costs 
Our 2024 charity is: Farncombe Community Garden

Newcomers Tea – 3pm, Sun 6 Oct at Spinney Copse

The Taylors are hosting a tea for all those who are dipping their toe, or have jumped right into Godalming Minster in recent months.  It might be through getting married, holding a baptism or funeral, attending a group or one of our services. There will be tea and cake, and members of the clergy and ministry teams to chat to. Please let vic.hicks@godalmingminster.org know if you’d like to come, or if you can think of anyone who needs an invitation. We look forward to getting to know you better! Your invitation to the Newcomers Tea.

We will be celebrating Harvest over two Sundays:

6th October
Harvest at 9.30am Choral Eucharist

13th October
Harvest at all other services:
8am Holy Communion
10am Franklyn Road
10am Classic
10.30am Contemporary
11am Hambledon Harvest Service and 12.15pm Lunch at the Village Hall (details below).

Hambledon will hold its Harvest Festival at Hambledon Village Hall, with an 11am service, followed by lunch: Hot main, pudding and a glass of wine or soft drink – £10pp. Tickets are available from the Village Shop and at Church Services. You also can sign up on ChurchSuite HERE.

Annual Memorial Service – 3pm on 19th October at Church Street
Invitations have been sent to all those who have had a family funeral at Godalming Minster in recent years, and we extend a warm invitation to anyone who has lost a loved one, recently or some time ago, to join us for this special occasion. To help with our catering arrangements, please sign up online. If you would like someone remembered by name during the service, please indicate when you sign up.  We should be grateful to have the information as soon as possible, please, and by Tuesday 15 October, at the latest. Click here to sign up.

Applications for church school places
Attention parents of children in year 2: if you have been a regular member of Godalming Minster for 3 years and wish to apply for a church place at Busbridge Junior School, please contact Jenny Lansdowne for information.
e: jenny.lansdowne@godalmingminster.org

What’s on Where

See the events coming up next and look up dates further ahead in the full Minster Calendar.

Mission Update – 15 September

Mission beyond: loving people

Key to the vision and purpose of Godalming Minster is to share God’s love by serving others, nurturing our own discipleship and sharing the story and joy of His love by our witness. Traditionally, this is done through Minster led outreach activities, as well as supporting a range of Christian mission initiatives.

In the past, each of our former parishes had different approaches to mission partnership. Under Sheila Samuels, the former Mission and Outward Giving work of two parishes has become part of a new mission team (which now awaits leadership by the new Associate Minister for Mission and Evangelism, based at Franklyn Road).

For the coming season, Godalming Minster aims to develop long term, deeply prayerful relationships with a few regular groups who have a mission and evangelism heart. The mission focus outlined is fixed for the next few years. Each of the mission agencies has a connection to the Minster, so we can share in the successes and challenges of their activities and be actively involved together.

Each festival time of the year, you’ll be able to commit your financial and prayer support to all the mission partners we’re supporting, some of them, or one. You can indicate this on the mission giving forms and online/via your banking. Only our treasurer knows who gives both for mission and in any giving in general.

Harvest is about…loving people and renewing faith – focussing mission locally and nationally

We’ll be collecting harvest goods for the Franklyn Road Foodbank at all Harvest services, and raising funds for the Church Army (National Anglican Evangelism).

Christmas is about…loving people – focusing mission locally

We’ll be raising funds for female inmates at HMP Send, and Godalming based charities The Cellar Camino Café and Skillway. We’ll be collecting Christmas goodies to produce hampers for clients of the Franklyn Road Foodbank and households known to the Minster via our church schools.

Easter is about…following Jesus and renewing faith – focussing mission nationally and overseas

We’ll be raising funds for the Church Pastoral Aid Society (CPAS), and Five Talents (a global mission partner).

In addition, the PCC has set aside annual funds to support youth work in the town through TTT, and Eco church developments, so we can encourage others to also care for God’s creation. Funds also go directly to support our two church schools. 

Foodbank Update

The Franklyn Road Foodbank is getting busier at the moment, and currently short of oatcakes, gluten free cereal and biscuits and nappies in all sizes 3-6 please! BUT all donations of food and cleaning items are welcome anytime. See the Foodbank for more info.

Church Family News

We remember Mary Pagan, whose gifts as a flower arranger enhanced many of our church events.  Please pray for her close friends and all who mourn for her.  Mary’s service will be in Godalming Minster Brighton Road, on Thursday 3 October at 12.30 p.m. 

Elsewhere

Sponsored walk in aid of the vulnerable and disadvantaged in our diocese – Saturday 12th October (9am)

Following two successful sponsored walks over recent years, our Bishops Andrew and Paul are inviting you to join them once again on a sponsored Bishops Camino along the Hogs Back to the Watts Chapel in Puttenham and back via the Wey towpath. The  circular route is 7.5 miles (12km) and there will be three prayer stops along the way.

The previous walks have raised over £6,000 for the Bishop of Guildford’s Communities Fund, which provides funds for parish projects that help the disadvantaged and vulnerable across the Diocese of Guildford. Bishop Andrew would love your help once again so that the Fund can continue to support deserving community projects. Please follow the link below for more details and how to sign up.

Bishop of Guildford’s Communities Fund – Diocese of Guildford (cofeguildford.org.uk)

The next Theology Hub event on 24 October is with Rev’d Prof Jeremy Begbie. Jeremy will give a performance lecture (theology and live music) on the topic of the relevance of the arts for people of faith. This will be an excellent evening for discipleship for your key leaders, for people who have recently done Alpha or who might be interested in looking at theology, and for all who are involved in worship and music.

Jeremy is an academic who speaks in a down to earth way that connects with a range of audiences. You can buy your ticket here:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/theology-and-the-arts-with-revd-prof-jeremy-begbie-tickets-957018988557

Life Issues 2024 – a programme of talks and course run by Godalming Baptist Church.

The last Life Issue session of 2024 is coming up at Godalming Baptist Church on Saturday 19th October 10.00am-12.30pm (coffee from 9.30am).  ‘Living With Anxious Thoughts’ led by Dr Martin Brunet, GP at Binscombe Medical Centre and Dr Jenna McKeown, Clinical Psychologist. 

This promises to be such a helpful and informative morning.  The session will look at all aspects of anxious thoughts including intrusive thoughts and health anxiety and aims to understand where these thoughts come from and how best to manage them. There is no charge but donations much appreciated towards ‘The Farncombe Community Garden’.  

Please do contact Sally to book a place-01483-428646 or e-mail pollard3@hotmail.co.uk by Friday 4th October.  Thank you so much for all your support

Can we pray for you?

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

Mid-week Prayer Gatherings

Restart in September!

Community & Fellowship

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

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

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

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

The 2024 Prime Time programme is now available. For all events and details, see Prime Time.

Get Involved / Join a team

We’re passionate about people feeling like they’re a part of our church family and one of the best places to do that is as part of a team.

No matter your age or experience, there’s a team that you can join, serving alongside others and getting to know people better in the church. You can find out about all our opportunities to serve and offer your time and talents on the Join a Team page.

Don’t forget about…

MyChurchSuite is an app for members of Godalming Minster to check dates, rotas, church emails, look up church members and sign up to events (without having to enter your details again and again!). Contact the Minster Office if you’ve lost your login details or would like to request an account. See more instructions.

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

Please note the café will be closed on Saturday 3rd August.

PASTORAL CARE & PRAYER MINISTRY

If you, or someone you know at church, are in need of support and care, please contact Sandra Wilkin via the Minster office, or e: pastoral@godalmingminster.org.

To contact the EMERGENCY prayer chain, email prayer@godalmingminster.org or call 01483 421267.

Dear Friends,

This Sunday we are continuing the Alpha syllabus and tackling one of the big questions! Next Sunday the fortnight of Harvest Festival services begin so please start adding a bit extra to your shopping trolleys to bring along for the Foodbank. The Foodbank relies on Harvest and Christmas collections to boost stock levels, and would appreciate nappies in all sizes, oatcakes and gluten free cereal and biscuits as well as other non perishables on the Foodbank shopping list.

This Sunday

Why did Jesus die?
Reading: Matt 26: 20-29

29 September

9am Choral Eucharist
Church Street (St Peter & St Paul’s)

9.30am Breakfast / 10am Café Church
Franklyn Road (St Mark’s)
Every fifth Sunday we meet at 9.30am for breakfast – bacon butties and/or croissants available – moving seamlessly into Café Church at about 10.  All are welcome, whether you normally come to Franklyn Road or not.  We should love to see you … and please feel free to bring a friend.

10am Classic Service
Brighton Road (Busbridge)

10am Morning Worship
Hambledon (St Peter’s)

10.30am Contemporary Service
Church Street (St Peter & St Paul’s)

6pm Evening Service Fifth Sunday Special
Brighton Road (Busbridge)
An extended time of praise and worship together, followed by bring and share refreshments (finger food, sweet or savoury please). All welcome!

Look up services for next Sunday and find more information about congregations and service times on ChurchSuite, or the Sundays page on the web site. If you are on a rota, ChurchSuite will ping you a reminder by email, but you can also use the ChurchSuite app to check yourself.

Notices

After an incredible 10 years of faithful service, our wonderful 0-4’s worker, Juliet Gilbert, will be stepping down to spend more time with her family. Her final working day will be Wednesday, 30th October.

We are beyond grateful for the countless lives Juliet has impacted, the love and creativity she’s poured into our little ones, and the joy she’s brought to our church family. Her dedication has truly shaped and blessed this ministry.

While we will certainly miss Juliet, we are excited for this new season in her life and wish her and the family every blessing! Please join us in expressing our heartfelt thanks and praying for her as she embarks on this next chapter. We will be saying goodbye to Juliet on Sunday 27th Oct at Contemporary. Please see ways to give and if you’d like to contribute to a gift.

Thank you to David Brockman (Contemporary) for his time and dedication as editor of The Bridge Magazine over the past two years. David is handing over the magazine as he begins his training to be a licensed lay minister. We are delighted that Brian Whitehead (Classic congregation) will be the new editor, and that the much loved parish magazine for the Busbridge community will continue to be in safe and creative hands!

Please continue to pray for two groups in particular which are longing to equip and strengthen God’s Kingdom in and around Godalming Minster over the coming weeks. The Bible Course is running in the Yew Tree Café on Wednesday evenings, and our Autumn Alpha Courses began this week with an introductory sessions. You can still sign up to Alpha either Wednesdays at 7.30pm, or Thursdays at 12pm, and please do take the opportunity to invite friends along.

Alpha now on Weds evenings & Thurs lunchtimes

To find out more or register for a place go to https://godalmingminster.org/alpha

Please note: The sign up button takes you to the Wednesday evening course, but gives the option to sign up for Thursday lunchtimes instead.

Recruitment of bookkeeping service provider to expanding Minster Finance team

It’s an exciting time as Godalming Minster extends its ministry and activities across our four sites and three former parishes.   But with that excitement comes a lot of extra accounting work!  To support that important work (which in turn supports our mission and ministry) we are looking to contract the services of an experienced bookkeeper to join the finance team, working from home under the supervision of the Treasurer and Management Accountant.   This is a part-time role under a contract for services with flexible work patterns, expected to average around 18 hours per month, but precise number of hours may vary from month to month.  Workload is likely to be higher between January and April during preparation of end of year accounts and subsequent audit.   Precise responsibilities s can be agreed depending on the skills and experience of the individual, but the main task is monthly bookkeeping of income and expenditure, comprising:

1. Posting of transactions on Xero – the church’s accounting software

2. Reconciling transactions to the relevant bank accounts

3. Other reconciliations where necessary, including Barclaycard statements

4. Set up and maintain spreadsheet records where necessary

5. Assist with journals and control account reconciliations as required

6. Keep electronic and paper files suitable for audit purposes

7. Any other tasks reasonably required by the Management Accountant and Treasurer

8. Liaise with Management Accountant, Treasurer and staff members in performing these duties

Training in church accounts and processes will be provided, but the service provider would need to be familiar with general bookkeeping and related software including Excel and ideally Xero.   Remuneration will be competitive for such bookkeeping services.    To discuss in more detail please contact Lesley Reeves (management accountant:  accounts@godalmingminster.org) or Martin Lambert (Treasurer: martin.lambert@godalmingminster.org ).

Coming Up

October

Compton Phone Box – Local Landmark with global following!

This month at Nexus on Thu 3rd Oct at 8pm:

We are delighted to welcome Mr Chris Sharples, co-founder of the Compton Phone Box upcycling project, who will tell us the story behind this local treasure which makes people smile whilst also raising money for charity. Chris is also Head Gardener for Watts Gallery and a senior florist. Compton Phone Box nearby has its own Instagram following and, recently, the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris were chosen as the theme, with local youngsters keeping a tally of GB medals. All are welcome, including men!

New members welcome! 2024 Annual Subscription £20
Guests: £5.00 contribution towards speaker costs 
Our 2024 charity is: Farncombe Community Garden

Newcomers Tea

3pm, Sunday 6 Oct at Spinney Copse. The Taylors are hosting a tea for all those who are dipping their toe, or have jumped right into Godalming Minster in recent months.  It might be through getting married, holding a baptism or funeral, attending a group or one of our services. There will be tea and cake, and members of the clergy and ministry teams to chat to. Please let vic.hicks@godalmingminster.org know if you’d like to come, or if you can think of anyone who needs an invitation. We look forward to getting to know you better! Your invitation to the Newcomers Tea.

We will be celebrating Harvest over two Sundays:

6th October
Harvest at 9.30am Choral Eucharist

13th October
Harvest at all other services:
8am Holy Communion
10am Franklyn Road
10am Classic
10.30am Contemporary
11am Hambledon Harvest Service and 12.15pm Lunch at the Village Hall (details below).

John & Sue’s farewell and harvest lunch – 13th October
A reminder that John and Sue’s final service will be Sunday 13th October at the Church Street Contemporary, followed by a bring and share farewell and harvest lunch. Everyone is invited! During the lunch, we will be giving John and Sue a gift of love and gratitude. To contribute to this, please see ways to donate. John and Sue will move to Cornwall soon after 13th October.  Please pray for John and Sue as they begin their retirement from parish ministry.

Hambledon will hold its Harvest Festival at Hambledon Village Hall, with an 11am service, followed by lunch: Hot main, pudding and a glass of wine or soft drink – £10pp. Tickets are available from the Village Shop and at Church Services. You also can sign up on ChurchSuite HERE.

Applications for church school places
Attention parents of children in year 2: if you have been a regular member of Godalming Minster for 3 years and wish to apply for a church place at Busbridge Junior School, please contact Jenny Lansdowne for information.
e: jenny.lansdowne@godalmingminster.org

What’s on Where

See the events coming up next and look up dates further ahead in the full Minster Calendar.

Mission Update – 15 September

Mission beyond: loving people

Key to the vision and purpose of Godalming Minster is to share God’s love by serving others, nurturing our own discipleship and sharing the story and joy of His love by our witness. Traditionally, this is done through Minster led outreach activities, as well as supporting a range of Christian mission initiatives.

In the past, each of our former parishes had different approaches to mission partnership. Under Sheila Samuels, the former Mission and Outward Giving work of two parishes has become part of a new mission team (which now awaits leadership by the new Associate Minister for Mission and Evangelism, based at Franklyn Road).

For the coming season, Godalming Minster aims to develop long term, deeply prayerful relationships with a few regular groups who have a mission and evangelism heart. The mission focus outlined is fixed for the next few years. Each of the mission agencies has a connection to the Minster, so we can share in the successes and challenges of their activities and be actively involved together.

Each festival time of the year, you’ll be able to commit your financial and prayer support to all the mission partners we’re supporting, some of them, or one. You can indicate this on the mission giving forms and online/via your banking. Only our treasurer knows who gives both for mission and in any giving in general.

Harvest is about…loving people and renewing faith – focussing mission locally and nationally

We’ll be collecting harvest goods for the Franklyn Road Foodbank at all Harvest services, and raising funds for the Church Army (National Anglican Evangelism).

Christmas is about…loving people – focusing mission locally

We’ll be raising funds for female inmates at HMP Send, and Godalming based charities The Cellar Camino Café and Skillway. We’ll be collecting Christmas goodies to produce hampers for clients of the Franklyn Road Foodbank and households known to the Minster via our church schools.

Easter is about…following Jesus and renewing faith – focussing mission nationally and overseas

We’ll be raising funds for the Church Pastoral Aid Society (CPAS), and Five Talents (a global mission partner).

In addition, the PCC has set aside annual funds to support youth work in the town through TTT, and Eco church developments, so we can encourage others to also care for God’s creation. Funds also go directly to support our two church schools. 

Foodbank Update

The Franklyn Road Foodbank is getting busier at the moment, and currently short of oatcakes, gluten free cereal and biscuits and nappies in all sizes 3-6 please! BUT all donations of food and cleaning items are welcome anytime. See the Foodbank for more info.

Church Family News

We remember Mary Pagan, whose gifts as a flower arranger enhanced many of our church events.  Please pray for her close friends and all who mourn for her.  Mary’s service will be in Godalming Minster Brighton Road, on Thursday 3 October at 12.30 p.m. 

Elsewhere

The next Theology Hub event on 24 October is with Rev’d Prof Jeremy Begbie. Jeremy will give a performance lecture (theology and live music) on the topic of the relevance of the arts for people of faith. This will be an excellent evening for discipleship for your key leaders, for people who have recently done Alpha or who might be interested in looking at theology, and for all who are involved in worship and music.

Jeremy is an academic who speaks in a down to earth way that connects with a range of audiences. You can buy your ticket here:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/theology-and-the-arts-with-revd-prof-jeremy-begbie-tickets-957018988557

Life Issues 2024 – a programme of talks and course run by Godalming Baptist Church.

The last Life Issue session of 2024 is coming up at Godalming Baptist Church on Saturday 19th October 10.00am-12.30pm (coffee from 9.30am).  ‘Living With Anxious Thoughts’ led by Dr Martin Brunet, GP at Binscombe Medical Centre and Dr Jenna McKeown, Clinical Psychologist. 

This promises to be such a helpful and informative morning.  The session will look at all aspects of anxious thoughts including intrusive thoughts and health anxiety and aims to understand where these thoughts come from and how best to manage them. There is no charge but donations much appreciated towards ‘The Farncombe Community Garden’.  

Please do contact Sally to book a place-01483-428646 or e-mail pollard3@hotmail.co.uk by Friday 4th October.  Thank you so much for all your support

Can we pray for you?

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

Mid-week Prayer Gatherings

Restart in September!

Community & Fellowship

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

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

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

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

The 2024 Prime Time programme is now available. For all events and details, see Prime Time.

Get Involved / Join a team

We’re passionate about people feeling like they’re a part of our church family and one of the best places to do that is as part of a team.

No matter your age or experience, there’s a team that you can join, serving alongside others and getting to know people better in the church. You can find out about all our opportunities to serve and offer your time and talents on the Join a Team page.

Don’t forget about…

MyChurchSuite is an app for members of Godalming Minster to check dates, rotas, church emails, look up church members and sign up to events (without having to enter your details again and again!). Contact the Minster Office if you’ve lost your login details or would like to request an account. See more instructions.

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

Please note the café will be closed on Saturday 3rd August.

PASTORAL CARE & PRAYER MINISTRY

If you, or someone you know at church, are in need of support and care, please contact Sandra Wilkin via the Minster office, or e: pastoral@godalmingminster.org.

To contact the EMERGENCY prayer chain, email prayer@godalmingminster.org or call 01483 421267.

Dear Friends,

This week we are asking for prayer for two groups in particular which are longing to equip and strengthen God’s Kingdom in and around Godalming Minster over the coming weeks. The Bible Course started last Thursday for a group who will be meeting in the Yew Tree Café on Wednesday evenings, and our Autumn Alpha Courses begin next week with an introductory session and dinner or lunch in the Old Rectory. You can still sign up to Alpha either Wednesdays at 7.30pm, or Thursdays at 12pm, and please do take the opportunity to invite friends along.

Did we say dinner/lunch? Yes! It’s one of the fundamentals of the Alpha course and we are so grateful to those who have offered to provide the 24 Alpha meals over the next 12 weeks. So, while signs up are welcome this week, walk-ins might cause a little embarrassment if we haven’t set your place. Time to get off the fence and let us know you are coming – by end of Tuesday please!

This Sunday

Who is Jesus?
John 20: 24-31

22 September

10am Morning Worship
Hambledon (St Peter’s)

10am Morning Worship [HC]
Franklyn Road (St Mark’s)

10am Classic Service
Brighton Road (Busbridge)

10.30am Contemporary Service
Church Street (St Peter & St Paul’s)

5pm Choral Evensong
Church Street (St Peter & St Paul’s)

6pm Evening Service [HC]
Brighton Road (Busbridge)

Look up services for next Sunday and find more information about congregations and service times on ChurchSuite, or the Sundays page on the web site. If you are on a rota, ChurchSuite will ping you a reminder by email, but you can also use the ChurchSuite app to check yourself.

Notices

September

The Bible Course

Starting in the Yew Tree Café on Weds 18 September for 6 weeks. This course is particularly for the post-alpha group, but open to anyone who would like to join. Please contact Simon Taylor, or sign up on ChurchSuite.

You’re invited to Alpha starting this September

Weds evenings 25th Sept – 27th Nov & Thurs lunchtimes 26th Sept – 28th Nov

To find out more or register for a place go to https://godalmingminster.org/alpha

Alpha Team not quite but nearly complete! A huge thank you to those of you who have already volunteered to help with food and who have signed up to pray for Alpha.  We now have catering in place for the evening AND lunchtime sessions. Wonderful! We do still need some heroes to provide refreshments and a simple lunch on the Holy Spirit Day on Saturday 16th November (when both groups come together).

Please volunteer using the the button below, or by email direct to Sandra Wilkin – sandra.wilkin@godalmingminster.org

Please note: The sign up button takes you to the Wednesday evening course, but gives the option to sign up for Thursday lunchtimes instead.

Recruitment of bookkeeping service provider to expanding Minster Finance team

It’s an exciting time as Godalming Minster extends its ministry and activities across our four sites and three former parishes.   But with that excitement comes a lot of extra accounting work!  To support that important work (which in turn supports our mission and ministry) we are looking to contract the services of an experienced bookkeeper to join the finance team, working from home under the supervision of the Treasurer and Management Accountant.   This is a part-time role under a contract for services with flexible work patterns, expected to average around 18 hours per month, but precise number of hours may vary from month to month.  Workload is likely to be higher between January and April during preparation of end of year accounts and subsequent audit.   Precise responsibilities s can be agreed depending on the skills and experience of the individual, but the main task is monthly bookkeeping of income and expenditure, comprising:

1. Posting of transactions on Xero – the church’s accounting software

2. Reconciling transactions to the relevant bank accounts

3. Other reconciliations where necessary, including Barclaycard statements

4. Set up and maintain spreadsheet records where necessary

5. Assist with journals and control account reconciliations as required

6. Keep electronic and paper files suitable for audit purposes

7. Any other tasks reasonably required by the Management Accountant and Treasurer

8. Liaise with Management Accountant, Treasurer and staff members in performing these duties

Training in church accounts and processes will be provided, but the service provider would need to be familiar with general bookkeeping and related software including Excel and ideally Xero.   Remuneration will be competitive for such bookkeeping services.    To discuss in more detail please contact Lesley Reeves (management accountant:  accounts@godalmingminster.org) or Martin Lambert (Treasurer: martin.lambert@godalmingminster.org ).

Coming Up

Bereavement Café 24 September 2.30pm-4pm

The Bereavement Café takes place on the last Tuesdays of the month and is open to anyone who has been bereaved recently or some time ago. More details >

This 5th Sunday 29th September

Breakfast and café church at Franklyn Road

This happens every fifth Sunday (i.e. four times a year) and the next one is on 29 September.  We meet at 0930 for breakfast – bacon butties and/or croissants available – moving seamlessly into Café Church at about 10 o’clock.  In September, we shall be looking at the story of Jesus’ last supper with his friends, and what the cross means to us.  All are welcome, whether you normally come to Franklyn Road or not.  We should love to see you … and please feel free to bring a friend.

Brighton Road Six o’clock service Fifth Sunday Special

An extended time of praise and worship together, followed by bring and share refreshments (finger food, sweet or savoury please). All welcome!

October

Compton Phone Box – Local Landmark with global following!

This month at Nexus on Thu 3rd Oct at 8pm:

We are delighted to welcome Mr Chris Sharples, co-founder of the Compton Phone Box upcycling project, who will tell us the story behind this local treasure which makes people smile whilst also raising money for charity. Chris is also Head Gardener for Watts Gallery and a senior florist. Compton Phone Box nearby has its own Instagram following and, recently, the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris were chosen as the theme, with local youngsters keeping a tally of GB medals. All are welcome, including men!

New members welcome! 2024 Annual Subscription £20
Guests: £5.00 contribution towards speaker costs 
Our 2024 charity is: Farncombe Community Garden

Newcomers Tea

3pm, Sunday 6 Oct at Spinney Copse. The Taylors are hosting a tea for all those who are dipping their toe, or have jumped right into Godalming Minster in recent months.  It might be through getting married, holding a baptism or funeral, attending a group or one of our services. There will be tea and cake, and members of the clergy and ministry teams to chat to. Please let vic.hicks@godalmingminster.org know if you’d like to come, or if you can think of anyone who needs an invitation. We look forward to getting to know you better! Your invitation to the Newcomers Tea.

HARVEST 6th & 13th October

We will be celebrating Harvest over two Sundays:

6th October
Harvest at 9.30am Choral Eucharist

13th October
Harvest at all other services, followed by a bring and share harvest and farewell lunch in The Church Street Octagon:
8am Holy Communion
10am Franklyn Road
10am Classic
10.30am Contemporary

Hambledon will hold its Harvest Festival at Hambledon Village Hall, with an 11am service, followed by lunch: Cottage Pie, apple crumble and a glass of wine or soft drink – £10pp. You can sign up on ChurchSuite HERE and pay in advance or on the door.

John & Sue’s farewell and harvest lunch – 13th October
A reminder that John and Sue’s final service will be Sunday 13th October at the Church Street Contemporary, followed by a bring and share farewell and harvest lunch. Everyone is invited! During the lunch, we will be giving John and Sue a gift of love and gratitude. To contribute to this, please see ways to donate. John and Sue will move to Cornwall soon after 13th October.  Please pray for John and Sue as they begin their retirement from parish ministry.

Light Party 31st October
Save and Date and look out for details for the 2024 Light Party!

What’s on Where

See the events coming up next and look up dates further ahead in the full Minster Calendar.

Mission Update – 15 September

Mission beyond: loving people

Key to the vision and purpose of Godalming Minster is to share God’s love by serving others, nurturing our own discipleship and sharing the story and joy of His love by our witness. Traditionally, this is done through Minster led outreach activities, as well as supporting a range of Christian mission initiatives.

In the past, each of our former parishes had different approaches to mission partnership. Under Sheila Samuels, the former Mission and Outward Giving work of two parishes has become part of a new mission team (which now awaits leadership by the new Associate Minister for Mission and Evangelism, based at Franklyn Road).

For the coming season, Godalming Minster aims to develop long term, deeply prayerful relationships with a few regular groups who have a mission and evangelism heart. The mission focus outlined is fixed for the next few years. Each of the mission agencies has a connection to the Minster, so we can share in the successes and challenges of their activities and be actively involved together.

Each festival time of the year, you’ll be able to commit your financial and prayer support to all the mission partners we’re supporting, some of them, or one. You can indicate this on the mission giving forms and online/via your banking. Only our treasurer knows who gives both for mission and in any giving in general.

Harvest is about…loving people and renewing faith – focussing mission locally and nationally

We’ll be collecting harvest goods for the Franklyn Road Foodbank at all Harvest services, and raising funds for the Church Army (National Anglican Evangelism).

Christmas is about…loving people – focusing mission locally

We’ll be raising funds for female inmates at HMP Send, and Godalming based charities The Cellar Camino Café and Skillway. We’ll be collecting Christmas goodies to produce hampers for clients of the Franklyn Road Foodbank and households known to the Minster via our church schools.

Easter is about…following Jesus and renewing faith – focussing mission nationally and overseas

We’ll be raising funds for the Church Pastoral Aid Society (CPAS), and Five Talents (a global mission partner).

In addition, the PCC has set aside annual funds to support youth work in the town through TTT, and Eco church developments, so we can encourage others to also care for God’s creation. Funds also go directly to support our two church schools. 

Foodbank Update

The Franklyn Road Foodbank is getting busier at the moment, and currently short of oatcakes, gluten free cereal and biscuits and nappies in all sizes 3-6 please! BUT all donations of food and cleaning items are welcome anytime. See the Foodbank for more info.

Church Family News

We send love to the families and friends of two people who are longstanding friends of Godalming Minster, both with particular connections to Busbridge. 

Many people will remember Guy Gammell, who died last Friday in Shottermill House.  Please pray for Josie and Henrietta, and their families, as they mourn.  Guy’s funeral will be on Wednesday 25 September at Godalming Minster, Church Street, at 2.30 p.m.

We also remember Mary Pagan, whose gifts as a flower arranger enhanced many of our church events.  Please pray for her close friends and all who mourn for her.  Mary’s service will be in Godalming Minster, Brighton Road, on Thursday 3 October at 12.30 p.m. 

Please pray for God’s peace and comfort to surround them all.

Marcus has a few spaces left this September for one-to-one or group drumming lessons. Please do share the info with anyone who might be keen to learn!

Elsewhere

The next Theology Hub event on 24 October is with Rev’d Prof Jeremy Begbie. Jeremy will give a performance lecture (theology and live music) on the topic of the relevance of the arts for people of faith. This will be an excellent evening for discipleship for your key leaders, for people who have recently done Alpha or who might be interested in looking at theology, and for all who are involved in worship and music.

Jeremy is an academic who speaks in a down to earth way that connects with a range of audiences. You can buy your ticket here:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/theology-and-the-arts-with-revd-prof-jeremy-begbie-tickets-957018988557

Life Issues 2024 – a programme of talks and course run by Godalming Baptist Church.

The last Life Issue session of 2024 is coming up at Godalming Baptist Church on Saturday 19th October 10.00am-12.30pm (coffee from 9.30am).  ‘Living With Anxious Thoughts’ led by Dr Martin Brunet, GP at Binscombe Medical Centre and Dr Jenna McKeown, Clinical Psychologist. 

This promises to be such a helpful and informative morning.  The session will look at all aspects of anxious thoughts including intrusive thoughts and health anxiety and aims to understand where these thoughts come from and how best to manage them. There is no charge but donations much appreciated towards ‘The Farncombe Community Garden’.  

Please do contact Sally to book a place-01483-428646 or e-mail pollard3@hotmail.co.uk by Friday 4th October.  Thank you so much for all your support

Can we pray for you?

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

Mid-week Prayer Gatherings

Restart in September!

Community & Fellowship

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

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

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

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

The 2024 Prime Time programme is now available. For all events and details, see Prime Time.

Get Involved / Join a team

We’re passionate about people feeling like they’re a part of our church family and one of the best places to do that is as part of a team.

No matter your age or experience, there’s a team that you can join, serving alongside others and getting to know people better in the church. You can find out about all our opportunities to serve and offer your time and talents on the Join a Team page.

Don’t forget about…

MyChurchSuite is an app for members of Godalming Minster to check dates, rotas, church emails, look up church members and sign up to events (without having to enter your details again and again!). Contact the Minster Office if you’ve lost your login details or would like to request an account. See more instructions.

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

Please note the café will be closed on Saturday 3rd August.

PASTORAL CARE & PRAYER MINISTRY

If you, or someone you know at church, are in need of support and care, please contact Sandra Wilkin via the Minster office, or e: pastoral@godalmingminster.org.

To contact the EMERGENCY prayer chain, email prayer@godalmingminster.org or call 01483 421267.

Dear Friends,

Last Sunday Simon Taylor announced that after nearly 15 years here he and Catherine will be leaving Godalming Minster in January 2025. You can read the announcement in the latest Rector’s Reflection >

This Sunday

Is there more to life than this?
John 10.22-33

15 September

9am Choral Eucharist
Church Street (St Peter & St Paul’s)

10am Morning Worship
Hambledon (St Peter’s)

10am Morning Worship
Franklyn Road (St Mark’s)

10am Classic Service
Brighton Road (Busbridge)

10.30am Contemporary Service
Church Street (St Peter & St Paul’s)

6pm Evening Service
Brighton Road (Busbridge)

Look up services for next Sunday and find more information about congregations and service times on ChurchSuite, or the Sundays page on the web site. If you are on a rota, ChurchSuite will ping you a reminder by email, but you can also use the ChurchSuite app to check yourself.

Notices

Introducing the new Yew Tree Café Manager – Chantal Dennill
Pop into the Yew Tree Café this Saturday or in the next couple of weeks to meet and greet our newest member of the Minster staff team. We look forward to Chantal’s ministry in the YTC and thank everyone who has stepped up to keep the café running beautifully while we have been waiting for Chantal to start: Donna, Olena, Karen, Carol, Luke, Miffy and the small but brilliant army of café volunteers!

URGENT: Hosts wanted for Danish pilgrims on Thursday 26th September! If you can offer to host 1 or 2 (out of 16) people who are visiting Godalming Minster on 26-27th September as part of a walking pilgrimage, or help to share dinner with them at Brighton Road, please get in touch with Simon Taylor e; simon.taylor@godalmingminster.org ASAP.

The hosts need to:

Thursday 26th

• Collect their person/people at 5pm at Godalming Minster Church Street.

• Take them home to give them time to freshen up/shower.

• Drop them at Brighton Road before 7pm.

• Pick them up from Brighton Road for 9pm.

Friday 27th

Provide a breakfast and drop them at Church Street for 8.30am.

Coming Up

September

Heritage Weekend 14-15 September

Welcome to England’s largest festival of history and culture!
Every September thousands of volunteers across England organise events to celebrate our fantastic history and culture. It’s your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences – all of which are FREE to explore.

Our four Godalming Minster churches are part of the Heritage Open Days Weekend and open to visitors this weekend. For more info see: https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/

The Bible Course

Starting in the Yew Tree Café on Weds 18 September for 6 weeks. This course is particularly for the post-alpha group, but open to anyone who would like to join. Please contact Simon Taylor, or sign up on ChurchSuite.

You’re invited to Alpha starting this September

Weds evenings 25th Sept – 27th Nov & Thurs lunchtimes 26th Sept – 28th Nov

To find out more or register for a place go to https://godalmingminster.org/alpha

Alpha Team not quite but nearly complete! A huge thank you to those of you who have already volunteered to help with food and who have signed up to pray for Alpha.  We now have catering in place for the evening AND lunchtime sessions. Wonderful! We do still need some heroes to provide refreshments and a simple lunch on the Holy Spirit Day on Saturday 16th November (when both groups come together).

Please volunteer using the the button below, or by email direct to Sandra Wilkin – sandra.wilkin@godalmingminster.org

Please note: The sign up button takes you to the Wednesday evening course, but gives the option to sign up for Thursday lunchtimes instead.

Breakfast and café church at Franklyn Road

This happens every fifth Sunday (i.e. four times a year) and the next one is on 29 September.  We meet at 0930 for breakfast – bacon butties and/or croissants available – moving seamlessly into Café Church at about 10 o’clock.  In September, we shall be looking at the story of Jesus’ last supper with his friends, and what the cross means to us.  All are welcome, whether you normally come to Franklyn Road or not.  We should love to see you … and please feel free to bring a friend.

October

Newcomers Tea

3pm, Sunday 6 Oct at Spinney Copse. The Taylors are hosting a tea for all those who are dipping their toe, or have jumped right into Godalming Minster in recent months.  It might be through getting married, holding a baptism or funeral, attending a group or one of our services. There will be tea and cake, and members of the clergy and ministry teams to chat to. Please let vic.hicks@godalmingminster.org know if you’d like to come, or if you can think of anyone who needs an invitation. We look forward to getting to know you better! Your invitation to the Newcomers Tea.

HARVEST 6th & 13th October

We will be celebrating Harvest over two Sundays:

6th October
Harvest at 9.30am Choral Eucharist

13th October
Harvest at all other services, followed by a bring and share harvest and farewell lunch in The Church Street Octagon:
8am Holy Communion
10am Franklyn Road
10am Classic
10.30am Contemporary

Hambledon will hold its Harvest Festival at Hambledon Village Hall, with an 11am service, followed by a bring and share lunch.

John & Sue’s farewell and harvest lunch – 13th October
A reminder that John and Sue’s final service will be Sunday 13th October at the Church Street Contemporary, followed by a bring and share farewell and harvest lunch. Everyone is invited! During the lunch, we will be giving John and Sue a gift of love and gratitude. To contribute to this, please see ways to donate. John and Sue will move to Cornwall soon after 13th October.  Please pray for John and Sue as they begin their retirement from parish ministry.

Light Party 31st October
Save and Date and look out for details for the 2024 Light Party!

What’s on Where

See the events coming up next and look up dates further ahead in the full Minster Calendar.

Mission Update

Mission beyond: loving people

Key to the vision and purpose of Godalming Minster is to share God’s love by serving others, nurturing our own discipleship and sharing the story and joy of His love by our witness. Traditionally, this is done through Minster led outreach activities, as well as supporting a range of Christian mission initiatives.

In the past, each of our former parishes had different approaches to mission partnership. Under Sheila Samuels, the former Mission and Outward Giving work of two parishes has become part of a new mission team (which now awaits leadership by the new Associate Minister for Mission and Evangelism, based at Franklyn Road).

For the coming season, Godalming Minster aims to develop long term, deeply prayerful relationships with a few regular groups who have a mission and evangelism heart. The mission focus outlined is fixed for the next few years. Each of the mission agencies has a connection to the Minster, so we can share in the successes and challenges of their activities and be actively involved together.

Each festival time of the year, you’ll be able to commit your financial and prayer support to all the mission partners we’re supporting, some of them, or one. You can indicate this on the mission giving forms and online/via your banking. Only our treasurer knows who gives both for mission and in any giving in general.

Harvest is about…loving people and renewing faith – focussing mission locally and nationally

We’ll be collecting harvest goods for the Franklyn Road Foodbank at all Harvest services, and raising funds for the Church Army (National Anglican Evangelism).

Christmas is about…loving people – focusing mission locally

We’ll be raising funds for female inmates at HMP Send, and Godalming based charities The Cellar Camino Café and Skillway. We’ll be collecting Christmas goodies to produce hampers for clients of the Franklyn Road Foodbank and households known to the Minster via our church schools.

Easter is about…following Jesus and renewing faith – focussing mission nationally and overseas

We’ll be raising funds for the Church Pastoral Aid Society (CPAS), and Five Talents (a global mission partner).

In addition, the PCC has set aside annual funds to support youth work in the town through TTT, and Eco church developments, so we can encourage others to also care for God’s creation. Funds also go directly to support our two church schools. 

Foodbank Update

The Franklyn Road Foodbank is getting busier at the moment, and currently short of oatcakes, gluten free cereal and biscuits and nappies in all sizes 3-6 please! BUT all donations of food and cleaning items are welcome anytime. See the Foodbank for more info.

Church Family News

We send love to the families and friends of two people who are longstanding friends of Godalming Minster, both with particular connections to Busbridge. 

Many people will remember Guy Gammell, who died last Friday in Shottermill House.  Please pray for Josie and Henrietta, and their families, as they mourn.  Guy’s funeral will be on Wednesday 25 September at Godalming Minster, Church Street, at 2.30 p.m.

We also remember Mary Pagan, whose gifts as a flower arranger enhanced many of our church events.  Please pray for her close friends and all who mourn for her.  Mary’s service will be in Godalming Minster, Brighton Road, on Thursday 3 October at 12.30 p.m. 

Please pray for God’s peace and comfort to surround them all.

We send our love also to Olena, whose best friend and her daughters were killed in a Russian strike on Lviv last week.  Please pray for God’s comfort for Olena, and also for her friend’s husband, Yaroslav, who was injured, but survived.

Thank you from the Samuels family:

A huge thank you from us for the lovely send off and generous gifts. It was so lovely to see so many of you at Patrick’s licensing service too.

We are settling in well and the girls seemed to have embraced College and school life. We give thanks to God for the privilege of journeying with you all for the last 5 years, for both the challenges and joys. We will continue to pray for you all as you journey into another new season. Sending you all much love, thanks and best wishes, Sheila and Patrick, Tamara and Sophia.

Marcus has a few spaces left this September for one-to-one or group drumming lessons. Please do share the info with anyone who might be keen to learn!

Elsewhere

Life Issues 2024 – a programme of talks and course run by Godalming Baptist Church.

The last Life Issue session of 2024 is coming up at Godalming Baptist Church on Saturday 19th October 10.00am-12.30pm (coffee from 9.30am).  ‘Living With Anxious Thoughts’ led by Dr Martin Brunet, GP at Binscombe Medical Centre and Dr Jenna McKeown, Clinical Psychologist. 

This promises to be such a helpful and informative morning.  The session will look at all aspects of anxious thoughts including intrusive thoughts and health anxiety and aims to understand where these thoughts come from and how best to manage them. There is no charge but donations much appreciated towards ‘The Farncombe Community Garden’.  

Please do contact Sally to book a place-01483-428646 or e-mail pollard3@hotmail.co.uk by Friday 4th October.  Thank you so much for all your support

Can we pray for you?

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

Mid-week Prayer Gatherings

Restart in September!

Community & Fellowship

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

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

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

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

The 2024 Prime Time programme is now available. For all events and details, see Prime Time.

Get Involved / Join a team

We’re passionate about people feeling like they’re a part of our church family and one of the best places to do that is as part of a team.

No matter your age or experience, there’s a team that you can join, serving alongside others and getting to know people better in the church. You can find out about all our opportunities to serve and offer your time and talents on the Join a Team page.

Don’t forget about…

MyChurchSuite is an app for members of Godalming Minster to check dates, rotas, church emails, look up church members and sign up to events (without having to enter your details again and again!). Contact the Minster Office if you’ve lost your login details or would like to request an account. See more instructions.

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

Please note the café will be closed on Saturday 3rd August.

PASTORAL CARE & PRAYER MINISTRY

If you, or someone you know at church, are in need of support and care, please contact Sandra Wilkin via the Minster office, or e: pastoral@godalmingminster.org.

To contact the EMERGENCY prayer chain, email prayer@godalmingminster.org or call 01483 421267.

Dear Friends,

This Sunday is one not to miss. It’s “Vision Sunday” when we look up, around and ahead to what we are here for, and how we are called as people of Godalming Minster.

To help us embed and step into the vision, the Autumn sermon series will be following the Alpha Course. It will allow us to ask some fundamental questions about our beliefs and faith, perhaps for the first time, starting with whether God really has a purpose for our individual lives. 

The Stay Curious sermon series is by no means a substitute for being part of the Alpha course – with discussion time and bonding over a home cooked dinner each week – but it will give all of our Minster family a flavour of what Alpha is about. If you feel prompted to delve deeper, there is still time to sign yourself up or invite a friend for the evening or lunchtime Alpha courses starting 25th September! (details below).

This Sunday

VISION SUNDAY: Platitudes or reality?
Reading: Jeremiah 29:11-14

1 September

8am BCP Holy Communion
Church Street (St Peter & St Paul’s)

10am Morning Worship
Hambledon (St Peter’s)

10am Morning Worship
Franklyn Road (St Mark’s)

10am Classic Service
Brighton Road (Busbridge)

10.30am Contemporary Service
Church Street (St Peter & St Paul’s)

6pm Evening Service
Brighton Road (Busbridge)

6pm Hymns & Pimm’s
Hambledon (St Peter’s)

Look up services for next Sunday and find more information about congregations and service times on ChurchSuite, or the Sundays page on the web site. If you are on a rota, ChurchSuite will ping you a reminder by email, but you can also use the ChurchSuite app to check yourself.

Notices

URGENT: Hosts wanted for Danish pilgrims on Thursday 26th September! If you can offer to host 1 or 2 (out of 16) people who are visiting Godalming Minster on 26-27th September as part of a walking pilgrimage, or help to share dinner with them at Brighton Road, please get in touch with Simon Taylor e; simon.taylor@godalmingminster.org ASAP.

The hosts need to:

Thursday 26th

• Collect their person/people at 5pm at Godalming Minster Church Street.

• Take them home to give them time to freshen up/shower.

• Drop them at Brighton Road before 7pm.

• Pick them up from Brighton Road for 9pm.

Friday 27th

Provide a breakfast and drop them at Church Street for 8.30am.

Coming Up

September

Heritage Weekend 14-15 September
Welcome to England’s largest festival of history and culture!
Every September thousands of volunteers across England organise events to celebrate our fantastic history and culture. It’s your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences – all of which are FREE to explore.

Our four Godalming Minster Churches are part of the Heritage Open Days Weekend and open to visitors for more info see: https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/

You’re invited to Alpha starting this September

Weds evenings 25th Sept – 27th Nov & Thurs lunchtimes 26th Sept – 28th Nov

To find out more or register for a place go to https://godalmingminster.org/alpha

Alpha Team not quite but nearly complete! A huge thank you to those of you who have already volunteered to help with food and who have signed up to pray for Alpha.  We now have catering in place for the evening AND lunchtime sessions. Wonderful! We do still need some heroes to provide refreshments and a simple lunch on the Holy Spirit Day on Saturday 16th November (when both groups come together).

Please volunteer using the the button below, or by email direct to Sandra Wilkin – sandra.wilkin@godalmingminster.org

Please note: The sign up button takes you to the Wednesday evening course, but gives the option to sign up for Thursday lunchtimes instead.

October

SAVE THE DATE: 13th October for John & Sue’s farewell and harvest lunch

A reminder that John and Sue’s final service will be Sunday 13th October at the Church Street Contemporary, followed by a bring and share farewell and harvest lunch. Please put this date in your diary. All are welcome to the service and lunch. During the lunch, we will be giving John and Sue a gift of love and gratitude. To contribute to this, please see ways to donate.

John and Sue will move to Cornwall soon after 13th October.  Please pray for John and Sue as they begin their retirement from parish ministry.

What’s on Where

See the events coming up next and look up dates further ahead in the full Minster Calendar.

Church Family News

Marcus has a few spaces left this September for one-to-one or group drumming lessons. Please do share the info with anyone who might be keen to learn!

Mission Update

The Franklyn Road Foodbank is getting busier at the moment, and currently short of oatcakes, gluten free cereal and biscuits and nappies in all sizes 3-6 please! BUT all donations of food and cleaning items are welcome anytime. See the Foodbank for more info.

Elsewhere

The National Trust Munstead Wood are running Chance to Chat sessions at Godalming Museum from 10-12 noon on the third Saturdays of the month. More details >

Life Issues 2024 – a programme of talks and course run by Godalming Baptist Church.

The last Life Issue session of 2024 is coming up at Godalming Baptist Church on Saturday 19th October 10.00am-12.30pm (coffee from 9.30am).  ‘Living With Anxious Thoughts’ led by Dr Martin Brunet, GP at Binscombe Medical Centre and Dr Jenna McKeown, Clinical Psychologist. 

This promises to be such a helpful and informative morning.  The session will look at all aspects of anxious thoughts including intrusive thoughts and health anxiety and aims to understand where these thoughts come from and how best to manage them. There is no charge but donations much appreciated towards ‘The Farncombe Community Garden’.  

Please do contact Sally to book a place-01483-428646 or e-mail pollard3@hotmail.co.uk by Friday 4th October.  Thank you so much for all your support

Can we pray for you?

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

Mid-week Prayer Gatherings

Restart in September!

Community & Fellowship

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

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

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

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

The 2024 Prime Time programme is now available. For all events and details, see Prime Time.

Get Involved / Join a team

We’re passionate about people feeling like they’re a part of our church family and one of the best places to do that is as part of a team.

No matter your age or experience, there’s a team that you can join, serving alongside others and getting to know people better in the church. You can find out about all our opportunities to serve and offer your time and talents on the Join a Team page.

Don’t forget about…

MyChurchSuite is an app for members of Godalming Minster to check dates, rotas, church emails, look up church members and sign up to events (without having to enter your details again and again!). Contact the Minster Office if you’ve lost your login details or would like to request an account. See more instructions.

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

Please note the café will be closed on Saturday 3rd August.

PASTORAL CARE & PRAYER MINISTRY

If you, or someone you know at church, are in need of support and care, please contact Sandra Wilkin via the Minster office, or e: pastoral@godalmingminster.org.

To contact the EMERGENCY prayer chain, email prayer@godalmingminster.org or call 01483 421267.

A huge thank you to EVERYONE who has been involved in Holiday Club this week. We’ve shared the greatest treasure with more than 60 4-11s who have had the most brilliant time together. The key verse was Philippians 3.8:

Nothing is as wonderful as knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have given up everything and count it all as rubbish. All I want is Jesus.

We said it, sang it, and lived it out together over the last three days, with pirate themed games, craft and baking activities. And it’s not quite over yet. You can still be part of the adventure this Sunday 1 September, 11am at Brighton Road and afterwards for a BBQ in the Busbridge Old Rectory.

This Sunday

1 September

9am Choral Eucharist
Church Street (St Peter & St Paul’s)

10am Morning Worship
Hambledon (St Peter’s)

10am Morning Worship
Franklyn Road (St Mark’s)

11am Holiday Club Celebration Service & BBQ
when we will be saying goodbye to the Samuels
at Brighton Road. All welcome at 11am, or to come along for the BBQ at about 12 noon!

9am and 10am services take place at Church Street, Hambledon and Franklyn Road beforehand. Church in the Park (Muddy) and Classic will fuse at the 11am Holiday Club Service.

6pm Evening Service
Brighton Road (Busbridge)

Look up services for next Sunday and find more information about congregations and service times on ChurchSuite, or the Sundays page on the web site. If you are on a rota, ChurchSuite will ping you a reminder by email, but you can also use the ChurchSuite app to check yourself.

Notices

It has this week been announced that Simon Taylor has been invited to become an Honorary Canon of Guildford Cathedral. Simon’s installation will be at the Cathedral on Sunday 24th November at 6pm. All are welcome to attend, which will be part of the cathedral’s evening service. Happening at the same time will be the Godalming Christmas Light-up parade, which will this year finish at Godalming Minster Church Street with an informal carol service. The choice is yours!

Please pray for Keith Harper, who is currently an LLM in the Minster, as he discerns a call. Keith will be spending time with HTSM, Holy Trinity and St Mary’s, in Guildford. Please also pray for the new priest at HTSM, Rev Canon Simon Butler, as Simon supports Keith with his discernment.

We are delighted to announce the appointment of a new manager for the Yew Tree Café. Chantal Dennill will be joining the Minster team on 9 September, and we look forward to introducing her properly in the coming weeks. We are grateful to Donna, Olena, Luke and Miffy who have stepped up to keep the café running so well while it has been without a manager; and to Karen Hart, the Café Leadership Team and volunteers who have supported the paid staff.

Coming Up

September

Sunday 1 Sep – 2 happy endings: Holiday Club Finale & Farewell to the Samuels
Godalming Minster will host the Holiday Club finale, and say a fond farewell to the Revs Sheila and Patrick Samuels at a special 11am All Age service at Godalming Minster Brighton Road.

This will be followed by a fun filled BBQ in the Busbridge Old Rectory Garden. A simple menu of sausages and burgers, soft drinks and lollies will be provided for a suggested donation of £5 per person. The bouncy castles will be out for the children too.

What to bring:
– Your own coffee cup for a drink before the service.
– A rug or camping chair (we will put tables and chairs out, but there won’t be enough for everyone.)
– a salad, side dish or pudding to supplement the BBQ if you wish. You might like to make enough to share.

We will be presenting Samuels with a gift at the BBQ to thank them for their contribution to St Mark’s and BHC and the evolution of Godalming Minster over the last 5 years. To make a last minute contribute to this, please see ways to donate.

Tues 3 Sep
Godalming Minster is delighted to be hosting a new CofE course for Guildford Diocese. The Caleb Stream is a new one-year pathway for ordained ministry in the Church of England, designed specifically for mature and experienced lay leaders. The course will start in September for a full academic year, and there will be a prayer launch next Tuesday from 6.30pm to 8.30pm at Brighton Road for the Caleb stream, and all initiatives and parishes in the Diocese as things get underway for a new academic year.  There is an open invitation to attend, and a general prayer request for the Caleb Stream.

Thurs 5 Sep

Patrick’s licensing as Priest-in-Charge in The Parishes of St Andrew Wraysbury St Michael Horton & St Thomas Colnbrook will be on Thursday 5th September at 7.30pm at St Andrews’s Church, St Andrew’s Close, Windsor Rd, Wraysbury TW19 5DG. Patrick would be delighted to see any people from the Minster family at the service and for refreshments after. RSVP  by 27th August CHWchurches@gmail.com.

Nexus Talk – Penguins Galore with Frances Shaw, Thu 5 Sep at 8pm
Frances and Peter Shaw were fortunate enough to go on an amazing journey to the southernmost part of our world for an Antarctic adventure.  Come along and enjoy this awe-inspiring adventure without needing to don layers of winter clothing!! Guests: £5.00 contribution towards speaker costs.

Alpha starting September
Weds evenings 25th Sept – 27th Nov & Thurs lunchtimes 26th Sept – 28th Nov

Rev Lesley Mason is leading the courses this Autumn, and we’d like everyone to consider whether they would like to join in as a participant, or as a member of the team who helps lead, host and cater for the 12 sessions.

A huge thank you to those of you who have already volunteered to help with food and who have signed up to pray for Alpha.  We have catering in place for the evening sessions but we still need the following;

• Additional catering for lunch time sessions, including the Saturday session (when both groups come together) eg soup, sandwiches or bread & cheese, sausage rolls etc and a traybake, cookies or equivalent

• One or two volunteers to help -preferably every week at lunch time or evening – to meet and greet, help set up tables and ensure that the catering group that evening know what to do

Please volunteer via the website, or by email direct to Sandra Wilkin – sandra.wilkin@godalmingminster.org

Look out for invitations, posters and social media posts and please share them and encourage people along.

To find out more or register for a place go to https://godalmingminster.org/alpha

The sign up button takes you to the Wednesday evening course, but gives the option to sign up for Thursday lunchtimes instead.

SAVE THE DATE: 13th October for John & Sue’s farewell and harvest lunch

We are delighted for John and Sue that they have accepted the offer of a clergy retirement property. There will be a number of chances to say farewell.  John and Sue will be at the Classic Service (10am) on 22nd September, at Hambledon (10am) on Sunday 29th September, and at the Choral Eucharist (9am) on 6th October.

John and Sue’s final service will be Sunday 13th October at the Church Street Contemporary, followed by a bring and share farewell and harvest lunch. Please put this date in your diary. All are welcome to the service and lunch. During the lunch, we will be giving John and Sue a gift of love and gratitude. To contribute to this, please see ways to donate.

John and Sue will move to Cornwall soon after 13th October.  Please pray for John and Sue as they begin their retirement from parish ministry.

The closing date for applications for the two Associate Minster roles for Franklyn Road and Mission and Evangelism, and for Hambledon and Discipleship has now passed. We hope to be able to share progress on the recruitment process towards the end of September. Please be praying for the candidates who have applied, and for the interview process.

What’s on Where

See the events coming up next and look up dates further ahead in the full Minster Calendar.

Church Family News

Mission Update

FEBA Prayer meeting… an invitation
Wednesday 4th September, 7-8pm on Zoom. God’s unwavering message of hope continues to transform lives and as supporters of Feba, you are an integral part of the story! On the first Wednesday of every month we host a prayer meeting, online. This is always such a special time as we meet our ministry partners and pray for them and their listeners. We would love you to join us to encourage and stand with them. This month will focus on our ministry in Ukraine. Simply scan the QR code on the poster to join us. We really look forward to welcoming you!

Elsewhere

Godalming Bandstand Concerts summer 2024 programme can be found here.

The National Trust Munstead Wood are running Chance to Chat sessions at Godalming Museum from 10-12 noon on the third Saturdays of the month. More details >

Life Issues 2024 – a programme of talks and course run by Godalming Baptist Church.

Can we pray for you?

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

Mid-week Prayer Gatherings

Restart in September!

Community & Fellowship

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

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

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

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

The 2024 Prime Time programme is now available. For all events and details, see Prime Time.

Get Involved / Join a team

We’re passionate about people feeling like they’re a part of our church family and one of the best places to do that is as part of a team.

No matter your age or experience, there’s a team that you can join, serving alongside others and getting to know people better in the church. You can find out about all our opportunities to serve and offer your time and talents on the Join a Team page.

Don’t forget about…

MyChurchSuite is an app for members of Godalming Minster to check dates, rotas, church emails, look up church members and sign up to events (without having to enter your details again and again!). Contact the Minster Office if you’ve lost your login details or would like to request an account. See more instructions.

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

Please note the café will be closed on Saturday 3rd August.

PASTORAL CARE & PRAYER MINISTRY

If you, or someone you know at church, are in need of support and care, please contact Sandra Wilkin via the Minster office, or e: pastoral@godalmingminster.org.

To contact the EMERGENCY prayer chain, email prayer@godalmingminster.org or call 01483 421267.