Blog

Yes Minster!

Dear friends,

Godalming Minster—all churches voted yes!
Thanks to all those who prayed and fasted, and came to vote on 16 October.  The parishes of Busbridge, Godalming and Hambledon have voted in favour of uniting to become Godalming Minster from 1 Jan 2024.  The vote for the Minster was one to enable growth of Christian mission across the Godalming area, to maintain and develop diverse styles of worship, to provide better support for clergy and to provide a coherent strategy across the 4 churches of Busbridge, Hambledon, St Peter and St Paul’s and St Mark’s.  For details, and results of the vote, see: www.bhcgodalming.org/minster.

Work on the transition will start in the coming months, but, for now, life at all four churches will continue largely as usual, with collaboration on some events and mission activities.  As part of this, the Busbridge Contemporary congregation has been invited to hold a service at St Peter and St Paul’s on 6 November at 9.30am, with children’s groups in the Octagon.   The Christmas eve family service will also take place in St Peter and St Paul’s, making the most of the bigger church building can accommodate everyone at one time.

Read Simon’s reflection on Changing Seasons: https://www.bhcgodalming.org/blogs/rectors-reflections/2022/10/20/changing-seasons

For all the notices including an invitation to lunch in Hambledon this Sunday, a new group for pre-school tots, church warm hubs and Football World Cup ministry, please read on!

Sunday 23 October

Marks of the Early Church
ENGAGING THE MIND

Reading: Acts 17: 20-34

9.30AM Busbridge Contemporary Service
Led by: Margot Spencer | Speaker: Simon Taylor
Busbridge Church
Please note that there are no children’s groups this week (half-term)

11.15AM Busbridge Classic Service
Led by: Peter Shaw | Speaker: Simon Taylor
Busbridge Church

6PM Busbridge Evening Service [Holy Communion]
Led by: Simon Taylor
Busbridge Church

10AM Hambledon Morning Worship
Led by: Simon Willetts | Speaker: Dudley Hilton
Hambledon Church

Notices

This Sunday, 23rd Oct – Hambledon Lunch in aid of HMP Send Prison – Nazareth Way. The Jenkins are organising a lovely Ploughman’s Lunch to raise money for HMP SEND prison, one of the Outward Giving mission partners. Everyone is invited, and encouraged to support the event. There is no charge, but donations will be welcome. An indication of numbers would be helpful, so please contact Liz on 01483 416084 or liz.r.jenkins@gmail.com, or just turn up.

Yew Tree Café HALF-TERM Opening Hours24-28 October 10am-4pm
10am-2pm Saturday. The café will be open weekdays at 8.30am from 31 October.

Warm welcome / Warm Hubs at Busbridge Church and St Mark’s
This winter, Busbridge Church has been registered with the Warm Welcome initiative (see: www.warmwelcome.co.uk ) and will provide a warm hub, open to all, with free refreshments for specific times and events.  For example, World Cup England matches will be shown on the big screen, starting 21 November.  Several Prime Time events for older people, and the Hambledon Coffee mornings also meet the criteria and we are looking forward to welcoming those who would benefit this winter.

Read Patrick’s call to Church, Mission and Football!:
https://www.bhcgodalming.org/a-word-from/2022/10/20/church-mission-and-football

St Mark’s will be a warm hub on Tuesdays 1-4pm, offering a soup and roll lunch on 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, and afternoon tea on 2nd and 4th Tuesdays.

To help with any of these initiatives, please contact Patrick Samuels about football, Penny about older people’s events and Sheila Samuels regarding St Mark’s.

Ways to be involved during November, Advent and Christmas
There’s a few plans afoot, so if any of the following activities inspire you to get involved please let the church office, or the relevant person know!

1 Singers for the Christmas choirs and carol singing. The Merry Harriers and the Howling Owl bar at the Busbridge rec pavilion have invited BHC back to lead carols and Christmas sing-alongs in the community. Choir rehearsals for the carol services will start in November. Contact the office if you’d like to find out more.

2 Busbridge Wreath Project. Make, buy, help sell a wreath in aid of the Outward Giving Christmas Appeal for the Cellar. Dawn Puddephatt will provide guidance to those who want to learn to make wreaths which will go on sale at the Yew Tree Café in December. Contact Vic Hicks if you’d like to be involved.

3 The Churches Together Christmas lunch needs someone to coordinate the volunteers, and someone else to organise the invitations. The invitations coordinator does not need to be there on Christmas Day itself. It is a really enjoyable event to be part of, and the arrangements are tried and tested. Please let Sarah Higgins (chair of committee) know if you are interested or want to know more sarahhiggins478@gmail.com.

JAM Together – Sat 5th Nov, 2.30pm in Busbridge Church
Jam Together is back in November, and open to 13-18 year olds who sing or play an instrument. The band will be led by experienced musicians who will encourage all abilities to get involved. Please sign up as numbers are limited. e: jamtogetheruk@gmail.com.

NEXUS news

On Thursday 3rd November, our craft expert, Helen Sturney, will demonstrate how to create Festive Papercraft Wreaths.  And then she’ll help us to make one too!  Do come along and have a go – it’ll be fun, and we can make an early start on our Christmas preparations!  We’ll meet in the Yew Tree Café at 8.00pm and will start the evening with drinks and nibbles and a chance to chat with others before handing over to Helen for her demonstration.  There will be a £5 visitor fee for non-members.

Good news: Happily, this December Nexus will be holding a ‘live’ Charity Quiz, after two years on Zoom!!  We’re delighted that our regular Quizmaster team of Alan Betts and Dudley Hilton have agreed to do their popular and entertaining double-act again. The Quiz will be held in Busbridge Church on Saturday 3rd December starting at 7.30pm.  Please put this date in your diary.  More details shortly!

Meals for families with newborns – serving up love on a plate
Thanks to Ruth Roseblade for her service in organising this ministry in recent years, and the rota of willing cooks who deliver scrumptious meals to families with new babies. And to Sam Morris who is taking over as coordinator. If you or you know of others in the church community who are looking for a great way to serve then let them know to contact Sam via the church office to be added to the list. 

4-11s Childrens Worker post BHC is still praying and on the look out for a new children’s worker. The closing date for applications has been extended to Wednesday 26 October.

The brilliant team of Yew Tree Café staff and volunteers also needs some new recruits. Speak to any of them to find out what a privilege it is to serve there, and what fun!

Coming Up:

See the events coming up next below or look up dates further ahead in the full calendar. Select the event for details and the location (online or on site).

Sunday 30 October

You are the Salt of the Earth. You are the Light of the World.

Reading: Matthew 5:13-16

9.30AM Busbridge Contemporary Service
Led by: Simon Taylor | Speaker: Peter Shaw
Busbridge Church

11.15AM Busbridge Classic Service
Led by: Hilary Pettman | Speaker: Peter Shaw
Busbridge Church

10AM Hambledon Morning Worship
Led by: David Jenkins | Speaker: Simon Willetts
Hambledon Church

***6th Nov – 9.30am Contemporary Pilot at St Peter and St Paul’s (replaces Muddy)***

DATES FOR THE DIARY

Regular Events

Busbridge Morning Prayer Weds 26 Oct is taking a break for half-term.

Hambledon Morning Prayer takes place on Wednesdays at 9am. All welcome.

Prayer gatherings for Ukraine are now at Hambledon Church at 7.30pm on 1st Tuesdays of the month.

Next Hambledon Coffee Morning and Hearing Aid Clinic is 16th October. All welcome.

please pray for

• Feathercombe Lane

• Ashstead Land and its road stewards Caroline Wright and Jane Tomes

• The work of Nexus.

ELSEWHERE

Read the latest issue (OCTOBER) of Churches Together in Godalming and District Link Up.

Godalming Baptist Church Life Sessions. Please see the full brochure here.

Don’t forget about…

Things in the following areas may not make the notices, but the latest info can be found on the web pages:

Yew Tree Café Opening Hours HALF-TERM 24-28 October 10am-4pm
10am-2pm Saturday. The café will be open weekdays at 8.30am from 31 October.

Busbridge and Hambledon Churches are open daily for private prayer.

PASTORAL CARE & PRAYER MINISTRY TEAM AVAILABLE

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

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

“Please pass on our huge thanks to Busbridge church congregation for the amazing donations from the harvest festival, everyone is so incredibly generous and we will put everything to good use. Love Debbie and the Cellar Team x”

Dear friends,

Thanks for all the wonderful contributions to the Harvest Appeal for food items and financial donations to the brilliant work of the Food Bank, The Cellar and Five Talents. Cellar Manager Debbie Portsmouth was overwhelmed by the generosity, and was particularly thrilled by the stock of nappies which will be a real blessing to some of the Cellar’s most vulnerable customers with little ones. We are also grateful to the church members who serve at the foodbank, The Cellar on a weekly basis. Penny, Nick, Graham, Chris and Maggie did the vital job of delivering the goods to the foodbank and the Cellar this week. That’s quite a lot of bags to lug, load, unload and stack!

It’s not too late to donate to the Harvest Appeal for Five Talents. We were lucky to hear from Five Talents advocates in all services last Sunday, so you might want to watch what they had to say if you missed it.

The Minster Vote [THIS SUNDAY 16 Oct]: Ahead of the vote, there is a call to fast and pray from 11am on Sat 15th Oct to 11am on 16th October. Information on how to participate is in the notices below. Then please do come and vote on Sunday if you are on the electoral roll for either Busbridge or Hambledon Church. The result will be posted on the web site on Monday and sent in the notices next week.

For full details, what’s on and…dare we say it… preparations for Christmas…please scroll and read on!

Sunday 16 October

Marks of the Early Church
Searching the Scriptures- does the bible speak to you?

Reading Acts 17: 10-17

9.30AM Busbridge Contemporary Service [Holy Communion]
Led by: Patrick Samuels | Speaker: Simon Taylor
Busbridge Church

11.15AM Busbridge Classic Service
Led by: Keith Harper | Speaker: Simon Taylor
Busbridge Church

10AM Hambledon Morning Worship
Led by Philippa Baker | Speaker: Hilary Pettman
Hambledon Church

***EPCMs to vote on the Minster proposal: 1.30PM Hambledon | 3PM Busbridge***

4PM Hambledon Messy Church
Hambledon Village Hall

6PM Unplugged
Busbridge Church

Notices

Ways to be involved during November, Advent and Christmas

There’s a few plans afoot, so if any of the following activities inspire you to get involved please let the church office, or the relevant person know!

1 Warm Welcome Initiative Have you heard about the Warm Welcome initiative? It is an initiative which is helping churches provide warm, safe havens for people finding it ever harder to heat their homes. We’ve identified some church activities that would meet the criteria such as Prime Time Movie Matinees and other events, showing world cup matches, toddler groups etc. If you’d like to help serve the free refreshments or organise other events and opportunities for any age, please contact Vic Hicks or Penny Naylor.

2 World Cup England matches at Busbridge Church Patrick Samuels is coordinating the showing of England matches on the big screen in Busbridge Church. Everyone in the church and community will be invited to watch in a warm, family friendly environment. Free refreshments will be provided. Group stage matches in the daytime on 21 Nov and 25 Nov may also be on in the Yew Tree Café, and Eng vs Wales on 29 Nov will shown in church, hosted by Ichthus. Please invite your friends, and if there are any matches you would like to host in church, let us know.

3 Singers for the Christmas choirs and carol singing. The Merry Harriers and the Howling Owl bar at the Busbridge rec pavilion have invited BHC back to lead carols and Christmas sing-alongs in the community. Choir rehearsals for the carol services will start in November. Contact the office if you’d like to find out more.

4 Busbridge Wreath Project. Make, buy, help sell a wreath in aid of the Outward Giving Christmas Appeal for the Cellar. Dawn Puddephatt will provide guidance to those who want to learn to make wreaths which will go on sale at the Yew Tree Café in December. Contact Vic Hicks if you’d like to be involved.

5 The Churches Together Christmas lunch needs someone to coordinate the volunteers, and someone else to organise the invitations. The invitations coordinator does not need to be there on Christmas Day itself. It is a really enjoyable event to be part of, and the arrangements are tried and tested. Please let Sarah Higgins (chair of committee) know if you are interested or want to know more sarahhiggins478@gmail.com.

JAM Together – Sat 5th Nov, 2.30pm in Busbridge Church
Jam Together is back in November, and open to 13-18 year olds who sing or play an instrument. The band will be led by experienced musicians who will encourage all abilities to get involved. Please sign up as numbers are limited. e: jamtogetheruk@gmail.com.

GODALMING MINSTER: EPCMs (Extraordinary Parochial Church Meetings) will take place on Sunday 16 October: 1.30pm at Hambledon and 3pm at Busbridge. Archdeacon Paul Davies will chair the meetings at which members on the electoral rolls of each church are called to vote on whether to unite the parishes of Busbridge, Hambledon and Godalming to become a Minster.

The Godalming Minster section of the web site now includes a high level summery and FAQs about what the vote involves, and this will be added to over the coming weeks.

Q&A sessions continue this Sunday at Busbridge after services at 10.45am and 12.15pm.

Call to Pray and Fast: 11am Sat 15/10-11am Sun 16/10

A group from the church have committed to pray and “flexi-fast” over 24 hours before the EPCMs, and would encourage everyone to take part as they feel able. If you would like to join them, see the guidance for fasting, and attend a prayer gathering:

• 11-11:30am – Minster EPCM prayer at Busbridge Church

• 5pm – Minster EPCM prayer at Hambledon Church

• 8pm – online Minster EPCM prayer – for anyone, including those not able to attend either church for the prayer meetings.

Last call for the Harvest Appeal for Five Talents

See https://www.fivetalents.org.uk/

It was great to hear from Five Talents “advocates” Major General Tim Cross, Richard Jones and Richard Grey in our Harvest Services. Five Talents have written to thank us for choosing their cause this Harvest, and for our ongoing support. Here’s their message: Five Talents Letter of Introduction 2022. To make a donation to the Harvest Appeal, please follow the instructions on the GIVING page.

Coming Up:

See the events coming up next below or look up dates further ahead in the full calendar. Select the event for details and the location (online or on site).

Sunday 23 October

Marks of the Early Church
ENGAGING THE MIND

Reading: Acts 17: 20-34

9.30AM Busbridge Contemporary Service
Led by: Margot Spencer | Speaker: Simon Taylor
Busbridge Church

11.15AM Busbridge Classic Service
Led by: Peter Shaw | Speaker: Simon Taylor
Busbridge Church

6PM Busbridge Evening Service [Holy Communion]
Led by: Simon Taylor
Busbridge Church

10AM Hambledon Morning Worship
Led by: Simon Willetts | Speaker: Dudley Hilton
Hambledon Church

***6th Nov – 9.30am Contemporary Pilot at St Peter and St Paul’s (replaces Muddy)***

DATES FOR THE DIARY

23rd Oct – Hambledon Lunch in aid of HMP Send Prison – Nazareth Way. The Jenkins are organising a lovely Ploughman’s Lunch to raise money for SEND prison. All welcome. There is no charge, but gifts will be welcome. No need to book but an indication of numbers would be helpful. Contact Liz on 01483 416084 or liz.r.jenkins@gmail.com.

Regular Events

Hambledon Morning Prayer takes place on Wednesdays at 9am. All welcome.

Busbridge Morning Prayer is ONLINE on Wednesdays at 9am.

Prayer gatherings for Ukraine are now at Hambledon Church at 7.30pm on 1st Tuesdays of the month.

Next Hambledon Coffee Morning and Hearing Aid Clinic is 19th October. All welcome.

church Family News

Several members of our church family have suffered recent bereavements.  We send our love and prayers to Mark Taylor, whose father died last week, and to Dave Brockman whose brother-in-law died in late September.  Please hold Mark, Dave and their families in your prayers and ask for God’s comfort to surround them.

Vacancies

The closing date for the 4-11s Children’s Worker ad is 18 October. Please take a look at the revised job, pray and share it. Simon would be happy to talk to anyone about it, even if the specification and terms are not a perfect match.

please pray for

• Hambledon Cricket Green

• Appletree Close and its road steward Cathy Brook

• Local foodbanks and their customers: St Mark’s, The Cellar and the Community Store

ELSEWHERE

Read the latest issue (OCTOBER) of Churches Together in Godalming and District Link Up.

Godalming Baptist Church Life Sessions. Please see the full brochure here.

Don’t forget about…

Things in the following areas may not make the notices, but the latest info can be found on the web pages:

Yew Tree Café Opening Hours
8.30am-4pm from 5 Sep and 10am-2pm Saturday!

Busbridge and Hambledon Churches are open daily for private prayer.

PASTORAL CARE & PRAYER MINISTRY TEAM AVAILABLE

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

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

Dear friends,

We celebrate Harvest this Sunday 9 October. We call it a “Mission Sunday” as we give to the traditional harvest display of non-perishable produce for mission in our local community, via the Food Bank and The Cellar Café, and financially to mission oversees through our partner charity Five Talents. There’s a list of items that the Food bank needs really urgently, and information about the wonderful work of Five Talents in marginalised communities further afield.

The Minster Vote [16 Oct]: There is a call to fast and pray before the EPCMs, from 11am on Sat 15th Oct to 11am on 16th October. Information on how to participate is in the notices. The last of the Q&A sessions are happening this Sunday between and after morning services at Busbridge. If you still have questions, do email them to Simon Taylor or David Wilkin via the church office. Archdeacon Paul Davies will also answer questions during the EPCM, but time will be more limited.

Thanks to the leaders and helpers on the Pre-Marriage Course last Saturday. It does require quite a big team! The feedback from the 7 couples who are looking forward to getting married at Busbridge and Hambledon next year was, as ever, so positive. The sessions and talks are really insightful, a delicious lunch is provided and there’s even some fun (3-legged) exercises to demonstrate the learning points!

Sunday 9 October

Marks of the Early Church
Week 4: Worldly wealth v Real wealth

Reading: Acts 16:16-32

9.30AM Busbridge Contemporary Service
Led by: Simon Taylor | Speaker: Patrick Samuels
Busbridge Church

Harvest gifts will be gathered in at the end of the service, after the children have been reunited with their parents. This means that parents should keep the gifts with them during the service.

10.45AM Minster Q&A session + coffee in the Yew Tree Café – all welcome

11.15AM Busbridge Classic Service
Led by: Andy Spencer | Speaker: Andy Spencer
Busbridge Church

12:15PM Minster Q&A session + coffee in the Yew Tree Café – all welcome

6PM Busbridge Evening Service
Led by: Simon Taylor | Speaker: Patrick Samuels
Busbridge Church

10AM Hambledon Morning Worship [Holy Communion]
Led by: Simon Willetts | Speaker: Peter Shaw
Hambledon Church

Harvest Collection for the Foodbank and The Cellar – MOST WANTED LIST:

Baby wipes
Biscuits
Cartons of fruit juice
Coffee
Corned beef/Spam/Ham
Cream crackers
Custard
Hot dogs
Instant noodles
Nappies (size 4 and 6)
Pasta sauce
Peas
Ritz crackers
Shampoo
Tinned chilli
Tinned and instant potatoes
Tinned rice pudding
Tinned sweetcorn
Toilet cleaner

For the full list see: https://parishofgodalming.org.uk/st-marks-food-bank/

Please contact the church office if you can help SHIFT the harvest goods from church to the Cellar and the Food Bank w/c 10 October.

Harvest Appeal for Five Talents

See https://www.fivetalents.org.uk/

Rachel and Kris Lindley of Five Talents last visited Busbridge and Hambledon in 2018, so we are really looking forward to hearing from Five Talents “advocates” Major General Tim Cross, Richard Jones and Richard Grey in our Harvest Services. Five Talents have written to thank us for choosing their cause this Harvest, and for our ongoing support. Here’s their message: Five Talents Letter of Introduction 2022. To make a donation to the Harvest Appeal, please follow the instructions on the GIVING page.

Sunday 16 October

Marks of the Early Church
Week 4: Searching the Scriptures

Reading Acts 17: 10-17

9.30AM Busbridge Contemporary Service [Holy Communion]
Led by: Patrick Samuels | Speaker: Simon Taylor
Busbridge Church

11.15AM Busbridge Classic Service
Led by: Keith Harper | Speaker: Simon Taylor
Busbridge Church

10AM Hambledon Morning Worship
Led by Philippa Baker | Speaker: Hilary Pettman
Hambledon Church

***EPCMs 1.30PM Hambledon | 3PM Busbridge***

4PM Hambledon Messy Church – all welcome
Hambledon Village Hall

6PM Unplugged
Busbridge Church

Notices

Jess Ficatier is coming out of maternity leave to speak to Nexus tonight! Jess works for an organisation aiming to provide sustainable homes for people living in climate risk locations.  The impact of climate change on communities in ‘at risk’ countries is extreme and devastating. Do come along and listen to Jess’s insight into this crucially important topic.

We meet in The Yew Tree Café at 8.00pm. There’ll be a welcoming glass of wine, or soft drinks, and nibbles and the chance to catch up with each other before Jess starts her presentation.

All are welcome, including men! We  look forward to seeing you. Our annual Membership fee is £18. There will be a visitor fee of £5.00 for non-members.

GODALMING MINSTER: EPCMs (Extraordinary Parochial Church Meetings) will take place on Sunday 16 October: 1.30pm at Hambledon and 3pm at Busbridge. Archdeacon Paul Davies will chair the meetings at which members on the electoral rolls of each church are called to vote on whether to unite the parishes of Busbridge, Hambledon and Godalming to become a Minster.

The Godalming Minster section of the web site now includes a high level summery and FAQs about what the vote involves, and this will be added to over the coming weeks.

Q&A sessions continue this Sunday at Busbridge after services at 10.45am and 12.15pm.

Call to Pray and Fast: 11am Sat 15/10-11am Sun 16/10

A group from the church have committed to pray and “flexi-fast” over 24 hours before the EPCMs, and would encourage everyone to take part as they feel able. If you would like to join them, see the guidance for fasting, and attend a prayer gathering:

• 11-11:30am – Minster EPCM prayer at Busbridge Church

• 5pm – Minster EPCM prayer at Hambledon Church

• 8pm – online Minster EPCM prayer – for anyone, including those not able to attend either church for the prayer meetings.

Coming Up:

See the events coming up next below or look up dates further ahead in the full calendar. Select the event for details and the location (online or on site).

DATES FOR THE DIARY

23rd Oct – Hambledon Lunch in aid of HMP Send Prison – Nazareth Way

6th Nov – 9.30am Contemporary Pilot at St Peter and St Paul’s (replaces Muddy)

13th Nov – Combined services for Remembrance. 10.30am Hambledon, 10.45am Busbridge

20th Nov – An event for Ukraine in Busbridge Church – all welcome. (replaces Unplugged, but youth encouraged as there will be young people giving a presentation).

Regular Events

Hambledon Morning Prayer takes place on Wednesdays at 9am. All welcome.

Busbridge Morning Prayer is ONLINE on Wednesdays at 9am.

Prayer gatherings for Ukraine are now at Hambledon Church at 7.30pm on 1st Tuesdays of the month.

Next Hambledon Coffee Morning and Hearing Aid Clinic is 19th October. All welcome.

church Family News

Congratulation to Judith Hawkey who has joined the Church Army community as a covenanted member. Judith made promises to God, to love and serve people and live her life according to the Church Army rule of life. This speaks of vocation and commitment and her passion to serve the Lord using the gifts he has given. Judith would be delighted to speak to anyone about it, particularly those who might also wish to explore where God is calling them. Sheila and Patrick Samuels are also happy to share their experience of the Church Army.

We send our love to Richard Hemery, whose mother died suddenly last week.  Please hold Richard, Nicky, Annabel and the wider family in your prayers.

Vacancies

The closing date for the 4-11s Children’s Worker ad is 18 October. Please take a look at the revised job, pray and share it. Simon would be happy to talk to anyone about it, even if the specification and terms are not a perfect match.

please pray for

• Clock Barn Lane, Cheshire Home

• Alvernia Road and its road steward Kate Brockman

• The EPCMs on 16 October, for God’s guidance and blessing on all those on the electoral rolls who are coming to vote on the Godalming Minster Proposal.

ELSEWHERE

Read the latest issue (OCTOBER) of Churches Together in Godalming and District Link Up.

Godalming Baptist Church Life Sessions. Please see the full brochure here.

Don’t forget about…

Things in the following areas may not make the notices, but the latest info can be found on the web pages:

Yew Tree Café Opening Hours
8.30am-4pm from 5 Sep and 10am-2pm Saturday!

Busbridge and Hambledon Churches are open daily for private prayer.

PASTORAL CARE & PRAYER MINISTRY TEAM AVAILABLE

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

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

Dear friends,

In the reading from Acts for this Sunday, we see the opening of heart and home. We’ll look at the role of women, the importance of work and ask ourselves: are we a vital part of God’s Harvest?

It’s the same reading at Muddy Church, looked at in a slightly different way, but that’s probably to be expected. Meet at the Holloway Hill (Busbridge) rec, and order your bacon buttie from the Howling Owl in advance. (Coffee and pastries on sale from the coffee van too). Details of how to pre-order are below. What service!

We celebrate Harvest next Sunday 9 October. We call it a “Mission Sunday” as we give to the traditional harvest display of non-perishable produce for mission in our local community, via the Food Bank and The Cellar Café, and financially to mission oversees through our partner charity Five Talents. There’s a list of items that the Food bank needs really urgently, and information about the wonderful work of Five Talents in marginalised communities further afield.

The Minster Vote [16 Oct]: Q&A sessions continue at Hambledon at 11am this Sunday and Monday 3rd October at 8pm, and next Sunday between and after morning services at Busbridge. There is a call to fast and pray before the EPCMs, from 11am on Sat 15th Oct to 11am on 16th October. Information on how to participate is in the notices.

Please read on!

Sunday 2 October

Marks of the Early Church
Week 2: Are you a vital part of God’s harvest?

Reading: Acts 16: 11-15 & 40

9.30AM MUDDY CHURCH
Led by: Mark Puddephatt, Suzie Lambert and the Fuse Team

The Howling Owl at the rec will be open from 9am and will be serving hot drinks and freshly baked pastries, so people might like to bring their wallets. There will also be bacon rolls available, but they will probably be popular! If anyone wants to avoid a wait and guarantee a bacon roll (£3.75 each), they are available to pre order, by emailing Wendy at the Howling Owl in advance, on wendy@howlingowl.co.uk. 

11.15AM Busbridge Classic Service [Holy Communion]
Led by: Patrick Samuels | Speaker: Simon Taylor
Busbridge Church

10AM Hambledon Morning Worship
Led by Simon Willetts
Hambledon Church

11AM Minster Q&A session + coffee – all welcome
Hambledon Church

Sunday 9 October

Marks of the Early Church
Week 4: Worldly wealth v Real wealth

Reading: Acts 16:16-32

9.30AM Busbridge Contemporary Service
Led by: Simon Taylor | Speaker: Simon Willetts
Busbridge Church

10.45AM Minster Q&A session + coffee in the Yew Tree Café – all welcome

11.15AM Busbridge Classic Service
Led by: Andy Spencer | Speaker: Simon Willetts
Busbridge Church

12:15PM Minster Q&A session + coffee in the Yew Tree Café – all welcome

6PM Busbridge Evening Service
Led by: Simon Taylor | Speaker: Simon Willetts
Busbridge Church

10AM Hambledon Morning Worship [Holy Communion]
Led by: Patrick Samuels | Speaker: Peter Shaw
Hambledon Church

Harvest Collection for the Foodbank and The Cellar – MOST WANTED LIST:

Baby wipes
Biscuits
Custard
Instant noodles
Peas
Ritz crackers
Tinned chilli
Tinned green beans
Tinned rice pudding
Tinned sweetcorn
Tinned tomatoes
Toilet cleaner
For the full list see: https://parishofgodalming.org.uk/st-marks-food-bank/

Please contact the church office if you can help SHIFT the harvest goods from church to the Cellar and the Food Bank w/c 10 October.

Harvest Appeal for Five Talents

See https://www.fivetalents.org.uk/

Rachel and Kris Lindley of Five Talents last visited Busbridge and Hambledon in 2018, so we are really looking forward to hearing from Five Talents “advocates” Major General Tim Cross, Richard Jones and Richard Grey in our Harvest Services. Five Talents have written to thank us for choosing their cause this Harvest, and for our ongoing support. Here’s their message: Five Talents Letter of Introduction 2022. To make a donation to the Harvest Appeal, please follow the instructions on the GIVING page.

Notices

GODALMING MINSTER: EPCMs (Extraordinary Parochial Church Meetings) will take place on Sunday 16 October: 1.30pm at Hambledon and 3pm at Busbridge. Archdeacon Paul Davies will chair the meetings at which members on the electoral rolls of each church are called to vote on whether to unite the parishes of Busbridge, Hambledon and Godalming to become a Minster.

The Godalming Minster section of the web site now includes a high level summery and FAQs about what the vote involves, and this will be added to over the coming weeks.

Q&A sessions continue this Sunday:

2 October Hambledon 11am

Monday 3 Oct Hambledon 8pm

9 October Busbridge 10.45 and 12.15

Call to Pray and Fast: 11am Sat 15/10-11am Sun 16/10

A group from the church have committed to pray and “flexi-fast” over 24 hours before the EPCMs, and would encourage everyone to take part as they feel able. If you would like to join them, see the guidance for fasting, and attend a prayer gathering:

• 11-11:30am – Minster EPCM prayer at Busbridge Church

• 5pm – Minster EPCM prayer at Hambledon Church

• 8pm – online Minster EPCM prayer – for anyone, including those not able to attend either church for the prayer meetings.

Coming Up:

NEXUS TALK – Thurs 6 Oct: ‘Habitat for Humanity’’ – Jess Ficatier

We’re pleased to welcome Jess Ficatier to talk about ‘Habitat for Humanity’.  Jess works for an organisation aiming to provide sustainable homes for people living in climate risk locations.  This summer we’ve had a small taste of the impact of climate change.  The effect on communities in ‘at risk’ countries is far more extreme and devastating. Do come along and listen to Jess’s insight into this crucially important topic which we all need to try to understand.

We meet in Busbridge Old Rectory (or maybe the Yew Tree Café!) at 8.00pm. There’ll be a welcoming glass of wine, or soft drinks, and nibbles and the chance to catch up with each other before Jess starts her presentation.

All are welcome, including men if they wish to join us.

OUTWARD GIVING – NEWS from our MISSION PARTNERS

No request for funds here, but members of the congregation of this Open Doors partner church should be aware that Brother Andrew, founder of Open Doors, passed away yesterday (Tuesday 27th) peacefully, with his family around him in the Netherlands, at the age of 94. More information available on the Open Doors website www.opendoorsuk.org 

TTT – Mission on our doorstep

For over 20 years TTT has been taking the love of Christ to local young people, meeting them at their point of need, whether in church, schools or community settings.

We ask you to uphold us in your prayers as we seek to support young people in finding a purpose and direction in their lives as we point to Jesus as the way, the truth and the life.

Why not check out our website for more on what we do  www.trinitytrustteam.co.uk and to sign up for a termly newsletter? You could also support us by attending the concert at

St John’s Church, Farncombe, on 30th September kindly staged by Julian Lewry Music (https://www.wegottickets.com/event/522968)

See the events coming up next below or look up dates further ahead in the full calendar. Select the event for details and the location (online or on site).

Hambledon Morning Prayer takes place on Wednesdays at 9am. All welcome.

Busbridge Morning Prayer is ONLINE on Wednesdays at 9am.

Prayer gatherings for Ukraine are now at Hambledon Church at 7.30pm on 1st Tuesdays of the month.

Next Hambledon Coffee Morning and Hearing Aid Clinic is 19th October. All welcome.

Vacancies

The search for a new FULL TIME 4-11s Children’s Worker continues. Please take a look at the revised job, pray and share it. Simon would be happy to talk to anyone about it, even if the specification and terms are not a perfect match.

Please continue to pray for these vacancies and that God’s people are called to the roles.

New Service times at both churches from September

Pick up a list of the new service times for September from church this Sunday or over the summer. It includes the special Sunday dates for Autumn too, so please watch out for the deviations!

please pray for

• Marwick Lane

• Quartermile Road and its road steward Jan Pinto

• The pre-marriage course this weekend – couples taking part the leaders.

ELSEWHERE

Read the latest issue (SEPTEMBER) of Churches Together in Godalming and District Link Up.

Godalming Baptist Church Life Sessions. Please see the full brochure here.

Don’t forget about…

Things in the following areas may not make the notices, but the latest info can be found on the web pages:

Yew Tree Café Opening Hours
8.30am-4pm from 5 Sep and 10am-2pm Saturday!

Busbridge and Hambledon Churches are open daily for private prayer.

PASTORAL CARE & PRAYER MINISTRY TEAM AVAILABLE

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

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

The Autumn Spruce last Saturday: Busbridge and Hambledon Churches are a home from home for many of us, so keeping them up to welcoming and cared for condition is a matter of pride and joy. Thanks to everyone who rolled up their sleeves and had fun doing it. A full morning at Busbridge was rewarded with a BBQ, then we did it all again at Hambledon! As usual we were blessed with sunshine. See you again in May when it will all need doing again!

Dear friends,

It’s time to look ahead at the things coming up in October. Harvest, the Annual Memorial service, and of course the EPCMs on 16 October.

This Sunday looks relatively “normal” (phew) with space to come and savour worship, prayer and teaching, and for our young people to enjoy their children’s and youth groups. The sermons will be relevant and topical, and there is a chance to join a Minster Q&A session between morning services at Busbridge.

See you on Sunday or watch on demand: https://www.youtube.com/bhcgodalmingonline !

Sunday 25 September

Marks of the Early Church
Week 3: The call to leave the known for the unknown.

Reading: Acts 16: 6-10

When one door closes another one opens – is that your experience?

9.30AM Busbridge Contemporary Service
Led by: Patrick Samuels | Speaker: Simon Willetts
Busbridge Church

10.45AM Minster Q&A session + coffee in the Yew Tree Café – all welcome

11.15AM Busbridge Classic Service
Led by: Maggie Jagger | Speaker: Simon Willetts
Busbridge Church

6PM Busbridge Evening Service [Holy Communion]
Led by: Simon Willetts
Busbridge Church

10AM Hambledon Morning Worship
Reading: Isaiah 6:1-8
Led by: Dudley Hilton | Speaker: David Jenkins
Hambledon Church

Sunday 2 October

Marks of the Early Church
Week 2: Are you a vital part of God’s harvest?

Reading: Acts 16: 11-15 & 40

In this passage we see the opening of heart and home. Paul’s mission strategy seems to seek out those who appear receptive. In Philippi it was with a group praying by the riverside. We’ll consider the role of women, and the importance of work.

It’s the same reading at Muddy Church, looked at from a slightly different perspective.

9.30AM MUDDY CHURCH
Led by: Mark Puddephatt, Suzie Lambert and the Fuse Team

11.15AM Busbridge Classic Service [Holy Communion]
Led by: Patrick Samuels | Speaker: Simon Taylor
Busbridge Church

10AM Hambledon Morning Worship
Led by Simon Willetts | Speaker: Philippa Baker
Hambledon Church

11AM Minster Q&A session + coffee – all welcome
Hambledon Church

Notices

GODALMING MINSTER: EPCMs (Extraordinary Parochial Church Meetings) will take place on Sunday 16 October: 1.30pm at Hambledon and 3pm at Busbridge. Archdeacon Paul Davies will chair the meetings at which members on the electoral rolls of each church are called to vote on whether to unite the parishes of Busbridge, Hambledon and Godalming to become a Minster.

The Godalming Minster section of the web site now includes a high level summery and FAQs about what the vote involves, and this will be added to over the coming weeks.

Q&A sessions continue this Sunday:

25 September Busbridge 10.45 between services

2 October Hambledon 11am

Monday 3 Oct Hambledon 8pm

9 October Busbridge 10.45 and 12.15

You need to be on the Electoral Roll to vote at the EPCM. An email has been sent to all those on the electoral rolls, and some will have received a reminder that they are not. If you have not received either message and would like to join, you have 24 hours to get an application form in…The closing date for new applications is 23 Sep (21 days before the meeting). Forms are available at the back of the churches, or to download here.

Coming Up:

NEXUS TALK – Thurs 6 Oct: ‘Habitat for Humanity’’ – Jess Ficatier

We’re pleased to welcome Jess Ficatier to talk about ‘Habitat for Humanity’.  Jess works for an organisation aiming to provide sustainable homes for people living in climate risk locations.  This summer we’ve had a small taste of the impact of climate change.  The effect on communities in ‘at risk’ countries is far more extreme and devastating. Do come along and listen to Jess’s insight into this crucially important topic which we all need to try to understand.

We meet in Busbridge Old Rectory (or maybe the Yew Tree Café!) at 8.00pm. There’ll be a welcoming glass of wine, or soft drinks, and nibbles and the chance to catch up with each other before Jess starts her presentation.

All are welcome, including men if they wish to join us.

Sign up for Walk the Wey – and help the vulnerable and disadvantaged in our diocese

Sponsored walk 8 October 2022

Following the successful Walk the (North Downs) Way sponsored walk last year, Bishop Andrew and Bishop Jo are inviting you to join them once again, but this time to Walk the Wey to Guildford. Last year’s walk was an enjoyable day’s walk in the autumn sunshine which raised £4,300 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. They would love your help this year so that the Fund can support more community projects.

This year they will be walking the Wey Navigation tow path on Saturday 8th October with walk options of 6 or 12 miles starting either in Godalming, West Byfleet or Send. 

During the past year the Fund, which supports parish outreach projects, has provided funds to help, among others, St Martin’s, Old Dean, Camberley launch a community breakfast scheme in an area of high deprivation, keep Andy’s Café at St Andrew’s, Goldworth Park serving the community while it recovered from lockdown and set up a support group for new mothers at St Mark’s, Great Tattenhams.

To find out more about the walk and how to donate to the Fund please click on this link.

To register an interest in taking part contact claire.isherwood@cofeguildford.org.uk giving your name, parish, mobile number and likely starting point.

See the events coming up next below or look up dates further ahead in the full calendar. Select the event for details and the location (online or on site).

Hambledon Morning Prayer takes place on Wednesdays at 9am. All welcome.

Busbridge Morning Prayer is ONLINE on Wednesdays at 9am.

Prayer gatherings for Ukraine are now at Hambledon Church at 7.30pm on 1st Tuesdays of the month.

Next Hambledon Coffee Morning and Hearing Aid Clinic is 19th October. All welcome.

Church Family News

Congratulations to Tessa and Will (Contemporary Congregation) on the birth of their baby boy this week. We look forward to hearing more details, and to welcoming baby Halford to the church family.

Vacancies

The search for a new FULL TIME 4-11s Children’s Worker continues. Please take a look at the revised job, pray and share it. Simon would be happy to talk to anyone about it, even if the specification and terms are not a perfect match.

Please continue to pray for these vacancies and that God’s people are called to the roles.

OUTWARD GIVING – NEWS from our MISSION PARTNERS

TTT – Mission on our doorstep

For over 20 years TTT has been taking the love of Christ to local young people, meeting them at their point of need, whether in church, schools or community settings.

We ask you to uphold us in your prayers as we seek to support young people in finding a purpose and direction in their lives as we point to Jesus as the way, the truth and the life.

Why not check out our website for more on what we do  www.trinitytrustteam.co.uk and to sign up for a termly newsletter? You could also support us by attending the concert at

St John’s Church, Farncombe, on 30th September kindly staged by Julian Lewry Music (https://www.wegottickets.com/event/522968)

New Service times at both churches from September

Pick up a list of the new service times for September from church this Sunday or over the summer. It includes the special Sunday dates for Autumn too, so please watch out for the deviations!

please pray for

Alldens Lane

Admiral Way and its road steward Derek Pearsall

Students leaving home for college and university, and their families.

ELSEWHERE

Read the latest issue (SEPTEMBER) of Churches Together in Godalming and District Link Up.

Godalming Baptist Church Life Sessions. Please see the full brochure here.

Don’t forget about…

Things in the following areas may not make the notices, but the latest info can be found on the web pages:

Yew Tree Café Opening Hours
8.30am-4pm from 5 Sep and 10am-2pm Saturday!

Busbridge and Hambledon Churches are open daily for private prayer.

PASTORAL CARE & PRAYER MINISTRY TEAM AVAILABLE

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

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

Dear friends,

The three important things to note this week are:

1) The church office and Yew Tree Café are observing the bank holiday for Her Majesty The Queen’s funeral on Monday 19th September. Both churches will be open as usual for private prayer and reflection, and for those that wish to sign the book of condolence. The books will be removed on Tuesday to be sent to the royal archives. (This means that the hearing aid clinic in Godalming Library is cancelled this month.)

2) Godalming Minster Q&A sessions: In advance of the EPCMs on 16 October, find out more about the Godalming Minster proposal by coming to one of the Q&A sessions running after services each week at either church. For details see the Godalming Minster Proposal which has info about the EPCM and FAQs about the Minster.

3) This Sunday is the 2nd week of the sermon series: Marks of the Early Church with the topic The Church on the Move.

Service details are below, followed by the notices and What’s On.

Oh, and if you are coming to the Autumn Spruce tomorrow, we look forward to seeing you at 10am in the Old Rectory for coffee and croissant before you get to work. (The café will be open for take away a little earlier). If you haven’t signed up it’s not too late to reply, or just show up!

Sunday 18 September

Marks of the Early Church
Week 2: The Church on the move

Reading: Acts 13: 1-5

10AM Hambledon Morning Worship
Led by Simon Willetts | Speaker: Philippa Baker
Hambledon Church

9.30AM Busbridge Contemporary [Holy Communion]
Led by: Patrick Samuels | Speaker: Simon Taylor

11.15AM Busbridge Classic Service
Led by: Patrick Samuels | Speaker: Simon Taylor
Busbridge Church

4PM Messy Church
Hambledon Village Hall

Sunday 25 September

Reading: Acts 16: 6-10

The call to leave the known for the unknown.

9.30AM Busbridge Contemporary Service
Led by: Patrick Samuels | Speaker: Simon Willetts
Busbridge Church

11.15AM Busbridge Classic Service
Led by: Maggie Jagger | Speaker: Simon Willetts
Busbridge Church

6PM Busbridge Evening Service [Holy Communion]
Led by: Simon Willetts
Busbridge Church

10AM Hambledon Morning Worship
Reading: Isaiah 6:1-8
Led by: Dudley Hilton | Speaker: David Jenkins
Hambledon Church

Notices

GODALMING MINSTER: EPCMs (Extraordinary Parochial Church Meetings) will take place on Sunday 16 October: 1.30pm at Hambledon and 3pm at Busbridge. Archdeacon Paul Davies will chair the meetings at which members on the electoral rolls of each church are called to vote on whether to join with Godalming parish and become a Minster.

The Godalming Minster section of the web site now includes a high level summery and FAQs about what the vote involves, and this will be added to over the coming weeks.

Q&A sessions start this Sunday and continue each week until the 9 October. You can attend any session, but the timing varies each Sunday so that there’s two chances for each congregation to stay on.

This Sunday it will be at 12.15 at Busbridge, following the Classic service. Further sessions will be:

25 September Busbridge 10.45 between services

2 October Hambledon 11am

Monday 3 Oct Hambledon 8pm

9 October Busbridge 10.45 and 12.15

You need to be on the Electoral Roll to vote at the EPCM. The closing date for new applications is 23 Sep (21 days before the meeting). Forms are available at the back of the churches, or to download here.

Thanks to Chris Garner and the Prime Time team for leading a lovely walk for a pub lunch last Saturday. It was good to be together on a sad weekend.

Coming Up:

See the list below or look up dates further ahead in the full calendar. Select the event for details and the location (online or on site).

Hambledon Morning Prayer takes place on Wednesdays at 9am. All welcome.

Busbridge Morning Prayer ONLINE on Wednesdays at 9am will restart on 23 Sep.

Prayer gatherings for Ukraine are now at Hambledon Church at 7.30pm on 1st Tuesdays of the month.

Next Hambledon Coffee Morning and Hearing Aid Clinic is 21st September. All welcome.

Church Family News

Congratulations to Tessa and Will (Contemporary Congregation) on the birth of their baby boy this week. We look forward to hearing more details, and to welcoming baby Halford to the church family.

Vacancies

The search for a new FULL TIME 4-11s Children’s Worker continues. Please take a look at the revised job, pray and share it. Simon would be happy to talk to anyone about it, even if the specification and terms are not a perfect match.

Please continue to pray for these vacancies and that God’s people are called to the roles.

New Service times at both churches from September

Pick up a list of the new service times for September from church this Sunday or over the summer. It includes the special Sunday dates for Autumn too, so please watch out for the deviations!

ELSEWHERE

In aid of Trinity Trust Team (local mission partner): Julian Lewry has organised a charity concert at St John’s Church Farncombe on Friday 30th September.

Proceeds to be split between CAFOD and Trinity Trust Team. The Band is On The Run , a Pink Floyd tribute band.

Booking of Tickets can be via .https://www.wegottickets.com/event/522968

The advance price is £19.80 which includes the agency’s 10% booking fee. The on door cash price is £22

Read the latest issue (SEPTEMBER) of Churches Together in Godalming and District Link Up.

Godalming Baptist Church Life Sessions. Please see the full brochure here. September’s talk is on Compassion Fatigue

Don’t forget about…

Things in the following areas may not make the notices, but the latest info can be found on the web pages:

Yew Tree Café Opening Hours
8.30am-4pm from 5 Sep and 10am-2pm Saturday!

Busbridge and Hambledon Churches are open daily for private prayer.

PASTORAL CARE & PRAYER MINISTRY TEAM AVAILABLE

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

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

Dear friends,

This Sunday will see the return of the full range of church services at Busbridge&Hambledon Church, at the new times of 9.30am for Busbridge Contemporary, 10am for Hambledon Morning Worship and 11.15am for Busbridge Classic. The Busbridge Evening service takes place as before at 6pm on 2nd and 4th Sundays.

We will be paying tribute to Her Majesty The Queen in all services with a minute’s silence, the national anthem and specially selected hymns and songs. The communion service at Hambledon will be fully dedicated to Queen Elizabeth II.

Sunday is also Proclamation Day and Godalming’s formal proclamation of the new King Charles III by the Mayor will be at 4.30pm and at The Pepperpot.

In the meantime, the Busbridge and Hambledon church bells were tolled at noon today and visitors have come to sign the books of condolence in both churches. For prayers and the online book of condolence, please go to www.churchofengland.org.

Service details are below, followed by the notices and What’s On. Read on for info about the EPCMs on 16 October to vote on the Godalming Minster proposal, the Autumn Spruce next Saturday and the new sermon series: Marks of the Early Church.

Sunday 11 September

Reading: Acts 9:1-19

The sermon series for the next month is called Marks of the Early Church, and we’re looking at Acts to reflect on what we can learn as individuals and as a church from the challenges to the church at that time. The sermons for this Sunday have been adjusted in response to the death of the queen, but here is Andy with a brief intro to the theme.

9.30AM Contemporary Service
Led by: Simon Taylor | Speaker: Andy Spencer
Busbridge Church

Children’s groups restart. Drop off from 9.20am Creche and Explorers in the Old Rectory and the Ark in the Village Hall.

[There will be donuts with coffee between the services, as we suspect the Queen liked them too.]

11.15AM Classic Service
Led by: Peter Shaw | Speaker: Andy Spencer
Busbridge Church

6PM Busbridge Evening Service
Led by: Simon Taylor
Busbridge Church

HAMBLEDON CHURCH
10AM A Service for the Queen [Holy Communion]
Reading: Isaiah 6:1-8
Led by: Simon Willetts | Speaker: David Jenkins

Sunday 18 September

Marks of the Early Church
Week 2: The Church on the move

Reading: Acts 13: 1-5

10AM Morning Worship
Hambledon Church

9.30AM Contemporary
(Replaces the Contemporary service in Church)

11.15AM Classic Service [Holy Communion]
Led by: Patrick Samuels | Speaker: Simon Taylor
Busbridge Church

4PM Messy Church
Hambledon Village Hall

Notices

GODALMING MINSTER: EPCMs (Extraordinary Parochial Church Meetings) will take place on Sunday 16 October: 1.30pm at Hambledon and 3pm at Busbridge. Archdeacon Paul Davies will chair the meetings at which members on the electoral rolls of each church are called to ratify the PCCs’ decision to join with Godalming parish and become a Minster. An update following the PCCs vote on 11 July will be emailed to all those on the Electoral Roll, but the slides below are part one of the overview series and show dates for Q&A sessions after services in the coming weeks.

You need to be on the Electoral Roll to vote at the EPCM. The closing date for new applications is 23 Sep (21 days before the meeting). Forms are available at the back of the churches, or to download here.

SIGN UP NOW to the Autumn Spruce!

Having missed the Spring Clean and the Summer Blitz, come September the churches will be in much need of a back to church Autumn “Spruce”! Please sign up now. We do need your help, but the getting together is just as important. Click the flyer to sign up.

Coming Up:

See the list below or look up dates further ahead in the full calendar. Select the event for details and the location (online or on site).

Busbridge Morning Prayer on Wednesdays will restart the following week on 23 Sep.

Prayer gatherings for Ukraine will take at Hambledon Church at 7.30pm on 1st Tuesdays of the month.

Autumn Alpha Course – an Autumn Alpha course will start on Thursday 15th September at St Mark’s Church and run on Thursdays until 24th November (with a break for half-term). Contact Sheila.Samuels@bhcgodalming.org if you’d like to join the course or find out more. We are looking for a catering team to provide one or more of the meals. Please let Sheila know if you’d like to help with this fundamental and most enjoyable element!

Next Hambledon Coffee Morning and Hearing Aid Clinic is 21st September. All welcome.

Vacancies

The search for a new FULL TIME 4-11s Children’s Worker continues. Please take a look at the revised job, pray and share it. Simon would be happy to talk to anyone about it, even if the specification and terms are not a perfect match.

Please continue to pray for these vacancies and that God’s people are called to the roles.

Please pray for

• The start up of children’s and youth groups

• Hambledon Road and the Nursery School

• Monteagle and Westdean and its road stewards Jo and Guy Cookes

New Service times at both churches from September

Pick up a list of the new service times for September from church this Sunday or over the summer. It includes the special Sunday dates for Autumn too, so please watch out for the deviations!

ELSEWHERE

Read the latest issue (SEPTEMBER) of Churches Together in Godalming and District Link Up.

Godalming Baptist Church Life Sessions. Please see the full brochure here. September’s talk is on Compassion Fatigue

Don’t forget about…

Things in the following areas may not make the notices, but the latest info can be found on the web pages:

Yew Tree Café Opening Hours
8.30am-4pm from 5 Sep and 10am-2pm Saturday!

Busbridge and Hambledon Churches are open daily for private prayer.

PRAYER MINISTRY TEAM AVAILABLE

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

Dear friends,

It’s the end of summer, or the school holidays at least, and there’s an odd mixed feeling of wishing it would go on longer, and readiness for a renewed sense of purpose and direction. If that’s the case for you, look no further than church this September. Here are the headlines:

• Welcome to Ben Barnes, the new Director of Youth and Children, and to Owen Morgan, Assistant Manager at the Yew Tree Café who joined the BHC staff team this week. You can meet Ben and his family at Muddy this Sunday, and at church from 11 Sep. Owen will, of course, be found in the Yew Tree Café on a Monday, Tuesday and Friday (and every other Saturday).

• SAVE THE DATE for the EPCMs (Extraordinary Parochial Church Meetings) on Sunday 16 October: 1.30pm at Hambledon and 3pm at Busbridge. Archdeacon Paul Davies will chair the meetings at which members on the electoral rolls of each church are called to ratify the PCCs’ decision to join with Godalming parish and become a Minster. [More details below]

• The new service times start this week for Muddy Church and Busbridge Classic, and will take effect in Hambledon from 11 September.

• Muddy (All Age) Church restarts this Sunday at the Jack Philips Memorial – at the the new Contemporary service time of 9.30am. Look out for friends from St Peter and St Paul’s and St Mark’s.

• To prolong the summer atmosphere a little longer, Hymns and Pimms (6PM this Sunday at Hambledon) promises to be a joyous way to regather after the summer and enjoy singing a selection of peoples favourite hymns. All welcome.

• Please sign up for the The Autumn Spruce on 17 September. It’s a great way to help and meet people who you might not get the chance to mix with at other times. There’s jobs to suit everyone!

• The church is now hiring a new full time Worship Pastor, and full time 4-11s Children’s Worker. If you can help by sharing the ads, praying for the vacancies or applying we’d love to hear from you.

• Alpha led by Sheila Samuels at St Mark’s starting 15 Sep. Could this be the time to join the course, or help with catering?

If it’s the fundamental bits of church life you are looking forward to again:

• Services, youth and children’s work, and mid-week prayer and activities restart in the next fortnight. Please check the calendar.

• The teaching series for the new term starts on 11 September. Marks of the Early Church will follow the Acts of the Apostles and will ask us to reflect on what we can learn form the first century church, both as individuals and as a church.

• To complement the sermon series and continuing the theme for the year on building Christian Character, the recommended study for Small Groups is on The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren and the groups will be attempting to answer 3 simple questions: Why am I alive? Does my life matter? What is my purpose? If you would like to join a small group or find out more e: smallgroups@bhcgodalming.org.

Sunday 4 September

*New Term*New Service times*

Produce enduring faithfulness
Readings: 2 Timothy 2:1-13

No Morning Service

6PM Hymns & Pimms
Hambledon Church

9.30AM Muddy Church
(Replaces the Contemporary service in Church)

11.15AM Classic Service [Holy Communion]
Led by: Patrick Samuels | Speaker: Simon Taylor
Busbridge Church

Sunday 11 September

marks of the early church
week 1: the importance of individual response to jesus

Reading: Acts 9:1-19

10AM Sunday Morning Worship [Holy Communion]
Led by: Simon Willetts | Speaker: David Jenkins
Hambledon Church

9.30AM Contemporary Service
Led by: Hilary Pettman | Speaker: Andy Spencer
Busbridge Church

Children’s groups restart. Drop off from 9.20am Creche and Explorers in the Old Rectory and the Ark in the Village Hall.

11.15AM Classic Service
Led by: Peter Shaw | Speaker: Andy Spencer
Busbridge Church

6PM Busbridge Evening Service
Led by: Simon Taylor
Busbridge Church

Notices

SIGN UP NOW to the Autumn Spruce!

Having missed the Spring Clean and the Summer Blitz, come September the churches will be in much need of a back to church Autumn “Spruce”! Please sign up now. We do need your help, but the getting together is just as important. Click the flyer to sign up.

GODALMING MINSTER: EPCMs (Extraordinary Parochial Church Meetings) will take place on Sunday 16 October: 1.30pm at Hambledon and 3pm at Busbridge. Archdeacon Paul Davies will chair the meetings at which members on the electoral rolls of each church are called to ratify the PCCs’ decision to join with Godalming parish and become a Minster.

• More about what the vote entails will follow beforehand, but do send any questions to David Wilkin e:david.wilkin@bhcgodalming.org.

• You need to be on the Electoral Roll to vote at the EPCM. The closing date for new applications is 23 Sep (21 days before the meeting). Forms are available at the back of the churches, or to download here.

Coming Up:

See the list below or look up dates further ahead in the full calendar. Select the event for details and the location (online or on site).

Men’s Breakfast – The topic for this Saturday is the proposed regeneration project in Godalming. For details select the event.

Monday Reflective Prayer on Zoom restarts on 5 September and Hambledon Morning Prayer also restarts next week on Wednesday 7 Sep. Busbridge Morning Prayer on Wednesdays will restart the following week on 14 Sep.

Prayer gatherings for Ukraine will take at Hambledon Church at 7.30pm on 1st Tuesdays of the month, from 6 Sep.

NEXUS starts its Autumn term on Thursday 8th September, when Patrick Samuels, our recently ordained Curate, will give his talk on ‘My Life Journey’.  It will be interesting to hear of his faith journey, as well as a little of his other interests and former careers, before he joined us at Busbridge and Hambledon Church. Do come along and get to know Patrick better.

We meet in Busbridge Old Rectory at 8.00pm. There’ll be a welcoming glass of wine, or soft drinks, and nibbles and the chance to catch up with each other before Patrick starts his presentation. All are welcome, including men if they’d like to come along.

Autumn Alpha Course – an Autumn Alpha course will start on Thursday 15th September at St Mark’s Church and run on Thursdays until 24th November (with a break for half-term). Contact Sheila.Samuels@bhcgodalming.org if you’d like to join the course or find out more. We are looking for a catering team to provide one or more of the meals. Please let Sheila know if you’d like to help with this fundamental and most enjoyable element!

Vacancies

Worship Pastor We are now advertising for a permanent full time Worship Pastor. It’s a crucial role, and the ad is posted on the BHC vacancies page, the Guildford Diocese web site and New Wine jobs section. Do you know anyone who might be interested? 

We’d love to be able to offer subsidised or free housing for the post to widen the attraction. Might you, or anyone you know, offer to have them as a lodger, or have them living in your annex? Please speak to Karen Hart, 07891 114306, for further details or a chat.

The search for a new FULL TIME 4-11s Children’s Worker continues. Please take a look at the revised job, pray and share it. Simon would be happy to talk to anyone about it, even if the specification and terms are not a perfect match.

Please continue to pray for these vacancies and that God’s people are called to the roles.

Also, the Diocese of Guildford is now advertising for a Hear Here! Project Lead and given BHC’s involvement with the project, it would be lovely if someone from BHC wanted to go for it.  Penny Naylor would be happy to speak to anyone about the project and the new role if people want to find out a bit more while considering whether or not to apply. The skills needed are experience of leading initiatives, managing projects and keeping on top of all the associated admin.  Knowledge of how to retube a hearing aid or how to run a hearing aid clinic are not required as Sophie will continue to oversee all the technical side of things.

Please see the job ad here.

Please pray for

• The start up of children’s and youth groups

• Hambledon Road and the Nursery School

• Monteagle and Westdean and its road stewards Jo and Guy Cookes

New Service times at both churches from September

A reminder that the Busbridge Contemporary will take place first at 9.30am and the Classic at 11.15am.

Hambledon is introducing a single 10AM service with a blended format, with Common Worship liturgy and informal contemporary elements, from September. Children’s work will be available at 10AM apart from Messy Church Sundays (3rd of the month).

Pick up a list of the new service times for September from church this Sunday or over the summer. It includes the special Sunday dates for Autumn too, so please watch out for the deviations!

ELSEWHERE

Read the latest issue (SEPTEMBER) of Churches Together in Godalming and District Link Up.

Godalming Baptist Church Life Sessions. Please see the full brochure here. September’s talk is on Compassion Fatigue

Don’t forget about…

Things in the following areas may not make the notices, but the latest info can be found on the web pages:

Yew Tree Café Opening Hours
8.30am-4pm from 5 Sep and 10am-2pm Saturday!

Busbridge and Hambledon Churches are open daily for private prayer.

PRAYER MINISTRY TEAM AVAILABLE

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

Dear friends,

If you are not away, you might be embarking on some garden tidying or a small and manageable DIY project at home or for someone else. It could be an excellent warm up for the church Autumn Spruce on 17 September! Watch the short video above if you’d like to be enthused.

Read on for details about:

• What and where this Sunday and next (the services)

• The BHC4Ukraine lunch last Sunday

• The ad for a new full time Worship Pastor, and FULL TIME 4-11s Children’s Worker

• HMP Send appeal – How about lunch with Helen?

• Muddy Church and Hymns & Pimm’s – 4 Sep

• Changes to services in September

• Alpha starting 15 Sep

Sunday 28 August

Philip and the Ethiopian official
Reading: Acts 8:26-40

10AM Morning Worship
Led by: Fran Duffell | Speaker: David Jenkins
Hambledon Church

10.30AM Combined Worship
Led by: Simon Taylor | Speaker: Margot Spencer
Busbridge Church

6PM Busbridge Evening Service
[Holy Communion]
Led by: Simon Willetts
Busbridge Church

This is Ben Ford’s last Sunday leading worship. Thanks to him for his wonderful contribution to the musical life of the church, and “raising the roof” in the last 9 months. We wish God’s guidance and blessing in whatever good things are next.

Sunday 4 September

*New Term*New Service times*

Produce enduring faithfulness
Readings: 2 Timothy 2:1-13

No Morning Service

4PM Hymns & Pimms
Hambledon Church

9.30AM Muddy Church
(Replaces the Contemporary service in Church)

11.15AM Classic Service [Holy Communion]
Led by: Andy Spencer | Speaker: Keith Harper
Busbridge Church

Notices

Thank you to Sarah Black, Will Godwin and the team who hosted an event for Ukrainians and their hosts, last Sunday afternoon, in the Old Rectory Garden and church. The young people produced an incredibly moving presentation about their experiences and it was humbling for everyone who was there to hear them sharing their hearts so openly. If you’d like to support Sarah and Will in this mission of care and love, please get in touch.

Sarah writes:

We had a wonderful time with Ukrainian guests and their hosts in the Old Rectory last Sunday.  Busbridge and Hambledon provided a delicious picnic spread with sausage rolls, cheese straws, sandwiches, cakes and delicious strawberries donated by Hall Hunter Partnership.

Unbeknown to us, the Ukrainian young people had put together a presentation to teach us more about Ukraine.  They had film of life before the war and sadly many images of life as it is now.  A quiz worked out what we know and what we don’t about Ukraine and everyone came away with a far greater understanding of life and culture in a country that has become so much closer to us.

Everyone was incredibly friendly, many people had excellent language skills and were happy to try out their English on the locals filling in the gaps with a bouncy castle, pop up tennis, face painting by one of the Ukrainian Mums and lots of chat and opportunity to develop friendships.

We are looking at another date when we can invite the young people to showcase their presentation again, along with tea and cake.  Watch out for more information.

SIGN UP NOW to the Autumn Spruce!

Having missed the Spring Clean and the Summer Blitz, come September the churches will be in much need of a back to church Autumn “Spruce”! Please sign up now. We do need your help, but the getting together is just as important. Click the flyer to sign up.

And on the subject of cleaning up and clearing out, if anyone is a keen user of online market places (e.g. ebay, freecycle, facebook marketplace) the church office would love to hear from you. The church has an ebay account, but is looking for someone to post the items and monitor the account.

Worship Pastor We are now advertising for a permanent full time Worship Pastor. It’s a crucial role, and the ad is posted on the BHC vacancies page, the Guildford Diocese web site and New Wine jobs section. Do you know anyone who might be interested? 

We’d love to be able to offer subsidised or free housing for the post to widen the attraction. Might you, or anyone you know, offer to have them as a lodger, or have them living in your annex? Please speak to Karen Hart, 07891 114306, for further details or a chat.

The search for a new FULL TIME 4-11s Children’s Worker continues. Please take a look at the revised job, pray and share it. Simon would be happy to talk to anyone about it, even if the specification and terms are not a perfect match.

Please continue to pray for these vacancies and that God’s people are called to the roles.

Outward Giving request to support the HMP Send appeal: Why not have lunch with Helen? (Leaflets are at the back of the churches)

Having served her time at HMP Send Helen is about to be released. On a Friday afternoon, just as everything is closing for the weekend, Helen walks through the prison gates with just £76 in her pocket. This is hardly enough to find her food, accommodation, and everything else she needs to see her through the weekend. And, quite likely, nobody knowing her background will trust her with a job either.

Most likely, through desperation, she will return to a life of crime simply to get some cash. And soon she will be behind bars again. Is this really necessary?

The BHC Outward Giving Group has come up with a scheme to help Helen and women like her. Give up a meal out during the summer or autumn and donate the money saved to the Nazareth Way at HMP Send. Prison Chaplain Lesley Mason will be delighted to see us helping in this way. Think of what £3000 would do in helping Helen and those like her out of their predicament.

If you are challenged by this, please donate £50 (the price of the average meal out) or anything you can afford to ‘Lunch with Helen Fund’, Busbridge PCC, Old Rectory, Old Rectory Gardens, Godalming GU7 1PU, by cheque, or direct to Busbridge PCC account 00705349, sort code 60-09-04, putting ‘Lunch with Helen Fund’ in the reference field. Shelagh Godwin, for the BHC Outward Giving Group

Coming Up:

See the list below or look up dates further ahead in the full calendar. Select the event for details and the location (online or on site).

NEXUS starts its Autumn term on Thursday 8th September, when Patrick Samuels, our recently ordained Curate, will give his talk on ‘My Life Journey’.  It will be interesting to hear of his faith journey, as well as a little of his other interests and former careers, before he joined us at Busbridge and Hambledon Church. Do come along and get to know Patrick better.

We meet in Busbridge Old Rectory at 8.00pm. There’ll be a welcoming glass of wine, or soft drinks, and nibbles and the chance to catch up with each other before Patrick starts his presentation. All are welcome, including men if they’d like to come along.

Autumn Alpha Course – an Autumn Alpha course will start on Thursday 15th September at St Mark’s Church and run on Thursdays until 24th November (with a break for half-term). Contact Sheila.Samuels@bhcgodalming.org if you’d like to join the course or find out more. We are looking for a catering team to provide one or more of the meals. Please let Sheila know if you’d like to help with this fundamental and most enjoyable element!

Vacancies

Also, the Diocese of Guildford is now advertising for a Hear Here! Project Lead and given BHC’s involvement with the project, it would be lovely if someone from BHC wanted to go for it.  Penny Naylor would be happy to speak to anyone about the project and the new role if people want to find out a bit more while considering whether or not to apply. The skills needed are experience of leading initiatives, managing projects and keeping on top of all the associated admin.  Knowledge of how to retube a hearing aid or how to run a hearing aid clinic are not required as Sophie will continue to oversee all the technical side of things.

Please see the job ad here.

Please pray for

• The vacancies on the staff team

• Staff, children and parents as the new school year begins

• Hambledon Park

• New Road and Salt Lane, Hydestile and its road stewards Olwen Downhill

New Service times at both churches from September

A reminder that the Busbridge Contemporary will take place first at 9.30am and the Classic at 11.15am.

Hambledon is introducing a single 10AM service with a blended format, with Common Worship liturgy and informal contemporary elements, from September. Children’s work will be available at 10AM apart from Messy Church Sundays (3rd of the month).

Pick up a list of the new service times for September from church this Sunday or over the summer. It includes the special Sunday dates for Autumn too, so please watch out for the deviations!

ELSEWHERE

Read the latest issue (JULY) of Churches Together in Godalming and District Link Up.

From Godalming Baptist Church: Maureen Jones is retiring from her role as Friendship Lunch cook. We are so grateful for all her very hard work over many years. We are now seeking a new cook . Friendship Lunch is a great outreach to the local community to show God’s love to many who live alone.  We need someone who would be willing to work fortnightly  Thursdays (or monthly)  9.00am-2.00pm and fortnightly on  Wednesdays in preparation (or monthly) 

Please contact Sally Pollard-01483-428646 -e-mail-pollard3@hotmail.co.uk for more details. A warm welcome awaits!

Godalming Baptist Church Life Sessions. Please see the full brochure here. September’s talk is on Compassion Fatigue

Don’t forget about…

Things in the following areas may not make the notices, but the latest info can be found on the web pages:

Yew Tree Café Opening Hours
10am-4pm [takeaway to 4.30pm] Weekdays in school holidays. 8.30am-4pm from 5 Sep.
10am-2pm Saturday

Busbridge and Hambledon Churches are open daily for private prayer.

PRAYER MINISTRY TEAM AVAILABLE

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