Racial Justice Sunday | Reading: 1 John 4:7-21

THIS SUNDAY

9.15AM BUSBRIDGE Classic Service
Led by: Keith Harper
Speaker: Peter Shaw
Busbridge Church & Online

9.30AM HAMBLEDON Heritage Service [Holy Communion]
Leader and Speaker: Simon Willetts
Hambledon Church & Online

10.30AM BUSBRIDGE Contemporary Service
Leaders: Clare Haddad & Patrick Samuels
Speaker: Margot Spencer
Busbridge Church & Online

10.30AM HAMBLEDON Contemporary Service
Leader and Speaker: Simon Willetts
Hambledon Church

Next Sunday 20 Feb

Always joyful | Reading: 1 Peter 1: 1-9

Part 1 of Living Holiness
The sermon series for 20 Feb to 27 March will examine this theme in 1 Peter.

9.15AM BUSBRIDGE Classic Service
Led by: Frances Shaw
Speaker: Simon Taylor
Busbridge Church & Online

9.30AM HAMBLEDON Heritage Service
Leader: Dudley Hilton
Speaker: David Jenkins
Hambledon Church & Online

10.30AM BUSBRIDGE Contemporary Service
Leaders: Chris Garner & Simon Willetts
Speaker: Simon Taylor
Busbridge Church & Online

4PM HAMBLEDON Messy Church
Leader and Speaker: Simon Willetts
Hambledon Village Hall

6PM BUSBRIDGE Evening [Holy Communion]
Leader: Simon Taylor
Speaker: Clare Haddad
Busbridge Church

Good things come in 3s… please give thanks for

i) the new small group that has formed following the 3 week “pop-up” small group which ran in the new year. There will surely be another pop up chance to try a small group in due course.

ii) this week’s worship night for our musicians, worship leaders and those involved in sound and audio vision for services. Ben Ford led a great evening to affirm and inspire the team. If you would like to find out more, please contact Ben. Sound and a/v is always keen to welcome and support more team members.

iii) Muddy Church. This is truly a fresh expression worth celebrating. The rain stopped and the sun came out last Sunday for a glorious morning. It’s growing, and we are glad. If you haven’t tried it yet, do look out for details of the next MC on 6 March.

Meanwhile longer standing ministries such as the Men’s Group breakfasts, and Nexus are enjoying being back together in person in the Old Rectory, both groups offering ways to engage, socially, with topical matters through a Christian lens.

And the works to the Yew Tree Café are into the final push. The long-awaited bi-fold doors are being installed this week, yay!

Looking forward to Lent?
The BHC theme for Lent this year is “Letting the Light Shine”, and understanding JOY, even in testing times. To accompany the journey through 1 Peter in the sermon series, there will be short daily reflections online. 40 key verses from 1 Peter have been shortlisted, and it would be great if members of the church could shine their light in the reflections, along with members of the clergy team. If you’d like to contribute a short (30-60 seconds) thought or prayer on one or 2 of the days, or would just like to find out more, please fill in the form below. You can submit this in writing or ideally film it on your phone.

The Yew Tree Café – Opening March 2022

Sponsor an item
You can now sponsor an item. You can sponsor everything from a mop and bucket to a coffee cup to a sofa! We want the café to be owned by the whole congregation and this is one very practical way of demonstrating this. View the YEW TREE items sponsorship list and go to Donate and either donate by BACS transfer or the donate function and use ref: YT[item].

Volunteer! See the vacancies page.
Response to the initial call for café volunteers last week has be been great, but we’d like 6-10 more people to make the team up to approx 20. If you would like to find out more, please contact us on: Yewtreecafe@BHCGodalming.org or talk to Lizzie, Karen Hart, Carol Jones, Chris Garner or Sarah Black at the end of services, or pop you details in the form below:

Road Steward needed for Summerhouse road. There is a vacancy coming up for a road steward to be the church rep, pray for and deliver the Bridge magazine in Summerhouse road. Please contact David Brockman e: editor.atthebridge@gmail.com if you could take on this role.

Simon T is grateful to the men and women of the Godalming Mother’s Union for their recent invitation to be part of a Question Time panel. The panel included local dignitaries and politicians. All panel participants were treated to a gift of home made Mother’s Union marmalade. If you haven’t heard of the Mother’s Union and their amazing work then check out https://www.mothersunion.org/

COVID UPDATE 27 Jan 2022
Following the latest changes to the Covid-19 rules in the UK, all legal restrictions are lifted for churches and places of worship. This means that face coverings are no longer a legal requirement in services. However, The Church of England and the Bishop of Guildford suggest that churches consider maintaining some precautions for the care and consideration of all members, and that these are at the discretion of the incumbent.

Busbridge&Hambledon church continues to welcome the use of face coverings in services, and a supply of masks and hand sanitiser is available in both churches and the Old Rectory. Neither church is large enough to guarantee social distancing, but we hope that those to wish to keep a little more space between themselves and others can do so. Communion will be celebrated in one kind until the end of February, when the decision to share the common cup (or invest in individual glasses) will be reviewed again. Thank you for your ongoing co-operation, and respect for each other.

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).

Please Pray for

• Local gyms and leisure centres

• The Paddock and road steward Judith Rolfe

• Upper Vann Lane

ELSEWHERE

Please see the February issue of Link Up HERE and info on other local church events:

DECISION MAKING AND THE WILL OF GOD Led by Andy Peck, Saturday 23rd April 2022, 9.30 am – 1 pm. (Coffee available from 9 am) at Godalming Baptist Church, Queen Street, Godalming, Surrey GU7 1BA

If you are looking to following in the ways of Jesus you will want to do what He says, but this is not always easy to figure out, especially when there is no chapter and verse on the topic.

Whether you have a major decision ahead or not, make the decision to attend, and all other decisions will be sorted!

Andy Peck is a Bible teacher, trainer, broadcaster and editor who has made his fair share of decision mistakes!  

He hopes that sharing what God has taught him will benefit those who attend. He is married to Nic (his best decision) and has two teenage boys.

                     Please reserve a place, with payment of £5, by contacting Sally Pollard (email: pollard3@hotmail.co.uk) Tel-01483-428646 by Friday 14th April

There is a Spring ‘Naturally Supernatural Conference 2022’ being put on this year because of the volume of demand. It is on Wednesday 11th to Saturday 14th May at Soul Survivor Watford. The conference is all about spending time in God’s presence, with extended times of worship and ministry. We’ll be studying God’s word and hearing from some great teachers as we explore what it means to live biblical, naturally supernatural lives today. It’s only £76 as well. If you are interested in going, either book directly at https://naturallysupernatural.co.uk/ or chat with Julia Stubbs eashingstubbs@aol.com. if you want to know a bit more.

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.

THIS SUNDAY

Transforming communities:  bearing fruit, generous sharing
Galatians 6

9.15AM BUSBRIDGE Classic Service
Leader: Philippa Baker
Speaker: Patrick Samuels
Busbridge Church & Online

(Coffee will be served in the chancel after Classic and before and after Contemporary for those that would like it. As coffee is optional, face coverings can be removed for this time in church. Please exit via the vestry to avoid congestion if people are setting up and arriving for the next service).

9.30AM HAMBLEDON Heritage Service
Leader: Margot Spencer
Speaker: Dudley Hilton
Hambledon Church & Online

10.30AM BUSBRIDGE Contemporary Service
Leaders: Andy Spencer and Simon Willetts
Speaker: Patrick Samuels
Busbridge Church & Online
NB New locations for Sunday morning children’s groups: The Ark meets in the Village Hall, Explorers in The Hut (youth space in the Old Rectory), and the crèche and Tiny Tigers remain in the Old Rectory too. Please drop off children off from 10.20am.

10.30AM HAMBLEDON Contemporary Service
Leader: Margot Spencer
Speaker: Dudley Hilton
Hambledon Church

COVID UPDATE 27 Jan 2022
Following the latest changes to the Covid-19 rules in the UK, all legal restrictions are lifted for churches and places of worship. This means that face coverings are no longer a legal requirement in services. However, The Church of England and the Bishop of Guildford suggest that churches consider maintaining some precautions for the care and consideration of all members, and that these are at the discretion of the incumbent.

Busbridge&Hambledon church continues to welcome the use of face coverings in services, and a supply of masks and hand sanitiser is available in both churches and the Old Rectory. Neither church is large enough to guarantee social distancing, but we hope that those to wish to keep a little more space between themselves and others can do so. Communion will be celebrated in one kind until the end of February, when the decision to share the common cup (or invest in individual glasses) will be reviewed again. Thank you for your ongoing co-operation, and respect for each other.

Next Sunday 6 Feb

9.15AM BUSBRIDGE Classic Service
Busbridge Church & Online

9.30AM HAMBLEDON Heritage Service
Hambledon Church & Online

10.30AM MUDDY Church
Meet at Hydon’s Ball carpark with hot drinks and instruments.

10.30AM HAMBLEDON Contemporary Service
Hambledon Church

6PM Busbridge Evening Service
Busbridge Church

The Yew Tree Café

• Volunteer! See the vacancies page.

• Sponsor an item

The café is looking great, with new windows and a new kitchen and terracing underway! New café manager Lizzie Soar started this week, and will spend the next month preparing for the café opening, now in early March. We are hoping to appoint an Assistant manager or 2 soon, the advert is on the vacancies page if this interests you, or you know someone who you could pass it to. (Please note that the closing date has been extended to 28 Jan, and the hourly rate is increased since the role was first advertised).

Response to the initial call for café volunteers last week has be been great, but we’d like 6-10 more people to make the team up to approx 20. If you would like to find out more, please contact us on: Yewtreecafe@BHCGodalming.org or talk to Lizzie, Karen Hart, Carol Jones, Chris Garner or Sarah Black at the end of services, or pop you details in the form below:

You can now sponsor an item! You can sponsor everything from a mop and bucket to a coffee cup to a sofa! We want the café to be owned by the whole congregation and this is one very practical way of demonstrating this. View the YEW TREE items sponsorship list and go to Donate and either donate by BACS transfer or the donate function and use ref: YT[item].

Nexus.  On Thursday 3rd February, we’ll welcome two members of the community fundraising team from Oakleaf Enterprise, our Charity for 2022.  Jen Clay and Jane Felton will come and talk to us on ‘Oakleaf and mental health in the Surrey community’.  The pandemic has had a devastating impact on the mental health and wellbeing of many.  Oakleaf transforms lives and builds new futures for adults; developing the skills and confidence they desperately need and by reducing their feelings of social isolation.  In this way, Oakleaf empowers individuals to participate again as active members of the community.  The charity also works hard to promote awareness and reduce the stigma of mental health. 

Do join us to learn more about the work of this increasingly important charity, which we are pleased to support this year.  Mental ill-health can happen to anyone! We’ll meet in the Old Rectory at 8.00pm.  All welcome, including men! We will be collecting Membership fees for 2022, which remain at £18, and there will be a visitor fee of £5.00 for non-members.  These fees cover refreshments, gifts or fees for speakers and charity donations. For more information, please contact Janetmharvey@btinternet.com or katekaye2@btinternet.com

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).

Church Family News

We send our love to Catherine Pearsall, whose mother, Louise, died last weekend, in South Africa.  Please hold Catherine and Derek in your prayers, and also the wider family in SA.  Pray for God’s love and comfort to surround them all, as they mourn Louise and as they have to make arrangements at such a distance.

Please Pray for

• The Yew Tree Café – new staff, recruitment of volunteers, Mark Pateman’s team and the building works.

• Local health centres and surgeries

• Underhill Close and its road steward vacancy to be filled.

• Woodlands Road

ELSEWHERE

There is a Spring ‘Naturally Supernatural Conference 2022’ being put on this year because of the volume of demand. It is on Wednesday 11th to Saturday 14th May at Soul Survivor Watford. The conference is all about spending time in God’s presence, with extended times of worship and ministry. We’ll be studying God’s word and hearing from some great teachers as we explore what it means to live biblical, naturally supernatural lives today. It’s only £76 as well. If you are interested in going, either book directly at https://naturallysupernatural.co.uk/ or chat with Julia Stubbs eashingstubbs@aol.com. if you want to know a bit more.

Bereavement Day at Godalming Baptist Church – 5 Feb 2022. Please download the information:
Bereavement Day flyer
Booking & additional info re. Covid regulations

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.

The Notices for this week are recorded by new team members Ben Ford, Worship, and Lizzie Soar, Yew Tree Café manager!

Christian character is revealed under pressure.
What does this mean for us in 2022?

Watch Simon’s intro to the BHC vision for 2022: to deepen our understanding and expression of Christian character – as individuals and as a church over the next 12 months.

The weekly Notices will restart for 16 January

Services resume this Sunday 9 January:

9.15 Classic at Busbridge – at church and online
9.30 Heritage at Hambledon – at church and online
10.30 Contemporary at Hambledon

See Sundays and the Church Calendar for what’s on. All the regular events and activities are back on by next week!

The Bridge Magazine—looking for an new editor and treasurer. 

The Jan/Feb edition of the Bridge will for the last issue for the foreseeable future as we wait for people to step into the roles of editor and treasurer. We are so grateful to Cathy Brook and Lesley Reeves for all their work in recent years.

The Bridge is provides a special link between church and community, which we are keen not to lose. Do please contact Vic Hicks if you would like to find out about these roles.  The role of Bridge editor is paid, and could be shared with a deputy editor.  Click the link for details.

The Nov/Dec Issue of the Bridge is available online HERE, including Christmas events and services at church.

Yew Tree Café seeks Assistant Manager – the ad and job spec for this role is now available on the vacancies page here. Please contact Karen Hart via e: yewtreecafe@bhcgodalming.org if you want to find out about it.

NEW YEAR OPPORTUNITIES
Alpha in 2022: The next online course is starting 11 January so please use Christmas as an opportunity to consider it for yourself or inviting others. Mark Puddephatt will be hosting a pop up house group for 3 weeks. It’s a ‘no obligation’ chance to try out being a small group and all the good things that come with it. As Mark says “There is no down side”. As we grow as a church family, Small Groups are the best (and only way) to look after, feed and nurture members of the family and we’ll be looking at that more in the new year. Contact Keith Harper or Mark Puddephatt via the church office if you are interested in more info on either Alpha or trying a small group.

Coming Up NEXT:

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).

Please note:

Busbridge Morning Prayer (Weds, online at 9am) will start again on 5th Jan.
Reflective Prayer (Mondays, online at 8.45am) will start again on 10th Jan.

Please Pray for

• The Alpha course starting at BHC from 11 Jan

• A new editor, deputy editor and treasurer to continue the Bridge magazine.

ELSEWHERE

Churches Together in Godalming and District is looking to increase the number of lay church representatives. There are three meetings a year and the opportunity to get involved in Churches Together events as and when you are able to do so. It’s a great way of getting to know our fellow Christians in the other local churches and they’re a very nice, friendly bunch. Interested? Have a chat to Margot Spencer or drop an e-mail to margot.spencer@bhcgodalming.org

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.

COVID UPDATE TO SERVICES: 22 DEC 2021

Week 4 of Advent: Carols in the Open Air!

Please use the Christmas Services link below to go to the Advent & Christmas section, and get to the heart of Christmas.

this CHRISTMAS

CHRISTMAS EVE
Sharing the heart of Christmas: joy shared
Readings: Luke 2:1-17

Christmas Day
Topic: Your place in the heart of Christmas: joy found
Readings: Luke 2:11-21

COVID UPDATE TO SERVICES: 23 DEC 2021
We are glad looking forward to celebrating Christmas at church, with services indoors and outside. Everyone is required to wear a face covering during (indoor) church services, and we would kindly request you to LFT before attending events at church. We will continue to broadcast services on YouTube. Events and services which particularly attract all ages, including under 12s who are not vaccinated, or required to wear face coverings, will now take place outdoors. This change applies to the following services:

OUTDOOR CHRISTMAS SERVICES

THE WEATHER FORECAST IS WET, AND WE ARE KEEPING AN EYE ON IT! THE SERVICES WILL TAKE PLACE IN LIGHT RAIN, BUT NOT TORRENTIAL CONDITIONS. THERE IS NO COVER FOR THE CONGREGATION, SO PLEASE COME EQUIPPED, AND WATCH THIS SPACE FOR UPDATES.

Christmas Eve at Busbridge
3.30PM, 4.30PM & 5.30PM Family Candlelit Celebration – now in the Old Rectory Garden
Christmas Eve at Hambledon
4PM Crib Service in Hambledon Churchyard
Christmas Day
10AM Christmas Day Celebration at Busbridge – in the Old Rectory Garden
10AM Christmas Day Celebration at Hambledon – in the Churchyard

CHRISTMAS SERVICES IN CHURCH

The following services which tend to be attended mainly by those who are vaccinated and wear face coverings, and do not transfer as well to an outdoor setting, will take place in church as planned:

19 Dec:
6PM Traditional Carol Service at Busbridge
7PM Carols by Candlelight at Hambledon
Christmas Eve
11PM Midnight Communion at Busbridge
CANCELLED: 11PM Midnight Communion at Hambledon
Christmas Day
9AM Said Communion (in one kind, without carols) at Busbridge

PLEASE KEEP AN EYE ON THE HOME PAGE FOR ANY FURTHER UPDATES.

The Churches Together in Godalming & District Service of Light on the Churches Together website (www.godalmingchurches.org) and the Churches Together Facebook page.

Next Sunday 26 dECEMBER

Boxing Day is a a Sunday this year, and there will be no services at Busbridge or Hambledon churches.

In their place,
watch the Guildford Diocese All Age service:

The Notices

NOW OUTDOORS!
CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIT FAMILY CELEBRATIONS AT BUSBRIDGE CHURCH
Thanks to everyone who booked seats for the Christmas Eve Family celebrations at 3.30pm, 4.30pm or 5.30pm. Now that the services are taking place outdoors, we are able to “un-restrict” numbers and welcome everyone in the Old Rectory garden. The same service will run 3 times at 3.30pm, 4.30pm and 5.30pm. There will be candles and costumes to create a very genuine nativity atmosphere! Please do still sign up to come so that we gauge numbers, and contact you if there are any further changes or instructions.

There is no need to sign up for any other services over Christmas. Please do wear a face covering!

All things happening for Advent and Christmas can be found HERE including the link to book Christmas Eve services at Busbridge. There’s separate pages for the Walking Advent Calendar, Advent Reflections, and Christmas Giving (Hampers and the Christmas Appeal for the Bible Society).

The Bridge Magazine—looking for an new editor and treasurer. 

The Jan/Feb edition of the Bridge will for the last issue for the foreseeable future as we wait for people to step into the roles of editor and treasurer. We are so grateful to Cathy Brook and Lesley Reeves for all their work in recent years.

The Bridge is provides a special link between church and community, which we are keen not to lose. Do please contact Vic Hicks if you would like to find out about these roles.  The role of Bridge editor is paid, and could be shared with a deputy editor.  Click the link for details.

The Nov/Dec Issue of the Bridge is available online HERE, including Christmas events and services at church.

Yew Tree Café seeks Assistant Manager – the ad and job spec for this role is now available on the vacancies page here. Please contact Karen Hart via e: yewtreecafe@bhcgodalming.org if you want to find out about it.

NEW YEAR OPPORTUNITIES
Alpha in 2022: The next online course is starting 11 January so please use Christmas as an opportunity to consider it for yourself or inviting others. Mark Puddephatt will be hosting a pop up house group for 3 weeks. It’s a ‘no obligation’ chance to try out being a small group and all the good things that come with it. As Mark says “There is no down side”. As we grow as a church family, Small Groups are the best (and only way) to look after, feed and nurture members of the family and we’ll be looking at that more in the new year. Contact Keith Harper or Mark Puddephatt via the church office if you are interested in more info on either Alpha or trying a small group.

NEXUS Event: 6 Jan
Godalming couple, Shirley and David Faraday, will share their journey to a more sustainable lifestyle in a humorous, insightful and musical way!!  It promises to be a fascinating and fun evening! We can all make a difference! All are welcome, including men! Free for members   £5 for visitors We will be collecting Membership fees of £18.  Fees cover refreshments, gifts or fees for speakers and charity donations. Our charity for 2022 is Oakleaf. For more information, please phone Janet Harvey on 423264 or Kate Kaye on 415296 or find us on www.bhcgodalming.org/groups

Coming Up NEXT:

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).

Please note:

Busbridge Morning Prayer (Weds, online at 9am) will start again on 5th Jan.
Reflective Prayer (Mondays, online at 8.45am) will start again on 10th Jan.

Please Pray for

• Pullman Lane and road stewards Kate Kaye and Kate Brockman

• Markwick Lane

• Those for whom Christmas is a challenging time

• That Christmas will stir and prompt people to consider the gift of Jesus, and their faith a afresh, and try the next Alpha course starting at BHC from 11 Jan

• A new editor, deputy editor and treasurer to continue the Bridge magazine.

ELSEWHERE

The Churches Together in Godalming & District Service of Light on the Churches Together website (www.godalmingchurches.org) and the Churches Together Facebook page.

Churches Together in Godalming and District is looking to increase the number of lay church representatives. There are three meetings a year and the opportunity to get involved in Churches Together events as and when you are able to do so. It’s a great way of getting to know our fellow Christians in the other local churches and they’re a very nice, friendly bunch. Interested? Have a chat to Margot Spencer or drop an e-mail to margot.spencer@bhcgodalming.org

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 Lisa Olsworth-Peter on 01483 421267.
Listening prayer is available mid-week.

Mission Sunday

In aid of the Bible Sunday
& Hampers for local families.

The BHC Advent Album

Week 2 of Advent: This week Prime Time made light work of 300 + Christingle kits over sherry with the Rector; Muddy Church last Sunday planted a wild flower garden and lit a special Advent candle made out of the stem of a parasol mushroom – with a blow torch….; More displays were revealed on the Advent walk and CYE gap students visited to help spray all the nativity costumes with fire retardant solution. If you have any pics to share from activities at either church or in the community, please send them in.

Please use the Christmas Services link below to go to the Advent & Christmas section, and get to the heart of Christmas.

this Sunday 12 December

Open to the heart of Christmas: purpose found
Readings: Isaiah 35:1-10 / Luke 1:26-38

We welcome Gareth Davies, Church Engagement Manager, from the Bible Society at Hambledon, and we’ll be hearing about the work of the Bible Society during the 9.15am and 10.30am services at Busbridge. Please read the letter to Busbridge&Hambledon Church from Gareth Davies HERE.

9.15AM BUSBRIDGE Classic Service [Holy Communion]
Leader: Maggie Jagger
Speaker: Margot Spencer
Busbridge Church & Online

9.30AM HAMBLEDON Heritage Service
Leader: David Jenkins
Speaker: Dudley Hilton
Hambledon Church & Online

10.30AM BUSBRIDGE Contemporary Service
Leader: Patrick Samuels & Mark Williams
Speaker: Margot Spencer
Busbridge Church & Online

4PM HAMBLEDON Messy Christingle
Hambledon Church

UPDATE – 10 December 2021
In the light of the recent changes to government advice and legislation, people are once again required to wear face coverings in services. Hand sanitiser is available in both churches for those that wish to use it. Holy Communion is celebrated in one kind by each congregation once a month (at a service in the benefice each Sunday.): Holy Communion Sundays. We are sharing Communion in one kind only – i.e. bread (wafer) – for the foreseeable future. We shall review this from time to time, as circumstances change and regulations permit.

Next Sunday: 19 December

Dawning joy at the heart of Christmas: our response
Readings: John 1:1 and John 20:28

10AM HAMBLEDON Combined Service
Leader & Speaker: Simon Willetts
Hambledon Church & Online

10.30AM BUSBRIDGE Combined Family Carols
Leader: Margot Spencer
Busbridge Church (NOT online)

6PM BUSBRIDGE Carol Service
with the Busbridge Christmas choir
Busbridge Church and online

7PM HAMBLEDON Carols by Candlelight
with the Hambledon Christmas choir
Hambledon Church and online

The Notices

Tom and Debbie Jones would like to invite anyone who is interested in helping out on future Family Life courses at BHC – including the Pre-Marriage and Marriage Courses – to join them for coffee after the Contemporary service in The Hut at Old Rectory on Sunday 12 December, where they can give you further details of the courses and ways in which you could help.

AFTERNOON CAROL SERVICE hosted by Prime Time: The first of the carol services will be at 2.30pm on Monday 13 December at Busbridge Church. We are looking forward to a performance by children from Busbridge Junior School during the service too. Mulled wine and mince pies will be served afterwards and all are welcome. A lift is needed for a much loved church and prime time member to come to the service. Please contact penny.naylor@bhcgodalming.org if you can help.

CHRISTMAS EVE family candlelit services at 3.30pm, 4.30pm and 5.30pm are Busbridge are now fully booked, but do keep checking the events for spaces to come available due to cancellations. We are aware that peoples plans are likely to be changing, so please let us know if you can’t make it, or use the link in your confirmation email to cancel. We will provide an update in the next fortnight if the situation changes.

There is no need to sign up for any other services over Christmas. Please do wear a face covering!

Nexus: We’re really pleased that our Charity Quiz went to so well last Saturday!  Many thanks to all those who joined us on Zoom to make it such a great evening.  Alan Betts and Dudley Hilton put together an excellent Quiz for us, once again!

Especially, we’d like to thank you for your generous donations to our Just Giving page, whether you took part in the Quiz or just wanted to support our fundraising efforts for Phyllis Tuckwell.  It was very kind of you all and we’re delighted to announce that we raised £1,082.50, including Gift Aid.  That’s a fantastic amount to support the work of the marvellous local hospice care team at Phyllis Tuckwell, and we’re sure it will be very much appreciated. Thanks again. For more information, please contact Janet Harvey on janetmharvey@btinternet.com or Kate Kaye on katekaye2@btinternet.com or find us on www.bhcgodalming.org/groups

All things happening for Advent and Christmas can be found HERE including the link to book Christmas Eve services at Busbridge. There’s separate pages for the Walking Advent Calendar, Advent Reflections, and Christmas Giving (Hampers and the Christmas Appeal for the Bible Society).

The Bridge would like to thank Nikki White and John Kimbell who are stepping down from their role as road stewards in Busbridge Lane and Leithfield Park. Our very grateful thanks go to both of them for all their help over many years.

A warm welcome to Michelle Collins and Joanne Weston who have kindly offered to take over the Leithfield Park patch – much appreciated. This does leave a vacancy for 21 houses at numbers 1-26 Busbridge Lane if anyone thinks they might be able to help out? Contact Cathy at editor.atthebridge@gmail.com

The Bridge Magazine—looking for an new editor and treasurer. 

We have two very important vacancies in one of our key local mission and outreach activities.  Do please contact Vic Hicks if you would like to find out about these roles.  The role of Bridge editor is paid, and could be shared with a deputy editor.  Click the link for details.

Current Editor Cathy Brook will be stepping aside at the end of December after sending then Jan/Feb issue to print.  Lesley Reeves will also be ending her tenure as treasurer so we are looking for someone to take on the accounts (advertising income and printing costs) for the Bridge in the new year too. 

The Nov/Dec Issue of the Bridge is available online HERE, including Christmas events and services at church.

Yew Tree Café seeks Assistant Manager – the ad and job spec for this role will be available next week, but do contact Karen Hart via e: yewtreecafe@bhcgodalming.org if you want to find out about it.

NEW YEAR OPPORTUNITIES

Alpha in 2022: The next online course is starting 11 January so please use Christmas as an opportunity to consider it for yourself or inviting others. Mark Puddephatt will be hosting a pop up house group for 3 weeks. It’s a ‘no obligation’ chance to try out being a small group and all the good things that come with it. As Mark says “There is no down side”. As we grow as a church family, Small Groups are the best (and only way) to look after, feed and nurture members of the family and we’ll be looking at that more in the new year. Contact Keith Harper or Mark Puddephatt via the church office if you are interested in more info on either Alpha or trying a small group.

FINAL reminder: BUSBRIDGE JUNIOR SCHOOL APPLICATIONS

If you are thinking of submitting a church application to Busbridge Junior School for September 2022, please visit the Busbridge Junior School website and familiarise yourself with their admission criteria (‘About Us’, ‘Admissions’). If you meet the criteria, email catherine.garner@bhcgodalming.org for an information sheet. The deadline to submit the supplementary info form to the church office is 10 December.

Coming Up NEXT:

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).

church family news

Some of you may remember Jo King, who was a member of our congregation for several years. Jo died on 6th November and there will be a Thanksgiving Service in Busbridge Church this Friday, 3rd December at 11.30 a.m.. All who knew or remember Jo are very welcome to attend as we celebrate her life. Please pray for her family and many friends – for God’s comfort and peace for them all.

We were deeply saddened to hear of the death of Muriel Campbell on 21 November. She has been a faithful, active and lifelong member of Hambledon Church and village and her presence will be much missed. A service will be held in Hambledon Church on Thursday 9 December at 2.30 p.m., to which all who knew and loved Muriel are welcome. Please pray for Ion and the whole family, that they may be sure of God’s peace and comfort.

Please Pray for

• Park Road and road steward Anthony Field and Frances Morris

• Lane end

• Those working in medicine.

ELSEWHERE

Churches Together in Godalming and District is looking to increase the number of lay church representatives. There are three meetings a year and the opportunity to get involved in Churches Together events as and when you are able to do so. It’s a great way of getting to know our fellow Christians in the other local churches and they’re a very nice, friendly bunch. Interested? Have a chat to Margot Spencer or drop an e-mail to margot.spencer@bhcgodalming.org

We are very pleased to be able to run the Churches Together Christmas lunch again this year, subject to any changes in the Covid situation. It will take place at the Baptist Church Godalming on Christmas Day. Guests and volunteers are invited now. Please see the letter to guests and volunteer form below.

Christmas lunch letter to guests

Christmas lunch Volunteer form

See Churches Together Link Up – December Issue for news from around other churches in and around Godalming.

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 Lisa Olsworth-Peter on 01483 421267.
Listening prayer is available mid-week.

Week 1 of Advent! Starting with 4 special services on Advent Sunday, Busbridge Church decorating and the Advent launch at school pickup on 1 December. And! the first of the Walking Advent Calendar displays have been revealed….the calendar display of “recycled robins” for 2nd Dec are most endearing. Please use the Christmas Services link below to go to the Advent & Christmas section, and get to the heart of Christmas.

Ben, Simon and Shelagh bring you the notices for this Sunday: About the “Heart of Christmas” and the Outward Giving/Mission campaigns for 2021. Please note that the Busbridge Christmas Eve services require booking, and the 3.30pm service is full, spaces are very limited at 4.30pm, so book now for 5.30pm. No need to book any other services. On Christmas Eve, you are welcome to come along to the 4pm Crib service at Hambledon, or the 11pm Midnight Communion services at either church.

Watch the notices!