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  • ADVENT SUNDAY – 29 NOVEMBER

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

    THIS SUNDAY

    Comfort and Joy

    Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9

    ESSENTIAL LINKS FOR SERVICES
    Zoom Password: 2020



    BHC YouTube


    BHC PUBLIC Zoom

    services

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

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

    10AM FUSE & MESSY CHRISTINGLE (Zoom only)

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

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

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

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

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

    Next Sunday 6 December

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

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

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

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

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

    Coming Up this Week:

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

    The Notices

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

    Comfort & Joy!

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

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

    Click to go to Just Giving and join the quiz…
    Click to go to Just Giving and join the quiz…

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

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

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

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

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



    Book 4.30PM


    Book 6PM

    Outward Giving & Outreach

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

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

    Busbridge Church Christmas cards for sale

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

    BUsbridge Junior School applications

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

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

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

     

    What’s On

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

    PRAYER MINISTRY TEAM AVAILABLE

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

  • Hello from Prime Time! 20 November 2020

    Dear Prime Time member,

    Dear me, what dreary weather we’re having today! It’s the kind of day that when you look out of the window it just makes you want to curl up on the sofa snuggled in a blanket and watch something light and fluffy on the TV!         I hope we don’t get too many days like today as it’s very hard to motivate yourself to get out and about for some exercise when the weather is like this isn’t it?  And let’s face it, going out for a walk is pretty much the only option available to us at the moment.  So if we’re not even doing that, we’re all going to develop cabin fever pretty quickly…  So grab your coat, hunt out your boots and dig deep, make yourself go outside for a walk.  I know it takes a lot of will power and that the easy option is just to stay indoors; I’m someone myself who likes their creature comforts and hate to be cold, so I know the internal struggles of knowing it will do me good to get out but at the same time wanting to stay warm and dry.  I’m confident though that Prime Timers have more self-discipline than I do!

    But if the weather turns particularly bad or the ‘easy option’ wins out one day, luckily your Prime Time Team have planned some activities to help get you through to Christmas.  We realise that the run up to Christmas can be a particularly tricky time for some people and this year Christmas could be even more difficult because of the times we’re living through.  With this in mind, we decided to try and run an activity each week for the 3 weeks running up to Christmas – hopefully there will be something for everybody in what we’ve been able to offer.  The fourth week in December is Christmas week, and there will be a lot of services available on our You Tube channel for you to dip into and celebrate the season.  I’ll send you further details of these nearer the time.

    I’ll send further details and joining instructions on the Friday before each event.  So next Friday look out for more details about the Christmas quiz.  I also hope to send you details of a self-guided ‘Advent Calendar Walk’ happening around Busbridge in December.  Intrigued?  Make sure you check your email next week to find out more…!

    Today’s email is perhaps a little deviation from what you’ve come to expect.  It’s shorter for a start and more ‘newsy’.  That’s firstly because I didn’t want to detract from the ‘What’s On’ information and secondly because I was away from my desk for a couple of hours today attending the funeral of Prime Time member, Betty Towner.  Betty was a long standing member of Busbridge Church and was part of Prime Time long before my arrival on the scene!  Betty had many friends from within the church and also Prime Time and Wednesday Fellowship, and I know you will be saddened to learn of her passing.  But Betty had lived a long and very fulfilling life and she would not wish us to be sad.  Please be comforted by your happy memories of time spent in Betty’s company and of the fun moments and giggles you shared. As the poem read at today’s funeral said, “ …I have only slipped into the next room… I am waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner.  All is well.”

    Betty had a quiet yet strong personal faith.  She was caring, kind and generous of spirit and she had the wisdom that 93 years of life accumulates. Members of Prime Time of longer-standing may remember the Christmas video we made back in 2014, in which Betty became the unexpected star with her reflection on the meaning of Christmas.    So today’s ‘Thought For The Day’ comes courtesy of Betty…  “Even if you can give a little back, somewhere along the line, that person’s going to remember and that’s what Christmas means to me”.

    So as we approach the season of Advent maybe we can keep the spirit of Betty within us, by each considering what it looks like for them to ‘give a little back…’

    Until next week – with every blessing,

    Penny x

     

  • SUNDAY 22 NOVEMBER

    Meaningful Chocolate Advent Calendars and Christmas Angels with the Christmas Story donated, with love from Busbridge&Hambledon Church, to those on their own in Hambledon, and clients of the Godalming Community Store. Thank you BHC Ladies for your donations. Here started our quest to share some “Comfort and Joy” this Christmas!
    Meaningful Chocolate Advent Calendars and Christmas Angels with the Christmas Story donated, with love from Busbridge&Hambledon Church, to those on their own in Hambledon, and clients of the Godalming Community Store. Thank you BHC Ladies for your donations. Here started our quest to share some “Comfort and Joy” this Christmas!

    THIS SUNDAY

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

    Reading: Matthew 5:8

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

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

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

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

    ESSENTIAL LINKS for services

    Find the services on Zoom and YouTube:

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

    BHC Godalming YouTube: www.youtube.com/bhcgodalmingonline

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

    Children & Youth

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

    Next Sunday 29 November

    Advent Sunday
    New Sermon Series: Comfort and Joy

    Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Coming Up Next Week:

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

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

    The Notices

    ***Christmas***

    Comfort & Joy!

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

    The video here features Simon, Lisa, Rob Hewlett, Anto, Jess and others telling us about the 2 special events this Christmas.

    1. The Comfort & Joy Exhibitions at both churches in Advent. It’s not too late to create and show something in either church. So far there are more than 30 creations (art, craft, poetry, scripture, videos) which say something about “Comfort” and / or “Joy”!

    Thanks once again to Andy Brownstone for producing the film, and all those on screen. Please do share it with others in Busbridge and Hambledon and encourage our local community to be involved. Email Lisa Olsworth-Peter if you have any questions, and would like to take part.

    2. Christmas Eve Drive in Carol Services – 4.30pm and now 6pm



    Book 4.30PM


    Book 6PM

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

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

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

    Outward Giving & Outreach

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

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

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

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

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

    • Start collecting goods from the list of suitable items

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

    • Fill box according to specifications

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

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

    Busbridge Church Christmas cards for sale

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

    BUsbridge Junior School applications

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

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

     

    What’s On

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

    PRAYER MINISTRY TEAM AVAILABLE

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

  • SUNDAY 15 NOVEMBER

    Please join the BHC Prayer Ministry Team this this Saturday, 14 Nov, and pray for those in need due to the coronavirus pandemic. Click HERE to sign up for an hour’s slot between 8am and 8pm, or join others in the BHC Public Zoom Room from 8-9AM, 12-1PM and 5-6PM. It’s part of the National Call to Prayer in November. More details
    Please join the BHC Prayer Ministry Team this this Saturday, 14 Nov, and pray for those in need due to the coronavirus pandemic. Click HERE to sign up for an hour’s slot between 8am and 8pm, or join others in the BHC Public Zoom Room from 8-9AM, 12-1PM and 5-6PM. It’s part of the National Call to Prayer in November. More details

    Winter Lockdown

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

    This Sunday

    this sunday online

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

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

    Find the services on Zoom and YouTube:

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

    BHC Godalming YouTube: www.youtube.com/bhcgodalmingonline

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

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

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

    

    Children & Youth

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

    Next Sunday

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    The Notices

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

    ***Christmas***

    Comfort & Joy!

    Thanks once again to Andy Brownstone for producing the film, and all those on screen. Please do share it with others in Busbridge and Hambledon and encourage our local community to be involved. Email Lisa Olsworth-Peter if you have any questions, and would like to take part.



    Book now

    If, having watched the video, been to the Drive In on 6 Sep, you are keen to book your parking space – please do it now! We really need to know how many cars we need to accommodate, and whether to run the service more than once.

    Thanks to those that have volunteered to help on Christmas Eve. There will be a planning meeting on Zoom on Monday 16 November at 7PM. If you can help on Christmas Eve, please contact Patrick Samuels who is leading the team of organisers, ASAP. We need people to help on the evening but also those who can help plan and organise now. Sound and vision is covered, but we need people to take responsibility for or help with lighting, staging, stewarding, costumes and nativity characters…

    Outward Giving & Outreach

    The BESOM Christmas Hamper project

    We will again be supporting BESOM this Christmas. Through the home and church groups, we are busily co-ordinating ‘Besom’ hampers for needy people in the community. With the COVID crisis still in full swing, the needs now are greater than ever. If you would like to make a hamper individually, here is what to do:

    •  Collect a flat ‘banana’ box from Sainsbury’s and wrap it with Christmas paper

    • Start collecting goods from the list of suitable items

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

    • Fill box according to specifications

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

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

    Meaningful Chocolate Advent Calendars
    Wow! Following Nicky Hemery’s appeal for donations to buy Meaningful Chocolate Real Advent Calendars to bless customers at the Godalming Community Store and the Food Bank, the BHC ladies group raised at great total of £370. The Community Store are thrilled about the offer, and join us in wishing to send a message of Christmas hope into the homes of the most needy in our area. Hambledon also ordered calendars for the people we know are on their own in the village. Having found the Meaningful Chocolate calendars were “SOLD OUT” last week (much to Nicky’s dismay!), the company director managed to find exactly the right number – not a calendar more or less – to meet the order, and added to it with donations of chocolate angels given by other sources for food banks. That’s 108 calendars and 90 chocolate angels which will be shared among the 50 families and 70 children using the Community Store, and 50 calendars for those on their own in Hambledon village. Thank you Nicky for organising this great community initiative!

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

    Busbridge Church Christmas cards for sale

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

    BUsbridge Junior School applications

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

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

     

    What’s On

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

    PRAYER MINISTRY TEAM AVAILABLE

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

  • Christmas 2020: Comfort & Joy

  • Remembrance Reflection for Priors Field School

  • Fire Pit Service on 1 Nov 2020

  • REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY 8 NOVEMBER

    Winter Lockdown

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

    This Sunday

    The services are scheduled to coincide with the minutes silence at 11AM.
    The services are scheduled to coincide with the minutes silence at 11AM.

    Children & Youth

    this sunday on youtube

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

    Next Sunday

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

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

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

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

    BHC Godalming YouTube: www.youtube.com/bhcgodalmingonline

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

    The Notices

    winter lockdown

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

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

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

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

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

    A month of Prayer

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

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

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

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

    • For those that have lost loved ones

    • For those who have lost employment and are struggling financially

    • For protection for the vulnerable

    • For relationships that are under extreme pressure

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

    • For those families coping with mental health illnesses

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

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

    condolences

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

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

    At least we had last Sunday…

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

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

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

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

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

    Pics from the Light Parties last Saturday and Sunday

    Youth Light Party 2020
    Youth Light Party 2020
    My Prayer - Light Party activity
    My Prayer – Light Party activity
    Prayer Activity at the Explorers Light Party
    Prayer Activity at the Explorers Light Party
    The DJ at the Explorers Light Party
    The DJ at the Explorers Light Party

    ***Christmas***

    Comfort & Joy Exbitions – Your lockdown project!
    Might you have some more time and a need to challenge and express yourself creatively during lockdown?

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

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

    Christmas Eve Drive In “Bling your Car” at Godalming College!
    Thanks to those that have volunteered to help on Christmas Eve. There will be a planning meeting on Zoom on Monday 16 November at 7PM. If you can help on Christmas Eve, please contact Patrick Samuels who is leading the team of organisers, ASAP. We need people to help on the evening but also those who can help plan and organise now. Sound and vision is covered, but we need people to take responsibility for or help with lighting, staging, stewarding, costumes and nativity characters…

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

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

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

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

    Busbridge Church Christmas cards for sale

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

    What’s On

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

    PRAYER MINISTRY TEAM AVAILABLE

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

  • Mens Matters with an invitation to breakfast

    Another month, another lockdown! When will it all end? Will it all end?? One answer might be “On December 2nd – it’s written into the legislation, innit?”; another might be “This year, next year, sometime,….”!  Meanwhile, on t’other side of The Pond the wheels seem about to come off the car of Democracy while Trump and Biden wrestle for control of the steering and gear selector.

    Uncertainty seems to be the only game in town at the moment and, while some uncertainty is natural and healthy, like so many things in life too much can lead to problems.  Sadly one thing that is certain at the moment is that we can’t meet up for our (in a former life!) traditional “light but perfectly formed” brekkie, with Alan B’s unforgettable porridge; instead we are doomed to Zoom…

    To which end here is the link for Saturday’s Virtual Breakfast, kicking off at 09.00 and ending about 40 minutes later:

    https://us04web.zoom.us/j/79603567340?pwd=aFd3SHl0WWVvOHBEeFVncXFNU0NxZz09

    (This should take you straight into the meeting, but just in case you need them the Meeting ID is 796 0356 7340 and the Passcode B4t0CN)

    So set your alarm for 08.55 on Saturday morning, make yourself a good, strong coffee (or potion of your choice) and join us at 09.00 as we discuss lockdowns, the death of democracy, and anything else that takes our fancy…

    Keep safe!

    Dudley (for Men Matters)

    Greetings. I hope that you are managing to put a brave face on the difficulties that now face us. Many of us felt optimistic and resilient during the first Covid phase in the Spring but it is clear that the second lockdown will test our fortitude even more. 

    The encouragement of others is a central tenet of our Christian faith and most of Paul’s New Testament letters can be seen in this light. So on behalf of our men’s fellowship in Busbridge can I offer you the thought that we will of course overcome and that we will be able again to meet in fellowship.

    Our Christian faith was made for times like these and each of us will be challenged in different ways. All things can and do work together for good for those who love God. The second half of that verse from Romans adds ‘to all those that are called according to his purposes’. We do hope that whatever situation you find yourself in that you will still be able to feel that you are part of God’s purposes and plans.

    Alan B for Mens Matters

  • Lockdown II: You have such beautiful feet

    Lockdown II: You have such beautiful feet

    This is an exciting time. Yes, you heard that right. Excited, not to be locked-down but because we’re ready to provide worship, teaching and community through Lockdown II. It is about having beautiful feet. Everyone else probably has scarred and scared, worried and worn feet. Yours my friend are… beautiful. You are a person of the beautiful feet.

    Did you know that you have beautiful feet? Now, honesty, how are your feet doing? What state are they in?

    As a follower of Christ you have beautiful feet because your feet carry you to the places and people that God has prepared for you to do his mighty works (Ephesians 2:10). This is what we are about in Lockdown II and though our feet and hearts are worn and scarred, we know that “As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10:15

    Tim Davies’ has beautiful feet. His work on cameras and tech in recent months has put us in good place to be creative for the Gospel. We’re deeply grateful to Tim and we were recently able to show this thanks with a card and a little something else as a token of our appreciation. Tim is now taking a well-deserved break and Jacob Taylor is currently helping us to take things forward.

    We’ve got beautiful feet for the Gospel because our online ministry is growing and we would love to open up an opportunity to be part of the team that are shaping it. You’ll be helping reach several hundred people a week! Last Sunday’s services have been viewed nearly 500 times.

    We’ve got beautiful feet that mean the Holy Spirit takes us to proclaim peace and salvation (Isa 52:7). God takes us to people and places where he knows we can make a good difference.

    From Nov 15th we’ll be offering a fantastic array of worship:

    ·         9am Recorded Heritage BCP on youtube

    ·         Live Classic and Contemporary ZOOM Livestreamed, Classic at 9am, Contemporary at 10.15am

    ·         Contemporary taking a ‘conversations from the couch’ format and including breakout rooms, video clips and live discussion

    ·         Classic and Contemporary services also live on youtube (but you won’t see faces on that one, so better on zoom!)

    ·         A ‘highlights’ version of Classic and Contemporary on youtube from that evening onwards

    ·         Youth and Children’s ministry will continue online.

    We’ll also be posting short video blogs from time to time, so do join/subscribe to our youtube channel

    We’re asking Home Groups to meet on zoom or similar for coffee on Sundays and if you’re not connected or haven’t folded into a home group then this is your chance. Email simon.willetts@bhcgodalming.org to be connected right now. it is a chance for the people of beautiful feet to gather together in fellowship.

    Our online ministry is currently allowing us to reach 100’s of people who currently cannot attend Church physically, people who are shielding or quarantining for health reasons, our young people who have gone off to University but can’t get access to their Christian Unions or join Churches, families during a time when gathering for children’s ministry is compromised. It’s also for those that are exploring Church and the Christian faith but who aren’t ready yet or don’t want to attend in person.  

    We know that our online ministry is making a difference. Did you know that there is a night-time ‘spike’ in when people connect? We’ don’t know who, but we do know that there is a regular ‘spike’ of people tuning into our soundcloud past-sermons on the website, often at around 2-3am. We’re offering a Gospel message that helps people sleep! (Psalm127:2).

    We have the ability to reach a whole community of people with the gospel but we need your help to do it. Right now, over the next 3-5 weeks, we need you!  We want to build a team of beautiful feet people who enable this ministry to happen. You don’t need any prior skill – you really don’t. You can be 10 years old or 100. Age is no barrier.

    We are not just looking for operators we are looking to form a team that will shape the future of this ministry and take Christ’s love into people’s hearts and homes. You’ll be the people of beautiful feet who carry the good news (Isa 52;7) This team will consist of the following roles;

    – Visuals laptop operators

    – Sound operators

    – Someone to monitor and host the zoom call (and laptop) so that we can invite participation from our community

    – Point the camera people

    – Vision mixing operator

    For each role full training will be given but the first and only requirement is that you have feet that might look worn to you, but as you engage in this Gospel mission, you will have beautiful feet.

    Please contact Dave Preece, Simon Willetts, Frances Shaw, Jacob Taylor or Simon Taylor and get those feet moving!