Blog

Busbridge Church reopening celebration, 8 September…!
This will be a whole benefice service and there will be no other morning services at Busbridge, and the 9am Heritage Service at Hambledon will start at the earlier time of 8.30am.  There will be great activities for all our young people during the service, and lunch will follow shortly after.  (Large cardboard boxes are needed for the children’s work—please drop to the Old Rectory if you have any.)  Be here to celebrate the start of a new and exciting chapter in the life of the church.

The licensing of Simon Willetts as Associate Vicar
Simon will be licensed at Hambledon on Sunday 15 September at 6pm.  We are expecting a full church for the service, and seats will be limited, but everyone is invited to come to Clock Barn Farm afterwards for light refreshments. 

Nexus:  We have a change of speaker for our 5th September event and we are delighted that Alan Hamilton will now be joining us.  Alan has many years’ experience in global plant conservation, having worked with WWF and, more recently, with conservation charity, Plantlife.  Alan will talk to us on this increasingly relevant topic.  We’ll meet in the Old Rectory at 8.00pm and will have a chance to catch up with a drink and nibbles before Alan begins his talk.  All are very welcome, including men!

Marriage Course starting 12 September
There’s a place for one or two more couples on the next Marriage Course.  Seven evening sessions running roughly fortnightly, each starting with a candlelit dinner for two.  Please see details on the web site or contact David or Sandra Wilkin via marriagecourse@bhcgodalming.org. 

NEW:  DADS— starting 10 September, 8pm
How to be a father and feel like a son of God?  This is a new monthly meeting to offer friendship and guidance for those with children, and those who identify with any aspects of fatherhood. The first session will be in the Old Rectory, and then take place on 1st Tuesdays of the month once the Church Centre is available. Starting with refreshments.  Contact Chad.Grayer@hotmail.co.uk  for details.

Heritage Open Days, 14-15 September  Both churches will be open and manned to receive visitors who might drop in as part of the Heritage weekend.  If you would like to volunteer for the rota contact the church office.  Programmes listing all the places to visit are available from the church office.

BHC PrayerSpace, Wednesday 25 September, 7.30pm
We are  taking part in a national prayer event which calls Christians all over the UK to pray for their neighbours and their communities simultaneously.  We will be joined by the Bishop of Guildford, the Archdeacon of Surrey and others from churches in the Godalming deanery for an interactive and inspiring time of prayer, in a church which now has space to worship more creatively!  All welcome.

Early Birds’ Space for God restarts this Tuesday and then on first Tuesdays in the Old Rectory.

Busbridge Reordering Update
With all the events planned in Busbridge church for September, we can see that the it’s time to give thanks for the work done in the church so far.  Please see the separate update for full details of what’s happened, what’s next and what’s needed!

Welcome to Simon and Naomi and Anto and Jess
Our new Associate Vicar, Simon, and Youth Minister, Anto are finally here, and we are looking forward to introducing them over the next few weeks. 

Simon will be officially licensed at Hambledon on Sunday 15 September at 6pm.  We are expecting a full church for the service, and seats will be limited, but everyone is invited to come to Clock Barn Farm afterwards for light refreshments. 

Anto and Jess have been with our young people at Soul Survivor last week.  Thanks to all for their offers of furniture, they are quite comfortable now.  If anyone can help with a desk, an office chair or with sourcing a car, please email anto.ficatier@bhcgodalming.org. 

Last Combined Service at Busbridge next Sunday…
On Sunday 1 September Ed Olsworth-Peter will be leading a ‘Combined Special’ with different options  to follow during the service, similar to this year’s Palm Sunday service.  We are extremely grateful to the school for hosting us while the church has been closed this summer.

At Hambledon, normal services at 9am and 10.30am resume from 1 September.  

Busbridge Church reopening celebration, 8 September…!
This will be a whole benefice service and there will be no other morning services at Busbridge, and the 9am Heritage Service at Hambledon will start at the earlier time of 8.30am.  There will be great activities for all our young people during the service, and lunch will follow shortly after.  (Large cardboard boxes are needed for the children’s work—please drop to the Old Rectory if you have any.)  Be here to celebrate the start of a new and exciting chapter in the life of the church.

Marriage Course starting 12 September
There’s a place for one or two more couples on the next Marriage Course.  7 evening sessions running roughly fortnightly, each starting with a candlelit dinner for two.  Please see details on the web site or contact David or Sandra Wilkin via marriagecourse@bhcgodalming.org. 

NEW:  DADS— starting 10 September, 8pm
How to be a father and feel like a son of God?  This is a new monthly meeting to offer friendship and guidance for those with children, and those who identify with any aspects of fatherhood. The first session will be in the Old Rectory, and then take place on 1st Tuesdays of the month once the Church Centre is available. Starting with refreshments.  Contact Chad.Grayer@hotmail.co.uk  for details.

Heritage Open Days, 14-15 September  Both churches will be open and manned to receive visitors who might drop in as part of the Heritage weekend.  If you would like to volunteer for the rota contact the church office.  Programmes listing all the places to visit are available from the church office.

BHC PrayerSpace, Wednesday 25 September, 7.30pm
We are  taking part in a national prayer event which calls Christians all over the UK to pray for their neighbours and their communities simultaneously.  We will be joined by the Bishop of Guildford, the Archdeacon of Surrey and others from churches in the Godalming deanery for an interactive and inspiring time of prayer, in a church which now has space to worship more creatively!  All welcome.

Busbridge Reordering Update
With all the events planned in Busbridge church for September, we can see that the it’s time to give thanks for the work done in the church so far.  Please see the separate update for full details of what’s happened, what’s next and what’s needed!

Church Office holiday hours
The Church Office remains open Mon-Thurs in the holidays, from 10-3pm, and email and phone messages will be checked regularly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PCC News
A huge thank you to Chad Grayer, Carol Jones, Ellis Jones, Tom Jones, and Ruth Roseblade for their hard work on the plans and designs for the Church Centre.  After a full and very detailed discussion the PCC made the decision to go ahead with works to create facilities for a coffee drop in as soon as possible (after one final query has been checked with the church authorities).  Watch this space for more details… 

I could use that!
As a result of the reordering, we’ve had a good sort out and  have quite a lot of things that the church no longer needs.  Before  we put  them on eBay/Gumtree etc we thought you might like to see what there is, as it might just be what you have been looking for!  Do come along and have a look outside the Church Centre this morning (14 July).  For more information contact Michael on michaeleashing@aol.com.

Confirmation opportunity, 24 November 2019
If you would like to find out about being confirmed with other candidates from the deanery, please speak to Simon (simon.taylor@bhcgodalming.org).  Confirmations will take place in a special 6pm service at Busbridge Church.  Confirmation preparation sessions will take place on Weds 2, 9, 16 and 23 October, 8-9.30pm in the Old Rectory.

Singers and musicians for Busbridge Church’s reopening celebration on 8 September…!
We are planning a really special service to mark this important point of the church’s journey, and would like as many singers and musicians to be part of the choir and chamber orchestra for the event.  Rehearsals will be on     1 and 7 Sep, from 2.30 – 5pm.  We will sing two or three traditional hymns and a more modern song (but not very contemporary).  If you are interested please contact Julie Nelson (julienelson@phonecoop.coop) as soon as possible. 

There will be an equally important celebration the following Sunday, 15 September, at Hambledon for the licensing of Simon Willetts as Associate Minister.  Space in the church will be limited so we’re inviting everyone to come to Clock Barn Farm afterwards for light refreshments. 

WHOLE CHURCH PRAYER EVENT at Busbridge  on Wednesday 25 September from 7.30-9pm.  BHC is responding to a national call for churches to pray for their area and the nation at the end of September, and Bishop Andrew and Archdeacon Paul will be joining us for quite  a creative prayer event!  Please be part of it.

Childrens 4-11s Ministry Leader post now advertised
The closing date for applications for our next 4-11s ministry leader is 22 July 2019.  Please spread the word and pray that the right person is prompted to come forward.  If it could be you, Simon Taylor would be delighted to talk to you about it.  Contact simon.taylor@bhcgodalming.org.

Services in the summer holidays—28 Jul to 1 Sep
The 10am Busbridge Combined service at will take place in the Busbridge Junior School hall in the summer holidays, starting Sunday 28 July.  Classic and Contemporary congregations worship together, in a format that includes elements of both styles of worship.  Children’s groups stop in the holidays but there will be activities and good  space for our young ones.  During August, Hambledon will have one morning service at 9am.  

Looking further ahead…we’d love to run another Light Party in October half term.  (More than 80 children came last year!)  If you’d like to help with this or better still,  to lead it, then please let the church office know in the next week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome to the family and friends of Adam Wells and Ada Balakrishnan who are being baptised at Hambledon All Age this morning.

Services in the summer holidays—28 Jul to 1 Sep
The 10am Busbridge Combined service at will take place in the Busbridge Junior School hall in the summer holidays, starting Sunday 28 July.  These services provide a good opportunity for the Classic and Contemporary congregations to worship together, in a format that includes elements of both styles of worship.  Children’s groups stop in the holidays but there will be activities and good  space for our young ones, in and out of the service.   During August, Hambledon will have one morning service at 9am (BCP plus). 

A more urgent call for singers and musicians for Busbridge Church’s reopening celebration on 8 September…!
We are planning a really special service to mark this important point of the church’s journey, and would like as many singers and musicians to be part of the choir and chamber orchestra for the event.  Rehearsals will be on     1 and 7 Sep, from 2.30 – 5pm. We will sing two or three numbers, which are likely be a mix of traditional hymns and a more modern song (but not very contemporary).  If you are interested please contact Julie Nelson (julienelson@phonecoop.coop) as soon as possible. 

There will be an equally important celebration the following Sunday, 15 September, at Hambledon for the licensing of Simon Willetts as Associate Minister.  We are expecting a full church so may need to limit numbers for this.  Details to follow.

A momentous September will be capped off with a WHOLE CHURCH PRAYER EVENT at Busbridge as part of a national call for churches to pray for their area and the nation.  We will be joined at Busbridge Church by Bishop Andrew and Archdeacon Paul on the evening of Wednesday 25 September from 7.30-9pm.

Childrens 4-11s Ministry Leader post now advertised
The ad for our next 4-11s ministry leader is published on bhcgodalming.org and the New Wine web site.  Closing date 22 July 2019.  Please spread the word and pray that the right person is prompted to come forward.  If it could be you, Simon Taylor would be delighted to talk to you about it.  Contact simon.taylor@bhcgodalming.org.

The next Hambledon Ladies Breakfast at West Surrey Golf Club will be on Saturday 10 August.  Rev Lesley Mason will be talking about her work as Chaplain at HM Prison Send.  Tickets (£9) are available from Hambledon Village Shop from 22  July to 6 August. 

Update on Busbridge Church reordering
The project is proceeding to plan.  Nearly 1½ miles of new cabling has been installed! If you can spare some time in the coming weeks to join our logistics team, please contact liz.gorst@bhcgodalming.org.  The initial focus will be sorting and cataloguing ‘resources’ to be relocated from their temporary home in the church centre.

Congratulations to the Cellar on its big 4-0!
The Cellar ‘family’ will be celebrating this huge milestone in Philips Memorial Park from 2.30pm this Sunday, 7 July.  The Godalming Food Festival and the bandstand will be in full swing with performances from the Rock Choir and Azure, and The Cellar will be selling Loseley ice cream too! Everyone is welcome to celebrate 40 wonderful years.  Bring a picnic.  We hope to see you there!  (See this July’s Channel for Mission Update to find out more).

Did you see last Sunday’s episode of Top Gear?
Busbridge Church and around featured in the first 5 mins!  You can catch it again on BBC iplayer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome to the family and friends of Sebastian Rothwell who is being baptised during Busbridge Contemporary this morning.

Services in the summer holidays—28 Jul to 1 Sep
Our 10am Busbridge Combined service will take place in the Busbridge Junior School hall in the summer holidays, starting Sunday 28 July.  These services provide a good opportunity for the Classic and Contemporary congregations to worship together, in a format that includes elements of both styles of worship.  Children’s groups stop in the holidays but there will be activities and good  space for our young ones, in and out of the service.   On Sunday 1 September Ed Olsworth-Peter  will be leading a ‘Combined Special’ with different options  to follow during the service, similar to this year’s Palm Sunday service.  We are extremely grateful to the school for hosting us while the church is closed.

As in previous years, during August Hambledon will have one morning service at 9am—BCP plus.

Call for singers and musicians for Busbridge Church’s reopening celebration on 8 September…
We are planning a really special service to mark this important point of the church’s journey, and would like as many singers and musicians to be part of the choir and chamber orchestra for the event.  Rehearsals will be on 1 and 7 Sep, from 2.30 – 5pm. We will sing two or three numbers, which are likely be a mix of traditional hymns and a more modern song (but not very contemporary).  If you are interested please contact Lisa Olsworth-Peter (lisa.olsworth-peter@bhcgodalming.org) as soon as possible.  The reopening will be followed by a whole church creative prayer evening event later in September—date tbc.

There will be an equally important celebration the following Sunday, 15 September, at Hambledon for the licensing of Simon Willetts as Associate Minister.  (Unplugged will move to the 5th Sunday, 29 September for those that wish to attend both). Please save these dates!

Childrens 4-11s Ministry Leader post now advertised
The ad for our next 4-11s ministry leader is published on bhcgodalming.org and the New Wine web site.  Closing date 22 July 2019.  Please spread the word and pray that the right person is prompted to come forward.  If it could be you, Simon Taylor would be delighted to talk to you about it.  Contact simon.taylor@bhcgodalming.org.

Nexus visit to Coverwood Lakes and Gardens, Thursday 4 July
A visit to the lovely NGS gardens and farm in Ewhurst.  We’ll meet there at 6pm and, after a relaxed stroll around the gardens, we’ll have refreshments by the lake; all for £10.  Followed by a meal at the White Horse in Hascombe, at 8.15pm.  All welcome.  Please let us know as soon as possible if you’d like to join us for the garden visit and/or the meal: nexus@bhcgodalming.org.  

As announced two weeks ago, we are sorry to hear that Malcolm Gorick died, on 10 June, in Taunton.  His funeral will be held this coming Wednesday, 3 July 2019, at 10am at Taunton Deane Crematorium (TA1 5NE).  Any friends who are able to attend will be made very welcome.  Malcolm’s family hope that there will be a thanksgiving service at Busbridge, at a later date, but nothing has been fixed yet.

Baby Ellin now has a name! Elodie Grace Hannah was born 14 June weighing 7.7 lbs.  

Logs available at the Old Rectory—if you can help clear the area to the left of the drive please help yourself.  The logs are unseasoned soft wood.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Choral Evensong with King Edward’s Chapel Choir,

Wednesday 19 June, 4.45pm, Hambledon

Come and enjoy King Edward’s School Chapel Choir at  Hambledon church this Wednesday.  The choir is looking forward to singing a special anthem and a good selection of rousing hymns with the congregation.  Tea and cake from 4.15pm.

Busbridge Church Reordering so far..
The contractor has been on site for two weeks and has nearly completed the preparation stage for the electrics, decorating and laying the timber floor.  The oak flooring is about to be ordered and will need to acclimatise for two weeks before it is laid in mid July.  For more technical details and any questions please ask Tim Davies: timdavies.click@btinternet.com 

So far over £2500 has been raised for the reordering project from donations relating to the pews, runners and floor boarding!  There are still four pews that need a home.  If you would be interested in a pew or know someone who might, do get in contact with Michael on michaeleashing@aol.com

Please contact Shelagh Godwin via church.office@bhcgodalming.org if you can contribute cakes for the builders, or join the prayer effort for the reordering.  She would appreciate someone or several people to support this undertaking.

Calling all New Winers!  A group of 28 from BHC are booked to go to week 2 of New Wine on 4 August. If you’re coming too and would like to meet the rest of the group and do a bit of planning, you are warmly invited to tea on 30 June, 3.30pm at Karen Hart’s or to stay in the Old Rectory after the 6.30pm service on 7 July to chat. Do email Karen for her address, or to let her know if you’re coming to New Wine even if you can’t make either date!  Karen Hart karenhart58@btinternet.com

Do you have a young person aged 14 to 18 (school years 9 to 13)? Ichthus would like to increase communications with parents so if you are interested in receiving updates on events please send your email details to jenny.lansdowne@bhcgodalming.org.

Confirmation opportunity, 24 November 2019

If you would like to find out about being confirmed with other candidates from the deanery, please speak to Simon (simon.taylor@bhcgodalming.org).  Confirmations will take place in a special 6pm service at Busbridge Church.

Last call for Jam Together next Sunday, 2-5pm

For 11-18 year olds who play an instrument or enjoy singing.  We have a band-worth of young musicians, but a few more would be welcome.  Contact lisa.olsworth-peter@bhcgodalming.org for last minute registrations.

Spare Petrol Mower: Does anyone have a petrol mower they don’t use any more? Would you consider donating it to the church? If so, please contact liz.gorst@bhcgodalming.org. Many thanks.

It is with sadness that we inform you that Malcolm Gorick has died. He was a much loved member of Busbridge Church and moved to Taunton at the end of 2016.

More news in the extra handouts to take home this week:

•  Channel for Mission Update: Church Family Support Fund

•  Churches Together Link Up—June edition

•  The Great Girls’ Get-together, Mon 24 June, 8-10pm

•  Blokes’ BBQ & Beer Bash, Thurs, 27 June, 7.45pm. 

•  Next Marvelous Movie Matinee (For the family)

 

 

 

 

 

“How effective is the (Busbridge Junior) school’s distinctive Christian vision … in enabling pupils and adults to flourish?”  This week the Chair of Governors at our lovely church school was pleased to tell parents that the recent SIAMS inspection (8 May 2019) judged the effectiveness of the school’s Christian vision to be ‘Good’.  Well done to the school leadership team and all involved.  Keep up the good (God’s!) work! The following is an excerpt from a letter to parents and carers from Ron Downhill, Chair of Governors.

”Your school , being a church school, does of course have a Christian ethos. Church schools undergo formal inspections every five years (SIAMS) “How effective is the school’s distinctive Christian vision, established and promoted by leadership at all levels, in enabling pupils and adults to flourish?”… Our motto is “Cherish and Challenge” – to be a school that reflects the love of Christ: cherishing each other as unique individuals and challenging all to achieve and succeed. A SIAMS inspection of our School was made on 8 May 2019 www.busbridge-junior.surrey.sch.uk/web/siams/150242... As Chair of Governors, I am pleased to report that the Inspector has rated the effectiveness of the school’s Christian vision overall to be ‘Good’, indeed Mrs Jenkins indicated that the school’s overall rating was only marginally short of being the aspirationally high grading of ‘Excellent’. You will see that in particular she considers the teaching and learning of RE to be exceptionally well lead and highly effective. She considers that the school’s collective worship is, like RE, an important element of the school and that the school’s leadership enables pupils and adults to flourish.

A practical idea to aid your prayer life!

The blue prayer kneelers from Busbridge Church are not needed anymore – but if you would like to have one for yourself and/or your children with a deliberate intention to pray more – please contact the church office.  As you kneel to pray you may like to include a prayer for the reordering of the church over the coming weeks.

ABC Stay & Play toddler groups—helpers needed

There are many who enjoy these groups as children and parents, and it’s an ever evolving ministry.  Tuesday and Friday morning groups now enjoy spilling out onto the Old Rectory garden, and numbers are growing.  If you would like to join the team of helpers who represent the church, please speak to Juliet (juliet.gilbert@bhcgodalming.org).

Christian Aid collection

We are very grateful to everyone who contributed to the collection for Christian Aid on 12th May. £380 was collected, and this will go towards providing health centres and clinics for impoverished communities in Sierra Leone. This money could literally save lives!

Fathers’ Day BBQ, next Sunday, Busbridge Contemporary

A treat for dads (and everyone who wants to celebrate them)!  Come at 9.45am for coffee and bacon sandwiches before the contemporary service.  Please arrive in plenty of time.

Choral Evensong with King Edward’s Chapel Choir, Wednesday 19 June, 4.45pm, Hambledon

The chapel choir of King Edward’s School, Witley is returning to Hambledon church for a special Choral Evensong service to celebrate the school’s links with the village.  All welcome.  Tea and cake from 4.15pm.

Jam Together, Sunday 23 June, 2-5pm, Old Rectory

Registration closes today!  A new event for 11-18 year olds who play an instrument or enjoy singing.  No pressure to play, just come along and enjoy.

Contact lisa.olsworth-peter@bhcgodalming.org for more information and a registration form.

Prayer and Cakes for Busbridge reordering – two essential fuels for the building works!  Please contact Shelagh Godwin via church.office@bhcgodalming.org if you can contribute either.  She would appreciate someone or several people to support this undertaking.

 Sign up this week for:

The Great Girls’ Get-together, Mon 24 June, 8-10pm email ladies@bhcgodalming.org, AND

Blokes’ BBQ & Beer Bash, Thurs, 27 June, 7.45pm. 

email bbq@bhcgodalming.org . 

Confirmation opportunity, 24 November 2019

If you would like to find out about being confirmed with other candidates from the deanery, please speak to Simon (simon.taylor@bhcgodalming.org).  Confirmations will take place in a special 6.30pm service at Busbridge Church.