Blog

If you are reading this in the morning, there’s still time to come along to our Newcomers’ Welcome tea, this afternoon  at 3.00pm-4.00pm. Yew House, Hascombe Road. All welcome.

 Church Cottage Renovation update…
Thank you to Ed Payne who has been working on the garden. Inside, decoration work continues as does the DIY jobs list. Please pray for continued good progress. Owen Roseblade and David Hart

Thank you to everyone for a great church family Away Day last Sunday. It was an AMAZING day where we looked at faithfulness and flourishing. Two important bits of news which came out of the day were:
 1) That after 28 years we have permission to renew the interior of Busbridge Church! We have until August 2019 to complete this.
2) That we would love to develop Lisa’s role. We will be sending information out in the next two weeks about these exciting signs of flourishing but in the meantime, if you are itching to be on a team to deal with the renewal of the church then speak to Simon Taylor or Frances Shaw.
We’ll be sending out a survey next week to get some feedback from those who came to the Away Day – keep an eye out for that one.

An Alpha course will be running in the new year; we are taking numbers now. If you would like to come, bring someone, or have someone you’d like to invite please email alpha@bhcgodalming.org.

If you are interested in helping out at the Light Party there is a Light Party Meeting on Monday 8th October 7.45pm-9.00pm. To find out more or if you’d like to be involved please email becky.bradley@bhcgodalming.org.

The great Lego Card Swap is happening again at FUSE on Sunday morning…bring your cards and your list of missing numbers and let’s get swapping! Find Becky at the end of the service and we’ll find those last missing cards…

Don’t forget about the Marvellous Movie Matinee happening next weekend, Saturday 13th October, 2.30pm at Busbridge Church, which stars Gary Oldman as Winston Churchill.

PCC met recently and approved appointing the Youth Minister post – you can view it on our website. The PCC has also decided to reappoint to Bryan’s role plus we will also be making some changes for our admin and office people due to the great way that the Old Rectory’s use is increasing; providing some administrative support for this. If you’d like to consider volunteering for either of these (approx. 10 hours a week each) roles then please speak to Simon Taylor.

 PLEASE PRAY FOR…

·  Our upcoming Light Party
·  Those applying for the Youth Minister role
·  The planned changes to Busbridge Church
·  Ockford Ridge Foodbank and those it supports
·  High Ridge and their road stewards Barbara Hubble & Debbie Scott
·  Munstead Heath Lane, Hambledon Rd and Hambledon Nursery School

 

Church Family Away Day

LAST CHANCE! Book your place NOW!

www.bhcgodalming.org/awayday2018

 

Church Cottage Renovation update…

Decoration work continues, banisters are in (with thanks to David and some help from the parolee team). The jobs list is getting shorter and site should be ready for carpet removal soon. Praise God for no major problems so far. Owen Roseblade & David Hart

 

We’re delighted that Major General Tim Cross is speaking at Busbridge , 6.30pm Sunday 7th Oct. He’ll be speaking on Christian faith and his involvement with the charity Five Talents. Major General Cross served in the Balkans where he established refugee camps and in other theatres and has said of our nation “The moral component of fighting power is about leadership, it’s about ethics, it’s about culture, it’s about how you get people to fight and embedded within that is an element of justice and righteousness. If you lose the moral component, you lose everything. We…have gone through 30-40 years really of pretending that this moral component is not important, and that I don’t need to have a Biblical foundation in my life. And I challenge that.” A service to put in the diary!

 

Women’s Film Night – Tuesday 25th September 7.30pm; The Shack 12A – a profound and thought provoking film to watch and discuss. Wine and soft drinks provided – please bring nibbles. To book your sofa space email ladies@bhcgodalming.org.

 

Nexus event on Thursday 4th October, 8.00pm Busbridge Centre: Linda Dolan, an RHS Horticultural Advisor, will take us on a tour of Wisley through the months, highlighting which plants to look out for in different seasons and in different areas of this lovely flagship RHS garden. Do come along and hear about the Wisley gardens, which we’re so lucky to have ‘on our doorstep’. 

 

We are looking for anyone who might be willing to volunteer their kitchen for use for a possible Christmas ladies’ event? We looking at running a Christmas bread making morning – trying our hand at panettone, Swedish cinnamon star bread and more. Cathy Brook is happy to run and organise the morning but ideally we need a venue suitable for 6 – 10 ladies to comfortably gather. Any offers? Contact Cathy on 01483 420633 if you can help.

 

PCC met last week and approved appointing the youth minister post – you can view it here: www.new-wine.org/find-a-job/job/1042. The PCC has also decided to reappoint to Bryan’s role plus we will also be making some changes for our great admin and office people due to the great way that the Old Rectory’s use is increasing; providing some administrative support for this. If you’d like to consider volunteering for either of these (approx. 10 hours a week each) roles then please speak to Simon Taylor.

 

PLEASE PRAY FOR…

·  Our upcoming Away Day & Light Party

·  Hambledon Village Shop

·  Heathfield Close and their road steward Sue Hardy

·  Minster Road and Lane End

 

Hello and welcome to our services today! If you are new or visiting, we hope you will feel at home.

 

 

Church Family Away Day

Book your place NOW!

www.bhcgodalming.org/awayday2018

 

The next Newcomers’ welcome afternoon tea is on Sunday 7th October, 3.00pm – 4.00pm. Open to all who feel like newcomers, regardless of how long you’ve been coming! Children are welcome and activities will be provided for them. Please email newcomers@bhcgodalming.org if you’d like to come along.

 

Oct half term Holiday Club & Light Party

As we didn’t get enough leaders’ or children’s sign ups we’ve decided to convert the holiday club into a most excellent annual Light Party. We’ll be having a unique Light Party Sunday service on 28th October (10.00am, Busbridge Contemporary) followed with a family SUPEREHERO theme bonanza at the Old Rectory on Wed 31st October (4.00pm-6.30pm). Over 80 adults and children came last year so get ready for some great fun and a positive alternative to darker things. Prizes for adults/children dressed as a superhero. WE NEED HELPERS. To help or register your child’s interest email lightparty@bhcgodalming.org.

 

Advance notice and date for your diaries…Our annual Memorial Service will be held on Saturday 3 November 2018 at 3.00 p.m. in Busbridge Church.  Nearer the time, a personal letter of invitation will be sent to those who have been bereaved within the last two years.  The service is also open to anyone who has been bereaved, no matter how recently or long ago, and all are welcome.  Margot Spencer

 

School applications: If you are thinking of submitting a church application to Busbridge Junior School then you’ll need to:

1) visit the Busbridge Junior School website and

familiarise yourself with their admission criteria (‘About Us’, ‘Policies’, ‘Admission Criteria for 2019-2020’). We have hard copies in the office if you don’t have access to a computer.

2) pick up an information sheet from the church office

3) bring the church reference form to the church office by 10th December at the latest (please ensure that you are eligible – the criteria are on the information 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 verification to the school by the application closing date (15/01/19).

 

We have been very sad to hear of the death of Janet Matthews, who was a faithful and much-loved member of Busbridge church for over 30 years. She moved to Burford, three years ago, to live near her daughter, Gill.

 

PLEASE PRAY FOR…

· Our upcoming Away Day, Light Party & Newcomers Welcome tea

· Those working in education

· Hambledon Road & Heath Lane and their road steward Simon Taylor

· Mary Vale & Hambledon Park

 

Prayer available at all services

Communion: Gluten free wafers available at all services. Please ask the person administering the bread if you require this.

 

Prayer for the Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity

Lord of creation, whose glory is around and within us: open our eyes to your wonders, that we may serve you with reverence and know your peace at our lives’ end, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

Church Cottage Renovation update…
Decorating work continues, the plumber has finished this week, and we have been getting on with the multiple diy jobs. Praise God for continued good progress.
Owen Roseblade & David Hart

Church Family Away Day...Book your place NOW! www.bhcgodalming.org/awayday2018

Last chance to book your tickets for the Boys BBQ and Beer Bash happening this Friday. Email bbq@bhcgodalming.org.

Following the popularity of the event in May 2017, we’re having another ‘Songs of Praise’ evening at Hambledon church on Wednesday 19th September at 7.30pm. The main focus will be on hymns and songs and why people have chosen them. There are voting slips for your favourite hymns available in the Village shop. All welcome.

Have you booked your Holiday Club places yet?! A fantastic event for year groups YrR – Yr 6 during October half term. More information on our website www.bhcgodalming.org/holiday-club-2018.

We have been very sad to hear of the death of Janet Matthews, who was a faithful and much-loved member of Busbridge church for over 30 years. She moved to Burford, three years ago, to live near her daughter, Gill. Janet’s funeral service will take place on Wednesday 12 September 2018 at 2.00pm in Burford Parish Church. All are welcome.

The next part of the Old Rectory project, the redevelopment of the Church Centre, is progressing. Speak to Dave Preece if you want to know more.

2 new courses starting in October…

Christianity Explored, led by David & Jill Mace and David Preece. This course gives you time and space to think who Jesus was and why this matters. It is a 7/8 week course, with supper, and offers time to raise questions and study the Bible. Book your place by calling the office on 01483 421267 or email david.mace@bhcgodalming.org.

The Discipleship Explored course is designed for Christians who want to go deeper in their faith and uses a combination of talks on DVD and small group discussion based on the book of Philippians. It will run weekly (day tbc). The course will be run by John & Jeannie Postill and Dave & Kate Brockman. For further details, please email jeannie.postill@bhcgodalming.

PLEASE PRAY FOR…

· Our upcoming Away Day & Holiday Club

· Students starting back at school, college and university

· Grosvenor Road and their road stewards Sarah Blagden & Dawn O’Toole

· Maplehatch Close & Feathercombe Lane

 

Church Cottage Renovation update…
We have now agreed an electrician for the work. Also this week we picked up the tiles for the new bathroom. Owen Roseblade & David Hart

We are thrilled to announce that James Ellin has been accepted for ordination. Sadly, James and Emma will be leaving us; this is likely to be at the beginning of September. There will be a farewell celebration BBQ at the Old Rectory, midday on Sunday 2nd September (combining with Bryan and Tori, who are also leaving for ministry training). To contribute to a farewell gift for James or Bryan please pass it to the church office in an envelope with the appropriate name.

The next Ladies Film Night is happening Tuesday 24th July at 7.30pm. Come along and watch Saving Mr Banks; the remarkable story of PL Travers who wrote the original Mary Poppins novels. You’ll watch it in the comfort of a Busbridge home with wine, nibbles and a chance to discuss the film. Email ladies@bhcgodalming.org to book your place, and do bring along a friend or two.

We’d like to announce the terrific news that the Diocesan Hear Here! project (of which our Hearing Aid Clinics form a part) has been pronounced the winner of the inaugural Faith Action: Faith & Health Award. Congratulations to the BHC folk involved – Mark Pateman, Penny Naylor, Karen Franks, Peter Newman, Sue Hardy, Carol Jones, Sarah Blagden and Rachel Hargreaves for their much appreciated contribution.

Do come and join us for the next Hambledon Ladies Breakfast, Saturday, 11th August, at West Surrey Golf Club. Our speaker is Robert Dalton, who works for Wheels for the World, which changes the lives of disabled people in developing countries. Tickets will be on sale in Hambledon Village Shop, from Monday 23rd July until Tuesday 7th August, priced at £9.

The Boys’ BBQ & Beer Bash is happening on Friday 14th September, 7.45pm – 10.00pm at the Old Rectory. Tickets for this event are limited and usually go quite quickly, so reserve yours (and your friends’) NOW by emailing bbq@bhcgodalming.org. Your ticket includes a hog roast and beer, with a suggested donation of £5 per person.

Combined summer services at Busbridge will start 10.00am on Sunday 29th July and they will run through to Sunday 2nd September inclusive, with activities for children. The one exception to this will be on Sunday 12th August, when all are warmly invited to join us for the Churches Together Service at the Godalming Bandstand.  Please note that the Bandstand service starts at 10.30am. We look forward to seeing you there! For all other services over the summer, please check the website.

Busbridge Morning Prayer next week (18th July) will be the last one before we break for the summer. Midweek Morning Prayer will resume on Wednesday 5th September at 9.00am.

PLEASE PRAY FOR…
· Our upcoming Away Day
· Local hospitals and nursing homes
· Greenhill Close and their road steward, Carole Keating
· Latimer Road & Cricket Green

Church Cottage Renovation update…
We are continuing to liaise with trades to agree the extent of the work needed. Please pray for clarity over the next steps. Owen Roseblade & David Hart

We’ll be looking at engaging with God and a flourishing life on our Church Away Day on 30th September. This is a chance to meet people, be a closer community, and be fed and taught through a number of discussions, seminars and speakers. There will be activities for all ages and children and young people will have a great time. 10.00am – 3.30pm, King Edward’s, Witley. We’ll be opening registration for this event before the summer break and hope you will let us know your availability before you disappear on your holidays to help us plan better – watch this space!

Become a Dementia Friend…Join us for this free interactive information session to learn how dementia affects a person and what you can do to make a difference. As a first step towards Busbridge&Hambledon Church achieving Dementia Friendly Church status, we will be offering regular Dementia Friends Information Sessions at both churches throughout the year. The next session is taking place on Saturday 14th July at 10.00am in the Church Room at Hambledon Church. The session lasts approximately 1 hour. For further details or to book a place contact Penny Naylor at the Church Office or email penny.naylor@bhcgodalming.org.

The Busbridge Classic are holding a social following the 22nd July service. Coffee and cake will be served from 11.15am – all welcome to attend this social gathering before everyone heads off on holiday.

Boys’ BBQ and Beer Bash  – Friday 14th September. More details to follow… If you would like to help organise it, please speak to Dave Preece.

Hope you enjoyed the last Fuse service before the summer – the Busbridge Contemporary will  continue to be in the school until 22nd July and we begin our combined summer services on 29th July. Normal services resume on Sunday 9th September.

Welcome to Lisa Olsworth-Peter. Lisa is our new music-worship pastor and the family has joined us from Ely. Lisa’s role is currently 2 days a week plus Sunday but we’ve committed as a church to developing this role over the next few months. Lisa has a wealth of experience including the West End, worship teams, speaking on worship at New Wine and elsewhere, and ‘pop-up’ choirs.

 

PLEASE PRAY FOR…
· Our upcoming Away Day
· All those involved in education
· Duncombe Rd and their road steward, Carol Jones
· Home Farm Road & Church Lane

Church Cottage Renovation update…Still waiting to get quotes…please pray for an uncomplicated start to the project.

The Old Rectory project is entering its next phase with work being done on Church Cottage and plans are progressing for the Church Centre drop-in space (thanks to Chad Grayer and Tom Jones). We’ve looked at the finances and they will be reported to PCC on 9th July. A couple of days after we’ll be able to give an update on finances and plans to all who have donated in the past or are giving monthly.

Welcome to Lisa Olsworth-Peter. Lisa is our new music-worship pastor and the family has joined us from Ely. Lisa’s role is currently 2 days a week plus Sunday but we’ve committed as a church to developing this role over the next few months. Lisa has a wealth of experience including the West End, worship teams, speaking on worship at New Wine and elsewhere, and ‘pop-up’ choirs.

We’ve had Kate Kaye as our amazing PCC secretary for the past few years. Kate will be stepping down over the summer with our thanks for all that she has done. If you could be our next PCC secretary please speak to Simon or one of the wardens. There are six meetings a year.

Thanks to the 50+ women who came along to the Great Girls’ get together – it was a thoroughly enjoyable evening (thanks team) and great to connect so many women in the BHC community.

Boys’ BBQ and Beer Bash  – Friday 14th September. More details to follow… If you would like to help organise it, please speak to Dave Preece.

Both Bryan & Tori Silletti have been recommended for training for ordination and will be leaving for Trinity College Bristol in early September. They say “We want to say ‘Thank You!’ to everyone at Busbridge&Hambledon church for being such an amazing family to us over the past three years.  We have been truly blessed by you all through time spent with you as well as prayers, fellowship, meals, love, financial support and a myriad of experiences – we’d like to put on a ‘thank you’ BBQ at the Old Rectory from 12pm on Sunday the 2nd of September and we would love you to be able to join us.” Please add to your diaries if you can come along, and congratulations to them both.

On Thursday 5th July at Nexus, Helen Sturney will demonstrate Kusudama, an ancient Japanese craft of folding and pasting squares of coloured paper.  She assures us it’s easy to do and we’ll have a lovely Kusudama flower or two to take home. Come and get creative – it should be a fun evening! Busbridge Church Centre at 8.00pm.

PLEASE PRAY FOR…
· Dave & Hannah Preece following Dave’s ordination
· Service men and women
· Duncombe Rd and their road steward, Carol Jones
· Home Farm Road & Church Lane

 

 

 

 

Do you know Justin Bieber? The Queen? My hunch is that you know about them, but you don’t actually know them, and they might not know you.

How do you get to know a person? You don’t really know someone until you have spent time with each other and shared something of yourselves. A few years ago, our daughter told us about ‘36 questions designed to help you fall in love with anyone’. They are questions that progress from moderately personal (“Given the choice of anyone in the world, whom would you want as a dinner guest?”) to quite intimate and demanding (“Of all the people in your family, whose death would you find most disturbing? Why?”) The premise is that the more you share of yourself and another person shares of themselves, the more you build intimacy and vulnerability, and both are precursors of love. Knowing in the sense of ‘knowing about’ becomes knowing in the biblical sense.

How do we apply that to our relationship with God? How do we get to know the God who knows us through and through? Reading and studying his word is one way, but nothing replaces spending time with him and opening ourselves to his presence, to listen to the still small voice that so easily gets drowned out by everything going on.

Spending time with him in intimacy and vulnerability gives him the chance to reveal himself to us and puts us on the path to knowing and loving him better.