Blog

Old Rectory update
The weather has hampered progress slightly this week, however plastering and decoration upstairs is going well – thank you all for your prayers – please don’t stop praying for Mark & the team! Mark Pateman

Men’s event: An evening with Michael Baughen
Please do join us for an evening with Bishop Michael on Friday 16th March in Busbridge Church Centre. A glass of wine and some nibbles will be served from 7.45pm and our speaker will begin at 8.15pm. As many of you will know, Michael ended his long ministry in the Church of England as Bishop of Chester and we are now delighted that he is a member of our church fellowship here at Busbridge. He will be reflecting on his time in many diverse locations and sharing his rich experience with us. We plan time for questions at the end of Michael’s presentation. Those of you who know Michael will agree that he is the sort of speaker who has wide appeal and thus we would encourage you to invite a guest. Tickets are £3 (with payment on the night) and you can reserve a place by emailing menmattersbhc@gmail.com or speaking to Alan Betts or Dudley Hilton. Places are limited so please book soon – our last event was a sell out!

Nexus
On Thursday 1st March, Hugh Terry, Chairman of SERV SSL: Service by Emergency Rider Volunteers for Surrey and South London, will tell us about the work of their blood runners.  These selfless volunteers generously give their time, in the middle of the night and on motorbikes or in cars, to save lives by transporting emergency blood and medical supplies to wherever they are needed. This vital service saves the NHS thousands of pounds.  SERV SSL is our chosen charity for 2018.  Do come along and learn more about the fantastic work these volunteers do.  All are very welcome, including men! We meet in Busbridge Church Centre at 8.00pm and there’ll be drinks and nibbles before Hugh starts his talk. We look forward to seeing you! 

Squires Lunch
The next Squires lunch will be at 12.15pm, on Sunday 25th February and anyone wishing to join us should please phone or email Brian and Pat Oxborough by Wednesday 21st February if possible.

Website
Thanks to the tireless work of Tim Davies and his sound crew, we finally have a great collection of recorded sermons from Busbridge&Hambledon. So if you’ve missed a Sunday, would like to subscribe to the podcast or catch up on a sermon series, then the world is your oyster! Go to www.bhcgodalming.org/sermons-talks and take a look.

Prayer request from James Brockman
James asks if the folk of Busbridge&Hambledon could include Durham missions week (starting on 19th February) in your prayers? There will be 10 lunchtime and evening events which will involve apologetics questions, hearing powerful testimonies of how God has changed lives and looking at lives changed by Jesus in the Bible. Things to particularly pray for are the speakers, Peter Dray and Mark Meynell, for logistics and practicalities, particularly for the marquee hosting all the events (with capacity for 5-600 people!), and most of all for many students in Durham to come to the events and meet Jesus there. Thank you!

Listen…
Many thanks to everybody who supported Shelagh Godwin’s 70th birthday concert of her own music (which raised £755 for the Old Rectory Project). A recording is now available, and can be accessed via this link: www.soundcloud.com/bhcgodalming/sets/shelagh-godwins-birthday/s-Q3rji

Newcomers Tea
We are looking for someone to lead a small team of 3 to 4 people to coordinate a newcomers’/welcome event in late April. If you are interested could you please contact Jill Johnston on 01483 422194. If you are new to any of the BHC services and haven’t yet filled out an information card, please get in touch with Jill as well so she can let you know the details closer to the time.

Marvellous Movie Matinee
Worth adding to your diaries is a movie for the grown-ups, starring Judi Dench as Queen Victoria (is that enough of a hint?!) on Saturday 3rd March, 2.30pm at Busbridge Church. Plus another one for the younger folk on 17th March – Clue: does ‘2 monsters getting a further education’ give it away?!

please pray for…
· The upcoming Busbridge Ball – for the hardworking organisers and for a lovely night out for all those going
· June Higgins
· David & Sandra’s son Patrick
· Those considering the Confirmation course
· Local Leisure Centres and gyms
· The Bridge magazine
· Admiral Way and their road steward, Derek Pearsall
· Malthouse Lane, St Dominic’s School, Clock Barn Lane and the Cheshire Home

Old Rectory update
Decorations start on the first floor this coming week, the front extension is being roofed, the verandah is being constructed and electrical works continue. Mark Pateman

Busbridge Contemporary
Huge thanks to everyone who has signed up for the Busbridge Contemporary teams. Isn’t it great being back in the school?! Our next step is to get together to talk about what’s involved, any teething issues and what we can do, going forward, to make everything run even more smoothly. We’ve planned a first meeting for Sunday 18th February (immediately after the Contemporary service – probably lasting 30 minutes) to which everyone who is involved or would like to be involved, is invited to partake. If you’re unable to make this date we have a couple more meetings planned so everyone should have the chance to come along and find out more. Any questions not covered in the meetings please talk to Dave Preece or Mark Williams.

House groups resource
Attention all House group leaders – there are some study notes for the April sermon series on Loving your Neighbour. If you would find these useful, they can be downloaded from the website on www.bhcgodalming.org/hgresources.

Old Rectory prayer points
· Give thanks for the amazing total of £755 raised by Shelagh Godwin’s birthday celebration concert. Also give thanks for the success of the event and for all the answered prayers.

· Pray for Mark and the Old Rectory building team as they get closer to starting work on the garages: for strength, protection, and good weather.

Fairtrade

There is a Fairtrade sale and coffee morning coming up on Saturday 24th February, 10.00am – 12noon at St John’s Church Room in Farncombe. There’ll be loads of Fairtrade products available there – do go along and support it if you can.

Newcomers Tea
We are looking for someone to lead a small team of 3 to 4 people to coordinate a newcomers’/welcome event in late April. If you are interested could you please contact Jill Johnston. If you are new to any of the BHC services and haven’t yet filled out an information card, please get in touch with Jill as well so she can let you know the details closer to the time.

The Eaves family
Lizzie and her family (Busbridge Contemporary) are relocating to NZ on 28th February. If anyone would like to keep up with their latest news, contact Karen in the church office who can connect you. All the best to them in their new adventures!

Dates for your diary…
You won’t want to miss out on these events so add them to your diaries now:

24th April | Whole Church prayer event

29th April | APCM

12th May | The BIG Spring Clean

PLUS we’re still finalising dates for an Away Day some time after June – watch this space!

Dog adoption with a difference!
Phoebe and Edie from Busbridge Contemporary have taught themselves to make origami dogs and are putting them up for ‘adoption’ in return for a donation towards Old Rectory and Action Aid. They will be for sale in the Contemporary over the 2 upcoming Sundays – could you offer a home for a paper canine and support the girls fantastic efforts? Well done girls for your initiative and getting involved with Old Rectory fundraising.

Marvellous Movie Matinee
Worth adding to your diaries is a movie for the grown-ups, starring Judi Dench as Queen Victoria (is that enough of a hint?!) on Saturday 3rd March, 2.30pm at Busbridge Church.

GraveTalk: A café space to talk about a difficult subject
Saturday 3rd March, 10.30am Godalming Baptist Church. Death, dying and funerals are not easy topics to discuss, but things we all inevitably need to face one day. This Church of England GraveTalk “cafe space” will provide a safe and informal environment for these important life questions to be considered. There is no charge for this event, but a small donation towards the cost of refreshments and administration would be gratefully received. To book your free place, please register by contacting Sally Pollard at Godalming Baptist Church: pollard3@hotmail.co.uk.

James  chapter 2 v 17 says “So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.”

Reading this, one might ask the question “Did St. Paul and James disagree about the supremacy of Faith for salvation?” After all Luther’s highly influential teaching based on Paul, especially his letter to the Romans, was that we are “saved” by faith alone through God’s Grace. Actually I think both are right because people who offer their lives in faith to Christ cannot help noticing the needs of others and doing something positive. James, in his context, was a man of both faith and action. So it is not “either works OR faith” but rather “both faith AND works ( good actions)”.

Rudyard Kipling wrote:

“O England is a garden and such gardens are not made
By saying “O how beautiful” and sitting in the shade;
While better men (and women!) than we began their working lives
By digging weeds from garden paths with broken dinner knives.”

Faith in Jesus Christ is bound to overflow into action. In our world there are endless opportunities to express the love within us by “helping” others in the broadest sense. Faith is an active quality and leads Christians to do “deeds” of all kinds, quietly, one on one, and also as we work together in the context of our daily activities including work, leisure activities, charitable giving and general connectedness within our society and world. 

Old Rectory update
Works progress on site with first floor works coming to the finishing stage. Electric and mechanical works are progressing on the ground floor. Mark Pateman

New baby!
Welcome to the world! Astrid Day born Tuesday 23rd January to Makena and Alan Day (Busbridge Contemporary). A sister for Ciari, Aria and James.

Dates for your diary…
You won’t want to miss out on these events so add them to your diaries now:
24th April | Whole Church prayer event
29th April | APCM
12th May | The BIG Spring Clean

PLUS we’re still finalising dates for an Away Day some time after June and a Newcomers’ welcome tea – watch this space!

Marvellous Movie Matinee
The next marvellous movie matinee is coming soon – it is one for the children, and we can’t say the name of it due to licensing restrictions…but you get 5 bonus points if you can guess the name from the following clues: rat, chef and Paris. Well? It’s on Saturday 10th February, 2.30pm at Busbridge Church.

Also worth adding to your diaries is a movie for the grown-ups, starring Judi Dench as Queen Victoria (is that enough of a hint?!) on Saturday 3rd March, 2.30pm at Busbridge Church.

GraveTalk: A café space to talk about a difficult subject.
Saturday 3rd March, 10.30am Godalming Baptist Church. Death, dying and funerals are not easy topics to discuss, but things we all inevitably need to face one day. This Church of England GraveTalk “cafe space” initiative, facilitated by our very own Margot Spencer and Penny Naylor, will provide a safe and informal environment for these important life questions to be considered. The morning will be intentionally informal and is open to everyone, with groups of 4 or 5 at tables discussing a number of questions relating to the end of life. Despite conversations about death and dying being difficult to start, thinking about bereavement, our own death, how we would like to be remembered, how our faith shapes our approach to dying, etc, can bring a degree of comfort and help us to live well now.  The purpose of the session is to talk, and to gain insight from listening to the views of others. Light refreshments are offered throughout the event. There is no charge for this event, but a small donation towards the cost of refreshments and administration would be gratefully received. To book your free place, please register by contacting Sally Pollard at Godalming Baptist Church: pollard3@hotmail.co.uk.

Busbridge Church Brass & Silver Cleaning
Many thanks must go to Margaret Swanton who, with the much-missed Terry, has been polishing the Busbridge Church brass and silver for two decades. Understandably, Margaret has now decided it’s time to pass on this duty to someone else. Could this be you? Currently, we have four dedicated teams/individuals who take turns to do the cleaning on a quarterly basis, so it would mean taking on this annual task at the beginning of March each year. If you (and a friend/husband/wife/partner if you’d prefer to do it as a team) are interested, please contact Liz in the office on 01483 421267 or liz.gorst@bhcgodalming.org.

Electoral Roll
If you’d like to join the Electoral Roll at Busbridge or Hambledon please go to www.bhcgodalming.org/electoral-roll to download your form.

Confirmation Course
As part of our year of Going Deeper (Isaiah 43:19) in Truth, God’s Timing and Trusting Him we’re inviting you to confirm your faith in a service of Confirmation. It is for anyone who wants to go deeper with a refresher on what it means to be a Christian and then publically confirm your faith later in the year. Speak to Simon Taylor in the next two weeks if you’d like more information (simon.taylor@bhcgodalming.org).

Coffee drop in
The next of these is on Monday 12th February, 2.00pm – 3.30pm in the Busbridge Church Centre. This is for ANYONE around at this time who’d like a nice cuppa and the chance to get to know others.

Away day for women
Godalming Baptist are putting on an away day for women on Wednesday 7th March, 10.00am – 4.00pm at Waverley Abbey. A day focusing on what it means to be part of the body of the Church, considering different aspects of church life, exploring where we fit in and the vital part we play. To book your place email Sally at pollard3@hotmail.co.uk by Wednesday 21st February.

please pray for…
· Those involved in the fire at Hambledon House
· Those being Baptised/dedicated today
· Those considering the Confirmation course
· Underhill Close and their road steward, Linda Smith
· Busbridge Lane and Hambledon Park

I was in town last week and popped into a shop to buy some milk but got distracted by an enormous display stand full of Easter eggs. I checked my watch to see if we were in even in February yet. I wondered what others made of the display? Then I moved on to buy… what? My mind had gone blank! All those eggs had completely distracted me and I’d forgotten my purpose for being in the shop in the first place.

I wonder if this is what James is getting at in the Bible reading this week? James is advocating activist Christianity but he’s not saying we need to simply do more and more. His message is far more important: if we are going to be active and doing things then it is important to know the purpose otherwise we could become distracted by what we do, rather than why we do it. Remember, James was Jesus’ own half-brother, a sceptic at the outset but a major Christian leader by the end. He knew why he believed what he believed and he knew why he did what he did.

‘Absence of doing’ may sound great to begin with but absence isn’t what James advocates. He points to purpose. Our purpose this year? It’s Isaiah 43:19: Going Deeper, and is about knowing God’s Truth, Living in God’s Timing and Trusting God.

That’s quite a purpose to aspire to!

The letter from James is full of very practical instructions, written to “all God’s people scattered over the whole world”.  That’s a fairly comprehensive reader base and it includes us!

James deals with all manner of subjects – riches and poverty, faith and actions, wisdom, guarding our speech, judging others, prayer – and he is at pains to remind us that faith and action go hand-in-hand.

He begins with the uncomfortable subject of trials and temptations.  “When trials come your way …” he says.  “When” not “if”.  Facing difficulties is a normal part of life and being a Christian does not provide immunity from that.  James points out that what we have in our armoury is the gift of prayer, which will enable us to persevere through the difficulties.  If we are unable to pray, we have friends who will pray for us and a God who cares about us, through good and bad.

At some stage in our lives, trials beset us all, and (like me) you probably marvel at the way some people deal with everything life throws at them.  Maybe a couple desperate to have children, who suffer one miscarriage after another; maybe a friend whose life seems to have lurched from crisis to crisis over many years; maybe a disabled person whose serenity and contentment is an inspiration.

James encourages us to remain faithful under duress and to remember that “every good gift comes from God … who does not change …”

Old Rectory update
Electrical first fix complete on first floor, plastering commencing next week and the front entrance area formed. Mark Pateman

The Bridge Magazine
The team at The Bridge Magazine are looking to update their website. They’d love to hear from anyone who might be willing and able to help them with this.  Please either have a word with Cathy Brook (Busbridge Classic service) or email her at: editor@thebridgeonline.org.uk.

They’d also like to hear from anyone in Busbridge or Bargate Wood who’s intending to take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch over 27th – 29th January.  Perhaps anyone doing so would be kind enough to copy their recordings to Cathy at the email address above? 

A message from Guildford Besom…
Guildford Besom wishes to extend a huge thank all those at Busbridge Church for the lovely hampers that were given at Christmas time to so many homes.  They were so appreciated and were just a wonderful present to give to people who have all been struggling so much in different ways. Thank you so much again – you have been a real blessing! The Guildford Besom Team.

Specific prayer for Old Rectory
· Give thanks for progress so far. 
· Pray for good weather so that the outside work can get up to schedule
· Protection for everybody on the site and no more problems
· Shelagh’s fundraising birthday concert on 3rd February and for everybody involved

Women’s ministry
Nicky Hemery has kindly agreed to take the lead on this important ministry in 2018. If you have any ideas for events you would like to have please speak to Nicky about them – bear in mind you may need to commit to running them too! We also need to get our mailing list up to date, so if you’d like to receive advance notice of all of our women’s events please let us know via ladies@bhcgodalming.org.  

Birthday Concert
Shelagh Godwin invites everyone to a special birthday celebration concert of her own music on Saturday 3rd February at 6.30pm in Busbridge Church. Collection for Old Rectory. If you would like to come along please email Shelagh on jimdogshome@aol.com.

Upcoming event
Meditation are returning on Sunday 11th March with their hour-long programme The Journey: the life of Jesus in words and music, a programme suitable for Lenten reflection, with Michael Wigley. Hambledon Church, 3.00pm. To be followed by tea and cake and a collection for the Old Rectory Project.

Feba Prayer Meeting
42 Minster Road, Godalming, from 10.30am to 11.30am on Monday 12th March. Please come and pray for this media ministry with partners in most of the world’s trouble spots. Further details from 01483 417725.

Coffee drop in
New for 2018, there’s a new coffee drop-in on the second Monday of the month. Thanks to all those who came along on 8th January. The next of these is on Monday 12th February, 2.00pm – 3.30pm in the Busbridge Church Centre. This is for ANYONE around at this time who’d like a nice cuppa and the chance to get to know others.  Pop the date in your diary now.

Blokes’ Biking
…is happening again on Wednesday 21st February. This group of blokes of all ages, shapes, sizes, biking ability and sense of balance meet in the Homebase carpark at 7.30pm. The bike ride is followed by a restorative pint at the Inn on the Lake. Feel free to join in for the pint end of things if you can’t make the cycle.

Busbridge Ball
This fantastic event at Clock Barn Hall is happening on Saturday 24th February – a three course meal and disco. Tables seat 10 and tickets will be sold for the entire table, so get your group together NOW – just a couple of tables left. Tickets are £48 each. To book your table, contact Carol Jones on calack@btinternet.com or 07855 760634.

please pray for…
· Churches Together
· Families preparing for Baptisms
· Busbridge Junior School
· Tuesley Lane and their road stewards, Jackie Beale, Carole Keating, Frances Shaw and Lesley Reeves
· Brighton Road & Feathercombe Lane

Old Rectory update
Works continuing with main extension structure, forming internal walls and doorways.
Mark Pateman

A reminder about morning services next week @ Busbridge&Hambledon
Sunday 21st January
There are no morning services at Busbridge or Hambledon on Sunday 21st January. This is because there is a special ‘Annual United Service’ put on by Churches Together, for all the church family across Godalming. So make sure you remember to go to:
St Peter and St Paul’s Church, 10.00am

Busbridge Centre
A reminder to all groups and individuals who use the Busbridge Centre – can you please make sure you leave the centre clean and tidy – that means vacuum if required and wash, dry and put away in the correct place, any dishes you have used. If you put anything in the dishwasher, please put it on before you leave. Thanks.

Hambledon Prayer Breakfast
The next Hambledon prayer breakfast is on Saturday 20th January at 8.30am in the church room. All welcome.

Prime Time
Our afternoon of Nostalgia and Guess Who? is fast approaching.  If you are hoping to come along to the event on the afternoon of Monday 22nd January, please can you send us a photo of you as a child as soon as possible so that we can copy them prior to the event. Your original photos will be returned to you. Do consider coming along to join us and see if you can guess what your Prime Time friends looked like as youngsters! If you have a query either contact the Prime Time team via the Church Office or email primetime@bhcgodalming.org

Birthday Concert
Shelagh Godwin invites everyone to a special birthday celebration concert of her own music on Saturday 3rd February at 6.30pm in Busbridge Church. Collection for Old Rectory. If you would like to come along please email Shelagh.

Women’s ministry
Nicky Hemery has kindly agreed to take the lead on this important ministry in 2018. If you have any ideas for events you would like to have please speak to Nicky about them – bear in mind you may need to commit to running them too! We also need to get our mailing list up to date, so if you’d like to receive advance notice of all of our women’s events please let us know via ladies@bhcgodalming.org.  

Upcoming event
Meditation are returning on Sunday 11th March with their hour-long programme The Journey: the life of Jesus in words and music, a programme suitable for Lenten reflection, with Michael Wigley. Hambledon Church, 3.00pm. To be followed by tea and cake and a collection for the Old Rectory Project.

Lesley Mason Radio interview
If you’d like to hear this interview go to heavensroadfm.com/features.

Feba Prayer Meeting
42 Minster Road, Godalming, from 10.30am to 11.30am on Monday 12th March. Please come and pray for this media ministry with partners in most of the world’s trouble spots.

CHANGE OF SERVICE TIMES/LOCATIONS AT BUSBRIDGE CHURCH…
It’s the Churches together service on 21st January but following that, please do remember the new Busbridge morning service times and locations from 28th January onwards….the Classic service remains in the church, but the start time is moving to 10.00am. The Busbridge Contemporary Service will also be starting at 10.00am but go to Busbridge Junior School Hall. Children will go to their groups at 10.15am – you’ll be advised in services on where and when to take them/collect them. NB: No changes apply to Busbridge Quiet, the evening service or to either of the Hambledon services.

Coffee drop in
New for 2018, there’s a new coffee drop-in on the second Monday of the month. Thanks to all those who came along last week. The next of these is on Monday 12th February, 2.00pm – 3.30pm in the Busbridge Church Centre. This is for ANYONE around at this time who’d like a nice cuppa and the chance to get to know others.  Pop the date in your diary now.

Busbridge Ball
This fantastic event at Clock Barn Hall is happening on Saturday 24th February – a three course meal and disco. Tables seat 10 and tickets will be sold for the entire table, so get your group together NOW as tables tend to sell out quickly. Tickets are £48 each. To book your table, contact Carol Jones.

please pray for…
· The Busbridge congregations as they change times and/or locations
· The work of The Cellar
· Citizens Advice
· The Paddock and their road steward, Judith Rolfe
· Braemar Close and Cricket Green

January can be a bit gloomy can’t it? Presumably your Christmas decorations came down last weekend, it is still dark in the mornings and early evenings and spring feels a long way away.

In 2005 as part of a marketing campaign a travel company declared a certain Monday in January as ‘Blue Monday.’ Using a complicated (and entirely fictitious) formula it was decided that things like the weather, post-Christmas debt, failing new year’s resolutions and the time since Christmas combine to make that Monday the ‘most depressing day of the year.’ According to popular myth it is Monday 15th January this year.

We, however, have lots to celebrate: this weekend we re-launch the Classic and Contemporary services at Busbridge, work continues on the Old Rectory and Hambledon Car Park and, most importantly, God is still God.

Our reading for today declares that we are chosen by God, that apart from God there is no saviour, and that God is doing a new thing (see Isaiah 43:10, 11, 19).

We needn’t buy into the gloom of January and marketing campaigns. We can be joyful that there is life from God in us and in our churches.

In our reading from Isaiah God chooses his people ‘so that they may proclaim my praise.’ Instead of the January blues what can you praise God for today and this week?