Blog

What do you make of opening of the prodigal son story? The son who asked his still-alive father for his inheritance. Just couldn’t wait, breaking a key social taboo. And the brother who didn’t ask – presumably receiving nothing at the time. He just stayed on with Dad.

Today, things are more complicated. The bank of (again, still-alive!) Mum and Dad can be a source to help out the young, what with the housing market being the way it is. How generous – how even-handed – should older parents be, given the varying needs of youngsters, and a landscape that can dramatically shift? Many years ago, I heard of a live-at-home daughter who was left a bungalow in its entirety by her parents ‘because she would never marry’. But soon after they died, she did! Subsequent requests from her brother for a cut of the cake fell on deaf ears. Perhaps we in turn wrestle – as donors or recipients – with what we should do, or expect? 

It’s far from straightforward. For those of us who are fathers, on Father’s Day, maybe we struggle knowing we have not always been that role model of fair-minded generosity. We have to live with our own imperfections.

Fortunately we have the assurance of an understanding, loving heavenly Father who is outrageously generous in both grace and provision. As the song says: “Thank you, O my Father, for giving us your Son, and leaving your Spirit till the work on earth is done.”

A HUGE thank you to all the highly enthusiastic participants in the BIG Spring Clean last Saturday. An incredible amount was achieved by the 75+ adults and children who came along. It was such a fun day and the lunch was absolutely delicious – a special thanks to the cooks! If you weren’t able to come along this year, make sure you put it in your diary for 2018. As one punter said “Very enjoyable…best fellowship of the year…”.

Do you live in or near Hambledon? Do you like chatting and drinking tea?
If so, your help is needed. Our Befriending Network desperately needs more volunteers: people who can spare an hour or two a month to visit someone locally who is feeling isolated. To find out more contact Penny Naylor on 01483 421267 or penny.naylor@bhcgodalming.org or check out our website for more details www.bhcgodalming.org/older-people/community-befriending-programme.

Congratulations to Keith Harper on being selected as an LLM (Reader). Keith will begin his theological training in the near future. We are also pleased to welcome Clare Haddad back as a newly approved LLM after her placement at a church in Guildford.

IMPORTANT: Great Girls’ Get Together
This event, due to be held on Tuesday 27th June has had to be cancelled due to a lack of team prepared to run it. Apologies for any inconvenience. The Boys’ Beer Bash on 26th June is still going ahead so men, please make sure you book your tickets for that ASAP as they are going like hotcakes.

Update on Brian Oxborough
Just to let you all know that Brian is due to come home from Milford Hospital on Monday 19th June. Pat would be very pleased if anyone would like to visit Brian at home, but with various professional folk calling throughout the day, please check with her first.

Old Rectory team support needed
Simon is looking for 3 people to help the Old Rectory team over the next couple of months. Roles needed: someone with organisation and admin ability to help organise the Action Teams for doing various things and 2 people to help us approach the church for the final crucial (and not insignificant) challenge of completing the finances for Old Rectory; this is about planning, communication by explaining what is needed, priority decisions to make and why they matter. Please see Simon to volunteer your time and join the Old Rectory team. All are invited to a short presentation and open mic for questions about opening the main area of the church up. Two dates: 25th June at 11.45am or 9th July, 9.45am.

Job Opportunity: Verger needed (paid position)
Applications invited for a successor to Busbridge’s Verger retiring in October. Details from Keith Harper (keith.harper@bhcgodalming.org or Frances Shaw (frances.shaw@bhcgodalming.org)).

Update on Music Development Role
Over the past few weeks, at the PCC’s request, we’ve been explaining the importance of music in worship and seeking to set out a vision for where it might develop further if someone was given dedicated time for this (ie: remunerated part time – far less than the previous role). There hasn’t been any response to the invitation to help support this financially so it is now right that we review where we go next with music. We have great musicians and are incredibly grateful for their time, commitment and gifts. We’ll be gathering the musicians together soon. The situation as it currently stands is that we have recently ‘lost’ two musicians, the leader of classic music has had a baby (congratulations Jenna!), there is a space in the area of oversight of music development and we have no-one holding music ministry together. A lack of response is not necessarily a poor response. It may be that everyone is very aware that we need to raise significant funds to complete Old Rectory (more on that very soon); it is possible that we are not meant to be developing music at this time and that God has other priorities for us as His church family; it may be that God wants us to look at Sunday worship differently in the future and we need to be open to this possibility.

Many of you will know, and remember, Ian and Karen Cooke, who worshipped here for several years, until they moved to Milford.  Ian was one of our wonderful sound team and they also belonged to one of our house groups.  We are deeply saddened to have to tell you that Ian died peacefully on Thursday 1st June, after a short illness. We send our love and prayers to Karen, Molly and Stanley. Ian’s funeral will take place at Clandon Wood on Thursday 22nd June at 1.00pm followed by burial.  Any friends who would like to come to the service will be very welcome. Please hold Karen and the children in your prayers, together with Ian’s family and many friends.

Can you help?
“Summer going too quickly? Do you fancy leaving the country in the autumn and returning in the spring having spent it in the sun of say Oz or NZ? But maybe you are worried about who will look after your house or pets? We are looking for 6/7 months’ alternative accommodation whilst builders are working on our house – we could housesit for you! and pay for your flights plus extras. If you are interested contact Nigel Hodson”

please pray for…
· Those involved in the Grenfell Tower fire tragedy
· Karen Cookes and her family
· The family and friends of Sam Glover
· Andrew Baker – now out of St George’s, London
· Michael Barrett in the Royal Surrey
· Monteagle & Westdean and their road stewards, Guy & Jo Cookes
· South Munstead Lane and The Hydons

Today is Trinity Sunday when we celebrate our personal and powerful God who we know as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

There is great mystery in the Trinity and illustrations such as H2O in its three forms of water, ice and steam can be useful but only in a limited way because our God, quite apart from being the creator of H2O, is a personal and relational God.

We can all too easily underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Last Sunday (Pentecost) many of us went to the Beacon event “Thy Kingdom Come” at the Cathedral. Justin Welby did a whistle stop tour of Cathedrals including Guildford.  It was the day after the London Bridge massacre and Archbishop Welby spoke inspirationally on the radio from a Beacon service:

 “Come Holy Spirit: The strongest power in the world is the love of Jesus Christ. It is more powerful than the evil of terror or the profound wickedness of the terrorist. It is invisible to most rulers, it has no Twitter account and does not show up on Facebook. It has overcome more nations than armies, changed more lives than the finest orators and drawn more people into true community than all the social media that there is, has been or ever could be. It breaks down barriers between races, it tears down the frontiers between nations, it overcomes the oppressions between genders and classes and capacity or wealth or education.”   

Many of you will know, and remember, Ian and Karen Cooke, who worshipped here for several years, until they moved to Milford.  Ian was one of our wonderful sound team and they also belonged to one of our house groups.  We are deeply saddened to have to tell you that Ian died peacefully on Thursday 1st June, after a short illness. We send our love and prayers to Karen, Molly and Stanley. Ian’s funeral will take place at Clandon Wood on Thursday 22nd June at 1.00pm followed by burial.  Any friends who would like to come to the service will be very welcome. Please hold Karen and the children in your prayers, together with Ian’s family and many friends.

Christian Aid
A big thank you to everyone who contributed to the house to house collection in Christian Aid week. June Higgins has paid £1,600 in to the C A account. Gift aid has not yet been added so the final total will be higher.

Update on Music Development Role
Over the past few weeks, at the PCC’s request, we’ve been explaining the importance of music in worship and seeking to set out a vision for where it might develop further if someone was given dedicated time for this (ie: remunerated part time – far less than the previous role). There hasn’t been any response to the invitation to help support this financially so it is now right that we review where we go next with music. We have great musicians and are incredibly grateful for their time, commitment and gifts. We’ll be gathering the musicians together soon. The situation as it currently stands is that we have recently ‘lost’ two musicians, the leader of classic music has had a baby (congratulations Jenna!), there is a space in the area of oversight of music development and we have no-one holding music ministry together. A lack of response is not necessarily a poor response. It may be that everyone is very aware that we need to raise significant funds to complete Old Rectory (more on that very soon); it is possible that we are not meant to be developing music at this time and that God has other priorities for us as His church family; it may be that God wants us to look at Sunday worship differently in the future and we need to be open to this possibility.

A reminder of the Hambledon Prayer Breakfast, 8.30am on Saturday 17th June at Hambledon Church. All welcome.

Fundraising events for Old Rectory
A black tie event called the Music in Munstead Soirée was held on 27th May at Alison Martin’s house in aid of the Old Rectory project. We’re delighted to tell you that the soiree raised £1200 – fantastic! Thank you to all those involved in organising this special event.

There are also tickets still available for Midsummer Music at Malthouse Farm  on Saturday 24th June. A relaxing evening of opera, the joyful strains of jazz and classics from the West End and Gilbert & Sullivan…all in the grounds of Malthouse Farm. Bring a picnic, drinks and something to sit on. Tickets are £22 each and available from www.bhcgodalming.org/tickets/malthouse.

Could you be an occasional sound volunteer?
We would love to recruit a few more volunteers to our sound pool for the Busbridge services. The equipment is extremely easy to use – if you can operate a car radio you can operate our system – and we even have an iPad if you would rather not sit at the back! No previous experience necessary as one-to-one training will be given. If you feel you might be able to help this important ministry please email sound@bhcgodalming.org in the first instance. Thankyou.

Sunday 25th June | The BIG June Parish Picnic
From 11.30am in the Old Rectory garden. Bring a picnic, a rug and the whole family!

Monday 26th June | Boys’ BBQ & Beer Bash
There’s a BBQ, there’s beer (and cider) and lots of manly fun, all in the Old Rectory Garden. This is a ticketed event with limited numbers (but free to go along). Book your tickets at www.bhcgodalming.org/tickets. Each ticket is for you and a friend.

Tuesday 27th June | Great Girls’ Get-together
STOP PRESS!! It has belatedly come to our attention that the team who have beautifully organised this event for the last 3-4 years are unable to do it this year. Unless a team of at least 4 people put their names forward to Catherine McBride ASAP, we will unfortunately have to CANCEL this event. Could this be you? Email catherine.mcbride@bhcgodalming.org.

Another event in the Old Rectory Garden – similar to the boys’ bash in that it’s ticketed, each ticket is for 2 people. Go to the website to book, however, this is a far more refined event; we have wine.

Squires Lunch
The next Squires lunch will be on the 18th June at 12 noon; (due to the Parish picnic taking place on the 25th). If you would like to join us to partake of the gastronomic delights of Squires, please let Terry Swanton know by 14th June.Hope you will be able to join us!

please pray for…
· Those affected by recent events in Manchester & London
· Andrew Baker and his family
· Brian Oxborough, in Milford Hospital
· Students facing exams
· Minster Road and their road stewards, Ruth Bennett, Sarah Black & Nick Moore
· Rectory Close and Salt Lane

We send our love to Susan Sandry, whose father died on Thursday of last week (25th May).  His funeral will take place in Nelson, in Lancashire.  Please hold Susan, Adrian and the wider family in your prayers.

2 South Hill
Massive thanks to the lovely Carol Jones who has done a supreme job of overhauling 2 South Hill for our new curate, David Preece, and his young family. Carol – you are a marvel! Also thanks to her trusty team of helpers including Adrian Sandry, Lynne Hargreaves, Rosemary James, Alan Betts, Karen Kinder, Simon Taylor, Juliet Shadrick, Sue Hardy, Ray Hill, Lorna Sherwin, Anthony Charter, Frances Shaw, Rueben Puddephatt, Jill Johnston, Katrina Williams, David Hart, Becky Whiteman, Dawn O’Toole, Becca Aitkens, Debbie Jones, Darren Montgomery, Alan Harvey and Liz Cooke (hope we remembered everybody). Thanks to you all.

June is always a BIG month here at Busbridge&Hambledon! There’s a lot going on so here’s a supremely helpful list to help you see the wood for the trees…

Saturday 10th June | The BIG Spring Clean
More people still needed for the fab event. 10.00am start at Busbridge Centre. A slap up lunch and all finished by 2.00pm. More information coming soon to those who have already registered.

Saturday 10th June | The Journey: A spiritual reflection
A presentation on the life of Jesus in words and music. 6.30pm at Busbridge Church with a retiring collection for the Old Rectory.

Saturday 10th June, Sunday 11th June | Hambledon Flower Festival
From 10.00am at Hambledon Church.

Saturday 24th June | Midsummer Music at Malthouse Farm
A relaxing evening of opera, the joyful strains of jazz and classics from the West End and Gilbert & Sullivan…all in the grounds of Malthouse Farm. Bring a picnic, drinks and something to sit on. Tickets are £22 each and available from www.bhcgodalming.org/tickets/malthouse. A fundraising event for Old Rectory.

Sunday 25th June | The BIG June Parish Picnic
From 11.30am in the Old Rectory garden. Bring a picnic, a rug and the whole family!

Monday 26th June | Boys’ BBQ & Beer Bash
There’s a BBQ, there’s beer (and cider) and lots of manly fun, all in the Old Rectory Garden. This is a ticketed event with limited numbers (but free to go along). Book your tickets at www.bhcgodalming.org/tickets. Each ticket is for you and a friend.

Tuesday 27th June | Great Girls’ Get-together
Another event in the Old Rectory Garden – similar to the boys’ bash in that it’s ticketed, each ticket is for 2 people, go to the website to book, however, this is a far more refined event. We have wine.

The annual Churches Together Day Trip to Worthing is taking place on Wednesday 19th July. The booking deadline for this event is only just round the corner, so if you would like to join this outing please do let Penny Naylor know by  Friday 9th June at the very latest. Any person who is over the age of 60 is eligible to join this trip, the cost of which is £5 per person. The coaches leave Godalming at 9.30am and depart from Worthing at 4.00pm – the time in between is yours to spend as you choose. Why not get a group of friends together and enjoy a good old-fashioned day out beside the sea? Contact Penny Naylor at the Church Office to reserve your place or email: penny.naylor@bhcgodalming.org.

Prayer at Work
A reminder that the ‘Prayer at Work’ (…and other useful tips for Faith in business…) session is now only a few weeks away. Monday 19th June atSt Saviour’s Church, Guildford 7.45pm – 9.45pm. For more details go to www.cofeguildford.org.uk/transforming-work.

4-11s Ministry Leader
We’re still recruiting for the 4-11s Ministry Leader. If you think this could be for you, it’s not too late! Hours could be flexible, though you would need to work around the key festivals of Christmas and Easter. Why not have a chat with James Ellin 01483 421267 or james.ellin@bhcgodalming.org?

please pray for…
· Those affected by recent events in Manchester
· Andrew Baker and his family
· Brian Oxborough, in Milford Hospital
· Service men & women
· The BIG Spring Clean on 10th June
· Students facing exams
· Maryvale and their road steward, Jackie Beale
· Quartermile Road and Roundals Lane

Some thoughts about cars…

What was your first car? You might think it a strange question, but I remember my first car with great affection. I even have its number on the tip of my tongue SNK 17D whereas I have to stop and think if you wanted the number of my present car. The car had a revolutionary design. It was a Wedgwood blue Triumph Herald with a sub-chassis and a bonnet, which folded forward to give you full access to the engine. Maintaining most of the working parts was easy and for this reason it was a good car to use for gaining mechanical experience. You could even sit on the front wheel while you worked on the engine, they don’t make them like that any more! For all its good points it had one major failing, in a word RUST. No matter how much care you took over the bodywork it just seemed to rust away before youreyes. Re-sprays and under seal could hold it at bay but it always came back again so with some sadness it had to go.

Like a car the Christian Church is made up of different parts, that is to say, you and me and we are given different gifts. Like the components of a car we are all called upon to make the whole thing work efficiently. In todays reading we hear about some of the gifts; Wisdom, Knowledge, Faith, Healing, Working Miracles, Prophesy, distinguishing between Spirits, Tongues and The interpretation of Tongues, all for the common good. Now you might ask where are some of these gifts in our church? Could it be that they are there but somehow they have been allowed to get rusty?

Welcome to Olive Bareau-Dunn and her family as they gather to celebrate Olive’s baptism at Hambledon Church today.

Baby News!
We send our love and congratulations to Stephen and Jenna Brown, celebrating the safe arrival of a 7lb 4oz baby boy – Edward Richard – on Sunday 21st May.  All well!

4-11s Ministry Leader
We’re still recruiting for the 4-11s Ministry Leader. If you think this could be for you, it’s not too late! Hours could be flexible, though you would need to work around the key festivals of Christmas and Easter. Why not have a chat with James Ellin 01483 421267 or james.ellin@bhcgodalming.org?

A Call to Pray! Whole Church Prayer event next week
Wednesday 31st May 8.00pm – 9.15pm Busbridge Church. Please join us as we gather as a church family to pray for our nation and our neighbourhood. This is a really important opportunity to hold our nation in prayer in these difficult times, as well has praying for our local communities and in particular the hopes and plans for our Old Rectory in Busbridge. There will be a number of different ways of praying on offer, so whether you prefer to sit quietly, walk around or get creative, there will be something for you.

Sunday 4th June Thy Kingdom Come
A day of celebration for Pentecost is being held at Guildford Cathedral for all ages. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, will officially open the event at 4.30pm. From 4.30pm to 6.00pm there is a Pilgrimage, Prayer and Food Festival. Then at 6.30pm-8.00pm there is a Pentecost Celebration Service for young people, hosted byBishop Jo Wells and Pete Grieg, with worship led by the Boileroom Ignite band. See the Diocesan website for more information about the day and how to book your free ticket www.guildford-cathedral.org/events/thy-kingdom-come.

Thank you
Simon, Catherine and family would like to say a very special thanks for the lovely ‘Stewardship’ support that arrived recently.

‘Holiday at Home’ at Godalming Baptist Church
Wednesday 26th and Thursday 27th July. This is a happy, two day event for senior folk in our community with musical entertainment, a quiz, craft, armchair Keep-Fit, delicious meals, homemade cakes and much more! If you know of any neighbours, friends or family members who would benefit from a happy time together, do call in at GBC for a booking form (Reception is open Monday-Fridays 9.00am – 12 noon).

A reminder that Hambledon Flower Festival is on Saturday and Sunday 10th & 11th June, from 10.00am to 6.00pm at Hambledon Church.

Busbridge Open Gardens
Saturday 24th June & Sunday 25th June 2.00pm – 5.00pm In aid of The Cellar Café and Cancer Research. Enjoy a stroll around Busbridge with the unique opportunity to visit a variety of beautiful gardens including Godalming in Bloom award winners. Chat to the garden owners and be inspired!

Refreshments, plants and produce will be on sale.

Tickets and maps to visit as many venues as you wish over the weekend will be available from The Cellar Café. Tickets £5 (children under 16 free).

Nexus
To mark the 150th Anniversary of Busbridge Church, on Thursday 8th June we’re having a guided tour of the renowned Munstead Wood gardens, led by Annabel Watts, head gardener.  We meet in Busbridge Church porch at 5.45pm for a brief introductory talk on Gertrude Jekyll’s design influence on the church, before visiting the gardens.  After the tour, we return to Busbridge Church for drinks and tasty finger foods! There are no spaces left, but we look forward to seeing those of you who have already signed up for this enjoyable, and interesting, event.  Let’s hope it’ll be a lovely, warm June evening!

Note from Sarb Klair
“I will be ordained at Guildford Cathedral at 3.00pm on 2nd July should anyone from church wish to come along to support me.”

‘Meditation’ Recital – 10th June
Will you be exhausted/exhilarated on Saturday 10th June after the Big Spring Clean and the Hambledon Flower Festival (not to mention a certain political matter a couple of days earlier)? Come and seek refreshment at 6.30pm in Busbridge Church when ‘Meditation’ will give a presentation on the Life of Jesus in words and music. The recital will last about an hour and will be followed by refreshments. Do please come and support them, and the Old Rectory Project for which there will be a retiring collection. For refreshment purposes please let us know if you are coming along. Email Rosie James or fill out a sign in sheet at the back of church. Thanks!

BIG Spring Clean – Saturday 10th June
Thanks to everyone who signed up over the last week – we still need another 10 volunteers to put their names forward and enjoy the spring clean madness fun. WE HAVE SO MUCH TO GET DONE, and cannot do it without a large number of people to help. Come on people! There’s jobs for everyone. Plus a yummy lunch. Email karen.kinder@bhcgodalming.org or call the Church Office.

please pray for…
· Those affected by recent events in Manchester
· Andrew Baker and his family
· Brian Oxborough, in Milford Hospital
· Skillway students and staff
· The BIG Spring Clean on 10th June
· Students facing exams
· Maplehatch Close and their road stewards, Janet Harvey and Vicki Scarborough
· Parkfield and Rock Hill

What sort of world do we live in when a child of 8, along with 21 other people, is slaughtered in the name of a religion?

What is the world coming to when the lives of thousands are turned upside down by the aftermath of such an atrocity?

Good as our security services are, they cannot possibly detect every would-be terrorist act. We have to be vigilant too.

At one of our services last week, Ian described his working day and the good conversations he had with colleagues of other faiths and none. When asked for his favourite bible verse, he quoted Micah 6 verse 8:

What does the Lord require of you?

To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Those words take us beyond ourselves to our relationships with those we meet day by day and with God. They take us on to our frontline where we put them into practice. While it is natural to seek justice for those directly affected last Monday, we are required to act justly as we seek fairness and equality for all, particularly the weak and powerless.

To love mercy is to show kindness as in love, loyalty and faithfulness to those with whom we have a relationship.

To walk humbly with our God is to love him in the same way he loves us. A tall order, but with his help we can, and together we can make a difference. There is an old Chinese proverb: change the world begin with me.

The ball is in our court!

Small things make a difference. Trying to get home from the other side of Guildford when the A3 and all surrounding roads were gridlocked, I decided to sit it out in a café. I had checked the traffic on my phone so often that the battery ran out. Some people at the next table, seeing my frustration, offered me their phone to make a call – probably a small thing to them, but a big thing for me.

Someone called Edward Lorenz coined what is known as the ‘butterfly effect’-  the concept that small events can have large, widespread consequences. The name comes from his suggestion that a massive storm might have its roots in the faraway flapping of a tiny butterfly’s wings.

Apparently this is only the first part of what Lorenz actually said. He went on to say that although science might suggest that any prediction is possible as long as we have enough information, in reality, the larger meaning of the butterfly effect is not that we can readily track such connections, but that we can’t.

We tend to think that the world should be comprehensible, that everything happens for a reason, and we can pinpoint all those reasons, however small they may be. But nature, and human nature in particular, defies this expectation.

We may not think our ‘flapping’ makes any difference at all. On the other hand, it may set off a ‘storm’. God calls us to be faithful and to leave the ‘completion’ to Him (Phil. 1.6).

As Bishop Festo Kivengere once said, ‘I’m just an ordinary Christian. There are no extraordinary Christians anywhere, just ordinary ones saved by an extraordinary Saviour’.