Blog

Prayer Events…
Night night, God bless…
Please remember this lovely family prayer event, happening this Tuesday, 4.00pm at Busbridge Church. Also, do come to the Church prayer evening on at 8.00pm the same evening! It’ll last for one hour. It’s an important evening of prayer and there’s lots to pray about. Queries to David Mace.

 Choir
A final call for anyone interested in joining the choir for the carol service at Busbridge? Rehearsals are 27/11, 4/12 and 11/12, in the evening 8.00pm – 9.00pm in the church (after the evening service). Anyone is welcome but If you could make yourself known to Jenna Brown, she’d be grateful so she knows who to expect!

 New Wine 2017 – United
As in previous years, a group of all ages will be going to New Wine for Week 2 (30 July – 5 August) next year. This is a fantastic opportunity to take time out for fun, worship, teaching, refreshing and loads more. Fabulous age specific children’s groups and entertainment. For more details www.new-wine.org/summer including how to book. Full payment before 30th November gets you the cheapest price. Leaflets are available at the back of the church or ask Nicky for more details.

Ceilidh
Thanks to everyone who came along to the Ceilidh on Saturday night – £361 was raised for the old rectory. A big thanks to Darren Montgomery for organising it.

Movie Matinee
The Movie Matinee team are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to support our Saturday movie events. Our next event is on 10th December where we’re running stalls to create snacks and do crafts before watching a Christmas film. We’re looking for people to help at the event, say “Hi”, and generally be around to show people where to go. If you can spare one or two Saturday afternoons a year, please get in touch with Catherine Garner for more information.

Malcolm Gorick (Busbridge) has this week moved to a residential home in Taunton and he wanted to thank everyone who has helped him with lifts and other activities over recent years. You can get his address off Jill Johnston if people would still like to be able to contact him.

Space for God
In the midst of all the busyness of life, this is a time for refreshment and stillness with God. After a short introduction, the hour is given over to quiet personal prayer with some activities on offer to help you meet with God in the quiet.
Tuesday 6th December 8.00pm – 9.00pm, Busbridge Church.

Old Rectory Fundraising Team end of year update..
We would like to thank everyone who has organised, helped at, and attended the events our teams have delivered in 2016, putting the fun into fundraising. You have contributed the best part of £10,000 to the project. Well done! Do come forward if you have an idea of an event you would like to organise – fresh blood and all that! 2017 (Easter Term) – put the dates in your diary now!· The second spectacular Busbridge Ball on 25th February
· The sparkling Stars in Their Eyes on 25th March
Rosie James & Debbie Scott

Coffee
The Older People’s Ministry team are offering free coffees on the school run next Thursday 1st December from 8.30am at Busbridge Church to raise awareness of Timebanking in the Godalming Area. Please feel free to drop by and grab a cup.

Jingle&Mingle
Thanks to everyone who came along to Jingle&Mingle on Wednesday night – over 100 women filled Clockbarn Hall with the sound of craft glue and Christmassy foliage. We hope you had a good time and do look out for the new women’s activities brochure for 2017.

Thank you
A BIG thank you from Toby and Jack for everyone’s generosity last week at their cake sale at Unplugged – thank you to those who made cakes and bought cakes – over £200 was raised which is a huge help for them both towards their mission trip to Mexico.

Shedvent
The Shedvent season is almost upon us. Everyone, young or old, is invited to the living advent calendar in a garden shed. Please come to support the groups who have all put so much work into their displays, and to chat with the wider community. You might even get a hot chocolate for your efforts! Open between 5.00pm and 6.00pm from 1st to 24th December in Busbridge Church grounds.

please pray for…
· Malcolm Gorick as he settles into his new home
· Outreach groups within the church
· The upcoming Alpha course
· Upcoming events: prayer evenings, Nexus Christmas Quiz, Shedvent and the Prime Time Carol service
· Tuesley Lane and their Road Stewards; Jackie Beale, Carole Keating, Frances Shaw and Lesley Reeves
· Foxdene & Cricket Green

Happy New Year!

No, I have not taken leave of my senses, I am just making the point that this Sunday, Advent Sunday, marks the beginning of the Church’s year in terms of its calendar.

 My memories of the Advent season when I was young are that it was a rather dark time with readings and sermons that focussed on the second coming and on sin and judgment and God’s anger. There seemed to be very little looking forward to the coming of Jesus and all the joy and promise of that with the result that Christmas seemed to turn up rather suddenly and be gone as quickly.

 Things are very different now. The whole season is very much more upbeat, lookingforward to the events of Jesus first coming as well as looking forward to Jesus second coming to complete and redeem that promise. Our sermon series from now to the New Year is on the theme of ‘God with us’, exploring the implications of that fact and our individual and collective response to it.

This week our topic is ‘God with us – living in his light’ with passages from Isaiah and Romans, both rich in imagery, both with a sense of urgency for us to recognise the times in which we live. It is time for us to wake up; ‘the night is nearly over, the day is almost here’, ‘put on the armour of light, clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ’.  Messages to bring us light and purpose, joy and confidence in a world of darkness and confusion.

As Isaiah puts it ‘Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord’, this Advent season.

“For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”

(Psalm 103 11-12)

This is one gem of many in Psalm 103, a psalm which whatever our time of life or situation will have something to uplift our spirit.

It is full of beautiful imagery: He crowns you with love and compassion, your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

The psalm starts and ends with an outpouring of praise. Praise is not something which is a dry duty, it is something that comes naturally to human beings, we do it all the time: “How lovely to see you,” “This is delicious.” Praise is inner health made audible.

God made us to be people who praise him and everything good that he gives. When we praiseand worship himcollectively or alone hedelights in us. 

A very warm welcome to Florence Whitmarsh, her family and friends, as she is baptised at Hambledon today.

We send our love and prayers to the Nelson family, following the death of Mark’s father on 2nd November. The funeral took place in Bodmin on Wednesday of this week. Please hold Mark, Julie, Luke and Rosina in your prayers; also Mark’s stepmother and sister.

We have been saddened to hear of the death of Margaret Holland, who died earlier in November, please pray for Margaret’s daughter Julie, her son Chris and the wider family, and also remember Ann Bishop, one of the residents at the Hydon Hill, who died in the RSCH on 19th October. Her funeral service will take place at Guildford Crematorium, on Wednesday 23rd November. Please pray for her fellow residents at Hydon Hill and for all who knew her through her regular attendance at the communion services there.

On Tuesday 15th, Simon, Mark and Frances attended an important meeting with the Diocesan Chancellor and various other Parties to discuss the Temporary Licence for the removal of the Busbridge chancel walls. They will be submitting their report, observations and recommendations to PCC for their consideration and will let you know PCC’s decision as soon as they can.

 The Busbridge Ball – Raffle donations wanted
The second annual Busbridge ball fundraiser in aid of the old rectory is taking place on February 25th 2017 and notification of how to purchase your tickets will be coming out shortly. Last year the raffle was a major contributor to the fantastic amount raised and we would like to hold another at this year’s event. To avoid the raffle taking too much time we are looking to have around a dozen or so really nice prizes. We would be grateful if anyone has a business contact or a possible prize available that they would be prepared to donate, if they would get in touch with Juliet Shadrick or Sue Hardy. Many thanks in advance.

Besom Hampers
Would you like to help brighten someone’s Christmas? Last year, with Besom, we made up and delivered 25 hampers to local people in need. Be part of it this year by generously donating goodies to put in the hampers from this Sunday 20th November through to Sunday 11th December (boxes in Busbridge and Hambledon church); and/or helping to pack and deliver the hampers. Packing will take place on Thursday 15th December at the Church Centre at 7.00pm with deliveries on 16th and 17th December. See The Channel for Mission update available at the back of church for more information, or if you would like to help, please contact Jo Cookes 

Reverence Service: Hambledon Advent Evensong
An opportunity to pause and reflect, as we approach Christmas with a traditional service of hymns, prayers and psalms in the style of choral evensong: Sunday 27th November, 4.00pm at Hambledon Church.

Hambledon vestry
ARE YOU A VESTRY KEY-HOLDER? As a final item for the vestry refurbishment work, we will be renewing the worn lock of the main vestry entrance door. To ensure that if you are a current key-holder, you receive a new key to the new lock, we need to know who you are. Also, there is now an insurance requirement for a register of church key-holders to be maintained. As a first step, if you have a key to the vestry door, please advise Jenny Henderson by 15th January 2017.

Stars in Their Eyes…
…is coming to Godalming! So if you fancy bringing out your inner diva or showing off your rock star alter ego, then start rummaging through your wardrobe for your costume and put 25th March 2017 in your diaries. Individuals, duets and groups all welcome! Tim Davies is organising this extravaganza, so if you’d like to put your name down or find out a bit more, please email stars@bhcgodalming.org.

Night, Night. God Bless: Tuesday 29th November – a date for the family diary.
Would you value being equipped and enabled to pray with your young family? Then, come along at 4.00pm – 5.00pm  with your children to the next family friendly prayer event in Busbridge Church which has  a specific focus on praying with children. To join in the fun  – come along in your onesie and bring your cuddly friend. You will end up with a “prayer bag” of ideas to take away with you to use at home. For the grownups – the prayer event starts later the same evening – 8.00pm – 9.00pm in church. Contact Shân Hallam for the children’s event and David Mace for the 8.00 – 9.00pm event if you’d like more information.

Please pray for…
· The family and friends of Margaret Holland and Ann Bishop
· The Nelson family and the Blackman family
· Chris and Maggie Jagger and the SALCET team in Uganda
· The Postills – John who has shingles and Jeannie, recovering from a chest infection
· Our political leaders
· Upcoming events: Jingle & Mingle, Night Night, God Bless prayer event and the Nexus Christmas Quiz
· The Paddock and their Road Steward, Judith Rolfe
· Duncombe Road and Church Lane

This will be a weekend to remember*.

 On Saturday, many people who have been bereaved, either recently or long ago, will gather in Busbridge church to sing well-known hymns, hear words of hope and remember their loved ones by name. The church will be ablaze (we hope not literally!) with candles, symbolising the light of Christ, which brings hope on dark days.

 On Sunday, we shall join with the rest of the nation in remembering those who gave their lives in two world wars and many conflicts since. The Royal British Legion is encouraging us to re-think Remembrance, in the light of the fact that many so-called war veterans these days are not old men, but young men and women in their twenties and thirties. People who have lost limbs, independence and sometimes peace of mind, in wars fought far from home. Remembering is important. Whenever the Jews celebrate Passover, they remember their ancestors’ escape from Egypt. They remember significant people, places and events, as we should.  They also remember God’s goodness and faithfulness, as we should. 

In times of remembrance, these words from Lamentations 3:21-23 offer them – and us – hope:

Yet this I call to mind
    and therefore I have hope:

 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,

for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.

*A weekend to remember.  As the children would say, “Do you get it?”

Dreams can be of the ‘somewhere over the rainbow’ kind; or maybe of the ‘I’m dreaming of a white Christmas’ kind; or perhaps of the ‘I can’t remember where I parked my car’ nightmare kind. Some dreams in the Bible seem to be more like what we might call a vision, a picture, where God communicates with people at what often turn out to be significant moments.

In Jacob’s dream he saw a ladder, with angels on it going up and down, symbolically suggesting a movement from heaven to earth, and earth to heaven. When Jacob woke up, he was afraid, and said, ‘How awesome is this place!’ (Gen 28.17). This sense of awe or fear is often mentioned in connection with a dream or a vision from God, and this is one of the ways in which we can know that the dream is from God and not our own wishful thinking.

Jesus (in John 1:51) sees himself as a ladder, again with angels ascending and descending. As Son of Man he himself forms a permanent ladder between heaven and earth.

In 1866 Busbridge Church may well have been covered in ladders, well on the way to the completion of the building, which was consecrated on 1 March 1867. We are blessed with two beautiful church buildings, built to the glory of God. And God has now sent the gift of his Spirit, who enables us to dream, not our dreams, but his.

Have your shopping habits changed?

Take bread.   There is a shift towards the artisan baker and his product which is made from natural ingredients, with more flavour – authentic – the real thing. Yet the raw ingredients look so basic – flour (various), water, yeast…yet in the hands of a Master Baker they are transformed.

What has this to do with today’s Bible Reading?

An inadequate offering of lunch from a boy was transformed into a feast for 5000 – in the hands of the Master.

However inadequate you consider yourself or your talents, in the hands of Jesus the Master, they can accomplish much.

Try it.   You will be surprised.

Please Pray…
Our prayers and love go out to Sue and Arthur Blackman (Hambledon) who have both lost close relatives in the last fortnight. Our thoughts are with the whole family.

Chris and Maggie Jagger have asked for prayer support whilst they are in Uganda with SALCET later in November. For more specific prayer requests, please take a SALCET flyer from the back of church.

A plea from Busbridge Infant School…
Busbridge Infant School is trying to raise funds to develop the year 2 outside learning area, and as such are trying to raise funds through the Aviva Community Fund. They are up against 2 other projects in this first stage which will be decided on the number of votes. They need your vote! Detailed information can be found on www.community-fund.aviva.co.uk/voting/project/view/16-3047.

Stars in Their Eyes…
…is coming to Godalming! So if you fancy bringing out your inner diva or showing off your rock star alter ego, then start rummaging through your wardrobe for your costume and put 25th March 2017 in your diaries. Individuals, duets and groups all welcome! Tim Davies is organising this extravaganza, so if you’d like to put your name down or find out a bit more, please email stars@bhcgodalming.org.

Homeless lady in Godalming
You may be aware that there is a middle aged lady who has been sleeping rough just off Godalming High Street next to South Street car park. Waverley Borough Council are aware of her situation but are unable to help. She has a friend who can provide a month’s deposit and a month’s rent in advance and thereafter she will get housing benefit. However, she cannot provide bank statements and is unemployed so she needs a sympathetic landlord who will take a tenant who is homeless and on benefits. She is looking for a one bedroom studio or flat for rent up to £740 which is the limit the council will pay. If anyone knows of such accommodation or can help in this situation she would really appreciate it as winter is now upon us. If you see or hear of anything please can you let Juliet Shadrick know and I will let her know or put you in touch.

Notice from the Diocese…
Appointment of Lay Canon of Guildford Cathedral
We are delighted to announce that Peter Shaw will be installed as a Lay Canon of Guildford Cathedral at the 6.00pm evensong on Sunday 11th December. Lay Canons are appointed by the Bishop of Guildford because of ‘distinguished service to the Church and the community’. All are welcome to this special service. Peter has also been appointed chair of the Guildford Cathedral Council. This is another example of the contribution Busbridge and Hambledon willingly makes to the wider Diocese.

Night, Night. God Bless: Tuesday 29th November – a date for the family diary.
Would you value being equipped and enabled to pray with your young family? Then, come along at 4.00pm – 5.00pm  with your children to the next family friendly prayer event in Busbridge Church which has  a specific focus on praying with children. To join in the fun  – come along in your onesie and bring your cuddly friend. You will end up with a “prayer bag” of ideas to take away with you to use at home. For the grownups – the prayer event starts later the same evening – 8.00pm – 9.00pm in church. Contact Shân Hallam for the children’s event and David Mace for the 8.00 – 9.00pm event if you’d like more information.

 Cake Sale
Toby Ford and Jack Hodson are holding a cake sale before and after Unplugged on 20th November to raise money for tools and building materials for a project called ReBuild Mexico 2017 where they will be building a house for a homeless Mexican family. Please come and support them and buy their cakes!

Ceilidh
Have you signed up for this fun, fun, fun event yet???!! Saturday 19th November, 7.30pm – 11.00pm at the Wilfrid Noyce Centre. There are still tickets available, just £15 per head. This is a fundraising event for the Old Rectory and it would be great if you could support it – no ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ dancers required – this is suitable for all levels of dancing ability. To book your ticket email ceilidh@bhcgodalming.org.

please pray for…
· The political situation in the United States
· The Blackman family
· Those working in hospices – particularly Phyllis Tuckwell and Shooting Star Chase
· The upcoming PCC
· Upcoming events: Jingle & Mingle and the Ceilidh
· The Fairway and their Road Steward, Lorna Sherwin
· Crownpits Lane and Wormley Lane

Churches Together Christmas Lunch
Churches Together in Godalming are again hosting lunch on Christmas Day in the Baptist Church for those who would otherwise be on their own. If you know of anyone who would like to attend, please contact Gwen Wheatman at the Baptist Church. If you would like to volunteer, the forms are at the back of the church. In previous years, we have been particularly short of drivers.

 Fairtrade Days
You are warmly invited to a sale of fairly-traded crafts, charity Christmas cards , gifts and food on Friday 11th November (11.00am – 4.00pm) and Saturday 12th November (11.00am – 4.00pm). Simple soup lunch each day – proceeds to Christian Aid. 

Remembrance Services – IMPORTANT
Please note that the Busbridge Remembrance Service will be taking place at 10.00am on Sunday 13th November. The Hambledon Service will be 10.30am as per usual service time.

Cake Sale
Toby and Jack are holding a cake sale before and after Unplugged on 20th November to raise money for tools and building materials for a project called ReBuild Mexico 2017 where they will be building a house for a homeless Mexican family.  Please come and support them and buy their cakes!

Ceilidh
Have you signed up for this fun, fun, fun event yet???!! Saturday 19th November, 7.30pm – 11.00pm at the Wilfrid Noyce Centre. There are still tickets available, just £15 per head. This is a fundraising event for the Old Rectory and it would be great if you could support it – no ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ dancers required – this is suitable for all levels of dancing ability. To book your ticket email ceilidh@bhcgodalming.org.

Operation Christmas Child
If anyone has a shoebox prepared for this collection, can you please leave it at the back of Busbridge Church by Sunday 20th November and Jill Johnston will take it to the central collection point. If people have any questions about the shoeboxes please contact Jill on jill.johnstons@bhcgodalming.org.

ALPHA – Yes, it is for YOU, those inside the Church – January 2017
We are kicking off a new ALPHA series in January 2017 and it is for BHC, OUR Church. We are open to anyone attending.  Never done ALPHA? Have questions and want a safe place to ask them? Know others with questions? We are focusing on those already linked with our church in some way, so if you have never been to ALPHA, consider it for January 2017. We will have an introductory dinner on Saturday 14th January. Then we will begin the 11 sessions from Tuesday 17th January 2017 and finishing with a final celebration on March 28th.  Each evening starts at 7.15pm and includes a free dinner, a short talk and then open discussions. If you have any questions or you would like to join, then please contact Bryan Silletti either via email at bryan.silletti@bhcgodalming.org or via the office at 01483 421267.

Hambledon Ladies Breakfast – Saturday 12th November, 8.30am, West Surrey Golf ClubMichael Baughen, retired Bishop of Chester and frequent visitor to Busbridge Church will be our guest speaker which is taking place at the West Surrey Golf Club. The breakfast is open to all ladies and we encourage you to bring along new friends and neighbours. Tickets are £8 each and are on sale in the Village Shop until Tuesday 8th November.  Please contact Vicki Hinde – vicki.hinde@btopenworld.com or Sue Blackman 01428 683871 for further information. We look forward to welcoming you.

please pray for…
· The Horstead family
· The bereaved
· Upcoming events: Hambledon Ladies Breakfast, Jingle & Mingle and the Ceilidh
· The Drive and their Road Stewards, Rosie James and Philippa Baker
· College Hill and Vann Lane

Looking for a Miracle…
“I have recently joined the church staff team and my wife and I are hoping to find a two bedroom house to rent in the broader Godalming area. We are currently commuting from Frensham and would like to live closer to our church community. We cannot afford the rental prices, so we are hoping and praying for a miracle to move here.” If you have any ideas, then please contact Bryan Silletti.

ALPHA – Yes, it is for YOU, those inside the Church – January 2017
We are kicking off a new ALPHA series in January 2017 and it is for BHC, OUR Church. We are open to anyone attending.  Never done ALPHA? Have questions and want a safe place to ask them? Know others with questions? We are focusing on those already linked with our church in some way, so if you have never been to ALPHA, consider it for January 2017. We will have an introductory dinner on Saturday 14th January. Then we will begin the 11 sessions from Tuesday 17th January 2017 and finishing with a final celebration on March 28th.  Each evening starts at 7.15pm and includes a free dinner, a short talk and then open discussions. If you have any questions or you would like to join, then please contact Bryan Silletti 

Hambledon Ladies Breakfast: Saturday 12th November – 8.30am, West Surrey Golf Club
Michael Baughen, retired Bishop of Chester and frequent visitor to Busbridge Church will be our guest speaker which is taking place at the West Surrey Golf Club. The breakfast is open to all ladies and we encourage you to bring along new friends and neighbours. Tickets are £8 each and are on sale in the Village Shop until Tuesday 8th November.  Please contact Vicki Hinde – vicki.hinde@btopenworld.com or Sue Blackman 01428 683871 for further information. We look forward to welcoming you.

Remembrance Services
Please note that the Busbridge Remembrance Service will be taking place at 10.00am on Sunday 13th November. The Hambledon Service will be 10.30am as per usual service time.

A thank you and a request…
The very lovely Vic Hicks will be stepping down from runningthe projector after Christmas after 8 years of faithful service – thank you so much Vic for your commitment to this ministry! We need someone to step forward to take her place and it would be ideal if they could start soon so they can shadow Vic before taking over in the New Year.  If you’d like to put your hand up for this vital role or find out more, please contact Ian White.

Join us for a Ceilidh!
This is going to be a great party event to go along to – even if you’ve never done this kind of thing before; you’ll have a blast! You’ll be guided through these fun dances and it’s a fabulous way of getting to know new people. It’s all happening on Saturday 19th November, 7.30pm – 11.00pm at the Wilfrid Noyce Centre. Tickets cost £15 per head (BYO refreshments) and MUST be booked by 10th November. Bookings to ceilidh@bhcgodalming.org or call 01483 421267. Cheques should be made payable to Busbridge PCC.

Nexus
On Thursday 3rd November, Mark Pateman and Penny Naylor will talk to us about their successful collaboration with Waverley Council on the Befriending Network. Their aim is to address loneliness and social isolation by providing friendship and support to people of all ages, but particularly the vulnerable elderly, who would benefit from receiving a regular visitor. Come and hear about this friendly group; perhaps you’d like to become a befriender! We meet in the Church Centre at 8.00pm and there’ll be drinks and nibbles before their talk starts.

Space for God – Don’t forget!
The second of our sessions offering time for being; for quiet reflection and stillness in the presence of God starts on  Tuesday 1st November 8.00pm – 9.00pm in Busbridge Church. If you desire to draw closer to God but find it very difficult to do because life is too full  and distractions are many, why not decide to put one hour aside and come along – you will be very welcome.

please pray for…
· Lesley Mason and family
· All those who have been on half term
· Those working in medicine
· Upcoming events: Nexus, Jingle & Mingle and the Ceilidh
· The Avenue their Road Steward, Rosie James
· Clockbarn Lane, Cheshire Home and Upper Vann Lane