A huge thank you to EVERYONE who has been involved in Holiday Club this week. We’ve shared the greatest treasure with more than 60 4-11s who have had the most brilliant time together. The key verse was Philippians 3.8:
Nothing is as wonderful as knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have given up everything and count it all as rubbish. All I want is Jesus.
We said it, sang it, and lived it out together over the last three days, with pirate themed games, craft and baking activities. And it’s not quite over yet. You can still be part of the adventure this Sunday 1 September, 11am at Brighton Road and afterwards for a BBQ in the Busbridge Old Rectory.
This Sunday
1 September
9am Choral Eucharist
Church Street (St Peter & St Paul’s)
10am Morning Worship
Hambledon (St Peter’s)
10am Morning Worship
Franklyn Road (St Mark’s)
11am Holiday Club Celebration Service & BBQ
when we will be saying goodbye to the Samuels
at Brighton Road. All welcome at 11am, or to come along for the BBQ at about 12 noon!
9am and 10am services take place at Church Street, Hambledon and Franklyn Road beforehand. Church in the Park (Muddy) and Classic will fuse at the 11am Holiday Club Service.
6pm Evening Service
Brighton Road (Busbridge)
Look up services for next Sunday and find more information about congregations and service times on ChurchSuite, or the Sundays page on the web site. If you are on a rota, ChurchSuite will ping you a reminder by email, but you can also use the ChurchSuite app to check yourself.
Notices
It has this week been announced that Simon Taylor has been invited to become an Honorary Canon of Guildford Cathedral. Simon’s installation will be at the Cathedral on Sunday 24th November at 6pm. All are welcome to attend, which will be part of the cathedral’s evening service. Happening at the same time will be the Godalming Christmas Light-up parade, which will this year finish at Godalming Minster Church Street with an informal carol service. The choice is yours!
Please pray for Keith Harper, who is currently an LLM in the Minster, as he discerns a call. Keith will be spending time with HTSM, Holy Trinity and St Mary’s, in Guildford. Please also pray for the new priest at HTSM, Rev Canon Simon Butler, as Simon supports Keith with his discernment.
We are delighted to announce the appointment of a new manager for the Yew Tree Café. Chantal Dennill will be joining the Minster team on 9 September, and we look forward to introducing her properly in the coming weeks. We are grateful to Donna, Olena, Luke and Miffy who have stepped up to keep the café running so well while it has been without a manager; and to Karen Hart, the Café Leadership Team and volunteers who have supported the paid staff.
Coming Up
September
Sunday 1 Sep - 2 happy endings: Holiday Club Finale & Farewell to the Samuels
Godalming Minster will host the Holiday Club finale, and say a fond farewell to the Revs Sheila and Patrick Samuels at a special 11am All Age service at Godalming Minster Brighton Road.
This will be followed by a fun filled BBQ in the Busbridge Old Rectory Garden. A simple menu of sausages and burgers, soft drinks and lollies will be provided for a suggested donation of £5 per person. The bouncy castles will be out for the children too.
What to bring:
- Your own coffee cup for a drink before the service.
- A rug or camping chair (we will put tables and chairs out, but there won’t be enough for everyone.)
- a salad, side dish or pudding to supplement the BBQ if you wish. You might like to make enough to share.
We will be presenting Samuels with a gift at the BBQ to thank them for their contribution to St Mark’s and BHC and the evolution of Godalming Minster over the last 5 years. To make a last minute contribute to this, please see ways to donate.
Tues 3 Sep
Godalming Minster is delighted to be hosting a new CofE course for Guildford Diocese. The Caleb Stream is a new one-year pathway for ordained ministry in the Church of England, designed specifically for mature and experienced lay leaders. The course will start in September for a full academic year, and there will be a prayer launch next Tuesday from 6.30pm to 8.30pm at Brighton Road for the Caleb stream, and all initiatives and parishes in the Diocese as things get underway for a new academic year. There is an open invitation to attend, and a general prayer request for the Caleb Stream.
Thurs 5 Sep
Patrick’s licensing as Priest-in-Charge in The Parishes of St Andrew Wraysbury St Michael Horton & St Thomas Colnbrook will be on Thursday 5th September at 7.30pm at St Andrews’s Church, St Andrew’s Close, Windsor Rd, Wraysbury TW19 5DG. Patrick would be delighted to see any people from the Minster family at the service and for refreshments after. RSVP by 27th August CHWchurches@gmail.com.
Nexus Talk - Penguins Galore with Frances Shaw, Thu 5 Sep at 8pm
Frances and Peter Shaw were fortunate enough to go on an amazing journey to the southernmost part of our world for an Antarctic adventure. Come along and enjoy this awe-inspiring adventure without needing to don layers of winter clothing!! Guests: £5.00 contribution towards speaker costs.
An end of summer social… Come along and sing favourite hymns and enjoy a glass of Pimm’s afterwards, all being led by Rev Simon Willetts. There will be a box in the church to submit your choice on arrival, with a sentence or two saying why you've chosen the hymn, and we'll try to include as many as possible.
Alpha starting September
Weds evenings 25th Sept – 27th Nov & Thurs lunchtimes 26th Sept – 28th Nov
Rev Lesley Mason is leading the courses this Autumn, and we’d like everyone to consider whether they would like to join in as a participant, or as a member of the team who helps lead, host and cater for the 12 sessions.
A huge thank you to those of you who have already volunteered to help with food and who have signed up to pray for Alpha. We have catering in place for the evening sessions but we still need the following;
Additional catering for lunch time sessions, including the Saturday session (when both groups come together) eg soup, sandwiches or bread & cheese, sausage rolls etc and a traybake, cookies or equivalent
One or two volunteers to help -preferably every week at lunch time or evening – to meet and greet, help set up tables and ensure that the catering group that evening know what to do
Please volunteer via the website, or by email direct to Sandra Wilkin - sandra.wilkin@godalmingminster.org
Look out for invitations, posters and social media posts and please share them and encourage people along.
To find out more or register for a place go to https://godalmingminster.org/alpha
The sign up button takes you to the Wednesday evening course, but gives the option to sign up for Thursday lunchtimes instead.
SAVE THE DATE: 13th October for John & Sue’s farewell and harvest lunch
We are delighted for John and Sue that they have accepted the offer of a clergy retirement property. There will be a number of chances to say farewell. John and Sue will be at the Classic Service (10am) on 22nd September, at Hambledon (10am) on Sunday 29th September, and at the Choral Eucharist (9am) on 6th October.
John and Sue’s final service will be Sunday 13th October at the Church Street Contemporary, followed by a bring and share farewell and harvest lunch. Please put this date in your diary. All are welcome to the service and lunch. During the lunch, we will be giving John and Sue a gift of love and gratitude. To contribute to this, please see ways to donate.
John and Sue will move to Cornwall soon after 13th October. Please pray for John and Sue as they begin their retirement from parish ministry.
The closing date for applications for the two Associate Minster roles for Franklyn Road and Mission and Evangelism, and for Hambledon and Discipleship has now passed. We hope to be able to share progress on the recruitment process towards the end of September. Please be praying for the candidates who have applied, and for the interview process.
What’s on Where
See the events coming up next and look up dates further ahead in the full Minster Calendar.
Church Family News
Mission Update
FEBA Prayer meeting… an invitation
Wednesday 4th September, 7-8pm on Zoom. God’s unwavering message of hope continues to transform lives and as supporters of Feba, you are an integral part of the story! On the first Wednesday of every month we host a prayer meeting, online. This is always such a special time as we meet our ministry partners and pray for them and their listeners. We would love you to join us to encourage and stand with them. This month will focus on our ministry in Ukraine. Simply scan the QR code on the poster to join us. We really look forward to welcoming you!
Elsewhere
Godalming Bandstand Concerts summer 2024 programme can be found here.
The National Trust Munstead Wood are running Chance to Chat sessions at Godalming Museum from 10-12 noon on the third Saturdays of the month. More details >
Life Issues 2024 - a programme of talks and course run by Godalming Baptist Church.
Can we pray for you?
***Please send prayer requests to prayer@godalmingminster.org***
Mid-week Prayer Gatherings
Restart in September!
Community & Fellowship
The Hub at Franklyn Road provides a free lunch and time to socialise every Tuesday from 12-2.30pm. Open to all in the area, and across the Minster. (Donations of homemade cakes are always welcome.)
Nexus meets on the 1st Thursday of the month, with talks and activities for church members and the community. More about Nexus.
The Men’s Group meets for breakfast at 8.15am on the 1st Saturdays of the month. See the calendar for details.
Hambledon Coffee Morning and Hearing Aid Clinic takes place 3rd Wednesdays of the month at 10.30am.
The 2024 Prime Time programme is now available. For all events and details, see Prime Time.
Get Involved / Join a team
We're passionate about people feeling like they're a part of our church family and one of the best places to do that is as part of a team.
No matter your age or experience, there's a team that you can join, serving alongside others and getting to know people better in the church. You can find out about all our opportunities to serve and offer your time and talents on the Join a Team page.
Don’t forget about…
MyChurchSuite is an app for members of Godalming Minster to check dates, rotas, church emails, look up church members and sign up to events (without having to enter your details again and again!). Contact the Minster Office if you’ve lost your login details or would like to request an account. See more instructions.
Yew Tree Café
at Godalming Minster Brighton Road
The Yew Tree Café at Godalming Minster Brighton Road is open 8.30am-4pm weekdays in term time, and 10am-2pm on Saturdays, and 9.30am-4pm during school holidays. There’s wi-fi and power for those that want to work, and Prime Time hosts a drop in session for anyone who’d like a coffee and a chat every Monday from 10.30-11.30am.
Please note the café will be closed on Saturday 3rd August.
PASTORAL CARE & PRAYER MINISTRY
If you, or someone you know at church, are in need of support and care, please contact Sandra Wilkin via the Minster office, or e: pastoral@godalmingminster.org.
To contact the EMERGENCY prayer chain, email prayer@godalmingminster.org or call 01483 421267.