Join us for the second annual Prime Time Summer Celebration on Friday 19th July
Dear Friends
Simon Taylor writes:
Great news! 42 children are already signed up for the holiday club. If you’re an adult, please sign up to join us and help, including for the end of holiday club party BBQ and farewell to Patrick and Sheila. If you have children, sign up now to avoid disappointment!
More great news. Across the Minster we’ve got new people joining us and exploring our breadth of worship. If you’re new then fill a ‘Hi’ card in and well get you a free coffee at the Yew Tree Café to chat to you and answer your questions.
Great date for your diary. Sunday 8th Sept. Minster Vision Sunday in all congregations. Surely, you’ll want to be here for it.
In the notices this week:
Services this Sunday
Alpha Courses this Autumn
Marriage MOT course
Staycation events in The Octagon
Save the Date for the St Mark’s 90th Thanksgiving Service
Holiday Club
Sunday 1 September: Holiday Club Finale & Farewell to Patrick and Sheila (All Age service followed by a BBQ) - everyone’s invited!
Other dates for the diary
The notices for this Sunday and the next two (21st and 28th July) have been pre-scheduled as Vic is on leave. Therefore there are no new items, apart from the updated list of services.
This Sunday
Be ready to be surprised!
Reading Acts 12: 1-18
We continue the sermon series: Build on a Rock - based on the life of the disciple Peter. The readings for each week, and a short topic descriptor can be picked up at Minster services this Sunday, and can be printed here.
Services
8am BCP Holy Communion
Church Street (St Peter & St Paul’s)
followed by breakfast in the Octagon
10am Classic Service
Brighton Road (Busbridge)
10am Morning Worship [HC]
Hambledon (St Peter’s)
10am Morning Worship
Franklyn Road (St Mark’s)
10.30am Contemporary Service
Church Street (St Peter & St Paul’s)
Children’s groups in the Octagon. Coffee from 10.15am
6pm Evening Worship
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.
Pastoral Team News
Our thanks and congratulations to Liz Sadler and Simon Callaghan having recently completed the Diocesan Pastoral Training Course. We welcome them onto the Minster Pastoral Support Team.
Liz will mainly be seen at services in Godalming Minster Church Street. Her role will focus on supporting members of those congregations and the families who attend the Octots and the baby group held mid-week at Church Street.
Simon will be seen mainly at the 6pm service at Brighton Road, and occasionally the Contemporary service at Church Street. Simon is exploring bereavement visiting and supporting those with mental health difficulties.
We are also blessed by the addition of Gavin Harper to the Pastoral Care Team. Gavin is an experienced pastoral visitor, having worked in this role previously at St Andrew’s Church, Oxshott. He will be mainly found at Godalming Minster Hambledon.
Their pictures have been requested and will be available soon, and each will be introduced in services in the coming weeks.
Following the recent PCC meeting, we are delighted to formally welcome Mitchell Farquharson as our new Principal Organist for the Minster’s choral worship. Mitchell is an outstanding organist and he has previously been at Chichester Cathedral. Everyone is welcome can experience Mitchell’s playing at the Choral Eucharist and Evensong services.
We’re running Alpha!
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. 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.
To volunteer to help host, cook or set up please use the form below.
Thanks to the two heroes that came forward after our appeal for new volunteers in the Yew Tree Café. There is room for more, particularly on Tuesday afternoons and Fridays. No experience required as full training will be given! Volunteers do everything and anything from serving tables, taking orders, making drinks and sandwiches, clearing up and cleaning, and of course talking to our lovely customers and giving a listening and caring ear as needed.
If your skills are in baking then we'd love you to join our very small band of bakers to produce the yummy cakes we serve - all done in the Old Rectory kitchen with full instructions, equipment and ingredients.
If you can't commit to a full half day then other options are available - do ask us! Or fill in the volunteer form. We'd love to have you on board.
The Café Leadership team.
Please note the café will be closed on Saturday 3rd August.
Coming Up
July
Prime Time Summer Celebration - 19 July 2.30-4.30pm
Helpers and participants are invited to the second annual Summer Celebration at the Busbridge Old Rectory. It’s a lovely afternoon (with tea and cake) and a great chance to meet people involved with Older People’s Ministry. If you’d like to augment the Prime Time hospitality team which is rather depleted for this event, please contact penny.naylor@godalmingminster.org.
Click the image above to sign up now!
Saturday 20 July Marriage MOT evening - Make a good thing even better! Join us for a fantastic opportunity for couples build and enrich their relationship, however long you've been married. More details >
The Lammas Handbell Ringers invite you to a concert and supper on Sat 27th July at 6.30pm. “Our Dancing Day overlooking the River Wey” will take place in The Octagon at Godalming Minster Church Street. Tickets £12 including a 2-course supper are available from Helen 07760 494 703 or Barbara 01483 415600. During Staycation The Lammas Handbell Ringers are holding an Introduction to Handbell Ringing on Thursday 8th August at 4-5pm or 6-7pm. It’s FREE, but numbers will be limited so please contact Barbara to reserve your space.
Also in the Octagon during Godalming Staycation, Janet Davies is holding a "Sew Simple" hand embroidery session on Weds 7 August from 9 until 12 noon. All equipment and materials provided. Tea/coffee, cake and crafting. Telephone Janet on 07967 683443 to book a place. Limited to 12 people (under 18 to be accompanied by adult). Free but donations welcome to help cover costs. Any profit will go to Godalming Minster.
August
Nexus Summer Outing - History Walk of Busbridge. 2-4.30pm
Join Nexus and Martyn Sandford on a history walk around Busbridge, ending at The Pavilion by Howling Owl at about 4pm for a cup of what you fancy. Meet at 1.45pm outside the Busbridge Old Rectory at Godalming Minster Brighton Road and enjoy the font of Martyn’s knowledge about the local history of the area.
Click the image above to RSVP (sign up) now!
90th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service at Franklyn Road - 8th August at 3pm
St Mark’s Church is 90 years old this year. The Foundation stone was laid on 8th August 1934. We are holding a Thanksgiving Service on Thursday 8th August at 3pm followed by a cream tea. We would love for people across Godalming Minster to be there to give thanks for the history of St Mark’s church and more recently its community centre, and to pray for its future serving the Franklyn Road area. There will be a celebratory cream tea after the service so an idea of numbers would help the congregation plan. You can sign up using the link above.
Click the image above to sign up now!
Holiday Club 28-30 August
Sign up now for the first ever Godalming Minster Summer Holiday Club! It’s for primary age children in school years R-6. Invitations are going to the our church schools next week, and spaces are limited this year.
You are never too old to look for the greatest treasure, and this Holiday Club will be as much fun for older members of the crew as our young buccaneers. If you’d like to join the adventure, please get in touch with Jenny Lansdowne e: jenny.lansdowne@godalmingminster.org.
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. The 11am service replaces Muddy/Church in the Park and the Classic service, and allows for the other congregations to join the 11am service and/or the BBQ.
The congregations will have the chance to say goodbye to Patrick during July (14th July at Classic, 21st at Choral Eucharist and Contemporary, 28th at Franklyn Road). Sheila’s last Sunday is 1st September (Patrick will be returning from his new parish) and we would like to present them with a gift of appreciation at the BBQ. To contribute to this, please see ways to donate.
What’s on Where
See the events coming up next and look up dates further ahead in the full Minster Calendar.
Church Family News
One of the young adults in our church family is looking for a room or house share where she can live affordably and independently. The location needs to be suitable for a non-driver, with walkable access to public transport and amenities. If you can think of any possible options, please contact the office.
Marcus and his family will be saying farewell at the Contemporary Service on Sunday 21st July. If you would like to contribute to a leaving gift, please drop it into the Minster Office at the Old Rectory, or use Donate to give something online. Please include ref: Marcus.
We have taken the decision to re-advertise the posts of Children and Families Pastor (4-11’s) and Yew Tree Café manager, and are invited applications by the end of July. Details can be found on the vacancies page here. Please be praying for the right people to fill these special roles, and help share the ads.
Mission Update
URGENT LIST
Tuna
Pasta sauces
UHT semi skimmed milk
Tinned Peas / Carrots and Tomatoes
Biscuits and crackers
Orange/Blackcurrant squash
Orange/Apple 1 litre juice cartons
Tea bags/Coffee/Hot chocolate
The latest shopping list can be found here. Please take a look and add a few items to your next shop.
Karen, the community centre coordinator, updates the shopping list each month with items most needed. You can find the latest shopping list for March on the Foodbank page.
Volunteer Vacancy: HMP Send Multifaith Chaplaincy
[Godalming Minster has a small group of volunteers who serve with the HMP Send Multifaith Chaplaincy, where until recently Rev Lesley Mason was the Prison Chaplain.]
Have you thought about joining a friendly team of volunteers who are dedicated to working with vulnerable people? The Chaplaincy is seeking volunteers to assist with administrative tasks. If you enjoy collaborating with like-minded people and can spare half a day or more each week, this could be the perfect volunteering opportunity for you.
We are looking for individuals with strong communication skills who can use email, Microsoft Word, and Excel. While experience with these programs is beneficial, it is not required as we provide training.
To learn more or express your interest, please email chaplaincysend@justice.gov.uk addressed to our Managing Chaplain. We are here to help you discern if this opportunity is a good fit for you.
Elsewhere
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
9am Morning Prayer
9am on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays with Rev Sheila Samuels at Godalming Minster Franklyn Road.
Monday Morning Reflections on Zoom
If you would like to start your week in quiet reflection over a passage of scripture do join us at 8.45am on Mondays using the link above - you will be very welcome. For any further information please contact: Gertrud Sollars or Shan Hallam.
Wednesdays at 9am:
Morning Prayer at Godalming Minster Hambledon
Morning Prayer on Zoom via link above.
Community & Fellowship
Nexus meets on the 1st Thursday of the month, with talks and activities for church members and the community. More about Nexus.
Ladies’ Drinks take place every 1st Friday of the month, 7.30PM at the The Pavilion by Howling Owl.
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.
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.