Here’s some top level info about the Godalming Minster Proposal: What and Why?
Scroll right for more slides…or download the pdf: What and Why?
Q&A sessions
In the run up to the EPCMs, Q&A sessions will be held at Busbridge and Hambledon at the following times. Please do come to share your comments and listen to others at the sessions that will follow Sunday services on:
18 September Busbridge 12.15 (after Classic)
25 September Busbridge 10.45 between services
2 October Hambledon 11am
Mon 3 October Hambledon 8pm
9 October Busbridge 10.45 and 12.15
The following “FAQs” answers some of the questions already received by email, during 1:1 conversations, from members of the PCCs and during earlier Q&A sessions.
EPCM FAQS
I am unable to attend the scheduled EPCM for my parish. Can I attend one of the other ones?
No. Unfortunately this is not possible because each EPCM is specific to that particular parish and electoral roll.
What happens if one parish EPCM votes to reject the Godalming Minster proposal?
If one parish EPCM decides to reject the Minster proposal then the Minster proposal will be terminated in its entirety.
MINSTER FAQs
Why is the Minster project being put forward to unite the parishes of Busbridge, Hambledon and St Peter & St. Paul?
There are several factors that have come together to suggest that forming a larger parish would be beneficial. The COVID pandemic and its lingering aftermath has shown that our different, yet distinctive, churches can support each other but have the potential to be more effective in the wider community when speaking as one voice and coordinating mission centric ministries. The National Church of England is actively debating how to deliver enhanced mission with a vision of being simpler, humbler and bolder, so Godalming Minster actually reflects this vision. It is not about Guildford Diocese reducing clergy to save money.
How would it all work?
Considerable discussion and debate has occurred within the various groups with members from all 4 churches (clergy, lay ministers, staff and church members), as to how a Minster might work, and deliver the principle goals. A large amount of data and opinion was examined, culminating in the Minster Document recommendations approved by the PCCs on 11 July 2022. (See the Minster Evaluation Process)
The EPCM vote on 16 October does not extend to all the recommendations, but the questions and answers below are based on the scenarios that have been proposed by the steering group, and agreed by the PCCs, should the Minster proceed. (The recommendations are not necessarily the only solutions available, but are assessed to be realistic and the best use of resources.)
Some at Busbridge say that the main objective of the Minster is for Busbridge to bank-roll St Peter & St. Paul. Is this correct ?
Absolutely not. St Peter & St. Paul is a financially viable church. It is true however that it does not have the level of annual giving or hold the financial reserves of Busbridge.
Given the possible formation of the Godalming Minster, will people decide to leave their current church?
It is sincerely hoped that this will not be the case, but this risk cannot be excluded. It should be noted that every church experiences the departure (as well as arrival) of individuals, couples and families for a wide variety of reasons. This is normal.
Do we have to do what the bishop says, or can we come up with an alternative proposal?
Bishop Andrew outlined a possible new vision for mission and ministry in Godalming and invited each parish to examine this and the possibility of uniting the three parishes. It is our decision whether we wish to actually do this. The Minster process examined numerous scenarios and concluded this was possible. The PCCs have all subsequently voted in favour.
Busbridge Contemporary
Q: When and how will the contemporary congregation move to St Peter and Paul’s?
The Bishop desires to see contemporary worship in the town centre. The Minster proposal accepted by the PCCs supports this goal.
To introduce a contemporary service at St Peter and St Paul's, the current proposed solution is for the Busbridge Contemporary congregation will be relocated to town, with a target date by end 2023.
Multiple alternative options were extensively considered and found to be less than ideal, including inviting a small team to start something new. Given the resources, people, musicians and children’s leaders, we need to recognise that we cannot currently provide two contemporary services in two locations on the same day.
Q: If I vote for the Minster, am I voting for the contemporary to move?
The vote includes the intention for the contemporary to move but what this looks like, and how, all needs more work than has been possible to date.
The Minster exploration groups have gone as far as they feel able in considering options without spending more time on this matter. The Contemporary Leadership Team has been involved in considering the future and contemporary worship in the town centre. This is why we are testing the principle on 6th Nov when the Contemporary congregation will have a one-off service at St Peter and Paul’s, with children’s work on site. This is to see what the issues are, and then work out how they might be overcome.
Q: Has the Contemporary Service at BB reached capacity?
Numbers are steadily increasing. It is now noticeable that when there is a baptism or some other special occasion the church is full (for example 25th Sept). It is not uncommon to have to put out additional seating in the chancel and alter area.
Has sufficient deliberation been given to moving a portion of the existing Busbridge Sunday morning contemporary service SPP?
Yes, but this would essentially require the majority of the existing contemporary service to move in order for there to be sufficient critical mass for success at SPSP. In addition there are currently insufficient volunteers to effectively run two parallel children’s and music worship ministries.
Clergy
Q: Will we see a reduction in the number of paid clergy?
No. The current clergy team will remain at four, as it is today, with each located in the immediate vicinity of the four churches. What is new is that for the first time the clergy will come together as a more effective team to jointly promote mission across the wider Godalming area and to support one another.
Q: Will Simon T have to reapply for his post?
No. Simon will continue with his role as Rector, and this has been confirmed by the Diocese.
Busbridge Church & The Old Rectory
Q: Will there be less activity in Busbridge, around the Old Rectory, particularly as people gave to develop it?
The giving for the Old Rectory was to secure the land for the church, then establish a Christian ministry presence, create a flow of people on the site between the two schools and aspire to one day providing a contemporary, auditorium style large worship space for the wider area of Godalming and nearby that the contemporary congregation is drawn from. The ministry presence will continue and be enhanced through the Old Rectory being a central hub of ministry for the whole Minster; the flow of people using the Old Rectory is likely to grow as we go out into the Godalming area from this spiritual place of gathering. This already happens with the Old Rectory. Some people who were involved in developing the Old Rectory project have suggested that St Peter and Paul’s is the contemporary, auditorium style large worship space of the future. Busbridge Church, the Yew Tree Café and Old Rectory will continue to be a thriving centre of Christian witness and mission.
Q: Where will youth ministry happen?
We’ve got an amazing space at the Old Rectory. The Hut and The Yard are the young people’s homes and this will continue. We’ll be gathering young people together from across the Minster.
Reordering at St Peter and St Paul’s
Are Busbridge and Hambledon worshippers expected to fund the reordering of St Peter and Paul’s Church?
No. As we much that we do with mission and generous giving, we would invite people to be contribute but there would be no expectation of anything. Some may wish to do so, if they catch the vision for what the building will become for visible Christian mission, but this would be for people to consider. The expectation is that funding will come from elsewhere and there have already been some small signs of this happening.
Hambledon
Q. Will we still have a vicar who will live in the village?
A. A full time minister will continue to live and work in/for the parish of Hambledon, their role will be split - 70% for Hambledon Village and 30% for the Minster. This is very similar to current practice whereby the current minster works 70% for Hambledon and 30% for the Benefice of Busbridge and Hambledon.
Q. Will our donations go to the Minster or to Hambledon Church?
A. Should anyone wish, they can ring fence their giving into a restricted fund to ensure that their donations only go to Hambledon Church. This is also very similar to current practice.
Q. Will Hambledon churchyard still be reserved for Hambledon?
A. Yes, that it is the intention. It is current and historic practice for Hambledon graveyard to be reserved for those with a qualifying connection with Hambledon Church. All three PCC’s are committed to ensuring this practice continues. Confirmation is being sought with the diocese and the Church of England.
Q. How will the minster affect services at Hambledon Church
A. Minster does not impose a style of worship upon the village, rather it recognises Hambledon’s nuanced opportunities for worship, ministry and mission. Hambledon will retain control over its style (which like any CofE church is set within Anglican parameters) and times of service.
Q. How will Hambledon Church benefit from being part of the Minster?
A. Hambledon Church will continue to benefit from the significant staffing and administrative resources at the Old Rectory administrative hub in Busbridge. It will also continue to receive ministry from the children’s and families work, youth work, older people’s ministry, music and worship as well as support from the team of Lay and Ordained ministers.
Q. What will happen if the Hambledon doesn’t join the Minster?
A. Nothing. However, due to necessity many parishes in the Church of England are being joined together in a process called pastoral re-organisation. This often results in several villages being serviced by a single minster. Typically, each village hosting a service a month and inevitably a reduction in pastoral care. Joining the Minster at this stage will protect against further reorganisation.
St Mark’s
Shouldn’t the focus be on St Mark’s and that area of Godalming?
It is. This is central to the Christ shaped mission of love to the town. Mission starts in Ockford Ridge and Aaron’s Hill and therefore we’ve secured funding from beyond the parishes for Sheila’s post for the next half decade. This is an immensely significant development. The Minster will enable us to have a united, single mission focus across the area in a new way.
Church Schools
Q: There will be two church schools in the new parish. What will happen to them? What will happen to the school catchment areas?
This is not a unique situation. Some of the clergy involved in the Minster process have experience of having more than one church school in a single parish. The schools have been informed of the Minster proposal but decisions about schools lies with the schools, their governors and their overseeing organisations. Those conversations might happen sometime in the future, once the Minster had begun to be established. Both the church schools have well established church application routes, via Christian worship. BJS already accepts children from the town centre parish who worship at any BHC church, and this has not made a major impact on the number of church route applications. Most children attend the schools via the usual distance to school criteria and this would be unlikely to change.
What next?
If the EPCMs (Extraordinary Parochial Church Meeting) all vote to progress Godalming Minster, when does it take effect?
The Minster will take effect on January 1st, 2024. This is because it will take time to legally merge three separate charities. This also means that each parish PCC must set and steward its own budget for 2023.
Given the possible formation of the Godalming Minster, will people decide to leave their current church?
It is sincerely hoped that this will not be the case but this eventually cannot be excluded. It should be noted that every church experienced the departure (as well as arrival) of individuals, couples and families for a wide variety of reasons. This is normal.