Thursday 20 February 2025, 10am and 7pm
We are so excited to be continuing our Explore Online sessions in 2025. These were created as a result of the Covid lockdown but form an important part of our work in getting parish nursing as a ministry out there to Churches of every denomination in the Christian faith. 

Parish Nursing is really filling in the gaps where the healthcare system is struggling at present, and we are seeing churches up and down the country respond to the needs of their communities by exploring what parish nursing would bring to them as a church. What a great way to witness to people, who are often in desperate need.

Email Dawn Stephens for more information - enquiries@parishnursing.org.uk

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Life Issues programme for 2025 (Godalming Baptist Church)

 

• Supporting Those Living with Cancer and Beyond - from a Relative's Perspective - Saturday 15 March 2025, 10am-12.30pm - led by Daphne Bleach
  * Do you know what to say, and not to say, when someone says “I have cancer”? * How does a diagnosis of cancer affect someone? * How we can encourage someone to “live well with cancer”? * What help and support is available to patients and their relatives? * Living beyond treatment - the “elephant in the room” * Who is there for those when no further treatment is available’? Following her talk in 2024, Daphne will lead another informative and sensitive talk about how to come alongside and support those living with cancer, to help all of us make the best of the precious time we have together. Please reserve a place, with payment of £7, by Friday 28 February
• Engaging & Empowering Older People - Saturday 26 April 2025, 9.30am-1pm - led by Louise Morse
  What does life hold for us as we get older? How can we continue to make a difference, stay involved and keep well? Led by Louise Morse, a Christian Cognitive Behavioural Therapist, author, and speaker and trainer for The Pilgrims' Friends Society, the morning will cover: God's purpose for older people Faith in later life Christians supporting older people Empowering communities to care How to develop resilience in later life – physically, spiritually and psychologically Please reserve a place, with payment of £8, by Friday 11 April
• Pastoral Care in Challenging Times - Saturday 14 June 2025, 9.30am-1pm - led by Andy Peck
  In this session, we aim to step back and provide an assessment of what pastoral care is and what it isn’t, look together at our mind-sets as we face challenges, and provide a faith-filled expectant outlook that takes Romans 8:28 seriously, knowing that ‘in all things God is at work for the good of those who love him’. Areas looked at will include: • What is pastoral care according to the Bible? • What role might you play in caring for others? • Looking at the five stages of church involvement and the care needed for each • How do we understand the suffering that God allows? • How do we serve at a sustainable pace? • How do we involve others? • How might our care extend beyond the local church? The morning will be a mixture of teaching and small group discussions with time for questions, and notes will be provided. Please reserve a place, with payment of £8, by Friday 30 May
• Trauma: More relevant to every day life than we realise - Saturday 5 July 2025, 10am-12.30pm - led by Libby Williams
  Do you notice yourself or others reacting to seemingly small things in ways that seem out of proportion? Where do these (over) reactions come from? Do you find yourself struggling with certain topics of conversation - feeling like you’d like to escape or noticing you can’t concentrate or keep zoning out? What goes on inside us that makes staying present hard? Do you ever get halfway through a sentence and your mind goes blank, or have a to-dolist but find yourself feeling overwhelmed or procrastinating forevermore? What is happening inside our minds/bodies when this happens? We are familiar with trauma resulting from an accident, abuse or illness, etc. but trauma also encompasses much more. During the session we learn what trauma actually is, where it comes from, and how it is surprisingly relevant to most of our lives. Find out how it effects our bodies, minds, and behaviour, and explore what can be done to help in practical ways. Please reserve a place, with payment of £7, by Friday 20 June

For more information, or to book a place, please contact Sally Pollard pollard3@hotmail.co.uk tel. 01483 428646 

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BAPTIST MINISTRY FOR THE GOSPEL IN THE 21st CENTURY

A study day for ministers and church members organised by Walderslade Baptist Church
Speaker: Rev Steve Finamore
President of the BUGB 2024-25, and Principal Emeritus of Bristol Baptist College (Principal 2006-23)

Monday 28 April 2025, 10am-4pm
Walderslade Baptist Church, Catkin Close, Chatham, KENT ME5 9HP – near junction 3 of M2. Nearest train station: Chatham.

Cost: £10 per person

Programme: Steve will lead four 1-hour sessions around the theme above, relating to:

• Biblical/theological foundations
• Witness: evangelism and serving
• Discipleship: nurturing spirituality and maturity
• Pastoral care

Steve will speak for 30 mins, followed by informal questions and discussion. Please bring your own lunch.
Booking: by email to waldersladebaptist@gmail.com

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Oasis in the Desert - Ladywell Retreat Centre Away-Day

Saturday 20 September 2025 10 am–4 pm
Ladywell Retreat Centre, Godalming, GU7 1ST
Led by Linda Chamberlain

A day of refreshment & encouragement for Ecumenical women, in the peace and beautiful surroundings of Ladywell Retreat Centre.

Who would wish to live in a desert? Such an extreme environment - vast, dangerous, lonely & barren. Is there any beauty or benefit to be found in such a harsh place? Many Christians experience 'spiritual deserts'. Let's explore together some aspects of desert life through worship, the Word, testimony & creative activities, & discover God's presence & purpose in desert times.

Cost £28 per person (to include lunch & refreshments) - please reserve your place by Friday 22 August 2025 by contacting Sally Pollard, pollard3@hotmail.co.uk, tel: 01483 428646.