High Weald Churches 19/04/2025 High Weald Churches 19/04/2025

Newsletter - 04-19

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ

Tomorrow on Easter morning, we join together in joy and thanksgiving to proclaim afresh that Jesus Christ is risen from the dead. In a world that still knows darkness, we are called to be people of light, shaped by the resurrection and sent forth to live as witnesses of Christ’s transforming love. In his Easter message, Bishop Jonathan reminds us of the hope we can receive through the risen Lord Jesus. He writes:

“Jesus’ death on the Cross and his resurrection from the grave show us a God who has shared the depths of our suffering and who has conquered the very powers of death and hell. This is the God in whom we can put our trust, whatever uncertainties we may face”

This is a video of his message: https://youtu.be/7Wq_6mhwEls

This holy season invites us to look for signs of new life—in creation, in our relationships, in our church, and even in our own hearts. Just as the stone was rolled away from the tomb, may the Good News of Easter help us with God’s grace to remove the barriers that keep us from loving more fully and living as Jesus commands.

In our own parish setting we welcome a special new life. Augustus was born to Tabby our administrator on Tuesday morning. Gussy weighed in 7lb 12oz. He is a brother to Raphy. We congratulate Tabby, James and all of their families. A picture of Gussy can be found here: Baby Gussy for newsletter. We also welcome into the family of faith young Barnaby who is being baptised in Penshurst at noon on Sunday.

Thank you to everyone who has filled in a parish electoral roll form. If there are any of you still to complete a form, please e mail the office for a form to sign and return online or print and post or ask one of your wardens for a paper copy. Every six years parishes must completely rewrite their electoral roll so please make sure that you have a vote in the upcoming APCMs.

The APCMs take place early in May and there are as usual, elections for local PCCs, wardens and various posts.

The meetings are scheduled as follows:

Nomination forms are available in each church or can be found here: APCM forms for 2025 blanks Each PCC will need to elect a Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO), Local Treasurer and other members to represent the parish. As a united benefice we currently have one Deanery Synod Rep. attending meetings. We are entitled to one rep per local PCC and it would be good to have a representative from each parish going forward. Deanery Synod reps are also part of the local PCC. The Synod meets three times a year. The Joint Council is made up from people elected to local PCCs or co-opted for particular roles. The current postholders names will be in the report and accounts soon to be published. Please note PCC and JC members must undertake level one and two safeguarding courses and church wardens and PSOs are required additionally to undertake the leadership course. All courses are available online and Wendy our benefice PSO can assist you in gaining access to these courses if you need any help with this.

I shall be taking leave from early afternoon on Easter Day and returning to work on 29th April. I will not be checking e mails during my time off. Please contact Tracy our administrator or one of the wardens if you have any urgent queries whilst I am away from my desk. There will be no weekly mailing next week. I shall write again at the start of May.

In the love of our Risen Lord,

Lisa

Rev’d Lisa Cornell

Rector of Penshurst, Fordcombe and The Chiddingstones.

In this edition:

Ø Services

Ø Life Events

Ø Electoral Roll

Ø Bells project at St John the Baptist

Ø Learning and growing

Services:

Easter Day-20th April:

0800 Holy Communion St Peter’s Fordcombe

1000 Family Holy Communion with Easter Egg Hunt St John the Baptist, Penshurst

1000 Holy Communion St Mary the Virgin, Chiddingstone

Low Sunday- 27th April

1000 Holy Communion St Peter’s Fordcombe

Sunday 4th May

1000 Holy Communion at St John the Baptist, Penshurst

Sunday 11th May

0800 Holy Communion at St John the Baptist, Penshurst

1000 Holy Communion at St Peter’s, Fordcombe

1000 Holy Communion at St Mary’s, Chiddingstone.

Life Events:

Ø We remember those whose anniversary falls at this time of year, they shall be prayed for in church on Sunday.

Ø Learning and growing:

Don’t forget the new National Safeguarding Standards. There is a link to the new leaflet on our website, and you’ll see posters going up in our churches soon. And following the appointment of our new benefice Safeguarding Officer, Wendy Ellis, we now have a contact email established – please direct any safeguarding queries or issues to safeguarding@highwealdchurches.org.uk

Ø Mailing:
If you know anyone who would like to be added to our weekly mailing, do let us know (and similarly let us know if you’d like to come off, though we’d be sad to see you go). If you’d like to contribute to the work of the benefice, you can go to our parish giving page via the www.parishgiving.org.uk website (we’d be very grateful). Alternatively, you can always find it on our benefice website: https://www.highwealdchurches.org.uk/news

High Weald Churches 11/04/2025 High Weald Churches 11/04/2025

Newsletter - 04-11

Dear Beloved Parishioners,

Following my note last week regarding the full and busy season we’ve been navigating together, I wanted to let you know that I am taking a few days of rest and quiet in preparation for the sacred journey of Holy Week.

It has been a deeply meaningful time in our parish life, and I am grateful for your ongoing prayers and support. These few days away offer a chance to pause, reflect, and renew — something I encourage each of us to find time for, even amidst the busyness of life.

You will hear more from me early next week as we prepare our hearts and minds for the solemnity and joy of Easter.

Until then, please know that you remain in my prayers.

With every blessing for the week ahead,

Lisa

In this edition:

Ø Services

Ø Life Events

Ø Electoral Roll

Ø Bells project at St John the Baptist

Ø Learning and growing

Services:

Sunday April 13th: Palm Sunday

08:00 St John the Baptist, Penshurst: Holy Communion

10:00 St Peters, Fordcombe: Holy Communion

10:00 St Luke’s, Chiddingstone Causeway, Holly Communion

Readings and lections for March and April can be found if you Click Here.

Sunday April 20th: Easter Sunday

08:00 St Peter’s, Fordcombe: Holy Communion

10:00 St John the Baptist, Penshurst: Holy Communion and Family Service

10:00 St Mary’s , Chiddingstone: Holy Communion

Sunday April 27th: Low Sunday

10:00 St Peter’s, Fordcombe

Sunday May 04th

10:00 St John the Baptist, Penshurst: Holy Communion

Life Events:

Ø In our prayers we hold those coming through our doors this month to mark their life events:

And we remember those whose anniversary falls at this time of year, they shall be prayed for in church on Sunday.

Electoral Roll:

Ø The High Weald Churches electoral roll is still open for applications ahead of the 2025 Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) – Click Here to read the full notice from the Diocese. Please note that every six years the electoral roll must undergo complete revision, which is taking place this year, therefore everyone who would like to be included should fill out and return an application form - Click Here to download. Forms can be printed, or collected from church, and returned to a churchwarden, or filled in electronically and returned via email to the office. The roll will be finalised by 14 April ahead of the next APCM.

Ø Learning and growing:

High Weald Churches 04/04/2025 High Weald Churches 04/04/2025

Newsletter - 04-04

Greetings from Penshurst. What a beautiful week we have had. Drying washing outside and clean shoes after dog walks have made me disproportionately excited.

We are so lucky to have three wonderful church schools in our benefice, but everyone is exhausted and needs a well-deserved rest. By the time you read this bulletin, I will have attended school end of term services in Penshurst, Fordcombe and Chiddingstone. For those heading away for the holidays, I pray for safe journeys and a restful break. For everyone else lets hope we can enjoy life at a more sedate pace.

Apart from the school services, life in the parishes has been relatively quiet this week. For me the week has been bookended with study. I attended an interesting conference in London hosted by the campaign group WATCH (Women and the Church) which was marking the ten-year anniversary of the appointment of female bishops and evaluated issues of equality and inclusion in the church.

This Saturday, I shall be attending the Bishop’s Study Day in Bromley. This is a chance for ordained and lay ministers to learn together. The course flyer tells me that day will “encourage and equip leaders to help grow safe and healthy churches that fulfil their apostolic and prophetic calling to seek first the kingdom of God.” The speakers include The Rt Revd Mark Tanner Bishop of Chester and Chine McDonald Director of the think-tank Theos. This training day is to complement the safeguarding training being undertaken across the parishes and is part of the outworking of the new strategic plan for the diocese. Details are here: https://www.rochester.anglican.org/about-us/ourvision/

The recent pressure of work has meant that I have not had an uninterrupted day off during March. The diary is just like that sometimes. I am taking 48 hours off from Thursday evening (10th) until Saturday evening (12th) next week. I am hoping two days and a night away will recharge my batteries enough to help me through Holy Week. I will also be taking some leave when my duties are complete on Easter Day through until 29th April. I plan to also hold a lighter diary on my first week back and ease myself back up to a full pace of working. Please bear with me as I rest and recuperate.

I am aware that not everyone is well enough to attend church and that for some people receiving Holy Communion at Easter is very important. If you would like to receive Holy Communion during Holy Week please be in touch and I will do my best to schedule a visit. I already have a few people in the diary for Easter Day but good availability on Wednesday 16th

Wishing you a blessed week ahead

Lisa

In this edition:

Ø Services

Ø Life Events

Ø Electoral Roll

Ø Bells project at St John the Baptist

Ø Learning and growing

Services:

Sunday April 6th Lent 5 start of Passiontide

10:00 St John the Baptist, Penshurst, Holy Communion

Sunday April 13th / Palm Sunday

08:00 St John the Baptist, Penshurst: Holy Communion

10:00 St Peters, Fordcombe: Holy Communion

10:00 St Luke’s, Chiddingstone Causeway, Holly Communion

Readings and lections for March and April can be found if you Click Here.

Sunday April 20th: Easter Sunday

08:00 St Peter’s, Fordcombe: Holy Communion

10:00 St John the Baptist, Penshurst: Holy Communion and Family Service

10:00 St Mary’s , Chiddingstone: Holy Communion

Sunday April 27th: Low Sunday

10:00 St Peter’s, Fordcombe

Life Events:

Ø In our prayers we hold those coming through our doors this month to mark their life events:

Funerals: We hold the family and loved ones of Linn Lee in our prayers ahead of her upcoming funeral.

And we remember those whose anniversary falls at this time of year, they shall be prayed for in church on Sunday.

Electoral Roll:

Ø Learning and growing:

High Weald Churches 28/03/2025 High Weald Churches 28/03/2025

Newsletter - 03-28

Greetings Beloved Parishioners

This week in Penshurst we have said a temporary goodbye to our eight historic bells. They left the village on Thursday morning after many days labour to safely lower them to the tower floor and then onto a lorry. They will spend the next few months in the west country being cleaned and retuned. We look forward to blessing them on their return and celebrating the completion of this once in a lifetime project. We have a working timescale of eight weeks and we will keep you posted.

On Tuesday St John the Baptist church was packed as the family and friends of Linn Lee gathered to celebrate her life. We continue to pray for the Lee family and all those who grieve.

This Sunday the services of Holy Communion will mark Mothering Sunday. The service at St Luke’s will be led by Rev’d Canon David Kitley and I shall lead the service in Penshurst. Mothering Sunday can feel very celebratory for many but for some is a painful day in the calendar. Thank you to those who are making posies to distribute in church during the service.

We opened the Electoral Roll for revision for two months and the document should close this Monday. I would like to extend this deadline by a week to give people a final chance to fill in the forms. There are links in this letter and on the website for you to follow. You can then print a form and sign it and return in person. You can also sign and return online. For those of you unable or unwilling to print a form, you wardens should have paper forms available for you to fill in at church this Sunday. Please contact your warden or Tracy in the office if you need a form to be delivered to you. We will close the Electoral Roll on Monday 7th March. It will be available for inspection shortly afterwards.

I was hoping to bring forward our APCM series to this side of Easter. However, Archdeacon Nick is not available to attend our proposed earlier date. Given he is overseeing the pastoral reorganisation process, it is important that he is available to offer assistance. Therefore, our APCM meetings will be as follows:

Formal notices will be issued in due course.

Next week is the final week of the school Spring Term. I hope to see many of you at the school Easter church services. These are in Penshurst on Thursday 3rd April at 0915; Fordcombe on Friday 4th April at 0915 and 1300 at Chiddingstone.

With every blessing for the week ahead.

Lisa.

In this edition:

Ø Services

Ø Life Events

Ø Electoral Roll

Ø Bells project at St John the Baptist

Ø Learning and growing

Services:

Sunday March 30th Lent 4 / Mothering Sunday

10:00 St John the Baptist, Penshurst: Holy Communion

10:00 St Luke’s, Chiddingstone Causeway: Mothering Sunday, Family Holy Communion

Sunday April 6th Lent 5 start of Passiontide

10:00 St John the Baptist, Penshurst, Holy Communion

Sunday April 13th / Palm Sunday

08:00 St John the Baptist, Penshurst: Holy Communion

10:00 St Peters, Fordcombe: Holy Communion

10:00 St Luke’s, Chiddingstone Causeway, Holly Communion

Readings and lections for March and April can be found if you Click Here.

Life Events:

Ø In our prayers we hold those coming through our doors this month to mark their life events:

Funerals: We hold the family and loved ones of Linn Lee in our prayers ahead of her upcoming funeral.

And we remember those whose anniversary falls at this time of year, they shall be prayed for in church on Sunday.

Electoral Roll:

Ø The High Weald Churches electoral roll is still open for applications ahead of the 2025 Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) – Click Here to read the full notice from the Diocese. Please note that every six years the electoral roll must undergo complete revision, which is taking place this year, therefore everyone who would like to be included should fill out and return an application form - Click Here to download. Forms can be printed, or collected from church, and returned to a churchwarden, or filled in electronically and returned via email to the office. The deadline for applications is 31 March, and the roll will be finalised by 14 April ahead of the next APCM.

Ø Learning and growing:

High Weald Churches 21/03/2025 High Weald Churches 21/03/2025

Newsletter - 03-21

Warm Greetings from your Rector,

At Diocesan Synod last Saturday it was announced that Rochester Diocese has received over £11million pounds in funding from the national church. The Area Deans conference on Monday and Tuesday was focussed on the strategic direction of the diocese and the plans that are unfolding to use these funds to strengthen the missional work at parish level.

Here is the press release: https://www.rochester.anglican.org/news/diocese-of-rochester-awarded-11-million-to-support-mission-and-growth.php

The funding is in addition to that already budgeted and will enable parishes like ours to receive the investment and training they need to flourish. I am particularly pleased to see that rural parishes are earmarked for particular care and attention amongst the workstreams planned. I will share more with you and how we will benefit as things become clearer.

Please can I ask you to return your electoral roll forms as soon as possible. The details are linked below. You will need to be on the ER if you want to continue to be on the PCC or Joint Council or to vote in the upcoming APCM. Some very efficient accounting work means that we can bring the date of our parish and Joint Council APCM forward to before Easter. I am awaiting some details from the Archdeacon’s office before I firm dates in the diary. I hope to have news next week.

In Penshurst this week the bell tower has been a hive of activity. The historic bells have been lowered to the floor of the tower awaiting further work before being moved for refurbishment next week. For the next few days, the church will only be open when volunteers are available to supervise, or a service is being prepared or taking place. This is to ensure the safety of all visitors and security for the bells which are valuable piece of history and irreplaceable. The church should be open as normal from next Thursday onwards. Thank you to all whose hard work have helped this project come to fruition. A notice will soon be placed at the church door with details of revised opening times.

This weekend marks a change in the administrative life of the parish. Our administrator, Tabitha Haysom will be on holiday next week and then begins a time of maternity leave. We wish Tabby every blessing as she awaits the arrival of her baby in April. We will keep you posted as news unfolds. Tabitha’s maternity leave will be covered by Tracy who was Tabitha’s predecessor. So goodbye Tabby for now and welcome back Tracy! We are blessed by you both.

Finally, I hope to see some of you next week at Poundsbridge for the first of our monthly our working parties. There will be the opportunity to help with the churchyard upkeep or clean inside the chapel. You do not have to stay the full two hours and any time you can give would be very much appreciated. I shall be there for the first hour only. Please bring your own tools and drinks.

I look forward to seeing many of you at church on Sunday. I shall be leading a BCP service of Holy Communion at St Peter and St Paul’s, Edenbridge at 0800 and Holy Communion at St John the Baptist Penshurst at 1000.

In this edition:

Ø Services

Ø Life Events

Ø Electoral Roll

Ø Bells project at St John the Baptist

Ø Learning and growing

Services:

Sunday March 23rd: Lent 3

1000 St John the Baptist, Penshurst: Holy Communion

Sunday March 30th Lent 4 / Mothering Sunday

1000 St John the Baptist, Penshurst: Holy Communion

1000 St Luke’s, Chiddingstone Causeway, Holy Communion

Sunday April 6th Lent 5 start of Passiontide

1000 St John the Baptist, Penshurst, Holy Communion

Readings and lections for March can be found if you Click Here.

Life Events:

Ø In our prayers we hold those coming through our doors this month to mark their life events:

Funerals: We hold the family and loved ones of Linn Lee in our prayers ahead of her upcoming funeral.

And we remember those whose anniversary falls at this time of year, they shall be prayed for in church on Sunday.

Electoral Roll:

Ø The High Weald Churches electoral roll is now open for applications ahead of the 2025 Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) – Click Here to read the full notice from the Diocese. Please note that every six years the electoral roll must undergo complete revision, which is taking place this year, therefore everyone who would like to be included should fill out and return an application form - Click Here to download. Forms can be printed, or collected from church, and returned to a churchwarden, or filled in electronically and returned via email to the office. The deadline for applications is 31 March, and the roll will be finalised by 14 April ahead of the next APCM.

Ø Bells project at St John the Baptist:

If you go down to the Church today you’re sure of a big surprise! As many of you might know the lovely bells of Penshurst Church are being taken down in preparation for removal and refurbishment. 6 of these majestic pieces of metalwork are sitting in the church. The last 2 will probably be lowered on Wednesday. The oldest bell was cast in 1349 (the 5). The Tenor, the biggest bell was cast in 1619. The last time these bells were removed was in 1895. The firm of Matthew Higby and Company Limited are doing the work. The method of installing, and indeed of removal of bells has hardly changed over the years, however, the advent of electricity has made things easier.
Please do come and see the bells whilst they are there, it really is a once in a lifetime opportunity to stand alongside these wonderful beasts. The church will be open from 10-2 on Saturday, and from after service until 2pm on Sunday this weekend.
Roberta Weatherley, bellringer.

Ø Learning and growing:

High Weald Churches 15/03/2025 High Weald Churches 15/03/2025

Newsletter - 03-15

Dear Parishioners

As we settle into the second week of Lent, my chocolate failings continue. However, I am working hard (with others) to keep the benefice and deanery afloat.

As we approach the end of the first quarter of the year, I find myself in many strategic meetings. This week’s agendas included school governance, deanery children’s work, a clergy chapter gathering and many matters with the new Archdeacon. Tomorrow I am attending Diocesan Synod in Paddock Wood and next week I am away for two days at the Area Dean conference. On Thursday I will be at day two of the course ‘Spiritual Care for the Elderly’ described in last week’s mailing; also on Thursday, the Joint Council meets at 6:30pm. There is a phrase about rest and wickedness that may apply to me here!

This Sunday there is a service of Holy Communion at St John the Baptist, Penshurst at 1000. At 4pm we shall gather at Hartsland Farm for this month’s Forest Church. The weather forecast is favourable. I am so looking forward to sharing a celebration of springtime alongside children, families and some lovely livestock. Thank you to the Broad Family for hosting us once again. The address is Hartsland Farm, Walter’s Green TN11 8HD. Please park in the yard as directed. Please dress for life on a working farm. Boots are recommended.

Please do print and return your nomination forms for the electoral roll. Tabby has provided links for these in her section of these mailings. If you have a friend who would like a form but has no access to a computer, please print for them or message me and I can drop one round.

Until next week,

Lisa

In this edition:

Ø Electoral Roll

Ø Services

Ø Life Events

Ø Learning and growing

Electoral Roll:

Services:

Sunday March 16th: Lent 2

1000 St John the Baptist, Penshurst: Holy Communion

1600 Forest Church: Hartsland Farm, Walter’s Green

Sunday March 23rd: Lent 3

1000 St John the Baptist, Penshurst: Holy Communion

Sunday March 30th Lent 4 / Mothering Sunday

1000 St John the Baptist, Penshurst: Holy Communion

1000 St Luke’s, Chiddingstone Causeway, Holy Communion

Readings and lections for March can be found if you Click Here.

Life Events:

Ø In our prayers we hold those coming through our doors this month to mark their life events:

Weddings: As the 2025 wedding season approaches, Banns will soon begin to be read in Sunday services across the benefice. We pray for all couples marrying in our churches this year.

We ask you to pray for two-week-old Skye Morris, who is in neo natal care Pembury hospital. Skye was born several weeks early and, although she is doing well, we hold her and her family in our prayers as they navigate this challenging time.

Funerals: We hold the family and loved ones of Linn Lee in our prayers ahead of her upcoming funeral.

And we remember those whose anniversary falls at this time of year, they shall be prayed for in church on Sunday.

Learning and growing:

Ø Don’t forget the new National Safeguarding Standards. There is a link to the new leaflet on our website, and you’ll see posters going up in our churches soon. And following the appointment of our new benefice Safeguarding Officer, Wendy Ellis, we now have a contact email established – please direct any safeguarding queries or issues to safeguarding@highwealdchurches.org.uk

Mailing:
Ø If you know anyone who would like to be added to our weekly mailing, do let us know (and similarly let us know if you’d like to come off, though we’d be sad to see you go). If you’d like to contribute to the work of the benefice, you can go to our parish giving page via the www.parishgiving.org.uk website (we’d be very grateful). Alternatively, you can always find it on our benefice website: https://www.highwealdchurches.org.uk/news

High Weald Churches 07/03/2025 High Weald Churches 07/03/2025

Newsletter - 03-07

Lenten Greetings from a much warmer Penshurst Rectory. How lovely not to be knee deep in mud when out walking. My decision to give up chocolate failed on the first afternoon when I only remembered it was Lent after I had consumed a Kit Kat. Must try harder!

Following many recent deaths in our local communities, I am sad to announce the death of Linn Lee from Meadow Wood, Penshurst. We send condolences and pray for her husband James and his family at this sad time. Linn’s funeral will be at St John the Baptist Church on 25th March. Details will follow once confirmed.

After eight funerals in as many weeks my diary has switched to an education focus in recent days. I led a Shrove Tuesday Collective Worship in Chiddingstone School and an Ash Wednesday service at St Peter’s church for Fordcombe School. On Thursday I was the student for a change. I attended the first of a four-day course examining spiritual care for older people. The course written by BRF was led by Julia Burton Jones who heads up Anna Chaplaincy across the diocese and holds many national roles in leading this aspect of church and community care. This link details the course: https://www.annachaplaincy.org.uk/about-the-spiritual-care-series. The diocese has kindly funded my place on this course. I hope to share this learning locally once my studies are complete.

Tomorrow, I am meeting in Fordcombe with those with an interest in Forest Church and other children’s work across the Tonbridge Deanery to share current practice and identify how we can collaborate between parishes in both the delivery of ministry to children and in the training of leaders. Nobody can claim that my job is boring!

As Lent begins, final plans are being put in place for school Easter services and the parish in Holy Week. I hope to publish details next week about what is planned across the benefice for April.

To close my section of this newsletter, I share words about Lenten disciplines published in 2021 by Pope Francis:

Do You Want To Fast This Lent?

Fast from hurting words and say kind words

Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude.

Fast from anger and be filled with patience.

Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope.

Fast from worries and have trust in God.

Fast from complaints; contemplate simplicity.

Fast from pressures and be prayerful.

Fast from bitterness; fill your hearts with joy.

Fast from selfishness and be. Compassionate.

Fast from grudges and be reconciled

Fast from words; be silent and listen.

Praying for us all in the week ahead.

Lisa

In this edition:

Ø Services

Ø Life Events

Ø Electoral Roll

Ø Learning and growing

Services:

Sunday March 9th: Lent 1

1000 St Peter’s Fordcombe: Holy Communion

1000 St Luke’s, Chiddingstone Causeway: Matins

Sunday March 16th: Lent 2

1000 St John the Baptist, Penshurst: Holy Communion

1600 Forest Church, Penshurst Rectory

Sunday March 23rd Lent 3

1000 St John the Baptist, Penshurst: Holy Communion

Readings and lections for March can be found if you Click Here.

Life Events:

Ø In our prayers we hold those coming through our doors this month to mark their life events:

Funerals: We hold the family and loved ones of Linn Lee in our prayers ahead of her upcoming funeral.

And we remember those whose anniversary falls at this time of year, they shall be prayed for in church on Sunday.

Electoral Roll:

Learning and growing:

High Weald Churches 28/02/2025 High Weald Churches 28/02/2025

Newsletter 02-28

Following a very busy week in the benefice, please find a very brief update on church activities below.

This week we held two memorial services at St John the Baptist, which saw over 500 pass through our doors in Penshurst, to mark the lives of Michael Collin and Michael Hill. We continue to hold their families and loved ones in our prayers.

We are also sad to share news of the passing of Lin Lee this week, we pray for James and her family as they mourn. Lin’s funeral details will be shared in due course.

This coming Wednesday will see the start of Lent, and the beginning of a very busy period for services, further details of which are below and on the website.

Finally, please remember to complete and return applications for the benefice electoral roll by 31 March, should you want to be included in the next iteration. The best way to do this is to complete the form online (Click Here) and return via email to the office, however if you don’t have access to a computer these can be obtained and returned via the churchwardens.

In this edition:

Ø Services

Ø Life Events

Ø Electoral Roll

Ø Learning and growing

Services:

Sunday March 2nd: Sunday Before Lent

1000 St John the Baptist, Penshurst: Holy Communion

Wednesday March 5th: Ash Wednesday

0915 St Peter’s Church, Fordcombe School Service for Ash Wednesday

1900 St John’s, Penshurst: Holy Communion with the Imposition of Ashes

Sunday March 9th: Lent 1

1000 St Peter’s Fordcombe: Holy Communion

1000 St Luke’s, Chiddingstone Causeway: Matins

Sunday March 16th: Lent 2

1000 St John the Baptist, Penshurst: Holy Communion

1600 Forest Church, Penshurst Rectory

Readings and lections for March can be found if you Click Here.

Life Events:

Ø In our prayers we hold those coming through our doors this month to mark their life events:

Funerals: We hold the family and loved ones of Lin Lee in our prayers ahead of her upcoming funeral.

And we remember those whose anniversary falls at this time of year, they shall be prayed for in church on Sunday.

Electoral Roll:

Learning and growing:

High Weald Churches 21/02/2025 High Weald Churches 21/02/2025

Newsletter - 02-21

I do hope this finds you well. For those with school aged children in their care I hope that you have enjoyed the half term break. Although a working week for me, I have been able to take things at a gentler pace.

Last Saturday, it was a joy to meet with twelve of our wedding couples for a wedding preparation event. Couples left having given thought to the Christian understanding of marriage and knowing more about how their wedding service fits together. Although each couple will be seen individually by the priest taking their service, being able to offer some general advice over service content to a collective group offers some time efficiencies later in the year. With twenty weddings this year, please do make all of our visiting couples welcome as they gather to make their qualifying connections and to get to know the church family. We already have a growing list of 2026 couples.

On Sunday more than thirty of us gathered for Forest Church in my rectory garden. Angela Ventin led this love themed service as part of her Bishop’s Certificate qualification. She did a great job! Praying that my lawn may recover soon!

This week, parishioners gathered at The Crematorium to say a fond farewell to Joyce Evans. Joyce has spent her whole 95 years living within a few miles of her birthplace in Penshurst. The service celebrated her love of creation. Next week we shall celebrate the lives of Michael Hill on Tuesday and Michael Collin on Friday. In both cases there are private family services in the morning and much bigger memorial services in St John the Baptist church in the afternoon. For those attending on Tuesday, please park in Penshurst Place and walk through church field if possible. If attending on Friday afternoon, you may wish to park at the Porcupine Pantry and walk to church from there. Both occasions are likely to be very well attended, so do allow plenty of time to park and walk.

With my Area Dean’s hat on: this Saturday morning I shall be leading the Deanery Synod at St John’s, Hildenborough. Our guest speaker is Bishop Jonathan who shall be presenting his diocesan vision for the next ten years. On Sunday, I shall be at Rochester Cathedral for the Collation, Installation & Welcome Service for the two new Archdeacons. Please pray for The Rev Preb Sandra McCalla, as she becomes The Archdeacon of Rochester and for The Rev Nicholas Cornell, who will work locally as the Archdeacon of Tonbridge.

With Easter so late this year, we have two more Sundays before Lent begins. On Ash Wednesday (5th March) there are services with the imposition of ashes at 0915 in St Peter’s (a school led service) and St John the Baptist at 1900. This is a communion service. If you want to receive communion in the daytime, you may want to join our brothers and sister at St Peter and St Paul, Edenbridge. Their service, led by Rev’d David Flagg, begins at 1030.

With every blessing for the week ahead

Lisa

In this edition:

Ø Services

Ø Life Events

Ø Electoral Roll

Ø Learning and growing

Services:

Sunday February 23rd: 2nd Sunday before Lent

1000 St Luke’s, Chiddingstone Causeway: Matins

1000 St John the Baptist, Penshurst: Holy Communion

Sunday March 2nd: Sunday Before Lent

1000 St John the Baptist, Penshurst: Holy Communion

Wednesday March 5th: Ash Wednesday

0915 St Peter’s Church, Fordcombe School Service for Ash Wednesday

1900 St John’s, Penshurst: Holy Communion with the Imposition of Ashes

Sunday March 9th: Lent 1

1000 St Peter’s Fordcombe: Holy Communion

1000 St Luke’s, Chiddingstone Causeway: Matins

Readings and lections for February can be found if you Click Here.

Life Events:

Ø In our prayers we hold those coming through our doors this month to mark their life events:

Baptisms: We hold Andrea and her family in our prayers following her baptism in February.

Funerals: We hold the family and loved Michael Collin and Michael Hill in our prayers ahead of their upcoming funerals.

And we remember those whose anniversary falls at this time of year, they shall be prayed for in church on Sunday.

Electoral Roll:

Learning and growing:

High Weald Churches 14/02/2025 High Weald Churches 14/02/2025

Newsletter - 02-14

Valentine’s Day Greetings to you all.

This Saturday we welcome many of our wedding couples to a marriage preparation event. During our time together we will talk all things wedding and marriage helping many of our 20+ couples who are preparing to marry in our four churches this year.

Our local schools have just finished school and college for half term. I am sure staff and pupils alike are looking forward to a week away from the pressures of school. If you are going away, we wish you safe travels. We hope that many families will join me in The Rectory Garden in Penshurst for a love themed Forest Church at 4pm on Sunday 16th. Please dress for the weather. It is likely to be muddy and slippery underfoot. Please use suitable footwear. Sunshine is forecast, but by 4pm things are likely to have cooled considerably. There will be a bonfire to keep us warm!

On Thursday afternoon many people gathered to remember with affection the life of Bob Atkins. Next Thursday morning we will say a goodbye to Joyce Evans in a service at The Kent and Sussex Crematorium. In the following week services will be held for Mike Hill (25th) and Mike Collin (28th). Both services are in St John the Baptist Church. We thank God for their lives and hold all who mourn in our prayers.

With every blessing for the week ahead

Lisa

In this edition:

Ø Services

Ø Life Events

Ø Electoral Roll

Ø Learning and growing

Services:

Sunday February 16th: 3rd Sunday before Lent

1000 St John the Baptist, Penshurst: Holy Communion

1600 Forest Church Penshurst Rectory

Sunday February 23rd: 2nd Sunday before Lent

1000 St Luke’s, Chiddingstone Causeway: Matins

1000 St John the Baptist, Penshurst: Holy Communion

Sunday March 2nd: Sunday Before Lent

1000 St John the Baptist, Penshurst: Holy Communion

Wednesday March 5th: Ash Wednesday

0915 St Peter’s Church, Fordcombe School Service for Ash Wednesday

1900 St John’s, Penshurst: Holy Communion with the Imposition of Ashes

Readings and lections for February can be found if you Click Here.

Life Events:

Ø In our prayers we hold those coming through our doors this month to mark their life events:

Baptisms: We hold Andrea and her family in our prayers following her baptism in February.

Funerals: We hold the family and loved ones of Joyce Evans, Michael Collin and Michael Hill in our prayers ahead of their upcoming funerals.

And we remember those whose anniversary falls at this time of year, they shall be prayed for in church on Sunday.

Electoral Roll:

Learning and growing:

High Weald Churches 07/02/2025 High Weald Churches 07/02/2025

Newsletter - 02-07

Dear Parishioners

I have had a lovely week in the parish. I so enjoyed baptising Andrea at St Mary’s last Sunday. She was such a sunny infant who charmed several generations of family and friends. Wedding planning has taken up a lot of my time this week and next Saturday many of our wedding couples from across the benefice will be meeting together in Fordcombe for a wedding preparation afternoon.

A spike in the local death rate means that our local funeral directors are incredibly busy at present. We give thanks for their care to all of our families. Locally we have four Penshurst funerals planned. On Thursday 13th, we will say a final goodbye to Bob Atkins as we celebrate his life in a service at 1400 in St John the Baptist Church. On 20th February at 1130, we will celebrate the life of Joyce Evans at The Kent and Sussex Crematorium. On 25th February we will bid farewell to Mike Hill. A private cremation in the morning will be followed in the afternoon by a memorial service in church. I await confirmation of the start time, but it is likely to be around 1400. On 28th February we will celebrate the life of Mike Collin. A private morning service at Poundsbridge will be followed by a memorial service in church at 1430. We thank God for the lives of these four people and hold all of their loved ones in prayer.

This Sunday our 1000 service will be in Fordcombe and I look forward to seeing many of you there. At Chiddingstone, a Matins service will be led by Brian Buck at 1000 at St Luke’s.

With every blessing for the week ahead,

Lisa

In this edition:

Ø Services

Ø Life Events

Ø Electoral Roll

Ø Learning and growing

Services:

Sunday 9 February: 4th Sunday before Lent

1000 St Peter’s Fordcombe: Holy Communion

1000 St Luke’s, Chiddingstone Causeway: Holy Communion

Sunday February 16th: 3rd Sunday before Lent

1000 St John the Baptist, Penshurst: Holy Communion

1600 Forest Church Penshurst Rectory

Sunday February 23rd: 2nd Sunday before Lent

1000 St Luke’s, Chiddingstone Causeway: Matins

1000 St John the Baptist, Penshurst: Holy Communion

Readings and lections for February can be found if you Click Here.

Life Events:

Ø In our prayers we hold those coming through our doors this month to mark their life events:

Baptisms: We hold Andrea and her family in our prayers following her baptism last Sunday.

Funerals: We hold the family and loved ones of Bob Atkins, Joyce Evans, Michael Collin and Michael Hill in our prayers ahead of their upcoming funerals.

And we remember those whose anniversary falls at this time of year, they shall be prayed for in church on Sunday.

Electoral Roll:

Learning and growing:

High Weald Churches 31/01/2025 High Weald Churches 31/01/2025

Newsletter - 01-31

Warm greetings from Penshurst Rectory

A busy week in the parish is behind us and lies ahead. Funerals rather dominate my diary at present. This week we were sad to learn of the deaths of Michael Collin and Michael Hill, both long term residents of Penshurst. Their funerals will be later in the month, and we will confirm the details in next week’s mailing.

As I type the 2023-24 tax return deadline is looming at midnight. I am sure that I was not the only person hurriedly form filling this week! We are in the process of finalising our parish and benefice accounts for 2024 and preparing for our APCM. Every six years we have to revise and renew the electoral roll. The process for our parishes begins today and we ask for you to return your paperwork before the end of March. Although the APCM is not until early May, we would like to have this substantial piece of administration completed as fully as possible before Tabby, our administrator, goes on maternity leave. Tabby has supplied instructions below. Please note that all people who wish to be on the electoral roll must apply afresh using the forms provided. Given we are in the process of making big decisions about our benefice’s future, please do apply to join the roll so that your opinions can be included in any voting that takes place.

Earlier this week I met with fellow Area Deans and with the acting and soon to be Archdeacons of Tonbridge. Archdeacon Elect Nick Cornell will be writing to PCCs very soon to explain the next steps in our pastoral reorganisation consultation. Nick is in the process of leaving his Tunbridge Wells parish, moving house and starting his new job. Please pray for him as he works with us and circa 90 parishes across six deaneries. May we all prayerfully discern God’s will during our discussions in and between the parishes in the benefice.

I wish you a blessed week ahead

Lisa

In this edition:

Ø Services

Ø Life Events

Ø Electoral Roll

Ø Learning and growing

Ø Prayer

Services:

Sunday 2 February: Candlemas (The last Sunday of Christmas)

1000 St John the Baptist, Penshurst: Holy Communion

Sunday 9 February: 4th Sunday before Lent

1000 St Peter’s Fordcombe: Holy Communion

1000 St Luke’s, Chiddingstone Causeway: Holy Communion

Sunday February 16th 3rd Sunday before Lent

1000 St John the Baptist, Penshurst: Holy Communion

1600 Forest Church Penshurst Rectory

Readings and lections for February can be found if you Click Here.

Life Events:

Ø In our prayers we hold those coming through our doors this month to mark their life events:

Baptisms: We hold Andrea and her family in our prayers ahead of her baptism on Sunday.

Funerals: We hold the family and loved ones of Bob Atkins, Michael Collin and Michael Hill in our prayers ahead of their upcoming funerals.

And we remember those whose anniversary falls at this time of year, they shall be prayed for in church on Sunday.

Electoral Roll:

Learning and growing:

Prayer:

Ø While discussions are taking place about the Benefice I would like to suggest a few of us meet on the morning of Tuesday February 4th to hold it all in prayer. I’m happy to host. Please do contact me if you would like to come - I’m looking for an equal representation from each church if possible! You can contact me on Barbaramlloyd@gmail.com or 07802 537652

- Barbara Lloyd

Mailing:

Ø If you know anyone who would like to be added to our weekly mailing, do let us know (and similarly let us know if you’d like to come off, though we’d be sad to see you go). If you’d like to contribute to the work of the benefice, you can go to our parish giving page via the www.parishgiving.org.uk website (we’d be very grateful). Alternatively, you can always find it on our benefice website: https://www.highwealdchurches.org.uk/news

High Weald Churches 24/01/2025 High Weald Churches 24/01/2025

Newsletter - 01-24

I hope this e mail finds you all well and coping with the effects of Storm Eowyn. I spoke with Rev’d Lindsay this morning who was following advice and staying home as the winds blew very strongly in Dublin!

It has been a difficult week to watch the news, and my heart was especially moved by the events at the Crown Court in Liverpool. We pray especially for the families of Bebe, Elsie Dot and Alice and all those impacted by the tragedy in Southport last Summer. Such horrors encourage us to hold our own children that bit closer.

On Wednesday I led the funeral for Ada Pickering from Bough Beech and next Wednesday, in Hastings, I will lead the celebration of life for Yvonne Braiden. Many of you will gather on Saturday for a Thanksgiving Service for the life of Jenny Chettle. A truly remarkable lady whose heart for God, deep faith and care for her community was an example to us all. I thank Sally Musson for leading this service in Chiddingstone. With bellringers, choirs and many local groups paying tribute, I am so glad that Jenny will be remembered by the community that loved her so much.

Also on Saturday, I shall be at St Paul’s Cathedral as the duty chaplain. This quarterly duty affords me a day of prayerful contemplation, the chance to lead services in an iconic setting and to meet with people from all over the world. It is a real privilege. On Sunday our 1000 services will be led by Rev’d Canon David Kitley at St Luke’s and Rev’d Kevin Scully at St John the Baptist. I shall be close by, carrying out my Area Dean duties leading both services in Edenbridge.

I pray that you all know God’s love and peace surrounding you in the week ahead.

With every blessing

Lisa

In this edition:

Ø Services

Ø Life Events

Ø Learning and growing

Ø Prayer

Services:

Sunday 26 January: Epiphany 3

1000 St Luke’s, Chiddingstone Causeway: Holy Communion

1000 St John the Baptist, Penshurst: Holy Communion

(Note: No Fordcombe Evening service this month)

Sunday 2 February: Candlemas (The last Sunday of Christmas)

1000 St John the Baptist, Penshurst: Holy Communion

Sunday 9 February: 4th Sunday before Lent

1000 St Peter’s Fordcombe: Holy Communion

1000 St Luke’s, Chiddingstone Causeway: Holy Communion

Readings and lections for February can be found if you Click Here.

Life Events:

In our prayers we hold those coming through our doors this month to mark their life events:

Baptisms: We hold Louis and his family in our prayers, following his baptism at St Luke’s last week.

Funerals: We hold the family and loved ones of Jenny Chettle, Bob Atkins and Yvonne Braiden in our prayers ahead of their upcoming funerals.

And we remember those whose anniversary falls at this time of year, they shall be prayed for in church on Sunday.

Learning and growing:

Prayer:

Barbara Lloyd

Mailing:

High Weald Churches 17/01/2025 High Weald Churches 17/01/2025

Newsletter - 01-17

Greetings from my rectory in Penshurst,

This is my first mailing of 2025. If I haven’t already said this in person, Happy New Year. Christmas seems a distant memory but I am pleased to report we had over a thousand people through the benefice church doors on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Thank you to everyone who worked to ensure the Advent and Christmas seasons ran smoothly and to all those who attended. Special thanks to Fr Stephen Mitchell and Rev Penny Stephens for leading services in Chiddingstone.

Sadly, the winter season often sees a spike in deaths and this year is no exception. It is an honour to lead the funerals of parishioners and to help families both celebrate the lives and gifts of characters of their loved ones. Thank you for the ways in which you support each other in the community as people work their way through their grief journey. On Wednesday we said a fond farewell to Elaine (Ellie) Mimms at St John the Baptist. On Friday the family of Jenny Chettle met to say goodbye to her at a private service at Tunbridge Wells Crematorium. Jenny’s life will be celebrated by her large circle of friends and family in St Mary’s Church on Saturday 25th January at 1000. My thanks to Sally Musson for leading both of Jenny’s services.

On Wednesday 22nd at 1300 Ada Pickering’s funeral takes place at The Kent and Sussex Crematorium. On Wednesday 29th Yvonne Braiden’s funeral will be held at Hastings Crematorium. Finally, on Thursday February 13th, we shall celebrate the life of Bob Atkins with a thanksgiving service at St John the Baptist in Penshurst.

We hold all bereaved families and friends in prayer.

At the other end of our age group, this Sunday at 1600 there will be a Christingle Service at St John the Baptist Church in Penshurst. Although billed as a Forest Church service, the service will be inside the church, the heating and kettle will be on and all ages are welcome. Christingle services can take any time between Advent and Candlemas and, given there were already nine children’s services before Christmas, it made sense to leave this service for the new year.

Our three benefice schools have been back for two full weeks and are very busy. I would like to offer congratulations to Mrs Haysom and all the staff, volunteers and pupils at Chiddingstone School for their recent OFSTED report. They were inspected in December and the report, published this week, described the school as Outstanding in all areas. The full report can be read here. https://www.chiddingstoneschool.co.uk/inspection-reports-3/

Next week the World Council of Churches celebrates a week of Christian Unity. This is an ecumenical celebration, which encourages different denominations to work together. I finish my mailing this week with a prayer for church unity written by for the Bose Community (An ecumenical community of Nuns and Monks from Italy)

“God our Father, accept our praise and thanksgiving for what already unites Christians in the confession of and witness to Jesus the Lord. Hasten the hour when all churches will recognise each other in the one communion you willed and for which your Son prayed to you in the power of the Holy Spirit. Hear us, you who live and reign now and forever.”

With every blessing for the week ahead

Lisa

In this edition:

Ø Services

Ø Life Events

Ø Learning and growing

Services:

Sunday 19 January: Epiphany 2 - Week of prayer for Christian Unity

1000 St John the Baptist, Penshurst: Holy Communion

1600 St John the Baptist, Penshurst: Forest Church Christingle Service

Sunday 26 January: Epiphany 3

1000 St Luke’s, Chiddingstone Causeway: Holy Communion

1000 St John the Baptist, Penshurst: Holy Communion

(Note: No Fordcombe Evening service this month)

Sunday 2 February: Candlemas (The last Sunday of Christmas)

1000 St John the Baptist, Penshurst: Holy Communion

Life Events:

In our prayers we hold those coming through our doors this month to mark their life events:

Baptisms: We hold Louis and his family in our prayers, as they prepare for his baptism in January.

Funerals: We hold the family and loved ones of Jenny Chettle, Bob Atkins, Ada Pickering and Yvonne Braiden in our prayers ahead of their upcoming funerals.

And we remember those whose anniversary falls at this time of year, they shall be prayed for in church on Sunday.

Learning and growing:

Mailing:

High Weald Churches 10/01/2025 High Weald Churches 10/01/2025

Newsletter - 01-10

To our benefice friends,

Please find below notice of a number of upcoming funerals and burials in the benefice, for you to be aware of.

A service will be taking place at St John the Baptist for Elaine Mimms on 15 January at 2pm.

Jenny Chettle’s memorial is to be held at St Mary’s on Saturday 25 January at 10:15. This follows a service for her family at Tunbridge Wells Crematorium on 17 January, if you’d like details to access the livestream do get in touch.

Lisa will also be conducting funerals for Ada Pickering, at Tunbridge Wells Crematorium on Wednesday 22nd January at 1pm, and Yvonne Braiden in Hastings on 29 January. Please get in touch if you’d like further details of Yvonne’s funeral.

Finally, we pray for Maggie and the loved ones of Bob Atkins, and will share his funeral details in due course.

Ø Services

Ø Life Events

Ø Learning and growing

Services:

Sunday 12 January: Epiphany 2. The Baptism of Christ

1000 St Peter’s Fordcombe: Holy Communion

1000 St Luke’s, Chiddingstone Causeway: Matins

Sunday 19 January: Epiphany 2. Week of prayer for Christian Unity

1000 St John the Baptist, Penshurst: Holy Communion

1600 St John the Baptist, Penshurst: Forest Church Christingle Service

Sunday 26 January: Epiphany 3

1000 St Luke’s, Chiddingstone Causeway: Holy Communion

1000 St John the Baptist, Penshurst: Holy Communion

(Note: No Fordcombe Evening service this month)

Life Events:

In our prayers we hold those coming through our doors this month to mark their life events:

Baptisms: We hold Louis and his family in our prayers, as they prepare for his baptism in January.

Funerals: We hold the family and loved ones of Jenny Chettle, Bob Atkins, Elaine Mimms, Ada Pickering and Yvonne Braiden in our prayers ahead of their upcoming funerals.

And we remember those whose anniversary falls at this time of year, they shall be prayed for in church on Sunday.

Learning and growing:

Mailing:

High Weald Churches 20/12/2024 High Weald Churches 20/12/2024

Newsletter - 12-20

Greetings to you all for Penshurst Rectory. After a week of school services with much tinsel, tea towels and enthusiastic carol singing we are on the final run in for Christmas week.

I am delighted that, with Tabby’s help, we have managed to staff two services in each parish between sundown on Christmas eve and lunchtime on Christmas Day. There is a mixture of formal and informal services, which should cater or every taste.

The fun starts at St Peter’s at 1600 with family carols; continues at 1730 service at St Mary’s with carols by candlelight. Thank you to Rev’d Stephen Mitchell for leading this. Please note that ‘midnight’ Holy Communion starts earlier this year at 10pm at St John the Baptist. I very much hope that we can mark midnight in the comfort of our own homes! There will be a quiet communion service at St Peter’s at 0900 on Christmas Day. Rev’d Penny Stephen’s is leading a Holy Communion Service on Christmas Day at St Luke’s at 1030. At St John the Baptist I shall be leading a child- friendly morning service, also at 1030.

Whatever the Christmas season brings you, I hope that there will be time for peaceful contemplation as well as celebration. I am aware that for some this is not an easy time of year. For those bereaved, unwell or carrying emotional, financial or health burdens, life can feel raw and difficult. Please know that you are very much loved by God, and he never leaves your side. As we celebrate the incarnation afresh, I offer this blessing from our Common Worship liturgy:

May the joy of the angels,

the eagerness of the shepherds,

the perseverance of the wise men,

the obedience of Joseph and Mary,

and the peace of the Christ child

be yours this Christmas;

and the blessing of God almighty,

the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

be among you and remain with you always.

Amen

Rev’d Lisa

In this edition

Ø Services

Ø Life Events

Ø Learning and growing

Ø Spirituality and Prayer

Services:

Sunday 22 December: Advent 4

1000 Said Holy Communion at St John the Baptist, Penshurst

1800 Nine Lessons and Carols at St John the Baptist

Tuesday 24 December: Christmas Eve

1600 Family Carol Service at St Peter’s, Fordcombe

1730 Carols by Candlelight St Mary the Virgin, Chiddingstone

2200 United Benefice Christmas Night Holy Communion, St John’s
(Please note the earlier start)

Wednesday 25 December: Christmas Day

0900 Said Holy Communion at St Peter’s, Fordcombe

1030 Family Service at St John the Baptist, Penshurst

1030 Holy Communion at St Luke’s, Chiddingstone Causeway

Sunday 29 December: First Sunday of Christmas

1000 United Benefice Holy Communion at St John the Baptist, Penshurst

Life Events:

In our prayers we hold those coming through our doors this month to mark their life events:

Weddings: Jack and Celia married last weekend at St Mary’s, and Rebecca and Nicholas are making their final preparations for their upcoming blessing at St John the Baptist, we hold both couples in our prayers.

Funerals: We hold the family and loved ones of Jenny Chettle in our prayers this week. For those who would like to attend her funeral, we hope to be able to share details in due course.

And we remember those whose anniversary falls at this time of year, they shall be prayed for in church on Sunday.

Learning and growing:

Mailing:

Please note that no weekly mailing is planned until the new year. Please keep an eye on our website for the latest information.

High Weald Churches 13/12/2024 High Weald Churches 13/12/2024

Newsletter - 12-13

I begin this week’s newsletter with sad news. Jenny Chettle a long-standing member of the Chiddingstone Churches family died last Friday. We pray for Jenny’s family and friends as they mourn her loss. Jenny was a truly lovely lady. She had a deep faith, lived out in service to others and in a great love for music. She supported charitable, musical and children’s work right across the benefice and was always an encouragement to others. She will be greatly missed. I am not yet aware of funeral arrangements for Jenny, but I will share them here once known.

I enjoyed a few days off at the start of the week. I am very grateful to Rev’d David Kitley for leading the 1000 service in Fordcombe last week. Dibley and I enjoyed some very bracing walks at Camber Sands. It was good to step away from home for a few days. Meanwhile on Monday, Chiddingstone School received ‘The Call’ from OFSTED and were inspected during Tuesday and Wednesday. Hot on the heels of a SIAMS inspection less than a month ago, the school rose to the challenge of the inspection with admirable professionalism. The report will be published early in the new year. Meanwhile, if you would like to read the school’s splendid SIAMS report it is at the foot of this webpage: https://www.chiddingstoneschool.co.uk/inspection-reports-3/

After two very successful Nativity Services in Chiddingstone on Wednesday, there are many school productions and services to come. I shall be at all but one of these. If attending too, I hope you enjoy every minute. See you there!

17th December 1400 Ash Class Nativity at Fordcombe School
18th Dec 1400 KS1 Nativity at St John the Baptist Church, Penshurst
18th Dec 1800 KS2 Carol service at St Mary’s Church, Chiddingstone
19th Dec 0915 KS2 Carols at St John the Baptist Church, Penshurst
19th December 1430 Elm & Oak Nativity at Fordcombe School
20th December 0915 End of Term Service at St Peter’s Church, Fordcombe

There are two meetings this coming week where the expanded PCCs of each parish will meet with Archdeacon Elect Rev’d Nick Cornell. The Chiddingstone PCC will meet at the parish room at St Luke’s on the evening of Thursday 19th December (please speak to your church wardens for details). The PCCs of Penshurst and Fordcombe will meet at 1030 at St John the Baptist Church on Friday 20th. Both meetings will offer an opportunity for Rev’d Nick to explain the pastoral consultation process planned for the benefice in early 2025.

As the Christmas festivities draw near, it may be that you or a loved one would like me to visit so that you may receive Holy Communion at home. Please drop me an email if you would like me to add you to my list of planned visits. I hope to see most people between 22nd and 24th December, but have some availability in the week to come.

I look forward to seeing many of you at the concerts, productions and services in the week ahead.

In this edition

Ø Services

Ø Life Events

Ø Learning and growing

Ø Spirituality and Prayer

Services:

Sunday 15 December: Advent 3

1000 Holy Communion at St John the Baptist, Penshurst

1800 Nine Lessons and Carols at St Luke’s, Chiddingstone Causeway

Sunday 22 December: Advent 4

1000 Said Holy Communion at St John the Baptist, Penshurst

1800 Nine Lessons and Carols at St John the Baptist

Tuesday 24 December: Christmas Eve

1600 Family Carol Service at St Peter’s, Fordcombe

1730 Carols by Candlelight St Mary the Virgin, Chiddingstone

2200 United Benefice Christmas Night Holy Communion, St John’s
(Please note the earlier start)

Wednesday 25 December: Christmas Day

0900 Said Holy Communion at St Peter’s, Fordcombe

1030 Family Service at St John the Baptist, Penshurst

1030 Morning Service at St Luke’s, Chiddingstone Causeway

Sunday 29 December: First Sunday of Christmas

1000 United Benefice Holy Communion at St John the Baptist, Penshurst

Life Events:

In our prayers we hold those coming through our doors this month to mark their life events:

Weddings: We hold Jack and Celia, and Rebecca and Nicholas in our prayers ahead of their weddings in December.

Funerals: We hold the family and loved ones of Jenny Chettle in our prayers this week. For those who would like to attend her funeral, we hope to be able to share details in due course.

And we remember those whose anniversary falls at this time of year, they shall be prayed for in church on Sunday.

Learning and growing:

Mailing:

Spirituality and Prayer:

Ø Over the next couple of weeks St John’s in Penshurst will host a number of very simple prayer stations to mark the start of Advent. Please do try and visit and engage with them if you can and perhaps pray that they might prove helpful to our visitors too.

High Weald Churches 06/12/2024 High Weald Churches 06/12/2024

Newsletter - 12-06

To our benefice friends,

A brief update for this edition of the newsletter. This week has been a busy one, with funerals for Roger Theobald, Hilary Allen and Sheila Potter taking place across the benefice. We continue to pray for Roger, Hilary and Sheila, along with their loved ones.

Please find upcoming services detailed below, including a breakdown of our Christmas schedule. We do hope to see many of you passing through our doors in the coming weeks as the Christmas programme continues.

Further details are available on the services page of our website.

In this edition

Ø Services

Ø Life Events

Ø Learning and growing

Ø Spirituality and Prayer

Services:

Sunday 8 December: Advent 2

1000 Holy Communion at St Peter’s, Fordcombe

1000 Matins at St Luke’s, Chiddingstone Causeway

Sunday 15 December: Advent 3

1000 Holy Communion at St John the Baptist, Penshurst

1800 Nine Lessons and Carols at St Luke’s, Chiddingstone Causeway

Tuesday 24th Christmas Eve

16.00 Family Carol Service at St Peter’s, Fordcombe

17.30 Carols by Candlelight St Mary the Virgin, Chiddingstone

22.00 United Benefice Christmas Night Holy Communion, St John’s
(Please note the earlier start)

Wednesday 25th Christmas Day

09.00 Said Holy Communion at St Peter’s, Fordcombe

10.30 Family Service at St John the Baptist, Penshurst

10.30 Morning Service at St Luke’s, Chiddingstone Causeway

Life Events:

In our prayers we hold those coming through our doors this month to mark their life events:

Weddings: We hold Jack and Celia, and Rebecca and Nicholas in our prayers ahead of their weddings in December.

Funerals: We hold Hilary Allen, Roger Theobald and Sheila Potter in our prayers, following their funerals this week.

And we remember those whose anniversary falls at this time of year, they shall be prayed for in church on Sunday.

Learning and growing:

Mailing:

Spirituality and Prayer:

High Weald Churches 29/11/2024 High Weald Churches 29/11/2024

Newsletter - 11-29

Greetings from The Rector:

One of the great joys of leading our benefice is the chance to work in three excellent Church of England primary schools. There are nine school services and productions to choose from in the benefice during Advent this year. If you are watching one of these with your family and friends, I hope you experience much joy. All other things being equal I shall attend seven of the nine listed below. In case you need to put the dates in your diaries:

School services and productions until the end of term

4th Dec 0915 Christingle at St John the Baptist Church, Penshurst
11th Dec 1400 and 1730 EYFS / KS1 Nativity at St Mary’s Church, Chiddingstone
18th December 1300 Christmas Production Fordcombe School
18 Dec 1400 KS1 Nativity at St John the Baptist Church, Penshurst
18th Dec 1800 KS2 Carol service at St Mary’s Church
19th Dec 0915 KS2 Carols at St John the Baptist Church, Penshurst
19th December 1pm Christmas Production Fordcombe School
20th December 0915 End of Term Service at St Peter’s Church

Of course, our schools live out their Christian values all year and as I explained two weeks ago, all church schools are inspected by the Statutory Inspectorate of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS). We await Chiddingstone’s report, which is still being finalised, but Penshurst was able to publish the report on its recent SIAMS inspection a few days ago. Click on the link to read:

https://penshurstschool.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/SIAMS-report-Penshurst-Church-of-England-School-118720-14112024-Final.pdf

Of course, our churches serve the flock at all stages of people’s lives. Following last week’s service for Myra Morris, we have four funerals ahead in the coming days. On Friday St Mary’s Church hosted the funeral of Rhian Palmer. Thank you to the two visiting ministers Lynette and David for leading this service. On Monday 2nd December, Chiddingstone will be saying a final farewell to Roger Theobold. His service is at the Kent and Sussex Crematorium at 1130, with a celebration at the Kentish Horse to follow. I imagine both will be lively!

On Thursday 5th December Hilary Allen will be laid to rest after a service at St Mary’s at 1300. My thanks to Rev’d Mandy Carr from Weald for leading this service. Finally, on Friday 6th the family and friends of Sheila Potter who lived in Penshurst for 50 years will gather at St John the Baptist for her funeral service. Let us hold all who mourn in our prayers.

As we look forward to new stages in our church family life, those recently elected as wardens or PCC members will be hearing from our Safeguarding Lead, Wendy Ellis. All wardens and PCC members need to be DBS checked and to undergo several layers of safeguarding training. Please can I encourage you to fill in the necessary forms and book the training as soon as possible. Most training is online, but some can be booked in person. Wendy will be pleased to guide you through the booking process if you need any help.

Next week there are several performances of the Penshurst Pantomime, Robyn Hood. Matthew our Operations Manager has a major ‘baddie’ role (booooo!) and I shall be popping up in tights (and suitable other clothing) as one of Robyn’s Merrie Maids. I am having a few days annual leave from 8th December, and so next Sunday there will be no 0800 service in Penshurst and the 1000 in Fordcombe will be led by Rev’d David Kitley. Next week’s church mailing will be crafted by Tabby and I shall report back in two weeks.

Blessings all

Lisa

In this edition

Ø Services

Ø Life Events

Ø Learning and growing

Ø Spirituality and Prayer

Services:

Sunday 1 December: Advent 1

1000 Holy Communion at St John the Baptist, Penshurst

1000 Holy Communion at St Luke’s, Chiddingstone Causeway

Sunday 8 December: Advent 2

1000 Holy Communion at St Peter’s Fordcombe

1000 Matins at St Luke’s, Chiddingstone Causeway

Sunday 15 December: Advent 3

1000 Holy Communion at St John the Baptist, Penshurst

1800 Nine Lessons and Carols at St Luke’s, Chiddingstone Causeway

Life Events:

In our prayers we hold those coming through our doors this month to mark their life events:

Weddings: We hold Jack and Celia, and Rebecca and Nicholas in our prayers ahead of their weddings in December.

Baptisms: We hold Ottilie, Elise and Ronnie in our prayers following their baptisms, and wish them and their families well as they embark on this pilgrimage of faith.

Funerals: We hold Hilary Allen, Roger Theobald and Sheila Potter in our prayers, along with their families as they prepare for their funerals.

And we remember those whose anniversary falls at this time of year, they shall be prayed for in church on Sunday.

Learning and growing:

Mailing:

Spirituality and Prayer:

High Weald Churches 22/11/2024 High Weald Churches 22/11/2024

Newsletter - 11-22

To our benefice friends,

Regretfully, there are a number of funerals upcoming in the benefice in the coming weeks, details of which are included below.

This coming Friday the funeral for Rhian Palmer will be taking place at St Mary’s, Chiddingstone, at 11am.

Roger Theobald’s funeral will be at Tunbridge Wells Crematorium on Monday 2nd of December at 11:30am.

On Thursday 5th December St Mary’s will be holding the funeral of Hilary Allen at 1pm. And the following day, on 6th December at 11:30, we will be holding the funeral for Sheila Potter at St John the Baptist, Penshurst.

If you have any questions on these services please do contact the office.

In this edition

Ø Services

Ø Life Events

Ø Learning and growing

Services:

Sunday 24 November

1000 Holy Communion at St John the Baptist, Penshurst

1000 Matins at St Luke’s, Chiddingstone Causeway

1700 All Age Service at Fordcombe Village Hall

Sunday 1 December: Advent 1

1000 Holy Communion at St John the Baptist, Penshurst

1000 Holy Communion at St Luke’s, Chiddingstone Causeway

Sunday 8 December: Advent 2

1000 Holy Communion at St Peter’s Fordcombe

1000 Matins at St Luke’s, Chiddingstone Causeway

Life Events:

In our prayers we hold those coming through our doors this month to mark their life events:

Weddings: We hold Jack and Celia, and Rebecca and Nicholas in our prayers ahead of their weddings in December.

Baptisms: We hold Ottilie, Elise and Ronnie in our prayers following their baptisms last weekend, and wish them and their families well as they embark on this pilgrimage of faith.

Funerals: We hold Hilary Allen, Roger Theobald, Sheila Potter and Rhian Palmer in our prayers, along with their families as they prepare for their funerals.

And we remember those whose anniversary falls at this time of year, they shall be prayed for in church on Sunday.

Learning and growing:

Updates:

Mailing

If you know anyone who would like to be added to our weekly mailing, do let us know (and similarly let us know if you’d like to come off, though we’d be sad to see you go). If you’d like to contribute to the work of the benefice, you can go to our parish giving page via the www.parishgiving.org.uk website (we’d be very grateful). Alternatively, you can always find it on our benefice website: https://www.highwealdchurches.org.uk/news

Contact thornburybenefice@outlook.com if you would like to be added to the weekly Newsletter mail out.

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