Newsletter 04-26
To our Benefice Friends
This week, Lisa and Lindsay have been quite bureaucratic, attending myriad meetings, including Chiddingstone Parish Council’s AGM, Lisa’s first Deanery Chapter meeting as very-nearly Area Dean, and our first Joint Council of the new year (post-APCM).
These were all turning point meetings, in which we looked both backwards and forwards, garnering the wisdom of the last year and looking to set up the principles and processes that will carry us through the next twelve months.
We also had the first wedding of the season, which – as ever – a great celebration. We wish Eleanor and Matthew all the best.
In this edition:
Ø Services
Services:
Sunday 28th April: Easter 5
10am Holy Communion St John the Baptist
5pm All Age Service Fordcombe Village Hall
6pm Compline St Mary the Virgin
Sunday 5th May: Easter 6
8am Morning Prayer St Mary the Virgin
10am Holy Communion St Peter’s, Fordcombe
Thursday 9th May: Ascension Day service
7pm Choral Evensong St Paul's Church (Four Elms)
Sunday 12th May: Easter 7
8am Holy Communion St John the Baptist
10am Morning Prayer + Christening St Mary the Virgin
4pm Forest Church Rogation Walters Green
Sunday 19th May: Pentecost
10am Holy Communion St John the Baptist
10am Holy Communion St Mary the Virgin
Life Events
In our prayers we hold those coming through our doors in the to mark their life events:
To be married/celebrate their wedding, William and Rachel, Rory and Hayley, Deborah and Neil
to be Christened, Ronin and Rosie will be baptised in May
Among the recently departed, we remember Mary Garrett, a former resident of Fordcombe with long connections to the church. Mary’s funeral is at Tunbridge Wells Crematorium on Monday at 11:30. We pray for her children, grandchildren, siblings, family and friends.
Also Amy King, who died following a tragic accident last week. We pray for her husband Neil and their children Arthur and Isabel. Amy’s funeral will be at St John the Baptist in Penshurst at 13:00 on the 16th of May.
And among those whose anniversary falls at this time we remember with thanksgiving:
28-Apr
Florence Dolly Lee
29-Apr
30-Apr
Hilda Firminger
01-May
Lorna Catherine Latten
02-May
03-May
04-May
John Denton
05-May
Peter Cyril Jackson
06-May
Sheila Wright
Pamela Wilkinson
07-May
Fredrick Huntley
Jane Eglatine Streatfeild
Veronica Watts
08-May
Patrick (Paddy) Charles Redmond Cooke
09-May
10-May
Beatrice Gandon
Anthony Newburn Wood
11-May
Timothy Alick Spencer Theobald
Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them.
Learning and growing:
Updates, and some upcoming courses and events in the wider diocese –
Updates:
Archdeacon Andy has decided to move on from his role as Archdeacon of Rochester, later this year. Read more
All Clergy, Churchwardens, Parish Safeguarding Officers, and PCC Secretaries in the Diocese were written to last week about 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.
Lastly, we’re encouraged to share the new video highlighting the Church of England's ambition to be net zero carbon by 2030. Do watch, and consider whether you want to be part of this project bringing our beautiful Churches to Net Zero. Watch video
Events:
Easter Quiet Day at St Benedict’s Centre, West Malling, led by Revd Joel Love - 4 May at 9.30 for a 10am start, the day ends at 3pm Find out more.
PLANS TO MARK WOMEN'S MINISTRY - This year is the 30th anniversary of the first women in the Church of England to be ordained as priests. To mark this special occasion, and to give thanks for all women’s ministry, a service of Evensong is being planned for Sunday 30 June, at Rochester Cathedral. More details will be shared soon, however, in the meantime, please do save the date.
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).
With every blessing for the Easter Season
Lisa and Lindsay
Newsletter 04-20
To our Benefice Friends
We hope that you have had a good week. With the children back at school and college the rush hour traffic is once again a feature. We hold in prayer all those preparing for study leave and exams in the weeks ahead.
Last Sunday the APCM meetings were held in Chiddingstone Village Hall. Should you have missed the Rector and Joint Council report being read in person it is available to read (or enjoy again!) Click Here.
The new Joint Council meets this coming Thursday at St Luke’s Parish Room at 7pm. This meeting will appoint JC roles, identify strategic priorities for the year ahead, plan meeting dates and sign off various statutory documents and declarations. Four positions on the JC remain unfilled: Benefice Treasurer; Rep for older people; Rep for Buildings and Rep for Children and Families. It will be much easier to move our Joint Benefice forward with a broad team of people representing different locations and age groups. If you are interested in serving on the JC you can still be co-opted. If you have the skills and time to share, please will you write to Tabitha (JC Secretary) at the office email, and we can progress things. JC meetings are held bi-monthly with a wardens and clergy meeting in the opposite months to sort through operational matters in the parishes.
In last week’s meeting some people commented that they were not able to see all of the attachments with this weekly mailing. Please note that the attachments come in the form of links rather than as separate documents. Where an external document is referenced we will always add a ‘Click Here’ link for you to read further. This will usually take you to a separate webpage, however if we reference a downloadable document you may need to check the ‘Downloads’ folder on your computer if the file doesn’t open automatically. Any further issues or questions please contact Tabitha, who will be able to help.
In this edition:
Ø Services
Services:
Sunday the 21st April: Easter 4
8am Morning Prayer St Mary the Virgin
10am Holy Communion St Peter
6pm Evening Prayer St John the Baptist
Sunday 28th April: Easter 5
10am Holy Communion St John the Baptist
5pm All Age Service Fordcombe Village Hall
6pm Compline St Mary the Virgin
Sunday 5th May: Easter 6
8am Morning Prayer St Mary the Virgin
10am Holy Communion St John the Baptist
Sunday 12th May: Easter 7/ Sunday After Ascencion
8am Holy Communion St Peter
10am Morning Prayer with Baptism St Mary the Virgin
4pm Forest Church Hartsland Farm, Walters Green Road, TN11 8HD
As we move into a new season, we begin our second year of our process of reflection regarding our worship together. This season’s booklet should be more familiar & comfortable than last. It aims to incorporate the feedback we’ve had, as well as the results of the more structured part of the process. You can find more Click Here, as well as a link to let us know what you think.
Life Events
In our prayers we hold those coming though our doors in the to mark their Life Events:
To be married, Eleanor & Matthew, later this week, William & Rachel, and Rory and Hayley early next month.
To be Christened, Ronin and Rosie in May.
Among the recently departed, we remember with thanksgiving Pamela Hazeldine and Betty Greagsby, whose funerals were held recently, and Mary Garrett whose funeral is on Monday 29th May at 1130 at Kent and Sussex Crematorium.
And among those whose anniversary falls at this time we remember:
21-Apr
George Arthur Boakes
Kevin Stuart Boakes
22-Apr
Edith Gertrude Evans
23-Apr
24-Apr
25-Apr
Nora Cox
Colin John Blundon
26-Apr
27-Apr
Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them.
Learning and growing:
Updates, and some upcoming courses and events in the wider diocese –
Updates:
Diocesan synod met recently. You can read the summary if you Click Here.
And in the wider Church Archbishop Justin reiterates his call for ceasefire in Gaza - "If nothing changes in the war in Gaza then famine is imminent."
Events:
Come And Eat With Me Exhibition - Returning by popular demand, this installation at Rochester Cathedral takes as its inspiration Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper painting. Eighteen artists from Kent participated in painting ‘icon’ inspired roundels portraying the twelve disciples, and other important characters in the life of Christ. On display on the Fenland Oak Table until 4 April. Click Here
Easter Quiet Day at St Benedict’s Centre, West Malling, led by Revd Joel Love - 4 May at 9.30 for a 10am start, the day ends at 3pm to find out more Click Here
PLANS TO MARK WOMEN'S MINISTRY - This year is the 30th anniversary of the first women in the Church of England to be ordained as priests. To mark this special occasion, and to give thanks for all women’s ministry, a service of Evensong is being planned for Sunday 30 June, at Rochester Cathedral. More details will be shared soon, however, in the meantime, please do save the date.
Courses:
'Let's end poverty' webinar
23 April (5.30pm to 6pm) hosted by Bishop Simon, aimed at people who want to take practical steps towards a better vision for the UK’s poor. Register to find out more.
Praying together – A course to encourage individuals to grow together in prayer – 25 April and 2, 9, 16 May at 7.30pm-9.30pm at the St Benedict’s Centre in West Malling. Find out more.
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).
With every blessing for the Easter Season
Lisa and Lindsay
2024 Annual Church Meeting - Rector’s Report
2024 Rector’s Report and summary of work by The Joint Council
It is now three years since the parish formed into The High Weald Benefice. It is two years since the Joint Council formed between Penshurst and The Chiddingstone Churches, with Fordcombe joining this governing body in January 2023. This annual report is the first reflecting on a whole year with one governance structure in place; all parishes are now represented by the Joint Council. There were five full meetings of the Joint Council, and other meetings where wardens and clergy discussed operational matters. There were also eight meetings between June and October, which formed a liturgy and music review process.
Our meetings covered many topics:
Administration:
Tracy Craig started working for us in March as a temporary administrator. A heaven-sent employee, she helped us to transform our new administrative systems. Tracy is just about to qualify as a Solicitor, and we wish her well in her future career at Clark Kiernan in Tonbridge.
Tabitha Haysom has joined us as our new administrator. She has very much hit the ground running, bringing many skills and talents from her previous role in PR in London. Welcome Tabby, you are making such a difference to us all.
Money:
The management of finances: scrutiny of accounts, agreements to spend on larger sums and applying for grants. There have been many cost savings on insurance, fuel and central purchasing of resources. More rationalisation will occur as the needs of each parish setting, and the Joint benefice as a whole, become clearer. Further details in the various financial reports.
Buildings and Fabric:
Our buildings are between 200 and 900 years old with many rules in place as to how we can maintain and use each space. Church roof repairs bit into our budgets, as has electrical work, work on heating systems, organs, clocks and upgrading the audio systems in St Mary’s and St Luke’s. Church yard maintenance costs are kept low by the work of volunteers but also need professional input for mowing, tree work and specialist tasks. We are mindful of our church’s duty to move our carbon footprint to net zero, and a working party will need to be developed to sharpen our strategy in this area. In Fordcombe, the quest for running water continues and a faculty has been submitted to plan for mains water to be connected to the church as the first stage in the provision of kitchen and lavatory facilities. Due to faculty rules, this is going to be a long process. A more detailed fabric report is available.
Bells:
A lot of work is being undertaken to plan and fundraise for refurbishment of the bells in St John the Baptist, Penshurst. Charles Fuller-Rowell and Janice Byrne are putting in many hours of planning work to launch this much-needed project.
Safeguarding:
This is a standing agenda item in all meetings. We have over the last year appointed new safeguarding personnel and encouraged many more people to undergo safeguarding training. We follow closely national and diocesan safeguarding guidelines. In a year when the national church has reported on past failings this aspect of our care for each other must be a top priority.
Communications:
The bringing together of four churches and three parishes has brought with it a certain amount of logistical challenge. A priority for us this year has been to develop a benefice house style for communications and to launch the new website. You may notice the new High Weald Churches logo on all of our publications and on our website. Huge thank you to Rev’d Lindsay for building and managing the website. Also grateful thanks to the office team and some eagle-eyed members who have worked hard to clean up databases of names to make us GDPR compliant. Our newsletter goes to several hundred people each week, please let us know if you would like to receive this. The hard copy village magazines have a long lead time and sometimes details need updating after publication but our weekly newsletter and website will always have the most up-to-date information for you.
Mission and Worship:
All decisions about services and the systems supporting them are scrutinised and signed off by the Joint Council. We are trying to build more resilient systems with longer-term planning, so that readings, hymns, and relevant rotas are available further in advance. At the moment these rotas run in a bi-monthly cycle and are shared via wardens, choir leaders and the office. Grateful thanks to Karen Franklin, who manages much of the logistics to ensure that services are fully staffed, and to the wardens who prepare the churches for holy worship.
Music and Liturgy Review:
During the summer months of 2023, eight open meetings took place to gather ideas about music and liturgy across the joint benefice to help the Joint Council review our service provision.
The music review highlighted many areas of agreement and the desire to continue our choral transition with quality live music at services. The plans for a children’s choir were delayed by my illness last Autumn. But the good news is that I have two volunteers ready to launch this initiative in the new school year; once we have carried out the requisite safeguarding checks, risk assessments etc. Robert is an excellent pianist and Deborah is a semi-professional singer, both are excited about working with our children and are ready to help encourage secular and church music amongst local young people. This will be reviewed following Deborah’s wedding in mid-May.
I remain open to suggestions about widening adult singing but will need someone else develop this initiative. I cover other aspects of music in the ‘thank you’ at the end of this document.
The liturgical review has now entered its second year. Each liturgy produced builds upon the feedback given to us in the previous months. The website contains details explaining our liturgies and has a link for you to provide comments. We are also happy to receive constructive feedback by email so that any comments are recorded and attributable. I plan to hold a meeting after Pentecost to review the seasonal liturgy used from Advent to Pentecost. And I will hold a further review of the Ordinary Time liturgy later in the summer. The outcomes of these meetings will be fed back to the Joint Council and used to help perfect the final version of the liturgies.
Outreach to Older People:
Our 4th Sunday teas and evening prayer services in Fordcombe are attended by people from all three parishes. For some Fordcombe residents, for whom the church is inaccessible due to the lack of water and a loo, this is there only contact with church each month. In the summer months the evening prayers at Poundsbridge are well received and popular with congregations with two and four legs alike.
In Penshurst and Fordcombe there are craft and knit and natter groups run by members of the church, which are bringing vital fellowship to many. The Pie and Pint Group and Village lunches in Fordcombe are not run by the church, but are attended by many who are part of the wider church family. Thank you to those of you involved quietly in these activities
I would like to extend similar activity into the Chiddingstones, or work with your existing activities. I would be very grateful for some people to help integrate the church’s outreach into the Chiddingstone villages and beyond. This needs to be a priority in the months to come.
Also, a very important part of my priestly ministry is home visiting. Parish priests are often accused of not visiting their flock, however most pastoral visits are carried out confidentially. I have several households that I visit and take communion to on a regular basis, and others where I visit on request. It has been my great privilege to visit the bedsides of several of our parishes in their last hours and days and offer final prayers and blessings and anoint them for their final journey. Thank you for trusting me at these tremendously sad times. It is a great privilege to serve you in this way.
Younger families and children:
Our children’s work is thriving. On my busy weeks, I lead worship with over 400 children and adults in our schools…the patterns is I lead worship every Thursday in Penshurst school; alternate Tuesdays in Fordcombe School and at least twice per short term in Chiddingstone. Rev’d Lindsay also leads a regular worship slot in Chiddingstone school. I have also been invited to work with the children the nursery school at Chiddingstone Castle on several occasions. I am a governor in each of our local schools. Now that I am being appointed as Area Dean I am stepping back from my roles as Chair of Governors in Penshurst and as the local RAF Cadet Padre.
Forest Church goes from strength to strength, meeting up to 10 times a year. We are generally outside from February to October; and indoors for Christingle, The Nativity and during January. Children from all three local schools and other educational settings join us. Usually about fifty people attend each event with those on local farms the most popular. Although popular with children these events are open to all people. The only caveat being that some services take place on uneven ground and may not be suitable for those whose mobility restricts them.
Services:
Our service patterns include all varieties of worship found in the Church of England: from small 8am communions, large celebratory services on high days and holidays and a Sunday pattern of Eucharistic services interspersed with Matins, informal morning prayers and specific celebratory services for Mothering Sunday, Rogation, Harvest and Remembrance. The 5pm service in Fordcombe Village Hall goes from strength to strength and is particularly popular with our older people. Our evening service offer has broadened to include services at Poundsbridge Chapel and formal Evensongs which rotate through the Joint Benefice.
Since mid-December the main 1000am service has rotated through the benefice churches. This temporary adjustment is likely to continue for a few more months. The Joint Council have ensured that the numbers of services planned are distributed fairly between parishes. Whichever parish does not have a 1000 service is provided with either an 0800 or teatime service on the same day (and sometimes both) to ensure we are still worshipping together in all parts of the parish. Although this document is to report on 2023 activities when this pattern impacted the end of the year; as I write this report in April the pattern has continued.
Thank you for your forbearance and willingness to travel. Many people have commented on how much they have enjoyed being in each other’s company and churches.
Our numbers attending church, in line with the rest of the church of England are down; but have held up well despite the adjustments to service patterns. Most Sundays 40-60 people gather at 1000 to worship with the combined choirs giving the services an upbeat feel. The evening services typically attract 10-20 worshippers with the 0800s having a loyal congregation of around a dozen in Penshurst and a smaller number in the Chiddingstones. However, our engagement in the community is ever growing and our numbers attending over the Christmas and Easter periods very encouraging indeed. The logistics of having over a thousand people through the church doors is an astonishing feat perfected in some case through decades of tradition.
Occasional Offices:
A big part of our parish life is our provision of occasional offices. To that end, there were 30 weddings across the benefice: 18 in St Mary’s,11 in St John the Baptist, and 1 in St Luke’s. There were 20 baptisms with 11 in St John the Baptist, 7 in St Mary’s and 2 in Fordcombe. There were 23 Funerals in 2023 across all of the parishes. It is our great honour to look after families at these sad times and we hold all the bereaved in prayer through our memorial books and intercessory prayer.
The Joint Council sets the local fees for these services and collects statutory fees on behalf of the Diocesan Board of Finance. The Joint Council has overseen the work undertaken in our back office functions to improve the administrative systems supporting these events. Thank you to all of you who help us with front of house and verging duties for these events.
Prayer:
All we do as a benefice family must be rooted in prayer. I would like to offer particular thanks to those of you who pray for the life and work of the parish. Whether this is the form of intercessions, as part of the more formal prayer group or in a private capacity; to be upheld in prayer especially when times are challenging, is of benefit for all of us.
I would like to broaden the numbers who pray the intercessions in our services. I will be running training in the next few months. This will be refresher training for those who currently pray and a chance for experienced intercessors to share their expertise with those just starting out.
Thank you that you have the faith to pray and an expectation that God will provide solutions. Your prayers and kindness point others to the love and power of Jesus.
Study:
It was a pleasure to run our Lent Course in 2023. There is a house group that meets in Penshurst through the year on a Wednesday evening. I would very much like to grow other home and bible study groups and I would be happy to provide support and training for this.
Thank you:
We glorify God all the more when we work with all our different gifts to be a united family working in love. So on behalf of the Joint Council we offer thanks to:
Our Church Wardens: elected locally, but appointed as The Bishop’s Officers. It is their job to support clergy and they hold legal responsibilities to ensure that the church fabric and governance complies with Canon Law. One warden per parish represents their nominating parishes on the Joint Council.
A special thank you to Brent Muir, who is stepping down having served out a full term as warden, and sometime beyond. He has given seven years of time and energy to the role; often working unseen in his labours. This is my official thank you to you, Brent. I hope that you will be able to enjoy church more from the pews, rather than having to worry that there are jobs to do each Sunday. Also stepping down from his role as Joint Council member representative for buildings and fabric is Bob Golds. Thank you, Bob for your expertise and sage advice over the years.
Our remaining wardens Angela Ventin in Fordcombe, Paul Allen in Chiddingstone and Karen Franklin in Penshurst are an invaluable source of support working hard to keep our churches afloat. Other wardens will be elected at the vestry meetings.
Joint Council members: not mentioned so far, but who remain in post. Matthew Stevens as operations manager; Karen Franklin supporting the development and management of Mission and Worship. Angela Ventin also attends Deanery Synod on behalf of the benefice. Later in the year there will be a new diocesan synod forming and Iay representation on this body from within our church family would help ensure that the voices of smaller rural parishes are heard in the decision-making body of the Diocese. Rev’d Lindsay Llewellyn MacDuff represents our diocese on General Synod, the national decision-making body of the Church.
Finance: huge appreciation also for John Menard, Stephen Medhurst, Paul Reeves, and Barry Lewis who offer us much expertise in matters financial. Thank you to Barry for many long hours setting up our management accounting system using Quick Books. It has made our financial lives so much easier.
Further thanks to Charles Fuller-Rowell for working to claim around seven thousand pounds worth of VAT back for the benefice and to Barry Lewis who worked tirelessly to reclaim five years of Gift Aid not collected in The Chiddingstones. Some £12,000 has been received.
The vacancy for Benefice Treasurer needs to urgently be filled.
Our safeguarding officers: Linda Naidu and Wendy Ellis work to ensure our children and vulnerable adults remain well cared for. Thank you to Dennis Ward and Sarah Wickens for their time serving as Parish safeguarding officers. They both stepped down towards the end of the year, with Sarah continuing in post until Wendy took over in January. A Chiddingstone safeguarding lead is still needed.
Verging and Back of House: many of you come to our churches for occasional offices. I am very grateful for those of you who act as vergers for weddings and funerals, enabling the clergy to focus on the leading of services whilst they care for practicalities and welcome guests. A special mention for Maggie Atkins who helps me in Penshurst and Simon and Christine who carry out much work in St Mary’s. To all of you who work in any capacity as sidespeople, offering music and singing, bell-ringing, practical help, hospitality; and pastoral support, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Musicians: organists and choirs. Thank you for your part in our worship. I appreciate your dedication. The music we experience in services is the result of much planning and rehearsing. We are blessed by a range of excellent organists and dedicated choir members, however new participants are always welcome.
A special thank you to Robert Rees and The Friends of Penshurst Church for arranging the purchase of a new grand piano for the church, and for staging fundraising events including a spectacular music marathon. A series of recitals are planned for May - watch this space!
Bells ringing: happens after much practice and with much skill. Thank you to Janice, Stella and their teams for their dedication. The Ring for The King, linked to King Charles III coronation, boosted our ringer staff and our towers are blessed with many new and improving ringers.
Maintenance of buildings, fabric and church yards: so much happens that most people only notice when jobs are not done. Thank you to those who give their time and talent for free and to those local businesses who work for us at ‘mate’s rates’ to ensure we remain financially viable.
Refreshments after services: Thank you for all of these roles, for making tea just how I like it and for the very high standard of cake!
Flowers: Thank you to all who serve on our flower rotas. Please accept my apologies for me severe lily allergy which makes it impossible for me to be near St Mary’s during the Easter period and can complicate floral arrangements for weddings and funerals.
The cleaning: cleaning of the churches is carried out by Christine and Simon at St Mary’s and by volunteers in all settings. Thank you for this ministry, which is often hard work and takes place in cold buildings. A special mention in dispatches to those who clean at Fordcombe, where there is no running water available.
Magazines: many thanks to Robert Hunt of Chiddingstone, Maggie Atkins in Penshurst and Mike Gilbert in Fordcombe for your hard work compiling the church magazines and providing an important service, communicating with our congregation.
Trusts and Donors: Thank you to all of you who contribute so generously to support the mission, ministry, and fabric of our churches. We are not naming all the (over one hundred) individual families, who make regular gifts, but your support is specially valued.
For those of you who give regularly in the plate at collections, thank you. If we could encourage more people to give electronically or via a standing order or the Parish Giving scheme, we could claim more tax back and have a more stable income. Please talk to your local treasurer or warden for more information.
Thanks also to Mrs Gwen Dennard for, once again, donating books of bible stories for every member of the reception class at Penshurst School. Your generosity is much appreciated. If anyone would like to sponsor a similar scheme in Fordcombe or Chiddingstone we would be delighted to hear from you. It is a really good witness to welcome our new families to church, to give them a gift, a proper welcome, and an invitation to worship at their mother church.
Last but not least, thank you to the following organisations who have helped us with grants over the last year.
Bentall Trust
Bisset Trust
Charities Aid Foundation
Chiddingstone School
Chiddingstone Parish Council
Diocese of Rochester
Drake Oil Syndicate
Friends of Penshurst Church (now called Friends of High Weald Churches)
Friends of Kent Churches
The Fete committees of Penshurst, Fordcombe and Chiddingstones (2 events)
Perry Family Trust Stewardship
Stonewall Park Trust
VEC Acorn Trust Additional
May God bless all your generosity. We can only grow new disciples, build our funds and point others to God’s Kingdom if we work well together. We must turn our attention to some more systematic fundraising in the months ahead if we are to be sustained as a united benefice of churches.
Rev’d Lindsay: My biggest thank you is to Rev’d Lindsay Llewellyn-MacDuff our Associate Priest who is a most excellent wing-woman. I appreciate her priestly pastoral ministry, amazing intellect and knowledge of all matters theological. We are very blessed as a parish to have you on the team and I am very proud to call you my friend.
It is my great privilege to serve God here and I thank you all for joining me in our mission to grow God’s Kingdom in Penshurst, Fordcombe and The Chiddingstones.
May God bless us all.
Rev’d Lisa Cornell
Rector of Penshurst, Fordcombe and The Chiddingstone Churches
Newsletter 2024 04-12
To our Benefice Friends
It was good to see those who came to the meetings on Wednesday, as we accomplished the preliminaries for our annual meeting. Do come along to the annual meeting on Sunday. It is a chance to catch up on what’s been happening over the past year and to think about our future plans. The agenda for the meeting was published two weeks ago, but is attached here for ease.
Our residual PCC meetings took place on Wednesday evening, but attendance was quite low. For good order’s sake we attach all of the financial reports shared in these meetings. The residual PCC accounts were recommended for ratification by those in attendance on Wednesday. The decision to ratify is taken at the short meetings of parishioners (formerly called Vestry Meetings) which precede the main APCM. The Joint Council reports financial reports also need to be ratified at the APCM. The accounts have been available for inspection for a while, but for good order’s sake we also attach them here for your perusal.
Lisa is back from her post Holy Week holiday. Although the rest and refreshment was much appreciated, her Labrador became very unwell during her time away. Lisa needs to take Dibley to a specialist vet this Wednesday 17th April and will therefore not be working. Please direct any urgent queries to the wardens or Benefice Office.
In this edition:
Services:
Sunday 14th April: Easter 3
8am Holy Communion St John the Baptist
10am Sung Holy Communion St Mary the Virgin
A slightly shorter service followed by our annual parochial meeting in Chiddingstone Village Hall.
Sunday the 21st April: Easter 4
8am Morning Prayer St Mary the Virgin
10am Holy Communion St Peter
6pm Evensong St John the Baptist
As we move into a new season, we begin our second year of our process of reflection regarding our worship together. This season’s booklet should be more familiar and comfortable than the last. It aims to incorporate the feedback we’ve had, as well as the results of the more structured part of the process. You can find more here, as well as a link to let us know what you think.
Life Events
In our prayers we hold those coming though our doors in the to mark their Life Events:
To be married, Eleanor & Matthew, later this month, and to be Christened, Kit Alun-Jones, last weekend.
Among the recently departed, we remember with thanksgiving Pamela Hazeldine, Betty Greagsby and Mary Garrett
And among those whose anniversary falls at this time we remember:
14-Apr James Edward Everest, Ronald Victor Taylor, Ronald John Lorimer
15-Apr Arthur Johnson, Ronald H Theobald, Eveline Cynthia Saunders, Donal Keith Johnson
16-Apr Ethel Mary Hewitt, Edith Dolphin
17-Apr
18-Apr Dorothy Gardener
19-Apr
20-Apr Rachel Shirley Lloyd
Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them.
Learning and growing:
Updates, and some upcoming courses and events in the wider diocese –
Updates:
Diocesan synod met recently. You can read the summary here.
And in the wider Church Archbishop Justin reiterates his call for ceasefire in Gaza - "If nothing changes in the war in Gaza then famine is imminent."
Events:
Come And Eat With Me Exhibition - Returning by popular demand, this installation at Rochester Cathedral takes as its inspiration Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper painting. Eighteen artists from Kent participated in painting ‘icon’ inspired roundels portraying the twelve disciples, and other important characters in the life of Christ. On display on the Fenland Oak Table until 4 April. Find out more
Easter Quiet Day at St Benedict’s Centre, West Malling, led by Revd Joel Love - 4 May at 9.30 for a 10am start, the day ends at 3pm Find out more.
PLANS TO MARK WOMEN'S MINISTRY - This year is the 30th anniversary of the first women in the Church of England to be ordained as priests. To mark this special occasion, and to give thanks for all women’s ministry, a service of Evensong is being planned for Sunday 30 June, at Rochester Cathedral. More details will be shared soon, however, in the meantime, please do save the date.
Courses:
'Let's end poverty' webinar
23 April (5.30pm to 6pm) hosted by Bishop Simon, aimed at people who want to take practical steps towards a better vision for the UK’s poor. Register to find out more.
Praying together – A course to encourage individuals to grow together in prayer – 25 April and 2, 9, 16 May at 7.30pm-9.30pm at the St Benedict’s Centre in West Malling. Find out more.
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).
With every blessing for the Easter Season
Lisa and Lindsay
Newsletter 2024 03-30
On Holy Week and Easter, upcoming services, in memoriam, and watch this space for important APCM updates:
Newsletter 23-03-24
This week’s newletter includes the upcoming services, an update on the review of the service booklets and an encouragement to complete your safeguarding training.
Newsletter. 16-03-24
This week’s newsletter, with updates on
Upcoming services
News
Forthcoming meetings
Life Events
Finances
Safeguarding
Learning and growing
and with links to
Lisa’s update on our benefice/parish Governance
The Safeguarding training to be found on the Diocesan website
A short paper on the Church of England Investments and Parish Giving.
Enjoy!
Newsletter 09-03-24
This week’s mailings from the clergy.
The year turns, and both the annual meeting and the season of our Life Events ministries are on their way. Below is the weekly newsletter - with upcoming services - and a note from Rev’d Lisa explaining the Annual Meeting and inviting your response.
Newsletter 01/03/2024
To our Benefice Friends,
Lindsay has been out of the parish all week, embroiled in General Synod, which was longer than usual, but with a number of significant items – on race, on estates ministry, on AI, on safeguarding, on how we respond to one another within the structures of the Church. We talked of Peace, of History and its legacy – and of course money and sex. All in all, most there thought it a more positive meeting than we’ve had for a while, though.
The substance of our discussion matters. This is in part because of our international relations – the Ukrainian churches will have been encouraged by our support, while our motion committing ourselves to the Rome Call for promoting an ethicalapproach to Artificial Intelligence will have improved our ability to work internationally with partner churches – but also because many of the items, on Land and Nature, for example, or on bullying, not only commit us to action but set a tone for the Church more generally. Some of the items, on Racial Justice, for example, or on Safeguarding, were important as much because of what wasrevealed about the past as our stated intentions for the future. We are a church not just of here and now, but of deep connection with those who have gone before us, and who share our faith around the world.
We’re also chuffed to share that this week our new sound systems in the Chiddingstone Churches have been installed, so you should be able to hear Sunday’s Evensong at St Luke’s really well! Our thanks to all those who have worked really hard to pull this together.
We still have our vacancies to fill:
Benefice Treasurer;
Benefice Safeguarding Lead, and/or parish safeguarding officer for Chiddingstone;
Benefice Buildings Rep;
Chiddingstone Church Warden;
Joint Council Member in one of the new roles to be formed in the upcoming annual meeting.
Do please talk to Lisa, or any of our Churchwardens, if you think you might be able to fill one of our important roles, or if you think you have another gifting you feel able to share. If you would simply like to have a chat with either Lisa or Lindsay, we are always happy to call (round) – just ask!
The Lent Groupscontinue – it’s not too late to join in, if you would like, or simply to pick up the book, Loving My Neighbourand follow it in your own time.
From our memorial book, we remember with thanksgiving:
1-Mar
Reginald Roy Slack
2-Mar
Gerry Waddell
Richard (Dickie) Kemp
3-Mar
4-Mar
5-Mar
Deirdre Stewart
6-Mar
7-Mar
Basil Everest
8-Mar
Winifred Edith Corney
9-Mar
Terrance Leslie Fox
Leslie Thomas William Stroud
Jean Grace James
Helen Mackenzie
Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them.
The upcoming services are –
Sunday 3rd (Lent 3)
1000 Holly Communion at St John the Baptist, Penshurst
1800 Evensong at St Luke’s, Chiddingstone Causeway
Sunday 10th (Lent 4) Mothering Sunday
0800 Morning Prayer at St Mary the Virgin, Chiddingstone
1000 All Age Holy Communion with the distribution of posies St Peter’s, Fordcombe
Sunday 17th (Lent 5)
0800 Morning prayer at St John the Baptist, Penshurst
1000 Holy Communion at St Luke’s, Chiddingstone Causeway
Learning and growing:
Some upcoming courses in the wider diocese -
An Introduction to Christian Meditation
Saturday 23rd March 2024 10am - 3pm
at St Benedict’s Centre, West Malling ME196JX
For more information, see the Diocesan website.
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).
Best wishes,
Lisa & Lindsay
Newsletter 24/02/24
To our Benefice Friends
A good week for sales of umbrellas and for the life of ducks! The fields through all of our Benefice villages are very waterlogged; the pot holes on the roads seem to appear afresh each day and I am getting through a lot of dog towels and floor cleaner. Wealden clay gets everywhere! Aside from the weather, I hope you have all had a good week and enjoyed the brief spells of sunshine.
Rev’d Lindsay is now at General Synod in London. The Synod is the national decision-making body for The Church of England and Lindsay is one of a handful of representatives from Rochester Diocese. The papers and background reading for the meeting are extensive and she has spent much of the week in preparation. I pray that the debates are courteous and fruitful and for God’s will to prevail in all the decisions made.
My week has involved many face to face meetings with school governance monitoring, home communions, pastoral visits, spiritual direction, and a training course in the mix. My job is never the same two days running which is both a challenge and one of the benefits.
There are two services this Sunday:
A Sung Holy Communion at St Luke’s Chiddingstone Causeway at 10am and a 5pm Informal Evening prayer at Fordcombe Village at 5pm. This short service of traditional hymns and informal liturgy follows on from the Community Tea which runs from 3-5pm. The tea and cakes are to be highly recommended. All are welcome.
Annual Parish Meeting
Many people are working hard behind the scenes to get our accounts and paperwork ready for the annual meeting on 14th April. My training course this week was to ensure I am working with the most up to date guidance. The Church Representation rules and the regulatory demands of the Charity Commission are a constant work in progress. There are several amendments for us to work with, which I will be feeding back to those preparing reports.
Parish Officers
Don’t forget we are still looking to fill roles on our council and in our church life so if any of the following call to you (however faintly) please get in touch:
· Benefice Treasurer;
· Benefice Safeguarding Lead, and/or parish safeguarding officer for Chiddingstone;
· Benefice Buildings Rep;
· Chiddingstone Church Warden;
· Joint Council Member in one of the new roles to be formed in the upcoming annual meeting. A representative for ministry to Children and Families and a representative for ministry to older people.
Please look out for notices about the meeting which will include opportunities to add yourself from the parish electoral roll and guidance about how to stand for office on the Joint Council or as Warden.
From our Memorial Book
24-Feb
25-Feb
Ellen Elizabeth Everest
Kenneth Albert Stacey
26-Feb
Leslie Chandler
27-Feb
Irene Dorothy Cole
28-Feb
29-Feb
01-Mar
Reginald Roy Slack
02-Mar
Gerry Waddell
Richard (Dickie) Kemp
Upcoming Services
Sunday 25 February (Lent 2)
10..00 Holy Communion at St Luke’s, Chiddingstone Causeway
17.00 All Age service, Fordcombe Village Hall
Sunday 3rd (Lent 3)
1000 Holy Communion at St John the Baptist, Penshurst
1800 Sung Evensong at St Luke’s, Chiddingstone Causeway
Sunday 10th (Lent 4) Mothering Sunday
0800: Morning Prayer at St Mary the Virgin, Chiddingstone
1000: All Age Holy Communion with the distribution of
posies at St Peter’s, Fordcombe
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).
With every blessing for the week ahead
Rev’d Lisa Cornell, Rector
Newsletter 17/02/2024
To our Benefice Friends,
As we entered into Lent once again this week, Wednesday saw our benefice doing a wide range of services for the people of the High Weald. Starting with a simple ashing, we moved on in the evening to a more contemplative traditional ash Wednesday service and then concluded with a valentine’s Day blessing for our wedding couples. (The latter was very small in attendance, but really rather lovely.) We also had our first session of the Lent course, this week, at which we discussed how we understood love.
If our lent courses are not for you, or not convenient, you can simply take up the loving your neighbour book yourself, or perhaps find another that suits you better. You could also try something like the Visual Commentary on Scripture’s stations for Lent, taking up a new pattern of daily prayer or Bible study, or simply trying to find 5 to 10 minutes each day to be quiet with God.
AJPCM
I’m conscious we need to be grateful at this time of year for the people working hard behind the scenes to get our paperwork right and tight for the annual meeting after Easter. Don’t forget we are still looking to fill roles on our council and in our church life so if any of the following call to you (however faintly) please get in touch:
· Benefice Treasurer;
· Benefice Safeguarding Lead, and/or parish safeguarding officer for Chiddingstone;
· Benefice Buildings Rep;
· Chiddingstone Church Warden;
· Joint Council Member in one of the new roles to be formed in the upcoming annual meeting.
I was also speaking to our archdeacon this week about the importance of our safeguarding training. She was very clear this needs to be a greater priority for us, but I’m conscious that for many of us online training can be daunting. We are there for putting on a training day so that we can all get up to speed on our safeguarding training together. On the 16th of March we will be gathering at st John the Baptist’s for coffee, pastries and safeguarding training! Everyone is welcome, but if you hold any kind of role within the life of the church, from the tea rota to the choir, it really helps us build a welcoming community that actively protect the vulnerable. All of our leaders and office holders will need to complete this training before the APCM. We will be emailing everyone who must or should complete their training over the coming week or so, so do look out for that email.
Memorial Book
From our memorial book, we remember with thanksgiving:
· 18-Feb Christine Bell
· 19-Feb Olwen Mary Hosegood
· 22-Feb Anne Catherine Hills
· 23-Feb Betty Thelma Batson
Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them.
(If you would like to add somebody to our memorial book you can fill in the form on our website, or simply contact office@highwealdchurches.org.uk and enquire.)
Upcoming Services –
Sunday 18 February – first Sunday of Lent
1000 Sung Holy Communion at St John the Baptist’s
(Those wishing to get to church early to avoid the road closures will find tea and coffee waiting for them and serving after 9 a.m.)
1800 Compline at St Mary’s
Sunday 25 February – second Sunday of Lent
10am: Sung Holy Communion in St Luke’s, Chiddingstone Causeway
5pm: All Age Service Fordcombe Village Hall
(The hall is open from 3:00 p.m. for tea and cake.)
Learning and growing:
Some upcoming courses in the wider diocese -
A Quiet Day in Lent with space to prayerfully reflect on key moments in Jesus' ministry
Saturday 24 February 2024 10am - 3pm
For more information, see the Diocesan website.
An Introduction to Christian Meditation
Saturday 23rd March 2024 10am - 3pm
at St Benedict’s Centre, West Malling ME196JX
The Revd Mark Ball introduces the tradition and practice of Christian Meditation as taught by John Main and the World Community for Christian Meditation (wccm.org).
For more information, see the Diocesan website.
Joint appeal
It is still possible to donate to the joint appeal to support those affected by the war in the Holy Land, launched by Archbishop Justin Welby and Archbishop Hosam Naoum, calling for prayers and donations, both for the vital work of Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza, and also for the wide range of ministries of the Diocese of Jerusalem which are also being greatly affected by the war.
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).
Best wishes,
Lisa & Lindsay
Newsletter 09/01/24
To our Benefice Friends,
Thank you for your patience with our temporary service pattern. I know some of you are missing having a service in your preferred building every week, but it’s really helping the two of us to get our feet properly under us, and we’re hearing that some of you are enjoying travelling around the benefice. Lisa and I have been looking at our service pattern, and we’re looking to return to two midmorning services every week after the Joint Annual Parochial Church Meeting. This will be on April 14th; do come and hear where we’re at as a community. Meanwhile, we’re posting our services on the new website, https://www.highwealthchurches.org.uk ,so you can always check there for updates.
We have lately been applying the House of Bishops instruction that we should not generally be dipping our bread into the wine at Communion. I know this is an uncomfortable shift for some of you, but we have been firmly told that the practice is not hygienic. Sharing a common cup, on the other hand, is not only a profound sign of mutual intimacy, but the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia, have reported that the risk of infection is so small that it is undetectable. You can read more here. Anyone who still does not wish to share the common cup, however, may wish to take up the practice of taking the chalice and simply holding it for a moment before returning it, which some have found a helpful symbol of communion.
Lindsay is off to General Synod in a fortnight, so if she’s looking a bit punch-drunk, it’s on account of the number of documents she’s currently wading through! You can find out what the General Synod is up to on the Church of England website— and you can even follow it live if you’re so inclined!
As we approach lent, you might be considering new disciplines, or temporary ones, for lent.Our Lent book is below (at the time of writing eden books has a small discount running), if you want to join us in working our way through an exploration of neighbourly love, and/or you can sign up to our digital candle and have a short piece of scripture as well as something devotional (often a picture or a piece of music) sent to your phone every day. E-mail me for more information.
Vacancies
We’re very grateful to Wendy Ellis, who is taking up the mantle of Safeguarding officer for Penshurst, as well as Lead Recruiter. We also have a new administrator starting with us next month: Tabitha Haysom, who comes to us with a background in PR and is keen to be a welcoming point of contact for the benefice. Tabitha lives locally and was married in the benefice, so she has a real enthusiasm to share with others the support she herself received from us.
Do please talk to Lisa, or any of our Churchwardens, if you think you might be able to fill one of our important roles we also need filling:
Benefice Treasurer;
Benefice Safeguarding Lead, and/or parish safeguarding officer for Chiddingstone;
Benefice Buildings Rep;
Chiddingstone Church Warden;
Joint Council Member in one of the new roles to be formed in the upcoming annual meeting.
Lent Groups
We will be reading Loving My Neighbour together, with our Lent groups meeting each week to discuss the chapter –
Wednesdays, From 21st Feb, 7.30– 9pm hosted by Penshurst Homegroup (more details on our website)
Fridays at Chiddingstone Rectory, 1345 for 2 (note change of time).
All comers welcome!
From our memorial book, we remember with thanksgiving:
09-Feb
Charles Henry Martin
10-Feb
John M Leigh
11-Feb
Susan Elizabeth Hearle Twallin
Kitty Frances Emma Grayland
Phyllis Daisy Taylor
12-Feb
Daisy Munro
Alfred Matkins
13-Feb
Peter Godfrey-Fausset
Albert Baker
14-Feb
Ernest Hook
15-Feb
Jo Cotton
Unice Freeman
16-Feb
17-Feb
Gwynneth Eileen Kitchenham
Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them.
The upcoming services are –
Sunday 11th February : Sunday next before lent
0800 Morning Prayer at Saint Mary’s
1000 Sung Holy Communion at St Peter’s
1600 Forest Church at Walters Green
Ash Wednesday
0915 Ash Wednesday Service led by Fordcombe School at St Peter’s
1800 Ash Wednesday Holy Communion with the Imposition of Ashes at St Luke’s
1900 A service to celebrate St Valentine’s Day. St Luke’s at St Luke’s.
Sunday 18th February
1000 Sung Holy Communion at St John the Baptist’s
1800 Compline at St Mary’s
Learning and growing:
Some upcoming courses in the wider diocese -
A Quiet Day in Lent with space to prayerfully reflect on key moments in Jesus' ministry
Saturday 24 February 2024 10am - 3pm
For more information, see the Diocesan website.
An Introduction to Christian Meditation
Saturday 23rd March 2024 10am - 3pm
at St Benedict’s Centre, West Malling ME196JX
For more information, see the Diocesan website.
It’s your calling, It’s Your Calling is aimed at those exploring where God may be calling and looks at our journey and the gifts that God has given us, as well as the Biblical understanding of vocation. The day gives an opportunity to meet others on a similar quest and to take time to think where God could be calling.
24th February, St Andrew’s Church Paddock Wood
You will need your incumbent’s approval to attend this event. Please download and complete the booking form that you will receive a link to in your confirmation email. You should return it to the address given at least one week before the event.
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).
Best wishes,
Lisa & Lindsay
Newsletter 03/02/2024
Greetings from Revs Lindsay and Lisa.
There are two church services this Sunday and we hope that you can join us. There is an 0800 Morning Prayer service at St John the Baptist, Penshurst, and at 1000 Sung Holy Communion Service at St Luke’s Chiddingstone Causeway.
The Church Christmas season officially ended with Candlemas on Friday February 2nd. We will now share two weeks of ordinary time where altar frontals and vestments will be green, before we begin the forty-six days of Lent on Ash Wednesday with a purple array.
We have both been busy this week with many administrative and planning tasks across the Benefice.
Rev’d Lindsay has been working on our new website with guidance from Church-connect.org.
https://www.highwealdchurches.org.uk/
Thank you to those of you who have helped us with proofreading to date. Further constructive feedback and suggestions are welcome. Please use the e-mail links below.
The website has two key purposes: Firstly, it will act as a shop window for our family of churches and for those visiting and planning life events. The existing Penshurst website will eventually redirect people to the wider benefice site; but will be retained by the Friends of High Weald Churches for their use in stewarding the historic buildings in our care. For the time being, the sites may well duplicate some information. Please bear with us in this time of transition. Secondly: this site will become our go to resource for service information, rotas, and the like. This aspect will evolve organically as we migrate our systems into one place.
Rev’d Lisa has led Lent-themed Collective Worship in both Fordcombe and Penshurst schools. She has spent several hours in both schools as part of her brief as governor. She will visit Chiddingstone School next week for a morning doing much the same. Our Forest Church draws children from all three local schools, and it is exciting to see how our children and their families are growing in faith and relationship.
We have been busy preparing for our Lent Course. The supporting book is available here: https://www.brfonline.org.uk/collections/devotional/products/loving-my-neighbour
There will be an opportunity for you to attend a group to discuss the text or for you to follow a daily diet of readings, reflections, and prayer without joining a group. A flyer for this course is attached to this mailing.
A wedding preparation afternoon is planned in Fordcombe Village Hall on 9th March for our 2024 and early 2025 wedding couples. If any of you would like to help us with providing refreshments or other support for this event, we would be glad to hear from you. If you have recently been married in the parish, we would love to welcome you back to share some of your wisdom! Please contact the priest who led your wedding service.
Prayer
There are many situations and people for us to hold in prayer:
From our Memorial Book
03-Feb
Rupert Edward Vicary
04-Feb
05-Feb
John Willliam Pocock
Sydney Thomas Austin
Marjorie Irene Chandler, Wendy Hubble
06-Feb
07-Feb
Dorothy Gribble
Percy Alfred Taylor
08-Feb
09-Feb
Charles Henry Martin
10-Feb
John M Leigh
11-Feb
Susan Elizabeth Hearle Twallin
Kitty Frances Emma Grayland
Phyllis Daisy Taylor
We also pray for all of our wedding couples and all those preparing for baptisms and confirmations in the weeks ahead. We have one candidate that we will be preparing for confirmation later in the year. If any of you would like to explore baptism or confirmation for you or a member of your family, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Study
There are many courses and study days to support you in your faith journey. The Diocesan website has several to choose from: https://rochester.anglican.org/events-and-training/spirituality-events/
With every blessing for the week ahead
Revs Lisa and Lindsay
Newsletter 27/01/24
To our Benefice Friends,
It has been agreeable to be a little warmer, this week, if wetter, as Lisa & Lindsay have got on with the humb drum business of parish admin. This Sunday is the last Sunday of Christmas-and-Epiphany (don’t forget to put away any remaining decorations!) and Lent will be on us before we know it.
Do keep an eye on our website - https://www.highwealdchurches.org.uk for services (currently one mid-morning service only, each week) and news. It’s being tweaked regularly, so let us know if we’ve missed something. And a reminder that we’re trying to encourage folk to visit it, so that it’s internet ‘presence’ increases, which means it will show up better if people search for it.
Also, on the subject of Lent, now is the time to start considering adding Lenten discipline to things, this year. Below are details of the lent groups and lent book (you can read the latter without attending the former, if you’d prefer) and there is always the digital candle if you would like a little bit of prayer & scripture on your phone (mostly) each day - contact Lindsay for the link.
You may, too, consider supporting the benefice with a regular direct debit, via our website, or by offering yourself to fill one of the vacancies Lisa mentioned last week:
Benefice Treasurer;
Benefice Safeguarding Lead, and/or parish safeguarding officer for Chiddingstone or Penhurst;
Benefice lead recruiter (a purely administrative role);
Benefice Buildings Rep;
Chiddingstone Church Warden;
Joint Council Member in one of the new roles to be formed in the upcoming annual meeting.
Lent Groups
We will be reading Loving My Neighbour together, with our Lent groups meeting each week to discuss the chapter –
Wednesdays, From 21st Feb, 7.30– 9pm hosted by Penshurst Homegroup Rectory,
Fridays at Chiddingstone Rectory, 1345 for 2 (note change of time).
All comers welcome!
From our memorial book, we remember with thanksgiving:
28-Jan
29-Jan
Hazel Anne Swinglehurst
30-Jan
31-Jan
Edwina (Jackie) Hall
01-Feb
02-Feb
Jean Virginia Grace Beasley
Anthony Tredissar Freeman
William Norman Bishop
Mabel Rose Hills
03-Feb
Rupert Edward Vicary
Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them.
The upcoming services are –
Sunday 28th January
10.00am: United Benefice Sung Holy Communion at St John the Baptist Church Penshurst
6pm: United Benefice Compline at St Mary the Virgin Church in the Chapel.
Please mark in your diaries –
Ash Wednesday
0915 Ash Wednesday Service led by Fordcombe School at St Peter’s
1800 Ash Wednesday Holy Communion with the Imposition of Ashes at St Luke’s
1900 A service to celebrate St Valentine’s Day. St Luke’s at St Luke’s.
Sunday 28th February
8am: Morning Prayer at St John the Baptist Church Penshurst
10am: United Benefice Sung Holy Communion at St Luke’s Chiddingtone Causeway
Learning and growing:
Some upcoming courses in the wider diocese -
“In the beginning was the Word…”
A Quiet Day with space to prayerfully experiment with words and ways of writing.
Saturday 3 February 2024 10am - 3pm
at St Benedict’s Centre, West Malling ME196JX
For more information, see the Diocesan website.
A Quiet Day in Lent with space to prayerfully reflect on key moments in Jesus' ministry
Saturday 24 February 2024 10am - 3pm
For more information, see the Diocesan website.
An Introduction to Christian Meditation
Saturday 23rd March 2024 10am - 3pm
at St Benedict’s Centre, West Malling ME196JX
For more information, see the Diocesan website.
It’s your calling, It’s Your Calling is aimed at those exploring where God may be calling and looks at our journey and the gifts that God has given us, as well as the Biblical understanding of vocation. The day gives an opportunity to meet others on a similar quest and to take time to think where God could be calling.
24th February, St Andrew’s Church Paddock Wood
You will need your incumbent’s approval to attend this event. Please download and complete the booking form that you will receive a link to in your confirmation email. You should return it to the address given at least one week before the event.
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).
Best wishes,
Lisa & Lindsay
Newsletter 20/01/24
To our Benefice Friends,
This week past much of the benefice came together to say goodbye to Carol Benton, who for many years served her local community in a number of ways but with consistent love and commitment. Please continue to hold her and her family in your prayers. And as we start a new year, do let us know if you would like the benefice to pray for your dead at their year’s mind. You can either fill in the form on our website, or get in touch with us directly. There is a small fee if you would also like us to add their names to our book of remembrance, do ask us for more information if that is the case.
On which note, do please visit our website - https://www.highwealdchurches.org.uk It is still a little rough around the edges, but we’re trying to encourage traffic locally so that it’s internet ‘presence’ increases. If, while you’re there, you notice any teething problems, please let us know.
This week was also met as a benefice Joint Council and began preparing for our annual meeting – of which more anon – and to agree a provision service plan for the coming months. This has been slimmed down to enable Lisa and Lindsay better to support one another while they recover from the stresses they have been under. Instead of two 10am services every week, as is usual, with some additions, we are having only one 10am in the benefice, supported by at least one other service, either early morning or tea-time, at the other end of the benefice. We have also made the decision to omit lay-led services at 10am, for a number of reasons, not least of which is so that we can all come together over this time of renewal and reflection. Please be assured, Matins is not abandoned, but it will be returning with the new pattern of services to be put before the AJCM (annual meeting of the Joint Church council) along with a – hopefully – richer provision across the board. (You can keep track of upcoming services in our regular mailing and on our shiny new website!)
Also at our JCC meeting we reviewed the Bishop’s Guidelines for intincting Communion bread. “Simultaneous Communion (aka intinction), where practiced, should only be administered by the minister. Congregants should not be dipping their ow n bread into the chalice.” This is concisely explained in this article by the Diocese of Europe.
Finally it became apparent that there is a lack of clarity about the role of the Joint Council in the wider community of the benefice. Do please read Lisa’s Governance Report, which tries to set out how the Benefice has been structured. We have several vacancies on the Joint Council and wider parish administration that need filling – see separate note from Lisa on Governance matters.
As mentioned last week, Lent begins on the 14th February, this year, which means –
· We will be reading Loving My Neighbour together, with our Lent groups meeting each week to discuss the chapter. One will be on Wednesday evenings, in rotating locations (contact us for details) and one will be hosted at Chid Rectory, Fridays at 10.30. All comers welcome!
· We will be using the Advent books again, to give them a longer run for feedback.
· We’re going to be holding two services on the 14th – see below – one penitential, and one celebratory!
Please pray for little Leonora Beare, being Christened on Sunday, and hold her and her family in your prayers as they prepare for this important day.
From our memorial book, we remember with thanksgiving:
21-Jan
Betty Raymond
22-Jan
Alistair David Robertson
23-Jan
Sidney Cutler
24-Jan
25-Jan
Patricia Ann Banks
26-Jan
Frank William May
27-Jan
Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them.
The upcoming services are –
Sunday 21st January
10am: United Benefice Sung Holy Communion at St Luke’s Chiddingtone Causeway
5pm: United Benefice All age Service Fordcombe Village Hall
Sunday 28th January
10.00am: United Benefice Sung Holy Communion at St John the Baptist Church Penshurst
6pm: United Benefice Compline at St Mary the Virgin Church in the Chapel.
Please mark in your diaries –
Ash Wednesday
0915 Ash Wednesday Service led by Fordcombe School at St Peter’s
1800 Ash Wednesday Holy Communion with the Imposition of Ashes at St Luke’s
1900 A service to celebrate St Valentine’s Day. St Luke’s at St Luke’s.
Learning and growing:
Some upcoming courses in the wider diocese -
Steps to lip reading in church, a four week Bible lip reading course. The course will teach some basic lip reading shapes from a biblical theme each week and give strategies for supporting communication.
The course is free, and on Zoom, but donations to the Anna chaplaincy are gratefully received.
Mondays Jan 15, 22, 29 and February 5th, 2-3pm on Zoom.
To book contact judi.pettman@gmail.com
“In the beginning was the Word…”
A Quiet Day with space to prayerfully experiment with words and ways of writing.
Saturday 3 February 2024 10am - 3pm
at St Benedict’s Centre, West Malling ME196JX
For more information, see the Diocesan website.
A Quiet Day in Lent with space to prayerfully reflect on key moments in Jesus' ministry
Saturday 24 February 2024 10am - 3pm
For more information, see the Diocesan website.
An Introduction to Christian Meditation
Saturday 23rd March 2024 10am - 3pm
at St Benedict’s Centre, West Malling ME196JX
For more information, see the Diocesan website.
It’s your calling, It’s Your Calling is aimed at those exploring where God may be calling and looks at our journey and the gifts that God has given us, as well as the Biblical understanding of vocation. The day gives an opportunity to meet others on a similar quest and to take time to think where God could be calling.
24th February, St Andrew’s Church Paddock Wood
You will need your incumbent’s approval to attend this event. Please download and complete the booking form that you will receive a link to in your confirmation email. You should return it to the address given at least one week before the event.
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).
Best wishes,
Lisa & Lindsay
Newletter 13/01/24
To our Benefice Friends,
Greetings to you all from Revs Lisa and Lindsay. It has been lovely catching up with so many of you since the return from the Christmas break. The schools are positively buzzing with energy and lots of work is afoot across the benefice setting up services and events for the year ahead. You will, we hope, be pleased to know that Lindsay is back in harness, but on light duties, so the January slimmed down service plan will continue for now…
Contact thornburybenefice@outlook.com if you would like to be added to the weekly Newsletter mail out.