Newsletter -11 - 01
Dear Friends,
Greetings on All Hallows’ Eve. I am at my desk at 5 p.m., and it is already dark outside! I am not a fan of long nights and short days, but I have bought a new head torch and a light-up collar for Dibley in anticipation of a season of evening walkies in the dark.
With Universal Studios encamped locally, I have had some wonderful pastoral conversations with the film crew and security staff based at Penshurst Place this week. There are many Winnebagos on site, and cars with blacked-out windows glide through the gates throughout the day. I am in blissful ignorance about what is being filmed and who stars, but I look forward to seeing the finished film in due course.
Last Sunday at St John the Baptist Church, we welcomed the choir from Yalding Church, who sang Evensong with the Penshurst and Fordcombe choir. The music was truly beautiful, and the service uplifting. I hope this will be the first of many collaborations between my former and current parishes.
This Sunday: We mark All Saints’ Day at the 10:00 a.m. Communion and All Souls’ Day with a service of Evening Prayer at 6:00 p.m. in Penshurst. The All Souls’ service will be a quiet, reflective opportunity to remember those we have loved who have died. We will read out the names of loved ones and light candles in their memory. Everyone is most welcome.
Sad News: It is with sadness that I share the news that long-term Penshurst resident Margaret Leppard died last Friday. Her funeral is expected to take place in early December. I am awaiting confirmation from her husband, David, and will share details once plans are confirmed.
Please hold David, his children, and grandchildren in your prayers.
Prayers for the Caribbean: News of Hurricane Melissa’s destructive power in the Caribbean this week has affected some in our parish. At the time of writing, Tracy, our administrator, has been waiting several days for news from her mother and grandmother in Jamaica, who live in Trelawny and Clarendon respectively. Both towns currently have no water, electricity, or mobile signal.
Please pray for the safety of Valerie and Alice, and for Tracy as she waits anxiously for news.
Remembrance Services: Next Sunday, 9th November there will be an 0800 service of Holy Communion in Penshurst. Later, we will mark Remembrance Sunday at St Mary’s and St John the Baptist Churches. Please be seated by 10:45 a.m. for a service timed so that the names of the Fallen are read before the national two-minute silence. On Tuesday 11th November, also at 10:45 a.m., there will be a Community Act of Remembrance on the Village Green in Fordcombe. After reading the names of the Fallen, we shall observe the two-minute silence, then move to the war memorial at St Peter’s to lay wreaths and say further prayers. Refreshments will be available afterwards in church.
I hope to share details of Chiddingstone School’s Remembrance events next week, once they return from their half-term break.
With my prayers and best wishes for the week ahead
Lisa
Rev’d Lisa Cornell
Rector, Penshurst, Fordcombe and The Chiddingstones.
We hope to see you at the upcoming events.
With every blessing for the week ahead
Lisa
In this edition:
Ø Services
Services:
Sunday 2nd November: All Saints and All Souls
1000 St John the Baptist, Penshurst: Holy Communion for All Saints Day
1800 St John the Baptist, Penshurst: Evening Prayer for All Souls’ Day. A service to commemorate those who have died.
Sunday 9th November Remembrance Sunday
0800: St John the Baptist, Penshurst: Holy Communion
1045 St John the Baptist, Penshurst: Remembrance Sunday Service
1050 St Mary’s, Chiddingstone: Remembrance Sunday Service.
Tuesday 11 November
St Mary’s, Chiddingstone School and Community Remembrance Events. Time TBC (please check school and parish website for details)
1045 - Fordcombe Village Green and Community Remembrance Events. Followed by Short service at St Peter’s War Memorial with refreshments in Church.
Sunday 16 November – 2nd Sunday before Advent
1000 -St John the Baptist, Penshurst: Holy Communion
1600 – Forest Church, Penshurst Rectory Garden
Sunday 23 November - Christ The King
1000 St John the Baptist, Penshurst: Holy Communion
1000 St Luke’s, Chiddingstone Causeway: Holy Communion
Tuesday 25 November - Quiet Morning
1330 St Lukes, Parish Room, Chiddingstone: Quiet Morning.
To reserve a place email barbaramlloyd@gmail.com or just come on the day.
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)
