Newsletter -12 - 20
It’s beginning to look a lot like…
This will be my final mailing of 2025. My next newsletter will go to print on 9th January, so may I begin by offering you the blessings of the three Church seasons that will be celebrated before I write again. May the remainder of Advent help you to prepare your hearts and homes for the joy of the Incarnation. May the wonder of the Christ Child at Christmas fill you afresh with joy; and may Epiphany offer a fresh invitation for all people the great, the good and the humble to be transformed by the infant Christ.
People often comment that this must be the busiest time of the year for me. Rather than being extra busy, church ministry in December is more visible. There is certainly more music and a strong sense of celebration. I have had laryngitis for over three months, and while my speaking voice has returned to something like normal, my singing voice remains broken. I am really sad not to be able to sing carols as I normally would — the notes just aren’t there! This week I have attended some beautiful school productions and services. The children have sung with such gusto that I have felt a little envious! I hope I may be able to croak a bass part in some of the services to come.
There are many events scheduled in the days ahead and whilst some ministry is visible; this is only possible because of a massive team effort. Thank you to everyone who sets up and sets down services, decorates the churches, and ensures that all is well in both fabric and worship. Thank you to our musicians, choirs, readers, and intercessors; our team of Church Wardens, vergers, sidespeople, catering volunteers, cleaners, gardeners and do-ers of jobs, many of which appear to happen by magic. Thank you for making church happen and to all of you who support us across the year with your time, talents, and treasure. Being one minister with four churches I either need the ability to clone myself or accept the help of visiting ministers. I am grateful to Sally, Stephen, Penny, and Fiona for leading services across the benefice at different points over the Christmas and New Year period.
During the period between this newsletter and the next, we will be welcoming Tabby Haysom back from maternity leave. In 2025 Tracy Craig has expertly held the benefice administrator role. She is travelling to Jamaica over the Christmas period, and we wish her safe travels and a wonderful time with loved ones. Thank you, Tracy, for all you have done in 2025 to hold our administrative systems together. It’s a complex role and one you have carried out with great efficiency and with good grace. We are incredibly grateful to you. You are a great blessing to us.
Whatever the next few weeks may bring, I hope there is joy for everyone at some point. I pray that you will take time to remember the true meaning of the Christmas season. As we celebrate the Incarnation and wonder at the events in Bethlehem two millennia ago, may our faith be deepened.
One carol that captures something of the awe of Christmas for me is In the Bleak Midwinter. This Christina Rossetti poem, set to the music of Holst, is my preferred setting. The final verse captures for me what lies at the heart of priestly ministry every day of the year:
What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a wise man, I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.
As 2025 draws to a close, I thank God for his calling on my life in this corner of Kent. I pray that in 2026 we may all in our own way, offer God our hearts and lives for his service and the greater good.
With every blessing,
Lisa
Rev’d Lisa Cornell
Rector of Penshurst, Fordcombe and the Chiddingstone Churches
In this edition:
Ø Services
Services:
Sunday 21st December
1000 St John the Baptist, Penshurst: Holy Communion
1800 St John the Baptist, Penshurst: Nine Lessons and Carols
1800 St Luke’s, Chiddingstone Causeway: Nine Lessons and Carols
Wednesday 24th December
2200 St John the Baptist, Penshurst: Holy Communion for Christmas Night
1600 St Peters, Fordcombe: Carol Service
1730 St Mary’s, Chiddingstone: Carols by Candlelight
2330: St Mary’s, Chiddingstone: Midnight Mass
Thursday 25th December
1030 St John the Baptist, Penshurst: All Age Service for Christmas Day
1030 St Luke’s, Chiddingstone Causeway: All Age Holy Communon
09:00 St Peters, Fordcombe: Holly Communion
Sunday 28th December
0800 St John the Baptist, Penshurst: Holy Communion.
Sunday 4th January
1000 St John the Baptist, Penshurst: Holy Communion
1030 St Luke’s, Chiddingstone Causeway: Matins TBC. Please check church website.
Sunday 11th January
0800 St John the Baptist, Penshurst: Holy Communion
1000 St Peters, Fordcombe: Holly Communion
1000 St Luke’s, Chiddingstone Causeway: Holy Communion
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)
