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 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:
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
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
