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 Electoral Roll
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:
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.
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
