Newsletter -08 - 23
Greetings,
I hope this mailing reaches you in a state of wellness. After my holiday in York last week, it has been a busy week of priesthood. There were two funerals this week. On Tuesday, I had the honour of laying to rest the ashes of Hazel and Tony O’Dowd. Hazel was born in 1927 in the Lane, Fordcombe to Lilian and George Greagsby. The family are now reunited at rest in St Peter’s churchyard. Thank you to Rev’d Fiona Haskett for leading the funeral for Timothy Bates at St Mary’s on Wednesday.
Sadly, I have two recent deaths to announce.
Firstly, Carole Allen from Chiddingstone Causeway. After a lifetime in nursing, mainly in Dorset, Carole moved into the area to be closer to her family in 2014. She will be much missed by her son Chris, his wife Sarah and her two teenage grandchildren. Carole had many friends in the local community; many were made through her love of dogs and horses. Carole’s funeral will be at Tunbridge Wells Crematorium at 1130 on Monday, 15th September.
Secondly, I was shocked to learn this week of the death of Sarah Noss. She was for many years part of the wedding events team at Penshurst Place. I knew Sarah as a mum at the school gates when my children were at junior school in Riverhead. A memorial service for Sarah will be on 18th September at 2pm in St John the Baptist Church with a celebration afterwards in The Baron’s Hall. We pray for her husband, two sons and Sarah’s Mum and siblings as they grieve.
In happier news, we have two weddings this weekend. Shannon and Rob marry on Saturday afternoon and Laura and David get married on Sunday. We also celebrate with Evie and Freddie who are being baptised after the main service and before the wedding on Sunday at St John the Baptist, Penshurst. And a final piece of happy news- my daughter Sophie is engaged. Her fiancé, Charlie, proposed during a recent trip to Canada. I shall look forward to being the mother of the bride sometime in August 2027.
As we enjoy the last of the summer Bank Holidays a reminder to join us at the annual Duck Race in Penshurst this Monday. This popular event, which is free to attend, opens at noon. Please join us for the excitement of the races, a barbeque, drinks, ice cream, games, and a dog show. What better way to mark the end of summer? The first race is at 1pm. May the best duck win! The entrance is at the foot of Rogues Hill between the two bridges. I hope to see many of you there.
In the week ahead, may you know the love of God surrounding you.
Lisa
In this edition:
Ø Services
Services:
Sunday 24 August
1000 Holy Communion at St John the Baptist, Penshurst
1000 Holy Communion at St Mary’s at Chiddingstone
Sunday 31 August
1000 Holy Communion at St John the Baptist, Penshurst
7th September
1000 Holy Communion St John the Baptist, Penshurst.
1000 Evening Prayer service with the blessing of pets. All Souls, Poundsbridge.
14th September
0800 Holy Communion St John the Baptist, Penshurst.
1000 Holy Communion St Peter’s Fordcombe.
1000 Holy Communion (or Matins) St Mary’s, Chiddingstone.
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)
