Newsletter - 03/04
I am writing this on Maundy Thursday in the late evening, having returned from the Chrism Eucharist at Rochester Cathedral and the 6pm Eucharist in Penshurst. It has been a day rich in meaning, setting the tone for the most sacred days of the Christian year.
This link tells you more about the Cathedral service and includes Bishop Jonathan’s sermon: https://rochester.anglican.org/news/diocesan-family-gather-for-chrism-service-1786.php
Bishop Jonathan’s Easter message to the Diocese can be found here: https://rochester.anglican.org/news/bishops-easter-message.php
Now into Good Friday, we are invited to pause and reflect on the enormity of Jesus’ sacrifice. At the cross, we see the depth of God’s love poured out for the world—costly, redemptive, and freely given.
Then comes Holy Saturday, a day of stillness and waiting. In the quiet, we hold space for grief, for uncertainty, and for hope not yet realised. It is in this silence that we prepare our hearts for the joy that is to come.
Finally, we celebrate Easter Day, when sorrow turns to joy and death is overcome by life.
I look forward to celebrating with many of you at Fordcombe at 9:00am for a quiet Holy Communion service, and at Penshurst for our All-Age Holy Communion at 10:30am. This service will include crafts for children and an Easter egg hunt, as we celebrate the resurrection together in a spirit of joy and community.
I am grateful to my clergy colleagues, Rev’d Fiona and Fr Stephen, for covering the Good Friday and Easter Day services in the Chiddingstone churches.
A reminder that our Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) will take place on 27th April. Formal notices will be issued after Easter, along with paperwork for those wishing to stand for the PCCs, as churchwardens, or to serve on the Deanery Synod. Each parish will also be holding a local meeting to elect wardens and Parish Safeguarding Officers, and to receive the 2025 accounts for local funds. The APCM will, in turn, receive reports and recommendations from these meetings and reflect on the work of the PCCs and Joint Council over the past year. If you would like to be added to the electoral roll, please complete one of the forms provided alongside the APCM notices.
Following Easter Day, I will be taking ten days of annual leave. If you have any urgent pastoral enquiries during this time, please contact the churchwardens or Tabby.
May this Easter bring you renewed hope, peace, and the assurance of God’s love. Rather than closing with a prayer, I offer this link to a beautiful setting of the Easter hymn, Thine Be the Glory: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXzmjNE-yLA
With every blessing to you and all those you love this joyful Eastertide,
Lisa
Rev’d Lisa Cornell Rector of Penshurst, Fordcombe and The Chiddingstones
Services:
Sunday 5 April
09:00 – Holy Communion at St Peter’s, Fordcombe
10:00 – Holy Communion at St Mary’s, Chiddingstone
10:30 - All Age Holy Communion at St John the Baptist, Penshurst
Sunday 12 April
08:00 – Holy Communion at St John the Baptist, Penshurst
10:00 – Holy Communion at St Mary’s, Chiddingstone
Sunday 19 April
10:00 – Holy Communion at St John the Baptist, Penshurst
10:00 – Holy Communion at St Mary’s, Chiddingstone
16:00 - Forest Church in Penshurst Rectory Garden
Life Events:
We remember those whose anniversary falls at this time of year, they shall be prayed for in church on Sunday.
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
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)
