Newsletter - 03/07
Rector's Weekly Mailing, 3rd July 2026
Dear Parishioners,
I am writing this on Friday afternoon, looking forward to D'Arcy Trinkwon's organ recital at Penshurst this evening. I hope many of you will enjoy what promises to be a wonderful occasion. The concert starts at 1930 and there are still a few tickets available at the door.
On Sunday, our Epistle reading is from Romans 7. Here St Paul describes how he wanted to do what was right yet found himself stumbling. It is an experience that most of us recognise. We all carry burdens, wrestle with weaknesses, and sometimes fall short. The good news is that we are never asked to carry those burdens alone. Paul's cry, "Who will rescue me?" is answered in Jesus Christ. Our faith does not promise an easy road, but it does promise a faithful companion who walks beside us, lifts us when we fall, and gives us the grace to begin again.
That truth is reflected in the rhythm of parish life, where we share one another's joys and sorrows. This week we said goodbye to Leslie Gore of Sevenoaks, mother of Tim, who worships at Penshurst church. We give thanks for Leslie's life and hold Tim, Amanda and all their family in our prayers. We pray for their safe travel to Australia next week, where they will be meeting their new granddaughter born within 48 hours of Leslie’s death. She is the first child of Celia and Jack, who were married in Chiddingstone in December 2024.
Congratulations to Yasmin and Oliver, who were married recently at St Mary’s, and to Shan and Ben, who will be married there this Saturday. We pray that God will bless their marriages with love, joy, and faithfulness in the years to come.
This Sunday, at Penshurst, we look forward to baptising Tiggy. It is rather wonderful that, having recently taken her very first footsteps on Wednesday, that she now takes the first steps on another journey, the journey of faith. Those first, uncertain steps are a lovely picture of the Christian life. We all stumble from time to time, but God never gives up on us. He encourages us, steadies us, and calls us onwards with love and grace. On Sunday, there will be services of Holy Communion at St Mary's, Chiddingstone, and St John the Baptist, Penshurst, both beginning at 10.00 am. Tiggy's baptism follows at 12.15 pm.
At 4.00 pm, Forest Church will gather in The Penshurst Rectory garden. Please note this change from the advertised location. Our theme is "Faith and Footie", as we explore what supporting our national team, and perhaps playing sport ourselves, can teach us about perseverance, hope, teamwork, disappointment, and joy in the Christian life. My own footballing days are long behind me, but there was a time...!
Whatever this week brings, may we remember that we do not walk alone. Christ meets us in our struggles, rejoices in our celebrations, and walks beside us every step of the way.
With every blessing,
Rev’d Lisa Cornell
Rector of Penshurst, Fordcombe and The Chiddingstone Churches
Upcoming Services:
Sunday 5 July
10:00 - Holy Communion at St John the Baptist, Penshurst
10:00 - Family Service at St Mary’s, Chiddingstone
16:00 - Forest Church in Penshurst Rectory Garden
Sunday 12 July
08:00 - Holy Communion at St John the Baptist, Penshurst
10:00 - Holy Communion at St Peter’s, Fordcombe
10:00 – Holy Communion at St Mary’s, Chiddingstone
Sunday 19 July
10:00 - Holy Communion at St John the Baptist, Penshurst
10:00 - Holy Communion at St Mary’s, Chiddingstone
Life Events:
We remember those whose anniversary falls at this time of year, they shall be prayed for in church on Sunday.
Events and fundraising:
Friday 3 July at St John the Baptist, Penshurst - D'Arcy Trinkwon - Organ concert
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)
