Newsletter - 05-17
To our Benefice Friends
Our three benefice schools have all been involved in SATS tests this week. We hope they have gone well and the Y6 pupils enjoy the precious last weeks of learning before transitioning to secondary school. Upcoming residentials and school plays will, we hope, bring much joy. Thank you to all of the school staff who work so hard to support our young people for all aspects of their education.
Older students have this week finished the International Baccalaureate exams, with those taking A levels and GCSEs just starting. For all people preparing for summer exams our prayers go with you.
And this week both Revs went back to the classroom to be ‘grilled’ by Y2 and Y5 classes in Chiddingstone School. Searching questions were asked and they enjoyed the opportunity to talk about our faith with local children and to help them think about the similarities and differences between Christians and followers of other world religions.
As far as our own learning is concerned, do read about the courses and events listed at the bottom of this bulletin. Locally, we’re running a training day for our intercessors (those who lead the prayers after the creed on Sundays), which is open both to established intercessors, and the intercession curious. After, we have another local safeguarding session for anyone who wants or needs to get some baseline training, so that we can make our congregations as safe as possible. We’re also holding our first quiet day for some time.
Visiting ministers
Over the next few months, we will be welcoming various lay and ordained ministers and ministers in training to some of our Sunday services and weddings. They may be there to compare us to their training parish; or be with us to build their experience in leading, preaching or intercession within services. Sometimes they will be robed and up front and at other times simply sitting in the congregation taking notes. Please make them welcome as they develop in their vocational calling alongside our church family.
In this edition:
Ø Services
Services:
Sunday 19th May: Pentecost
10am Sung Holy Communion St John the Baptist
10am Sung Holy Communion St Mary the Virgin
Sunday 26th of May: Trinity Sunday
8am Holy Communion St John the Baptist
10am Morning Prayer with Christening St Mary the Virgin
5pm All Age Service*. Fordcombe Village Hall
*Please support Angela Ventin as she crafts and leads this service as part of her training for Lay Ministry
Life Events:
In our prayers we hold those coming through our doors in the to mark their Life Events:
This month we have already had all of our wedding and wedding celebrations, but we continue to pray for William & Rachel, Rory & Hayley, Deborah and Neil;
We are looking forward to christening Rosie in a couple of weeks, please pray for her family and all those undertaking to support her in this pilgrimage of faith.
Among the recently departed, we remember with thanksgiving Amy King. Amy’s funeral took place on Thursday 16th May. There was standing room only at the funeral service in Penshurst and a gathering of loved ones in Fordcombe was very well attended. We continue to hold Neil, Isabel and Arthur in our prayers.
And among those whose anniversary falls at this time we remember with thanksgiving:
19-May Margaret Bishop
Albert Thomas Firminger
20-May
21-May Harold Alfred Huntley
Joan Frances Allen
22-May Evelyn Violet Hook
May Victoria Bassett
23-May Eileen Vicary
John (Dick) Reardon
24-May Peter Richard Benton
25-May Eileen Alice Stanton
Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them.
Learning and growing:
Courses:
Intercessions Training
We are running a training session for existing and aspiring intercessors on Saturday June 15th. The training will run from 1100-1230 in Penshurst Church. Intercessory prayer is a feature of all services where we pray in Jesus’ name for one another and the world. It would be helpful to broaden our team of intercessors so that most Sundays’ prayers come from the congregation members rather than the clergy, as happens in Penshurst and Fordcombe, or a small handful of lay volunteers as happens in Chiddingstone. No previous training is needed just a desire to develop this part of your faith. Those who already pray will, I hope, be able to share their good practice with you.
Safeguarding Training
We encourage everyone who helps in church in a public facing way to carry out safeguarding training. For some posts it is a statutory requirement and for others a recommendation. On Saturday 15th June, after the intercessions training, we will be running a basic safeguarding course for those who would prefer to learn in person rather than complete the course at home and online. We will begin at 1245pm. The course takes around an hour to complete. This course is free and open to anyone who would like to attend.
Orthodox spirituality and the Jesus prayer
28 May 2024,10am to 3pm at St Benedict’s Centre, West Malling More info
Events:
Quiet Day: We will be holding a quiet day on Tuesday 18th June at Selby’s Oast. On the Leigh-Hildenborough border. Many thanks to Barbara Lloyd for making her home available for our use.
We will meet for coffee at 0930 and the focus will be different styles of prayer. Anybody who would like to join in a time of quiet reflection would be most welcome. Those attending the intercessions training may find this a helpful time to reflect. We plan to finish at 1230. Please let Lisa know if you would like to take part in this day rector@highwealdchurches.org.uk
A Service of Celebration and Thanksgiving - 30th anniversary of women ordained to the priesthood
30 June 2024, 3:15pmpm at Rochester Cathedral More info
On which note, there is an exhibition: Women And The Church Of England - A new exhibition at Lambeth Palace Library is marking 200 years of women’s ministry and agency. Open now until June 2024. Entry is free. For full details and opening times click here
Updates:
Ø Archdeacon Andy has decided to move on from his role as Archdeacon of Rochester, later this year. Read more
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.
Ø And remember, we’re encouraged to share the new video highlighting the Church of England's ambition to be net zero carbon by 2030. Do watch, and consider whether you want to be part of this project bringing our beautiful Churches to Net Zero. Watch video
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
With every blessing for the Easter Season, which concludes this Sunday with our Pentecost services.
Lisa and Lindsay
