Newsletter - 05-24
To our Benefice Friends
After last weekend’s glorious weather, it’s been a bit hit or miss this week... I hope nobody got quite as wet as our Prime Minister!
Both of your clergy have been quite education-focused this week. Both Lisa and Lindsay have been taking assemblies, and Lisa has been doing her governance work with the schools. They have also begun planning our upcoming intercessions training day (see below). Lindsay has also been assisting with some of the Bishop’s Certificate students in the Diocese.
Wedding preparation continues apace. Although we’re quieter this year than last, by some measure, we still have a good many wedding couples and it’s a real joy to walk with them through this exciting time – and hopefully ease some of their (natural) anxiety!
Finally, Lindsay has completed her safeguarding training (leadership) this week. It’s been really interesting and useful training, which hopefully the Joint Council can discuss together as we all renew our learning. The safeguarding team, both nationally and locally, are constantly reviewing and updating their training, so although Lindsay has been taking this course every three to five years for the last 25 years it has never been quite the same each year (although the general guidance has, of course, been consistent!). It is fascinating to observe how it has changed and adapted over the years.
Do please consider – even if it’s not required of you – taking the Basic Safeguarding Training provided by the Church of England so that, together, we can develop a culture in this church that proactively safeguards as a community.
Finally, we hope that students enjoy the half term break, and we wish all families good quality time in the week, or two weeks, ahead.
In this edition:
Ø Services
Services:
Sunday 26 May
8am Holy Communion at St John the Baptist, Penshurst
10am Morning Prayer with Christening at St Mary’s, Chiddingstone
5pm All Age at Fordcombe Village Hall
Sunday 2nd June
8am Morning Prayer at St Mary the Virgin, Chiddingstone
10am Holy Communion at St John the Baptist, Penshurst
Sunday 9th June
10am Sung Matins at St Mary the Virgin, Chiddingstone
6pm Holy Communion at St Peter's, Fordcombe
Life Events:
In our prayers we hold those coming through our doors in the to mark their Life Events:
Upcoming weddings: In June we welcome Ashley and Olivia, Brandon and Rianna, Tom and Izzy; and Harry and Nicole through our doors and wish them well for their upcoming weddings.
Upcoming Christenings: We will be baptising Rosie and Augustin in the coming weeks, and wish them well on their pilgrimage of faith.
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
26-May
27-May
28-May
29-May
William Bernard Roberts
30-May
Raymond Charles Medhurst
31-May
01-Jun
John Churchill
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,
Lisa and Lindsay
