Newsletter - 06 - 01
To our benefice friends,
We had a lovely occasion this week, as Anne Godfrey Fausett turned 90 and celebrated with a tea party enjoyed by friends and family across the benefice. Elsewhere, the weather hampered some of our plans, but Lindsay took a short break in Dublin, which gave her the opportunity to discuss how the cathedral there engages with their visitors, and offered food for thought regarding our buildings that offer such an opportunity to encourage the spirituality of those passing through. If anyone wants to think collectively about this, do get in touch with Lindsay or the office.
As ever, we try and work collaboratively across the benefice, so let us have any feedback on the current order of service. We’ll be looking to have a review of the past year’s worship in the early autumn, which should include a review of the new pattern of services. A draft of these is currently being considered by members of the Joint Council and will be published more widely in the days ahead.
We’re also looking for help working to reduce our carbon footprint, and to make our finances more sustainable through fundraising. We still need a couple of people for our Joint Council, so please think hard about whether you can offer the benefice a handful of hours a month from your skills and passions.
A reminder of the intercessions training coming up in June. This is aimed both at our established intercessors, who will have the opportunity to share good practice, and anyone who’d like to take up the ministry. It’s followed by a quiet day during the following week, so we can reflect and grow together. See below for more details.
On Wednesday we’re hosting one of the Archdeaconry’s Visitation services, at which all the Churchwardens across the Archdeaconry must hear the Archdeacon’s Charge to them and to make their solemn undertaking, as Churchwardens and lay officers of the Bishop, to discharge “… their duties as assigned to them by canon law [as] foremost in representing the laity, and in cooperating with the incumbent. They are to use their best endeavours, both by personal example and precept, to encourage the parishioners in true religion and to promote unity and peace among them.” Come and support Angie, Karen and Paul as they make their promises!
Finally, an advanced notice of another upcoming, happy, occasion: this summer we celebrate Lindsay’s 25th year since ordination and will be holding an afternoon tea to mark the occasion. This will take place on Thursday 4th July at 3pm and will be hosted by Lisa in her Rectory Garden. We hope to see many of you there.
In this edition:
Ø Services
Sunday 2nd June
8am Morning Prayer at St Mary the Virgin, Chiddingstone
10am Holy Communion at St John the Baptist, Penshurst
Wednesday 5th June
8pm Archdeacon’s Visitation service 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
Sunday 16th June
8am Holy Communion at St John the Baptist, Penshurst
10am Holy Communion at St Mary’s, Chiddingstone
Life Events:
In our prayers we hold those coming through our doors in the to mark their Life Events:
Ashley and Olivia’s wedding on Saturday 1st June.
Upcoming weddings: Brandon and Rianna, Tom and Izzy, Harry and Nicole; and Matt and Katie through our doors and wish them well for their upcoming weddings.
Upcoming Christenings: We will be baptising Augustin in June, and wish him well on this pilgrimage of faith.
And among those whose anniversary falls at this time we remember with thanksgiving:
01-Jun
John Churchill
02-Jun
Douglas Eade
Doris Eleanor Broad
03-Jun
Rosemary Scott
Charles Tolliday
Donald Mitchell McLauchlan-Clark
Henry Freddie Foy
Keneth Ernest Glover
04-Jun
William Arthur Roberts
05-Jun
06-Jun
07-Jun
Bob Pedlar
08-Jun
Joy Wisdom
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
