Newsletter - 06-07
To our benefice friends,
We have a slightly shorter newsletter this week as your clergy have been very busy with learning and development. Lisa was out to undergo several days of training under her new role as Area Dean, which provides a very exciting opportunity for her and the benefice more broadly. Learning and training is somewhat of a theme for this newsletter, and both Lindsay and Lisa will be undergoing further safeguarding training on domestic violence next week, with further parish training taking based locally.
Throughout June we have a number of sessions taking place across the benefice, to which all are welcome; these include intercessors training and a follow-up on safeguarding. We also have our quiet day later in the month, so we can reflect and grow together. We hope to see many of you there over the coming weeks, please see below for more details.
As we are now well and truly into wedding season, and the summer appears to have finally arrived, this time of year is filled with happy occasions. This week was no different with the Archdeacon’s Visit taking place on Wednesday; the service welcomed 101 worshippers from across the archdeaconry, many thanks to all who attended for your display of support for your clergy and wardens.
Please, as always, do keep in touch with us with any feedback on the current service programme, we welcome your thoughts and suggestions. And there remain a number of vacant Joint Council positions, if you’re interested in getting involved more formally, we encourage you to speak to the clergy, or contact the office.
In this edition:
Ø Services
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
Sunday 23rd June
10am Holy Communion at St John the Baptist, Penshurst
4pm Forest Church, Penshurst Rectory
5pm All Age Service, Fordcombe Village Hall
Life Events:
In our prayers we hold those coming through our doors in the to mark their Life Events:
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.
Christenings: We baptised Augustin in June, and wish him well on his pilgrimage of faith.
And among those whose anniversary falls at this time we remember with thanksgiving:
08-Jun
Joy Wisdom
09-Jun
Philip Anthony Corby
10-Jun
11-Jun
12-Jun
John Austin Cole
13-Jun
Pauline Margaret Winter
14-Jun
Edwin Ginger Meade
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.
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
