Newsletter - 06 -29
To our benefice friends,
A slightly shorter update this week, after a busy few days for me. Thursday was another full-day training session, followed by the Bishop of Rochester’s annual summer garden party. Both were welcome opportunities to congregate with clergy from other parishes.
Thankfully, after a warm spell, we have welcomed the (somewhat late) arrival of summer. The sunshine has emerged just in time for a number of events taking place across the parish. In addition to a flurry of weddings this weekend, Chiddingstone will be celebrating their summer fete, in the Causeway from 2pm; please do come down to support.
Speaking of support, I would like to extend a huge thanks to all of those who attended the working group at Poundsbridge last Saturday, and for your help in maintaining the beautiful space surrounding the chapel.
And I once again thank Rev Penny Stephens, who will be stepping in to lead service at St Mary’s from this Sunday. I shall be away from 29 June to 2 July, but should you have any questions, or require anything please do contact the office.
In this edition:
Ø Services
Sunday 30th June: Trinity 5
10am Holy Communion at St Peter’s, Fordcombe. Led by Rev’d Penny Stephens
Sunday 7th July: Trinity 6
10am Holy Communion at St John the Baptist, Penshurst
10am Holy Communion at St Mary the Virgin, Chiddingstone
Sunday 14th July: Trinity 7
10am 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: we welcome 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:
29-Jun
30-Jun
01-Jul
Roy Slack
Sally Mundy
James Stutely Allwood
02-Jul
03-Jul
Mary Huntley
04-Jul
Alice Louise Slack
Douglas Frank Hunt
05-Jul
Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them.
Learning and growing:
Events:
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 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
With every blessing,
Lisa
