Newsletter - 06/02
6 February 2026
With the rain continuing to fall, several people have suggested that we may soon need to apply for a faculty to build an ark. Still, we can at least be grateful that the hosepipe ban has been lifted - small mercies, and all that!
We very much hope that the weather will show some kindness this Saturday lunchtime for Nyasa and Darren, who are to be married at Penshurst. Please hold them in your prayers as they prepare for this joyful day.
On Tuesday, the funeral of Brodie Hall was very well attended, a powerful testament to the love and respect in which he and his family are held. My thanks to the Rev’d Fiona for leading the service with such care and grace.
The funeral of Ken Simmons will take place this coming Thursday at 12.15pm at Tunbridge Wells Crematorium. Please continue to pray for Ken’s family and friends at this time of loss.
This Sunday, there will be Holy Communion services as follows:
St John the Baptist, Penshurst – 8.00am
St Peter’s, Fordcombe – 10.00am
St Luke’s, Chiddingstone Causeway – 10.00am
You are warmly welcome at any of our services.
As we move through the week, our readings remind us of God’s care for creation and for each one of us. If you are on the rota to give the lesson this week, the Old Testament reading is one of the longest in The Lectionary. Thank you in advance!
I leave you with this prayer:
A Prayer for This Week
Creator God,
you made the world and called it good,
and you hold all that lives within your care.
When we are anxious about tomorrow,
teach us to trust you,
to look at the birds of the air and the flowers of the field,
and to remember that we are known and loved.
Help us to seek your kingdom first,
to receive this day as gift,
and to rest in your faithful provision.
Amen.
With every blessing,
Lisa
Services:
Sunday 8 February
08:00 – Holy Communion at St John the Baptist, Penshurst
10:00 – Holy Communion at St Peter’s, Fordcombe
10:00 – Holy Communion at St Luke’s
Sunday 15 February
10:00 – Holy Communion at St John the Baptist, Penshurst
10:00 – Holy Communion at St Luke’s, Chiddingstone Causeway
16:00 – Forest Church at Penshurst
Wednesday 18 February
18:00 – Holy Communion with imposition of ashes at St John the Baptist, Penshurst
18:00 – Ash service at St Luke’s, Chiddingstone Causeway
Sunday 22 February
10:00 – Holy Communion at St John the Baptist, Penshurst
10:00 – Holy Communion at St Luke’s, Chiddingstone Causeway
Life Events:
We remember those whose anniversary falls at this time of year, they shall be prayed for in church on Sunday.
Learning and growing:
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)
