Newsletter - 07-06
To our benefice friends,
A week of many changes. A new government after a six-week election campaign bookended with heavy rainfall. Whether the election result is personally pleasing or more of a worry, perhaps we might give thanks that we live with the freedom to cast our votes and have a say in who can lead our government. I pray for a smooth transition in Westminster and give thanks for all those who are prepared to offer themselves for public service. I pray for the safety of our politicians and public servants and for our nation to flourish under their care.
Last Sunday many enjoyed the traditional fete in The Causeway. Thank you to all involved. I was in Rochester for the weekend, and joined many others in celebrating the 30th anniversary of women’s ordination in The Church of England. On Thursday many gathered in my rectory garden for a tea party to mark Rev’d Lindsay’s 25 years ordained. The weather was kind and the gathering gave a chance to celebrate all that is good in ministry and friendship. Thank you to all who provided sandwiches and sweet treats.
Today, there is a wedding in Chiddingstone for Amy and Richard. We pray for their happiness and a long and happy marriage. Tomorrow there are two Holy Communion services. Rev’d Lisa will lead worship in Penshurst and Rev’d Penny in Chiddingstone. In Penshurst there is a funeral in Penshurst at 1pm for Clinton French. Parking is provided in Church Field.
I am so sorry to announce the death of Rev'd Jean Lorimer a few days ago. Jean was amongst the early generation of female parish priests and was much loved in Chiddingstone where she ministered with great compassion. She lived out her latter years at The College of St Barnabas in Lingfield and had many regular visits from her friends in the parish.
May she rest in peace and rise in glory. As soon as we know more about funeral details we will share those with you. I offer my deepest condolence to all who knew and loved Jean.
In this edition:
Ø Services
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
Sunday 21st July: Trinity 8
10am Holy Communion, St John the Baptist, Penshurst
Life Events:
In our prayers we hold those coming through our doors this month to mark their Life Events:
Upcoming weddings: in July we will be marrying Amy and Richard, and hold them in our prayers as they approach their wedding day.
Christenings: We will baptise Fergus and Charlotte in July, and wish them well on this pilgrimage of faith.
And among those whose anniversary falls at this time, we remember with thanksgiving:
06-Jul
John Brodie Thomson Hall
Olive Knudsen
Cameron McIlwham
07-Jul
John William Everest
08-Jul
09-Jul
Robert Alexander Stephen
Albert Henry (Jack) Dalton
10-Jul
Cecil Eric Everest
11-Jul
12-Jul
Sonia Dorothy Gullifer
Tom Godfrey Faussett
Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them.
Learning and growing:
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
