Newsletter - 09-27
It is good to be back from holiday. We enjoyed a glorious week of sunshine in South Wales. Dibley Dog had the time of her life and we were able to rest and recharge once she was tired out each day. Although only a four hour drive away, Wales is very different in feel to this part of our nation; so I was able to experience both change and rest in the 10 days away.
Parish life continues apace whether the Rector is there or not. I offer thanks to those who led services in my absence: Revs Judi, Sheila, Penny and Simon and lay minster Mandy. I gather that the memorial service for Jean Lorimer was well attended, and Rev Jean received the sendoff she deserved. Judi’s sermon reminded us that all we do as Christians should point others to the person of Jesus Christ. Thank you also to Tabby for keeping our administrative systems afloat and all those whose labours, often quietly done without anyone witnessing, keep our churches and environs running smoothly. Thank you all.
This weekend our Benefice service of Holy Communion is at St John’s Penshurst at 1000. Please be aware of the Tonbridge Half Marathon and the road closures through Leigh and Chid Causeway that may affect your journeys to and from church.
On Sunday evening at 1830 two of our Penshurst flock, Ruth Howard and Julia Brown are being confirmed by Bishop Simon. The service is at St Stephen’s Tonbridge and all are welcome to join the service and support our candidates. It has been a joy preparing them during the summer months and they have put me through my paces asking searching questions.
The Pet Blessing service, originally scheduled for this week, will now take place next Sunday evening at 6pm in Poundsbridge. Pets of all varieties are welcome; but dogs the most likely to attend. Please do come along.
Over the next fortnight there will be six harvest services three led by the schools and three on Sundays more suitable for adults. At each of these services we are encouraging donations to local foodbanks. If you have children, grandchildren or neighbours at the local schools you may want to attend the school led services. They are always child led and delightful occasions. The Chid service is always very busy, so please be aware of the need to arrive early.
Tuesday 1st October 0915 School service at St Mary’s, Chiddingstone
Sunday 6th October 1000 Harvest services at St Luke’s, Chiddingstone Causeway and St John the Baptist, Penshurst
Thursday 10th October 0915 School service at St John the Baptist, Penshurst
Friday 11th October 0915 School service at St Peter’s Fordcombe
Sunday 13th October 1000 Harvest Service at St Peter’s Fordcombe
Blessings all for the week ahead. Praying for better weather.
Lisa
You may be interested to read this notice in the Church Times of Friday 27th September. We continue to hold Ruth and Martin’s loved ones in prayer.
BEAUMONT. — On 30 August, the Revd Stephen Martin Beaumont: Assistant Chaplain of Marlborough College (1977-81); Rector of Ideford, Luton and Ashcombe (1981-84); Domestic Chaplain to the Bishop of Exeter (1981-84); Chaplain of Taunton School (1985-91); Haileybury College (1992-2000); Second Chaplain and Head of Divinity of Tonbridge School (2000-04); Senior Chaplain (2004-11); Priest-in-Charge of Chiddingstone with Chiddingstone Causeway (2011-12); Rector (2012-17); Hon. Assistant Curate (Associate Priest) in the Wellington and District Team Ministry (2020-23); aged 73
In this edition
Ø Services
Services:
Sunday 29 September
1000 Holy Communion at St John the Baptist, Penshurst
Sunday 6 October
1000 Holy Communion (Harvest) at St John the Baptist, Penshurst
1000 Holy Communion (Harvest) at St Luke's, Chiddingstone
1800 Pet service at All Souls, Poundsbridge
Sunday 13 October
0800 Holy Communion at St John the Baptist, Penshurst
1000 Holy Communion (Harvest) at St Peter's, Fordcombe
To download a full copy of the September service plan, hymns and lections click here.
Life Events:
In our prayers we hold those coming through our doors this month to mark their life events:
Weddings: We hold Amelia and Liam, and Ella and Jack in our prayers ahead of their weddings in October.
Christenings: We pray for Pippa and her family ahead of her upcoming baptism and wish them well on this pilgrimage of faith.
And we remember those whose anniversary falls at this time of year, they shall be prayed for in church on Sunday.
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
