Newsletter - 09/10
Rector’s Newsletter: 9th October 2026
Dear Friends,
Having led four Harvest services so far this week, with a fifth to come on Sunday, I can confirm that I am definitely feeling much seasonal thankfulness! It was a real joy to welcome the children from our local schools into church on Tuesday and Thursday. They brought us a wonderful variety of prayers, poems and artwork, together with some beautiful singing and musical contributions. I discovered this week the joyful sound of claves! These pairs of short wooden sticks were played beautifully by our Year 5 and 6 pupils.
Generous donations of groceries from our Harvest services have been taken to local food banks, where they will help support people in need. Any further donations collected at Sunday’s service in Fordcombe will also go to a local food project. Thank you to everyone who has contributed.
Looking ahead, we have two services of Holy Communion this Sunday: 8.00am in Penshurst and 10.00am in Fordcombe. At 12 noon, we will also celebrate a baptism at Penshurst, as we welcome young Clemmie into our church family. Please keep Clemmie and her family in your prayers as they begin this special part of their journey together.
And finally, our Music Festival is nearly here! Please do buy tickets for the concerts and come along to enjoy the wonderful music on offer. Details and a flyer, including a QR code for tickets, should be attached to this newsletter.
As we come to the end of another season of Harvest celebrations, may we continue to care for the world entrusted to us and share our gifts widely.
A prayer for this week:
Generous God, thank you for the gifts of creation
and for all who bring food to our tables.
Help us to share what we have, care for your world,
and show compassion to those in need.
May we use our gifts, both practical and musical,
to bring joy to others and glory to you.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
With every blessing for the week ahead
Lisa
Rev’d Lisa Cornell. Rector of Penshurst and Fordcombe
Upcoming services
Sunday 11 October
0800 - Holy Communion at St John the Baptist, Penshurst
1000 - Holy Communion and Harvest Festival at St Peter’s, Fordcombe
Sunday 18 October
1000 - Holy Communion at St John the Baptist, Penshurst
1600 - Forest Church in Penshurst Rectory Garden
Sunday 25 October
1000 - Holy Communion at St John the Baptist, Penshurst
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)
