Newsletter - 11-08
Dear Parishioners,
Our churches and schools are busy over the next few days with Remembrance events. The ‘There but not There 2024’ installation in Penshurst is in situ until Saturday lunchtime; Martin Barraud’s thought-provoking exhibition, which began life at St John the Baptist Church in November 2016, inspired a national project and new charity. You may find this link interesting: https://littleolives.co.uk/there-but-not-there-the-story-of-the-penshurst-silhouettes/
The RBL Tommys inspired by this exhibition are in place in other local churches, including the Chiddingstones, and in many civic settings. Such a moving tribute for the fallen, that speaks to us on so many levels.
With my inability to be in several places at once, I have spread the church and school Remembrance services over several days. On Sunday 10th, there will be a Holy Communion service at St John the Baptist, Penshurst at 0800. The main Remembrance services will be in the churches at Penshurst and St Luke’s, Chiddingstone Causeway. Please be seated by 1045.
I shall also be leading an Act of Remembrance on Fordcombe Village Green, starting at 1100 on Monday 11th. Once the school have joined us for the main act of Remembrance, we shall move to the War Memorial in The St Peter’s Churchyard to remember the fallen in a further time of reflection. At 1445 on Monday afternoon, I shall be joining the Community of Chiddingstone School for their act of worship at St Mary’s. They will be laying poppies on the war memorial and remembering the fallen as part of their service. I held a Remembrance assembly at Penshurst School on Thursday 7th, and will be following up with another related act of worship next week.
Two of our three local primary schools will be inspected by SIAMS next week. Chiddingstone will be under the microscope on Wednesday and Penshurst on Thursday. The Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS) is, for the Church of England and Methodists, a key element of the life in church schools in England. SIAMS explores ways in which each school’s Christian vision drives its work and enables the school to live up to its foundation as a church school. All of our local schools are wonderful communities that bring out the very best in the children in their care. Please keep the schools in your prayers this week.
On Sunday 3rd, three Special Parochial Church Meetings were held to broaden the numbers serving on local PCCs. Thank you to all those who have been nominated and were voted to serve:
In Fordcombe: Michael Gilbert, Evelyn Goldsmith and Christobel Sworder
In Penshurst: Wendy Ellis, Lindsay Frederick, Simon Frederick, Stephen Hazell-Smith, Diana Osborne, Matthew Stevens, Sarah Wickens and Larraine Wilson
In Chiddingstone: Robert Golds, John Gordon-Reid, Robert Hunt, Chris Lloyd, Claire Lockwood, Mark Streatfeild, Juliette Vestrin and Dennis Ward
Also, in Chiddingstone, three new Church Wardens came forward to support the existing office holder, Paul Allen. Thank you to Joanna Allwood, Penny Harris and Jane Streatfeild. They have also been voted to serve (in the first instance) between now and the next APCM. Their legal term of office will begin once they have been admitted by the Archdeacon.
Thank you to all who have stepped into these new roles and also to those who continue to hold office, work or volunteer in our parishes. Please know how much you are appreciated.
My thanks also go to the Archdeacon elect, Rev’d Nick Cornell, for chairing the SPCM in Chiddingstone and for his ongoing role in managing the consultations regarding the future pastoral organisation of our local churches. The Archdeaconry team will be in contact to explain and manage next steps as soon as they can.
The normal governance of the benefice continues to be under the care of The Joint Council. The board next meet on Thursday 21st November, agenda items and papers should be submitted via Tabby our administrator, as soon as possible.
With every blessing for the week ahead
Lisa
In this edition
Ø Services
Services:
Sunday 10 November
0800 Holy Communion at St John the Baptist, Penshurst
1045 Remembrance Service at St John the Baptist, Penshurst
1045 Remembrance Service at St Luke's, Chiddingstone Causeway
1500 Remembrance Service outside at St Mary the Virgin, Chiddingstone
Monday 11 November
1100 Remembrance Service at Fordcombe village green (with school)
Sunday 17 November
1000 Holy Communion at St John the Baptist, Penshurst
1500 Forest Church at Penshurst Rectory Garden
Sunday 24 November
1000 Holy Communion at St John the Baptist, Penshurst
1000 Matins at St Luke’s, Chiddingstone Causeway
1700 All Age Service at Fordcombe Village Hall
Life Events:
In our prayers we hold those coming through our doors this month to mark their life events:
Weddings: We continue to pray for Amelia and Liam, Ella and Jack and Niall and Lucy, who married in October.
Baptisms: We hold Ottilie, Elise and Ronnie in our prayers ahead of their baptisms in November, and wish them and their families well as they embark on this pilgrimage of faith.
Funerals: We hold Peter Hutchins and Rhian Palmer in our prayers, along with their families as they prepare for their funerals.
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
