Newsletter - 11-15
Dear Parishioners
I begin our newsletter with the very sad news from our Chiddingstone Church family. Hilary Allen, the wife of Church Warden Paul, died last weekend. We offer our sincere condolences to Paul, his daughters, grandchildren and wider friends and family at this sad time. I am awaiting confirmation of Hilary’s funeral details. I hope to have more information to share next week. As Rector of the parish, I thank God for Hilary’s life of service to her community, strength of character and dedication to her family. I know she will be missed by many. May she rest in peace and rise in glory.
Also in Chiddingstone, Roger Theobald’s funeral has been confirmed for 1130 on the 2nd December at Tunbridge Wells Crematorium. On Friday 22nd, the family and friends of Myra Morris will gather at Penshurst Church for her funeral. This begins at 1130.
The Fordcombe community were rocked this week by a house fire that has left two families having lost all their possessions, and extensive damage to houses and stables. The community and the schools in Fordcombe and Langton Green have closed around the families, and various fundraising events and gatherings of donations are planned. In the first instance, please speak to Ness at Fordcombe School for advice should you wish to help.
Remembrance events on Sunday and Monday were very poignant and well attended. Thank you to all of you who took the time to attend acts of worship in churches, at war memorials and in schools to remember the fallen. I am proud that as a nation and as local communities, we take time to remember that our peace and prosperity has been hard won and should never be taken for granted
Our church schools in Chiddingstone and Penshurst were inspected by SIAMS this week. Both schools were able to demonstrate the multiplicity of ways in which their Christian vision is embedded and the impacts of this on the school and wider community. From my perspective as Rector, it was fascinating to see how each school does this in their own unique and authentic way. I am also quite glad that this a five yearly process!
This Sunday, Forest Church is at 3pm in my Rectory Garden in Penshurst. We will be celebrating Christ the King. Th earlier time is to make best use of the remaining daylight. All are welcome. Outdoor footwear and coats are recommended
As the long nights draw in, and the final flurries of leaves make it to the compost bin; I wish you all every blessing for the week ahead.
In this edition
Ø Services
Services:
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 Hilary Allen, Myra Morris, Roger Theobald 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
