Newsletter - 12-20
Greetings to you all for Penshurst Rectory. After a week of school services with much tinsel, tea towels and enthusiastic carol singing we are on the final run in for Christmas week.
I am delighted that, with Tabby’s help, we have managed to staff two services in each parish between sundown on Christmas eve and lunchtime on Christmas Day. There is a mixture of formal and informal services, which should cater or every taste.
The fun starts at St Peter’s at 1600 with family carols; continues at 1730 service at St Mary’s with carols by candlelight. Thank you to Rev’d Stephen Mitchell for leading this. Please note that ‘midnight’ Holy Communion starts earlier this year at 10pm at St John the Baptist. I very much hope that we can mark midnight in the comfort of our own homes! There will be a quiet communion service at St Peter’s at 0900 on Christmas Day. Rev’d Penny Stephen’s is leading a Holy Communion Service on Christmas Day at St Luke’s at 1030. At St John the Baptist I shall be leading a child- friendly morning service, also at 1030.
Whatever the Christmas season brings you, I hope that there will be time for peaceful contemplation as well as celebration. I am aware that for some this is not an easy time of year. For those bereaved, unwell or carrying emotional, financial or health burdens, life can feel raw and difficult. Please know that you are very much loved by God, and he never leaves your side. As we celebrate the incarnation afresh, I offer this blessing from our Common Worship liturgy:
May the joy of the angels,
the eagerness of the shepherds,
the perseverance of the wise men,
the obedience of Joseph and Mary,
and the peace of the Christ child
be yours this Christmas;
and the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.
Amen
Rev’d Lisa
In this edition
Ø Services
Ø Spirituality and Prayer
Services:
Sunday 22 December: Advent 4
1000 Said Holy Communion at St John the Baptist, Penshurst
1800 Nine Lessons and Carols at St John the Baptist
Tuesday 24 December: Christmas Eve
1600 Family Carol Service at St Peter’s, Fordcombe
1730 Carols by Candlelight St Mary the Virgin, Chiddingstone
2200 United Benefice Christmas Night Holy Communion, St John’s
(Please note the earlier start)
Wednesday 25 December: Christmas Day
0900 Said Holy Communion at St Peter’s, Fordcombe
1030 Family Service at St John the Baptist, Penshurst
1030 Holy Communion at St Luke’s, Chiddingstone Causeway
Sunday 29 December: First Sunday of Christmas
1000 United Benefice Holy Communion at St John the Baptist, Penshurst
Life Events:
In our prayers we hold those coming through our doors this month to mark their life events:
Weddings: Jack and Celia married last weekend at St Mary’s, and Rebecca and Nicholas are making their final preparations for their upcoming blessing at St John the Baptist, we hold both couples in our prayers.
Funerals: We hold the family and loved ones of Jenny Chettle in our prayers this week. For those who would like to attend her funeral, we hope to be able to share details in due course.
And we remember those whose anniversary falls at this time of year, they shall be prayed for in church on Sunday.
Learning and growing:
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:
Ø 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
Please note that no weekly mailing is planned until the new year. Please keep an eye on our website for the latest information.
