Newsletter - 13/03

Rector’s Weekly Letter – 13 March 

This week I had the opportunity to attend a diocesan conference for Area Deans. It was both exciting and remarkably interesting, and I came away with many ideas that I look forward to sharing with the Joint Council when we meet next week. There is much to celebrate in our diocese. 

Last weekend’s celebration marking the return of the bells to St John the Baptist Church was truly splendid. It was well attended, lively in spirit, and a wonderful celebration for the whole community. It was a joy to see so many people gathered to mark such a special moment in the life of the church. The bells are now in situ in the tower, and engineering works will continue next week. 

This Sunday, the Church marks Mothering Sunday. While it is often seen as a day to give thanks for our mothers and all who have nurtured and cared for us, its roots lie in the tradition of giving thanks for the “mother church,” the church community that nurtures us in faith and to which we belong. It is therefore a celebration not only of family life, but also of the wider family of the Church and the care and belonging we find within it. 

I am aware that this can be a painful day, especially for those who are bereaved or estranged from family. I spent some time at my mother’s grave in Farnborough churchyard this afternoon. I was able to plant spring flowers and tidy up after a long winter. It is now five years since I lost my wonderful mum, and I miss her every day. She was such a life force; witty and devoted to our family. Like me she loved all dogs and children! If she were here to speak, she would tell me not to make a fuss and to make sure I help others this weekend. I shall try my best! 

There will be a service of Holy Communion in Penshurst and a family service at St Luke’s, Chiddingstone Causeway. Both services begin at 10.00am. All are very warmly welcome. 

A Prayer for Mothering Sunday 

Loving God, you call us to be your people and clothe us with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 
Help us to bear with one another and forgive as you forgive us. 

May love bind us together in perfect harmony, 
and may the peace of Christ rule in our hearts and in our homes. 

Let your word dwell richly among us 
and fill our lives with thankfulness and praise. 

As we give thanks today for mothers and for the mothering love we receive in so many ways, 
help us also to cherish your Church, 
the family in which we grow in faith and learn to serve one another. 

Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

With every blessing for the week ahead, 

Lisa 

Rev’d Lisa Cornell 

Rector of Penshurst, Fordcombe and The Chiddingstones 

Services:

Sunday 15 March: Mothering Sunday

1000 – Holy Communion at St John the Baptist, Penshurst 

1000 – Family service, St Luke’s, Chiddingstone Causeway 

Sunday 22 March: Passion Sunday

1000 – Holy Communion, St John the Baptist, Penshurst 

1000 – Holy Communion, St Luke’s, Chiddingstone 

Sunday 29 March: Palm Sunday

1000 – Holy Communion, St John the Baptist, Penshurst 

1000 – Holy Communion, St Luke’s, Chiddingstone 

1600 – Forest Church, Penshurst Rectory Garden 

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) 

And finally, please note that following a new broadband contract for the church, the network name and password have both changed. Please check the welcome table for details so you can update your phone.