Newsletter - 17/07
Rector's Newsletter 17th July 2026
Today marks the end of the summer term at Chiddingstone School. The term ends on Monday at Penshurst School and on Tuesday at Fordcombe. We pray especially for those children leaving primary school as they begin the adventure of secondary education.
This year's Year 6 pupils were in Reception when the pandemic struck. Since they first walked through the school gates, our country has seen four Prime Ministers, and by the time they begin secondary school there will be a fifth. It has been an extraordinary few years for them, and for all of us. They lost many months of normal classroom learning, yet what is remarkable is how, under the expert guidance and care of their teachers and school staff, they have flourished. They leave primary school having achieved well in their SATs and, more importantly, well prepared for the next stage of their education. They deserve to be proud of all they have accomplished.
As another school year draws to a close, I would like to thank the staff, governors, volunteers, and families of all three of our church schools for the care, dedication, and encouragement they give to our children throughout the year. Your commitment makes an enormous difference to the lives of young people in our communities.
The changing of governments also reminds us of our Christian duty to pray for those entrusted with public office. We pray for Sir Keir Starmer as he leaves Downing Street, and for Andy Burnham as he prepares to take on the responsibilities of Prime Minister. As the Book of Common Prayer bids us pray, may all who bear responsibility for the governance of our nation so serve that we may be "godly and quietly governed."
Last Sunday all four of our parish churches held services, and it was good to gather in worship across our communities. This Sunday we return to our more usual pattern, with Holy Communion at 10.00 am at both St Mary's, Chiddingstone, and St John the Baptist, Penshurst.
Whatever the week ahead may hold, I pray that you will know the love, peace, and hope that only God can bring.
With every blessing for the week ahead
Lisa
Rev’d Lisa Cornell
Rector of Penshurst, Fordcombe and The Chiddingstones
Upcoming Services:
Sunday 19 July
10:00 - Holy Communion at St John the Baptist, Penshurst
10:00 - Holy Communion at St Mary’s, Chiddingstone
Sunday 26 July
10:00 - Holy Communion at St John the Baptist, Penshurst
10:00 – Holy Communion at St Mary’s, Chiddingstone
18:00 - Evening Prayer to celebrate Lammastide, All Souls, Poundsbridge
Sunday 2 August
10:00 - Holy Communion at St John the Baptist, Penshurst
10:00 - Family Service at St Mary’s, Chiddingstone
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)
