Newsletter - 19/06
Rector’s newsletter 19th June 2026:
This week I had the privilege of spending two days at Carroty Wood with the Year 5 and 6 pupils from Fordcombe School on their residential visit. As the oldest children in the school, they enjoyed a wide range of activities including canoeing, abseiling, archery, karting and mountain biking. More importantly, the residential provided opportunities for the children to learn more about themselves, develop independence, build resilience and grow in confidence away from their family homes. My sincere thanks go to Mr Miles, the senior teacher, and to all the colleagues who worked so hard to organise and lead this excellent experience.
Meanwhile, at Penshurst School, the Year 6 pupils enjoyed their residential visit last week and have been marking the conclusion of their primary school journey. On Wednesday they attended a celebration service at Rochester Cathedral, giving thanks for their time at primary school and looking ahead to the next stage of their education.
In our parishes, you should have received notification last week of our proposed pastoral reorganisation. Details are available on the church doors and on the church website. Last week the Chiddingstone PCC met to discuss the process. Following the 10.00am service this Sunday, I will be hosting a meeting for the Penshurst and Fordcombe PCCs in church. This will provide an opportunity to ask questions about the scheme. Please continue to pray for wisdom and discernment as we consider the future life and mission of our churches together.
This Sunday there are three services across the Benefice. Holy Communion will be celebrated at 10.00am at both St Mary's, Chiddingstone, and St John the Baptist, Penshurst. Then at 6.00pm there will be a service of Evening Prayer at Poundsbridge Chapel. The service will celebrate Midsummer and, on Father's Day, provide an opportunity to give thanks and pray for the men who have raised, supported and influenced us throughout our lives.
Many people combine the Evening Prayer service with an early evening walk in the beautiful countryside around Poundsbridge. If you are planning to do so, your four-legged friends are most welcome to join us.
A prayer for this week: Creator God, we thank you for the beauty of this Midsummer season. We pray for our families and for all those who have nurtured, guided and encouraged us throughout our lives. On this Father's Day, we remember with gratitude the men who have influenced us for good, and we ask your blessing upon them. Guide our churches as we consider the future and the changes before us. Grant us wisdom, patience and grace, that in all things we may seek your will and serve your kingdom faithfully. Amen.
With every blessing
Lisa
Rev’d Lisa Cornell Rector of Penshurst, Fordcombe and The Chiddingstones
Sunday 21 June
10:00 - Holy Communion at St John the Baptist, Penshurst (followed by a PCC meeting in church, directly after the service)
10:00 - Holy Communion at St Mary’s, Chiddingstone
18:00 - Evening Prayer (celebrating Midsummer’s Day) at All Souls’, Poundsbridge
Sunday 28 June
10:00 - Holy Communion at St John the Baptist, Penshurst
10:00 – Holy Communion at St Mary’s, Chiddingstone
Sunday 5 July
10:00 - Holy Communion at St John the Baptist, Penshurst
10:00 - Holy Communion at St Mary’s, Chiddingstone
Forest Church - details TBC
Life Events:
We remember those whose anniversary falls at this time of year, they shall be prayed for in church on Sunday.
Events and fundraising:
Saturday 20 June at 2pm, St John the Baptist - Penshurst Choral Society Summer Concert - An Afternoon At The Opera
Sunday 28th of June - Chiddingstone Village Fete
Friday 3 July at St John the Baptist, Penshurst - D'Arcy Trinkwon - Organ concert
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)
