Newsletter - 24/04
Rector’s Newsletter 24th April 2026
Our APCM will take place this Sunday at 12:15pm at Penshurst Village Hall. Thank you to those of you attending from across the benefice after the morning services. The meeting will be led jointly by the Archdeacon and myself.
This Sunday there will be services of Holy Communion at 10:00am. At St Mary’s, Chiddingstone, the service will be led by the Ven. Nick Cornell, Archdeacon of Tonbridge, and I will be leading the 10:00am service at St John the Baptist, Penshurst.
Many thanks to Tabby for sending out the APCM papers. We do, however, need to resend the financial documents. Whilst the 2025 accounts are correct and have been approved by the auditor, the comparative figures listed as for 2024 were not correct. In a spreadsheet glitch, the 2023 rather than 2024 data have been listed. Barry Lewis has now revised these documents, which are available if you click here. I am pleased to say that Barry will now be able to attend Sunday’s meeting and will be available to answer any questions you may have about the accounts.
On Tuesday 28th, the funeral of Daniel Carter will be held at Penshurst Church at 2:00pm, followed by a celebration in the Baron’s Hall at Penshurst Place. This is expected to be a very well-attended occasion, so please plan accordingly and park in the church field. We continue to pray for Daniel’s loved ones and for all those whose year’s mind falls at this time.
This Sunday’s readings focus on John 10 - Jesus as the Good Shepherd, who calls us by name and leads us into life in all its fullness. We pray:
Lord Jesus, our Good Shepherd,
you know each of us by name and call us to follow you.
Lead us beside still waters and restore our souls,
that we may know the fullness of life you promise.
Give us ears to hear your voice and hearts willing to trust your way,
even when the path is uncertain.
Gather us into your care, protect us, and guide us in your love.
And as we walk with you, help us to reflect your compassion to others,
that all may know your peace and abundant life. Amen.
With every blessing for the week ahead
Lisa
Rector of Penshurst, Fordcombe and The Chiddingstones
Upcoming Services
Sunday 26 April
10:00 – Holy Communion at St John the Baptist, Penshurst
10:00 – Holy Communion at St Mary’s, Chiddingstone
Sunday 3 May
10:00 - Holy Communion at St John the Baptist, Penshurst
10:00 -Family Service at St Mary’s, Chiddingstone
Sunday 10 May
08:00 - Holy Communion at St John the Baptist, Penshurst
10:00 - Holy Communion at St Mary’s, Chiddingstone
10:00 - Holy Communion at St Peter’s, Fordcombe
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)
