Newsletter - 24/07
Rector's Newsletter. 24 July 2026.
Another week of glorious sunshine is behind us and, it seems, ahead of us. With the school holidays now well underway, our villages are busy welcoming visitors, while the roads are noticeably quieter during the morning and evening rush hours.
The harvest is well and truly underway, and I would like to express my sincere thanks to our local farmers and farmworkers for all they do in what have been challenging conditions. Their dedication ensures that the fruits of the land are gathered safely and reminds us of God's faithful provision.
This Sunday at 6.00 pm we will celebrate Lammastide in the chapel. Traditionally observed on 1st August, Lammas marks the offering of the first loaf baked from the new wheat harvest as a sign of thanksgiving to God. Although much of this year's harvest has already been gathered, it is still a fitting opportunity to give thanks for God's generosity and for all who work the land. As always, dogs are very welcome in the chapel, provided, of course, that their owners are well behaved!
On Sunday morning there will be celebrations of Holy Communion at 10.00 am in both St Mary's, Chiddingstone, and St John the Baptist, Penshurst.
During our Sunday morning services, we will also announce the outcome of the recent pastoral reorganisation consultation. This will be followed by an email setting out the practical implications for our parishes, including information about how we will manage your personal data as the new arrangements take effect.
A prayer for our benefice of Churches
Heavenly Father,
teach us to pray with trust and perseverance.
As we ask, help us to seek your will;
as we knock, open before us the doors you would have us enter.
We thank you for the abundance of this harvest season,
for those who labour to feed our communities,
and for the blessings we so often take for granted.
Guide our churches through the changes that lie ahead,
grant us wisdom, patience and unity.
May we always know your generous love and, by the power of your Holy Spirit, grow ever more faithful in following your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
With every blessing
Lisa
Rev’d Lisa Cornell
Rector of Penshurst, Fordcombe and The Chiddingstones
Upcoming Services:
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
Sunday 9 August
08:00 - Holy Communion at St John the Baptist, Penshurst
10:00 – Holy Communion at St Peter’s, Fordcombe
10:00 - Holy Communion at St Mary’s, Chiddingston
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)
