Newsletter - 26/06
RECTOR'S NEWSLETTER
26th June 2026. Rev’d Lisa Cornell writes:
In Britain, the weather is always news. In June 1976, when a heatwave brought temperatures above 90°F for fifteen consecutive days, The Sun newspaper ran the now-famous front-page headline, "Phew! What a Scorcher!" This week has certainly lived up to that description. It seems that every conversation has begun with a comment about the weather. I have found that my own work rate has been rather slower than usual, and I imagine many across our villages have felt the same.
In recent years, with the rising cost of energy, many urban churches have opened their doors as warm spaces during the winter months. This week, our churches have instead been able to offer cool, peaceful places of refuge from the heat. As our climate continues to change, perhaps this may become a new missional opportunity for rural churches: to provide a place of welcome, refreshment, and rest during periods of extreme summer temperatures. Time will tell.
This Sunday there will be 1000 am celebrations of Holy Communion at both St John the Baptist, Penshurst, and St Mary's, Chiddingstone. There will be no other services that day.
I look forward to seeing many of you next Friday as D'Arcy Trinkwon brings us an organ recital at St John the Baptist Church. Tickets are £15 on the door or can be purchased in advance from bookitbee.com. The concert starts at 7.30 pm, and refreshments will be served beforehand. It promises to be a real treat. If you would like a preview of D'Arcy's repertoire, please visit darcytrinkwon.com.
This week also marks the patronal festivals in two of our benefice churches: St John the Baptist, whose feast day was celebrated on 24 June, and St Peter, whose feast falls on 29 June. John prepared the way for Christ with courage and humility, while Peter, despite his many failings, became the steadfast rock upon which Christ built his Church. Together they remind us that God calls very different people into his service, and that faithfulness matters more than perfection.
Let us pray.
Heavenly Father, we thank you for the witness of your servants,
St John the Baptist and St Peter.
Give us John's courage to speak the truth with humility,
and Peter's faith to follow Christ with steadfast hearts.
May our churches be places of welcome, peace, and hope,
where all who enter find refreshment for body, mind, and spirit.
As we serve our communities in every season,
help us to prepare the way for your kingdom;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Upcoming Services:
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 - Family Service at St Mary’s, Chiddingstone
Forest Church - details TBC
Sunday 12 July
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, Chiddingstone
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:
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)
