Newsletter - 28-02
What a joy it has been this week to enjoy a welcome break in the weather and some much-needed sunshine! The brighter days have really lifted spirits across the parish. Of course, along with the emerging blossoms has come plenty of tree pollen. I know I’m not the only one suffering from seasonal allergies. I sometimes think I should have invested in shares in Kleenex!
Exciting news in Penshurst: the church bells are finally returning after many months of refurbishment. They will be brought back on Thursday 5th March, and there will be a chance to celebrate their safe return at a reception in St John the Baptist Church at 7.00pm on Saturday 7th March. Do come along, see the bells on the ground, and enjoy a celebratory glass, some nibbles, and good cheer. There are many people to thank for their safe return, and it’s wonderful to pause and pray for the future of the bells, those who ring them, and their part in the mission and ministry of our church. Bells work on this scale only occurs every few centuries, so this really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the bells up close. It will take several more weeks to hang the bells, headstocks and all sorts of cleverly engineered pieces that only bell-ringers know the names of! It will be a joy to hear them ring again soon.
This Sunday, there will be services of Holy Communion at St John the Baptist, Penshurst, and at St Luke’s, Chiddingstone Causeway, both starting at 10.00am. You would be most warmly welcome at either service as we come together in prayer, worship, and fellowship.
Please pray for the families and friends of Roy Horsford and Kathleen Pocock as they mourn their loss. Roy’s funeral will take place at St Peter’s, Fordcombe, at 11.00am on 11th March, and Kathleen’s funeral will be at St Mary’s, Chiddingstone, at 12.00 noon on 24th March. Please hold their loved ones in your prayers at this difficult time and give thanks for their lives.
Our lectionary readings this week speak of God’s promises, as we hear the stories of Abram and Nicodemus’ encounters with God.
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, you call us into the unknown and promise life beyond our imagining.
Give us faith to trust your Spirit, courage to step forward even when the path is dark,
and hearts willing to serve faithfully in the quiet ways you lead us.
May we receive your love, like Abram under the stars,
and care for your world, like Nicodemus caring for your Son,
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen.
With every blessing for the week ahead,
Lisa
Rev’d Lisa Cornell
Rector of Penshurst, Fordcombe and The Chiddingstones
Services:
Sunday 1 March: 2nd Sunday of Lent
1000 – Holy Communion at St John’s, Penshurst
1000 – Holy Communion at St Luke’s, Chiddingstone Causeway
Sunday 8 March: 3rd Sunday of Lent
0800 – Holy Communion at St John the Baptist, Penshurst
1000 – Holy Communion at St Peter’s, Fordcombe
1000 – Holy Communion at St Luke’s, Chiddingstone
Sunday 15 March: Mothering Sunday
1000 – Holy Communion at St John the Baptist, Penshurst
1000 – All age service, St Luke’s, Chiddingstone Causeway
Sunday 22 March: Passion Sunday
1000 – Holy Communion, St John the Baptist, Penshurst
1000 – Holy Communion, St Luke’s, Chiddingstone
Sunday 29 March: Palm Sunday
1000 – Holy Communion, St John the Baptist, Penshurst
1000 – Holy Communion, St Luke’s, Chiddingstone
1600 – Forest Church, Penshurst Rectory Garden
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)
