USPG's March Newsletter is here.
The first item in the newsletter is from our USPG mission partner, Ruth de Barros. The direct link to it is here.
Church speaks out against murder in the Amazon
Friday, March 16, 2012
Sunday, March 04, 2012
Canterbury pilgrims...
We had a wonderful pilgrimage to Canterbury Cathedral on Saturday, and were made to feel very welcome indeed throughout the day by the Cathedral staff. We began with a short service in the private chapel dedicated to All Saints, which had once been the place where the boys who pumped the organ had sat, and still bore their ancient graffiti. It was reached by a narrow staircase built into the walls and we would never have known it was there if we hadn't been shown to it. It looked down onto the nave from a great height - but I averted my eyes from that, not being one who likes heights.
We then found odd corners of the Cathedral precincts to shelter in and munch a sandwich before being taken on a guided tour of the cathedral by three very skilful guides, who adapted their message very well to the three groups, one of which had a lot of our children in it. They showed us all sorts of features of the Cathedral we might not have notices, and told us the story of Thomas Becket (one thing I learned was that calling him Thomas a Becket was a Victorian invention!) who was murdered in the Cathedral in 1170. I was particulary interested in the development of Canterbury as a site of pilgrimage to Becket's relics, since this visit was designed to be part of our "Holy Ground" Lent course, in which we are thinking about the way we find God's presence with us where we are.
We finished our pilgrimage with Evensong in the Cathedral, gloriously sung by their choir. We were included in the welcome at the beginning of the service; I am sure we were tempted to give a cheer when we heard our "shout out", but I am glad to say we resisted...
We took a couple of rather blurry photos - below. If anyone who was there has any more, please send them along.
We then found odd corners of the Cathedral precincts to shelter in and munch a sandwich before being taken on a guided tour of the cathedral by three very skilful guides, who adapted their message very well to the three groups, one of which had a lot of our children in it. They showed us all sorts of features of the Cathedral we might not have notices, and told us the story of Thomas Becket (one thing I learned was that calling him Thomas a Becket was a Victorian invention!) who was murdered in the Cathedral in 1170. I was particulary interested in the development of Canterbury as a site of pilgrimage to Becket's relics, since this visit was designed to be part of our "Holy Ground" Lent course, in which we are thinking about the way we find God's presence with us where we are.
We finished our pilgrimage with Evensong in the Cathedral, gloriously sung by their choir. We were included in the welcome at the beginning of the service; I am sure we were tempted to give a cheer when we heard our "shout out", but I am glad to say we resisted...
We took a couple of rather blurry photos - below. If anyone who was there has any more, please send them along.
Friday, February 03, 2012
Jubilee and Olympic torch plans
At the Know Your Neighbours meeting last night we talked about plans to celebrate the Jubilee (with a Big Lunch on the Rec on Sunday June 3) and the Olympic Torch procession through the village on July 20.
You can find more details of this on the Know Your Neighbours blog here.
You can find more details of this on the Know Your Neighbours blog here.
Two events coming up in our community
- On Saturday February 11that 7pm, Mark Anstis will be holding a quiz night in aid of Help The Heros. Please try and support this. The cost is £5 per head, to include a Ploughmans’ Supper. There will also be a great raffle.
- Over the Christmas period, Ben Gilchrist lost a young friend, Tom, to meningitis. Obviously, this has had a devastating effect on family and friends. Ben and Tom’s brother are running the London Marathon for the Meningitis Trust. If you feel you can help by making a donation to this trust, please subscribe to http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/26fortom
Wednesday, February 01, 2012
Rochester Diocese Mothers' Union Coffee House
Rochester MOTHERS’ UNION COFFEE HOUSE is an e-club which is intended to
attract and cater for people in parishes who would believe in what Mothers’
Union stands for, but are unable or unwilling , or, perhaps, just too young to
be interested in the kind of activity which has been the mainstay of Mothers’
Union for so many years.
MUCH
will be producing a link magazine every other month which they hope will
encourage its members to think about and involve themselves in what Mothers’ Union
has always done: the advancement and
encouragement of Christian marriage and family life in the worldwide context.
The
magazine will be distributed by e-mail and members will also be invited to
attend a gathering, one at Bluewater and the other in the evening at a pub so
that, if they wish, they can meet fellow-members. An important ingredient will be participation
of members in what interests THEM and what THEIR views are and, to that end, they are planning a Facebook page and each issue will encourage you to join in whatever is
discussed.
If you would like to have a look at the newsletter, click here.
Rochester Mothers' Union website is here
Rochester Mothers' Union website is here
Monday, January 23, 2012
Youth Group takes to the ice...
The Youth group went ice-skating yesterday, with some intrepid parents. The reports that came back to me indicated that no one sustained any major injuries (phew!) and that a good time was had by all.
Here are some photos, taken by Nicky Harvey. Everyone is upright, even if some look more like naturals than others...!
Here are some photos, taken by Nicky Harvey. Everyone is upright, even if some look more like naturals than others...!
Monday, January 16, 2012
Olympic Torch Plans
Seal Parish Council are making plans to welcome the Olympic Torch
Relay through the village on Friday July 20th 2012. I have pasted below
their message on the Parish Council
website.http://www.sealparishcouncil.org.uk/
(You can also keep up to date on the parish council Facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Seal-Parish-Council/113409832097422
The Parish Council says:
The Olympic Torch Relay is coming to Seal Village on Friday 20th July 2012.
Seal Primary School took part in the Sevenoaks District launch on Monday 7th November and will play an important part on the 20th with other primary schools.
We are hoping to involve the whole community in celebrating this occassion.
If you or friends lived in Seal during 1948 and still live in the parish and remember the torch coming through Seal please contact us.
If you have a field/carpark in or on the outskirts of Seal that could be used for visitor parking on the 20th July please contact us.
If you live on the High Street we will have a large number of visitors on that day. Therefore if you are in the early stages of planning hanging baskets, tubs for this summer, perhaps consider a couple extra. The village planting in our tubs will be red,white and blue.
Planning is in the very early stages we will put updated information on our noticeboards and this website in the near future. You can visit the website below for info on the relay route.
www.london2012.com/olympictorchrelaymap
If you can help in any of the ways the Council asks, please contact them sealparishc@btconnect.com
The Know Your Neighbours group will be involved as seems appropriate nearer the time, so watch this space or the Know Your Neighbours blog for more details.
(You can also keep up to date on the parish council Facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Seal-Parish-Council/113409832097422
The Parish Council says:
The Olympic Torch Relay is coming to Seal Village on Friday 20th July 2012.
Seal Primary School took part in the Sevenoaks District launch on Monday 7th November and will play an important part on the 20th with other primary schools.
We are hoping to involve the whole community in celebrating this occassion.
If you or friends lived in Seal during 1948 and still live in the parish and remember the torch coming through Seal please contact us.
If you have a field/carpark in or on the outskirts of Seal that could be used for visitor parking on the 20th July please contact us.
If you live on the High Street we will have a large number of visitors on that day. Therefore if you are in the early stages of planning hanging baskets, tubs for this summer, perhaps consider a couple extra. The village planting in our tubs will be red,white and blue.
Planning is in the very early stages we will put updated information on our noticeboards and this website in the near future. You can visit the website below for info on the relay route.
www.london2012.com/olympictorchrelaymap
If you can help in any of the ways the Council asks, please contact them sealparishc@btconnect.com
The Know Your Neighbours group will be involved as seems appropriate nearer the time, so watch this space or the Know Your Neighbours blog for more details.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Assertiveness training workshop
Assertiveness Workshop
Wednesday 22 February 2012
9.30 am – 4.00 pm
Vine Evangelical Church,
Hitchen Hatch Lane, Sevenoaks TN13 3AT
Led by Dr Mary Wright, Registered Clinical Psychologist and Maureen King, Counsellor and
Director of Counselling.
The workshop is open to all and is designed for
those who would like to think about their own style when relating to other people, and who would
like to become more assertive.
Cost: £27.00
This includes a sandwich lunch and all other refreshments.
To book a place please complete the form here
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)