Sunday, September 27, 2015

Messy Church: All God's creatures got a place in the choir...

We had a great Messy Church this afternoon, thinking about the great diversity of creatures in the world. We made all sorts of animals and had great fun. Thanks to all who came and the "team" who got stuck in (quite literally) to help with the crafts and refreshments.

Our next Messy Church is on Sunday Nov 29 at 3pm, and it will have a Christmas theme.

Here are some pictures.

Milk bottle bird feeders


Paper chain snakes, and some good conversation.

Paper plate hedgehogs in the process of being painted.

Putting the Mess into Messy Church.

Balancing parrots lining up for a chat

Many thanks to Nicky for the cakes!

There already seems to be a parrot in this bird feeder!

Two Messy Churchers with a furry friend

Some of the huge variety of creatures we celebrated this afternoon.

Our rendition of "All God's creatures got a place in the choir might not have been quite as polished as this, but we enjoyed singing it anyway...


October news from the Church of England

Latest editions of In Review and In Focus now available for download


In Review new editions

InReview

October's edition of InReview, including details about the Archbishops' response to the refugee crisis, update on the recent Crossroads Mission and more, is available here.

In Focus

October's edition of In Focus, including a CofE vicar winning Funeral Celebrant of the Year, and more, is available here.
Copyright © 2015 Archbishops' Council, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is: 27 Gt Smith Street, London SW1P 3AZ


Sermons from St Peter & St Paul, Seal, Kent: Trinity 17: Looking for God's trademark

Sermons from St Peter & St Paul, Seal, Kent: Trinity 17: Looking for God's trademark: Mark 9.38-50 The end of today’s Gospel reading is so gruesome and vivid that my guess is that it’s easy for that to be the only bit...

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Messy Church this Sunday

We're planning all sorts of crafts and activities for Messy Church this Sunday. We'll be thinking about the huge diversity of creatures in the world - so lots of animal crafts to make. Come along and join in. All ages are welcome - you don't have to have a child or be a child to join in. Why not invite a friend or member of your family to come along too? 


Sunday, September 20, 2015

The scarecrows are back...

Here are a few of the scarecrows I have found so far as I have walked around Seal. As you can see there is a huge variety of entries.
 There should be a list out later in the week, and it's not to late to make yours. If you want us to judge your scarecrow you need to pick up a form (there are some on the noticeboard outside the church) and drop it either through the vicarage letterbox or Highland Printers, with your £5 entry fee. Most of all, though, this is just to make people smile - so do add your scarecrow!

This school girl is catching up with her reading on a windowsill in Childsbridge Lane.

A handsome couple

Scary Steve has an axe in his hand and seems to have chopped up a fellow robot scarecrow... Watch out, Seal!

A worn out farmer taking a rest

Here's Wally!

A cheerful scarecrow in Robinwood Drive

Probably the tallest of our scarecrows, also in Robinwood Drive.

Do we really have to think about Christmas yet...?

An acrobat from "The Cirque de Seal" entertains in Seal High Street.


This little chap is hiding in a flower pot.

Hmm... love the dress sense - a stylish scarecrow.
The new Minion Scout troup set up their camp in Seal.

A welcome sit down for a weary rambler.

And these two are mine, in the churchyard, looking as if they have enjoyed their wedding at Seal.


Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Cake and Coffee at Seal School

YOU ARE INVITED...
Come along and support Seal Primary School's fundraising effort for Macmillan Cancer Support. A great cause (and great cake too!)


Saturday, September 05, 2015

News from Churches Together in Kent

 
Many Christians across Kent have become involved in issues surrounding the camp of ayslum seekers, refugees and economic migrants in Calais.There was a very good BBC Songs of Praise from Calais. Watch it here until 14th September. The Baptist Union, Methodists & United Reformed Churches have published a joint statement on the issue, asking that public debate is grounded in values of compassion and that decisions are made on the basis of facts, calling churches to a prayerful response. Read it here. Canterbury Cathedral is receiving donations for those at the camp. More info here. From chaplains at the Port of Dover, to a proposed centre for unaccompanied minors in Whitstable, to those seeking to offer practical aid to those in need in the camp from Folkestone and other places, many Christians in Kent are engaging with this issue. It would be good to hear from any who are actively involved. Please ring Chris Ruddle, the County Ecumenical Officer, on 07808 728670 or email me.
Roch Tech are running a free training day for those who operate the Sound System at their local church. It is completely without cost, taking place in Dover on Saturday 12th September. To book your place or for more information go here.

Ride and Stride. Saturday 12th September.
Raise money for your church or chapel in partnership with 'Friends of Kent Churches'. Get sponsored and visit as many churches as possible on the day by bike (or walking). All denominations welcome.
£2.5 million has laready been raised over the last ten years. Churches are open all over Kent. There are sure to be some in your area which you will be very welcome to visit. Click here for more information, then plan your own route to start and finish any time between 10am and 6pm.

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2016. Resources are now available to download from the CTBI website.

Christian Aid resources for Harvest, focussed on the Dogon Plateau in Mali, are available to download here.
The South East Ambulance Service are in great need of chaplains, especially in the Petts Wood, Ashford and Thanet areas. If you are authorised for ministry by your denomination and could help with this please call or e-mail Gary Colville, the Lead Chaplain for the emergency services on 01634 685098, interimcolville@hotmail.com

Earthyear: The Conversation,
we will hear from Church leaders from the Pacific nations of Kiribati and Tuvalu.  There will also be contributions from the UK church, the world of politics and the oil industry.  Christian organisations working in the field will be there to resource your thinking and action further.  It will be a day to change your life and … perhaps … change the world. Saturday 26th September, St John's Church, Waterloo. Details here.

Global Climate Petition: ACT Now for Climate Justice
Christian Aid are encouraging us to ACT now for climate justice. Watch the youtube clip here, Sign the petition to be presented to world leaders in Paris in December. Or hear more as Christian Aid's theology advisor, Rev Dr Susan Durber talks on the link between Climate Change and Poverty at Trinity URC church in Bromley on Tuesday 29th September. Contact Anne Rowan for more info.
Toolbox is back in November. The excellent conference, which attracts 100s of workers, is for all youth and children's workers. It is organized by KEYCOG (the Kent Ecumenical Youth and Children's Officers group). There are many great seminars including... the spirituality of boys, forming a vision & strategy for your work, engaging children in their faith in a digital world ... and dozens more! More info here.

Please pray for the National Triennial conference of Churches Together in England at the end of the month, 28-30 September. It is a gathering of all 43 member churches, 49 county & intermediate bodies. Together we represent the 2600 local churches together groups and 900 ecumenical partnerships. Please pray for wisdom as we meet together. There are a few spaces which have just opened up today, so anyone would like to go you can sign up here. Do let me know if you're going.

Please put the Forum of Churches Together in Kent in your diaries: Saturday 5th March 2016. This forum is for all Local Churches Together Groups, Single Congregation LEPs & the various 'arms' of county level ecumenical work to meet together with the denominational leaders.  Details to follow...

The Rugby World Cup is a great opportunity for reaching out through sport to our local communities. Download resources here.
Please feel free to contact me if I can be of any help at any time. I continue to be encouraged by the good work going on across Kent as Christians spread the good news of new life in Jesus Christ, across denominational boundaries. If you've received this email from someone else and would like to get it direct, click on 'update subscription preferences' below.

Your servant in Christ,

Chris Ruddle
County Ecumenical Officer
07808 728670

Copyright © 2015 Churches Together in Kent, All rights reserved.
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Our mailing address is:
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