December News from Rochester Diocese

Having trouble reading this? View it in your browser For a printed version to pin to your noticeboard please click here Thursday 6  December 2018 Welcome to the December edition of Rochester Diocese's monthly e-newsletter.  Resources Events and Training New Magazine for the Diocese has arrived! Our new quarterly magazine Together has now arrived to shine a spotlight on the life, faith and work of the Church locally. With a fresh, modern design and in a convenient ‘handbag’ size format, there is plenty to interest churchgoers and non-churchgoers alike. Read more about it here We've been getting some great feedback: "I think the new magazine is great. Much more readable, in fact I read it from cover to cover." Click to read it online If you haven't seen it in your church or community, please let us know so we can look into it for you: communications@rochester.anglican.org News in brief Stories from around the parishes Advent Quiet Day...At Home! Advent peace offered online in Tonbridge ahead of Christmas bustle. Read more First interfaith awards in Bexley Churches among those recognised at faith awards. Read more Lost sheep Knitted sheep overrun church in woollen welcome. Read more  #FollowTheStar hits Matfield Locals share their Christmas journey for BBC radio series. Read more Diocesan Update All you need to know this month from the Diocese and National Church USE 'A CHURCH NEAR YOU' THIS CHRISTMAS Bishop James is encouraging churches to make sure their Christmas services are updated on the national A Church Near You (ACNY) site.  Every church has a free ACNY page and with half a million visitors expected to the site in December alone, now is the perfect time to start. Find out why here. CALLED TOGETHER: STORY SO FAR  Just over a year ago the new vision for the Diocese, Called Together was launched. Much progress has already been made around our three aims. Read an update on each aim here: Grow, Enrich, Resource. Or download a full round-up here NEW HARARE BISHOP WELCOMED Bishop James has welcomed news that the Very Revd Dr Farai Mutamiri (pictured), former Dean of Harare Cathedral will be the next Bishop of Harare. Bishop James is in Zimbabwe during December, with whom we have a valued companionship link, to mark the retirement of the current bishop, Bishop Chad Gandiya. Read a Church Times article here. BE INSPIRED: CHURCH CASE STUDIES  From tea and coffee making facilities, to glass doors that invite people to come in, if you are part of a congregation thinking about changes to your church building, take a look at our case studies from across Rochester and Canterbury dioceses to inspire and encourage you. More here CLERGY HOUSING: STRATEGY SHARED Clergy houses often hold a significant place in the hearts and minds of the local church and community, as well as for those that live within them. Following a consultation, a new Clergy Houses Strategy has been developed, inspired by the Called Together vision. Find out more here TABLES NEED A HOME The tables in the Chancel at the Diocesan Offices are due to be replaced. The current ones are available though to a good home! You must be able to collect and a small donation is welcome. Please contact: Mark Trevett on mark.trevett@rochester.anglican.org  Video of the month: Bishop Simon's Advent message "All young people want for Christmas is peace: peace of mind." Watch Bishop Simon Burton-Jones' Advent message as he talks about the rising prevalence of mental health issues among young people and the role that churches can play in supporting them. Read the full story here CONNECT WITH US. FIND US AT: Safeguarding The safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults in our churches is of utmost importance and the Diocese takes its responsibilities in this area very seriously. We have a range of policies, forms and advice notes as well as a regular programme of training to assist parishes with their safeguarding needs. C2: Leadership safeguarding training  Monday 28/01/19 at  All Saints Church, Church Green, Frindsbury, Rochester ME2 4HE Book here Saturday 09/02/19 at Diocesan Offices,St Nicholas Church, Boley Hill, Rochester ME5 1SL Book here Thursday 14/02/19  at The Anglican and Methodist Church of St Andrew, Maidstone Road, Paddock Wood, Kent, TN12 6DZ Book here Monday 18/03/19 at All Saints’ Church, Bark Hart Road, Orpington BR6 0QD Book here C3 Clergy and Lay Ministers Safeguarding Training Tuesday 15/01/19 at St John’s Church, 251 Eden Park Avenue, Beckenham, Kent, BR3 3JN Book here Wednesday 27/02/19 at St Nicholas Church, Rectory Lane, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1JA Book here Online modules: The C0 and C1modules are available online and are recommended for anyone who needs a basic level of awareness of safeguarding If you have any questions about Safeguarding, or need to report an issue, please contact the Safeguarding team here or call them on 01634 560 000. Resources Top resources to support you in your work, life and faith - or just to share with others. Children's Christmas book reviews Our new magazine - Together - features resources and books. Mike Harrowing, Team Leader for High Hopes – a Christian project that runs faith-fuelled activities for schools and churches in Tonbridge – entered into the Christmas spirit and reviewed three children’s Christmas books. Take a look here   Book for Church Wardens  “Churchwardens are the great unsung heroes of the Church of England” says the Bishop of Lichfield, in his foreword to this newly published book - Rotas Rules and Rectors. Written by former church warden, Matthew Clements, the book shares his experiences to encourage others in this role. Visit www.beingachurchwarden.com/ Events and Training View local and Diocesan events in our What's On Calendar. Add your own event too! Explore the courses available at the St. Benedict's Centre here and St. Augustine's College of Theology here. Advent and Christmas Services - Throughout December, Rochester Cathedral - Make Rochester Cathedral part of your Christmas this year with a variety of services and events. Click here for full details Christmas Unwrapped - Sunday 9 December 6pm to 8pm, KICC, Buckmore Park - Join J.John for a festive celebration to kick off Christmas. A FREE event hosted by the organisers of JustOne at Priestfield Stadium. More details here: www.christmasunwrappedkent.co.uk/ Bethlehem: Town of Hopes and Fears - December 9, 6pm, St Matthew’s Church, Wigmore, ME8 0NX An opportunity to remember and pray for those living in 21st Century Bethlehem, with pictures and recent reports from the place itself - organised by the Diocesan Friends of the Holy Land. Dementia Friendly Carol Service - 12 December 2.30pm to 4.30pm, St. Matthew's , Wigmore, ME8 0NX This is an informal service for those who find it difficult to take part in more traditional Carol Services. We will sing favourite carols followed by refreshments and time to chat. Christingle 50 Years - Saturday 15th December,  12.30pm, Rochester Cathedral.  The Children's Society is celebrating 50 years since the first Christingle service. Join this special service led by the Diocesan Youth Council. Comedians and Carols - December 22, 7:30pm-10pm Christ Church, Chatham. An evening of laughter, sing-songs and mince pies. Compered by Paul Kerensa (writer for BBC1’s Miranda and Not Going Out) Advance tickets £7.50 Call 01634 907055 or visit: www.luton.church Vision and Aims CALLED TOGETHER UPDATE As the year draws to a close, view an update of what has been achieved so far with Called Together here Vacancies and appointments Archdeaconry of Bromley & Bexley Archdeaconry of Rochester Lay and volunteer posts Archdeaconry of Tonbridge Volunteer & other posts Appointments Copyright © 2018 DIocese of Rochester, All rights reserved.