"Know Your Neighbours" in Seal: March update from Know Your Neighbours

What's happening in Seal? Check out the March update from Know Your Neighbours to find out.



"Know Your Neighbours" in Seal: March update from Know Your Neighbours: Hello Everybody, I hope you are all enjoying this wonderful, if a little eerie, spring weather. I seem to remember that this time last...

Messy Church "Times and Seasons"

Yesterday at Messy Church we thought about times and seasons, and discovered that God loves us in all of them. If you missed this one, you might like to know that the next one will be on Good Friday morning (April 19) from 10-11.30 am in church. 

We made "stained glass" bunting in the colours of the Church's year. 

We made baking soda dough ornaments in the shape of stars, moons and suns - the heavenly bodies people first used to tell the time by. 

We made clocks, and learned about telling the time. 

We made perpetual calendars, which reminded us that "This is the day that the Lord has made: we will rejoice and be glad in it!" 

We made a "four seasons" tree. Here is Ali, as ever, holding two of the seasons she had done. The four "trees" were eventually stuck together so that they stood up. 

Some quiet, sun-drenched moments for a story. 

Yay! Tea and cakes! Many thanks to Evonne for organising these. 

And there was time to run about outside in the spring sunshine.

A good beginning for Talking Village in the Library

We had a good morning at the second of our new Talking Village sessions at the Library, with a number of people joining us to chat over coffee and biscuits. Our Next Talking Village is on Monday in Birch's cafe. More details about Talking Village, which offers a variety of places and times through the week to chat, here http://www.sealpeterandpaul.com/tv.html
Come and join us!

Choral Evensong Feb 10

We're singing Choral Evensong at Seal tomorrow evening at 6.30pm. Hymns, Psalm, Canticles (Stanford in B Flat,) and Anthem from the choir ( "Lead me Lord" by S.S Wesley.) as well as the lovely, traditional words of the Book of Common Prayer Evensong . It's a beautiful, gentle end to the day - come along and join in with us. All are welcome.

February News from Rochester Diocese

For a printed version to pin to your noticeboard please click here Thursday 7 February 2019 Welcome to the February edition of Rochester Diocese's monthly e-newsletter.  Resources Events and Training One mission, many places - additional consultation Last year we invited parishioners, clergy, lay ministers and PCCs to contribute their views to a consultation on Indicative Offers. Called One mission, many places, people were asked to consider a development to the way the shared mission and ministry of the local Church is funded. We've listened to your responses and as a result, have made some amendments to the original proposal. Now we would like your views. Read more about the results of the original consultation, how the proposal has been amended and how you can take part, here The consultation will close on 8 March, so make sure you have your say! News in brief Stories from around the parishes NEW FOREST CHURCH Church goes outside in Southborough. Read more JOINING THE REVO-LOO-TION St Mark’s feel flush after Biggin Hill becomes Toilet Twinned Town! Read more STEPPING OUT OF THE BOAT Pupils in Swanley push the boat out with artist in residence. Read more ECO CHURCH EVENT Churches in Tunbridge Wells gather to talk climate and the Church. Read more Diocesan Update All you need to know this month from the Diocese and National Church BISHOP JAMES TO HAVE SURGERY Bishop James has shared some personal news this month about his health. Read more here. SERIOUS INCIDENT REPORTING The Church of England has published bespoke guidance for PCCs, DBFs and Religious Communities on how to identify and report a Serious Incident. From 1 January 2019 PCCs should do so in accordance with this new guidance. View the guidance documents on the Parish Resources website here IT'S YOUR CALLING DAYS During the year the Vocations Team holds regular, 'It’s Your Calling' days, aimed at helping those exploring where God may be leading them them. Dates for this year are now available. If you, or someone you know would like to attend, speak to your local clergy first before booking. Everyone has a vocation. Find yours. More here BISHOP SPEAKS-OUT ON SOCIAL MEDIA GIANTS "The mantra of social media companies that they only provide a platform and are not responsible for content must be challenged, again and again" writes Bishop Simon Burton-Jones on Safer Internet Day.  Read more ADD YOUR EVENTS: Don't forget that you can now add your events to the What's On Calendar on the Diocesan website. A great way to let others, as well, as the Communications team know what is going on. Submit your event here. IICSA TRUTH PROJECT: The Truth Project is part of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse. The Truth Project offers victims and survivors the opportunity to share their experience in writing, on the telephone or in person. A poster available to put up in churches can be found here. RIDE AND STRIDE - COORDINATED WANTED The Friends of Kent Churches are looking for a new Area Organiser for Rochester. It involves two meetings a year and distributing paperwork around the 19 churches in the area to help galvanise support for this annual fundraising event. Anyone interested should contact Roland Niblett on: rolandniblett@aol.com Video of the month: Week in the Diocese Have you come across our weekly round-ups yet? If you post pictures of events and activities that take place in your church on social media and tag us on Facebook - @C of E Rochester - or Twitter - @SeeOfRochester -  you may find yourself included. A great way, every Monday, to see what's taking place across parishes. Catch up here 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  Tuesday 09/04/19 (6.45pm) at St John’s Centre, St John the Baptist, Wrotham Road, Meopham DA13 0AA Book here Saturday 15/06/19 (10am) at St John’s Church Centre, Amhurst Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 9LG Book here Monday 08/07/19 (6.45pm) at St John’s Church, 251 Eden Park Avenue, Beckenham, Kent, BR3 3JN Book here   S1: Safer recruitment training Wednesday 27/03/19 at (9.30am) Diocesan Office, St Nicholas Church, Boley Hill, Rochester, ME1 1SL Book here Wednesday 27/03/19  (1pm) at Diocesan Office, St Nicholas Church, Boley Hill, Rochester, ME1 1SL Book here C3 Clergy and Lay Ministers Safeguarding Training Thursday 23/05/19 (10am)  at Christ Church, Cross Street, Dartford DA1 3ET 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 Find even more Safeguarding training dates online here 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. LENT PILGRIM The Church of England has now officially launched it's Lent and Easter resources. Focused on the Beatitudes, material includes a daily reflections book, a downloadable app, plus, sign-up to receive daily prayers via email. Find out more here #SHETOO PODCASTS #SheToo, is a seven-part podcast series from, The Bible Society, exploring some of the biblical texts that include violence against women. These 'texts of terror' have, at times, been used to oppress women or have just been ignored. But what happens if we take a closer look? Challenging and thought provoking. More here. RACIAL JUSTICE SUNDAY Racial Justice Sunday takes place on Sunday 10 February. Resources are now available from the Churches Together in England and Wales website. They can be used on Racial Justice Sunday or any time through the year. More here #SHOWTHELOVE Over the last four years, millions of people have joined in with The Climate Coalition's #ShowTheLove campaign on Valentine's Day - and throughout February - to support  a future where the UK no longer contributes to climate change! Find specific church resources here or visit: http://showthelove.org.uk  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. Food for Thought Talk: Refugees and immigration detainees in the UK - Friday 8 February, 7.30pm St. Luke's Church Hall, Sevenoaks Speakers include B.Hamadeh and N.Haq. Discussion with audience and speakers after the talk. Visit www.stlukes-sevenoaks.org.uk/ Healing Service - World day of the Sick - Monday 11 February, 7.30pm, Crowhurst Christian Healing Centre, East Sussex Join the prayers of people around the world for the sick and for those who work to alleviate the sufferings of the sick at Crowhurst Christian Healing Centre. There will be an opportunity to receive prayer for healing, either for yourself or on behalf of a loved one. More here Fostering and Adoption Evening with Billy-Jo O'Leary - Sunday 17 Feb, 6pm, Christ Church Beckenham. An opportunity to hear first hand how support in the church can change the out comes of those who have a looked after background, that has lead them into difficult situations and problems. Billy-Jo O’Leary, a Rochester Diocese Lay Minister, shares her life story and the work of Home for Good. More here Steve Legg: Tricks and Laughs: 30th Anniversary Tour - 2 March, 7.30pm, All Saints Church, Isle of Grain. Steve Legg is an established Christian Comedian and Magician. His shows are full of fun, with some outreach too. Tickets £10. For more information or to book email mskudder@gmail.com Messy Fiesta - Saturday 16 March, 10am to 4pm, Christ Church Orpington  A day of celebration, conversation, creation and inspiration for anyone involved in, or looking to start, a MESSY CHURCH. With lots of opportunity for learning from other local groups. Led by Director and Founder of Messy Church, Lucy Moore. Cost £15 Book here Splendour Remains - Saturday 6 April, 10am to 4pm, St. Benedict's Centre, West Malling.  A day listen, reflect and create. With artist Nicola Rose and Rev Matthew Buchan. £25 incl materials & refreshments. Email bookings@stbenedictscentre.org Vision and Aims GROW - DISCIPLES FUNDS NOW OPEN: Two significant funds within the Diocese, and developed out of Called Together are now open and welcoming applications. The Missional Property Fund aims to support projects which allow parishes to open up church buildings for mission. If you have a vision or an idea for children’s or youth work that needs some resource, then take a look at The Children and Young People's Fund.  Vacancies and appointments Archdeaconry of Bromley & Bexley Archdeaconry of Rochester Lay and volunteer posts Archdeaconry of Tonbridge Volunteer & other posts Appointments CONNECT WITH US. FIND US AT: Copyright © 2019 Diocese of Rochester, All rights reserved. Our contact details are: DIocese of Rochester Boley Hill Rochester, Kent ME1 1SL United Kingdom Add us to your address book communications@rochester.anglican.org  Tel 01634 560000