More Scarecrows

Some more magnificent Scarecrows! 

Stick Man

Maya, mermaid guardian of the ocean

A swimmer doing an elegant front crawl up the Allotment fence.

Where's Wally? He's here in Seal!

Great Messy Church today

We had a great time at Messy Church this afternoon exploring our five senses and giving God thanks for the world we perceive through them.
We made pew ends for the harvest service with all sorts of different textured things stuck to them, fruit kebabs and blind tasting. We played with lavender scented dough, and made chromatography pictures and musical instruments, which were used enthusiastically in our worship at the end. Many thanks to all who helped and all who came and enjoyed the afternoon.

Some of the scarecrows (so far)

Some great scarecrows so far - not a comprehensive collection, just those that people have spotted and taken a photo of so far - , and it's only the first week of our scarecrow competition - plenty of time to enter yours if you haven't made one yet. The details are here . Many thanks to Janetta and Jenny for the photos.

Santa has dropped in early to give a plug to our village "Christmas light switch on" on Sat 7th Dec and village party.

An elegant acrobat/dancer

This chap is taking off for a ride in a hot air balloon.

Spiderman will be along in a minute to help us out, if only he can get out of his own spider web!

Another superhero around the corner

Looks like someone's got a tiger coming to tea.

We're all puzzling about the Beaver encampment  and the 20 green (and other colours) bottles hanging on the wire. It's certainly a talking point!
Update: having just talked to Helen, the "Chip" (Beaver leader), apparently it's all about recycling, the Beaver's theme for this term. The bottles are recycled, and they've recycled a compost bin to make Chip (honestly, Helen doesn't look like this...) Thumbs up to the Beavers. Maybe we should introduce the Greta Thunberg scarecrow (below) to them...?

This scary looking chap is on the green too.

Fortunately Seal is under the capable supervision of this pair of farmers in Church Farm.

And we have the Good Shepherd watching over us too in the churchyard. This is mine!

A bear going for a bike ride.

Glad to see we have a man of science among us too.

This chap is set to dazzle in his stripy get up.

And we have our very own Greta Thunberg, reminding us to care for our planet.

And if you are feeling peckish after all this, Ganga restaurant have someone on hand to whip you up a delicious meal as ever!

September Newsletter from Rochester Diocese

Thursday 5 September 2019 Welcome to the September edition of Rochester Diocese's monthly e-newsletter Resources Events and Training Communities urged to remember victims of knife crime as Knife Angel arrives The Knife Angel has arrived at Rochester Cathedral, marking the start of a month of activity in the Diocese on the issue of knife-crime. Standing at 27 feet tall, it is made of 100,000 confiscated knives and is recognised as the national monument against violence and aggression. Recent figures show that there has been an 80% in the UK since 2014, with Kent witnessing the fastest rise in the country. Schools across Medway and beyond have been invited to special viewings and visitors are invited to sign a pledge, never to carry a knife. A conference looking at solutions to knife-crime will also take place (The Point, 13 September) and a special service to remember the victims of knife-crime will be held in the Cathedral at 5pm on Saturday 21 September - all our welcome Read more here or watch the short film above. Diocesan Update All you need to know this month from the Diocese and National Church NEW DIOCESAN SECRETARY We are delighted to announce that Matthew Girt has been appointed as the new Diocesan Secretary. Read more here   TOGETHER MAGAZINE OUT NOW The autumn edition of Together magazine has now arrived! Creative outreach is at the heart of the stories in this edition, plus great interviews, reviews and resources. Look out for it in your local church, or read it online here MARRIAGE REGISTRATION The Government plans to introduce a new system of registration for marriages, including church weddings, in England and Wales. Find out more here   CELEBRATING WOMEN'S MINISTRY A series of blogs and personal reflections celebrating women's ministry in all its forms will be posted on the Diocesan website throughout the Autumn. Read more here News in brief Stories from around the parishes

Aylesford makes 'less plastic' pledge Parishioners at St Peter and St. Paul’s Church are pledging to use less plastic this Creationtide. Read more Parish overseas links flourish Summer has seen a number of visits by parish groups to our overseas partnerships Read more School's stella start to new term St. George’s CE Primary in Bromley have had an amazing start to their new academic term. Read more Festival fun thanks to fund Young people from St. Justus benefit from Children & Young People Fund. Read more

Events and Training View local and Diocesan events in our What's On Calendar. Add your own event too! You can also explore the full range of courses and events available at: St. Benedict's Centre here St. Augustine's College of Theology here Diocese's Spiriitualty Network here SOCIAL MEDIA TRAINING 19 September, Diocesan Office We're delighted to be offering another free practical day with the National Digital team, designed to explore how churches can make the most of social media and websites, with the aim of helping them reach their community. Our goal is that everyone leaves feeling empowered to try out new features, and with plenty of ideas to put into practise. More details here TASTE AND SEE 26 September 2019, 10am to 7pm St Benedict's Centre, West Malling,  A day offering taster sessions and access to a wide range of discipleship resources to suit different church traditions, settings, and groups. Ideal for church and house group leaders working within the Diocese of Rochester looking to grow disciples. Including: The Bible Course Jesus Shaped People,The GOLD project, and Jesus Shaped Life from the Anglican Communion….plus more Book your free place here RESEARCHING THE ARCHIVES OF KENT’S ANGLICAN DIOCESES  28 September, 9:30am, Kent History and Library Centre, Maidstone   A one day conference to mark the recent consolidation of the archives of Kent’s two Church of England dioceses, Rochester and Canterbury, under one roof at the Kent History and Library Centre. Speakers will exploring some of the rich diversity of material found in these collections. Tickets: £12, includes buffet lunch. Booking essential: ring 03000 420673, email: archives@kent.gov.uk or visit Kent History and Library Centre MORE THAN TEA AND BISCUITS: HOSPITALITY IN CHURCH & COMMUNITY 5 October, 9.30 am to 4pm St Benedict's Centre, West Malling,  A day conference looking at how churches can shape their practices and teams to offer authentic welcome. Led by Archdeacon Andy Wooding Jones, Archdeacon of Rochester and the Rev Helen Burn, vicar at St. Justus Church, Rochester. £20 incl. refreshments. 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  Please contact the Safeguarding team for on information on future dates. Online modules: A new version of C0 is now available - there is no requirement to retake if you have completed this previously. C1 is also available online. They are both  recommended for anyone who needs a basic level of awareness of safeguarding. C3 Clergy and Lay Ministers Safeguarding Training Wednesday 04/12/19 at St John’s Church, 251 Eden Park Avenue, Beckenham, Kent, BR3 3JN Book 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. CREATIONTIDE Between now and 4 October, the Church of England marks the Season of Creationtide. Click here for free liturgical and prayer resources. Look out for #Creationtide posts including prayers, stories and podcast sermons on the Diocese's social media channels. NEW CHRISMAS CAROL If you're already looking ahead to Christmas, sign up now to receive early notice of the national church's #FollowtheStar material. Composer Robin Mayhew has also composed a new carol, free for churches to add to their Christimas reptoire. Find more details here Vision and Aims RESOURCE -  Planning for Growth: Enabling parishes to establish local mission plans which give focus and energy to worshipping communities and achieve measurable outcomes. Called To Grow is a new five step process to help parishes to review, plan and deliver mission. A toolkit to support parishes with the steps is now available. Growth Enablers are soon to be appointed to each archdeaconry to support parishes during the review period, and as they implement their actions. They will build a network of volunteers with different experience, who will offer to support churches through this journey. To find out more and to view the toolkit visit:  www.rochester.anglican.org/resources/called-to-grow/ 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. You are receiving this email because you are a role-holder within the Diocese of Rochester. 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