REFRESHMENTS - We have decided not to reinstate serving tea and coffee after services for the time being, as the Covid case rates are still so high locally.
MASKS Although it is no longer compulsory to wear face coverings in church, we continue to encourage people to do so, in order to protect themselves and others.
MESSY CHURCH Sunday March 20. 3-4.30pm in the church hallOur first Messy Church since the pandemic started! Come and join us to explore the story of the Prodigal Son. Story, singing, craft and tea. All welcome, but no unaccompanied children, please! We will begin with singing and story, so it will help if you can be with us reasonably promptly. Messy Church is for all ages – you don’t have to be a child or have a child to come along!
WHAT CAN WE DO TO SUPPORT UKRAINIAN REFUGEES?Many people want to respond to the war in Ukraine, and the desperate situation of refugees from this and other places of conflict. Aid agencies are clear that cash donations are the best way of giving. People often feel the urge to donate physical items - blankets, clothes etc. -
but this can cause many more problems than it solves at the destination, and can make the job of helping people
more difficult. You can donate through the
Disasters Emergency Committee.
Many people are also wondering what we might be able to do to support refugees who come to our area.
Sevenoaks Welcomes Refugees has been organising local support for refugees from Syria and Afghanistan for some years now, and is exploring what they might be able to do for Ukraine.
The Sanctuary Foundation is a national organisation also seeking to help individuals and organisations help with providing housing and other support.
This is a fast-developing situation, and it is not clear yet how refugees might be housed in this country, but our local MP Laura Trott is in contact with local clergy and others, so I hope I may have more news in coming weeks about what we can do.
LENT AT SEALThe Thursday morning Lent group is full , but there is still room for people to join the online course on Monday evenings (starts at 8pm - note the time change). The
Pastoral Principles Course, produced by the Church of England, is part of the
Living in Love and Faith initiative, and is designed to help people live and learn together in the face of difference and diversity.
Each session will include Bible Study and prayer, and other activities which help us to listen to others, to ourselves and to God.
ONLINE by Zoom on Monday evenings from 8 - 9.30pm (note time change!)
March 7,14,21,28, Apr 4 email
sealpandp@gmail to reserve a place, or sign the list at the back of church.
THERE WILL BE AN AGM FOR SEAL VILLAGE FUND This meeting will take place via Zoom on Thursday 17th March at 8pm (please note - this has been put back a little, to give everybody the opportunity to make arrangements to join in). This meeting will include a report of Know Your Neighbours funding throughout the past year.
Those who 'Live, Work or Play in Seal', are encouraged to join the meeting to hear how monies raised by our village are being utilised in our community.
To register your interest in receiving a Zoom meeting invitation, for March 18th, please send your email address to Becky Watson (Seal Village Fund Secretary)
beckywatsonuk@btinternet.comTALKING VILLAGEMonday afternoons between 2pm and 3.30 in Deniz's on the High Street. Buy a cup of tea or coffee and join us on the Talking Village table, for a chat and to make new friends, or catch up with old ones!
Saturdays - First Saturday of each month in Seal Library from 10am-11am. Join us for a coffee whilst out browsing for your library books.
At both these venues, there will always be two hosts to welcome you, and we look forward to meeting with you and getting to know each other better.
SEAL TIDDLERS In Seal Church Hall £2 per session pre schoolers and parents/Carers Monday mornings 9.30-11.30 tea drinks snacks for children art activities singing.
BISCUIT DECORATING WORKSHOP IN AID OF SEAL ST LAWRENCE SCHOOL
CHECK OUT THE KNOW YOUR NEIGHBOURS WEBSITE for details of what is planned for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee weekend in June (among other things), and how to get involved.
https://knowyourneighbours.blogspot.com/2022/02/kyn-update-feb-6.htmlPlans so far include an event on the allotments, history walks, Garden Safari and Big Lunch on the Rec. as well as an invitation to decorate your homes and gardens with "Royal" window scenes, "Royal" scarecrows. red, white and blue planting etc.
SEAL PARISH COUNCIL WILDFLOWER PROJECT - REMEMBER TO SIGN UP FOR NEXT WEEK'S SESSION!Following on from our wildflower talk from the Kent Wildlife Trust's WILD ABOUT GARDENS team, are running a series of zoom sessions this winter on WILDLIFE FRIENDLY GARDEN, This is a great way of encouraging wildflowers and pollinators to your garden, This, is combination with our wildflower verges project, will also help create joined up 'pathways' for bees, butterflies and other key pollinators in our parish.
Details of the events can be seen on the Parish Council website, but the zoom sessions cost £5 a session, and are as follows:-
Monday March 7th 7.30-9pm - Wilder Lawns
Sat March 26th 11-12.30 - Using weeds and wildflowers in a garden to attract bees, butterflies and moths.
SEAL HISTORY GUIDE BOOKSDeniz's coffee shop still has some copies of our Seal Historical Guided Walk books for just £5 a copy. All proceeds go to the Seal Village Fund. A perfect time to walk around our beautiful village and see it through new eyes!
SEAL VILLAGE ALLOTMENT DIARY FOR Mar - June 2022Mar 19th - Q and A workshop 10.30-12
April 23rd Q and A workshop 10.30-12
May 15th Spring Plant Sale and Open Day 12-3pm
June 3rd - Jubilee Picnic 12.30-4.30.
Oct 15th Autumn Plant Sale and Open Day 12-5pm
Oct 29th Autumn Working Party 9.30-12.00
OTHER COMMUNITY NEWS - For more community news from Marion Gilchrist, check out the Know Your Neighbours blog.
https://knowyourneighbours.blogspot.com/ or email marionjgilchrist@gmail.com to ask to be put on her mailing list.
The people of Israel look back to Abraham as the father of their nation. But for most of his life it looked unlikely that he would have any descendants at all. He and his wife, Sarah, had been unable to have children. God's promise to him that he would make of him a "great nation" drew him across the desert, leaving his settled and prosperous life, to settle in the land of Canaan, which God had told him would be a new home for him and his descendants. Years passed, however, and still no child had appeared - how could there be a "great nation", if he had no children? Who would remember him? The story invites us to think about what the "stars" are in our sky - not necessarily physical children, which not everyone wants or is able to have - but all the things we do which shape the future, the legacy we leave, the things which make a difference to others. 
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