Sunday worship podcast links and other news: March 20

 

Dear friends Join us for worship online, on the phone or in the building today.  with best wishes Anne Le Bas Online Worship podcast     Order of service You can also access this podcast by phoning 01732 928061

In the church building today - March 20 10 am  Holy Communion: Preacher: Kevin Bright 3-4.30pm Messy Church in the church hall 6.30pm Evensong (said) During the week Monday              9.30- 11.30 Seal Tiddlers in the church hall                             2-3.30pm Talking Village in Deniz cafe (Seal High Street)                             7.30 - 9pm  Online Lent Course - please email for the link if you haven't done so already.Those on the list should have already received a link. Wednesday       10.30 am Zoom Church                            5 pm  Children's Choir                            7.15pm Adult Choir    Thursday           10 am Lent Group in church hall (session starts at 10.30)                        Friday                 10.30-12.30 Friday Group in the church hall Sunday March 27: Mothering Sunday 10 am   Holy Communion for Mothering Sunday (with posies for children to give to their carers) 6.30pm Evensong Lent 3 1 Corinthians 10.1-13, Luke 13.1-9 Kevin Bright is preaching today, on two readings which are quite tricky! They touch on age-old questions about why bad things happen to good people, questions which we still ponder today. Instead of trying to explain, though, Jesus tells a little parable about a fig tree, which might or might not bear fruit, but whose owner is told not to be too hasty to write off. ALL AGE IDEAS  Can you see any blossom on trees around you. Do you know what the fruit or berries they might grow?  Jesus tells us that God wants us to bear fruit in today's Gospel. That doesn't mean he wants apples and oranges to grow out of us, but that good things should come from our lives. Share a piece of fruit with your family and talk about the good things you hope people will find in you. We'll be very glad to see you at our Messy Church in the church hall this afternoon at 3pm  if you can make it!

CHURCH AND COMMUNITY NEWS MESSY CHURCH Today! Sunday March 20. 3-4.30pm in the church hall Our 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! MOTHERING SUNDAY  We will be celebrating Mothering Sunday next Sunday, and there will be bunches of flowers for any children present to give to their carers (mothers, fathers or others). Come along and join us. This is a chance to pray not only for mothers, but for any who care for us. We know it isn't an easy Sunday for everyone, which is why we also pray for and remember parents we have lost, parents who have lost children, those who would like to be parents but aren't, and families where there are problems. 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.  SEAL SCHOOL FARM is looking for people with experience in spinning and weaving, (or any wool related crafts), as their sheep are about to be shorn. Contact the school if you can help. TALKING VILLAGE Monday 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. KYN get together There will be a Know Your Neighbours Get Together in the Village Hall on Saturday April 23, from 11-12noon, when we hope many local organisations will be present to show off what they do.  If you represent any local group or special interest, contact marionjgilchrist@gmail.com to arrange to come along.  As part of this we are organising a seed and plant swap, so hang onto your extra seeds and plants to share.  .   Kerry’s Pets Meadow Challenge Kerry has hidden some things in her window scene. Can you find them? Quiz sheets are available from Kerry and Deniz next door for 50p cash. All entries will be put into a prize draw for a £10 Kerry’s Pets Voucher. Proceeds to Folly Wildlife Trust.  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.html Plans 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.  JUBILEE LUNCH AND PARTY ON THE REC – SUNDAY JUNE 5. WE NEED MORE PEOPLE TO HELP WITH THIS, RUNNING ACTIVITIES, GAMES ETC - NOW IS THE MOMENT TO VOLUNTEER!   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:- Sat March 26th 11-12.30 - Using weeds and wildflowers in a garden to attract bees, butterflies and moths. SEAL HISTORY GUIDE BOOKS Deniz'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! 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.