Sunday Worship podcast link and other news from Seal Church: April 3

 

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 - April 3 10 am  Holy Communion  3pm     Baptism: Arlo White 6.30pm Evensong (said) During the week Monday               2-3.30pm Talking Village in Deniz cafe (Seal High Street)                             8- 9.30pm  Online Lent Course  Wednesday        7.15pm Adult Choir  Friday                10.30-12.30 Friday Group in the church hall Sunday April 10: Palm Sunday 10 am   Holy Communion and Palm Procession 6.30pm Breathing Space Holy Communion Lent 5 Isaiah 43.16-21, John 12.1-8 Today's Gospel story, of Mary of Bethany anointing Jesus with vast quantities of precious ointment is a puzzling one, especially this week, when so many people are counting the cost of the increase in fuel prices, alongside so many other rising costs. We may sympathise with Judas Iscariot, who asks why the ointment wasn't sold and the money given to the poor. Isn't this a huge waste, when so many are in need? But Jesus' response hints that there needs to be more to love than simply meeting material needs. What Mary has done is beyond price to him as he approaches his crucifixion.  ALL AGE IDEAS  Make a "thank you" jar and write on slips of paper good things that people have done for you this week. Find time to say thank you to them and tell them what a difference it made. What can you do for someone else this week that will help them?

Ever wondered why the date of Easter wanders around so much?  Vanessa Griffiths has written a piece (originally for a course she was taking) which tells the story of the arguments way back in the 7th century, which shaped the rules that tell us when we're allowed to break out the chocolate... Read more in her blog post here.

CHURCH AND COMMUNITY NEWS We are sorry that the church has had to be locked for the last few days, following some vandalism (fortunately not doing any real damage) last week. It has been reported to the police, and we are reviewing our security arrangements. You can help us, if you are in and around the church, by reporting anything you see which is suspicious. FRIDAY GROUP BRING AND BUY ON FRIDAY APRIL 8TH 10.30-12.30 IN SEAL CHURCH HALL FOR SEVENOAKS WELCOMES REFUGEES AND SEAL CHURCH. The Friday Group are holding a small bring and buy sale next Friday, with all proceeds being split between SWR (Sevenoaks Welcomes Refugees and Seal Church). Please just come along, and bring any donations to sell on the morning. ALL WELCOME! 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.  CHILD AID Thank you to all who donated to our collection on Mothering Sunday for Child Aid. I am delighted to say I was able to send off £102 to the organisation, and I know that others donated directly online.  Their Director, Martin Wilcox, wrote this.  Some specific areas we are helping to finance with your donation include: - medical supplies in Ukraine into whatever regions we can get access to - a transit shelter for refugees in Lviv as they seek refuge outside of Ukraine - food and hygiene parcels to our families who have no chance to evacuate and nowhere to go - bedding, food and sanitary products to refugees in Moldova These are being provided by our partners but also with other contacts we have in the region whom we know and trust. The Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, said at the beginning of March: "Life will win over death, and the light will win over darkness". With your gift you are bringing light as every gift is an opportunity for a child and a family whose life has been shattered.  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 - On the 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. 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.  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! .   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.  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.    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.