 | Dear Friends
As usual, the link to our podcast is above - click on the picture to access it.
A personal note: I will be announcing in church today that I plan to retire in July next year. I will be 64 then, and I know that the years are starting to catch up with me... Philip and I will be sad to leave Seal, but very thankful for 18 (!) very happy years here, with a wonderful, supportive congregation and community.
There will be all sorts of things to think about and sort out in the ten months before we go, but I wanted to give plenty of notice, so that we have time to work on those together, and with the support of the Diocese. Change is always challenging, but I have always been confident that God is with us, and I am sure that he will see us through!
with love and best wishes
Anne Le Bas
Online
Worship podcast - Click on picture above
Order of service
You can also access this podcast by phoning 01732 928061 |
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In the church building today
10 am Holy Communion
3-4.30pm Messy Church in the Church hall
6.30pm Evensong
Next Sunday
10 am Holy Communion
6.30pm Evensong
This week:
Mon 12 noon Funeral: Peter Milton-Thompson
Wed 10.30 am Lavender Fields Holy Communion
4.30pm Children's Choir
7.15 pm Adult Choir practice starts a new term
Fri 9 am No Morning Prayer in Church
11 am Memorial service: William Terry
10.30 - 12.30 Friday Group in the church hall
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Trinity 15
Last week, we thought about love, and its complexities. If that was hard, today's readings take us on an even tougher journey as we think about forgiveness. I doubt whether there is anyone who has not struggled to forgive at some time, or to understand what forgiveness might look like in a particular situation. The movie "Love Story" back in the 70s had the quote on its publicity "Love means never having to say you are sorry", but most people would probably disagree. Forgiving and being forgiven are fundamental to healthy relationships. It doesn't necessarily mean that we must reunite with people who have hurt us, if it isn't safe to do so; sometimes forgiveness is simply about letting them go and it is better to put a distance between us, but it is something that not only allows them freedom, but also frees us from carrying around endless resentment.
The picture accompanying today's podcast, by Jan van Hemmessen, is entitled "The Unforgiving Servant", referencing Jesus' parable. In the foreground we see the king, writing off the debt of the slave in front of him, but in the background we see him being thrown into prison, because he would not forgive the much smaller debt of a fellow slave to him. He doesn't understand or value the forgiveness he was given, and so he ends up suffering pain he could have avoided. - What makes it hard to forgive others?
- When have we been forgiven and what did it feel like?
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All Age Ideas
We all have arguments, fall out with others and sometimes hurt them. Others fall out with us and hurt us too.
Jesus says that we need to say sorry when that happens, and forgive people who say sorry to us. That doesn't mean we should pretend it doesn't matter if we've been hurt, and if someone does something that makes us feel uncomfortable, we should always tell someone we trust, and make sure we are safe. But Jesus says that, if we can, it is good to mend relationships that are broken and make friends again. - Think about a time when you had an argument or a fight with someone. How did you make it right afterwards, if you did?
- You could make a paper chain, and write on each link the names of the people who are special to you, as a reminder to try to make sure that you don't break the friendships you have with them.
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CHURCH AND COMMUNITY NEWS
MESSY CHURCH is today at 3pm in the church hall when we will be thinking about the story of Joseph.
 Thank you to all who came to the animal blessing service last week. Here is a picture of Flossie, the rescue chicken who was so blessed that she laid an egg in church... Dogs, guinea pigs and a cat were also brought along, and we had a lovely time together.
JESS HEEB'S ORDINATION will take place in Rochester Cathedral on Saturday September 30 at 3pm. I have a very limited number of tickets, some of which are already earmarked for people who told me earlier in the summer that they wanted one. If you would like to go to the ordination, please let me know, and I will try to allocate the tickets fairly. If you told me earlier in the year that you wanted to go, please get in contact so I can give you your ticket. The service will be live-streamed, however, so anyone can watch it online, and Jess has said that everyone will be welcome to come along to Snodland Church hall (Jess will be working at Snodland church) to share in refreshments, whether or not they have come to the service (from around 5pm, I would guess, after the service in the cathedral.)
PETER MILTON-THOMPSON R.I.P The funeral of Peter Milton-Thompson, a much valued member of our choir will be on Monday Sept 18th at 12 noon here in church. Anyone who would like to come will be very welcome.
DATE FOR YOUR DIARY
HARVEST LUNCH OCT 8th
Our Eco Church team are planning a vegetarian Harvest bring and share lunch after our Harvest Festival service on Oct 8th. If you would like to come along, or make something to share, please sign the list at the back of church or email Babs Bartholomew |
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