West Sevenoaks Team Ministry Appointments

The Bishop of Rochester and the Patron, The West Sevenoaks Team Ministry Patronage Board, are pleased to announce the appointment of the first ever Team Vicars in the West Sevenoaks Team Ministry, subject to the usual legal formalities.

The Revd Anne Bourne, at present Interim Associate Rector in the West Sevenoaks Team Ministry will become Team Vicar with special responsibility for St Luke’s, Sevenoaks and will continue to work on a part-time basis. Anne is likely to be licensed in February.

The Revd Andy Finn, who currently lives in Southsea, will become Team Vicar, with special responsibility for St Mary the Virgin, Riverhead with Dunton Green working on a full-time basis. He is likely to be licensed in January. 

Alongside teaching, Anne sensed a calling to ordination in her early career and studied part-time with the South East Institute for Theological Education. Following ordination, Anne served her title at St Luke’s in Sevenoaks. She is excited to be appointed as Team Vicar and, with her family of Ian, Jonathan, Esther and Rebekah, looking forward to working with us in living out our baptismal calling.

Before being ordained Andy was a youth worker in Saffron Walden. Following ordination, Andy has served in Southsea, Chelmsford and Ingatestone. Having grown up in Folkestone, Andy is excited about returning to Kent. With his wife Tamar, and children Reuben, Caleb and Esther they are looking forward to joining us in the West Sevenoaks Team to continue to grow God's kingdom.

Anne and Andy would very much appreciate our prayers at this time.

Ticket Booking for Christmas Services

We all are aware that Christmas will be marked in a vastly different landscape than it was in 2019. The restrictions of Covid19 (ensuring that everyone can celebrate this season of the year in a safe manner) means that we have to restrict numbers at our main Christmas service times. They are, therefore, ticketed events. This means that you will have seating reserved for you in Church within a safe and protective environment. The reality is that we are simply not able to accommodate the numbers who came to Christmas services in 2019, but at least by repeating certain services we will be able to offer more than we would otherwise have been able to do. Please though do book up early as we cannot guarantee seats for you close to Christmas. Finally, if you do book tickets and then find you cannot attend, please let us know. A ticket means a reserved seat(s) in your church with your name on. We would hate for this to be empty on the day when we could have given it to someone else!

To Book…

Please use the links below to book seats at your chosen service(s). You can book a maximum number of 6 tickets per person. Please do not book tickets unless you know you will be using them.

If you know of anyone who is unable to use a computer to book tickets online, then please either book for them, or ask them to get in touch with Mark, either by email or telephone 01732 452112 / 07375299944, or email Charlie and we can book on their behalf.

Nine Carols and Readings for Christmas

A lovely and meaningful way to experience the unfolding story of the birth of Jesus through well known passages of Scripture, with choir-led anthems and carols.

Sunday December 13th 5.00pm and
Sunday December 20th 5.00pm

Family Nativity Service on Christmas Eve

A delightful way to hear the story of the birth of Jesus told through carol and drama. Children come dressed if they wish, as angels, shepherds or kings. 45 minute service length.

Thursday December 24th 3.00pm and
Thursday December 24th 4.30pm

Midnight Communion on Christmas Eve

A beautiful service of holy communion to mark the birth of Jesus as Christmas Eve turns to Christmas Day.

Thursday December 24th 11.30pm

Family Service on Christmas Day

An enjoyable and celebratory service for all the family to welcome the birth of Jesus on this special day.

Friday December 25th 9.15am and
Friday December 25th 10.30am

Appointment of a new Curate

Dear Friends,

I am absolutely delighted to be able to announce - following authorisation from Bishop James - that from September 2021 we will be welcoming Steve Osei-Mensah as Assistant Curate to the West Sevenoaks Team Ministry Benefice.

This is one of those appointments that is in the hands of the Rector (without consultation in the parishes) as following ordination Curates begin their ministry in a training parish.

I am thrilled that Steve is coming here as he is a man of considerable gifts and will enrich our new Team Benefice as, I believe, we will be able to enrich Steve in these formative few years of his own ministry.

Steve is in a self supporting ministry and lives close to Sevenoaks.

In the meantime please hold Steve and his wife Emma in your prayers as the Team continues to take shape - with now an additional exciting appointment that will be a great asset to our Benefice Team.

Every blessing

Mark

Remembrance Sunday (Updated)

Dear Friends,

Please note St Mary Kippington is offering three ways of worshipping on Remembrance Sunday 8th of November - physical, on line video or by Zoom.

Outdoor Service

Firstly, our outdoor service (permitted under Government regulations) prompt start at 10:45am. Outside the church around the war memorial:

• Track and trace and hand washing station on arrival.

• Please queue from car park

• The service will not be any longer than 25 minutes maximum

• You do not have to wear face masks unless you want to

• Please stand - respecting social distancing - in a circle facing inwards to the war memorial

• Singing is permitted

• Link to the Order of Service

Online Video

Secondly, our online video to use at home which can be accessed via our web site or from the link below from Friday the 6th of November from 10am

• If you are using it to worship before the two minutes silence then start playing it from 10:27am

• Link to the Order of Service

• Link to access the video (will be active from 6th Nov 10am)

Zoom Evensong

Thirdly, every Sunday evening (starting on the 8th of November) 6:15pm for a 6:30pm start time Evensong Service by Zoom (finishing at 7:15pm)

• Please contact us or subscribe to our mailing list to get the Zoom details

Every blessing,

Mark

Reflecting & Suggesting Exercise - Share Your Views regarding the Team Ministry

Dear Friends,

Since my appointment as Team Rector, it has been particularly important for me to emphasize that there is not a ‘marking of time’ to be seeking to lead the Team until both Team Vicar’s are physically in place. Rather I am seeking to express leadership during these initial first few months in four particular ways:

• Being present in worship/ events across the team as much as I can.

• Undertaking a visiting schedule across the team – whose goal is that by the end of March 2021 up to 500 people who attend all of our three churches will have had a get together with me, physically or by Zoom.

• Bringing together all three ‘new’ Parochial Church Councils (following the last of the church’s APCM’s) before the year’s end to reflect on possible areas of collaborative ministry from 2021.

• Rolling out a ‘reflecting and suggesting’ exercise to every member of the three churches.

I have been at pains to emphasize how valued and important everyone is across the Team and enabling everyone to have a chance to participate in this exercise is a way for me to highlight this. As the Team begins to take shape I need to hear from everyone about their reflections and suggestions concerning the life of our churches. This reflecting and suggesting exercise makes up this communication. People can do this exercise by themselves or with others in the family or as friends. Not only do I hope you will find it useful, but your suggestions will then be valued contributions for our journey as a team going forward.

I would appreciate responses back by the end of November using the link below. We will also be distributing paper copies to those people we know do not have access to a computer, plus copies will be available at the back of the church, or by asking Mark directly.

Mark

• Click here to begin the exercise and share your feedback (links to Google Form)

Harvest Family Service

Our Harvest Family Service will be in church this coming Sunday, 4th October.  We are looking forward to having both our choir and the music group singing to us during the service.

As you arrive you will need to sign in to the Track and Trace list or use your phone.  Please remember that all those over 12 need to wear face masks.  Keep your children with you during the service in church, socially distancing from those not in your family group.  The service will last about 50 minutes and all service details will be projected on the screen.

For the Harvest Service we suggest that the children bring food for our local food bank, Loaves and Fishes Sevenoaks.  Do look on their website for suggestions as to what they need at present.  All contributions must be non-perishable items.

Adults are encouraged to bring gifts of money as we are supporting the Church Mission Society.  Cheques should be made payable to Church Mission Society and there will be Gift Aid envelopes available in the pews.

Annual Financial Report from the APCM

Attached is the presentation on the accounts given at the APCM on September 13th. The key messages were:

1. We must continue to balance daily running costs against income even with Covid.

2. In order to continue covering our costs in 2020, we need considerably more income.

3. The number of Planned Givers has reached a plateau but is still well below the levels of the recent past.

4. Voluntary income remains vulnerable to relatively few key donors more so than ever.

5. Other income is significantly dependent on the Centre recovering from Covid restrictions.

6. Consequently we can’t afford to slacken our efforts to increase voluntary giving through Planned Giving wherever possible, so that we can plan more effectively.

7. The state of the Diocesan finances will continue to put pressure on us to provide as much support as possible.

8. Please sign up to easyfundraising.org.uk if you buy anything online. We now have sixteen members and so far have raised over £750 in 4 years (and it’s quite painless!)

A reminder also that our full 2019 PCC Annual Financial Report & Accounts document can be found on the Charity Commission website.

Annual Parochial Church Meeting - 13th September 2020

Dear Friends,

The APCM for St Mary’s Kippington will be taking place on Sunday the 13th of September, following a shortened act of worship from 10:30am. I hope that, while we observe all appropriate social restrictions, people will be able to come and commend to God the life of the church and all those who have given of themselves in service to our fellowship.

It is with sadness that after a challenging and difficult interregnum, Sally and Sue have decided that they will not be standing again as churchwardens at this year’s APCM. I know that the congregation will want to express their thanks for all that they have done for the life of the church during their time in office, as I and Karen have personally as well for their kindness and help given to us during the brief time we have been with you.

The reality of the situation therefore is that I am seeking new churchwardens in what amounts to a noticeably short period of time – a request to people who don’t know me yet and I them!

A churchwarden is de facto appointed for one year only – as that appointment is always ratified at the next year’s APCM. Due to the Covid19 situation no church’s APCM’s could take place in April and all were delayed. However, in 2021 APCM’s will once again return to their traditional month and so churchwardens would only need to be prepared to stand for seven months.

I am therefore seeking colleagues, senior lay representatives of the church, who will support both me, this church and its family, and the new wider team during this period.

Colleagues who will guide and inform me, being new, on the life of the church and its parish.

Colleagues who will work with the Parochial Church Council to foster the management, maintenance and mission of the church. Seeking to maintain order and promoting peace and unity. Paying special attention to the specific needs of children, young people and vulnerable adults; ensuring that the parish has proper procedures for safeguarding, complaints and grievances; and working with the Archdeacon and Bishop in all things to do with parish and diocese.

I am mindful that the ask is a ‘big’ one from me and so would see it as important to spend time with anyone who wished to discuss the positions.

Please also note that we have three vacancies for PCC arising from one resignation and two where people’s terms of office have been completed.

Finally, there are Deanery Synod elections, with two places to be elected from this church.

The APCM papers and nomination forms can be either downloaded here from the website or found at the back of church.

• Churchwarden Nomination Form

• Parochial Church Council Nomination Form

• Deanery Synod Nomination Form

Family Service - 6th September 2020

Given the success of our last family service, weather-permitting, we intend to hold the 10.30am family service on Sunday 6th September outside again. Please note the following guidance:

• You will need to bring your own seats.

• If you have children we suggest you bring rugs or ground cover for them to sit on. (Please also bring paper and pencils/pens for the children to use during the service).

• Children will need to stay with you throughout the service.

• When you arrive please park in the church car park. You will then be asked to wait in a 'distanced queue' in order to sign an attendance list for 'Track and Trace' if needed. It is suggested that you bring your own pen.

• You will then be directed towards the seating area. You will need to be seated with a two metre space around your family.

• If you need to use the toilets you are asked to wear a mask and there is a one-way system for using the Parish Centre, with only one person or family in the building at a time.

• At the end of the service you will be directed back to the car park, again in a distanced queue.

Mid-week Thursday Communion to resume

We’re very happy to announce that the mid-week Thursday Communion 10am service will be resuming from the 27th of August. Please read the guidance document before attending a service.