12th September 2021

Dear friends,

Our newsletter is attached for this Sunday - we welcome Andy taking the 8am and 10:30am services while I take them at St Mary the Virgin. 

Highlights

  • Huge thank you to those who took part and sponsored our Riders and Striders

  • 19th of September at 6pm the first Churches Together for Sevenoaks and District service at the Vine Baptist Church. Please come along so that we can worship together.

  • Team Prayers now a monthly event around the churches

  • Last call for names for our 'Living in Love and Faith'

  • And ... note below about our Harvest Lunch (our first social together):

Harvest Lunch – Sunday 3rd of October at 12noon

We are seeking to offer a Harvest lunch this autumn and, while a little early in the day, want to make Harvest a special time for all at the church and what better way than by offering fellowship with food! However, we realise that there will understandably be concerns about coming together and so we hope the way we have designed our lunch will make people feel at ease.

Our Family Service for Harvest at 10:30am will be in church and will end by 11:20am. We will then enjoy a twenty minute interactive quiz before heading over to the Centre for a ploughman’s lunch at 12noon.

Rather than people just sitting anywhere and going up to a central point to help themselves, there will be designated tables for people to sit at and food will be on the tables – so the people at each table serve themselves. You will only need to come to help yourself to drinks and assist bringing empty plates, etc to the kitchen.

People will therefore only mix if they feel they want to as otherwise people remain at their tables. We are inviting people to sign up by Sunday 26th of September so that we have enough time to prepare. All we are asking for is a voluntary contribution. Please therefore either sign the list in church or email me if you wish to come: mark.bridgen@stmaryssevenoaks.org.

> Download the full newsletter

5th September 2021

Sunday 5th of September – Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity

Sunday Services:

  • 8am BCP Holy Communion: James 2:1–10 & 14–17 and Mark 7:24 -37

  • 10:30am Family Service: In the Kippington Centre! Theme – The Lord’s Prayer’ Part II: ‘Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven’. Bible readings: Matthew 11:4–5 & Luke 5:1–11.

In the newsletter this week:

  • Seeking a Joint Council representative for the church

  • Last call for sponsorship for Ride and Stride - 11th

  • Volunteer required to help run the Home Produce stall at our Christmas Fete

  • Deadline to receive names for our 'Living in Love and Faith' course is the 12th of September

  • Remember Team Service at St Mary Kippington to welcome Steve our Curate on the 26th of September starts at 10am and not 10:30am.

Full details in this week’s newsletter

29th August 2021

Sunday 29th of August – Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity

Sunday Services:

  • No 8am BCP Holy Communion: (BCP 8am services at St Luke’s and St Mary the Virgin)

  • 10:30am Parish Communion

Welcome to the return of the weekly newsletter and for those on the run, highlights below:

(Full information to be found for these and other notices in the newsletter).

  • Coffee and cake in the Centre Wednesday 1st 10:30am to 11:30am

  • Walk around our parish also Wednesday 1st - meet in the centre car park for a start at 7pm.

  • Joan Wolfgang's Thanksgiving service in church Monday 6th at 3pm.

  • Ride and Stride Sat 11th - please sponsor our walkers and riders (forms in church).

  • Living in Love and Faith course

  • Remember Team service to welcome Steve as our new Curate at SMK on the 26th of September - but service time is 10am!

  • Concert for Sevenoaks Welcomes Refugees 23rd of October at 7:30pm.

  • Interested in confirmation?

  • Christmas Fair Sat 4th of December between 2pm to 4pm.

1st August 2021

Dear friends,

Please find attached our newsletter for August which, due to the summer month, will be for the weeks of the 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd. Our normal weekly newsletter will recommence for the 29th of August (thus you won't get a mailing for a couple of weeks!).

For this Sunday - 1st of August - 8am BCP Holy Communion and 10:30am Family Service. Only if it is raining will it be in the Centre. No rain means outdoor! Please bring something to sit on and we will be using up our ice cream (cones for the young people).

There are no highlights for those on the run as you should have more time to inwardly digest the contents during this main holiday month.

News in the newsletter about (among others):

  • Next fellowship event in August

  • Walk around our parish

  • Living in Love and Faith course

  • Team service to welcome our new Curate

  • Confirmation

  • Ride and Stride

  • Christmas Fair

If you are going away this month I hope that you will enjoy a relaxing and renewing break.

Warmest wishes,

Mark

25th July 2021

Sunday 25th July Eighth Sunday after Trinity

  • 8am BCP Holy Communion & 10:30am Holy Communion
    Bible readings: Acts 11: 27 – 12:2 and Matthew 20: 20 - 28
    (Mark and Anne are doing service swaps this morning)

  • 6:30pm Evensong
    Bible readings: Jeremiah 26: 1 – 15 and Luke 9: 51 - 62
    Meeting ID: 814 9810 6394
    Passcode: 168200

  • (Our service of Evensong takes a break following this Sunday for August and will resume on the 12th of September).

  • Midweek Service: 10am Thursday (Please note there will not be a 10am midweek service on August 12th)

For those on the run…

Highlights from this week’s newsletter:

  • Coffee/ Tea and cake monthly fellowship event: To make people feel comfortable in a return to fellowship, we are offering monthly coffee/ tea and cake mornings. 10:30am to 11:30am in the hall of the Kippington Centre. Friday the 30th of July.

  • Final Team Prayers (in their current format); Tuesday 27th of July from 7pm to 7:30pm. (Entry from 6:45pm). Zoom details below. From September we will be restarting Team Prayers in a new format. Watch out for details.
    Meeting ID: 815 0902 9021
    Passcode: 218012

18th July 2021

Sunday 18th July Seventh Sunday after Trinity

  • 8am BCP Holy Communion & 10:30am BCP Matins
    Bible readings: Ephesians 2:11-end and Mark 6:30–34 & 53-end

  • 6:30pm Evensong
    Bible readings: Jeremiah 11: 18 – end and Luke 9: 43 - 48
    Meeting ID: 814 9810 6394
    Passcode: 168200

  • Midweek Service: 10am Thursday

For those on the run…

Highlights from this week’s newsletter

  • Walk around St Mary the Virgin parish. Monday 19th of July.  Meet in the church car park at 7pm.

  • Coffee/ Tea and cake monthly fellowship event: 10:30am to 11:30am in the Kippington Centre. Friday the 30th of July.

  • Last call if you would like one of the spare Kneelers in church:

  • Please keep a watch out for a separate mailing next week – independent of the newsletter – that will set out, following Church of England’s guidelines, how we will be responding to the lifting of full restrictions from July 19th.

Forward Move

The summer edition of Forward Move, the church magazine, is now available on the web site.

11th July 2021

Sunday 11th July Sixth Sunday after Trinity

  • 8am BCP Holy Communion & 10:30am Parish Communion
    Bible readings: Ephesians 1:3-14 and Mark 6:14-29

  • 6:30pm Evensong
    Bible readings: Wisdom of Solomon 4: 7 - 14 and Matthew 7:1-6
    Meeting ID: 814 9810 6394
    Passcode: 168200

  • Midweek Service: 10am Thursday

For those on the run

Highlights from the weekly newsletter:

  • Check out the photo of last Sunday’s birthday cake in the newsletter. Super design and excellent cake!

  • Friday 30th of July 10:30am to 11:30am next coffee/ tea and cake morning in Kippington Centre.

  • Remember to grab your blue church kneeler – spare ones the church doesn’t now need. Found in the centenary room in church.

  • Next walk around our parishes. The turn of St Mary the Virgin. 7pm – meet at the church on Monday 19th of July.

  • Mark is back visiting – jump the queue by requesting a visit early!

  • Monday 13th of July at 1pm – meeting for all those who can help put on our mini Christmas Fair. Centenary room in church.

  • Ride and stride Saturday 11th of September. Fancy ride or walking (collecting sponsors) around the local churches, or manning the church for those who visit us.

  • Contact the parish office if you would like to have our Forward Move monthly magazine delivered.

4th July 2021

Sunday 4th July Fifth Sunday after Trinity

  • 8am BCP Holy Communion
    Bible readings: 2 Corinthians 12: 2 - 10 and Mark 6: 1 - 13

  • 10:30am Family Service (outside or Church if wet)
    Bible reading: 1 Corinthians 12: 12 - 27

  • 6:30pm Evensong
    Bible readings: 1 Samuel 20: 1 - 17 and Acts 14: 1 - 20.
    Meeting ID: 814 9810 6394
    Passcode: 168200

  • Midweek Service: 10am Thursday

For those on the run…

Full details in the newsletter.

Our birthday Sunday celebration: 10:30am Family Service this Sunday at 10:30am. Following worship, refreshments, plants on sale; birthday cake and ice cream. Wet weather programme in case it is raining or the ground is too wet service in church. As full restrictions will not now be lifted until the 19th of July the Centre is too ‘small’ for the service. The service will therefore be in church if needed and in the centre we will be laying out all the refreshments. 

Coffee/ Tea and cake monthly fellowship event: 10:30am to 11:30am in the hall of the Kippington Centre. No need to book. Friday the 30th of July.

Kneelers in church: Spare ones to go to a good home are to be found in the centenary room in church. Please take whatever number you wish.

Invitation to any from the three churches for a walk around each of our respective parishes:  lovely group of people walking around with Anne St Luke’s parish last Wednesday. Walk around the parish of St Mary the Virgin Monday 19th of July and then St Mary Kippington parish on Wednesday 1st of September. 7pm – meet in the church car parks.

St Mary Kippington Christmas Fair: Saturday 4th of December. More helpers on the day required. We will be organising a get together for helpers on Monday 13th of July at 1pm in the centenary room in church. 

A prayer for Steve, our Curate coming to join us in September in the newsletter.

27th June 2021

Sunday 27th June Fourth Sunday after Trinity

  • 8am BCP Holy Communion and 10:30am Holy Communion
    Bible readings 8am: 2 Corinthians 8:7-15 and Mark 5:21-43
    (Andy is taking the morning services)

  • 12noon Baptism service

  • 5:30pm Youth Club resumes!!! (Kippington Centre)

  • No Evensong 

For those on the run

Full information in the newsletter:

  • Refreshments following 10:30am in the Parish Centre

  • Wonderful!!! Youth Club resumes Sunday evening – film night. Mamma Mia!

  • This coming Wednesday 30th at 7pm. Start at St Luke’s. Anne leading us on a gentle walk around the parish. All welcome.

  • Next Sunday 4th of July outdoor family service at 10:30am celebrating our church’s birthday. New loudspeaker on display! Refreshments, cake and ice cream.

  • Kneelers in church (blue design surplus to the church’s needs) Free to a good home. Have a look in the centenary room.

  • We do need a few more volunteers to help for an hour or two at our Christmas Fair on the 4th of December.

20th June 2021

Sunday 20th June Third Sunday after Trinity

  • 8am BCP Holy Communion and 10:30am BCP Matins

    Bible readings 8am: 2 Corinthians 6:1-13 and Mark 4:35-41

  • 6:30pm Evensong service: Bible readings: 1 Samuel 2:1-10 and Matthew 5:1-12.
    Meeting ID: 814 9810 6394 Passcode: 168200

  • Midweek Service: 10am Thursday

Highlights from the newsletter

For those on the run. For full information please download the full newsletter.

  • Refreshments after worship: In the Kippington Centre after 10:30am service.

  • Kneelers in church: Due to having 310 kneelers we are now offering a number go to a good home. Yours if you would like!

  • Our friendly, informal Church Youth Group from 11 to 18 meets for the first time on Sunday 27th June (5:30pm to 8pm). Film night in the Kippington Centre. Do get in touch if you have any questions. Julia Sheraton (julia@sashy.co.uk) and Andrea Medd (andrea@medd.co.uk). KYG Team

  • Invitation to any from the three churches for a walk around each of our respective parishes: Beginning with meeting at St Luke’s on Wednesday 30th of June at 7pm.

  • St Mary Kippington Christmas Fair: Saturday 4th of December. Get together meeting for all helpers: Monday 13th of July at 1pm in the Centenary Room at Church.

13th June 2021

Sunday 13th June Second Sunday after Trinity

  • 8am BCP Holy Communion and 10:30am Parish Communion
    Bible readings 8am: 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 and 14–17 and Mark 4:26–34.

  • 6:30pm Evensong service
    Bible readings: Ruth 1 and Acts 9: 1 - 31.
    Meeting ID: 814 9810 6394 Passcode: 168200

  • Midweek Service: 10am Thursday 

For those on the run

Key notices - much more about them and others in this week’s newsletter:

  • No refreshments following the 10:30am service this week

  • Monthly coffee/tea and cake mornings. 10:30am to 11:30am in the hall. No need to book. This month Wednesday the 16th of June.

  • Youth Club - film night - Sunday 27th of June 6pm to 8:30pm.

  • How to leave a legacy for your church.

  • Walk around our parishes. Three early evening strolls around each of our parish churches in the Team.

  • Christmas Fair - volunteers needed to join a group already being put together.

Download the full newsletter

6th June 2021

Sunday 6th June First Sunday after Trinity

8am BCP Holy Communion and 10:30am Family Service

  • 8am BCP Holy Communion: 2 Corinthians 4: 13 – 5: 1 and Mark 3: 20 – end

  • 10:30am Family Service: Acts 1: 4 - 11

6:30pm Evensong service

  • Job 2 and Acts 8: 26 - end

  • Meeting ID: 814 9810 6394 Passcode: 168200

For those on the run (full details in the newsletter)

  • Family Service is outdoors! Please sit in household bubbles, bring chairs or something to sit on, music group will be playing, congregational singing (!), refreshments following, plants for sale.

  • Next monthly coffee and tea (and cake!) fellowship event in the Hall – Wednesday 16th of June, 10:30am to 11:30am. Just turn up!

  • Still looking for some sidespeople to help welcome people to service times!

  • Forward Move out this week

  • Bible course happening online from St. Mary the Virgin

> Download the full newsletter

30th May 2021

Sunday 30th May Trinity Sunday

Sunday Services:

  • 8am BCP Holy Communion and 10:30am Parish Communion
    Bible readings: Romans 8: 12 – 17 and John 3: 1 - 17

  • 6:30pm Evensong service
    Bible readings: Exodus 34: 1 - 10 & Matthew 28: 16 - end
    Meeting ID: 814 9810 6394 Passcode: 168200

Highlights for those on the run (further information to be found in the newsletter)

  • Coffee after worship: Tea, coffee, biscuits and a good chat.  A reminder that we do need people to stay at their tables to abide by appropriate guidelines after collecting their drinks.

  • The opportunity to buy plants in aid of church funds as well: Janet is selling them outside the Centre.  

  • Sidespeople Appeal: We are needing a few extra to help with first Sunday Family Services and any additions to other the services would be appreciated.

  •  The Bible Course: (hosted by St Mary the Virgin). Starting on Sunday June 6th, meeting weekly for 8 evenings at 7:30pm. For questions and information please contact Team Rector, Rev Mark Bridgen, 59 Kippington Road, 07375299944/ (01732) 452112/ revmarkbridgen@gmail.com or mark.bridgen@stmaryssevenoaks.org. Please do not use the mark.bridgen@btinternet.com address which has been deleted.

Download the full newsletter

23rd May 2021

Sunday Services

  • 8am BCP Holy Communion and 10:30am Parish Communion

  • 6:30pm Evensong service (Zoom)
    Meeting ID: 814 9810 6394; Passcode: 168200

Highlights from the Newsletter for those on the run

  • Coffee after worship resumes this Sunday in the Centre. Plants are on sale outside as well.

  • Our Sunday morning creche begins this Sunday as well.

  • Coffee/tea and cake monthly fellowship event: May 26th in the Centre from 10:30am to 11:30am

  • Updating our list of church key holders – who has them? Let Sue in the church office know.

  • Sidespeople appeal – especially for the first Sunday of the month.

  • Help with our soon-to-be launched Play and Praise for under 5’s midweek, let Mark know.

Download the full newsletter

16th May 2021

Sunday 16th May Seventh Sunday of Easter

Sunday Services: 8am BCP Holy Communion and 10:30am Matins
Bible readings: Acts 1: 15 – 17 & 21 – 26 and John 17: 6 - 19
There is NO 6:30pm Evensong service tonight.

For those on the run… 

Highlights below – with more information in the newsletter and other important notices as well.

Thy Kingdom Come: We are encouraging all in our congregations to think of 5 people who we know that don’t know Jesus and to pray for them for 10 days. Please don't worry if you can't think of 5 - just praying for 1 person makes a difference. This Week Between May 17th and May 21st there is the opportunity to meet together on zoom each night at 7pm to pray Evening Prayer together and to pray for the 5 people we have chosen. (Meeting ID: 815 0902 9021; Passcode: 218012)

Coffee/Tea and Cake: To make people feel comfortable in a return to fellowship, Rev Mark is your host for four monthly coffee/tea and cake mornings. They are from 10:30am to 11:30am in the main hall of the Kippington Centre. Just turn up.

Sidespeople Appeal: To help at both our Family Services (first Sunday of the month) and we have a few slots where we need help at other service times.

Further information soon: A special outdoor Family Service marking the church’s birthday will take place on the 4th of July.

As a church we take our safeguarding responsibilities very seriously. If you have any concerns, then please contact our Parish Safeguarding Officer, Wendy Pritchard, our Team Rector, or the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer. All of their details for contact can be found on the ‘Safer Church’ Poster in the children’s corner at the back of church.

> Download the full newsletter

9th May 2021

Highlights from the newsletter for those on the run:

Sunday Services

8am BCP Holy Communion and 10:30am Parish Communion - we welcome Anne Bourne taking our morning services today, while Mark is at St. Luke’s.

6:30pm Evensong (Zoom - Meeting ID: 814 9810 6394; Passcode: 168200)

Team service for Ascension

Thursday 13th of May at 7:30pm

With Attend in person or watch live stream. Zoom details are below. Service order attached.

Meeting ID: 885 9464 6445
Passcode: 278252

Thy Kingdom Come May

At our Team Service for Ascension Day we are going to be encouraged to think of 5 people who we know that don’t know Jesus and to pray for them for 10 days. Between May 17th and May 21st there is the opportunity to meet together on Zoom each night at 7pm for twenty minutes to pray Evening Prayer together and to pray for the 5 people we have chosen. (Meeting ID: 815 0902 9021; Passcode: 218012).

St Mary the Virgin Church Zoom Concert

5pm Sunday 9th May

The login for the concert will be: Meeting ID: 616 146 1466; Password: Concert

Sunday morning creche

Running alongside Sunday Club from the 23rd of May. Need a couple more volunteers. Contact Mark for details.

> NEWSLETTER IN FULL

2nd May 2021

Welcome to worship this coming Sunday!

8am BCP Holy Communion

10:30am Family Service (abiding still by Covid19 restrictions the service will take place in Church. We are hopeful it will become outdoor from June and back in the Kippington Centre afterwards – apart from Harvest Sunday when in church. Normal Covid restrictions in worship apply - face masks, no congregational singing, Music Group not yet able to return, track and trace station, remaining in pews throughout the service, exiting the church promptly under direction at the end).

6:30pm Evensong (Zoom - Meeting ID: 814 9810 6394; Passcode: 168200)

Newsletter

Full details of all of our notices can be found in the newsletter, but for those on the run - important notices are highlighted below:

  • Team service for Ascension – Thursday 13th of May at 7:30pm: With live streaming not yet possible from St Mary Kippington the service will take place at St Luke’s. All are welcome as it is a physical service. No need to book tickets – please just turn up. People from St Mary Kippington will be fronting the service in liturgy and music. If wishing to watch it live streamed from the church, the Zoom details are below: (Service orders will be available next Sunday to have with you at home).
    Meeting ID: 885 9464 6445
    Passcode: 278252

  •  Collecting soon for Christian Aid in Church to mark Christian Aid Week

  •  Our Youth Group is going Dino golfing next Sunday afternoon - 9th May!

  • We are joining in with the 'Thy kingdom come' initiative of praying for five people to know Christ from Ascension to Pentecost

  • St Mary the Virgin are inviting all to a concert care of Zoom next Sunday afternoon

  • A special report on racism in the Church of England and developing the presence of BAME in the Church has just been released: 'From Lament to Action'.

Full details in the newsletter

25th April 2021

Dear Friends,

Our Annual Parochial Church Meeting takes place in Church on Sunday 25th April within the 10:30am service. We still have one vacancy for a representative for the new Joint Council. 10 meetings spread over two years. Helping the three churches to explore ways of collaboratively working. Both St Luke's and St Mary the Virgin have appointed two representatives. We only have one person interested. Speak to Mark if interested.

SUNDAY 25TH OF APRIL FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

Sunday Services

  • 8am BCP Holy Communion (physical)

  • 10:30am Annual Parochial Church Meeting within a shortened service of Communion (an hour and ten minutes service) (physical)

  • 6:30pm Evensong (Zoom - Meeting ID: 814 9810 6394; Passcode: 168200)

Midweek Service

  • 10am Thursday (physical)

For those on the run – highlights below from this week’s newsletter. Contact Mark in the first instance if interested…

  • Sunday Club takes place this Sunday in the Kippington Centre.

  • Youth Club: resuming before September. We need helpers to assist Julia and Andrea. The intention is to kick start with an event – such as ‘Crazy Golf’ in Tonbridge. Can you lend a hand?

  • Play and Praise for under 5’s: (formerly “Monkey’s”) resuming week of the 28th of June. Would you like to help?

  • Coffee after worship: Resuming on 23rd May after the 10:30am service in the Centre. Could you offer one Sunday to help?

  • In the newsletter please find a thank you to Paula as the Kippington Cat comes to an end.

  • Invitation to come on the prayer chain to help pray for those facing difficulties. Contact Sharon Fishwick.

> Read the newsletter in full

18th April 2021

Sunday 18th of April Third Sunday of Easter

Sunday Services:

  • 8am BCP Holy Communion (physical)

  • 10:30am BCP Matins (physical)

  • 6:30pm Evensong (Zoom - Meeting ID: 814 9810 6394; Passcode: 168200)

Midweek Service:

  • 10am Thursday (physical)

For those on the run – highlights below from the newsletter. Contact Mark in the first instance if interested…

  • Annual Parochial Church Meeting: Takes place in Church on Sunday 25th April. Still have Vacancies for one representative for the Parochial Church Council and one representative for Joint Council.

  • Sunday Club: returns this Sunday

  • Youth Club: resuming before September. We need helpers to assist Julia and Andrea. The intention is to kick start with an event – such as ‘Crazy Golf’ in Tonbridge.

  • Play and Praise for under 5’s: (formerly ‘Monkey’s) resuming week of the 28th of June.

  • Coffee after worship: Resuming on 23rd May after the 10:30am service in the Centre.

4th & 11th April 2021

Dear Friends,

May I extend to all you blessings for Easter as we come to celebrate Christ's resurrection. May the good news of his victory over sin and death inspire us as we come to 'return' to the rhythms of life and worship.

Tomorrow is Good Friday and we have two services in church - 10:30am Family Service and 2pm Reflections around the Cross. Although both services are ticketed there is plenty of space available and so just turn up. At 7:45pm we have a Zoom service and login details are: id - 853 1283 9212: Passcode: 374150.

On Easter Eve can I warmly thanks all those who are decorating the church with flowers. Bless you! We have a service for Easter Eve by Zoom and the login details are the same as for Good Friday evening service.

On Easter Sunday a warm welcome is extended to any (up early) to our 6:30am Sunrise service outside (and we will be singing as we are permitted to do). There will also be a welcome hot drink afterwards. Our 8am service is unticketed and so please just turn up. There are a few tickets still available for our 10:30am Family Communion service, followed by an outdoor Easter Egg hunt. The deadline to reserve them is 12noon Easter Saturday.

(Thereafter services are then run without the need of ticketing).

Every blessing

Mark

This week’s attachments