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Dear friends,
A blessed New Year to you all and please find the link to our newsletter for this Sunday. A reminder that the wearing of masks is obligatory for worship.
Best wishes
Mark
8am Holy Communion (BCP) and 10:30am Parish Communion
Bible Readings: Acts 8:14–17 & Luke 3:15–17 and 21–22
6:30pm Evensong
Meeting ID: 814 9810 6394
Passcode: 168200
But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Saviour; my God will hear me.(Micah 7:7)
Dear friends,
May I first of all pass on to you my prayers and warmest wishes as, by the grace and goodness of God, we herald in a New Year.
Yet may I, most of all, as brothers and sisters of Christ, united as three churches in the West Sevenoaks Team Ministry, invite us all to pray for one another in hope. Not simply the reasonable hope that 2022 might see the continuing lessening of the impact of Covid 19 and its variants across all of our lives and the life of society; but the hope that sustains and directs the people of God – that the Lord is in this place, all our places, at this time, and in the time that is to come. Within this thankful realisation we watch and pray; act and discern to keep faithful to God as we walk in his ways.
Our three churches have, as the Team has itself, as indeed all our lives, been affected profoundly by these last two years. Much has been put on hold; some things have ended; the rhythms of our spiritual lives and the life of our fellowships have been powerfully affected. The restrictions within worship have been one thing, the closure of our churches has been something else. Nevertheless we are hopeful that we are breathing more freely again and that breathing may enable us to breathe more of the Spirit in our churches and within our Team as we seek to grow spiritually, numerically, joyfully and prayerfully.
Granted that this pandemic has taught us the reality of what we have said in previous times but paid lip service to – that we are not in control and that those who are wise know that it is the present moment that we pay attention to, not on some predetermined future that may never come.
As, my friends, we give thanks for the gift of time in hope for the Lord, we watch and pray; act and discern – and much more we love and delight; we support and encourage; we uphold and sustain.
All of us know that in the time given within this coming year there will be revealed disappointments as much as opportunities; pain as much as joy; tragedy as much as miracle. Yet we are sustained through it all – not brought low in despair and not raised high in pride – by our pilgrimage with the Lord Jesus; by that travelling with our Saviour that we do together in our hallowed places of prayer, in the communities we serve in our respective parishes and within the Team.
As the gift of the miracle of time passes as one day slips into another, so let us we hold one another up and pray as a blessing upon each other God’s word from Numbers 6: 24 – 26.
‘The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.’
May the Lord bless us all.
Rev Mark Bridgen
Team Rector: West Sevenoaks Team Ministry
Dear friends,
May I use this opportunity to extend to you all a blessed Christmas as we celebrate the Saviour's birth. The newsletter attached covers the next two Sundays - the 19th and the 26th of December - and gives full listings of all the service taking place and a few notices.
Please note now the wearing of face masks in church.
Every blessing to you all.
Rev Mark
Note - in line with Government restrictions from Friday face coverings to now be compulsory in public worship.
8am BCP Holy Communion and 10:30am Morning Prayer (BCP)
Bible readings: Philippians 4:4–7 and Luke 3:7-18
(Please note that due to the Nine Lessons and Carols Service on the 19th Morning Prayer and Communion have been swapped for December).
6pm ‘Blue’ Christmas Service.
A service that appreciates that not everything and everyone is jolly at Christmas! A service of gentle carols, lighting of candles and reflective prayers, for those without a loved one at Christmas; or those far away from families; or those tired of the commercialisation of this season. A quieter and peaceful service to mark the birth of Christ. (Not ticketed)
Full details of all our Christmas services in this week’s newsletter as well as other notices.
8am BCP Holy Communion and 10:30am Family Service (Kippington Centre)
No 6:30pm Zoom Evensong
6pm Youth Club – Film night in church!
Christmas Fair this Saturday in the Centre from 1pm to 5pm! Stalls aplenty, cream teas!!!
Highlights below from this week’s newsletter.
Some well deserved thank you's recorded
Details of our special Christmas services. Please remember that some are ticketed, while others you simply turn up to. Tickets for the ticketed services are on sale now!
In terms of two of our special Christmas services... we are on the look out!
Nine Lessons and Carols for Christmas: 19th of December at 5pm: Would you like to join our choir to sing at this service? Would you like to read at this service. Please let Len know (sing) and Mark know (read)
Family Nativity Services on Christmas Eve: come to either the 3pm or 4:30pm service times. We are on the look out for two confident voices to be the narrators for the fun nativity play that takes place in the service. No lines to be learnt. One rehearsal needed. Let Mark know.
The winter edition of Forward Move, the church magazine, is now available.
8am BCP Holy Communion and 10:30am Parish Communion
Bible Readings: 1 Thessalonians 3:9–end and Luke 21:25 -36
6:30pm Sevenoaks and District Ecumenical Service for Advent at St Nic’s
(No 6:30pm Zoom Evensong)
Highlights below. Full details found in this week’s newsletter.
Christmas Craft afternoon this Sunday
Advent Calendars are being distributed
Remember our forthcoming Advent course
Do not forget our Christmas Fair - and donating any items for any of our stalls!
Ride and Stride total
Still one more person needed on Sound for our services
Christmas Tree festival at St Mary the Virgin
Looking for a new team to help produce 'Forward Move' from February 2022!
8am BCP Holy Communion and 10:30am (BCP) Matins
Bible Readings: Revelation 1:4b-8 and John 18:33-37
6:30pm Evensong
Meeting ID: 814 9810 6394; Passcode: 168200
Highlights from this week’s newsletter which gives you full information
Advent Calendars now received and in church if you have ordered one
Thank you! Ride and Stride brought in £1,000!
Team prayers this month at St Mary the Virgin - Tuesday 23rd of November. 10am physical worship at the church and 7pm half an hour Zoom prayers.
Book now for the Children’s Christmas Craft Afternoon on Sunday 28th of November 3pm to 5pm. Kippington Centre.
Advent Study course on the four prophets of Advent. Zoom - Mondays from 29th of November 7:30pm for four weeks.
Our Christmas Fair - 4th of December from 1pm to 4pm. Our stall holders would appreciate donations!
Christmas Tree Festival on 11th and 12th of December at St Mary the Virgin.
Needing a new editor (new editorial team) for Forward Move for the February edition 2022
Plus other notices...
8am BCP Holy Communion and 10:30am Morning Prayer for Remembrance: Bible Readings: Romans 8:31-end and John 15:9-17
6:30pm Evensong: Meeting ID: 814 9810 6394; Passcode: 168200
Full details inside the newsletter
Seeking new editor/editor team for Forward Move
Christmas crafts for children - 28th of November from 3pm to 5pm
Advent course looking at the prophets of this season - Zoom: Mondays from 29th of November for four weeks, from 7:30pm to 9pm
One more person needed to join our sound rota
Full details of all the ways you can donate items to all of our stalls at our Christmas Fair - Saturday 4th of December, from 1pm to 4pm.
Every blessing
Mark
8am BCP Holy Communion
Bible Readings: Hebrews 9:24 - end and Mark 1: 14 - 20
10:30am Family Service (Kippington Centre)
Bible Reading: Ephesians 4: 25 – 27 & 29 - 32
6:30pm Evensong
Meeting ID: 814 9810 6394; Passcode: 168200
Full details to be found in this week’s newsletter.
Forward Move for November out in church and on the web site. Huge thanks to Sue as editor. After over ten years Sue is standing down with the December/ January edition - interested ..?
Best wishes to Youth Club who Sunday evening are going bowling, followed by eating pizza.
Thank you from Jenny re bottles - coffee morning. Still on the look out for more bottles!
Christmas craft afternoon for children 3 to 10. Sunday 28th of November in the centre from 3pm to 5pm. Book via Jean Day.
Advent Study course (Zoom). The four prophets of Advent. Monday evenings from 7:30pm to 9pm, beginning November 29th.
Desperately seeking two people to come on our sound rota - 10:30am service time.
Interested in decorating the Christmas Tree that the church will have as featuring in the festival of trees at St. Mary the Virgin - 11th/12th of December?
8am BCP Holy Communion
10:30am Holy Communion for All Saints
Bible Readings: Revelation 21:1–6a and John 11:32-44
No 6:30pm Evensong due to Team’s Light Party from 3:30pm to 5:30pm
Christmas Fair Bottle Stall Coffee Morning: Wednesday 3rd November from 10.00 – 12 noon in the Parish Centre.
Invitation to come alongside the prophets of Advent: Advent course on Monday evenings via Zoom from 7:30pm to 9pm. For Mondays from November 29th.
Real Advent Calendar: deadline to receive orders 7th of November.
Youth Group: are going bowling and enjoying pizza on the 7th of November
Sound Team/ Rota: need 1 to 2 people to join our rota.
Full details of our Christmas Fair; the Julian Meeting at St Luke's and Children Society Christmas Cards
Plus: not on newsletter but if anyone wants some logs for their open fire, then contact Mark as they have had some trees cut down at the Vicarage. Some going spare!
Details on all these and more in this week’s newsletter.
8am BCP Holy Communion
10:30am Holy Communion. Bible Readings: Hebrews 7: 23 - end & Mark 10: 46 – end
(We warmly welcome Steve who is acting as Deacon at both 8am and 10:30am service times; and Andy (hot foot from St Mary the Virgin) who will be preaching and officiating at the 10:30am service. (Mark is at Kippington 8am and St Luke’s 10:15am)
6:30pm Evensong
Meeting ID: 814 9810 6394
Passcode: 168200
Coffee, Tea and Cakes. Monday 25th in the Centre between 10:30am to 11:30am
All Soul's service Saturday 30th at 10:30am. List to sign in church to write any names of loved ones who have died to be remembered.
Sunday 31st at St Luke's 3:30pm to 5:30pm. Our Team Bright and Light party. Email contacts in the newsletter if your child(ren) wish to go. Names by 24th.
Real Advent calendar. Order to Sharon Fishwick by 7th of November.
Need (ideally) two more people to join our Sound Team. Check microphones, monitor sound levels and record the service on a Sunday. Have a word with Roger Fishwick or Rev Mark if interested. Once every seven Sundays.
Details on these and more in this week’s newsletter.
8am BCP Holy Communion
10:30am Morning Prayer (BCP)
Bible Readings: Hebrews 5:1-10 & Mark 10:35-45
6:30pm Evensong
Meeting ID: 814 9810 6394
Passcode: 168200
Many new notices in the newsletter this week! Please check out ...
Team prayers on the 19th of October
All Soul's service on the 30th of October
Our children's light party on the 31st of October
Julian contemplative prayer group at St Luke's
Real Advent Calendar
Plus existing ones as well of course!
8am BCP Holy Communion
10:30am Parish Communion. Bible Readings: Hebrews 4:12–end & Mark 10:17–31
12 noon Baptism
No 6:30pm Evensong
6pm to 8pm Youth Group (Church).
Please see information concerning Graham's Thanksgiving Service on the 15th at 11:30am - all are warmly invited, but please either walk or share lifts if possible.
The Kippington Centre is now being managed by Karen Bridgen - all information now care of the Vicarage.
Team Prayers on the 19th at St Luke's at 2:30pm or 7pm via Zoom
West Sevenoaks Team Light Party - 31st of October between 3pm to 5:30pm. Needing adults to help.
Further details on all these and more in this week’s newsletter.
8am BCP Holy Communion
10.30am Family Service for Harvest (in Church), followed by short Harvest Quiz and then a slow amble over to the Centre for our Ploughman’s Lunch for 12noon.
Special collection in the service for Kylie and Bhim our Church Mission Society partners. Please, if you can, use the gift aid envelopes in church.
Also any food offerings would be appreciated – given to the Loaves & Fishes Food Bank. These are the items they are currently most in need of: Tuna, tomatoes (tinned), carrots (tinned), sweetcorn (tinned), hot dogs, tins of spaghetti, rice, rice sauces, fruit juices, squash, soups, ham/spam. No pasta or baked beans, thank you as they have plenty!
We are not charging for lunch, but any donations received, above expenses incurred, will be going to a charity working with Afghanistan refugees.
6:30pm Benefice Evensong: via Zoom. (Fellowship on line from 6:15pm)
Meeting ID: 814 9810 6394
Passcode: 168200
Graham’s funeral is at church on Friday the 15th of October at 11:30am and all are very welcome to attend. The fellowship of the church meant so much to him and Wendy and the family are grateful for all the kind letters and cards received. Please either walk to the funeral or share lifts if you can and observe parking restrictions along Kippington Road if the Centre car park is full. All are also invited to the refreshments in the Centre afterwards.
(Please now note: For any enquiries concerning the Centre please contact Mark and Karen care of the Vicarage)
For all this week’s news, please download the full newsletter here.
Dear friends,
First of all, before anything else, we are recording the death of Graham Roper, faithful member of the church, giving of himself in many ways to the church (not least the Kippington Centre) and the community. As we commend Graham to the Lord his God, please remember in your prayers Wendy and the family.
At 10am at St Mary’s Kippington there will be a Team Service of Welcome to Rev Stephen Osei-Mensah, Assistant Curate to the benefice of the West Sevenoaks Team Ministry. All are warmly invited to this special service. Please note that with the number of people expected we are asking people to wear face masks throughout the service. We are running Sunday Club and so please bring your children to church and during the first hymn they go over to the Centre for their activities, returning to the Church to present Steve and his wife Emma with a gift just before the Peace. There will be donation plates at the back of church and the collection taken will be sent to the Mission Aviation Trust of which Steve is a Trustee. There will be refreshments served in the Centre following worship.
Benefice Evensong will resume this Sunday evening at 6:30pm via Zoom. Meeting ID: 814 9810 6394 Passcode: 168200
This month Team Prayers will be taking place from St Mary Kippington on Tuesday 28th of September. Physical service in church at 10am, followed by refreshments at 10:45am. At 6:45pm for a 7pm start time there will be Team Prayers via Zoom until 7:30pm. Meeting ID: 815 0902 9021. Passcode: 218012
Thanksgiving Service for Dorothy Ashpitel: Jane Jessop, Bill Ashpitel and Maggie Moat would like to say thank you for the many kind letters they received when their mother, Dorothy Ashpitel died in March, and would like to welcome all her friends to a service in celebration of her life at St Mary Kippington on the 2nd of October at 2:30pm, followed by refreshments in the Kippington Centre.
> Further details on these and more in this week’s newsletter
8am BCP Holy Communion; 10:30am Morning Prayer (BCP). Bible readings for services: James 3:13 to 4:3 and 7–8a and Mark 9:30-37
12noon Baptism. 6pm Autumn worship for Sevenoaks and District at the Vine Baptist Church.
Highlights from the newsletter for this Sunday.
Sunday 26th of September 10am Benefice service of welcome to our new Assistant Curate at St Mary Kippington.
Due to a larger congregation than normal we are inviting people to wear face masks throughout the service. (Excluding joint benefice choir and music group).
We are inviting people as they leave to make a donation concerning the Mission Aviation Fellowship of which Steve is a Trustee.
Sunday School operates as normal, but youngsters meet in the Centre and then will be coming into church just before the Peace to present to Steve and Emma something made!
Refreshments follow in the Centre.
This month Team Prayers will be taking place from St Mary Kippington on Tuesday 28th of September. Physical service in church at 10am, followed by refreshments at 10:45am. At 6:45pm for a 7pm start time there will be Team Prayers via Zoom until 7:30pm.
Sevenoaks Counselling Annual Open Meeting - Wednesday 29th September 2021
Members of the congregation are warmly invited to our Annual Open Meeting on Wednesday 29th September 2021 at 7:30pm. It will take place at St Luke's Church and the guest speaker will be John Ellis.
Harvest Lunch 3rd of October at 12noon in the centre, following Family Service in Church at 10:30am and a twenty minute inter-active quiz following at 11:30am. Please sign the list in church if coming or email Mark.
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.
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):
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.
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
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.
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