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St William’s Walderslade

40p

Parish of Holy Trinity South Chatham LEP

Church of England & Methodist

Monthly Magazine

September 2010 Registered Charity no. 1135416

“… here to offer Christ in every home.”

St Alban’s Blue Bell Hill

St William’s Walderslade

40p

St David’s Lordswood

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Please visit our website at www.southchatham.org

Accred. Lay Minister

Capt. Neil Thomson C.A.

Anglican Readers Local Preacher

Sarah Hassell Roger Hill Debbie Oliver Rose Robinson Rosemary Thomson Sylvia Wrigglesworth Mandy Harris

Pastoral Assistants Mike Gibbs & Sheena Gibbs

Parish Evangelists Ann Benger Kate Cross Susan Currie Mary Horwell Bob Tarrant

Worship Leader Rosemary Thomson

Church Bookings Denise Lee

Rev. Marilyn Ilyas Team Rector Not available Mondays Rev. John Currie Team Vicar Not available Fridays Rev. Philip Wootton Team Vicar Not available Fridays Rev. Melvyn Cooke Link Methodist Minister

CHURCH WARDENS & STEWARDS

St William’s 867194 St David’s 666716 St Alban’s 868461

Cliff Lowdell

Sylvia Wrigglesworth

No steward

Ray Hassell

Ron Robson

Mandy Harris

Richard White

Jean Boorman

Wendy Baxter

Mike Wareing

No warden

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Dear Friends,

The Things that make for Peace

St Paul called for Christians to strive for ‘the things that make for peace and build up our common life’ . (Romans 14:19). Over a gloriously warm weekend at the beginning of July, over fifty church members took time out for a Parish Weekend at the Ashburnham Christian Centre, near Battle. We explored the reconciliation that leads to peace with one another, within ourselves, and with God. The Bishop of Tonbridge, Brian Castle, author of Reconciling One and All, set the scene at our opening session. His insightful presentation on 'reconciliation', drawing on his first hand experiences, including those in the Middle East (between Israelis and Palestinians) concluding that the main problem is the lack of willingness to start the peace process because of inherited distrust by either or both parties. Here 'peace' is not describing a truce / an absence of war but a real move forward by the parties involved to start learning to live together and respect one another. Rev. Dr Russ Parker, director of the Acorn Christian Healing Foundation, and author of many books including Healing Wounded History led us very sensitively for all the remaining sessions. Encapsulating a weekend’s experience or a journey of revelations in a few lines for this magazine is an impossible task. I would therefore encourage you to get hold of a copy of Russ Parker’s book Healing Wounded History and the workbook that accompanies it. It is not an easy read. The concepts and Godly principals set out and developed both in the teaching at the weekend and through his book are often difficult to confront. Yet, to move on in a life ‘in all its fullness’ we each need to consider and recognise our ’wounded history’. This often takes place in our formative years and has shaped the way we react and how we think about ourselves. As adults, we can still respond in ways that can be traced back to the early wounds of childhood.

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The good news is that we have a God who chooses to redeem these areas of brokenness in our lives and if we can turn them over to him and seek him, often with another person working like a ‘midwife’ with us, we can find this new freedom and restoration in areas of our lives where there has only been pain. Similarly, Russ showed us that ‘wounds’ go deep in our communities. He cited cases where churches have deep hurts that have passed on from one generation of worshippers to another and, until they are addressed and God invited to bring his peace, the problems in churches continue. Drawing from Jesus’ different messages to the angels of the seven churches in the book of Revelation, he helped us recognise that each church in the Parish has its different story which has shaped it as a church and for us to learn which stories to keep and which to deal with as part of our ‘wounded history’. We were also encouraged to find things to celebrate and to bless and encourage both in the church and in our communities! As he developed the layers of teaching, often having us both laughing and crying, we began to realise that this teaching needs a wider audience, not just those able to attend the weekend, but also the rest of the parish. We are awaiting copies of Russ’ teaching CDs: please contact me if you would like to use them or join a group to discuss and pray through these issues. God provided not just brilliant speakers for us but a wonderful warm welcome at Ashburnham with delicious food and the magnificent grounds in which to walk, pray and play! The children followed their own programme exploring the grounds and prayer topics led by Phil. Their display board is currently moving around the churches, so do look at their writings and photographs. Our music worship was beautifully led by Ruth Shopland. Concluding our time in this idyllic setting, we shared Holy Communion in the local Parish Church based on the theme of Homecoming. Before the Prodigal Son could go home to the Father, he had first to come ‘home’ to himself. There was an opportunity for us to let go of the hurts of the past and to bless all those whom we needed to be in a right relationship with. Many of us found this to be an extraordinary weekend. There were emotional highs and lows as God dealt with us. We were very blessed to have Russ lead us in such a sensitive and professional way on a very special, spiritual journey for our three churches, a journey which has only just begun. Every blessing, John

(Rev. John S. Currie)

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Front cover artwork designed by Jillian Allonby OBE and used

with her kind permission.

Editor: Rev. John Currie (684888) Sub-Editor: Ann Benger ()

(Please send articles as Word documents).

ALL MAGAZINE ARTICLES TO BE RECEIVED BY THE FIRST SUNDAY OF THE

MONTH Church ‘Notice Board’ Collators: Ron Robson St Alban’s Sylvia Wrigglesworth St David’s Ann Benger St William’s Distribution: Kath Winnett St Alban’s Kay Young St David’s Mavis Buckingham St William’s Magazine advertisements: Ann Benger (##) Email: abenger@blueyonder.co.uk Weekly Notice Sheet + website Neil Thomson (##) Email: noticesheet@southchatham.org

MAGAZINE INFORMATION

The views expressed inside this Magazine are not necessarily those of the Parish.

The Parish accepts no responsibility for any items advertised in this magazine.

LUNCH CLUB

AT ST DAVID’S

Fridays from 12.30 onwards

September 17

October 15 November 19

Christmas Dinner: Dec. 10

cost: £3.00 (for dinner, dessert, tea/coffee).

Contact numbers: St David’s Church: 666716

Judy Tarrant: ##

Everyone welcome

Please note that the office telephone at St William’s is

manned only from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

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Wonderful High Tea

What a busy day I had on Saturday 12th June during the Celebrating Community Festival. It started with an idea of celebration to mark the first anniversary of my baby brother’s death and my birthday by doing something positive. Remembering the Lord’s example of being the servant it came to me I could be a waitress and wait on tables to serve a delicious old fashioned “High Tea”. At 6am I started the day, with shopping for the fresh food, flowers for tables and then cooking. I arrived at St David’s Church at midday to set the tables with bright yellow cloths, yellow flowers plus the cups and saucers; managing to slip away and get changed at half past one for 45 minutes. All the friends I had asked to help me namely Denise Lee and Sue Walker on sandwiches, Linda Hartwell and Joan Hollands on coffee and teas plus Debbie Oliver on washing up had all arrived and Vanessa Carroll helped me wait on the tables. Cakes were supplied by Linda, Mary Horwell, Ruth Lowdell and myself and these were laid out on the table at the front to whet everyone’s appetite. At 3 o’clock, people were arriving and I was having trouble marking off my guest list and seating people so Jean Wareing offered to help. Music was on softly and conversation started, everyone was chatting and popping from table to table, laughter and fun was had by all. 5 o’clock came and went and I had to gently persuade people to leave. At 6.15, washing up done, tables cleared and St David’s was laid out ready for church service on Sunday.

Boy, what a brilliant day and what a way to celebrate my birthday!

Thank you one and all, to those whom I have named for their help and to

my friends who came and celebrated.

The event raised £99 to cancer research and £99 to Church funds.

Joyce Warren

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Sporty Church

Fun and games centred around a Christian message for primary school children

with their parents/carers. Concludes with a picnic tea

St Alban’s Church Robin Hood Lane, Blue Bell Hill

Monday afternoon, 3.30 – 6.00 pm

20th September

Costs £2 per person

For more details, contact Rose Robinson on 01634 ##

or e-mail:

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Holy Trinity South Chatham

Paper Skip Dates for 2010

Weekends beginning Friday:– 3rd September, 1st October, 5th November, 3rd December

The recycling container will be at St. William’s Church unlocked Saturday and

Sunday mornings over the above weekends. The skip will remain at St William’s for a week from the above dates, if you are unable to deliver during the first weekend a key may be obtained by calling mornings into

Coffee Break with the exception of Thursdays (Please ring St William’s Church 867194 to ensure the skip is still in place)

Thank you to all who collect or contribute

newsprint, card, magazines, and books

LITTLE ANGELS for Mums, Dads, Carers, Babies and

pre-school children

Come along and make new friends!

New weekly programme starting Each Thursday 1pm to 2.30pm

At St William’s Church Walderslade

NEW - crafts - advice - play - chat - music stories - fun - food and much more …

Contact: Mandy Harris Tel: 01634 ##

Cost: £1 child

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Mondays 10 am - 12 pm Tuesdays 10 am - 12 noon Wed 9.30 am - 11.30 am Thurs 9.30 am - 1.30 pm Friday 10 am - 2 pm

St David’s Chapel an oasis of peace in the midst of a busy world

O A S I S

Every 2n d and 4t h Friday in the month From 10 a.m - 1.30 p.m

Come in and relax and enjoy a coffee, tea, or other refreshments

including sweet and savoury snacks

at St David’s Church

BEREAVEMENT POP IN at St David’s Church 10.15 - 11.45 a.m. on September 3 Come and have a cup of tea,

meet and chat with others in a similar situation. Everyone welcome. Just pop in.

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Please Raise to God in Prayer … those that have asked for our prayers and are named in each of our churches’ intercession books If there is anyone that you would like prayer for, please ring: Rose Robinson St Alban’s ## Denise Lee St David’s ## Wendy Baxter St William’s 867194 or ## Their names will remain in the book for one calendar month. Please let us know answers to prayers so that we can praise God. … our Clergy Team and their families: Marilyn Ilyas, John and Susan Currie, Philip Wootton, Melvyn Cooke … for those in authorised ministries: Ann Benger, Kate Cross, Susan Currie, Mike and Sheena Gibbs, Mandy Harris, Sarah Hassall, Roger Hill, Mary Horwell, Debbie Oliver, Rose Robinson, Bob Tarrant, Neil and Rosemary Thomson and Sylvia Wrigglesworth … those considering baptism or recently baptised: Pauline Bowdery, Sherie McCormick, Ruan Jacob Liscoe, Lene Anne Liscoe, Erin Lilian Rose Smith, William Hornby and Lauren Hornby … those who have recently been bereaved especially the families and friends of Sue Page, Colin Short, Kathleen Van Ackeren and Derek Cummings

... the ministry in the local hospitals, hospices, health centres, schools, prisons, barracks and to the Crematorium staff.

Lord, we place all these people into your loving care. Amen.

Prayers

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Fellowship of Prayers Prayers

Small groups meet regularly on:

Saturday evenings St David's Chapel

7.00 p.m. Contacts: Dave Till (##)

& Bob Tarrant (##)

Monday mornings St Alban’s

10.00 - 10.30 a.m. 1st, 3rd, 5th Mondays of the month

Contacts: Rev. Phil Wootton 660087 Kath Winnett ##

Sunday afternoons St William’s

2.30 p.m. First Sunday of the month Contacts: Rev. John Currie (684888)

Mandy Harris (##)

Please support us in your prayers, let us know of anything you would like us to pray about or, better still, join us.

Services at

HARROW COURT Bromley Close, Lordswood

8 p.m. on Tuesdays

21st September 19th October

16th November

Everyone is welcome

Marcus and Suzanne ask for prayer:

for church leaders in Nepal to take what they learnt at the ‘Forgiveness and Reconciliation Conference’ back to their churches.

For the youth facilitators as they start ‘Christian Family Life Education’ sessions in their churches

For Sushma to be able to study in London

For bereaved families and the damage caused by floods and landslides in Nepal

For the new Government of Nepal

Colin and Anita Smith with CMS working in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. ask for prayer for:

Carlile College and Emil Chandran, Colin and others facing

added responsibilities. For Mombasa diocese, and

especially for Nelson Ndoro who heads up the Diocese’s urban mission team. For Church Army Africa and

especially for the newly Commissioned missioners who will return to full time ministry this month.

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CMS LINK LETTER

Dear Friends, Greetings from Nairobi.

This year the centre for urban Mission is running week long workshops for dioceses in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania to help the Anglican Church address some of the challenges and opportunities of mission in rapidly growing cities. In April, Colin and a CUM team were in Mombasa for one of these and part of the week included a field visit to one of the slums in the diocese.

It was with some trepidation that the group of twenty or so clergy and lay people moved out of the church compound and began to walk along the narrow path adjacent to the church fence which bounded the small slum. To the right our path fell sharply away towards a rubbish tip and then continued to drop more gradually towards the distant twisted fingers of a narrow creek that separates Mombasa from the mainland.

Walking on, we stopped by two men working away beneath the shelter of a plastic sheet, tied at the top to the church fence. We talked for a while before moving on. Sometimes it is hard to discern what it is that tells you that something isn’t quite right: perhaps it was the man asleep in a car tyre in the middle of the day or the unrepaired walls and general sense of decay We passed a church with virtually no walls, a mud floor and a few pieces of broken furniture strewn across the floor. “We held a seminar here last week,” our guide told us. “Four churches came together for some training on drugs and alcohol, organised through the diocesan urban mission team.

A short distance further on a young man was being chased by a mob. He was finally captured and brought to an area close to where we had gathered. He had apparently attempted to interfere with a young child and had been seen by neighbours. His young captors began to beat him with planks of wood. Attempts to intervene proved fruitless and I could only feel relief when the accused man managed to flee before he was killed. We walked on, sobered by what we had seen. Close by a man slept, oblivious to all that had taken place. Outside homes, men

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and women slept or rested on straw mats, some clearly unwell. At the edge of the village we looked out towards the creek where, in the distance, five separate plumes of smoke rose up from the bush close to the water’s edge. “That is where they do the illegal brewing,” our guide said.

Walking back through the village, we passed groups of men and women sitting together round a single plastic pot, drinking home brew through long straws passed between them. We sat and talked with them for a while. Hospitality at the pot was offered but declined. One member of our group tried to share the gospel but the party seemed too far gone for a meaningful conversation. We walked on, passing another group of drinkers, this time young women, and a sleeping population.

This was the first time I can recall ever being in a community where it seemed half the population was drunk. Never have I been in a place that seemed to so manifest sickness, decay and a sense of hopelessness. I later gathered that the ‘village’ was to be bulldozed to make room for a container park. Hope was in short supply. The local archdeacon, who played a very instrumental role in the site visit and the workshop, confessed that in ten years he had never set foot in that community. The next day the bishop joined the workshop and we learned that he had caused the church to be planted right next to the slum ten years ago as a visible presence and an outreach to address the very things we had witnessed. Today it has grown in members, has permanent buildings and a tall boundary fence but the community beyond it remains the same. Since the above visit the older woman in the first drinking place has become a Christian. Our prayer is that these workshops will lead the church into a deeper and more committed practical engagement with the poorest and most vulnerable communities in the city.

Last June, 66 Church Army Captains were commissioned as part of Church Army Africa.

Carlile College has had to lose staff and its principal has resigned so Colin has taken on a number of roles which he could happily do without. ( Please see prayer requests on page 11) COLIN, ANITA, SHEILA AND SANDIE

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Growing in prayer

Jane Holloway of the BRF gives some suggestions on how to improve your prayer life

Prayer is essentially all about our relationship with God, and it is this relationship that is at the heart of the Christian faith. Prayer should be one of the easiest things in the world — after all, it is surely only a matter of talking to God — and yet many of us struggle with it.

How can we grow in prayer? If we take the example of a tree, we find that it grows from a small seed to a large tree if the roots are in good soil, are watered by the rain and receive light from the sun. We need the same things to help us grow in prayer: food, water and sunlight.

Our food will include having a time with God each day on our own to talk about what is on our heart as well as meeting to worship and pray with others weekly. Our water will be the nourishment we receive from reading the Bible and making it part of how we live our lives. Our light comes from God’s love as we open our lives to the fullness of all that God wants to give to us as we pray and care for those around us. God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) will provide all that we need to help us grow in our relationship with him through the ups and downs of life.

Here are some suggestions:

Try starting with five minutes on your own with God. It could be in the car, in the bathroom, on a walk. Mull over a Bible passage, for example Psalm 42:1–2, or a hymn/song or recent talk/sermon. Talk it through with him. Pray the Lord’s Prayer.

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Make friends with stillness and silence. Turn off the radio, TV, computer and ipod and listen to the sounds around you. Rest in God’s love.

Try praying ‘as you go’. As you walk out of the house ask God to walk with you through the day. As you meet people through the day pray for God to bless them.

Reflect by taking a few minutes to run through the day in your mind, learning to recognise and give thanks for where you can see God at work, as well as saying sorry for when things didn’t go as planned. This simple discipline really helps me to grow in prayer.

Let’s remember ‘The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with’ (James 5:16, THE MESSAGE).

Jane Holloway is author of ‘Prayer — a beginner’s guide’, BRF, £4.99

SPACE TO BE STILL WITH GOD

St William’s Chapel is open to everyone daily (except Thursday)

between 9 a.m. and 1p.m.

Candles are available to light in prayer for those you love.

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DATE EVENTS TIME VENUE

Sept. 2 Midweek Service 11.00 a.m. St David’s

Sept. 2 Little Angels 1.00 p.m. St William’s

Sept. 3 Paper skip St William’s

Sept. 3 Bereavement Pop In 10.15 a.m. St David’s

Sept. 3 Baby Messy Church 1.30 p.m. St David’s

Sept. 5 Prayer for St William’s 2.30 p.m. Chapel

Sept. 7 St David’s Group 7.45 p.m. St David’s

Sept. 7 St William’s Group 8.00 p.m. 18 Marion Close

Sept. 9 Midweek Service 11.00 p.m. St David’s

Sept. 9 Toddler Messy Church 1.00 p.m. St William’s

Sept.10 Oasis Coffee Morning 10.00 a.m. St David’s

Sept. 13 Messy Church 3.30 p.m. St William’s

Sept. 14 Management Committee 7.45 p.m.

Sept. 14 Prayer Visiting 7.00 p.m. St David’s

Sept. 16 Service of Healing & Wholeness 10.30 a.m. St Alban’s

Sept. 16 Little Angels 1.00 p.m. St William’s

Sept. 17 Lunch Club 12.30 p.m. St David’s

Sept. 18 St David’s Sale 10.00 a.m. St David’s

Sept. 20 Sporty Church 3.30 p.m. St Alban’s

Sept. 21 Harrow Court Service 8.00 p.m. Harrow Court

Sept. 22 Service Leaders and Preachers 8.00 p.m. 29 Keefe Close

Sept. 23 Midweek Service (Communion) 11.00 p.m. St David’s

Sept. 23 Little Angels 1.00 p.m. St William’s

Sept. 24 Oasis Coffee Morning 10.00 a.m. St David’s

Sept. 25 Quiz Night St David’s

Sept. 27 St Alban’s Prayer Visiting 6.30 p.m. St Alban’s

Sept. 27 St William’s Prayer Visiting 6.30 p.m. St William’s

Sept. 29 PETALS 7.30 p.m. St William’s

Sept. 30 Little Angels 1.00 p.m. St William’s

Sept. 28 Church Council Meeting 7.45 p.m. St Alban’s

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WORSHIP DETAILS

St Alban’s St David’s St William’s

Date Time Service Time Service Time Service

Sept. 5

09.30

Holy Communion

09.30

Holy Communion

0800 10.00

Holy Communion Worship Together

Sept. 12

09.30

All Age Worship

08.00 09.30

Holy Communion Morning Worship

10.00

Sung Communion

Sept. 19

09.30

Holy Communion

09.30

Holy Communion

08.00 10.00

Holy Communion Worship Together with Prayer for Healing

Sept. 26

08.00 09.30

Holy Communion

Morning Worship Celebration

Sunday

09.30

All Age Harvest

10.00 19.30

All Age Worship together with Communion and Harvest Worship Event

Holy Communion in St William’s Chapel

every Wednesday morning at 7.30 a.m.

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Parish Profile This month I interviewed Bonnie Bourne, who worships at

St Alban’s Church. Could you please explain your role in the Church? At present, a member of the congregation, I occasionally help out at Junior Church. Once my son is a bit older, I would like to take a more active part in the children’s activities run by the Church.

Age: I am 31.

Married: I am widowed. Children: Yes, I have one son, Jason, aged three, who now goes to Junior Church at St Albans.

Where are you from? Born in Chatham, I now live in Gillingham.

What did you want to be as a child? After initial whims of wanting to be a postman (I didn’t know at that age I could be a postwoman!), plus a shoe shop assistant, my main ambition was to be a nurse.

Could you share any precious childhood memories with us? I really enjoyed being a Brownie as a child, going away on pack holidays, playing games, cooking and making things.

What is your favourite food? Depending on my mood, I like most things.

What do you watch on television? Casualty, Desperate Housewives and Top Gear.

What music do you listen to? At the moment, anything that is on the radio, as a certain young boy put coins in the CD player, and broke it!

What is your favourite film? Do not have a particular favourite, but any chick flick film is good.

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What is your day job? A Stroke Research Nurse, I am employed by Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, but I work on the acute stroke unit at Medway and the rehabilitation units at St Barts Hospital and Sheppey. I work three days a week, being mum to my Jason, the rest of the week.

Can you describe yourself in three words? Caring, hardworking and friendly. What is your Church background? My parents, Teresa and Kelvyn sent me to Sunday School with a neighbour around the age of 5 – 8 years. When I eventually became a Guide, I agreed to help out at the Church crèche at St Alban’s as part of a badge and have been going there ever since.

Do you have a favourite hymn, why? ‘Praise my Soul, the King of Heaven’, it was our school hymn, and brings back happy memories of my days at Chatham Grammar School for Girls, and it was one of the hymns Adrian and I chose to have at our wedding.

Do you have a favourite Bible reading? Corinthians, Chapter 13, from The Good News Bible, Love. ‘Love is patient and kind, it is not jealous or conceited or proud’.

What do you draw from spiritually? The knowledge that you are never on your own.

Have you ever had a profound spiritual experience? I can’t say I have ever really had a profound single experience but during the bereavement of my husband, I felt a real sense of being guided and a knowledge that all the decisions I had to make were the right ones, whereas normally I am always questioning whether I have made the right decisions.

Where do you see yourself in ten years’ time? Hopefully still doing the same things I do now, having fun and sharing my life with my son, going to Church, doing some kind of work as a nurse and helping out at Brownies. Is there anything else you would like to tell us about you? Although I have been through the worst times of my life, being widowed whilst pregnant, having Jason has brought so much fun and laughter, and I am lucky enough to have found someone else to share our lives with.

Valerie Hobson

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Update from Marcus and Suzanne – July 2010

In spite of the elections, Nepal is relatively peaceful at present, without any significant protests or strikes. However, in our papers we read about numerous forced resignations of Village Development Committee secretaries and a number of killings and abductions for political motives. The monsoon rains have arrived which is vital, but the downside as usual has been a number of landslides and flooding with some associated loss of life. Marcus’s Work This last month has been hectic for both of us with work activities. In Sunsari, Marcus was involved in getting three Interfaith groups, from around the country, together. They learnt from each other and explored ideas as to what they could do to strengthen interfaith ties and to look for development issues they could work at together to benefit their communities. A few days later Marcus returned to Rupandehi with a group of visitors from a development organisation in India. They had visited Nepal to see some of UMN’s Conflict Transformation work. Marcus took them to a number of UMN’s partner organisations in the area, including one of the interfaith groups who had visited Sunsari. The group from India were amazed at some of the Interfaith work and felt that it would not be possible in their communities. They also found it hard to accept that the Government of Nepal does not provide the level of services for Nepali people that the Indian Government provides for its people. Marcus has been involved in leading sessions at a national “Forgiveness and Reconciliation Conference”. It was held on the outskirts of the Kathmandu valley and 22 church leaders from across Nepal attended. Marcus spoke first on the Diversity of the Trinity, Creation and Man. This then lead into an interesting discussion time where someone picked up on Marcus having worked in the UK Police Service. They wanted to know how he could reconcile being a Christian and working in the police force. This then led to a discussion around the needs to have Christians working in various sectors of society. In Nepal, there tends to be a pressure for Christians to work within the church rather than having secular roles but two people commented that they had been challenged and this was the first time they had considered this issue.

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Suzanne’s Work In addition to more routine activities, I have been involved in providing training for Christian youth to equip them with skills to be able to facilitate “Christian Family Life Education” sessions for other youth in their churches. So far we have held training over two consecutive weekends (with a further one to come in September). The course covers general life skills and issues around adolescent sexual and reproductive health – some of you will remember me talking about this programme before. On this occasion we were training 20 youth from 10 Kathmandu churches. Over the first weekend, I lead three sessions: physical and emotional changes during puberty; self-esteem and decision making. During the second weekend participants learnt about facilitation skills and then had to have a go at leading a session using the manual that we have adapted for a Nepali context. All the participants did very well. In the next couple of weeks they will carry out a survey amongst the youth in their own church congregations and then in pairs they will then start to lead weekly sessions for around 20 young people. This programme has been extremely successful in Rupandehi and Sunsari and we anticipate similar benefits here in Kathmandu as well. The other task I have been involved with is to help and advise one of our Health Team Advisors in her application to do a Masters Degree at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine which will be full time study for a year, starting in September 2010. Sushma is a key member of our team and we feel the studies will assist her in taking on greater responsibilities in the future as we need staff with appropriate skills to be able to lead health and development work. It helps in that I studied at the same institution ten years ago and I have lived and worked in that area of London. Sushma now has a place on the course and she has an offer of accommodation in a nearby Hall of Residence. However she still needs a student visa. Back in February the UK Visa Office in Nepal was closed because of problems in the UK where students from overseas were being tricked to pay huge sums of money to disreputable institutions – they arrived from overseas and found the courses did not exist and they were expected to live in appalling conditions. Now only students going to reputable institutions get UK visas. The visa office in Nepal partially opened again on the 22nd July. This means there could be a large backlog of students wanting to get UK visas and difficulty in getting them processed in time for the start of courses. The other thing we need to do is to get money from external sources to be able to cover Sushma’s course fees and living expenses for a year.

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St Alban’s Housewives’ Fellowship Alternate Wednesdays at 7.30 p.m.

8th. September Body Focus by Alison 22nd. September Storm Chaser by Andrew Garnham-Archer. 6th. October How to grow old disgracefully by June Faulkner 20th. October Toys and Games over the past hundred years by Helen Allison. 3rd. November Jordan & Reconciliation in the Holy Land by Rev. Phil Wootton. 17th. November The road to Chelsea by Sue Shaw. 1st. December To be confirmed. 15th. December Christmas Celebrations.

Secretary: Jean Boorman ### Leader: Helen Palmer ### New members are always welcome

Service of Healing and Wholeness

a monthly midweek morning service an opportunity to seek God for ourselves and on behalf of

others a simple, quiet service, with the offer of individual prayer

with the laying on of hands and/or anointing with oil

St Alban’s Church, Thursdays at 10.30 a.m. 16th September, 21st October

Everyone is welcome

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COFFEE BREAK AT ST WILLIAM’S

Monday to Saturday 9 am - 1 pm (Closed Thursdays)

Come and join us in the Darrall Hall for tea, coffee and light refreshments

and Ploughman’s lunch every Tuesday from

12.00 noon - 1.30 p.m.

The Chapel is open during these times for reflection and prayer.

WALDERSLADE POLICE SURGERY Come and meet your Community Police Officers

in the Coffee Break at St William’s Church

Tuesday September 7 during the morning

This is an opportunity for you to raise any concerns you have about local policing issues.

An officer of the Walderslade Neighbourhood Policing Team

will be available to see people individually on a first come, first served basis.

Please note that the office telephone at

St William’s is manned only from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

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For more information please contact Kate Cross ###

Come and join in the fun

Messy Church A time for primary school aged

children and their families to enjoy creative fun, a meal and a chance

for reflection together on the first Monday of each month.

at St William’s Church, Walderslade

Monday September 6

3.30pm – 6pm

only £2 per person

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At ST DAVID’S CHURCH, LORDSWOOD (Newton Close, off Sultan Road) every first Friday of the month

1.30pm — 3pm £1:00 per adult (children free)

For further information contact Mary on 01634 ###

MESSY PLAY STORYTIME SINGING

AND REFRESHMENTS Up to 4 years

All with a Christian theme e.g. Noah’s Ark, The Lost Sheep and other Bible stories.

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NOTICE BOARD St William’s Church

Community Police The Tuesday morning sessions with the CPOs in St William’s Coffee Shop have been very successful. They will be present during the morning of 7th September if you have any issues you wish to bring up with them. Confidential discussions can be arranged.

Paper skip Recycling our paper and cardboard is a very easy way of raising funds for the parish. Now that we have the skip monthly, it isn’t always filled up to capacity. Please consider saving up your recycling for the parish if you are not doing this already. Thanks to all those that do contribute to this. If there are any problems, please ring Wendy Baxter (##) or Susan Currie (684888). A 'Celebrating Community Festival' Night of Prayer to pray for 'Healing of Relationships' in our community. Please join us in St William's Chapel, Walderslade Village between 7pm and 7am on Friday 24 September to Saturday 25 September as we pray for the people of our area; for a healing of broken relationships between parents and children, between couples and families; between neighbours and the wider community. Come and sit in quiet for a while; light a candle; pray with others or leave a prayer request for someone else. Please phone Mandy Harris on ##. All welcome. If you have anything you want to put in the next St William’s Notice Board, please email ##@blueyonder.co.uk

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NOTICE BOARD St Alban’s Church

By the time you read this our Church exterior will have been painted. We thank God for the resources to complete this project. St Alban’s annual Strawberry Tea was a great success with more people than ever before attending on a great sunny day. We raised £170+ for the Parish Funds. Our thanks to all those who assisted in both the Tea and the ‘Bring and Buy’. Many of the people who attended are not worshippers in the Parish. Diary Dates: Sporty Church has been a great success again this year. The last opportunity to join in is on Monday afternoon 20th September 3.30 - 6pm. It is aimed at primary school children and their families and at £2 per person (including parents/carers), includes activities, reflection and a picnic tea for all. Come along and join the fun. For further information please give Rose Robinson a ring Tel.01634 ## or E-mail: rose@##. Coffee mornings will continue in the Church 10 - 11.30a.m. on the third Wednesday morning of every other month i.e. the 15th September and 17th November. Drinks and great cake combine with a warm friendly atmosphere - all welcome to come and join us. Anyone willing to help organise or supply cakes please contact Rose (01634 ##), Jean (01634 ##) or Kath (01634 ##). We are looking forward to ‘Celebration Sunday’ on the 26th September. It’s a great chance to invite people back to church who have not been for some time or to invite a friend who has never been to church. We had a great response last year and hope it will be repeated this year. Last, but not least, we are looking forward to Harvest Festival on the weekend of the 8th – 10th October when we will also have our friends from Wesseling joining us. Our service will be on the 10th. All tins and fresh food will go to Dave Carter at the Drop In Centre for the homeless in Rochester.

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NOTICE BOARD St David’s Church

As part of the Community Festival, a Service of Songs of Praise for the Heroes was held at St David's . Although the congregation was not large. the atmosphere was emotive. To see the gentlemen proudly wearing their medals was moving. The hymns were meaningful and the prayers reflected feelings that we all experience. The two poems, especially describing the return of the Heroes from Afghanistan and travelling through Wootten Bassett, caused the tears to flow and gave time to reflect. The collection raised £120 for Help the Heroes, the charity which gives support and practical help for the injured soldiers. Looking ahead, our fabulous Turn Around Clothes Sale takes place on 11th September. Please see details on page 14 or ring Sylvia for more details. If you have any material to be included in the next Notice Board, please contact Sylvia Wrigglesworth.

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Funeral Directors and Monumental Masons

24 Hour personal service Private Chapels of rest Floral Tributes Monumental Masons Prepaid Funeral Plans

303 Walderslade Road, Walderslade, ME5 0NU Tel: (& FAX) 861422 (Ample Parking at rear)

MEDWAY FUNERAL DIRECTORS LTD

Hospital Lane Dental and

Implant Clinic A first‐class dental clinic right on your doorstep.                    

For all of your dental needs. 

Dental Implants, Same‐day Replacement Single or Multiple Teeth,                Cosmetic Dentistry, Tooth Whitening, Orthodontics,                                      

Single‐Visit Ceramics, Gum Treatments, Intra‐venous Sedation,                          Root Canal Treatments, Dental Imaging, On‐site Laboratory.             

www.hospitallane.com 

Lord Lees Grove, Blue Bell Hill     01634 842566         email: reception@hospitallane.com                                                                    

Situated on the Lord Lees Roundabout by Junction 3 of the M2,  adjacent to the long‐stay car‐park.                                                                      

Open Monday—Saturday.  Easy on‐site parking.   

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A MODERN DAY VERSION OF THE 23RD PSALM

By Toki Miyashina

The Lord is my pacesetter, I shall not rush. He makes me to stop and rest for quiet intervals.

He provides me with images of stillness, which restore my serenity.

He leads me in ways of efficiency through calmness of mind, and his guidance is peace.

Even though I have a great many things to accomplish each day I will not fret for his presence is here.

His timelessness is all important. He will keep me in balance.

He prepares refreshment and renewal, in the midst of my activity.

By anointing my mind with oils of tranquillity, my cup of joyous energy overflows.

Surely harmony and effectiveness shall be the fruits of my hours for I shall walk in the pace of my Lord and dwell in his house for

ever.

quoted in Marriage Resource

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Hiring of church premises

Do you need to hire a hall for a special occasion, a regular meeting or a one off event?

Have you considered hiring one of our three churches subject to availability?

St Alban’s, Bluebell Hill (above)

St David’s, Lordswood,

St William’s, Walderslade Village,

For further information, please contact Denise Lee 01634 683002.

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Andrew Fletcher Painting, Decorating and Tiling Services

Over 20 years experience City and Guilds Qualified

References available call 01634 683066 or 07702 094382

KJ PLUMBING SERVICES Plumbing, Bathrooms & Kitchen

Installations Kevin Jones Tel: 01634 843041

07734 921925

Reeds Rains are delighted to offer you a free market appraisal of your home.

Please give our office a call and arrange an appointment.

It’s a free service with over 200 branches totally interconnected, every property

in every town is marketed through every branch.

Reeds Rains 377 Walderslade Road, Walderslade,

Chatham, Kent. ME5 9LL Tel: 01634 200279

Walderslade@reedsrains.co.uk www.reedsrains.co.uk

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SCEATS AUTOS Servicing and Repairs at a time convenient to YOU

01634 580400 07903247181

Unit 8, Railway Street Industrial Estate, Railway Street, Gillingham ME71YQ

ST DAVID’S COFFEE MORNING AND SALE Saturday, September 11

10 a.m. - Noon

St David’s Church, Lordswood

LOVE TO READ? Would you like to join a Readers’ Group

at Walderslade Village Library?

Readers’ Groups are ideal if you love reading and would like to share your likes and dislikes with other readers.

There is no charge and all are welcome!

Please contact the library if you are interested and would like

to join.

01634 686467

- 36 - To advertise here please telephone Ann Benger Tel: 863617

(ophthalmic opticians & contact lens practitioners)

6 Ashdown House, Walderslade Centre, Walderslade, Chatham

ME5 9LR

Tel: Medway 682595

.

Funeral Directors

LET US HELP YOU GET THROUGH YOUR LOSS

A. H. APPS 01634 842095

30/32 Luton Road, Chatham, Kent

A. H. APPS 01634 853917

8/10 Duncan Road, Gillingham, Kent

THOMAS FOWLE & SONS 01634 851133

68 Balmoral Road, Gillingham, Kent

We’ll guide and assist you through all the funeral arrangements. Call us 24 hours a day.

PROFESSIONAL GARDENER Reliable and trustworthy

25 years experience in horticulture City & Guilds qualified

Excellent references available if required Any gardening jobs undertaken (big or small)

Please ring Lester : 01622 630327 or 07920 104549

(To save money leave your number and he will ring back.)