Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
1ochester Link
Photos and story page 6
Bishop Jamescelebrates Holy Week in Bexley
May 2013
Spiritual art at St Mary’s Church
PLEASE NOTE: Copy deadline for the June issue of The Link is Thursday 9 May at 4pm
Pictured below: the stained glass window and wire sculpture of Christ Crucified
Following the success of designing, making and installing a large stained glass window, members of St Mary’s Church Green Street Green led by Revd Karl Carpani and Mrs Marina Price are venturing into ever deeper creative and artistic waters. Already this year has seen a new Art and
Spirituality Course where participants have discovered the skills of portrait drawing alongside developing their creative spirituality.
The church has run a Lent Course based on the Nicene Creed and on the back of that, is holding an exhibition of art created by church members and depicting aspects of the Creed.
Items include a full scale wire sculpture of Christ Crucified (see image) which hangs
from the chancel roof, a work that has already made a major impact on many who see it. There are drawings and paintings and a stained glass mosaic, icons and other sculpture.
Mr Carpani, with Mrs Price, is exploring ever new ways to bring the Gospel through the creative arts and to develop the spirituality of artists; they are planning further courses in painting, stained glass work, iconography and sculpture.
Mr Carpani says: “There is nothing more wonderful than to express our deep faith through creative art.
“The product of wrestling with all kinds of media can so powerfully elicit aesthetic spiritual emotion in viewers that words so often fail to do.”
By Isabel Pimmer
The Mayor of Tonbridge and Malling, Councillor Dave Davis, opened a specially designed kitchen recently installed at St Stephen’s Church, Tonbridge.The new facilities are the culmination of a five-year project to remodel the church building to allow it to be used not just by the congregation on Sundays but by the wider community throughout the week.
The church already opens on Tuesday and Friday mornings to offer refreshments and a listening ear to anyone in the community.
Regular attenders include parents with babies and toddlers, the elderly, a bereavement support group and a group for adults with learning
difficulties. At other times the church is used by local schools, Tonbridge Philharmonic Orchestra, Bacchus Wind Band, St John’s Ambulance, a monthly dads’ and toddlers’ group and guests at weddings and funerals. Offering refreshments has previously needed four volunteers with urns and equipment having to be transported from the nearby church hall.
The Vicar of St Stephen, the Rev Mark Barker, comments: “The lack of on-site facilities has made it difficult to offer hospitality and has limited the times we can be open. With the new kitchen we’ll be able to open the church to more groups seven days a week and be of greater service to our community.”
Funding for the project came from members of the congregation, with further donations from Russet Homes and Ibstock Cory Environmental Trust. The kitchen was designed and built by Tim Whitfield.
New kitchen at St Stephen’s Church
The newly-installed kitchen at St Stephen’s Church, Tonbridge
2 ochester Link
What’s on Bishop Brian’s Diary - May5 May 9.30 Preside and Preach – St Michael, Cuxton 11.00 Preside and Preach – St John, Halling 7 May 11.00 Faith and Order Commission Meeting - London
9 May 11.45 Visit Walthamstow Hall School, Sevenoaks
7.30 Confirmation – Christ Church, Milton
11 May 9.00 Speak at St Stephen’s, Chatham, Mens’ Breakfast at the Huntsman Pub
2.30 Speak at Friends of Kent Churches – All Saints, Tudeley
12 May 10.00 Preach and Preside – 150th Aniversary Service, All Saints, Langton Green
14 May 2.00 Meeting with Leaders of Newer Christian Communities - Sevenoaks
15 May All Day Bishop’s Staff Meeting - Bishopscourt
16 May Speak at New Vision Conference, St Cuthman, 17 May Horsham
19 May 10.30 Confirmation – St Martin, Barnehurst
THEOLOGY FOR CHRISTIAN MINISTRYOrdained Ministry Students • Readers in Training
Independent Students
Choice of three modes of study:• Part-ti me through weekly evening classes in central
London or Canterbury• Part-ti me through teaching days• Full-ti me mixed-mode combining evening classes,
teaching days and supervised ministerial practi ce
Please contact us for more details:Email: [email protected] • Telephone: 01227 471120
Website: www.seite.co.uk
May 2013Saturday 4WATERINGBURY Annual Plant Sale at St John the Baptist, Tonbridge Road, Wateringbury from 10am to 4pm. Superb nursery plants plus home grown stall, St John’s crafts, cards, good condition books and toys home made cakes, cream teas and refreshments. Further information please contact 01622 813032
Friday 10RIVERHEAD The Hermitage Ensemble, a world-class Russian Orthodox Male Voice Choir from St Petersburg, presents a programme of Russian sacred music and folk songs. St Mary’s Church, Riverhead at 7.30pm. Tickets £10 (£5 students) from Sevenoaks Bookshop, or phone 01732 452715, or at the door. www.seenworks.com/hermitage
Saturday 11BROMLEY Bromley Symphony Players, directed by Bernard Brook, perform in St Mary’s Church, College Road, Bromley BR1 3QG at 7.30 p.m. They play music by Handel, Mozart, Corelli, Albinoni and Grieg in a charity concert in aid of Action against Hunger. Admission is £7 on the door, with interval refreshments. 020 8464 1239 for more details.
SHOREHAM ‘Welcome Spring’, a concert of choral music by Temenos Chamber Choir, conducted by Charles Vignoles. Celebrate Spring with wine and refreshments, and joyful music by Debussy, Ravel, Monteverdi, Britten and many more. St Peter and St Paul, Shoreham at 7.30pm. Tickets £10 (£5 students) from Sevenoaks Bookshop, or phone 01959 523765, or at the door. www.temenos-chamberchoir.org.uk
Sunday 12BROMLEY Meet outside St Mary’s Church, College Road, Bromley BR1 3QG at 2.30 pm for “Beating the Bounds” of the parish. All are welcome – please bring a staff – and a cup of tea will be available back at the church after the bounds have been duly beaten. 020 8464 1239 for more details.
Saturday 18BROMLEY Mothers’ Union Plant Sale and Coffee Morning at St Mary’s Church Hall, College Road, Bromley BR1 3QG in aid of MU literacy projects overseas and “Away from It All”. From 10 am - 12 noon, admission 50p includes the cost of the first cup of coffee. 020 8464 1239 for more details.
FAWKHAM & HARTLEY is holding a traditional May Fair, at St Mary’s Church Meadow, Fawkham Road, Fawkham, DA3 8EQ from noon until 4.00pm. The event will feature a variety of stalls and activities, plus a fun dog show, classic car display and live music by the band, ‘Jazz Force.’ Tempting pastries, ice-cream and burgers will provide added pleasure, as will the opportunity to win a Bluewater voucher worth £200 first prize in the fair’s Grand Draw. Entrance to the event is free and car parking is £1.
SOUTHWARK ‘A new pattern of priesthood’: Celebration and consultation on self-supporting ministry and 50th anniversary event for SOC & SEITE at Southwark Cathedral. This major national event is organised and supported by the Church of England’s Ministry Division, the Diocese of Southwark and the South East Institute for Theological Education. It’s for everyone associated with SOC & SEITE over 50 years, including former students in all kinds of ministries, stipendiary as well as non-stipendiary, and for everyone involved in self-supporting ministry, including those who wish to encourage it and those who may be considering offering for it. For further details and a booking form, please see our website www.seite.co.uk
BEXLEY At St Mary’s Church at 7:30pm - “Maytime Melodies”. Tickets £8, including a glass of wine and nibbles available from Deidre Allard on 01322 525629 or Sheila Thompson on 01322 522071.
TUNBRIDGE WELLS Vasari Singers in concert, one of the UK’s foremost London chamber choirs performing secular and sacred music, to include Agnus Dei, Barber and works by Chilcott, Delibes, Gershwin, Sondheim and Jerome Kern. St Luke’s Church, St Luke’s Road, Tunbridge Wells TN4 9JH at 7.30pm. Tickets £10 from J and K Gallery Crowborough, or call 07596 122972 or from St Luke’s church office, 07980 832815, or at the door. www.vasarisingers.org Sunday 23NETTLESTEAD ‘Life on a Harp String’ Concert by Harpist Margaret Watson in The Undercroft at Nettlestead Place at 3 for 3.30pm. Tickets £10 each which includes an Afternoon Tea. Telephone: 01622 812016 or 01622 871272. Proceeds in aid of Nettlestead Church
Friday 31WALDERSLADE Andy Flannagan concert ‘Drowning in the Shallow’ St Philip & St James’ Church, King George Road, Walderslade ME5 0TZ at 7:30pm. Tickets are £5 and available online at www.pipnjims.co.uk or by calling the Church Office on 01634 681671.
June 2013Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 LULLINGSTONE St Botolph’s Church. Vivat Regina! – An exhibition marking the 60th Anniversary of the Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. 11am – 5pm. Also on Sunday at 11am Celebration Matins. 12.30 Talk by Mr Henry Phillips, the retired workshop manager of Garrard, the Crown Jewellers. Entrance free. For more information phone 01732 461462
Monday 10MAIDSTONE The Diocese of Rochester Golf Day at Cobtree Manor Park golf course, Chatham Road, Maidstone ME14 3AZ (Tel: 01622 753276). From 8am: Coffee. 9am Tee off for 18 holes. Lunch to follow with Bishop James, prize giving, speeches etc! Entry fee £32. To book contact: Rev Ian Brown at [email protected] by Sunday 26 May.
DisclaimerAdvertisers enter into a contract with Cornerstone Vision and not the Rochester Diocesan Board of Finance. The inclusion of advertisements in Rochester Link does not suggest endorsement of the products or services offered. Please exercise great care when responding to advertisements.
VariousSEVENOAKS – Lunchtime Recitals at 12.30pm every Wednesday at St Luke’s Church. Lasting 30 minutesPlease join us – admission free. Refreshments available from 12 noon. 1 May New Benedict Singers; 8 Michele Roszak – Mezzo Soprano and Lynda Spinney - Piano;15 Jenny Miles - Piano; 22 Lily Blackmore – Flute; 29 Pupils from Guildhall School of Music and Drama - (Holly Marie Bingham – Soprano and Catherine Norton – Piano)
Thursday 2 May and Friday 3 May The 28th Eric Symes Abbott Memorial Lecture at Westminster Abbey on 2 May at 6.15pm and at Keble College Oxford on 3 May at 5.30pm. The 28th Eric Symes Abbott Memorial Lecture - Constantine’s Vision and the Church Today: From the Battle of Milvian Bridge (AD312) to the Twenty-First Century. Speaker: Professor Dame Averil Cameron FBA FKC, former Warden of Keble College, Oxford. Further information: The Dean’s Office, King’s College London, 020 7848 2333, email: [email protected]. To book visit www.westminster-abbey.org/lecture-booking
Beautiful TreatsCostume Jewellery
Web: www.beautifultreats.co.uk
Email: [email protected]
Mob: 07706930704
Beautiful Jewellery for those
special occasions
3ochester Link
Bishop James’ Diary - May
Pentecost Message
Growing and Globalby the Ven Clive Mansell
From 120 to about 3120 - that is the growth in the number of first Christian disciples that many of us will hear about (from the Acts of the Apostles 2, v. 41) on 19 May when we mark again the first Whit Sunday, the Feast of Pentecost after the first Easter Day, when the Holy Spirit of God came upon those first disciples and St. Peter preached to an international crowd in Jerusalem about the risen Christ and challenged them to respond in faith.The growth of the Christian Church which began that day continues today almost 2000 years later, but this is not perhaps the impression you get from many a news report. Here, however, are some thought-provoking numbers which I have come across in recent times.
Approximately 2.18 billion people in the world identity themselves as Christians today - about one-third of the world’s population. About one billion of those are Catholics, 800 million Protestants, 260 million Orthodox and 85 million Anglicans worldwide.
There are about 3.7 million Christian congregations across the world with about 50,000 new congregations added each year. Most of the growth is in South America, Africa, Asia and especially China.
The Asia Times in 2007 stated that 10,000 Chinese become Christians each day. Official Chinese Government figures state
that there are 25 million Christians in China today, but, according to the BBC, best independent estimates reckon there are 60–70 million. There are already more Chinese at church on a Sunday than in the whole of Europe.
A report published in 2012 on church growth in Britain from 1980 to the present revealed that at least 5,000 new churches have been started in Britain since 1980.
Media stories constantly repeat a mantra of the decline in numbers of church-going people. They rarely set this in a wider context.
Trends in committed membership in all sorts of organisations and societies have dropped over a generation or two. Set in this context, things can seem rather different.
For example, take the membership of UK political parties. According to the House of Commons Library Standard Note (published on 3rd December 2012), in 2010, the Labour Party had c.193,000 and the Conservatives c.130,000–150,000 members.
However, in the early 1950s, the Conservatives claimed nearly 3 million members, while Labour claimed more than 1 million members. What an extraordinary drop in political party membership!
To compare the Conservative Party figures with the Church of England signed up membership figures (ie, electoral roll membership) in 1950, the C of E electoral roll membership was 2,959,000 (close to the Conservative figure of “nearly 3 million”). In 2010, the Church of England electoral roll membership was 1,214,000, whereas the Conservative Party membership was only c.130,000-150,000. In that context, membership of the Church of England has
held up pretty well.
When you go to church this next Sunday, over one million others will be in 16,000 Church of England churches and 1.7 million people will be in a Church of England church at least once in a month. Of course,
many, many other people will attend Christian churches which are not Church of England churches.
On Whit Sunday, on every Sunday and on every day, we can rejoice to belong to God’s great and growing, global Christian Church.
1 May All Day Tunbridge Wells YFC & Street Pastors
Charity Golf Day, Tunbridge Wells
2 May 10.30 Study Day for Bishops, St Martin-in-the-Fields, London
7.30 Institution: The Rev Paul Farthing, The Annunciation, Chislehurst
3 May 9.00 Leading Your Church Into Growth, West Wickham
5 May 10.30 Confirmation Service, St Paul, Northumberland Heath
6.30 Preach: Magdalene College, Cambridge
7 May 8.30 Open new building: Penshurst CE Primary School
7.30 Institution: The Rev Philip Wells, Holy Trinity, Lamorbey
9 May 7.30 Confirmation Service, All Saints Brenchley
10 May 12.00 Women Bishops Steering Group, London
11 May 11.30 Mission Shaped Ministry programme, St Justus, Rochester
12 May 10.00 Confirmation Service, Tonbridge School
6.00 Preach: Peterhouse College, Cambridge
13 May 1.00 ‘Renewing Vision’ programme, Horsham, West Sussex
7.30 Speak: Sevenoaks Christian Counselling Service AGM, St Nicholas, Sevenoaks
15 May All Day Bishop’s Staff Meeting, Bishopscourt
16 May 2.30 Diocesan Finance Committee, Diocesan Office
17 May 8.45 150th Anniversary Celebrations: St John’s CE Infants School, Chatham
1.00 Speak: Rochester Rotary Club, Rochester
18 May 6.30 Edwin Apps’ Art Exhibition opening, St Peter & St Paul, Tonbridge
19 May 8.00 Holy Communion, St William, Walderslade
10.00 Confirmation Service, St Philip & St James, Chatham
1.00 Lunch & Visit: Rochester Bridge Trust, Rochester
6.00 Healing Service, Rochester Cathedral
20 May and 21 May All Day House of Bishops’ meeting, York
22 May 11.00 General Synod Business Committee, London
5.00 ‘Hearts of Oak’ gallery opening, Historic Dockyard, Chatham
23 May 11.30 Visit: Welcare in Bromley
3.00 College of Canons AGM, Cathedral
7.30 Bromley Deanery Great Chapter, St Augustine, Bromley Common
26 May 10.00 Confirmation Service, Holy Trinity, Lamorbey
4.00 Confirmation Service, St Paul, Beckenham
29 May 10.00 Development & Appointments Committee, Lambeth Palace
4 ochester Link
Christian Resources ExhibitionsEQUIPPING AND EMPOWERING YOUR CHURCH
For continually updated information visit: CREonline.co.ukChristian Resources Exhibitions is part of Bible Society (Charity Reg. No 232759) Tel 01793 418218
• The best in Christian resources• The latest multimedia equipment• An extensive book and resource store• A comprehensive programme of seminars• A variety of specialist workshops• Entertaining Christian theatre and music
Europe’s leadingChristian Resources
Exhibitions
CRE International - SANDOWN 2013Sandown Park, Esher 14 - 17 May
Save Money
by
pre-registering
online
Award winning
church furniture makers
Makers of quality bespoke Church Furniture
www.fullers�nerfurniture.co.uk
CRE Stand T18+T19
www.church-architects.co.uk
CRE stand S9A
Christian Resources Exhibition May 14-17
5ochester Link
How Time FliesI arrived in Rochester on St Valentine’s Day 2000 to start what was and still is a wonderful, exciting, tiring, frustrating job. I had no idea what I was letting myself in for and I’m sure that members of the Bishop’s Council had no idea what they were letting themselves in for either.Over the past few months, as I’ve been thinking about how to organise things ready for a handover to my successor, I have begun to think about what I would put in a time capsule to give someone an idea of what the past 13 years have been like for me.
An address book would be essential to keep track of the people that I have been fortunate to meet over the past years. During my time in Rochester I have experienced so many acts of kindness and friendship.
For my husband Tony and me, moving to a new part of the country, knowing no-one could have been daunting and lonely but far from it. We were welcomed by so many people and made to feel a valued part of the life of the Diocese. One fond memory for me was moving into our home on Friday and on Saturday morning our son receiving a phone call from a local church asking if he’d like to come and play football – how thoughtful was that?
I would need to put a watch and a diary in the capsule to represent the full diary that awaited me on my arrival and has continued throughout my time here. Sadly, I have passed an equally full diary to my successor. I felt as if I was always about to be late for an appointment. Travelling around the Diocese I quickly learnt that I would either arrive just in the nick or time or sit around for half an hour depending on the vagaries of the traffic on our various motorways.
A satnav is another of the tools I have relied on in the past to help find out of-the-way churches and parsonages, usually on a dark, rainy, winter’s night. It is always reassuring to know that you are going in the right direction and to “reach your destination” is a wonderful thing to hear when you are unsure of yourself.
A large pinch of salt and sense of humour is essential in the job. Often things are not as they seem and it is very easy to become demoralised. It is so important to test whether what you are hearing is reality or just the vocal few. It would be easy to become unsure of yourself and brought low without the ability to take a deep breath, step back and reflect on God’s purpose.
My badge I wear - when I remember not to leave it in the car - has helped me over the years to remember exactly who I am and why I was placed here. I have always worn my badge with pride. There is much to be proud of within this Diocese and it is important to be reminded of this from time to time.
A Staff Handbook would take its place in the capsule. As a Diocese we are blessed with knowledgeable, hardworking, loyal staff who in my experience, will always go the extra mile and deliver on a shoe-string.
The Handbook in its pristine state would be a reminder that we have hardly ever in my had cause to use it and long may it remain so.
So, it’s with equal measures of excitement and sadness that I am moving to experience the next chapter in my life. The Diocese of Rochester will always have a place in my heart and I will continue to pray for the work and mission in this place.
Reflections by Louise Gilbert
Safeguarding SeminarThe Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Group in partnership
with Churches’ Children Protection Advisory Service (CCPAS) invites you to attend ‘Facing the Unthinkable’, an intensive safeguarding training session on 18 May
2013 at St Barnabas Church, Upper Avenue, Istead Rise, Gravesend, DA13 9DA from 9am to 1.30pm.
Places can be booked on the diocesan website or please contact Carol Martin, Safeguarding Administrator –
[email protected] if you require further details. Attendance is free to all those with a relevant
parish responsibility, but we reserve the right to charge £20 per person towards the cost of this seminar to those
booking places who fail to attend without prior notice.
The ladies of The Annunciation Church Chislehurst, remember the
Easter Bonnet. Photo by John Vickers.
Easter Bonnets at Chislehurst
Keith MonksSound Systems
t: 020 8682 3456 www.keithmonks.co.uk
audio, visual and induction loopsystems with complete integrated
design and installation
see us onStand S56
Come and visit our Stand at the Christian Resources Exhibition
6 ochester Link
Bishop James joins Bexley team Parish Nurses
Bishop James blesses the palms on Palm Sunday at St John the Evangelist, Bexley with John Gilbert, Reader, Debbie King and Mungo the donkey
Bishop James with the people confirmed, baptised, admitted to communion and received into the Church of England at the Easter Vigil at St John the Evangelist, Bexley on 30 March. The candidates were: Baptism: Sue Linin, Saffron Russell and Sophie Russell. Confirmation: Amanda Murrell, Martin Sutton, John Bennett, Sue Linin, Myma Enchill-Yawson, David Thompson, Sophie Russell, Jordan Harrex, Rhiannon Carter, Isaac Lamb, Joan Jones and Heather Darlington. Reception into the Church of England: Helen Thompson. Admission to Holy Communion: Neve Fillary, Saffron Russell, Katy Sutton, James Murrell.
by the Rev Scott Lamb
This year Bishop James joined the two churches of the Bexley Team Ministry for Holy Week in order to share a parish journey through the events of Jesus Passion to Easter. For Bishop James this was the first time for many years that he had been able to spend this week with one local community.
For the churches it was an opportunity to hear him teach on the heart of the Christian faith and invite others to do the same.
So on a snowy Palm Sunday the Bishop joined a procession of well-wrapped-up worshippers (and donkey) to walk to the local park for the Blessing of Palms.
On the next three days of the week he led quiet evening devotions for all in the Deanery.
On Maundy Thursday he formally launched the Bexley Team and then presided at a fellowship meal and Eucharist; placing
Jesus’ commandment to ‘love one another’ before both churches as they start to work together.
On Good Friday the Bishop led Stations of the Cross devotions in St Mary’s Church. This was a united service for Anglican, Roman Catholic, URC and Baptist churches where Bishop James responded personally to specially commissioned images by artist Patrick Letschka.
Holy Saturday meant a Vigil in St John’s Church with Baptism and Confirmation and then, after only a few hours sleep, the Bishop returned for a joyful Easter celebration in St Mary’s Church, which was bursting at the seams.
The Team Rector the Rev Scott Lamb writes: “This was a truly memorable week for us in Bexley. Bishop James came primarily to share in one local church’s normal pattern of Holy Week but his presence brought together Christians from all the churches in area and renewed many people beyond the bound of St Mary’s and St John’s Churches.”
The Bishop of Rochester processes to the Blessing of the Palms at St John the Evangelist, Bexley Palm Sunday service with the Rev Scott Lamb, Team Rector, Bexley Team Ministry, Julie Bowen, Curate, and John Gilbert, Reader.
Bishop James with Bexley Team Ministry Rector the Rev Scott Lamb
7ochester Link
Bishop James joins Bexley team Parish Nurses
Did you know that around 80 churches in the UK now have a nurse working as part of their ministry team? Launched in the US in 1985 there are now 12000 “parish nurses” working worldwide. “Parish Nursing” is not just for Anglicans. The word parish refers to the whole local community, and across the UK projects are being run by C of E, RC, Baptist, Methodist, Church of Scotland, Church in Wales, Pentecostal and Independent churches. Some churches work in partnerships.
Each project is developed to meet a local need or vision. In some you’ll find the nurse taking blood pressure, helping with weight management, helping people understand and manage chronic conditions, giving support in times of distress, or accompanying someone to an important consultation at hospital.
One parish nurse works, with police support, at night with prostitutes; another is amongst homeless men with drugs issues; there is
a nurse supporting women’s refuges too. Nursing projects develop wherever there is a need. And…nurses will be offering to pray with clients. Prayer is at the heart of parish nursing.
Since retiring through ill health as vicar of St John’s, Beckenham, last year Nick Lang has volunteered to publicise the work of parish nursing around the south. “Parish nurses reach out from a faith community into the whole community through healing,” he said. “The outreach potential is significant.
“One parish nurse, working, say, eight hours a week, is likely to make about 400 interventions in a year; and around a third of these will be to non-church people! Large numbers of non-Christians are experiencing the love of Jesus through each nurse”.
Parish nurses can be paid or voluntary and always work as part of a church project, responsible to the church leadership. Parish Nursing Ministries UK provides professional oversight and guidance during the setting up and for the life of the project.
Currently Nick is working with a group of Anglican churches in one diocese as they develop their plans for cooperating on a
Prayer at the heart of nursing
The Rev Nick Lang
nursing project. He is available to visit areas and make a presentation on parish nursing to churches, chapters and local deaneries,
or Churches Together groups, around the SE of England. Contact him on 020 8650 6151 or at [email protected]
‘I’m inviting you’What am I inviting you to? In 2012 61 churches participated in Back To Church Sunday from our Diocese and 43 completed the diocesan questionnaire and in those churches: • 3712 people attended church, of which
782 were guests, visitors or returnees which means 21% of those attending were returnees.
Once again – enough people to have a new church in the Diocese – what brilliant news!
If your PCC says it is not interested – I have to ask ‘Can it afford to make such a decision?’
‘I’m inviting you’
This is the theme for 2013 and the whole invitational theme is much simpler.
How do you participate?
Church online registration is now open and those churches that participated in 2012 and 2011 will have already received an eflyer from BTCS inviting them to register.
This will be a collaboration between the BTCS team and Traidcraft and you will be able to process your registration on our website.
Or go to www.backtochurch.co.uk, register your church, and you will be directed to the Traidcraft website to order and pay for Invitation Packs, which this year cost £25
including postage and packaging. The pack will include the following items:
50 x BTCS invites
2 x A4 posters
1 x A3 poster
1 x DVD (a “best bits of BTCS” with an introduction from Archbishop Justin Welby)
You will receive confirmation of your order which will arrive within 14 days. Also on the same website there will be additional resources to prepare for the day!
Finally, but by no means least important –
Training date -
This year it will be on Wednesday 26 June 2013 at St Barnabas Church, Upper Avenue, Istead Rise, Gravesend, Kent DA13 9DA – Time 7.30 until 9.30pm
Even if you have been before, we would love to see you again and I am sure you can teach us something about your experience of BTCS.
If you have any questions or wish to register for this, please email Veronica on [email protected]
Two comments from 2012 Back to Church Sunday
• You will be pleased to know that the entirely new person who came 25/9 has been coming ever since and the people who came 25/9 especially have deepened their commitment and brought a friend.
• Sunday dawned bright and sunny,
although a little chilly. Many people arrived early to have tea or coffee from 10am so there was lots of fellowship before the service. The BTCS team with the clergy had planned the order or service and what hymns and prayers we would like included.
We made use of the BTCS resources and included some of the prayers. We were very pleased with how it went, with a good mixture of hymns. The children joined in
“He’s got the whole world in His hands” with all the percussion instruments so that was very lively. In contrast we sang Amazing Grace to the tune of The Lord’s my Shepherd so we got 2 of our favourite hymns for the price of 1! After the service we had a Sausage Sizzle lunch in the churchyard, with homemade cakes for dessert. In spite of the chilly breeze people stayed to enjoy lunch and fellowship in the sunshine.
by Veronica Rees
8 ochester Link
To advertise in the Link call 01752 225623
DONATE BOOKS TO SUPPORT CHRISTIAN AID
UK registered charity no. 1105851 Company no. 5171525 Scot charity no. SC039150 The Christian Aid name and logo are trademarks of Christian Aid. © Christian Aid January 2013 13-630-J1150
Your unwanted books can help end global poverty.Christian Aid can raise life-changing funds from non-fiction books in good condition. If your church has books to donate, please phone
01375 484561 We can send you boxes to pack the books in and we’ll also arrange free collection.
Cornerstone vision - includes the following publications - Pompey Chimes, The Door, The MonthSarum Link, See Round, Southwark Bridge, The Wey, Rochester Link
Birchwood House Rest Home
Residential Home forthe ElderlyRespite care & shortstay available
A beautifully refurbished Georgian manor house, setin 6 acres of glorious Kent countryside, within easyreach of Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells.• All rooms have en-suite facilities & nurse call
system. Lift to all floors.• Excellent home cooking, with special diets catered
for.• Hairdressing, chiropody, library and mobile shop.• Monthly in-house Holy Communion and links to
the local church.Stockland Green Road,
Speldhurst, Kent TN3 0TUTelephone: Langton (01892 86) 3559
01308 868025 [email protected] www.ronaldemettfurniture.com
Ronald Emett fine furniture
~ in harmony with tradition ~
If you, or someone you know would like more information about Gilead or would like
to make an application, please contact: Laura Alm
Tel: 01837 851240 Fax: 01837 851520 [email protected]
www.gilead.org.uk
Gilead Foundations is a Therapeutic Community offering a residential rehabilitation programme
9ochester Link
Lightning protection - why didn’t it work?
Metalsmith www.steelyourself.co.ukConscientious and reliable, Ian Marshall provides new work and maintenance for a
number of churches. To join his list of satisfied
customerscall: 020 8850 7851 or 077 6666 2747
On 23 December 1989 St Peter and St Paul’s Church, Cudham was struck by lightning resulting in considerable physical damage to various items of the tower and to the church’s electrical installation, but thankfully there was no fire. Christmas services that year were all candlelit!
The church had a single down conductor on the spire and tower reaching from the weather vane atop the spire to the ground at the foot of the tower where it was connected to an earth point having a resistance, which I measured in 1992, of 9.9 ohms against a specified maximum of 10 ohms. So what went wrong to cause considerable damage of over £11,000?
Firstly, the church had a single down conductor, when the standard then and now specifies a minimum of two down conductors. The main purpose of this is to split the lightning current and thus reduce the very high conductor voltages which lead to ‘side flashing’, i. e. sparking to other conducting material as an alternative route to the earth.
Secondly, because the down conductor passed very close to the clock face, it was bonded (i. e. electrically connected) to the clock face and the bellframe. It is recognised good practice, and has been for many years, to bond where there is inadequate separation.
However, one must then consider the need for supplementary bonding of the clockworks to other conducting material, whether electrical cables or metallic water pipes, if there is inadequate separation from them.
This had not been considered fully in the case of Cudham Church. The situation may have been very different when the lightning protection was installed. It is also very difficult to ensure totally effective separation or bonding.
Thirdly I infer that there were other deficiencies. The weather vane was replaced, so probably the strike hit the weathervane as the highest point but there was a poor connection between this and the top end of the down conductor. It seems that there was also a poor bonding connection either to the down conductor or to the clock face.
Routine inspection and testing should
include as far as possible a visual inspection of joints and particularly where this is not possible an electrical continuity check. With two down conductors it is possible on a tower and spire to check the electrical continuity from the ground up one conductor to a weathervane connection and down the other conductor.
Good design, installation and maintenance are important.
Further information can be obtained from the diocesan website or email: [email protected]
by the Rev Christopher Miles
The Annual Meeting of the Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Scripture Readers Association (SASRA) in Sevenoaks has involved speakers of interesting military and spiritual pedigree in recent years, including General Lord Dannatt and the officer responsible for training al specialists who have neutralised Improvised Explosive Devices in Afghanistan. This year’s meeting, which will take place in St Nicholas Church, Sevenoaks on Monday 10 June at 8pm, promises to be no exception.
The lead speaker will be Major General the Rev Morgan Llewellyn who had an unusually interesting military career before leaving the Army to get ordained.
After being commissioned into the Royal Welsh Fusiliers and undergoing normal
regimental training, he became a specialist instructor in Outward Bound activities.
Besides undertaking operational tours in Malaya, Cyprus and Northern Ireland, where he was decorated, he commanded the Gurkha Brigade in Hong Kong before concluding his service with tours of duty as General Officer Commanding in Wales and as Chief of Staff at Headquarters United Kingdom Land Forces at Salisbury.
Having become a committed Christian as a Brigadier through the influence of an officer on his staff who was three ranks junior to him and who had himself only been a committed Christian three months, General Llewellyn was ordained and served as the Chaplain at Christ’s College, Brecon.
In his leisure, he is a most gifted artist who undertakes and exhibits portraits and landscapes with equal confidence.
A visitor to his home is invariably arrested by a self-portrait with remarkable resemblance sitting in an arm chair – the product of a practitioner with exceptional talent.
Welsh General to speak in Sevenoaks
St Peter and Paul’s Church, Cudham
Maj Gen the Rev Morgan Llewellyn
SASRA is fortunate to have acquired a speaker of such an unusual array of gifts at this meeting which is open to allcomers. Light refreshments available from 7.30pm.
CONTACT USNews and letters to the Editor: [email protected] Telephone: 01634 560000
ADVERTISEMENTS Email: [email protected] Copy for The Link needs to be typed and submitted by email please. Images must be submitted as either a TIFF or a JPEG file of 300dpi. (Set your digital camera to the highest quality setting and we will try to do the rest for you.) Proclaiming the word & work of God
LinkOCHESTER
St Mary’s Church
Battersea is looking for a
FULL-TIME FAMILES’ & CHILDREN’S MINISTERWe are: a broad, growing, inclusive and mainstream Anglican Church (Electoral
Roll: 230) wanting to develop the faith of our children and families and to engage
in community mission in a diverse central London parish.
You will be a: practising Christian, experienced, creative motivated,
enthusiastic, approachable, mission-focused, team-worker at home in church
and secular contexts.Salary: £25,000p.a. 37.5hrs per weekDetails: stmarysbattersea.org.ukClosing Date: 14th May 2013Interviews: 1st June 2013
CHURCH PEWSUNCOMFORTABLE?
WHY NOT TRY SAFEFOAM’S TOP QUALITYUPHOLSTERED FOAM PEW CUSHIONS?
www.safefoam.co.uk Freephone 0800 015 44 33Free Sample Pack of foam & fabrics sent by first class mail
When phoning please quote RL0413
Safefoam, Green Lane, Riley Green,Hoghton, Preston PR5 0SN
ORGANISTavailable as relief SE London/ Kent
Sundays & WeekdaysTraditional &
Modern MusicContact Ron Smith TEL/FAX: 020 8300 1527
Fee & Mileage
• TAX RETURNS • ACCOUNTS • BOOKKEEPING • VAT • PAYROLL
Friendly, ethical and e�cient service at a reasonable price.
Get in touch today with no obligation and we will be happy to talk about how we can help you
Contact Trevor or Sharon on 020 8090 9646or email [email protected]
www.trbtaxandpayroll.co.uk
10 ochester Link
OUT NOW!The latest issue of The SonTHE SON is a bright, newsy and uncompromising tabloid newspaper which aims to put Jesus back at the centre of society.
Written and presented in an easy to read style, based on the UK’s biggest circulation newspapers, THE SON is an ideal tool to reach believers and unbelievers as well.
The current edition of THE SON includes stories on BBC presenter Janey Lee Grace, top neurosurgeon Dr Eben Alexander, and many more.
Why not use THE SON to reach your community?
The Son hotline on 01752 225623
Winter 2012
35p
JANEY LEE GRACE:HOW GOD HELD ON TO ME
SEE PAGE 3THE GOOD NEWS FORJULIE ETCHINGHAM– SEE PAGE 2
EVERTON STAR STEVEN PIENAAR SENDS A MESSAGE TO FOOTBALL FANS –See Back Page
ww
w.theson.org.uk
Oscar’s winning ways at Paralympics
See story on page 14
Neurosurgeon stuns scientifi c world with his revelations
A top neurosurgeon has stunned the scientific world by claiming he has proof that heaven exists.For years Dr Eben Alexander, a respected
academic, dismissed near-death revelations of God and heaven, saying they were explained by the way the human brain is wired.But then in 2008 Dr Alexander contracted bacterial meningitis. The deadly infection
soaked his brain and sent him into a deep coma
lasting seven days. In the days that followed his
life was slipping away, but Dr Alexander says
that he was living intensely in his mind.He claims he journeyed beyond this world and
encountered an angelic being who guided him
into the deepest realms of super-physical exist-ence. There he met, and spoke with, the Divine
source of the universe itself.Dr Alexander’s story is not a fantasy. Before he
underwent his journey, he could not reconcile
his knowledge of neuroscience with any belief
in heaven, God, or the soul. Today he is a doctor who believes that true
health can be achieved only when we realize
that God and the soul are real and that death
is not the end of personal existence but only a
transition.
See story on page 7
Dr Eben Alexander...experienced a spiritual journey during a
seven-day coma
PROOF OF HEAVENRussell Crowe to star as Noah in new epic movieSee centre pages
AMAZING OFFER on top selling
NIV Study Bible was £24.99 NOW £14.99 (while stocks last)
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL CHRISTIAN BOOK CENTRE IN PERSON OR ON-LINE!
www.tcbconline.co.ukTonbridge Christian Book Centre 01732 364897Maidstone Christian Book Centre 01622 761440
Deal Christian Book Centre 01304 363713
11ochester Link
Holidays at Home
Holidays Abroad
Luxury 3 bed villa (all ensuite) Sleeps 6/8, near
Carvoeiro. Own pool,all mod cons. Situated onPestana Golf Resort. Golf,
Tennis, Outdoor bowls.Full details and brochure:
Brian Chambers
ALGARVE
Tel: 02380 265 683
InsuranceTravel Insurance
UKBASED
FT TRAVELINSURANCE
Arranged for Rochester Link readers
BUY YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE NOWto start April, May, June or July 2013
5% OFF any single trip insurance - call for best prices
Available with most pre-existing medical conditions accepted. Specialist cover for people cruising and for high-cost holidays.
Our insurance has a customer 24 hour helpline, full medical cover and, most importantly, an air ambulance get you home service.
TOP QUALITY ANNUAL AND SINGLE TRIP COVER
FREE MEDICAL SCREENING SERVICE AVAILABLE
Conditions apply Please call for details ~0116 272 0500
Authorised & regulated by the F.S.A.
SHERBORNEShort breaks in DorsetElegant, spacious, 2 bed,
apartment in listed buildingclose to Abbey Church.
Open all year.Please ring for brochure:
01404 841367
"Sunny Southeast Ireland"The Gathering 2013
Contact: Tel: 00 353 539146644 Mobile: 00 353 877 403031Email: [email protected]
Quality family run Bed & Breakfast accommodation/short stays welcome.
Lovely beaches nearby and lots of local activities. 10 mins drive from Rosslare Ferryport.
Peaceful location. Super breakfast.
Ivy House St Denys Retreat Centre
IGR retreats in 2013:• 2-7 April - Anna Desch, £240
• 27-31 May - Becky Widdows, £285 • 14-22 October - Anna Desch, £280
CARM Retreat:1-8 May - Painting or Calligraphy & Prayer, £350
T: 01985 214824 E: [email protected] www.ivyhouse.org
LYNTON DEVONA warm traditional welcome
welcome awaits you at Kingford House
✰✰✰✰ Silver AwardEnjoy excellent home cuisine Ideally situated for coastal & Exmoor walks.Tel Tricia Morgan on 01598 752361
for brochure and [email protected]
Praying the way
Prayers for June LINK to Judith Howard, 10 Mount Pleasant Road, Weald, Sevenoaks, TN14 6QE, Tel 01732 458285, by e-mail to [email protected]” [email protected] by Friday 3rd May
Intercession during May
Bromley and BexleyBromley DeaneryThe Annunciation, ChislehurstOur new priest, Fr Paul FarthingSt Mary, HayesA breakthrough in our communitySt Peter & St Paul, BromleyPreparations for our summer Holiday ClubErith DeanerySt Paul, Northumberland HeathConfirmation on 5th with Bishop JamesOrpington DeaneryAll Saints, OrpingtonThanks for two members in training for Licensed Lay MinistryChrist Church, OrpingtonA new experienced Youth LeaderSt Barnabas, CrayPlans for a Mission in spring 2014St Martin, ChelsfieldOur second interregnum in two yearsUnity Church, RamsdenPlans to start an Alpha courseSidcup DeaneryHoly Redeemer, LamorbeyDevelopment plansSt John & St Mary, BexleyPlanning and fundraising for church extensionSt John, SidcupDeveloping young people’s spirituality
RochesterCobham DeaneryCobham with LuddesdowneInvolvement of both churches at our May village fetesHartleyA successful Summer FeteMeophamThanks for a fruitful Lent to Pentecost courseNursteadThanks for our ministry with couples preparing for marriageSnodlandOur planned Prayer Walk
Dartford Deanery“Picnic in the Park” organised by Churches Together in Swanley on 19thPlans for a FoodBank in SwanleySt Edmund, DartfordMessy Church
Gillingham DeanerySt Barnabas, GillinghamTrust in Jesus as the fate of our church is ponderedSt Luke the Evangelist, GillinghamThree new families to join us in 2013St Margaret, RainhamOur growing Messy ChurchSt Matthew, Wigmore, South GillinghamA new leader for our Thursday ClubSt Mary Magdalene, GillinghamOur Patronal Festival and Stewardship RenewalSt Peter, Bredhurst, South GillinghamThe couples to be married at our church
Gravesend DeanerySt Aidan, GravesendThe celebration of our Golden Anniversary YearSt George, GravesendGod’s will to be done in the town centre developmentSt Margaret, IfieldThat many will visit our church on Sunday afternoons
St Peter & St Paul, ShornePlans for “Songs of Praise and Tea” on Sunday afternoonsTonbridgeSevenoaks DeanerySt George, WealdSafari Supper on 4thChristian Aid Week from 10th to 18thSt Martin, BrastedOpen Day on 6thSt Mary, RiverheadA new churchwardenSt Nicholas, SevenoaksConfirmation Service with Bishop Michael Turnbull on 12thShoreham DeaneryA permanent site for a new Free/Christian school in SevenoaksTonbridge DeanerySt John, HildenboroughThanks for Pathfinder and Youth GroupsSt John, Penshurst The group raising money for the renovation of the churchSt Mary, ChiddingstoneThose preparing for marriageSt Peter & St Paul, TonbridgeAll who witnessed the Passion Play on Good FridayTunbridge Wells DeaneryBurrswoodAll staff and patientsSt Luke, Tunbridge WellsYoung people taking exams and making decisions about their futureSt Mark, Tunbridge WellsThose admitted to communion on Easter DaySt Paul, RusthallCandidates preparing for confirmationSt Thomas, SouthboroughThat every disciple in Tunbridge Wells will commit to growing in faith
1 May St Andrew, Sidcup
2 May St John the Evangelist, Sidcup
3 May Diocesan Fellowship of Evangelists
4 May Evangelists in Training
5 May Those who offer Pastoral Care, Counselling and Listening
6 May Diocesan Co-ordinator for Spirituality and Spiritual Accompaniment
7 May The Advisory Council for Mission & Unity
8 May Rochester Archdeaconry
9 May Cobham Deanery
10 May Ash
11 May Churches Together in Kent
12 May Cobham with Luddesdowne and Dode
13 May Fawkham and Hartley
14 May Pray today for the Bishop’s day on Community Engagement on 19 May
15 May Longfield
16 May Meopham with Nurstead
17 May Ridley
18 May Snodland with Lower Birling
19 May Pray for our preparations to celebrate Pentecost
20 May Dartford Deanery
21 May Crockenhill
22 May Choirs, Organists & Music Groups and all who lead music in our churches
23 May Diocesan Pray-ers
24 May The Local Evangelism Resource Group
25 May Darenth
26 May Dartford Christ Church
27 May Diocesan Links Committee
28 May Dartford Holy Trinity
29 May Dartford St Alban
30 May Our link Dioceses of Estonia and Harare
31 May Our link Dioceses of Mpwapwa and Kondoa
ITALYNear Romantic RomeSelf catering in rural
tranquillity, sleeps 2-4.Wonderful views, historic
village. Tel: 07836 [email protected]
Dartmouth Devon
Tel: 020 7223 5473
Delightful ground floor flat with glorious views
across river Dart. Sleeps 4: double ensuite,
twin with bathroom, all mod cons.
12 ochester Link
Vivat Regina!
St Botolph, the church on the lawn of Lullingstone Castle, will be celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the Coronation on the weekend of 1st and 2nd June. The exhibition will be open from 11am to 5pm. Admission is free. At 12.30 on Sunday 2 June, visitors will have the chance to meet a craftsman who actually worked on the remodelling of the Imperial State Crown for the Coronation. Mr Henry Phillips, the retired workshop manager of Garrard, the Crown Jewellers, will give a talk, answer questions and show exclusive photographs of him resetting the priceless stones.
Before the talk, St Botolph’s Reader, Oscar Bayley, will lead Morning Prayer, starting at
11am, in joyful thanks for the long reign of our Queen. After the service and talk, the exhibition will be open until 5pm.
The setting for the exhibition is most appropriate.
Silk from the Lullingstone Silk Farm was woven to make velvet for robes worn by the Queen at her coronation.
Discover the significance of the stages of the Coronation service and the symbolism of the regalia. See Prayer Books and Service Books for Coronations from Queen Victoria to Queen Elizabeth. Delve into the Illustrated London News and other publications recording Coronations from Edward VII onwards.
Revel in Coronation memorabilia – and mugs! View film taken by the BBC, Rank and Pathé News. Welcome to 1953.
Vivat Regina Elizabetha!
Exhibition at Lullingstone
Procession to Westminster
Illustrated London News 1937 George VI Coronation
Lullingstone silkLullingstone and Eynsford children
We give thanks to God for a wonderful week with Holiday Club. Between 75 and 80 children came to enjoy craft, drama, singing, dancing, games and lots more, including today transporting a giant bucket of custard from one side of the hall to other!
The Good News was presented clearly and attractively through the story of the Upside Down Kingdom and through Gospel accounts of Jesus meeting people and teaching parables.
Love and joyby Simon Peerless Editor, Christ Church News
Sarah and her team put in an enormous amount of work and there is no doubt that the Club will have made a huge impact on the lives of those children. Let’s pray that the seeds sown will result in much fruit and that each family represented will experience the love and joy of God’s Kingdom.
Youngsters enjoy the Holiday Club at Christ Church
Bishop Brian’s visit
Bishop spoke to the children about his job. He explained why he has a crook, a mitre and a cross made of nails around his neck.
He then presented the Bishop’s Commendation certificate to the school.
During a tour of the school, the children were able to ask the Bishop questions, including why he wears a dog collar, and whether he carries his crook when he leads worship in church.
The Bishop was able to see for himself the R.E. work happening in each class, the recent project about crosses from around the world and the plans for a new spiritual garden.
The Bishop of Tonbridge visited Rusthall St Paul’s CE Primary School in April. He presented the school with a Special Award - The Bishop’s Commendation for excellence in R.E. provision.
The school had submitted a portfolio of evidence, including photographs, work, lesson plans and pupils’ comments to the Diocese in the summer. Rusthall St Paul’s school was one of two schools selected this year to receive the award by the Bishop.
Year 6 led Palm Sunday worship, waving palm leaves during the hymn, before the
by Rachel Townsend
