07/09/2024
The Six Weekly Update (6th September) from Rev Julian Staniforth: "And so we pray...."
Prayer 2.jpeg
Dear all
Last Friday the band Coldplay released the collaborative song "We pray", with its simple yet catchy refrain "And so we pray" (the link to the song is here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knIbwsNGJyc It's an unexpected exhortation from an unexpected source at this time. For so often we're led to believe that we live in a secular culture where faith, religion or spirituality no longer has a place. Yet, as Pete Gregg (founder of 24/7 Prayer) observes "people of faith inevitably find themselves sitting up and wondering what to make of it all?" It raises a few questions perhaps about who they are exhorting us to pray to, yet it seems to suggest a shift towards spirituality and religion taking place amongst those who influence culture. Numerous athletes now refer to the importance of their Christian faith in their approach to their sport as many did at the Olympics. The Olympic Swimmer Adam Peaty, England footballers such as Bukayo Saka speak of the foundation of their Christian faith in their lives. The song seems like a psalm, articulating a deep human cry for hope, justice and help "though I'm in the valley of the shadow of death, (and so we pray) for someone to come and show me the way". And so will we too pray, which is more than just the saying of prayers, that we may be ready enough to show the way sharing the hope through Jesus we have found and carry in our lives?
Licensing of Rev Nick Carpenter as Deanery Minister: This service is taking place at Holy Trinity Sittingbourne, Dover Street on Thursday 12th September at 7.00pm. Do come along to support him in this next stage of ministry, particularly as he serves in different parts of the Deanery in the coming months.
Diocesan Environment Conference "Going Greener": This will be looking at practical issues as part of reaching Carbon Net Zero, such as church heating options, land management amongst other topics. This is taking place on Saturday 12th October at St Mary Bredin Canterbury between 9am to 12.30pm. To book your place, use the following link: https://bit.ly/4cehAsg Rev Amanda is part of the organising team & David Berry of Hartlip will also be contributing. The service last Sunday in the Orchard started the Season of Creation, and ended with a dance! (see photo below). There is a prayer card for the season attached.
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Help needed: Can you or do you know someone who may be willing to help in the following areas. Let us pray for these needs
Foundation Governors at Hartlip School: There are still two vacancies for these important roles in supporting the work of this school and sustaining its Christian distinctiveness. They have been vacant for a while, and need to be filled to enable the Governing Body to operate effectively. This is a rewarding opportunity to make a difference to this school community. Interested? Then let either myself or Linda Jennings know.
Treasurers: There is still an ongoing need for a Treasurer at St Mary's Newington, which David Lane currently does alongside being a churchwarden. There will be an upcoming need also for St Mary Magdalene Stockbury as the current Treasurer Colin Prior will be moving. We are grateful for the work that David and Colin do on behalf of these parishes, but we do need to identify people to take on these important roles
Worship Services - details for the next two weeks are below:
8th September
10.00am St Margaret's Lower Halstow Family Worship: Rev Julian Staniforth
10.00am St Mary's Newington Communion: Rev Amanda Lane
10.00am St Mary's Upchurch Morning Worship: Jill Rothery
10.30am St Michael's Hartlip Morning Worship: George Hulme
3.00pm "Assembly on Sunday" worship for all the family in Iwade School Hall (no service in the church building)
4.00pm St Mary Magdalene Stockbury Communion: Rev Julian Staniforth
15th September
10.00am St Margaret's Lower Halstow Communion: Rev Jacky Davies
10.00am Uplift in Upchurch Village Hall: Gill Gay
10.30am St Michael's Hartlip Communion: Rev Amanda Lane
10.30am All Saints Iwade Family Worship: Teresa Parker
3.00pm St Mary's Newington "Stepping Stones" worship for all the family: Andrea Staniforth
Note there is again a short weekly Prayer and Praise service in St Margaret's Lower Halstow at 10am, to which anyone is welcome.
Other things to note!
The History of Upchurch: A talk on St Mary's Upchurch by Elspeth Baecke on Saturday 21st September at 7pm in the church building (see attached flyer).
Newington Court Activities: This Care Home at Keycol is starting a Dementia Cafe on Friday 13th September at 11am until 12.30pm. This will then take place there each month on the second Friday. They are also starting a Craft Club on 25th September. These are open to local residents, however you do need to book. Contact: 01795 843033.
Shoebox Appeal: This is coming up again. There will be leaflets available in the churches soon. All completed shoe boxes or component parts need to be in church by the first Sunday in November.
Ride and Stride 2024: This annual event takes place on Saturday 14th September, with sponsored riders and walkers. Funds raised go to Friends of Kent Churches, who are then able to allocate grants to local churches.
Other regular activities open to everyone starting up again.....
Small Groups & Prayer meetings: Opportunities for fellowship, prayer, study, discussion and worship as part of Being rooted in Jesus:
Connect group Newington: Meets every Wednesday evening at 7.30pm at The Vicarage Newington for worship and bible study. Contact: Teresa Parker [email protected]
Monday group: Meets on Zoom every Monday at 2.30pm. Contact for Zoom link: Gill Gay [email protected] or Lis Willmet [email protected]
Connect group Iwade: This meets at 7.30pm in Iwade at the home of Becky & Ryan Ridley 17 Meadow Brown. Contact: John Guest [email protected]
Prayer Groups Newington: Tuesdays fortnightly (2nd & 4th usually) at Newington Vicarage from 10am. Contact Andrea: [email protected]; Also each Tuesday morning at 7.30am in St Mary's Newington. Contact [email protected]
Prayer Group Iwade: Every Thursday at 11am (unless notified) at the house of Pamela Horner 42 Mansfield Drive.
Breathing Space at Hartlip Church: reflective prayer from 9.30 to 11am. Dates to be confirmed.
Other activities each month: If there are any gaps then do let us know.
St Michael's Hartlip: Coffee morning first & third Wednesday from 10.30am.
Bereavement Group: in St Margaret's Lower Halstow every Thursday morning from 10am.
Coffee and Chat: in Gill Gay's garden monthly; contact [email protected] .
Rainbow Cafe: in St Mary's Upchurch on second Thursday from 2.00 to 4.30pm. (this week 12th Sept)
Men's Breakfast: second Saturday at 8.30am at The Railway, Station Rd in Rainham. (next Saturday 14th Sept)
Cornerstone Cafe: in St Mary's Newington third Thursday from 9am. (19th Sept will be for MacMillan)
Newington Methodist Coffee Morning: First Saturday morning each month from 10.00 to 12.00 in Newington Chapel. (7th Sept and then 5th Oct)
"Porch Sale" in St Mary's Upchurch: on Second Saturday from 10.00am.
Memory Cafe in Newington Village Hall: run by Age UK this takes place every 4th Monday from 11am to 1pm.
Newington Court: Lis Willmet visits there every Tuesday afternoon, with a monthly Communion by Extension. If you are interested in going with her, contact her here e: [email protected]
Prayer chain: If there are any prayer requests do send them to [email protected]. Note that requests are only sent if the person being prayed for has given permission, or if they are too ill, the request comes through a close relative or friend..
Clergy Availability this coming week:
Rev Julian Staniforth: day-off Monday; away 13th-15th Sept
Rev Amanda Lane: not available Mon-Weds
Every blessing!
Rev Julian
https://www.facebook.com/thesixbeneficekent/
TALK 2024.pdf
The Six benefice is a grouping of six Church of England parishes in North Kent with seven diverse co
