Filled with all that's happening around the benefice during DECEMBER 20241st & 8th December 2024News LetterAdvent Sunday1st December Advent Sunday's readings:-Jeremiah 33: 14 - 16Psalm 25: 1 - 9Luke 21: 25 - 361st DECEMBER SERVICES 9:00am Morning Prayer live on Facebook9:00am Eastling, Holy Communion10:30am Doddington, Holy Communion10:30am Norton, Morning Worship10:30am Teynham, Morning Worship4:00pm Lynsted, Cornerstone Second Sunday of Advent8th December 8th December readings:-Malachi 3: 1 - 4BenedictusLuke 3: 7 - 188th DECEMBER SERVICES 9:00am Morning Prayer live on Facebook 10:30am Lynsted, All Together Now - Family Service10:30am Newnham, Holy Communion10:30am Oare, Holy Communion10:30am Throwley, Morning Prayers Parish EventsFAMILY FOODBANK Collection boxes can be found in each church& Doddington Vicaragemore information can be found www.familyfoodbank.orgFoodbank Donations All donations of food, you can now take to Teynham SchoolMonday to Friday in school term hoursGrowbaby will be accepting your Gifts until the 5th DecemberKingsdown, Creekside and High Downs Prayer DiaryDecember 1stThank you for the gift of Advent. Help us to find spaces of stillness in which to step aside from all the hype as we count down to Christmas.December 2ndPraying for all who find themselves exiled and captive throughout the world. Show us where we can be part of breaking their chains and opening up new pathways.December 3rdOpen our eyes today to see the surprises that God wants to show us, and help us to see that the earth is full of God's presence.December 4thGiving thanks for the life of Patricia Hards and remembering her family & friends at her funeral today in Newnham today.December 5thPraying for families feeling the pressure of Christmas expectations as they come to Growbaby this morning that they might find a warm welcome and the supplies they need for their children.December 6thWe pray for countries around the world where peace is fragile and decisions rest in the hands of unstable rulers.December 7thHelp us all to recognise the things that hold us back from being fully alive and reflecting Christ to the world.December 8thToday we pray for all the services taking place in our churches that our congregations may be renewed with hope and real expectation of seeing the glory of God in the land of the living.December 9thThank God for clean, abundant water supplies and praying for our sisters & brothers whose lands are drained dry for the profit of others.December 10thHelp us to recognise our rights & responsibilities today; what we can give up and where we need to get involved.December 11thPraying for Stalisfield Youth Group and for young people everywhere that this Christmas they might know themselves to be safe, loved and accepted just as they are.December 12thWe pray for those who are anxious about meeting costs this winter and worrying about paying for heating and food.December 13thPlacing into God's hands those who have been victims of scams, sharp practice or false accusation that they might see justice done.December 14thWe pray for our local shops and businesses as they compete to stay viable whilst facing the convenience of internet shopping.Church EventsWedding Our Conragulations and many happy years ahead to:- Maryanne Beaney&Ryan McIntosh 30th November Throwley Church BaptismFunerals Our Prayers for the family and friends of :- Patricia Ann Hards4th DecemberNewnham Church Christina Margaret Edwards11th DecemberTeynham Church Stalisfield Youth ClubMeets in Stalisfield Village Hallon 27th November at 7pmMusic, gaming, craft, table tennis & more 11 - 17 year oldsContact Catherine 07929 928046or cinorwood@doctors.org.ukChristmas trees 2024Thank you for your great support, all of which last year raised £13,200. These donations are given to 45 local parish churches and 25 charities. It's been a great growing season producing a good selection of Christmas trees available in many varieties & between 5 and 12ft in height. There will also be some over 16ft - ideal for schools, churches, village halls and outside spaces. We will have plenty of cuttings including berried holly and ivy for Christmas decorating, even a sprig of mistletoe nearer Christmas. Please visit to choose your tree from mid-September, and return to collect it from late November or December. Make a donation for your tree; 60% will be returned to your Parish church and the balance will be divided between 25 charities. Book a time and date to come to choose your tree. Email nashsfarmhouse@btinternet.com Contact Peter & Alison Howard tele 01795 532596 or 07910 248308Nash's Farmhouse, Luddenham ME13 0TQChristmas Services 15th DecemberDoddington - Christingle 10:30amNewnham - Carols 5:30pmStalisfield - Carols 5:30pm 21st DecemberWychling - Carols 5pm Full listing of all Christmas Servicesand "Midnight" Mass serviceswill be in the next NewsletterLet's stay connectedThe Ministry Leadership Team would be pleased to pray for you or someone close to you.Contact any of the following:-Rev Paula Jardine-Rose07516 411269paula.jardine.rose@kc-hd.org.ukRev Jim Pye: 07851 680612Working day Wednesday & Thursdayjim.pye@kc-hd.org.ukMary Gollop: 01795 522165Les & Barbara Roberts: 01795 886332Pim Baxter: 01795 890598Sue Baldry: 01795 522975Caroline Ramshaw - Anna Chaplaincyannachaplaincy@kc-hd.org.uk07799 538809Benefice Administrator Joyce Warrenjoyce.warren@kc-hd.org.ukOffice = Tuesday & Wednesday 01795 521831Website www.kc-hd.org.uk.
We hope, indeed know, you will find St. Mary's Church a wonderful, peaceful and inspiring place to rest and refresh yourself when you come to visit us. Please feel free to wonder around the church, there are some church guides that provide a wonderful outline and history of the church, these were produced originally by Hugh Perks, who served as Reader of the Church for many years.Please sit on our new pew cushions in comfort and explore the ancient yew tree that stands at the entrance of the main door - said to be some 2000 years old - what a story it would tell!
