A Big THANK YOU to everyone who came along on Saturday 25th November. Thank you also to all those who helped to set up on Friday evening, those who set up and manned stalls and those who cleared the Village Hall on Saturday afternoon. We raised the magnificent sum of £3,469.51 gross and after expenses we were able to distribute £3,382.06.
Christmas Fayre Committee
On Tuesday 14th of November 2017 forty-nine wrapped and filled boxes were collected from church by the Operation Christmas Child representative. They will be distributed to children in all parts...
We wish all a very happy and peaceful Christmas and New Year, and that we can continue to grow in our faith and in promoting family unity and love.
Several members from Cameo joined us for our Advent meditation which Becky so ably led. It was very thoughtful and inspiring as we pondered on our own faith journey reflecting on the past, thinking about now and our faith journey going forwards. We all lit a candle as a symbol of Jesus’ light in us which we can take out into the world. The...
At the invitation of Christian Aid, David and I were invited to Choral Evensong at Westminster Abbey. The service was commemorating the centenary of the birth of Oscar Romero.
Oscar Romero was born in a small town in El Salvador and went to a seminary at the age of thirteen and was ordained in Rome in 1942. He became a much-loved pastor living a simple lifestyle alongside the poor. In 1970 he was made a bishop and in 1977, to the shock of many, he was...
It seems “Bazaar” to be writing about our annual Charity Christmas Fayre when the temperature outside is about 18C! However, we do have to continue our preparations as the date will be upon us before we know it. Hopefully you have started looking out items for the Fayre. There will be a box in the porch for your contributions from Sunday 28th October 2017. We...
What could be more appealing - a weekend, a retreat, to worship, reflect and relax - especially before the frenetic build-up to the end of the school term? A small group of ladies packed their luggage into my car (some having bigger bags than others!) and set off for Oak Hall. We found this vast building nestled in the Otford hillside. A Christian Retreat occupied by Oak Hall Expeditions. We found our way to the lounge through the labyrinth of corridors and were warmly welcomed and shown to our room. This...
The Bishop of Rochester launched the Poverty and Hope Appeal in May. He wrote: “The Bible challenges us to think beyond our own needs and to look to the needs of others. The Poverty and Hope Appeal is one way we are responding as a Diocese.”
This year we are concentrating on supporting, in prayer and financially, projects in the DRC, Burkino Faso, Northern Argentina, Delhi and, as always, Commonwork Trust here in the Diocese. This last offers justice and global...
We attended the Youth and Families summer BBQ, at the church on Sunday 11th June and what a lovely time we all had. It was a beautiful sunny day but I have to say my family and I have attended these events in the rain and still come away with a nice warm feeling from such lovely company and atmosphere.
We have attended Fresh Start and Mini Music since our three-year-old was a few weeks old. I remember walking in that first time to friendly faces and...
At the end of May, many of St Mary’s congregation attended Rochester Cathedral, to be part of a service where I was licensed by the Bishop. It was very comforting to be surrounded by so many familiar faces on the day, as I have to admit that I was just a little bit nervous! It was a great occasion and I have been overwhelmed by the support given from so many of you. I would like to thank those who sent cards and gifts and particularly those who offered words of encouragement.
As I write...
Jesus said to them, " Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am." John 8:58
As a child I experienced nightmares frequently. While I trained as a doctor I realised that some of these verged on night terrors rather than just bad dreams. Dreams were so real to me that when I awoke I was uncertain where I was and whether I was still dreaming. I also experienced such...
