News (and Events)

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Egerton Churchyard

Can the other G7 churches pass on their experiences of churchyard management please?

  • Do you have volunteer mowers?
  • Do you pay for mowing or strimming?
  • Do you leave wildlife areas?
  • How is this received among the congregation?

All contributions, to Linde, welcome.

The Diocese of Canterbury e-bulletin


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“The e-bulletin aims to provide information to connect and resource all those involved in Anglican churches and related organisations across the Diocese.”

New Arrangements

Because circumstances have changed somewhat, recently we discussed how we might improve the way we work as a team of ministers across our group of parishes.

After a long discussion, we decided to focus our ministry as follows:

  • Charing: Richard King, working with Richard Webb and Alan Duncan
  • Charing Heath: Richard Webb, working with Richard King and Alan Duncan
  • Egerton: Lindsay Hammond, working with Sally Womersley
  • Hothfield: Lindsay Hammond, working with Sally Womersley
  • Little Chart: Philip Cox
  • Pluckley: Philip Cox, working with Lindsay Hammond
  • Westwell: Lindsay Hammond, working with Sally Womersley

Lindsay, of course, is priest in charge of G7, and Richard K is also Diocesan Missioner. The six ministers will remain a team, continuing to work across the group. So you will see each one of us from time to time.

We believe that this will be the best way to maintain the group ethos, yet still allow us to maintain pastoral contact with the people of the G7 parishes, and work with the members of our congregations to develop the worship and mission of the churches in G7.

Thank you for all your encouragement and support. Please pray for us all.

Green Seven

In G7 we have a small but enthusiastic Green Group, who have passed on the following information. Did you know that, from Ashford Borough, tins go to Tenterden for initial processing and then to British Steel; paper goes to Aylesford for newsprint and other paper products; glass goes to Dagenham for initial processing and then to a Yorkshire glass factory (with surplus green glass being used on the roads)? Recycling produces valuable materials and revenue (apparently Egerton receives about £3,000 per year for collected material), reduces landfill, incineration, and pollution, and saves finite resources. If you want to know more about the Green Group, then please contact Peta Maidment.

GIFT — Girls In Fellowship Together

GIFT is the new name for our ladies-only Christian group. We meet on the first Tuesday of each month in different venues around the G7 parishes and a friendlier bunch it would be hard to find. Each meeting begins at 7.45pm and concludes with Compline at 9.30pm. For further information please contact Dawn Stamper.

G7Teen

…is the name of our new Christian–based youth group for 11—14 year olds. G7Teen meets every Sunday in term-time 6.30—8pm in Charing Barn. On the last Sunday of the month we go on an outing. The group is open to anyone from the Parishes of Westwell, Charing, Charing Heath, Little Chart, Hothfield, Egerton and Pluckley. For more information please get in touch with Mim Oliver.

Gluten Free Wafers

We now have gluten free wafers available at services of Holy Communion and The Eucharist. Please would you let the minister know before the service if you would like a gluten free wafer.

Bible Reading

If we’re honest, we’re probably not as good as we should be at reading the Bible, to help we have added a page — Reading the Bible — that contains further information and will take you directly to the websites of The Bible Reading Fellowship, Scripture Union and the Bible Society.

G7 DVD

Have you got your copy of the G7 DVD yet? The DVD features our seven villages and churches. If you’ve recently moved in to one of our villages, then this would be a good way of getting to know the area. Or you might simply want to buy one as a keepsake. The DVD retails at £8, and you can get hold of your copy by ringing Lindsay (712576), Sally (756224), or by calling in to Hothfield Village Shop or the butchers at Pluckley. (Click picture below to see low resolution trailer.)

If You Would Like To Be Confirmed

…or discuss what this means, then please get in touch with one of the G7 ministers as soon as possible. The Confirmation Service will be on Monday 18th October in Charing Church at 7.30pm and preparation sessions will begin shortly.

Charing Heath’s Weekly Prayer Time

We meet on Wednesdays at 7 – 8pm in the Church to pray for the work of the Church, the world and the sick and ourselves.

Do come and join us for this quiet and reflective time with God.

What’s On — Forthcoming Events

Our ever popular services of the Blessing of Animals take place in August: at Westwell on Sunday 1st August at 11am; and then at Pluckley, on Sunday 8th August, also at 11am. Come along with your animal (of any description) and also something to sit on.

G7 Evensong at Egerton

Our first-Sunday G7 Evensong in August will be at Egerton at 6pm on Sunday 1st August. Evensong is a lovely way to end a summer Sunday, so come along!

Hothfield Coffee Morning

The monthly free coffee and cake (and company too) will next be served in Hothfield Village Hall on Tuesday 3rd August between 10.30am and 11.30am. Why not pop along?

Charing Heath Holy Communion and Coffee

The next of these monthly services will be on Wednesday 4th August at 10.30am in the church followed by coffee in the Red Lion at 11am. Come to both or just to communion or just to coffee. All welcome.

Coffee at The Wheel Inn, Westwell

Coffee at The Wheel Inn will next be served on Friday 6th August from 10.30am until 11.45am. Absolutely everyone is welcome. The more the merrier! Before coffee, there will be a short service of Holy Communion in Westwell Church at 10am, for those who would like to come.

Pluckley Meeting Place

…next opens on Tuesday 10th August between 10am and noon. Everyone is very welcome, so call in at Pluckley Church and enjoy a cup of coffee and homemade biscuits and cakes for just 50p!

Charing Coffee Morning

There will be a Coffee Morning in Charing Church Barn on Saturday 14th August from 10.30am - 12.30pm. The entrance fee of £1 will entitle you to a cup of coffee and a biscuit and put you in the right frame of mind to browse amongst the stalls (homemade cakes, books, white elephant) and buy a raffle ticket.

The organisers would greatly appreciate donations of raffle prizes and homemade cakes. If you can help, please contact Pearl (01233 713912). Cakes and prizes can be brought to the Barn on the day if you wish. All proceeds will go to the Charing and District Branch Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal Fund.

Following the Coffee Morning, there will be a light BBQ Lunch (£5 per person) from which all the proceeds will be sent to Help for Heroes.

Please come along and support these very worthwhile organisations, of which we have just as much need as ever.

‘Cathedral’ Evensong at Westwell

On Wednesday 18th August, Kent Chorale is coming to Westwell to sing ‘cathedral’ Evensong at 7.30pm. This service is open to everyone, so please come along if you can.

National Churchyard Week

…in late June was a huge success especially the day that Egerton painters took up their easels and painted all around the churchyard and inside the church. All painters and participants were amply supplied with delicious cakes by Sarah Widd. The wider use of the churchyard was further increased and enhanced by an Ancient Trees of the Churchyard Walk by Michael Steed, a Wildlife of the Churchyard Walk with Steve Kirk, and a Wildflower Walk with Kath Hilder. In August we shall be having a Bat Walk and Survey with Yogi Barkaway. Just turn up at St James’ Church gates (Egerton) at 7.30pm on 23rd August. No fees payable, all welcome. This will be a family friendly event.

Monday Evening Group

The next meeting of the Monday Evening Group will be on Monday 23rd August when we shall tackle the fifth session on the New Testament entitled ‘The First Three Gospels’. Come along to Westwell Vicarage at 7.30pm, but please get in touch with Lindsay first to let him know that you are coming.

Training Courses for Parish Officers 2010

These workshops aim to help Churchwardens, PCC Secretaries and PCC Treasurers learn more about their roles and legal responsibilities. They also give an opportunity to meet fellow Parish Officers from around the Diocese and to share ideas and experience.

Cost: £8 (including buffet lunch or supper) unless indicated.

Venue: Diocesan House, Lady Wootton's Green, Canterbury Kent CT1 1NQ (unless other specified)

  • PCC Treasurers Training - Saturday 4 September, 9.30am - 1.00pm
  • PCC Secretaries Training - Tuesday 7 September, 5.30pm - 9.30pm
  • Introductory Training for Churchwardens - Saturday 9 October, 9.30am - 1.00pm
  • Finance Surgery - Tuesday 9 November, 7.00pm - 9.00pm venue to be notified - Cost: FREE
  • Finance Surgery - Wednesday 17 November, 7.00pm - 9.00pm venue to be notified - Cost: FREE

Contact Rose Dale at:
Diocesan House, Lady Woottons Green, Canterbury CT1 1NQ
Email: courses@diocant.org
tel: 01227 459401 or online:
www.canterburydiocese.org/booking/parishofficerstraining.htm

The Friends of Kent Churches Sponsored Ride and Stride

Saturday 11th September 2010

  • Raise money for your church or chapel
  • Get sponsored and visit as many churches as possible on the day by bike (or walking)
  • All denominations welcome
  • £2.2 million raised in Kent so far

To find out more about please visit www.friendsofkentchurches.co.uk/bike_ride.php

St Margaret’s Church, Hothfield will be open all day to welcome you. We will be offering drinks and cakes to all the cyclists, and cakes and drinks for sale to anyone who would like to visit our beautiful 13th century Church.

Holy Land Pilgrimage

Alan Wait is leading a pilgrimage to the Holy Land from 28th September to 7th October. If you are interested in this pilgrimage and would like to know more please contact Alan on 01233 820529 (pamalanwait@hotmail.co.uk).

Friends of St Margaret’s Church, Hothfield — Harvest Supper

The Harvest Supper will take place in Hothfield Village Hall on Saturday 2nd October, at 7.30pm. Tickets to be sold at the Post Office: £6 for Adults, £3 for children under 10.

For further information, please phone Pat Warren 01233 612265 or Sue Patten 01233 620880

Week of Accompanied Prayer

We have very kindly been invited to join the parishioners of Smeeth Church in their Week of Accompanied Prayer, from the 10th — 16th October. A Week of Accompanied Prayer is an opportunity to recharge your spiritual batteries by meeting daily with a prayer guide. The cost will be about £25. If you would like to find out more about a Week of Accompanied Prayer, then do get in touch with Lindsay. If you would like to book a place in October, then please contact The Reverend Sheila Cox on 01233 501193.

Friends of St Margaret’s Church, Hothfield — Curry and Quiz Night

A Curry and Quiz Night will be held in Hothfield Village Hall on Saturday, 13th November, at 7pm. The curry will be cooked by Bina Patel, bring your own drinks. Cost £10 per head. Book tables of six early to avoid disappointment. Tickets to be sold at the Post Office.

For further information, please phone Pat Warren 01233 612265 or Sue Patten 01233 620880

Friends of St Margaret’s Church, Hothfield — Christmas Concert

A Christmas Concert will be held in St Margaret’s Church, Hothfield, on Saturday 11th December at 7pm. The Concert will be performed by the Cantores Dominicae Choir, tickets £10 to include wine and canapes. Tickets to be sold at the Post Office.

For further information, please phone Pat Warren 01233 612265 or Sue Patten 01233 620880