Previous Month

Dear Friends,

OVERSEAS LINKS - HELP FOR TSUNAMI VICTIMS IN SRI LANKA

Last month we were able to send out £468 to support the work of Rev. Amal Fernando and the aid programme he was involved in setting up after the disastrous tsunami. In English the title of the programme is “H.E.N.”, standing for health, education and nutrition. I have recently spoken with Dr. Joanna Young from Polegate, East Sussex, who has just returned from spending four weeks in Sri Lanka helping with this programme. HEN has been established to work with families and individuals whose homes have either been completely destroyed or severely damaged, and who are currently staying either in the homes of members of their extended family or in rented accommodation. They have a team who visit these families to identify those in particular need. In terms of health and nutrition, they are supplying extra rations of rice and lentils to supplement the diets of the children and the elderly; with regard to education, they are helping to replace books and buy new school uniforms, and also to provide bus fares for the children who now have to travel some distance to their school. The HEN workers also continue with a programme of personal visits and counselling. They are currently working with twenty families, mainly in the Moratuwa area south of Colombo, and near Galle, further down the coast.

COMPANION PARISH IN AMERICA - SEPTEMBER EXCHANGE VISIT

Plans for an exchange visit with our Companion Parish in America (Grace Episcopal Church, Holland, Michigan) are developing and taking shape. I have written to them with a suggested outline itinerary, and they are expecting a group of 15 - 20 to come - final numbers have yet to be confirmed. This is what I have suggested, though the details may be open to change, for example, some have asked if they could see a cricket match.

Saturday 17th Arrive in England. Rest at hosts' homes. Walking tour of parish in the afternoon.

Sunday 18th Worship with the Church Family (either at All Saints Church at 9.00 a.m. or the Church Centre at 10.30 a.m.) Lunch with hosts. Evensong in Rochester Cathedral.

Monday 19th Day Trip to Leeds Castle

Tuesday 20th Day Trip to Canterbury, including visit to the Cathedral

Wed 21st Day trip to London by train. Some may want to visit the museums; others may want to visit Westminster Abbey or St. Paul's Cathedral; we could also do a trip on the London Eye or an Open Top bus tour with a cruise on the River Thames.

Thursday 22nd Day trip to Rochester, with a tour of the Castle and the Cathedral and a cruise on the River Medway

Friday 23rd Day trip to Cambridge, including a visit to Kings College Chapel and punting on the Cam.

Saturday 24th Pub lunch at Lenham and walk along the historic Pilgrims' Way. Meal with the parish in the Church Centre in the evening

Sunday 25th Worship at either All Saints Church (9 a.m.) or Church Centre (10.30 a.m.) Lunch with hosts. Evensong at St. Mary's Church.

Monday 26th Depart

The intention is that members from our parish will visit Holland, Michigan in August 2006.

At this point, I would be most grateful if you could let me know if you would be willing to accommodate one or two guests for the week. I have suggested to them a contribution of £5 per head per day to hosts for food. I would not expect hosts to also necessarily be involved in transport, so if others would be willing to help with outings, please let me know - that would be greatly appreciated. Also, some folk may be willing to cook supper on one or two days even if they can’t offer accommodation. Again, this would be a great help.

CHURCHWARDENS

At the APCM, Brian Bowes stood down after completing his five years as Churchwarden. I am very grateful for all that he has done during his time in office. He has been everything one could hope for in a Churchwarden - I have really valued his friendship, wisdom and conscientious leadership. His commitment has been second to none, and his efficient planning and project management came to the fore in the Church Centre Roof replacement and various other projects, including the extension and renewal of the car park at St. Mary’s. He has also significantly improved aspects of parish management by getting such things as our inventory on computer, and our project priorities. Brian has also been immensely practical, often being up a ladder, and organising various work parties. Whenever I have gone away on holiday, I have known that the parish was in safe hands in the care of the Churchwardens. It has been great to rely on Brian and know that if he has ever said he would get a job done, then it would be done. Some of my favourite memories include the Saturday morning breakfasts we used to share as part of our team meetings, organising the Drifters Concert, and the Pilgrimage to Canterbury last year. In particular I have valued Brian’s partnership in prayer and ministry, and especially meeting in All Saints Church on Thursday mornings for Morning Prayer. Thank you, Brian for all that you have done on behalf of the parish!

I am also very thankful for the continuing ministry of Norma Crowe as our Churchwarden. And now I’m delighted to welcome John Murray who has been elected as our new Churchwarden. John has grown up in the area - he went to primary school with David Tremain, and at secondary school John Field was his headmaster! John is married to Sharron, and they have two children, Jessica and Alexander, who are at Hartley Primary School. John works as a consultant in computer projects (he is currently working with Medway Council, and works in the same building as Norma Crowe), and Sharron is a part-time accountant. For the past couple of years John has served on the Fete Committee. Both Jessica and Alexander were baptised at All Saints Church, and also John and Sharon were confirmed at the Church Centre in May 2003.

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL AND DEANERY SYNOD MEMBERS

At the APCM there were also a number of new members elected on to the Parochial Church Council and Deanery Synod:

For 3 years: Julian Delf, Gill Pearson, Anne Pryme and Shirley Wilson

For 2 years: Peter Wilson

For 1 year: Kent Tucker

Deanery Synod: Bea Cowan, Norma Crowe, John Field, Barbara Mayer,

We are very grateful to them for their willingness to serve our parish in this way - please support them and remember them in your prayers. If you have any suggestions or comments about our parish, they would be only too willing to listen.

CONFIRMATION - Sunday 22nd May, 5 pm at St. Mary’s Church

This year there are eleven candidates going forward for Confirmation, eight young people and three adults: Verity Chick, Alexandra Clague, Philippa Crowe, Sean Garland, Joshua Hudson, Philip Robertson, Scott Wilton, Christopher Worssam, Robert Hutton, Karen Irvine, and Adrian Porter. Please pray for them as they take this important step of faith. Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali will conduct the service.

Your friend and Rector,