Newsletter for 1st November 2020
‘For I know the plans I have for you’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future...You will seek me and you will find me when you
seek me with all your heart’. Jeremiah Chap.29 v11-13
Dear Friends,
October Harvest Thanksgiving Services
Thank you to all who contributed to our celebration of harvest. The gifts of food stuffs were welcomed by Catching Lives. Porchlight was not able to receive gifts of foodstuffs. Financial donations were sent to Porchlight and Child of Hope, in Uganda.
A heart-felt thank you to Chris and Garth for helping us so faithfully through the last few months during the interregnum. They both willingly took on the challenge of adapting to zoom and broadcasting from home during lockdown. We will continue to call on their services, though perhaps a little less when Rev. Louise Vincer is in post.
A poem by John Field which he read as part of the Harvest Celebration:
Reflections
As I wandered with my head hung down
Reflecting on sadness inside
The sun disappeared behind dark clouds
And the rain rolled in like the tide.
The heavens opened and the water dropped
‘Til the land could handle no more,
And lakes and puddles appeared in the woods
Which once had dark earth at their core.
As I wandered with my head hung down
Reflecting on sadness inside
Sun reappeared, shining on water
Reflecting the sky and white clouds.
Then hope rolled in like the tide.
Photo of Chartham Hatch Nature Reserve
taken by Genny Spencer
Saturday Cafe St. Mary’s 9.45 a.m. to 11.45 a.m. Opening now postponed until after lockdown
From Steve Dungay & Ruth Harling
BBC Children in Need Appeal
In past years, St Mary's Ladies' Group has organised a ramble to raise money for this appeal. This year, because of Photo taken by Genny Spencer the Covid-19 regulations, instead of one walk we offered five walks for groups of 6, led by Steve Dungay, Gill Buss and Ruth Harling. Our walks ranged widely from Blean church to Tyler Hill, the cycle path to Canterbury, Chartham Hatch Nature Reserve and the North Downs Way, St. Augustine's estate and stunning views over the Downs. This last walk ended up in Kathy Trim's courtyard garden for a welcome socially-distanced cup of tea. The autumn colours were superb and despite a generally wet October we were very lucky with the weather. The total sum raised from the walkers' generous donations was £200.
Photo taken by Genny Spencer
Online services: Email invitations are sent out for online services usually the day before. For an invitation contact Robin. These services can also be joined by telephone.
Services in the church building: please book in advance by phone or email as numbers are strictly limited (contact details at the end).
Under data protection law we need your consent to email you.
You can give consent by registering on our website. Go to the website and select the "Register" link in the top-right corner. https://www.stmaryschartham.org/User/Registration.aspx
Mobility scooter Needs a new home Very little used. Contact Cathy Arnold for further details.
Our new site allows for donations & regular giving to be paid directly to the church through: St Mary's online donations. If you have any difficulty using the online giving contact our treasurer, Tim Kidd by emailing treasurer@stmaryschartham.org
Please don't hesitate to be in touch with us if you have any questions.
Keep safe & God bless you all
Churchwardens
Robin Slowe Tel 01227 732431
Cathy Arnold Tel: 01227 731960
email: robin@stmaryschartham.org
cathy@stmaryschartham.org
Cathy Arnold, 02/11/2020