Spiritual art at St Mary`s Church

ochester Link 1
Bishop James
celebrates Holy
Week in Bexley
Photos and story page 6
May 2013
Spiritual art at St Mary’s Church
Following the success of
designing, making and installing
a large stained glass window,
members of St Mary’s Church
Green Street Green led by Revd
Karl Carpani and Mrs Marina Price
are venturing into ever deeper
creative and artistic waters.
Already this year has seen a new Art and
Spirituality Course where participants
have discovered the skills of portrait
drawing alongside developing their creative
spirituality.
The church has run a Lent Course based on
the Nicene Creed and on the back of that,
is holding an exhibition of art created by
church members and depicting aspects of
the Creed.
Items include a full scale wire sculpture of
Christ Crucified (see image) which hangs
from the chancel roof, a work that has
already made a major impact on many who
see it. There are drawings and paintings
and a stained glass mosaic, icons and other
sculpture.
Mr Carpani, with Mrs Price, is exploring ever
new ways to bring the Gospel through the
creative arts and to develop the spirituality
of artists; they are planning further courses
in painting, stained glass work, iconography
and sculpture.
Mr Carpani says: “There is nothing more
wonderful than to express our deep faith
through creative art.
“The product of wrestling with all kinds of
media can so powerfully elicit aesthetic
spiritual emotion in viewers that words so
often fail to do.”
Pictured below: the stained glass window
and wire sculpture of Christ Crucified
New kitchen at St Stephen’s Church
By Isabel Pimmer
The Mayor of Tonbridge and
Malling, Councillor Dave Davis,
opened a specially designed kitchen
recently installed at St Stephen’s
Church, Tonbridge.
The new facilities are the culmination of a fiveyear project to remodel the church building to
allow it to be used not just by the congregation
on Sundays but by the wider community
throughout the week.
The newly-installed kitchen at St Stephen’s Church, Tonbridge
The church already opens on Tuesday and
Friday mornings to offer refreshments and a
listening ear to anyone in the community.
Regular attenders include parents with babies
and toddlers, the elderly, a bereavement support
group and a group for adults with learning
difficulties. At other times the church is used
by local schools, Tonbridge Philharmonic
Orchestra, Bacchus Wind Band, St John’s
Ambulance, a monthly dads’ and toddlers’ group
and guests at weddings and funerals. Offering
refreshments has previously needed four
volunteers with urns and equipment having to be
transported from the nearby church hall.
The Vicar of St Stephen, the Rev Mark Barker,
comments: “The lack of on-site facilities has
made it difficult to offer hospitality and has
limited the times we can be open. With the new
kitchen we’ll be able to open the church to more
groups seven days a week and be of greater
service to our community.”
Funding for the project came from members of
the congregation, with further donations from
Russet Homes and Ibstock Cory Environmental
Trust. The kitchen was designed and built by
Tim Whitfield.
PLEASE NOTE: Copy deadline for the June issue of The Link is Thursday 9 May at 4pm
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Bishop Brian’s Diary - May
5 May
7 May
9.30 Preside and Preach – St Michael, Cuxton
11.00 Preside and Preach – St John, Halling
11.00 Faith and Order Commission Meeting - London
9 May
11.45 Visit Walthamstow Hall School, Sevenoaks
7.30
11 May 9.00
Confirmation – Christ Church, Milton
Speak at St Stephen’s, Chatham, Mens’ Breakfast at the Huntsman Pub
2.30 Speak at Friends of Kent Churches – All Saints, Tudeley
12 May 10.00 Preach and Preside – 150th Aniversary Service, All Saints, Langton Green
14 May 2.00
Meeting with Leaders of Newer Christian Communities - Sevenoaks
15 May All Day Bishop’s Staff Meeting - Bishopscourt
16 May
17 May
Speak at New Vision Conference, St Cuthman, Horsham
19 May 10.30 Confirmation – St Martin, Barnehurst
What’s on
May 2013
Saturday 4
WATERINGBURY Annual Plant Sale at St John the
Baptist, Tonbridge Road, Wateringbury from 10am to
4pm. Superb nursery plants plus home grown stall,
St John’s crafts, cards, good condition books and toys
home made cakes, cream teas and refreshments. Further
information please contact 01622 813032
Friday 10
RIVERHEAD The Hermitage Ensemble, a world-class
Russian Orthodox Male Voice Choir from St Petersburg,
presents a programme of Russian sacred music and folk
songs. St Mary’s Church, Riverhead at 7.30pm. Tickets
£10 (£5 students) from Sevenoaks Bookshop, or phone
01732 452715, or at the door.
www.seenworks.com/hermitage
Saturday 11
BROMLEY Bromley Symphony Players, directed by
Bernard Brook, perform in St Mary’s Church, College
Road, Bromley BR1 3QG at 7.30 p.m. They play music
by Handel, Mozart, Corelli, Albinoni and Grieg in a charity
concert in aid of Action against Hunger. Admission is £7
on the door, with interval refreshments. 020 8464 1239
for more details.
SHOREHAM ‘Welcome Spring’, a concert of choral
music by Temenos Chamber Choir, conducted by Charles
Vignoles. Celebrate Spring with wine and refreshments,
and joyful music by Debussy, Ravel, Monteverdi, Britten
and many more. St Peter and St Paul, Shoreham at
7.30pm. Tickets £10 (£5 students) from Sevenoaks
Bookshop, or phone 01959 523765, or at the door.
www.temenos-chamberchoir.org.uk
Beautiful Treats
Costume Jewellery
Beautiful Jewellery
for those
special occasions
Web: www.beautifultreats.co.uk
Email: info@beautifultreats.co.uk
Mob: 07706930704
THEOLOGY FOR CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
Ordained Ministry Students • Readers in Training
Independent Students
Choice of three modes of study:
• Part-time through weekly evening classes in central
London or Canterbury
• Part-time through teaching days
• Full-time mixed-mode combining evening classes,
teaching days and supervised ministerial practice
Please contact us for more details:
Email: administrator@seite.co.uk • Telephone: 01227 471120
Website: www.seite.co.uk
Sunday 12
BROMLEY Meet outside St Mary’s Church, College
Road, Bromley BR1 3QG at 2.30 pm for “Beating the
Bounds” of the parish. All are welcome – please bring
a staff – and a cup of tea will be available back at the
church after the bounds have been duly beaten.
020 8464 1239 for more details.
Saturday 18
BROMLEY Mothers’ Union Plant Sale and Coffee
Morning at St Mary’s Church Hall, College Road, Bromley
BR1 3QG in aid of MU literacy projects overseas and
“Away from It All”. From 10 am - 12 noon, admission 50p
includes the cost of the first cup of coffee.
020 8464 1239 for more details.
FAWKHAM & HARTLEY is holding a traditional May Fair,
at St Mary’s Church Meadow, Fawkham Road, Fawkham,
DA3 8EQ from noon until 4.00pm. The event will feature a
variety of stalls and activities, plus a fun dog show, classic
car display and live music by the band, ‘Jazz Force.’
Tempting pastries, ice-cream and burgers will provide
added pleasure, as will the opportunity to win a Bluewater
voucher worth £200 first prize in the fair’s Grand Draw.
Entrance to the event is free and car parking is £1.
SOUTHWARK ‘A new pattern of priesthood’: Celebration
and consultation on self-supporting ministry and 50th
anniversary event for SOC & SEITE at Southwark
Cathedral. This major national event is organised and
supported by the Church of England’s Ministry Division,
the Diocese of Southwark and the South East Institute for
Theological Education. It’s for everyone associated with
SOC & SEITE over 50 years, including former students
in all kinds of ministries, stipendiary as well as nonstipendiary, and for everyone involved in self-supporting
ministry, including those who wish to encourage it and
those who may be considering offering for it. For further
details and a booking form, please see our website
www.seite.co.uk
BEXLEY At St Mary’s Church at 7:30pm - “Maytime
Melodies”. Tickets £8, including a glass of wine and
nibbles available from Deidre Allard on 01322 525629 or
Sheila Thompson on 01322 522071.
TUNBRIDGE WELLS Vasari Singers in concert, one of
the UK’s foremost London chamber choirs performing
secular and sacred music, to include Agnus Dei, Barber
and works by Chilcott, Delibes, Gershwin, Sondheim
and Jerome Kern. St Luke’s Church, St Luke’s Road,
Tunbridge Wells TN4 9JH at 7.30pm. Tickets £10 from
J and K Gallery Crowborough, or call 07596 122972 or
from St Luke’s church office, 07980 832815, or at the
door. www.vasarisingers.org
Sunday 23
NETTLESTEAD ‘Life on a Harp String’ Concert by Harpist
Margaret Watson in The Undercroft at Nettlestead Place
at 3 for 3.30pm. Tickets £10 each which includes an
Afternoon Tea. Telephone: 01622 812016 or
01622 871272. Proceeds in aid of Nettlestead Church
Friday 31
WALDERSLADE Andy Flannagan concert ‘Drowning in
the Shallow’ St Philip & St James’ Church, King George
Road, Walderslade ME5 0TZ at 7:30pm. Tickets are £5
and available online at www.pipnjims.co.uk or by calling
the Church Office on 01634 681671.
Various
SEVENOAKS – Lunchtime Recitals at 12.30pm every
Wednesday at St Luke’s Church. Lasting 30 minutes
Please join us – admission free. Refreshments available
from 12 noon. 1 May New Benedict Singers;
8 Michele Roszak – Mezzo Soprano and Lynda
Spinney - Piano;
15 Jenny Miles - Piano; 22 Lily Blackmore – Flute;
29 Pupils from Guildhall School of Music and Drama (Holly Marie Bingham – Soprano and Catherine Norton
– Piano)
Thursday 2 May and Friday 3 May
The 28th Eric Symes Abbott Memorial Lecture at
Westminster Abbey on 2 May at 6.15pm and at Keble
College Oxford on 3 May at 5.30pm. The 28th Eric
Symes Abbott Memorial Lecture - Constantine’s Vision
and the Church Today: From the Battle of Milvian
Bridge (AD312) to the Twenty-First Century. Speaker:
Professor Dame Averil Cameron FBA FKC, former
Warden of Keble College, Oxford. Further information:
The Dean’s Office, King’s College London, 020 7848
2333, email: dean@kcl.ac.uk. To book visit
www.westminster-abbey.org/lecture-booking
June 2013
Saturday 1 and Sunday 2
LULLINGSTONE St Botolph’s Church. Vivat Regina! – An
exhibition marking the 60th Anniversary of the Coronation
of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. 11am – 5pm. Also on
Sunday at 11am Celebration Matins. 12.30 Talk by
Mr Henry Phillips, the retired workshop manager of
Garrard, the Crown Jewellers. Entrance free. For more
information phone 01732 461462
Monday 10
MAIDSTONE The Diocese of Rochester Golf Day
at Cobtree Manor Park golf course, Chatham Road,
Maidstone ME14 3AZ (Tel: 01622 753276). From
8am: Coffee. 9am Tee off for 18 holes. Lunch to follow
with Bishop James, prize giving, speeches etc! Entry fee
£32. To book contact: Rev Ian Brown at
vicar@allsaintsfrindsbury.co.uk by Sunday 26 May.
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Pentecost Message
Growing and Global
by the Ven Clive Mansell
From 120 to about 3120 - that
is the growth in the number of
first Christian disciples that many
of us will hear about (from the
Acts of the Apostles 2, v. 41) on
19 May when we mark again the
first Whit Sunday, the Feast of
Pentecost after the first Easter Day,
when the Holy Spirit of God came
upon those first disciples and St.
Peter preached to an international
crowd in Jerusalem about the
risen Christ and challenged them
to respond in faith.
The growth of the Christian Church which
began that day continues today almost
2000 years later, but this is not perhaps
the impression you get from many a news
report. Here, however, are some thoughtprovoking numbers which I have come
across in recent times.
Approximately 2.18 billion people in the
world identity themselves as Christians
today - about one-third of the world’s
population. About one billion of those are
Catholics, 800 million Protestants, 260
million Orthodox and 85 million Anglicans
worldwide.
There are about 3.7 million Christian
congregations across the world with
about 50,000 new congregations added
each year. Most of the growth is in South
America, Africa, Asia and especially China.
The Asia Times in 2007 stated that 10,000
Chinese become Christians each day.
Official Chinese Government figures state
that there are 25 million Christians in
China today, but, according to the BBC,
best independent estimates reckon there
are 60–70 million. There are already more
Chinese at church on a Sunday than in the
whole of Europe.
A report published in 2012 on church
growth in Britain from 1980 to the present
revealed that at least 5,000 new churches
have been started in Britain since 1980.
Media stories constantly repeat a mantra
of the decline in numbers of church-going
people. They rarely set this in a wider context.
Trends in committed membership in all sorts
of organisations and societies have dropped
over a generation or two. Set in this context,
things can seem rather different.
For example, take the membership of UK
political parties. According to the House
of Commons Library Standard Note
(published on 3rd December 2012), in
2010, the Labour Party had c.193,000 and
the Conservatives c.130,000–150,000
members.
However, in the early 1950s, the
Conservatives claimed nearly 3 million
members, while Labour claimed more than
1 million members. What an extraordinary
drop in political party membership!
To compare the Conservative Party figures
with the Church of England signed up
membership figures (ie, electoral roll
membership) in 1950, the C of E electoral
roll membership was 2,959,000 (close to
the Conservative figure of “nearly 3 million”).
In 2010, the Church of England electoral
roll membership was 1,214,000, whereas
the Conservative Party membership was
only c.130,000-150,000. In that context,
membership of the Church of England has
held up pretty well.
When you go to church this next Sunday,
over one million others will be in 16,000
Church of England churches and 1.7 million
people will be in a Church of England
church at least once in a month. Of course,
many, many other people will attend
Christian churches which are not Church of
England churches.
On Whit Sunday, on every Sunday and on
every day, we can rejoice to belong to God’s
great and growing, global Christian Church.
Bishop James’ Diary - May
1 May
All Day
Tunbridge Wells YFC & Street Pastors
Charity Golf Day, Tunbridge Wells
17 May
8.45
2 May
Study Day for Bishops, St Martin-in-the-Fields, London
7.30
Institution: The Rev Paul Farthing, The Annunciation, Chislehurst
18 May
6.30
Edwin Apps’ Art Exhibition opening, St Peter & St Paul, Tonbridge
3 May
Leading Your Church Into Growth, West Wickham
19 May
8.00
Holy Communion, St William, Walderslade
10.00
Confirmation Service, St Philip & St James, Chatham
10.30
9.00
1.00
150th Anniversary Celebrations: St John’s CE Infants School, Chatham
Speak: Rochester Rotary Club, Rochester
5 May
10.30
Confirmation Service, St Paul, Northumberland Heath
6.30
Preach: Magdalene College, Cambridge
1.00
Lunch & Visit: Rochester Bridge Trust, Rochester
Open new building: Penshurst CE Primary School
6.00
Healing Service, Rochester Cathedral
House of Bishops’ meeting, York
General Synod Business Committee, London
7 May
8.30
7.30
Institution: The Rev Philip Wells, Holy Trinity, Lamorbey
20 May and 21 May All Day
9 May
7.30
Confirmation Service, All Saints Brenchley
22 May
Women Bishops Steering Group, London
5.00
‘Hearts of Oak’ gallery opening, Historic Dockyard, Chatham
23 May
11.30
Visit: Welcare in Bromley
3.00
College of Canons AGM, Cathedral
10 May
12.00
11.00
11 May
11.30
Mission Shaped Ministry programme, St Justus, Rochester
12 May
Confirmation Service, Tonbridge School
7.30
Bromley Deanery Great Chapter, St Augustine, Bromley Common
26 May
10.00
Confirmation Service, Holy Trinity, Lamorbey
4.00
Confirmation Service, St Paul, Beckenham
10.00
6.00
Preach: Peterhouse College, Cambridge
13 May
1.00
‘Renewing Vision’ programme, Horsham, West Sussex
7.30
Speak: Sevenoaks Christian Counselling Service AGM, St Nicholas, Sevenoaks
15 May All Day
Bishop’s Staff Meeting, Bishopscourt
16 May
2.30
Diocesan Finance Committee, Diocesan Office
29 May
10.00
Development & Appointments Committee, Lambeth Palace
4
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Christian Resources Exhibition May 14-17
Award winning
church furniture makers
CRE Stand T18+T19
Makers of quality bespoke
Church Furniture
www.fullersfinerfurniture.co.uk
CRE stand S9A
best in Christian resources
Europe’s leading •• The
The latest multimedia equipment
extensive book and resource store
Christian Resources •• AnA comprehensive
programme of seminars
• A variety of specialist workshops
Exhibitions • Entertaining Christian theatre and music
CRE International - SANDOWN 2013
Sandown Park, Esher 14 - 17 May
y
Mone
Save y
b
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isteri
g
e
r
pre nline
o
For continually updated information visit: CREonline.co.uk
Christian Resources Exhibitions is part of Bible Society (Charity Reg. No 232759) Tel 01793 418218
Christian Resources Exhibitions
EQUIPPING AND EMPOWERING YOUR CHURCH
www.church-architects.co.uk
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How Time Flies
Come and
visit our
Stand at the
Christian
Resources
Exhibition
Reflections by Louise Gilbert
I arrived in Rochester on St
Valentine’s Day 2000 to start
what was and still is a wonderful,
exciting, tiring, frustrating job.
I had no idea what I was letting
myself in for and I’m sure that
members of the Bishop’s Council
had no idea what they were
letting themselves in for either.
Over the past few months, as I’ve been
thinking about how to organise things ready
for a handover to my successor, I have
begun to think about what I would put in a
time capsule to give someone an idea of
what the past 13 years have been like for
me.
An address book would be essential
to keep track of the people that I have
been fortunate to meet over the past
years. During my time in Rochester I have
experienced so many acts of kindness and
friendship.
For my husband Tony and me, moving to
a new part of the country, knowing no-one
could have been daunting and lonely but
far from it. We were welcomed by so many
people and made to feel a valued part of
the life of the Diocese. One fond memory
for me was moving into our home on Friday
and on Saturday morning our son receiving
a phone call from a local church asking if
he’d like to come and play football – how
thoughtful was that?
I would need to put a watch and a diary in
the capsule to represent the full diary that
awaited me on my arrival and has continued
throughout my time here. Sadly, I have
passed an equally full diary to my successor.
I felt as if I was always about to be late
for an appointment. Travelling around the
Diocese I quickly learnt that I would either
arrive just in the nick or time or sit around
for half an hour depending on the vagaries
of the traffic on our various motorways.
A satnav is another of the tools I have relied
on in the past to help find out of-the-way
churches and parsonages, usually on a dark,
rainy, winter’s night. It is always reassuring
to know that you are going in the right
direction and to “reach your destination” is a
wonderful thing to hear when you are unsure
of yourself.
A large pinch of salt and sense of humour
is essential in the job. Often things are
not as they seem and it is very easy to
become demoralised. It is so important to
test whether what you are hearing is reality
or just the vocal few. It would be easy to
become unsure of yourself and brought low
without the ability to take a deep breath,
step back and reflect on God’s purpose.
My badge I wear - when I remember not
to leave it in the car - has helped me over
the years to remember exactly who I am
and why I was placed here. I have always
worn my badge with pride. There is much
to be proud of within this Diocese and it is
important to be reminded of this from time
to time.
A Staff Handbook would take its place in
the capsule. As a Diocese we are blessed
with knowledgeable, hardworking, loyal staff
who in my experience, will always go the
extra mile and deliver on a shoe-string.
The Handbook in its pristine state would be
a reminder that we have hardly ever in my
had cause to use it and long may it remain
so.
So, it’s with equal measures of excitement
and sadness that I am moving to experience
the next chapter in my life. The Diocese of
Rochester will always have a place in my
heart and I will continue to pray for the work
and mission in this place.
Easter Bonnets at Chislehurst
Keith Monks
Sound Systems
see us on
Stand S56
audio, visual and induction loop
systems with complete integrated
design and installation
The ladies of The Annunciation Church Chislehurst, remember the
Easter Bonnet. Photo by John Vickers.
Safeguarding Seminar
The Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Group in partnership
with Churches’ Children Protection Advisory Service
(CCPAS) invites you to attend ‘Facing the Unthinkable’,
an intensive safeguarding training session on 18 May
2013 at St Barnabas Church, Upper Avenue, Istead Rise,
Gravesend, DA13 9DA from 9am to 1.30pm.
Places can be booked on the diocesan website or please
contact Carol Martin, Safeguarding Administrator –
carol.martin@rochester.anglican.org if you require further
details. Attendance is free to all those with a relevant
parish responsibility, but we reserve the right to charge
£20 per person towards the cost of this seminar to those
booking places who fail to attend without prior notice.
t: 020 8682 3456 www.keithmonks.co.uk
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Bishop James joins Bexley team
by the Rev Scott Lamb
This year Bishop James joined the
two churches of the Bexley Team
Ministry for Holy Week in order to
share a parish journey through the
events of Jesus Passion to Easter.
For Bishop James this was the first time for
many years that he had been able to spend
this week with one local community.
For the churches it was an opportunity to
hear him teach on the heart of the Christian
faith and invite others to do the same.
So on a snowy Palm Sunday the Bishop
joined a procession of well-wrapped-up
worshippers (and donkey) to walk to the
local park for the Blessing of Palms.
On the next three days of the week he
led quiet evening devotions for all in the
Deanery.
On Maundy Thursday he formally launched
the Bexley Team and then presided at a
fellowship meal and Eucharist; placing
Jesus’ commandment to ‘love one another’
before both churches as they start to work
together.
On Good Friday the Bishop led Stations of
the Cross devotions in St Mary’s Church.
This was a united service for Anglican,
Roman Catholic, URC and Baptist churches
where Bishop James responded personally
to specially commissioned images by artist
Patrick Letschka.
Holy Saturday meant a Vigil in St John’s
Church with Baptism and Confirmation
and then, after only a few hours sleep,
the Bishop returned for a joyful Easter
celebration in St Mary’s Church, which was
bursting at the seams.
The Team Rector the Rev Scott Lamb writes:
“This was a truly memorable week for us
in Bexley. Bishop James came primarily to
share in one local church’s normal pattern
of Holy Week but his presence brought
together Christians from all the churches in
area and renewed many people beyond the
bound of St Mary’s and St John’s Churches.”
Bishop James with the people confirmed, baptised, admitted to communion and received into
the Church of England at the Easter Vigil at St John the Evangelist, Bexley on 30 March. The
candidates were: Baptism: Sue Linin, Saffron Russell and Sophie Russell. Confirmation:
Amanda Murrell, Martin Sutton, John Bennett, Sue Linin, Myma Enchill-Yawson, David
Thompson, Sophie Russell, Jordan Harrex, Rhiannon Carter, Isaac Lamb, Joan Jones and
Heather Darlington. Reception into the Church of England: Helen Thompson. Admission to
Holy Communion: Neve Fillary, Saffron Russell, Katy Sutton, James Murrell.
The Bishop of Rochester processes to the Blessing of the Palms at St John the Evangelist,
Bexley Palm Sunday service with the Rev Scott Lamb, Team Rector, Bexley Team Ministry, Julie
Bowen, Curate, and John Gilbert, Reader.
Bishop James blesses the palms on Palm Sunday at St John the Evangelist, Bexley with John
Gilbert, Reader, Debbie King and Mungo the donkey
Bishop James with Bexley Team Ministry Rector the Rev Scott Lamb
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Parish Nurses
Prayer at the heart of nursing
Did you know that around 80
churches in the UK now have a
nurse working as part of their
ministry team? Launched in
the US in 1985 there are now
12000 “parish nurses” working
worldwide.
“Parish Nursing” is not just for Anglicans.
The word parish refers to the whole local
community, and across the UK projects are
being run by C of E, RC, Baptist, Methodist,
Church of Scotland, Church in Wales,
Pentecostal and Independent churches.
Some churches work in partnerships.
Each project is developed to meet a
local need or vision. In some you’ll find
the nurse taking blood pressure, helping
with weight management, helping people
understand and manage chronic conditions,
giving support in times of distress, or
accompanying someone to an important
consultation at hospital.
One parish nurse works, with police support,
at night with prostitutes; another is amongst
homeless men with drugs issues; there is
a nurse supporting women’s refuges too.
Nursing projects develop wherever there is
a need. And…nurses will be offering to pray
with clients. Prayer is at the heart of parish
nursing.
Since retiring through ill health as vicar of St
John’s, Beckenham, last year Nick Lang has
volunteered to publicise the work of parish
nursing around the south. “Parish nurses
reach out from a faith community into the
whole community through healing,” he said.
“The outreach potential is significant.
“One parish nurse, working, say, eight
hours a week, is likely to make about 400
interventions in a year; and around a third of
these will be to non-church people! Large
numbers of non-Christians are experiencing
the love of Jesus through each nurse”.
Parish nurses can be paid or voluntary and
always work as part of a church project,
responsible to the church leadership. Parish
Nursing Ministries UK provides professional
oversight and guidance during the setting up
and for the life of the project.
Currently Nick is working with a group of
Anglican churches in one diocese as they
develop their plans for cooperating on a
The Rev Nick Lang
nursing project. He is available to visit areas
and make a presentation on parish nursing
to churches, chapters and local deaneries,
or Churches Together groups, around the
SE of England. Contact him on 020 8650
6151 or at niklang23@gmail.com
‘I’m inviting you’
by Veronica Rees
What am I inviting you to? In 2012
61 churches participated in Back To
Church Sunday from our Diocese
and 43 completed the diocesan
questionnaire and in those
churches:
including postage and packaging. The pack
will include the following items:
• 3712 people attended church, of which
782 were guests, visitors or returnees
which means 21% of those attending were
returnees.
You will receive confirmation of your order
which will arrive within 14 days. Also on
the same website there will be additional
resources to prepare for the day!
Once again – enough people to have a new
church in the Diocese – what brilliant news!
Finally, but by no means least important –
If your PCC says it is not interested – I have
to ask ‘Can it afford to make such a
decision?’
‘I’m inviting you’
This is the theme for 2013 and the whole
invitational theme is much simpler.
How do you participate?
Church online registration is now open and
those churches that participated in 2012 and
2011 will have already received an eflyer from
BTCS inviting them to register.
This will be a collaboration between the BTCS
team and Traidcraft and you will be able to
process your registration on our website.
Or go to www.backtochurch.co.uk, register
your church, and you will be directed to
the Traidcraft website to order and pay for
Invitation Packs, which this year cost £25
50 x BTCS invites
2 x A4 posters
1 x A3 poster
1 x DVD (a “best bits of BTCS” with an
introduction from Archbishop Justin Welby)
Training date This year it will be on Wednesday 26 June
2013 at St Barnabas Church, Upper Avenue,
Istead Rise, Gravesend, Kent DA13 9DA –
Time 7.30 until 9.30pm
Even if you have been before, we would love
to see you again and I am sure you can teach
us something about your experience of BTCS.
If you have any questions or wish to register
for this, please email Veronica on
btcs@rochester.anglican.org
Two comments from 2012 Back to Church
Sunday
• You will be pleased to know that the
entirely new person who came 25/9 has
been coming ever since and the people
who came 25/9 especially have deepened
their commitment and brought a friend.
• Sunday dawned bright and sunny,
although a little chilly. Many people arrived
early to have tea or coffee from 10am so
there was lots of fellowship before the
service. The BTCS team with the clergy
had planned the order or service and what
hymns and prayers we would like included.
We made use of the BTCS resources and
included some of the prayers. We were
very pleased with how it went, with a good
mixture of hymns. The children joined in
“He’s got the whole world in His hands” with
all the percussion instruments so that was
very lively. In contrast we sang Amazing
Grace to the tune of The Lord’s my Shepherd
so we got 2 of our favourite hymns for
the price of 1! After the service we had a
Sausage Sizzle lunch in the churchyard, with
homemade cakes for dessert. In spite of the
chilly breeze people stayed to enjoy lunch
and fellowship in the sunshine.
8
ochester Link
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Birchwood House
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Residential Home for
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in 6 acres of glorious Kent countryside, within easy
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• All rooms have en-suite facilities & nurse call
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ochester Link 9
Lightning protection why didn’t it work?
ORGANIST
available as relief
SE London/ Kent
Sundays & Weekdays
Traditional &
Modern Music
Contact Ron Smith
TEL/FAX: 020 8300 1527
by the Rev Christopher Miles
On 23 December 1989 St Peter
and St Paul’s Church, Cudham was
struck by lightning resulting in
considerable physical damage to
various items of the tower and to
the church’s electrical installation,
but thankfully there was no fire.
Christmas services that year were all
candlelit!
The church had a single down conductor
on the spire and tower reaching from
the weather vane atop the spire to the
ground at the foot of the tower where it
was connected to an earth point having a
resistance, which I measured in 1992, of
9.9 ohms against a specified maximum of
10 ohms. So what went wrong to cause
considerable damage of over £11,000?
Firstly, the church had a single down
conductor, when the standard then and
now specifies a minimum of two down
conductors. The main purpose of this is to
split the lightning current and thus reduce
the very high conductor voltages which
lead to ‘side flashing’, i. e. sparking to other
conducting material as an alternative route
to the earth.
Fee & Mileage
Secondly, because the down conductor
passed very close to the clock face, it
was bonded (i. e. electrically connected)
to the clock face and the bellframe. It is
recognised good practice, and has been
for many years, to bond where there is
inadequate separation.
Thirdly I infer that there were other
deficiencies. The weather vane was
replaced, so probably the strike hit the
weathervane as the highest point but there
was a poor connection between this and
the top end of the down conductor. It
seems that there was also a poor bonding
connection either to the down conductor or
to the clock face.
Routine inspection and testing should
Friendly, ethical and efficient service
at a reasonable price.
Get in touch today with no obligation and we
will be happy to talk about how we can help you
Contact Trevor or Sharon on 020 8090 9646
or email info@trbtaxandpayroll.co.uk
www.trbtaxandpayroll.co.uk
St Peter and Paul’s Church, Cudham
include as far as possible a visual inspection
of joints and particularly where this is not
possible an electrical continuity check.
With two down conductors it is possible
on a tower and spire to check the electrical
continuity from the ground up one conductor
to a weathervane connection and down the
other conductor.
Good design, installation and maintenance
are important.
Further information can be obtained from the
diocesan website or email:
gcmmiles@btinternet.com
Welsh General to speak in Sevenoaks
The Annual Meeting of the
Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Scripture
Readers Association (SASRA) in
Sevenoaks has involved speakers
of interesting military and
spiritual pedigree in recent years,
including General Lord Dannatt
and the officer responsible for
training al specialists who have
neutralised Improvised Explosive
Devices in Afghanistan.
This year’s meeting, which will take place
in St Nicholas Church, Sevenoaks on
Monday 10 June at 8pm, promises to be no
exception.
The lead speaker will be Major General the
Rev Morgan Llewellyn who had an unusually
interesting military career before leaving the
Army to get ordained.
After being commissioned into the Royal
Welsh Fusiliers and undergoing normal
regimental training, he became a specialist
instructor in Outward Bound activities.
Besides undertaking operational tours
in Malaya, Cyprus and Northern Ireland,
where he was decorated, he commanded
the Gurkha Brigade in Hong Kong before
concluding his service with tours of duty as
General Officer Commanding in Wales and
as Chief of Staff at Headquarters United
Kingdom Land Forces at Salisbury.
Maj Gen the Rev Morgan Llewellyn
A visitor to his home is invariably arrested by
a self-portrait with remarkable resemblance
sitting in an arm chair – the product of a
practitioner with exceptional talent.
SASRA is fortunate to have acquired a
speaker of such an unusual array of gifts
at this meeting which is open to allcomers.
Light refreshments available from 7.30pm.
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St Mary’s
Church
Battersea
is looking for a
FULL-TIME FAMILES’
& CHILDREN’S MINISTER
We are: a broad, growing, inclusive and
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Roll: 230) wanting to develop the faith of
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in community mission in a diverse central
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Salary: £25,000p.a. 37.5hrs per week
Details: stmarysbattersea.org.uk
Closing Date:
14th May 2013
Interviews:
1st June 2013
In his leisure, he is a most gifted artist
who undertakes and exhibits portraits and
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News and letters to the Editor:
linknews@rochester.anglican.org
Telephone: 01634 560000
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Having become a committed Christian as a
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Llewellyn was ordained and served as the
Chaplain at Christ’s College, Brecon.
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However, one must then consider the
need for supplementary bonding of the
clockworks to other conducting material,
whether electrical cables or metallic water
pipes, if there is inadequate separation from
them.
This had not been considered fully in the
case of Cudham Church. The situation may
have been very different when the lightning
protection was installed. It is also very
difficult to ensure totally effective separation
or bonding.
Metalsmith
www.steelyourself.co.uk
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10
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Winter 2
012
The latest issue
of The Son
THE SON is a bright, newsy and uncompromising tabloid newspaper
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Written and presented in an easy to read style, based on the UK’s
biggest circulation newspapers, THE SON is an ideal tool to reach
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The current edition of THE SON includes stories on BBC presenter
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Why not use THE SON to reach your community?
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THE GO
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– SEE PTCHINGHAM R
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Neuros
ur
stuns s geon
cie
world w ntific
ith
his rev
elation
s
HEAVEN
Dr Eben
Alexande
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experienc .
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spiritua
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y
during a
seven-d
ay coma
A top ne
urosurg
eon has
scientif
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by
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en exist
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For yea
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life was
days that
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ochester Link 11
Praying the way
Bromley and Bexley
Bromley Deanery
The Annunciation, Chislehurst
Our new priest, Fr Paul Farthing
St Mary, Hayes
A breakthrough in our community
St Peter & St Paul, Bromley
Preparations for our summer Holiday Club
Erith Deanery
St Paul, Northumberland Heath
Confirmation on 5th with Bishop James
Orpington Deanery
All Saints, Orpington
Thanks for two members in training for
Licensed Lay Ministry
Christ Church, Orpington
A new experienced Youth Leader
St Barnabas, Cray
Plans for a Mission in spring 2014
St Martin, Chelsfield
Our second interregnum in two years
Unity Church, Ramsden
Plans to start an Alpha course
Sidcup Deanery
Holy Redeemer, Lamorbey
Development plans
St John & St Mary, Bexley
Planning and fundraising for church extension
St John, Sidcup
Developing young people’s spirituality
Rochester
Cobham Deanery
Cobham with Luddesdowne
Involvement of both churches at our May
village fetes
Hartley
A successful Summer Fete
Meopham
Thanks for a fruitful Lent to Pentecost course
Nurstead
Thanks for our ministry with couples preparing
for marriage
Snodland
Our planned Prayer Walk
Dartford Deanery
“Picnic in the Park” organised by Churches
Together in Swanley on 19th
Plans for a FoodBank in Swanley
St Edmund, Dartford
Messy Church
St Peter & St Paul, Shorne
Plans for “Songs of Praise and Tea” on
Sunday afternoons
Tonbridge
Gillingham Deanery
St Barnabas, Gillingham
Trust in Jesus as the fate of our church is
pondered
St Luke the Evangelist, Gillingham
Three new families to join us in 2013
St Margaret, Rainham
Our growing Messy Church
St Matthew, Wigmore, South Gillingham
A new leader for our Thursday Club
St Mary Magdalene, Gillingham
Our Patronal Festival and Stewardship
Renewal
St Peter, Bredhurst, South Gillingham
The couples to be married at our church
Gravesend Deanery
Sevenoaks Deanery
St George, Weald
Safari Supper on 4th
Christian Aid Week from 10th to 18th
St Martin, Brasted
Open Day on 6th
St Mary, Riverhead
A new churchwarden
St Nicholas, Sevenoaks
Confirmation Service with Bishop Michael
Turnbull on 12th
Shoreham Deanery
A permanent site for a new Free/Christian
school in Sevenoaks
Tonbridge Deanery
St John, Hildenborough
Thanks for Pathfinder and Youth Groups
St John, Penshurst
The group raising money for the renovation
of the church
St Mary, Chiddingstone
Those preparing for marriage
St Peter & St Paul, Tonbridge
All who witnessed the Passion Play on Good
Friday
Tunbridge Wells Deanery
Burrswood
All staff and patients
St Luke, Tunbridge Wells
Young people taking exams and making
decisions about their future
St Mark, Tunbridge Wells
Those admitted to communion on Easter Day
St Paul, Rusthall
Candidates preparing for confirmation
St Thomas, Southborough
That every disciple in Tunbridge Wells will
commit to growing in faith
St Aidan, Gravesend
The celebration of our Golden Anniversary
Year
St George, Gravesend
God’s will to be done in the town centre
development
St Margaret, Ifield
That many will visit our church on Sunday
afternoons
Holidays Abroad
ITALY
Near Romantic Rome
Self catering in rural
tranquillity, sleeps 2-4.
Wonderful views, historic
village. Tel: 07836 650834
villagirasole@hotmail.com
www.villettagirasole.com
The Gathering 2013
Contact: Tel: 00 353 539146644 Mobile: 00 353 877 403031
Email: marygrant60@gmail.com
Holidays
at Home
A warm traditional welcome
welcome awaits you at
Kingford House
✰✰✰✰ Silver Award
Enjoy excellent home cuisine Ideally
situated for coastal & Exmoor walks.
Tel Tricia Morgan on 01598 752361
for brochure and tariff
patriciakingford@aol.com
www.kingfordhouse.co.uk
Meopham with Nurstead
2 May St John the Evangelist, Sidcup
17 May Ridley
3 May Diocesan Fellowship of Evangelists
18 May Snodland with Lower Birling
4 May Evangelists in Training
19 May Pray for our preparations to celebrate Pentecost
20 May Dartford Deanery
21 May Crockenhill
22 May Choirs, Organists & Music Groups and all who lead music in our churches
23 May Diocesan Pray-ers
24 May The Local Evangelism Resource Group
25 May Darenth
26 May Dartford Christ Church
27 May Diocesan Links Committee
28 May Dartford Holy Trinity
29 May Dartford St Alban
30 May Our link Dioceses of Estonia and Harare
31 May Our link Dioceses of Mpwapwa and Kondoa
8 May Rochester Archdeaconry
9 May Cobham Deanery
10 May Ash
11 May Churches Together in Kent
12 May Cobham with Luddesdowne and Dode
13 May Fawkham and Hartley
14 May Pray today for the Bishop’s day on Community Engagement on 19 May
15 May Longfield
Tel: 020 7223 5473
SHERBORNE
Short breaks in Dorset
Elegant, spacious, 2 bed,
apartment in listed building
close to Abbey Church.
Open all year.
Please ring for brochure:
01404 841367
IGR retreats in 2013:
16 May The Advisory Council for Mission & Unity
Devon
Delightful ground floor
flat with glorious views
across river Dart.
Sleeps 4: double ensuite,
twin with bathroom,
all mod cons.
Retreat Centre
St Andrew, Sidcup
7 May Dartmouth
Ivy House St Denys
1 May 6 May Diocesan Co-ordinator for Spirituality and Spiritual Accompaniment
Tel: 02380 265 683
info@casa-oleander.co.uk
www.casa-oleander.co.uk
Quality family run Bed & Breakfast
accommodation/short stays welcome.
Lovely beaches nearby and lots of local activities.
10 mins drive from Rosslare Ferryport.
Peaceful location. Super breakfast.
LYNTON DEVON
Prayers for June LINK to Judith Howard,
10 Mount Pleasant Road, Weald,
Sevenoaks, TN14 6QE, Tel 01732
458285, by e-mail to judithhoward@
weald.plus.com” judithhoward@weald.
plus.com by Friday 3rd May
Luxury 3 bed villa
(all ensuite) Sleeps 6/8, near
Carvoeiro. Own pool,
all mod cons. Situated on
Pestana Golf Resort. Golf,
Tennis, Outdoor bowls.
Full details and brochure:
Brian Chambers
"Sunny Southeast Ireland"
Intercession during May
5 May Those who offer Pastoral Care, Counselling and Listening
ALGARVE
• 2-7 April - Anna Desch, £240
• 27-31 May - Becky Widdows, £285
• 14-22 October - Anna Desch, £280
CARM Retreat:
1-8 May - Painting or Calligraphy & Prayer, £350
T: 01985 214824 E: stdenys@ivyhouse.org
www.ivyhouse.org
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12
ochester Link
Vivat Regina!
Exhibition at Lullingstone
St Botolph, the church on the
lawn of Lullingstone Castle,
will be celebrating the 60th
Anniversary of the Coronation on
the weekend of 1st and 2nd June.
The exhibition will be open from
11am to 5pm. Admission is free.
At 12.30 on Sunday 2 June, visitors will
have the chance to meet a craftsman who
actually worked on the remodelling of the
Imperial State Crown for the Coronation.
Mr Henry Phillips, the retired workshop
manager of Garrard, the Crown Jewellers,
will give a talk, answer questions and show
exclusive photographs of him resetting the
priceless stones.
Before the talk, St Botolph’s Reader, Oscar
Bayley, will lead Morning Prayer, starting at
11am, in joyful thanks for the long reign of
our Queen. After the service and talk, the
exhibition will be open until 5pm.
The setting for the exhibition is most
appropriate.
Silk from the Lullingstone Silk Farm was
woven to make velvet for robes worn by the
Queen at her coronation.
Discover the significance of the stages of
the Coronation service and the symbolism of
the regalia. See Prayer Books and Service
Books for Coronations from Queen Victoria
to Queen Elizabeth. Delve into the Illustrated
London News and other publications
recording Coronations from Edward VII
onwards.
Revel in Coronation memorabilia – and
mugs! View film taken by the BBC, Rank
and Pathé News. Welcome to 1953.
Vivat Regina Elizabetha!
Illustrated London News 1937 George VI
Coronation
Lullingstone and Eynsford children
Love and joy
The Good News was presented clearly and
attractively through the story of the Upside
Down Kingdom and through Gospel accounts
of Jesus meeting people and teaching
parables.
Lullingstone silk
Bishop Brian’s visit
by Simon Peerless
Editor, Christ Church News
We give thanks to God for a
wonderful week with Holiday
Club. Between 75 and 80 children
came to enjoy craft, drama, singing,
dancing, games and lots more,
including today transporting a giant
bucket of custard from one side of
the hall to other!
Procession to Westminster
by Rachel Townsend
The Bishop of Tonbridge visited
Rusthall St Paul’s CE Primary
School in April.
He presented the school with a Special
Award - The Bishop’s Commendation for
excellence in R.E. provision.
Youngsters enjoy the Holiday Club at Christ
Church
Sarah and her team put in an enormous
amount of work and there is no doubt that
the Club will have made a huge impact on
the lives of those children. Let’s pray that the
seeds sown will result in much fruit and that
each family represented will experience the
love and joy of God’s Kingdom.
The school had submitted a portfolio of
evidence, including photographs, work,
lesson plans and pupils’ comments to the
Diocese in the summer. Rusthall St Paul’s
school was one of two schools selected
this year to receive the award by the
Bishop.
Year 6 led Palm Sunday worship, waving
palm leaves during the hymn, before the
Bishop spoke to the children about his job.
He explained why he has a crook, a mitre
and a cross made of nails around his neck.
He then presented the Bishop’s
Commendation certificate to the school.
During a tour of the school, the children
were able to ask the Bishop questions,
including why he wears a dog collar, and
whether he carries his crook when he leads
worship in church.
The Bishop was able to see for himself
the R.E. work happening in each class, the
recent project about crosses from around
the world and the plans for a new spiritual
garden.