ASH-CUM-RIDLEY & NEW ASH GREEN CHURCH NEWS NOVEMBER 2018

Transcription

1 ASH-CUM-RIDLEY & NEW ASH GREEN CHURCH NEWS NOVEMBER 2018 The Rectory, 11, Lambardes, New Ash Green, Longfield, Kent, DA3 8HX. Popping the Bubble was the title of a diocesan lay ministers conference that Susan Heads and I attended a couple of weeks ago. The keynote speaker was Simon Burton-Jones, the Bishop of Tonbridge. He is always an interesting speaker and the full text of his talk is on the diocesan website: ( He was talking about the fact that the UK feels a less comfortable place in which to live than it did ten or twenty years ago. And, he went on, it s not just the UK: stress fractures can be seen wherever we look. Thinking about this, I ve reflected that twenty years ago we were beginning to be anxious about the Millennium Bug, which we feared would cause all our computer systems to crash as Big Ben struck twelve to welcome in 1 January We survived that unscathed, I think, but who could have foreseen then the banking crisis, the loss of trust in the great institutions of our country, the divisions created by the two very close referendum votes, and the growth of social media and the assumption that life will be lived from a smartphone, tablet or laptop? If we feel uneasy about life, suggested the bishop, we tend to become risk-averse and retreat into a bubble in which we are reasonably safe and comfortable. This applies just as much to church communities, I think, as it does to individuals: it is, after all, a natural human instinct to gravitate towards those who are like us in some way. The conference was looking at different ways of popping the [church] bubble and engaging with the world outside it. I believe that there is a sense in which we, as a congregation, are in a bubble at the moment. It is perhaps a rather smaller bubble than we d like, but there are nevertheless some good things in it. The successful building of the toilets and the re-ordering of the church to create the kitchen and the new baptistery area have made a significant difference to the way we can welcome visitors to our ancient building. And the work that has just been completed on the boiler house and the oil tank should mean that the welcome can literally be warmer. However, welcoming people in means taking the risk of popping that comfortable bubble. Are we up for that? The Bishop of Rochester has decided that the people who live in the parishes of Ash and Ridley need a fulltime rector to serve them. We know that Helen is looking forward to taking up the reins once she has been commissioned on 13 November, but she does not come with a magic wand: wands (whether sparkling Disney or Harry Potter s holly and phoenix feather) are not standard issue for clergy in the Church of England! What she does come with, I am sure, is a conviction that God has led her to this place at this time; enthusiasm about getting to know her way around and meeting people where they are; and the expectation that we, her congregations, will play active roles in supporting her as she develops her ministry here. Will we be brave enough? I hope so. Apart from baptisms, weddings and funerals, which take place all year round, the months of November and December always see the largest numbers of local people attending special services and events: the All Souls service when we remember family and friends who have died; Remembrance day and the Act of Remembrance at the war memorial; the primary school s carol service; the Christmas Tree Festival with a concert by the Kent Chamber Choir; and last but by no means least all the Christmas services. Let us make sure that everyone who comes feels welcomed in, not only to a nicely warm medieval stone building, but also to a community that God is building of living stones. Alison Harding 1

2 SERVICES AT ST. PETER & ST. PAUL S ASH Time Type of Service When 8.00 a.m. Holy Communion (BCP) 1st day in month 8.00 am. Morning Prayer All other days in the month a.m. Family Worship 1 st day in the month a.m. Holy Communion (CW) 2 nd & 4 th days a.m. Morning Prayer (CW) 3 rd day in the month a.m. Special Service 5 th day in the month SERVICES AT ST. PETER S RIDLEY Time Type of Service When 9.00 a.m. Holy Communion (CW) 3 rd day in the month 9.00 a.m. Morning Prayer (CW) 1st, 2 nd & 4 th day in the month 9.00 a.m. Special Service 5 th day in the month p.m. Evensong 4 th day in the month DIARY DATES NOVEMBER urday 3rd Big Breakfast - Hodsoll Street am day 4th All Saints, Hartley Patronal Festival Joint RNWK Group Service at All Saints Church 10.30am (No 10:30 service at Ash - all are welcome at All Saints) All Souls Service, Ash Church 3.00pm urday 10th Messy Church, Hartley Church Centre pm day 11th Ash Church Service of Remembrance 10.00am Followed by a Service at Ash War Memorial 10.45am Lighting of the beacon at Ash Church 7.00pm Followed by FoAC Reflections on Remembrance 7.45pm sday 13th Institution of Rev d Helen Reeves - Ridley Church 7.00pm Institution of Rev d Helen Reeves - Ash Church 8.00pm urday 17th Folk@Ash, Ash Village Hall 7.30pm day 18th Junior Church, Ash Village Hall 10.25am day 19th Service at Turner s Oak 10.30am urday 24th Oxfam Yuletide Fayre, New Ash Green Village Hall 10am - 3pm sday 27th Picking Up the Pieces, Partners Coffee Shop, NAG 10.30am DIARY DATES DECEMBER urday 1st Big Breakfast -Hodsoll Street Village Hall am urday 15th - day 16th Ash Christmas Tree Festival Kent Chamber Choir Concert, Ash Church day 16th Messy Nativity, Hartley Church Centre 10.30am Ridley Church Carol Service 6.30pm day 17th Service at Turner s Oak 10.00am day 21st Ash Church Choir - Trafalgar Square 4.00pm day 23rd Ash Church Carol Service 6.30pm 2

3 THE NEXT BIG BREAKFAST IS ON SATURDAY 3rd NOVEMBER am Come along and join in with crafts Come along and listen to the bible stories Come and sing some songs Come and have some food Come and have some fun For all the Family at The Fawkham & Hartley Church Centre Next Messy Church will be on urday 10th November 4.00pm to 6.00pm day 16th December Messy Nativity 10.30am For more information contact Jacky Richardson on or ALL SAINTS CHURCH, HARTLEY Patronal Festival - All Welcome Combined Choirs Light Refreshments Come and celebrate the Patronal Festival of All Saints, Hartley on 4th November at 10.30am. This is a Group Service and everyone is welcome! The next Big Breakfast in aid of the Hodsoll Street Village Hall Refurbishment Fund takes place on urday 3rd November from 09:30am. The Breakfast costs 5 a head and is excellent value for money. In order to work up an appetite for this excellent fare we invite anyone interested to join us on a circular walk to Hodsoll Street. Meet at 5, Manor Forstal at 8:40am, from there the walk takes about an hour, and then after breakfast we take a slightly shorter route back to New Ash Green. The walk isn't suitable for buggies and please note that although dogs are welcome to join us they are not allowed in the Village Hall, so will have to be left outside whilst you are enjoying your meal. We do need to book breakfasts in advance so please contact us by rs 1st November if you would like to come along or ian_nurdin@hotmail.co.uk See: for more details. Next Breakfast: urday 1st December same time, same place! Ian and Debbie Nurdin REMEMBRANCE DAY SERVICE day 11th November Ash Church Service starts at 10.00am Then at the War Memorial, Ash at 10.45am The Parish Council invites all to attend. We will continue celebrations with light refreshments immediately following the service. 3

4 ends of Ash Church and Ash cum Ridley Parish Council REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY Lighting of Beacon at 7.00pm Reflections on Remembrance at 7.45pm Poetry, Prose, Song, Instrumentals, Testimonies at Ash Church, day 11th November Admission is free. Hot refreshments available. Contact Joe Whittaker ( ) or via to for further details and if you wish to read, speak, sing or play at Reflections on Remembrance 4

5 The Institution by The Right Reverend Simon Burton-Jones Bishop of Tonbridge and The Induction and Installation by The Venerable Andrew Wooding Jones Archdeacon of Rochester of The Reverend Helen Reeves to be Rector of The Benefice of Ash and the Benefice of Ridley sday 13 th November 2018 The Parish Church of St Peter, Ridley at 7.00pm and The Parish Church of St Peter & St Paul, Ash at 8.00pm ALL ARE WELCOME! All Souls Memorial Service 4th November at 3.00pm ASH CHURCH Please remember this date, our annual service to commemorate past loved ones takes place at 3:00pm. As always the names of departed loved ones will be read out at the service. There will be an opportunity for you to add names to the lists before the service starts, please arrive in good time to do this. THANK YOU FROM IAN AND NICK Ian Nurdin and Nick Dunsdon would like to thank everyone who sponsored them for the Bike Rides they and others recently completed on behalf of the ends of Kent Churches. Thanks to your generosity they were able to raise over 400, from which Ash church will receive 200 to go towards maintaining the fabric of our lovely building. 5

6 Ash Village Hall is again arranging a big fundraising event on urday 17 th November at 7.30pm. As most of you know, the hall was built in 1911 and is in constant need of repair - which we, as a small committee, find it hard to keep up with! This year we are inviting you to a FOLK NIGHT with 2 well known local singers Joe Whittaker from the Sea Shanty group, SWINGING THE LEAD, and Allan Richardson, who is a regular at DARTFORD FOLK CLUB and has sung on RADIO KENT and RADIO 2, - both of whom are giving their services free - for which we are very grateful! There will be drinks and nibbles (by donation) - so just bring yourselves and your voices for joining in Tickets from Pets Pantry New Ash Green or from Iris, Allan and Joe. batesons@waitrose.com irisandjohnbateson@gmail.com

7 RINGING FOR REMEMBRANCE As you know this year the 11 th November marks the centenary of the end of World War I, but what you possibly didn t know was that during the war 1400 Bell Ringers were amongst the thousands killed. The UK Government has invited all bell ringers to join the nation in marking the centenary by ringing together on day 11 th November at 12.30pm On day 11 th November the bell ringers of St Peter and St Paul, Ash, will be ringing for the morning s service and will mark the two minutes silence at 11 o clock. In addition we will be joining the National Tribute at 12.30pm and warmly invite you all to come and listen to our bells. If you are a ringer and would like to ring a bell on this very special occasion please make yourself known to a member of the band (contact Brian on ) and we will do our best to give you a ring. 7

8 REAL ADVENT CALENDARS! Help put the Christ back into Christmas! Here s a chance to enjoy Fairtrade Chocolate during advent and learn all about the real story of Christmas. The calendar includes a 24-page Christmas Story-Activity booklet. Only a limited number available, contact Ian Nurdin first come, first served! CHRISTMAS CARDS Christmas cards now available at the back of Ash Church. All proceeds to Church Funds Many thanks to Barbara Roberts. Ash Church Christmas Post Stamps Ash Church Christmas Post stamps will once again be on sale from Jasper Holliday, in church from 11th November, or direct from him. As agreed after the success of the 2017 Christmas Post, the recommended headline price will be rising to 20p a stamp; any leftover stamps you may have from previous years are of course still valid! As previously, cards can be delivered to any address in New Ash Green and to addresses in Ash between Ash Garage (was EMCO ) and The Anchor & Hope; as always, neighbourhood postmen & postwomen are needed, so do please speak to Jasper if you re able to help. CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL & KENT CHAMBER CHOIR CONCERT Ash Church will be holding their 7th Christmas Tree Festival during the weekend of urday 15th & day 16th December (: 10:00-16:00, : 13:00-16:00) and on urday evening the Kent Chamber Choir will be presenting a Christmas Concert As well as local businesses, we would love to see more families participate in the tree festival. If you would like to enter a tree, or can help to welcome people into the Church over the weekend, please contact Jean Bentley on or jeanbentley51@gmail.com Don't forget to visit it and encourage your friends and neighbours to do so too. CAROL SINGING TRAFALGAR SQUARE On 21st December the Ash Church Choir, together with the RNWK group and local singing groups, will be singing Carols and collecting for Charity in Trafalgar Square, under the wonderful Christmas Tree. They sing for an hour between 4.00 and 5.00 p.m. Everyone is welcome to come and join in the singing and enjoy the experience. You can make your own way there or book a seat on the coach which will leave New Ash Green at 1.00 p.m., returning at about 6.30 p.m. Please contact Debbie Nurdin if you would like to reserve a 8.00 each or debbie_nurdin@hotmail.co.uk 8

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10 FROM THE REGISTERS CHRISTENINGS Maisie Janet Wright 16th September FROM THE REGISTERS FUNERALS & INTERNMENT OF ASHES Eric Glover 5th September THANK YOU SIMON You may have noticed that a new sign has appeared next to the church sign board at the top of the entrance path. This is to make people aware that there is a Commonwealth War Grave in the church yard. We are very grateful to Simon Heads for all his hard work and perseverance in getting this new sign installed. ADVANCE NOTICE OF FUTURE EVENTS There will be a December edition of Church News available from the end of November Please send any event details to the editor debbie_nurdin@hotmail.co.uk 10

11 Who to contact at Ash & Ridley Positions Rector (Vacancy) SSM Associate Priest Rev Elizabeth Robertson Churchwardens Ash Churchwardens Ridley Licensed Lay Ministers Nick Dunsdon Ian Nurdin Andrew Wishart Alistair Davidson Alison Harding Susan Heads Carol Bridge Sacristan Bryan Parlett Committees Parish Safeguarding Officer Child Protection Officer Choir Masters PCC - Ash PCC - Ridley Premises Committee Rhian Rutland - Ash Belinda Ballard - Ridley rhianrutland51@btinternet.com John Harding john.a.harding@btinternet.com Nick Noakes n.noakes@btinternet.com (Vacancy - Chair) Cameron Clark (Secretary) pcc@ash-church.org.uk John Harding (Treasurer) (Vacancy - Chair) Ian Paddy (Secretary) John Airey (Treasurer) TBA (Chairman) TBA (Vice-Chairman) john.a.harding@btinternet.com ianpaddy2014@gmail.com john.airey@zen.co.uk Ministry Team (Vacancy) Rev Elizabeth Robertson elizabeth@revemr.me Alison Harding alison.harding@btinternet.com Deanery Synod Cameron Clark cameron@cclark.me.uk Social Committee - Ash Marion Simmons simmons274@btinternet.com Fete Management Committee - Ash TBA 11

12 Groups - Ash Junior Church Dionne Munn dionne_munn@yahoo.co.uk Study groups Rev Elizabeth Robertson elizabeth@revemr.me Music group John Harding john.a.harding@btinternet.com Bell ringing Ian Paddy ianpad@yahoo.co.uk Flowers Marion Simmons simmons274@btinternet.com Julia Kilfoyle kilfoylejulia@gmail.com (Leader) Healing Ministry Jane Davison jane.davison@keme.co.uk (Secretary) ends of Ash Church Mike Rose mikeinnag@hotmail.com Bryan Parlett bryan_parlett@hotmail.com Rotas - Ash Nick Dunsdon nickdunsdon@hotmail.co.uk Master Rotas Ian Nurdin ian_nurdin@hotmail.co.uk Servers Bryan Parlett bryan_parlett@hotmail.com Sidesmen and Welcomers Bible readings and Intercessions Transport and Refreshments Nick Dunsdon nickdunsdon@hotmail.co.uk Ian Nurdin ian_nurdin@hotmail.co.uk Nick Dunsdon nickdunsdon@hotmail.co.uk Ian Nurdin ian_nurdin@hotmail.co.uk Nick Dunsdon nickdunsdon@hotmail.co.uk Ian Nurdin ian_nurdin@hotmail.co.uk Brass cleaning George Mills Communications Church cleaning Joan Mills Church News Debbie Nurdin debbie_nurdin@hotmail.co.uk Ian Nurdin ian_nurdin@hotmail.co.uk Publicity and PR Jean Bentley jeanbentley51@gmail.com Baptisms John Harding john.a.harding@btinternet.com Website - Ash Colin Irving colin.irving@btinternet.com dings Jan Kennedy jankennedy2546@aol.com Pew sheets Claire Pelham claire.pelham@btinternet.com Any items for inclusion in Church News to: Debbie Nurdin (873414) or debbie_nurdin@hotmail.co.uk Website: 12

13 ASH CHURCH - CALENDAR OF EVENTS NOVEMBER 2018 DECEMBER 2018 JANUARY 2019 DATE DAY EVENT DATE DAY EVENT DATE DAY EVENT 01-Nov 01-Dec Big Breakfast - Hodsoll St 01-Jan HAPPY NEW YEAR! 02-Nov 02-Dec 02-Jan 03-Nov 04-Nov 05-Nov SAT: AM: Big Breakfast - Hodsoll St PM: NAG Fireworks Night SUN: All Souls Service - Past Loved Ones 03-Dec 04-Dec 05-Dec 03-Jan 04-Jan 05-Jan WASSAIL - ORCHARD 06-Nov 06-Dec 06-Jan 07-Nov 07-Dec 07-Jan 08-Nov 08-Dec 08-Jan 09-Nov 09-Dec 09-Jan 10-Nov Messy Church 10-Dec Ash Christmas Tree Decorating 10-Jan 11-Nov 11-Dec 11-Jan 12-Nov 12-Dec 12-Jan 13-Nov 14-Nov 15-Nov 16-Nov 17-Nov 18-Nov 19-Nov 20-Nov TUES: INSTALLATION OF THE REV. HELEN REEVES - ASH & RIDLEY Junior Church Service at Turners Oak 13-Dec 14-Dec 15-Dec 16-Dec 17-Dec 18-Dec 19-Dec 20-Dec NAG Primary School Carol Service SAT & SUN: ASH CHURCH XMAS TREE FESTIVAL SUN: MESSY NATIVITY CAROLS - WOODLANDS RIDLEY CAROL SERVICE MON: AM: SERVICE AT TURNERS OAK PM: CAROLS AT TURNERS OAK - TBC 13-Jan 14-Jan 15-Jan 16-Jan 17-Jan 18-Jan 19-Jan 20-Jan Junior Church 21-Nov 22-Nov 21-Dec 22-Dec FRI: ASH CHOIR CAROLS - TSQ - 16:00 21-Jan 22-Jan Service at Turners Oak 23-Nov 23-Dec ASH CAROL SERVICE 23-Jan 24-Nov 24-Dec CHRISTMAS EVE 24-Jan 25-Nov 25-Dec CHRISTMAS DAY 25-Jan ASH CHURCH CLEANING 26-Nov 26-Dec 26-Jan 27-Nov 28-Nov TUES: Picking up the pieces - 10:30am - Partners Coffee Shop 27-Dec 28-Dec 27-Jan ASH CHURCH CLEANING - TBC 28-Jan 29-Nov 30-Nov ASH CHURCH CLEANING 29-Dec 30-Dec 29-Jan 30-Jan TUES: Picking up the pieces - 10:30am - Partners Coffee Shop 31-Dec 31-Jan 13

14 DATE DAY EVENT DATE DAY EVENT DATE DAY 01-Feb FEBRUARY 2019 ASH CHURCH - CALENDAR OF EVENTS 01-Mar MARCH Apr APRIL 2019 EVENT 02-Feb Big Breakfast - Hodsoll St 02-Mar Big Breakfast - Hodsoll St 02-Apr 03-Feb CANDLEMASS 03-Mar 03-Apr 04-Feb 04-Mar 04-Apr 05-Feb 05-Mar 05-Apr 06-Feb 06-Mar ASH WEDNESDAY 06-Apr Big Breakfast - Hodsoll St 07-Feb 07-Mar 07-Apr 08-Feb 08-Mar 08-Apr 09-Feb Messy Church - TBC 09-Mar Messy Church - TBC 09-Apr 10-Feb 10-Mar 10-Apr 11-Feb 11-Mar 11-Apr 12-Feb 12-Mar 12-Apr 13-Feb 13-Mar 13-Apr Messy Church - TBC 14-Feb 15-Feb 14-Mar 15-Mar 14-Apr 15-Apr PALM SUNDAY Junior Church - TBC 16-Feb 16-Mar 16-Apr 17-Feb Junior Church 17-Mar Junior Church 17-Apr 18-Feb Service at Turners Oak 18-Mar Service at Turners Oak 18-Apr 19-Feb 19-Mar 19-Apr GOOD FRIDAY PROJECT 20-Feb 20-Mar 20-Apr 21-Feb 21-Mar 21-Apr EASTER SUNDAY 22-Feb ASH CHURCH CLEANING 22-Mar 22-Apr Service at Turners Oak - TBC 23-Feb 23-Mar 23-Apr 24-Feb 24-Mar 24-Apr 25-Feb 25-Mar 25-Apr 26-Feb 27-Feb TUES: Picking up the pieces - 10:30am - Partners Coffee Shop 26-Mar 27-Mar TUES: Picking up the pieces - 10:30am - Partners Coffee Shop 26-Apr 27-Apr ASH CHURCH CLEANING 28-Feb 28-Mar 28-Apr 29-Mar ASH CHURCH CLEANING 29-Apr 30-Mar 31-Mar 30-Apr TUES: Picking up the pieces - 10:30am - Partners Coffee Shop 14