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

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1 ASH-CUM-RIDLEY & NEW ASH GREEN CHURCH NEWS DECEMBER 2018 The Rectory, 11, Lambardes, New Ash Green, Longfield, Kent, DA3 8HX. Dear All, Welcome to the December issue of Ash cum Ridley Church Newsletter, my first as Rector and new resident of New Ash Green. I would like to start to say a big thank you to everyone in the community for the warm welcome I have received to the area, I am making my way round the villages, shops and events to meet as many people as possible, and to get to know you all. Please if you see me, tall, messy red hair and the tell-tale dog collar, do say Hi and have a chat. And what better time to meet up with people than Christmas, with so many wonderful community and church events taking place to celebrate the birth of Jesus we are spoilt for choice with how to spend our energies. One thing you might like to do is spend a little time each day considering what is the fuss of Christmas really about, and there is a great way to do that this year: For many of us, Christmas brings up so many emotions, memories and expectations. We have one nativity story, but it can seem like we all have very different Christmases. For you it might be a time of joy and togetherness. Or perhaps it s all about planning and to-do lists. Many others can find it a sad and lonely time nagged by the feeling that your Christmas is not like those perfect ones we see in the media. But just like the unexpected assortment of people who were invited to meet the baby Jesus, #FollowTheStar doesn t ask you to be perfect. It says: come just as you are to take the life-changing Christmas journey. Wherever you are this Christmas, you are invited to follow the star and to be with Jesus. You are welcome. You are deeply known and truly loved. Mary and Joseph and all those caught up in the Christmas story were surprised by the astonishing way that God chose to live among us. Each Christmas we are reminded of God s longing to surprise us with his gift of joy, love and new life. It s the greatest present we can receive and share with others! (Archbishop s Justin & John) If you would like to join the Church of England s #FollowTheStar Christmas Campaign maybe with a daily , app or booklet you can find I would also like to invite you all to join us at Ash or Ridley churches for the many different services we are holding, such as a traditional Nine Lessons and Carols, a beautifully reflective time held in candlelight with those wonderful traditional hymns. Or perhaps for Christingle, with oranges, sweeties and candles which bring the message of hope and love celebrating this year its 50 th anniversary. Or perhaps that very special Midnight Communion Service that takes us rejoicing into Christmas morning. Truly unique and special times to get together full details of our services are within this newsletter; I look forward to seeing you there. May God s Blessing rest upon you this Christmas and beyond. Helen. 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 the 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 a.m. Group Holy Communion (BCP) 2 nd nesday 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 a.m. Group Holy Communion 5 th nesday in the month DIARY DATES DECEMBER urday 1st Big Breakfast - Hodsoll Street Village Hall am day 2nd Commissioning of Rev Canon Alyson Davie as Rural Dean and Rev Elizabeth Robertson as Assistant Dean at St John s, Meopham 6.00pm day 3rd Advent Bible Study Group Jubilee Hall, Longfield 8.00pm rsday 13th New Ash Green Primary School Carol Service 10.00am urday 15th - day 16th Ash Christmas Tree Festival urday 15th Kent Chamber Choir Concert, Ash Church 7.30pm day 16th Messy Nativity, Hartley Church Centre 10.30am (No 10:30 service at Ash - all are welcome at Church centre) Ash Church Choir, Carols at Woodlands 12.30pm Ridley Church Carol Service 6.30pm day 17th Service at Turner s Oak 10.00am Community Carol Singing, Turner s Oak 7.30pm day 21st Ash Church Choir - Trafalgar Square 4.00pm day 23rd Christingle Making, Ash Village Hall 2.00pm Ash Church Carol Service 6.30pm day 24th Christingle Services, Ash Church 2.00 & 4.00pm Midnight Mass, Ash Church 11.00pm sday 25th Christmas Day Family Service 10.30am urday 29th Twixmas Walk, led by John Harding (see page 3) 2

3 THE NEXT BIG BREAKFAST IS ON SATURDAY 1ST DECEMBER 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 day 16th December Messy Nativity 10.30am For more information contact Jacky Richardson on or A SPECIAL NOTE FROM LIZ WALKER Dear All at Ash Church Thank you so much for the beautiful Ash bowl and for the Amazon voucher which I received last day. As you know I have many happy memories of attending Ash Church with my family for over 20 years. It was the Church where I celebrated my first communion service after being ordained priest, and so coming back to help out during your interregnum felt very special for me. Your warm welcome and continued friendship has been a joy over this last year I have been with you. I look forward to joining you all for Helen s Installation service. The next Big Breakfast in aid of the Hodsoll Street Village Hall Refurbishment Fund takes place on urday 1st December 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 29th November if you would like to come along or ian_nurdin@hotmail.co.uk See: for more details. Please note - there is no Big Breakfast in January Next one will be on the 2nd February. Ian and Debbie Nurdin WALK OFF THE CHRISTMAS TURKEY WITH JOHN HARDING John Harding will be leading a Twixmas Walk on urday 29th December More details from John john.a.harding@btinternet.com Thank you all, again, for such a lovely gift. Liz Walker - 30th October

4 Ash Junior Church News What we did at Ash Junior Church Last week at Ash Junior Church, we started to think about Christmas coming up, and the birth of baby Jesus. To begin with, everybody made some lovely Christmas trees. The Christmas trees that the children all did together at the start of Ash Junior Church, that will be used at the Christmas Tree Festival! Younger children were read a book about baby Jesus, and gave some fabulous answers to questions that we asked them. They also completed a sticker book about the nativity, really understanding who baby Jesus was, and who God was. They stuck in angels, shepherds, the wise men and their gifts, and the final nativity. Older children went to bring together ideas about Christmas and what we do today to celebrate it, about Gods plan for Jesus, the nativity, how Jesus life and death affects their own, and what they were thankful for; to make an amazing prayer that was said at the end. They had really wonderful, well thought out ideas about the true meaning behind the birth of baby Jesus, God and Christianity. Everyone then had a well deserved break with some yummy sponge cake, tea, coffee, and squash. The younger children then listened to the prayer that the older children had made up. To end our Ash Junior Church, we sang Away in a Manger with lots of actions, and Jingle bells getting everyone in the Christmas spirit! Ash Junior Church are going to share their beautiful prayer, and sing Away in a Manger at the Family Service in December. The next session will be us joining the congregation at the Messy Nativity! By Rhianna Munn 4

5 Sanctuary launches a Christmas appeal Our Christmas stocking appeal went live on Facebook recently. It has already been shared over 160 times, and has reached more than 13,000 people! For this appeal, we are asking members of the public to fill a sock or stocking for Sanctuary guests male and female. The suggested items for the stockings are a pair of socks, a pair of gloves, deodorant and body spray, plus a small pack of baby wipes and a treat item. These items need to be dropped off to Ash or Ridley churches by day 16 th December so they can be taken to the Sanctuary at Gravesend Methodist Church before Christmas. The Gravesend Sanctuary project provides shelter for the homeless this winter and is run by Steve & Lorna Nolan, former Ash Church members and residents in New Ash Green Thanks for your help and Happy Christmas! The Riziki Chidren s Home - Kenya Proceeds and donations from this year s Christmas Tree Festival will be sent to the Riziki home. Children live and are educated in this wonderful place. Staff and pupils are all working hard to make the home self-sufficient. They have recently created a reservoir to catch rain water from the road and a filtration plant to clean it. Our money will help with further enterprises. My connection is with friends I made whilst I lived there in 1972 who have worked tirelessly for it since their return to England. Jean Bentley CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL 2018 SATURDAY15 th /SUNDAY 16 th DECEMBER I hope you will be able to submit an entry this year. All proceeds to the RIZIKI CHILDREN S HOME, KENYA Businesses are asked for a contribution of 10 towards the cost; Families and Societies a donation of 5 Further details from Jean Bentley jeanbentley51@gmail.com 5

6 CHRISTINGLE MAKING We will be making the Christingles in Ash Village Hall from 2pm on day 23rd December. All are welcome to come along and help prepare the oranges for all the children we are hoping to see at the two Christingle services on Christmas Eve Contact Pauline Dunsdon (872660) for more details 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, : 10:00-16:00) 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. 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 remain on sale from Jasper Holliday, in church or direct from him, or via our friends in the New Ash Green branch of Hartley Estates. The revised recommended headline price is 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. The last collections will be from Hartley Estates at 4pm on urday 15th December, at the Messy Nativity on day 16th December or from Ash Church at the end of the Christmas Tree Festival at 4pm on day 16th December. As previously, cards sorted by neighbourhood is hugely appreciated and, as always, neighbourhood postmen & postwomen are needed, so do please speak to Jasper if you re able to help! 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. The Coach we have arranged is currently full but we have started a Stand by list in case of any cancellations. The coach 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 go on the list or debbie_nurdin@hotmail.co.uk Please also feel free to make your own way there. 6

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8 Rural North West Kent Group of Churches Midweek Communions Come and join us on nesdays at 10.00am 1st nesday of the month All Saints, Hartley 2nd nesday of the month St Peter & St Paul, Ash (BCP) 3rd nesday of the month All Saints, Hartley 4th nesday of the month St Mary Magdalene, Longfield 5th nesday of the month St Peter s Ridley 8

9 FROM THE REGISTERS CHRISTENINGS FROM THE REGISTERS BURIAL OF ASHES Shaun Paul Carre-Brown 21 November Edith Gwendoline Couldwell 25th November WELCOME TO REVEREND HELEN REEVES St Peter and St Paul, Ash and St Peter s, Ridley welcomed our new Rector, Reverend Helen Reeves, at her Installation service on 13th November. The services were conducted by the new Bishop of Tonbridge, Right Reverend Simon Burton-Jones, the new Archdeacon the Rev Andrew Wooding Jones and the new Area Dean Rev Canon Alyson Davie. Helen was also welcomed into the Rural North West Kent Group of Churches by Reverends Jim Fletcher, Dylan Turner and Elizabeth Robertson. As well as members of the Group Churches, many representatives of the local community in Ash and New Ash Green were also in attendance to offer their welcome. (Photos courtesy of Andy Wishart and Carol Bridge). ADVANCE NOTICE OF FUTURE EVENTS There will be a January/February 2019 edition of Church News available from mid-january Please send any event details to the editor - debbie_nurdin@hotmail.co.uk 9

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11 Who to contact at Ash & Ridley Positions Rector SSM Associate Priest Rev Helen Reeves 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 rhianrutland51@btinternet.com Belinda Ballard - Ridley John Harding john.a.harding@btinternet.com Nick Noakes n.noakes@btinternet.com Rev Helen Reeves - Chair ashandridleyrector@gmail.com Cameron Clark (Secretary) pcc@ash-church.org.uk John Harding (Treasurer) Rev Helen Reeves - Chair Ian Paddy (Secretary) John Airey (Treasurer) TBA (Chairman) TBA (Vice-Chairman) john.a.harding@btinternet.com ashandridleyrector@gmail.com ianpaddy2014@gmail.com john.airey@zen.co.uk Ministry Team Rev Helen Reeves Rev Elizabeth Robertson ashandridleyrector@gmail.com 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 DECEMBER 2018 JANUARY 2019 FEBRUARY 2019 DATE DAY EVENT DATE DAY EVENT DATE DAY EVENT 01-Dec Big Breakfast - Hodsoll St 01-Jan HAPPY NEW YEAR! 01-Feb 02-Dec 02-Jan 02-Feb Big Breakfast - Hodsoll St 03-Dec 03-Jan 03-Feb CANDLEMASS 04-Dec 04-Jan 04-Feb 05-Dec 05-Jan WASSAIL - ORCHARD 05-Feb 06-Dec 06-Jan 06-Feb 07-Dec 07-Jan 07-Feb 08-Dec 08-Jan 08-Feb 09-Dec 09-Jan 09-Feb Messy Church - TBC 10-Dec Ash Christmas Tree Decorating 10-Jan 10-Feb 11-Dec 11-Jan 11-Feb 12-Dec 12-Jan 12-Feb 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 13-Feb 14-Feb 15-Feb 16-Feb 17-Feb 18-Feb 19-Feb 20-Feb Junior Church Service at Turners Oak 21-Dec 22-Dec FRI: ASH CHOIR CAROLS - TSQ - 16:00 21-Jan 22-Jan Service at Turners Oak 21-Feb 22-Feb ASH CHURCH CLEANING 23-Dec ASH CAROL SERVICE 23-Jan 23-Feb 24-Dec CHRISTMAS EVE 24-Jan 24-Feb 25-Dec CHRISTMAS DAY 25-Jan ASH CHURCH CLEANING 25-Feb 26-Dec 27-Dec 26-Jan 27-Jan 26-Feb 27-Feb TUES: Picking up the pieces - 10:30am - Partners Coffee Shop 28-Dec ASH CHURCH CLEANING - TBC 28-Jan 28-Feb 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-Mar MARCH 2019 ASH CHURCH - CALENDAR OF EVENTS 01-Apr APRIL May MAY 2019 EVENT 02-Mar Big Breakfast - Hodsoll St 02-Apr 02-May 03-Mar 03-Apr 03-May 04-Mar 04-Apr 04-May Big Breakfast - Hodsoll St 05-Mar 05-Apr 05-May 06-Mar ASH WEDNESDAY 06-Apr Big Breakfast - Hodsoll St 06-May 07-Mar 07-Apr 07-May 08-Mar 08-Apr 08-May 09-Mar Messy Church - TBC 09-Apr 09-May 10-Mar 10-Apr 10-May 11-Mar 11-Apr 11-May Messy Church - TBC 12-Mar 12-Apr 12-May 13-Mar 13-Apr Messy Church - TBC 13-May 14-Mar 15-Mar 14-Apr 15-Apr PALM SUNDAY Junior Church - TBC 14-May 15-May 16-Mar 16-Apr 16-May 17-Mar Junior Church 17-Apr 17-May 18-Mar Service at Turners Oak 18-Apr 18-May 19-Mar 19-Apr GOOD FRIDAY PROJECT 19-May Junior Church 20-Mar 20-Apr 20-May Service at Turners Oak 21-Mar 21-Apr EASTER SUNDAY 21-May 22-Mar 22-Apr Service at Turners Oak - TBC 22-May 23-Mar 23-Apr 23-May 24-Mar 24-Apr 24-May 25-Mar 25-Apr 25-May 26-Mar 27-Mar TUES: Picking up the pieces - 10:30am - Partners Coffee Shop 26-Apr 27-Apr ASH CHURCH CLEANING 26-May 27-May 28-Mar 29-Mar ASH CHURCH CLEANING 28-Apr 29-Apr 28-May 29-May TUES: Picking up the pieces - 10:30am - Partners Coffee Shop 30-Mar 31-Mar 30-Apr TUES: Picking up the pieces - 10:30am - Partners Coffee Shop 30-May 31-May ASH CHURCH CLEANING 14