ochesterlink Poverty And Hope Appeal The Poverty and Hope Appeal 2015 Bringing Hope, Sharing Joy has been launched.

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1 Money Matters Archbishop s Debt Advice ochesterlink JUNE 2015 See page 7 for details Poverty And Hope Appeal The Poverty and Hope Appeal 2015 Bringing Hope, Sharing Joy has been launched. This annual Appeal aims to channel Christian concern in our Diocese about justice for poor and disadvantaged people across the world. Launching the Appeal, the Rt Rev Dr Brian Castle, Bishop of Tonbridge said By supporting the Poverty and Hope Appeal, you can help make a real difference and transform the lives of people who face great difficulties daily. The Poverty and Hope Appeal works through local and international Christian organisations, including Christian Aid, Us and CMS, to give hope and help to people suffering poverty and injustice. This year, the Appeal is part of the Diocese s focus on Challenging Poverty. This aims to raise awareness of and understand the reasons for poverty, discover how God blesses the poor, explore how to respond to poverty, celebrate humanity and ask how we can take action. The Appeal is one way to take action. It supports six projects that focus on issues central to the eradication of poverty - agriculture, education, empowerment of women, and healthcare. Projects in Argentina and Burkina Faso help poor and marginalised communities facing pressure on their environments. Illegal deforestation in the Chaco of Argentina, and increasingly unpredictable weather in Burkina Faso make it harder for people to have confidence in their future. Your support will help give them a voice to challenge vested interests, and provide them with the means to achieve food security. The projects in Kenya and India focus on helping disadvantaged women. In Kenya, maternal and child healthcare are promoted in isolated communities through support groups and the provision of education for both women and men on issues such as pregnancy and hygiene. The project in India supports community courts, which give women from the poorest parts of society a voice in resolving domestic issues and justice based on reconciliation and rehabilitation. We are supporting our partnership Diocese of Kondoa in Tanzania, to help fund a vocational training centre. This will give skills and economic opportunities to disadvantaged men and women in this isolated rural area. In Kent, we continue to support Commonwork, based near Chiddingstone. Commonwork works with schools in Kent to explore complex global issues such as injustice, conflict, peacebuilding and sustainability, connecting young people with the global crises of poverty and injustice. Please give to the Appeal, pray for the Appeal and encourage your church to support the Appeal. We can give you copies of the annual brochure, posters and gift aid envelopes. Why not contact us to invite a guest speaker from the Poverty and Hope Appeal or its partners? For more information about the Poverty and Hope Appeal, the projects it supports and how you can support it, please visit anglican.org at bit.ly/povertyandhope (via the Diocese tab), or contact Debbie Cooper at povertyandhope@gmail.com. Copy deadline for the June issue of Rochester Link is 1400 on Thursday 11th June. Copy to: linknews@rochester.anglican.org

2 2 ochester Link The Bishop of Tonbridge, The Right Reverend Dr Brian Castle What s on in June Monday Challenging Poverty Conference debrief meeting, Sevenoaks Tuesday Confirmation St Justus, Rochester Wednesday SEITE Council meeting London Hands of Compassion School, Zambia - Service celebrating 15 years - St Paul, Beckenham Thursday Chair Mission Theology Advisory Group - London Monday Partnership LINKS Group and Lunch - Sevenoaks Tuesday Institution of the Rev Tim Hatwell St Peter, Ightham Wednesday Hospital Chaplains Meeting and Lunch, Sevenoaks Confirmation St Mary, Hever Thursday Lead Quiet Morning for Ministry & Formation Team at Worth Abbey Friday Silver Anniversary and Tea Party of Scotts Project Trust, Tonbridge Sunday Preside and preach St George, Wrotham Confirmation St Luke, Tunbridge Wells Monday License the Rev Richard Finch as Chaplain Bishop Justus School, Bromley Wednesday 17 - Speak at Training Incumbents Residential Thursday 18 - Bishop Woodford House, Ely Friday 19 - Attend Burrswood Trustees Away Weekend Saturday 20 Wednesday Attend Eucharist and Lunch for Retired Clergy Rochester Thursday Bishop s Staff Meeting Rochester Saturday Diocesan Synod King s School, Rochester Sunday 28 June to Deanery Visit - Orpington Sunday 5 July Monday 29 June Ordinands Day Diocesan Office Ordinands Day Lunch - Rochester Ordinands Supper Sevenoaks CONTACT US News and letters to the Editor: linknews@rochester.anglican.org Telephone: ADVERTISEMENTS glenda@cornerstonevision.com Copy for The Link needs to be typed and submitted by please. Images must be submitted as either a TIFF or a JPEG file of 300dpi. (Set your digital camera to the highest quality setting and we will try to do the rest for you.) Typeset by JPS Designs - janeps@aol.com Saturday 13 St Mary the Virgin, Horton Kirby and Darenth; Summer Fete opens 2 pm. Venue: Court Lodge beside the Church. Telephone: GROOMBRIDGE. The Baroque Singers Summer Concert will take place on Saturday 13 June 2015 at 7.30pm in St John the Evangelist Church in Groombridge. The choir will present a selection of English madrigals by Thomas Morley and his contemporaries.the choir will be joined by the early music group Cancionero to perform a selection of settings from the original medieval version of Carmina Burana. The Musical Director of The Baroque Singers and Cancionero is Anthony Purnell. Tickets are 10 for adults and 5 for under 16s. They are available from or on the door. Saturday 13 & Sunday 14 June GILLINGHAM: St Barnabas Church, Nelson Road, Gillingham ME7 4ST anniversary celebrations with Family Fun day on Saturday 13 June with live Christian music from pm followed by Songs of Praise service with the North Gillingham Churches. Sunday 14 June 10.15am Parish Eucharist; 1-3pm Community Garden Party - all welcome; 4pm Talk on JEK Cutts, architect for 46 churches in the UK, including St Barnabas and St Luke in Gillingham and St Barnabas in Tunbridge Wells by Tom Andrews great grandson to JEK Cutts; 5pm Evensong. For details see or belinda@stbarnabas-gillingham.uk Sunday 14 HADLOW: St Mary s Church, Hadlow Open Gardens afternoon. 12 Hadlow gardens will be open to the public from 2pm-5.30pm. Tickets: adults 5, children 2, family ticket 12. The gardens range from large and mature, including one with a giant redwood, to a small courtyard. Also included is a garden designed by a disabled person. Disabled access to all gardens. Tickets, refreshments (incl. cream teas) and parking available at The Old School Hall, Hadlow TN11 0EH just off the village centre. Information from: Janice Massy, or janicemasssy@btinternet.com Friday 19 ROCHESTER. James Taylor Quartet concert at Rochester Cathedral. Tickets 20. To book contact Lynne Bax: Saturday 20 BEXLEY: St Mary the Virgin Church, Manor Road, Bexley Summer Fair at 11:30 am. Bouncy castle and a stay and play zone, refreshment tent, barbecue and homemade cakes and preservatives, as well as tombola and raffle. Admission Adults 50p. Children free. Contact: Mr Chris Kirk: SEVENOAKS: St Luke s Church, Eardley Road, Sevenoaks: lunchtime recitals. Lasting 30 minutes. Every Wednesday at 12.30pm. Please join us admission free. Refreshments available from 12 noon. June 3 Ellie Newey - Violin 10 Chris Lawton - Organ 17 Emma Bembridge Soprano, Janet Stone - Piano 24 Solefield Boy s Chamber Choir with Helen Walker Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 ERITH: St John the Baptist Church, Erith. Church open to visitors from 10.00am 3.30pm on 27 June and from pm on Sunday 28 June to celebrate our Patronal Festival.There will be a display on the Magna Carta, brass rubbing and guided tours of the Church parts of which date back to the 12 century. A service of Choral Evensong following the BCP will take place at 4.00pm followed by tea. After the morning service on Sunday 28 there will be a Bring and Share lunch before the afternoon opening. July Friday 3 ZEPPELINS OVER GRAVESEND by Brian Hussey. An illustrated talk about the German air raids on Gravesend and other targets in S.E. England during the First World War. At Luddesdowne Church at 8.00pm. 7.50, including light refreshments. Please call Colin on or Janet on Sunday 5 Open Gardens Event in aid of St Mary s Church, Lamberhurst, Stonework Repair Fund. 2.00pm 6.00pm Tickets 5 per person (children free) to include tea & cake. Available from Lamberhurst Parish Office ( ) or Carol Stott ( ) Saturday 11 LAMBERHURST Music Festival. Lamberhurst Village Hall the Gents of St John s will be presenting an evening of relaxing music with songs from the 50s to the present day all sung in close harmony. A choice of meals from the Chequers Pub will be available which can be ordered beforehand and will be served during the interval. Tickets cost Doors open at 6.45 pm and the concert kicks off at 7.30 pm.tickets can be bought on the website : or phone June - LEAP OF FAITH 2015 WOMEN S RETREAT WEEKEND Carroty Wood near Tonbridge Items For What s On After the success of LEAP OF FAITH 2014 we are again returning to Carroty wood next June to hold a women s retreat lead by the Rev Canon Jean Kerr. The Diocese of Rochester is inviting all women to join in an adventurous high ropes and abseiling weekend to bring them closer to God. Calling all ladies in search of adventure and fun. This is a weekend for women who want to take time out and come closer to God. Living life to the full is at the heart of God s will for us and this weekend will include activities such as high ropes, archery or abseiling, low ropes, bush craft, swimming and other adventures to make this a girls retreat with a difference. Canon Jean Kerr will be leading the worship and there will be times of prayer, worship and teaching interspersed with optional outdoor activities and lots of fun. The total cost is 130 per person, which includes accommodation, all food and activities. Arrival from 5pm on Friday 5 June and finishes Sunday 7 June late afternoon, it is for women 18+. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Please note, items for What s On should be sent to Linknews@ rochester.anglican.org Please avoid using upper case text for full words, italic, bold and coloured fonts. It would be helpful if you could make your submissions in Tahoma 12 point. Please send your copy in a normal sentence structure and please resist the temptation to send PDF posters and flyers. We can t use them. We regret we are unable to accept handwritten submissions. Thank you.

3 ochester Link 3 The Bishop of Rochester few weeks after our service of A blessing for that house, I was privileged to be at West Malling for the Service of Profession as Sister Anne made her final vows to be part of the community of Anglican Benedictine Sisters at St Mary s Abbey. In recent months, we have also seen the arrival of the Chemin Neuf Community at Lambeth Palace; and alongside them the wider Community of St Anselm, within which people may offer a year or so to Christian service and community living. These developments of different kinds of Christian community life, from the very traditional at West Malling to other expressions in the other examples, bring to mind two other examples which I have known. The Melanesian Brotherhood, based in the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea, is an Anglican religious order with a largely Franciscan ethos, which people join for a limited period - perhaps 5 or 10 years, though some may stay for life. Vows of poverty, chastity and obedience are made in the traditional way, but not for life. For many young adults, the Brotherhood becomes a significant part of their life and personal development for a period. They engage in front-line evangelism and reconciliation work in remote communities; Brothers (and indeed ex-brothers) become key leaders in village communities. And I also recall an initiative of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Lyon in France. In a city with many university students, the church offered Last month the Rev Susanne Carlsson wrote about the new Christian community she is establishing in Chatham. The vision is for this to be a community of prayer and Christian presence in Chatham, based around a committed communal life of worship, prayer and service. the opportunity for students to live together during their time at university, living according to a simple Rule of Life, with a shared life of prayer and service in local communities. Our Archbishop has made the renewal of the religious life one of the focal emphases for his ministry. This includes traditional expressions such as West Malling; it also encompasses more contemporary expressions sometimes talked about as new monasticism. What is interesting about these developments is the renewed focus on shared living in prayer, fellowship and Christian service and witness and not least in areas of social challenge. The forms and timescale (a few years rather than for life) may be different and very varied, but the underlying principles and calling are as they have been for generations. I am increasingly convinced that all of this is part of a movement of God for our times, and I ask myself what more we might do to allow people to hear God s call to this form of Christian discipleship. Might this be, for example, part of our response to establishing Christian presence in areas of new housing establishing small-scale households of Christians living a visibly Christian life of prayer and service? Or might it be a model for re-establishing Christian presence in places where the Church s missionary and pastoral presence has become weakened? Could this also provide a pattern whereby we offer young people (or even not so young) the opportunity to experience a year or two living in a communal setting of prayer and engagement with a local community? The models offered by these newer forms of religious community are flexible and provisional. Some may last for a few years and then come to an end; others may become established for the longer-term. And for some of us, an added joy is that the costs are not great communities are often largely selfsupporting with some members earning wages which then support the rest of the community. The diocese or a parish might contribute by offering the house in which the community is based. I am increasingly clear in my own mind that God is calling us to make possible more initiatives of this kind as part of our missionary response in today s world. The questions are around what that might look like in particular places, and what needs to be done by whom to help it come about. Who might God be calling to be part of this movement? And how can we/i help them respond to that calling? Diary Bishop James - June 2015 Monday 1 10am College of Bishops planning meeting - London Tuesday 2 to Thursday 4 All day Queen s Speech debate - House of Lords Thursday pm Commission the Rev Ann Richardson Friday 5 7pm West Kent YMCA - 25th Annniversary Celebration - Tonbridge, St Stephen Saturday 6 10am Speak at Continuing Minstrial Development Day - Meopham Tuesday pm Kent Workplace Mission Trustees - Larkfield Methodist Wednesday 10 11am Churches Funerals Group - 2pm Warwickshire Conference: Taking Funerals Seriously - Warwickshire Thursday pm Confirmation Service - Rainham, St Margaret Friday 12 2pm Opening new school rooms - Lamberhurst Saturday 13 12noon Licensed Lay Minister training - Orpington, Christ Church Saturday 13 3pm Licencing of the Rev Neil Coleman - Cray Sunday 14 10am Preside & preach - Perry Street, All Saints Monday 15 All Day London Diocese Minority Ethnic Clergy Conference Tuesday 16 All Day London Diocese Minority Ethnic Clergy Conference Wednesday 17 All Day Suffragan Bishop discernment panel Thursday 18 8am Churches Together in Kent Church Leaders 7pm Preach: St Eanswythe Sunday 21 & St Stephen Tonbridge 10.30pm 60th Anniversary Celebration - Paddock Wood, St Andrew 3pm Celebration of Learning - Orpington, Christ Church 6.30pm Confirmation Service - Welling, St John Monday 22 All Day House of Bishops Standing Committee Tuesday 23 1pm Medway Diocesan Schools Festivals - Chatham, All Saints Tuesday 23 6pm Bishopscourt Garden Party Wednesday 24 Morning Speak: Churches Together in Britain & Ireland conference - High Leigh 5.30pm Diocesan Schools Celebration - Cathedral 6.30pm Bishopscourt Garden Party Thursday 25 All Day Bishop s Staff Meeting 6pm Bishopscourt Garden Party Friday am Retired Clergy Service and Bishopscourt lunch Saturday 27 All Day Diocesan Synod and Bishopscourt lunch Sunday am Preside & preach - Strood, St Francis 3pm Confirmation Service - Bexleyheath, Christ Church 6.30pm Confirmation Service - Southborough, Christ Church Monday 29 12noon Bishopscourt lunch for Ordinands 6pm Bishopscourt Garden Party Tuesday 30 pm Dartford and Gravesend CofE Schools Service

4 4 ochester Link Advertising Feature Jesus said: I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled! Lk 12:49 (ESV) ST. MARY S CONVENT WANTAGE St Mary s Convent offers a variety of facilities and flexible accommodation for Group Quiet Days and Group Retreats. Also, Conference facilities and private stays. Theological Library may be available on request. For further details please contact: St Mary s Convent, Wantage, Oxfordshire, OX12 9DJ Tel: guestwing@csmv.co.uk Welcome Resources Messy Church Signage Bespoke Quality Furniture Makers Maximizing experience and expertise to custom build for the future. Fonts Lecterns AV Cabinets and PA Desks Altar/ Communion Tables Complete re orders For more information, contact us at: The Old Coach House, 53b Rear Oxford Street, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset BS23 1TR Tel/Fax: info@fullersfinerfurniture.co.uk HELPING CHURCHES SPEAK TO COMMUNITIES CPO has been the home of church communications since Posters Banners Courses HAVE A BROWSE! CARDS & BOOKS TOO. Order your free catalogue at sales@cpo.org.uk Phone: This customisable poster says welcome in many different languages, and is available in all sizes from business cards to massive posters and banners.

5 ochester Link 5 New Hall for St Andrew s Church Less than fourteen months after the demolition of our old hall, St Andrew s Church, Burnt Ash Lane, Bromley celebrated the opening of our brand new hall on Sunday 10 May to great rejoicing. The event coincided with the 85th anniversary of the consecration of our church in The Ven Dr Paul Wright, Archdeacon of Bromley and Bexley, preached at the 10am Sung Eucharist and later blessed the hall. The new hall was opened by Mrs Alice Sprules, aged 101, helped by other members of the church and community. Many people from the neighbourhood filled the larger of the two halls for the opening ceremony while enjoying celebration cakes and drinks. Enquiries and bookings should be made to the Hall Lettings Manager, Mrs Kath Goodwin by to StAndrewshall@ virginmedia.com or by phone to We look forward to the hall being of great benefit to the church and the community for many years to come. The hall will be open for viewing on most Saturdays between 10am and 11am from May to July (excluding bank holiday weekend) The Rev Angela King M N E for Churches aintenance ews quipment & and Schools Continuously published since The gateway to equipping and servicing Church buildings Maintenance & Equipment News for Churches and Schools in conjunction with the Church Suppliers Directory on line provides its readers with the knowledge to make informed decisions by sourcing the latest resources for buildings, contents and grounds. Access building and fabric information with one internet visit! Apply for your copy of this valuable resources magazine by Traditional, Digital or on Subscription enquiries@cwponline.co.uk or for more information visit the website at: CHURCH PEWS UNCOMFORTABLE? WHY NOT TRY SAFEFOAM S TOP QUALITY UPHOLSTERED FOAM PEW CUSHIONS? Safefoam, Green Lane, Riley Green, Hoghton, Preston PR5 0SN Freephone Free Sample Pack of foam & fabrics sent by first class mail When phoning please quote RL0615 Not Just Paint, Potties and Play Dough! June is National Prayer Month for Church toddler groups. Around the UK, churches will be marking this with prayer and initiatives celebrating the opportunities for mission that these groups provide as they welcome young families, parents, grandparents and carers week by week. Claire Wells from St Lawrence s Church, Bidborough has been running Tots & Co, the group at her church for 14 years. Passionate about this ministry, Claire explains Toddler groups are not just about paint, potties and play dough. They offer a real lifeline to many young parents. Claire sees the opportunities for toddler groups in nurturing trust and relationships and having a major impact on supporting family life in the vital early years when foundations are laid and built on. We offer fun, friendship, opportunities, pastoral care and support. Parenting brings its joys and challenges and especially in the early stages when there is so much adjustment. At the heart of what we offer is God s love. We have a vision statement Showing God s love through our welcome, words and actions. We want to see lives transformed and we see our role in sowing seeds of faith. We show God s love as we listen, care and respond and seek to introduce children and adults to Jesus in a way that is sensitive to our context and individuals. In addition to the church toddler group, Claire set up a local network in her home town of Tunbridge Wells. Parent Toddler Groups Together was launched in 2002 and a small group of group leaders from different churches have met each term since then to share ideas, encouragements and to pray together. It s a New Benefice. With effect from 17 May 2015, the new benefice and parish of Cray Valley came into being and the vicar is the Rev Paul Prentice. In order to create Cray Valley, the benefices and parishes of Cray St Mary & St Paulinus and Orpington St Andrew have ceased to exist. The churches of the old parishes have been transferred to the new parish St Mary s church and St Andrew s church will continue to be parish churches as before; St Paulinus church is redundant. simple idea, but it really works and has been so valuable over the years. We just meet for an hour in a church space and bring our sandwiches and put the kettle on. It could just as easily be in a café or home setting. The fellowship and support is special. Groups have also started in Sevenoaks and Tonbridge and there are others popping up in different places around the UK Joining the Dots a vision for prayer networks Claire s vision is to see group leaders getting together in their own locations and forming connections for prayer and sharing The National Strategy for Christian Toddler Groups has a range of resources, from posters to craft activities and a leaflet to download about joining the dots and forming networks. The link can be found at Why not do the same and have a go at Joining the dots and connecting with other groups. Most importantly, pray for these groups and young families locally and across the UK during the month of June. Claire Wells hand made in West Dorset ~ treasured across the country ~ Ronald Emett fine furniture ronald@emett.co.uk Birchwood House Rest Home Residential Home for the Elderly Respite care & short stay available A beautifully refurbished Georgian manor house, set in 6 acres of glorious Kent countryside, within easy reach of Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells. All rooms have en-suite facilities & nurse call system. Lift to all floors. Excellent home cooking, with special diets catered for. Hairdressing, chiropody, library and mobile shop. Monthly in-house Holy Communion and links to the local church. Stockland Green Road, Speldhurst, Kent TN3 0TU Telephone: Langton ( ) 3559 Do your shopping in comfort and confidence at Cross Rhythms Direct. Music, books and DVDs for life... Check out thousands of amazing books and DVDs... Thousands of CDs and DVDs at only 9.97 And thousands of CDs and DVDs now have FREE POSTAGE OR CALL St Mary, Shrewton, Wilts

6 6 ochester Link Kent Christian Radio Ghanaian Allen Opoku initially came to the UK to improve his education although his wife Gloria already lived in the UK. Allen said, Moving to the UK was a very hard decision for me. I was a PA to a Minister and in Africa, this is a very prestigious job; I was privileged and well-travelled. In a strange twist of fate, the politician fell ill and died. Allen said, Unlike the UK, if you are a civil servant and your employer dies, you can t keep your job. I was in my mid-twenties and this was a trigger for me to leave the country. Why Are Some People Poor? Speaking at the Diocesan Challenging Poverty Conference at Trinity School, Belvedere on 9 May, the Archbishop of Tanzania denied that people are poor because they are lazy. To be poor means to lack access to resources, said Archbishop Jacob. In his native land 35% live below the poverty line. Most are people living in rural areas, where the percentage rises to 87%. Why are they poor? There are many causes, but laziness is certainly not one of them. Historically, colonial exploitation removed some resources. Lack of rain can cause crops to fail, for example, the Archbishop s own plantations have yielded only one fifth of their normal harvest this year. Political upheaval can result in numerous refugees, and government money may be spent on guns rather than aid. Mistakes in economic policy can lead to withdrawal of foreign investors and corruption amongst people in power who amass fortunes of their own can deny monies to other more worthy projects. Alcoholism can also mean that money is spent on drink rather than clothing or food for the children. Archbishop Jacob then spoke of the consequences (and sometimes causes) of poverty which may include things like poor health and low life expectancy, roads that are rough in dry seasons and impassable when it rains, a high rate of HIV infections and poor education. Tanzania has many resources, but the benefits are not felt by those in greatest need. The profits from precious stones like Tanzanite go elsewhere. And finally, there is a lack of access to justice and to human rights. May we prayerfully respond... By the Rev Canon David Kitley Accompanying his politician to the UK in happier times, Allen had visited some lovely areas of the country. Once he came to live in England, he moved to Clapham and encountered fish and chip shops for the first time! He was soon to be disappointed and to discover that England is not all chocolate box images of thatched cottages. He came to understand that Britain is a very diverse country with differing standards of living. He said, There is more order here [than in Africa] and it s beautiful! Back in Ghana, it s survival of the fittest, but here, people queue for the bank or the bus. Nobody organises the British they just do it it s beautiful I love it! When you have been through the harassment of the day, you don t need chaos. I go to Ghana and I tell them, we need this order. Allen has studied politics and international relations at degree level and he has also studied Practical Theology. He said, It s very distressing for me to see cartels draining all of the natural resources out of Ghana. We still have subsistence farming and the majority of the country is languishing and struggling. Growing up in an Anglican household, Allen s mother was an active Church leader and his father was a lay preacher up until he died. Allen said, Church is part of our culture in Africa. I experienced a personal encounter which changed my perception, my commitment and my life. Eventually, I needed to leave the Anglican Church because in Africa, if you become too committed, others can see you as too spiritual and you can be ostracised. I made the decision to join the Pentecostal, Evangelical Church where I became part of the leadership and finished my MA in Theology. Kent Christian radio was born when England was pitching for the Olympic Games in Allen said, I had a dream about God asking me to move to Kent. It was very profound. I was living in Thamesmead at the time and all I knew about Kent was that Bluewater was here! I was working in the city at the time and wanted to study law, then the idea of the radio station came about. There is so much on the internet that is not good, I wanted to use it for spreading the Gospel. Having never set up a radio station before, Allen sought advice from a radio technician he already knew called Serge. Working from the children s laptops at Allen s house and adding items from a local store and the back of his car, Serge established Kent Christian Radio as an online broadcaster. The station is now a registered charity, funded by donations and will be celebrating its second anniversary this year. Allen said, We have come a long way in just two years. We now have a free app for all mobile devices, or people can listen via www. kentchristianradio.com or via TuneIn on line. The majority of our content is Christian. We are about educating people and spreading the Gospel. We are wide open to adding value to the society we live in. We are not seeking to be controversial. The Rev Dr Susan Durber

7 ochester Link 7 Archbishop s Debt Advice New Resource By signposting to advice services, church staff and volunteers can be a vital link between someone in debt and the help they need. Guiding people to free debt advice: a debt awareness and signposting workshop is a 2 hour video-based workshop developed in partnership with the Money Advice Trust. This resource is designed for staff and volunteers from churches and church-linked groups, including clergy, pastoral assistants, children and family workers, food bank volunteers, and others involved in community projects. Many people struggling with problem debt do not know about the free advice and support available to them: from face-to-face advice through to online self-help. The workshop looks at: The causes of debt problems Identifying when someone needs debt advice Responding appropriately when someone tells you they re in debt The types of advice available and how these can be accessed How to help someone prepare for debt advice For more information and to order/ download Guiding people to free debt advice: a debt awareness and signposting workshop go to: Church Credit Champions The Church Credit Champions Network has just celebrated its first birthday, making it a good time to assess the progress it has made so far in London and Merseyside. In terms of headline figures, the Network is well on track to meet its main targets after a year. Over 200 churches have been engaged, with 119 clergy and lay leaders trained as Credit Champions and over 600 people joining their local credit union as a result of the Network s activity. It s likely that all of these numbers will continue to rise as the Network progresses, particularly in Merseyside where the local Co-ordinator has only been in place for a few months. The Bishop of Liverpool, the Rt Rev Paul Bayes joined his local credit union at the launch of the Church Credit Champions Network in Liverpool and Merseyside. Bishop Paul spoke at the event: We need churches to champion a fresh moral vision in the practice of credit. Liverpool is leading the way in being an alternative, supporting credit unions and most importantly helping those in need.

8 8 ochester Link Celebrating 70 years of serving remote and isolated communities The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Psalm 126:3 We go the extra miles Registered charity in England and Wales ( ) and in Scotland (SC039107) Registered trademark , ,

9 Introducing the Diocesan Pray-ers Of course, I don t need to introduce the Diocesan Pray-ers! They have been serving this Diocese since the Decade of Evangelism (the 1990s). They are scattered across the Diocese: invisible, often unmentioned prayer warriors who have been steadily praying for us from the Praying the Way list. They are about to be more. Up until now, they have been mostly dependant the prayer list a synopsis of which has been placed in the Rochester Link, but we are looking to set up a more responsive network for urgent prayer. To that end, we ll only be using the complete list for planned prayer you can find it on the Diocesan Website ( Contact details for you to give the pray-ers any urgent prayer requests you might have will be in the Rochester Link. July/ August will therefore be the last synopsis of Praying the Way that will be published in the Link. If you are interested in joining the Pray-ers, do get in touch their contact details are on the website, or you can contact me and I will forward you to them. Lindsay.Llewellyn-MacDuff@rochester.anglican.org By the Rev Lindsay Llewellyn-MacDuff Bishop s Chaplain Diocesan Worship Development Advisor Mrs Dalna Hackney Mac Sidesman At 100 Years Of Age ochester Link Ladies ALB V.G. Condition: 100 also CLOAK: 100 (020) Metalsmith Conscientious and reliable, Ian Marshall provides new work and maintenance for a number of churches. To join his list of satisfied customers call: or The Transforming Gospel Us conference July 2015 High Leigh Conference Centre The gospel continues to change lives globally. Come and hear speakers from Brazil, India, Pakistan and South Africa. Be challenged and inspired! Call or visit Us. The new name for USPG Registered charity number A card from the Queen congratulating Mac on her 100th birthday sits in pride of place on the mantelpiece, safely away from her constant companion, her cuddly tabby cat. Born on 24 October 1914, Dalna Hackney is still involved in the life of her local church; St Mary Westerham. Still assisting the Church Wardens as sidesman and busy reading the Lesson for midweek services on Wednesdays, Mac, as she likes to be known, is sparky according to her daughter Judy Henning. Mac said, I have always been a church goer and will do anything I am asked to do. I m very practical if something has to be done, then it has to be done! After 28 years of running the Tatsfield Sunday School, Mac has certainly put her stoic personality to the test over the years and seems to have enjoyed almost every minute of it. She said, The Sunday school was all about friendship really. When I was younger, service and commitment were watchwords. It sounds like they still are! Minister of Music Can you help us grow our musical worship? St Mary s, Speldhurst is a village church with a wide range of worship styles. We are looking for a minister of music. To find out more please contact Andrea Burgess, Parish Administrator speldhurst.church@btopenworld.com or Deadline for applications Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders? Ex 15:11

10 10 ochester Link Advertising Feature BE SEEN A unique gallery, now open 6 years, selling jewellery, glass, ceramics and other gift items; all hand made in the UK. You can advertise in this newspaper with a monthly circulation of 18,000, at a very reasonable cost, reaching a great church audience in parishes throughout the Diocese of Rochester which covers parts of Greater London and Kent.. We can also help you to advertise in seven other Diocesan newspapers throughout the South of England and the Home Counties, with a total circulation of nearly 170,000. Buy online at Nicola makes jewellery on her premises in Plymouth. Commissions and repairs undertaken. Regular exhibitions showcasing new jewellers. To find out more, contact Glenda or Michelle on or glenda@cornerstonevision.com RL l 65 Hyde Park Rd l Plymouth l PL3 4JN Scan here for more info Gilead Foundations is a Therapeutic Community, Offering a residential rehabilitation programme, called KEY, for people with life-controlling addictions, such as drug or alcohol abuse, homelessness, gambling, eating disorders, self harm, and other addictive behaviours. If you, or someone you know would like more information about Gilead or would like to make an application, please contact: Laura Alm Tel: , Fax: , laura.alm@gilead.org.uk Based on a 300 acre dairy farm in rural Devon, Gilead uses the Genesis Process Relapse Prevention programme with our clients.

11 ochester Link 11 Praying The Way BROMLEY AND BEXLEY ARCHDEACONRY BROMLEY DEANERY Bickley PCC Awayday Bromley, Christ Church That we continue to spread the gospel Chislehurst, Christ Church Dementia Café Chislehurst, The Annunciation June Parish Retreat Hayes Ministry team visitation ERITH DEANERY Belvedere, All Saints 7 June Event with Roger Forster Bexleyheath, Christ Church Site development Welling Involvement in Pray Love Bexley ORPINGTON DEANERY Chelsfield Thanks for those leading services at Well Hill Cray Valley Churches uniting Orpington, All Saints Thanks for baptisms Ramsden, Unity Church Mentoring scheme SIDCUP DEANERY Footscray with North Cray An afternoon at the musicals Lamorbey, Holy Trinity 1 June Arts venture Sidcup, Christ Church Growth Sidcup, St John the Evangelist Future ministry in town ROCHESTER ARCHDEACONRY COBHAM DEANERY Fawkham and Hartley Summer Fetes Longfield 14 June Festival Meopham with Nurstead Sympathetic but fair handling of Mediterranean migrant problem Southfleet Being open to the Holy Spirit DARTFORD DEANERY Dartford churches future plans for work with homeless For premises for Swanley Food Bank. Darent Valley Funding for repair work Dartford, St Edmund Plans for 60th anniversary Swanley St Paul and Hextable St Peter Plans to engage more through churchyard visitors and school in Swanley Village GILLINGHAM DEANERY Gillingham, St Barnabas 13/14 June 125th anniversary celebrations Gillingham, St Luke Grace to discern opportunities to serve God Gillingham, St Mary Magdalene Outreach through Summer Fayre in church Rainham Mothers Union celebrating 90 years South Gillingham Couples getting married. ROCHESTER DEANERY Chatham, St Paul with All Saints That Magpie Community Centre be ready soon Chatham, St Philip and St James Children s holiday club preparations Chatham, St Stephen July Holiday club TONBRIDGE ARCHDEACONRY MALLING DEANERY Aylesford Ghurka families in British Legion Village Coxheath, East Farleigh, Hunton, Linton and West Farleigh For success in taking Gospel to children. Snodland with Lower Birling Pathfinders Pilgrimage@ Pentecost from St. Benedict s to All Saints West Malling with Offham Emmaus Course; St Mary s fundraising PADDOCK WOOD DEANERY Paddock Wood 4 June Christianity Explored starting 21 June 60th Anniversary celebrations Pembury For consents for extension plans SEVENOAKS DEANERY Kippington, St Mary 14 June 135th church birthday June Flower Festival Knockholt with Halstead 19 June Refugee Tales, taking place during walk from Dover in Refugee Week Sevenoaks, St Luke 28 June Sevenoaks Festival Service Sevenoaks, St Nicholas 19 June Evangelistic Event 21 June Celebrating 20 years since Undercroft opening SHOREHAM DEANERY For necessary church building projects and youth workers TONBRIDGE DEANERY Crockham Hill Staff, governors and children of our schools Edenbridge For team back safely from Mexico HILDENBOROUGH Those facing exams Tonbridge, St Peter and St Paul 14 June Magna Carter Commemorations TUNBRIDGE WELLS DEANERY Bennett Memorial School Students taking exams Southborough, St Peter with Christ Church and St Matthew and Bidborough St Lawrence Thanks for increased numbers in JAM; Messy Church Tunbridge Wells, King Charles the Martyr 13 June Creative Arts Week Tunbridge Wells, St James For Who let the Dads out ; Youth Alpha Tunbridge Wells, St John 6 June Women s Day Tunbridge Wells, St Luke 14 June Confirmation Service and West Kent YMCA s Silver Jubilee Prayer topics for July and August (one LINK) should be sent to Lorna Kahan, 26 Wallis Close, Wilmington, Dartford, DA2 7BE lorna.kahan@hotmail.co.uk by 3 June. Intercession During June 2015 Rochester Diocese 13 June - Day on Intercessory prayer at Tonbridge Parish Church ALGARVE 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 Tel: info@casa-oleander.co.uk Holiday Cottages Summer Availability Family run Holiday Cottages in beautiful south Shropshire, an area of outstanding natural beauty. Wonderful location with spectacular views. We offer 1, 2 or 3 bedroom cottages to suit all the family. Please visit or call for brochure Travel Insurance Arranged for Rochester Link readers Real and friendly people... not machines! Our insurance has a customer 24-hour helpline, full medical cover with most pre-existing medical conditions accepted and, most importantly, an air ambulance get you home service. SUMMER SPECIAL PRICES New low prices for Portugal, Italy, Greek Islands, Cyprus, Spain and more UK BASED Conditions apply Please call for details ~ Authorised & regulated by the FCA LYNTON DEVON A warm traditional welcome awaits you at Kingford House Enjoy excellent home cuisine ideally situated for coastal & Exmoor walks. Tel Tricia Morgan on for brochure and tariff patriciakingford@aol.com Annual (max. age 85) and single (no max. age) cover for UK, Europe and worldwide holidays FT TRAVEL INSURANCE 1st June Visit of the BVM to Elizabeth For all travellers and migrants 16th June Joseph Butler, Bishop, Philosopher, 1752 Gillingham, St Luke The Revd Paul Matthias 2nd June Dartford, St Edmund. Vicar: The Rev Marcel McCarron 17th June Samuel & Henrietta Barnett, Social Reformers, 1913, 1936 For those working to make richer the lives of those who are materially poor. 3rd June Martyrs of Uganda Stone, St Mary Rector: The Rev Kenneth Clark 18th June Bernard Mizeki, Martyr, 1896 For hospital and hospice chaplaincies, and those that use them. 4th June Corpus Christi For the food banks in this diocese for those who run them, and those who need them 19th June Sundar Singh Evangelist, 1929 Gillingham, St Mark and St Mary s Island Vicar: The Rev Saju Muthalaly 5th June Boniface, martyr, 754 6th June Ini Kopuria, Monk th June Trinity 1 8th June Nonjuror, Hymn Writer, th June Columba, Abbot 597 Ephrem of Syria, Deacon, th June 11th June Barnabas the Apostle 12th June 13th June 14th June Trinity 2 15th June Evelyn Underhill, Spiritual Writer, 1941 Swanley, St Mary the Virgin Vicar: The Rev Dane Batley-Gladden Swanley, St Paul and Hextable, St Peter Priest-in-Charge: The Rev Ray Sammé Our link Diocese Estonian Evangelican Lutheran Church of Estonia, The Right Revd Urmas Viilma, Archbishop Wilmington, St Michael and All Angels Vicar: The Rev Richard Arding For the Communications Team. For all involved in ministry to the bereaved, especially those who take funerals. Gillingham, Holy Trinity Vicar: The Revd Ann Richardson Gillingham, St Augustine Priest-in-Charge: The Revd Jonathan Jennings For Cray, St Barnabas, and for The Revd Neil Coleman, instituted today. Sevenoaks Deanery: The Revd Mark Griffin, Rural Dean; Brigadier Ian Dobbie, Lay Chair. Gillingham, St Barnabas vacant 20th June 21st June Fathers Day Trinity 3 22nd June Alban, Martyr c rd June Etheldreda, Abbess of Ely, c th June The Birth of John the Baptist; Ember Day 25th June 26th June Ember Day 27th June Cyril, Bishop 444; Ember Day 28th June Trinity 4 29th June Peter and Paul, Apostles 30th June Gillingham, St Mary Magdalene Priest-in-Charge: The Rev Ade Lawel Pray for the various men s groups in the Diocese, and those who lead them Rainham, St Margaret Vicar: The Rev Judy Henning South Gillingham, All Saints, St Matthew, St Peter and St Paul Team Rector: vacant Team Vicars: The Rev Phil Barnes, The Revd Graham Lewis For the Diocesan Directors of Ordinands, The Rev Glyn Ackerley and The Rev Canon Liz Walker Chalk, St Mary the Virgin Vicar: The Rev Nigel Bourne For our vocations advisors, and those who approach them. For SEITE, for all teaching and studying under its auspice. Shoreham Deanery: For the appointment of a Rural Dean; Mr Charles Willsher, Lay Chair Give thanks for competitions and sport, and pray that we might all run the race that has been set before us. Gravesend, The Holy Family with Ifield, St Margaret Priest-in-Charge: The Rev Richard Martin Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. Psalm 1 (ESV) Photo:

12 12 ochester Link Church Of England Launches National Conversation About Death And Dying The Church of England is launching a new national resource to help churches get people talking about death and dying. GraveTalk provides resources for a café space in which churches provide a relaxed environment for people to explore questions about death and dying, funerals and loss. It is being launched during Dying Awareness Week (May 17-23), run by the Dying Matters coalition, and made up of more than 30,000 members including the Church of England. GraveTalk was launched nationally at a giant café in Portsmouth Cathedral on 19 May. The resources include a pack of 52 questions about life, death, society, funerals and grief to help people start discussions. It has been piloted in more than 100 parishes and is available at a dedicated website Question cards include: What would you like your lasting legacy to be?, How do you feel about being asked to wear bright colours at a funeral, to What music would you like to have played or sung at your funeral? Recent research from Mintel (2014) shows the need for GraveTalk, showing that less than one in five (16%) people have made written funeral plans. The research highlighted that many people who want to make a funeral plan haven t yet done so, with three fifths (61%) of respondents feeling that it was important to make at least some plans for the kind of funeral they d like to have. The Revd Canon Dr Sandra Millar, head of Projects and Development for the Archbishops Council said: The Church of England is the biggest single provider of funerals in England, with around 3,300 funerals held each week in churches, crematoria, cemeteries and green burial sites all being led by Church of England ministers - clergy and readers. We have been helping people to think about the big questions of life and death for generations. Our local clergy and lay people are a valuable source of support and help at every stage. Whether it is thinking about what hymns and readings you might want in your funeral service, or finding someone to listen during the painful journey of grief, a local church can play a big part in getting people talking about death and dying. The questions for GraveTalk have been written by the Revd Belinda Davies, vicar of St George s Church, Portsea in the Diocese of Portsmouth: The team who developed GraveTalk came up with the idea of having cards that might help people to talk about the subject, because in our experience it is a taboo subject. Even in families that are caring for an elderly relative, talking about death is hard. The questions are designed for everyone, and not just those facing the immediate prospect of death or who have a relative who is dying. They aren t really designed for those who have just been bereaved, although inevitably we ll all have to reflect back on our own experiences of loss. Claire Henry, Chief Executive of the National Council for Palliative Care, which leads the Dying Matters Coalition, backed GraveTalk and the vital role the CofE plays: Dying is a fundamental part of life, reflected by the fact that every week the Church of England conducts over 3,000 funerals attended by around 200,000 people. However, despite some encouraging progress many of us are still very reluctant to talk openly about dying, death and bereavement and are risking leaving it too late to make our end of life wishes known. That s why GraveTalk is such an important initiative and why the new resources that have been launched are so needed. Talking about dying and planning ahead may not always be easy, but it can help you to make the most of life and spare your loved ones from making difficult decisions about what you would have wanted. SINGING FROM THE SAME OLD HYMN SHEET? RSCM LAUNCHES HYMN BOOK SURVEY. An online survey to establish which hymn and song books are most widely used has been launched by the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM). The information received will be used primarily to make sure that the most popular books are listed in Sunday by Sunday the RSCM s liturgy planner which lists suggested hymns, songs and anthems for every Sunday and major festival of the church year. The RSCM is keen for as many churches as possible to take part and from any denomination; just go to com/hymnbooksurvey. The survey shouldn t take more than 10 minutes to complete - only one response per church, please. In addition to questions about the music in church services every week, there are other questions about how music is planned for worship, and how texts are supplied to the congregation. The survey is online for a limited time at