Sunday 14th April 9:00am Sung Communion with refreshments (in the church)
Sunday 21st April – No 9:00am service in church but there is a 10:30am Uplift All Age service in the Village Hall.
Sunday 28th April 9:00am Sung Communion with refreshments (in the church)
Sunday 5th May 9:00am Sung Communion with refreshments after. (In the church.)
10:30am Uplift All age service in the Village Hall followed by refreshments.
Sunday 12th May 9:00am Sung Communion with refreshments after. (In the church)
Sunday 19th May Day of Pentecost! No 9:00am Service.
10:30am Uplift All age service in Village Hall with refreshments.
Sunday 26th May 9:00am Sung Communion with refreshments after. (In the church)
Also at 7:00pm on 26th May, The 7@7 service will take place in Upchurch church. A quiet service of contemplative music and prayer and a chance to share together. Refreshments after.
Many thanks to all who helped to make our Easter Saturday so successful in the church! We welcomed in many who followed the footprints of Jesus around the church depicting the events of Holy Week (esp. one little girl who wanted a guided tour with explanations 4 times!) We used 4 large pots of home–made soup and fresh bread and nearly all the hot cross buns – hot and buttered! Next year, we are aiming for a week long event – watch this space.
On 5th May, our six churches of Upchurch, Lower Halstow, Iwade, Newington, Hartlip and Stockbury officially become one benefice and to mark this occasion (which has practically taken an act of Parliament to make it complete!), we will be celebrating in L. Halstow church at 6:30pm with a service covering the music and traditions of all six churches. The Archdeacon of Maidstone will be the guest preacher and very special refreshments are promised for after! What does it mean? To be one benefice makes us stronger rather than remaining as 6 individual churches...With lower church numbers and reducing numbers of clergy, we need to reform for the future! There will be increasing input from lay members and our Priest in Charge will become our Rector. Many exciting plans for the future are being discussed, and you will find them here!
On Thursday 9th May – Ascension Day...We will be celebrating by having a service at Hartlip church with a Russian Orthodox Choir. If you have never heard one, you are in for a treat, the harmonies are beautiful! Come and enjoy the service with us all, it starts at 7:30pm Meet our Russian friends after and enjoy refreshments with them.
On the weekend of 31st May and 1st June, Canterbury Cathedral is hosting ‘THE GATHERING’ – a weekend festival of faith. Many events involving clergy, laity and young people and children. Each day has its own particular focus and flavour....this year’s theme is ‘Re-imagining.’ It is a ticketed event to which all are welcome. Visit the website: www.the-gathering.co.uk
Sunday 30th June is Canon Alan’s last service with us. He would like it to be in Newington Church at 11:00am and hopes you will all join him. Varied service covering all our traditions, and there is a reception afterwards.
Saturday 4th May, Lower Halstow Church have their BREAKFAST CLUB PLUS for all junior school children (any junior school). 9:30-11:30am. in L.H. church - it is non stop action with breakfast, Bible Story and then themed work and play all morning. Last month we had an outside bar-b-cue of fresh fish to mark Jesus’ appearance on the beach at Tiberius after the Resurrection, with His invitation to ‘bring some fish and have breakfast! So we did! Revd. Jacky leads it and you can contact her with queries on: 01795 842557. Parents needn’t stop, but the children must be accompanied and signed in.
Revd. Jacky Davis
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