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The benefice of the West Sevenoaks Team Ministry, in recognition of the life of service in support of Her Majesty the Queen and towards the nation and commonwealth given by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, is holding a service of Holy Communion in memory and with thanksgiving.
The service is to be held at St Mary Kippington on Friday the 16th of April at 7pm.
Please note, this is a ticketed service.
Following the PCC’s recent decision to recommence the 10.30 Sunday services and in order to manage numbers safely, the following services are to be ticketed events. There is no charge for the tickets, but there is a maximum number of 6 per booking. Ticket sales will start at 9am on 25th February and close a couple of days before each service. Please ensure you read the Church’s Covid-19 safety guidelines before attending a service.
March 14th: Mothering Sunday Family Communion 10:30am
A service for all ages giving God thanks for mothers an all those who show to us mothering qualities. Special gift for all women to be presented during the service.
Booking closed
March 28th: Palm Sunday Family Communion 10:30am
A service celebrating Jesus' entry that begins Holy Week. Palm crosses distributed.
Booking closed
April 2nd: Good Friday Family Service 10:30am
Remembering Jesus's death on the Cross. A special service for families.
Booking closed
April 2nd: Good Friday 2pm
An hour's service of word and music reflecting on the Cross. For adults.
Booking closed
April 4th: Easter Sunday Family Communion 10:30am
A service for all ages celebrating the resurrection of Jesus. Easter Egg Hunt outside at the end of the service for children.
Booking closed
Dear Friends,
Last night at its monthly meeting the Parochial Church Council of St Mary Kippington took the decision, by majority vote, that for a period of four weeks (four consecutive Sundays), in recognising the very difficult landscape we remain in, the significant fall in numbers seen at its 10:30am service time, and that many of those who still attend do so because of the role they have in worship, that this service time is discontinued for the Sundays 31st of January, 7th, 14th and 21st of February.
However, the PCC also recognises the importance of public worship whereby people who wish can still come and receive the spiritual comfort they need. Consequently, the 8am service continues to take place on these Sundays. It is a service whereby there is no-one with a 'role' present and one that the Priest can organise and deliver by themselves.
This decision is in place for the next four Sundays and the PCC meets on Monday 22nd of February to review and make a decision on the basis of that review concerning the 10:30am service from the 28th of February.
St Mary Kippington is not closed for worship. It has cancelled one of its morning services (10:30am) for a limited period of time, while keeping the other morning service (8am) open.
As Rector I am indebted to those with roles in worship that have enabled the 10:30am service to continue set against the reality of the vast number of churches and cathedrals closed for public worship. The decision taken has not been easy, but one appropriate to the situation we continue to find ourselves in.
The newsletter sent out later on this week will, as always, provide full details of all the different ways worship within the team continues to be maintained on a host of different platforms.
If there are any questions please do contact me.
Every blessing
Mark
We all are aware that Christmas will be marked in a vastly different landscape than it was in 2019. The restrictions of Covid19 (ensuring that everyone can celebrate this season of the year in a safe manner) means that we have to restrict numbers at our main Christmas service times. They are, therefore, ticketed events. This means that you will have seating reserved for you in Church within a safe and protective environment. The reality is that we are simply not able to accommodate the numbers who came to Christmas services in 2019, but at least by repeating certain services we will be able to offer more than we would otherwise have been able to do. Please though do book up early as we cannot guarantee seats for you close to Christmas. Finally, if you do book tickets and then find you cannot attend, please let us know. A ticket means a reserved seat(s) in your church with your name on. We would hate for this to be empty on the day when we could have given it to someone else!
Please use the links below to book seats at your chosen service(s). You can book a maximum number of 6 tickets per person. Please do not book tickets unless you know you will be using them.
If you know of anyone who is unable to use a computer to book tickets online, then please either book for them, or ask them to get in touch with Mark, either by email or telephone 01732 452112 / 07375299944, or email Charlie and we can book on their behalf.
Nine Carols and Readings for Christmas
A lovely and meaningful way to experience the unfolding story of the birth of Jesus through well known passages of Scripture, with choir-led anthems and carols.
Sunday December 13th 5.00pm and
Sunday December 20th 5.00pm
Family Nativity Service on Christmas Eve
A delightful way to hear the story of the birth of Jesus told through carol and drama. Children come dressed if they wish, as angels, shepherds or kings. 45 minute service length.
Thursday December 24th 3.00pm and
Thursday December 24th 4.30pm
Midnight Communion on Christmas Eve
A beautiful service of holy communion to mark the birth of Jesus as Christmas Eve turns to Christmas Day.
Thursday December 24th 11.30pm
Family Service on Christmas Day
An enjoyable and celebratory service for all the family to welcome the birth of Jesus on this special day.
Friday December 25th 9.15am and
Friday December 25th 10.30am
Dear Friends,
Please note St Mary Kippington is offering three ways of worshipping on Remembrance Sunday 8th of November - physical, on line video or by Zoom.
Outdoor Service
Firstly, our outdoor service (permitted under Government regulations) prompt start at 10:45am. Outside the church around the war memorial:
Track and trace and hand washing station on arrival.
Please queue from car park
The service will not be any longer than 25 minutes maximum
You do not have to wear face masks unless you want to
Please stand - respecting social distancing - in a circle facing inwards to the war memorial
Singing is permitted
Online Video
Secondly, our online video to use at home which can be accessed via our web site or from the link below from Friday the 6th of November from 10am
If you are using it to worship before the two minutes silence then start playing it from 10:27am
Link to access the video (will be active from 6th Nov 10am)
Zoom Evensong
Thirdly, every Sunday evening (starting on the 8th of November) 6:15pm for a 6:30pm start time Evensong Service by Zoom (finishing at 7:15pm)
Please contact us or subscribe to our mailing list to get the Zoom details
Every blessing,
Mark
Our Harvest Family Service will be in church this coming Sunday, 4th October. We are looking forward to having both our choir and the music group singing to us during the service.
As you arrive you will need to sign in to the Track and Trace list or use your phone. Please remember that all those over 12 need to wear face masks. Keep your children with you during the service in church, socially distancing from those not in your family group. The service will last about 50 minutes and all service details will be projected on the screen.
For the Harvest Service we suggest that the children bring food for our local food bank, Loaves and Fishes Sevenoaks. Do look on their website for suggestions as to what they need at present. All contributions must be non-perishable items.
Adults are encouraged to bring gifts of money as we are supporting the Church Mission Society. Cheques should be made payable to Church Mission Society and there will be Gift Aid envelopes available in the pews.
Given the success of our last family service, weather-permitting, we intend to hold the 10.30am family service on Sunday 6th September outside again. Please note the following guidance:
You will need to bring your own seats.
If you have children we suggest you bring rugs or ground cover for them to sit on. (Please also bring paper and pencils/pens for the children to use during the service).
Children will need to stay with you throughout the service.
When you arrive please park in the church car park. You will then be asked to wait in a 'distanced queue' in order to sign an attendance list for 'Track and Trace' if needed. It is suggested that you bring your own pen.
You will then be directed towards the seating area. You will need to be seated with a two metre space around your family.
If you need to use the toilets you are asked to wear a mask and there is a one-way system for using the Parish Centre, with only one person or family in the building at a time.
At the end of the service you will be directed back to the car park, again in a distanced queue.
During the five weeks of Lent, different churches will be holding short services at 12.30pm followed by a light lunch.
This is a good opportunity to come together as God’s people and reflect on our walk with Jesus and our individual and collective witness in our community.
All are welcome.
This year, we will be collecting at our services for the charity Crosslight.
The services start at 12.30pm and will be held as follows:
Monday 2nd March at St. John’s Hill URC, Sevenoaks
Tuesday 10th March at St. Luke’s Church C of E, Sevenoaks
Wednesday 18th March at St. Thomas of Canterbury RC Church, Sevenoaks CANCELLED
Thursday 26th March at The Drive Methodist Church, Sevenoaks
Friday 3rd April at St. Mary’s Church C of E, Riverhead
The service in Sevenoaks will be at St Thomas’ RC Church at 11.00am
Rise! Take your mat and walk! The focus this year, is on Zimbabwe.
The name Zimbabwe (derived from the Shona words dzimba dza mabwe) means ‘house of stones’ and one of Zimbabwe’s impressive historical sites is the monument of the Great Zimbabwe, stone structures of granite, built with great masonry expertise about 900 years ago. It is thought to have been the capital of the Empire which lasted from 1220 to 1450. There is evidence of a sophisticated civilisation, trading in cattle, ivory and gold. The ruler Munhumutapa was the first to trade with the first Europeans to arrive (the Portuguese).
In the 1890s Cecil John Rhodes arrived to exploit the region’s mineral wealth with his British South Africa Company. He was also responsible for colonising the area that became Southern Rhodesia. During this period there was a systematic purge of the indigenous population in order to dispossess them of their land and its rich natural resources. The independence of Zimbabwe came at a huge price as thousands of lives were lost when people rose against the colonisers. Resistance to colonial rule continued until mass nationalism began to take shape in the 1960s. In 1965 the then Prime Minister, Ian Smith, unilaterally declared independence under white minority rule, because Britain refused to grant Rhodesia independence until it introduced black majority rule. From 1960 to 1979 there were many influential nationalists including Joshua Nkomo, and Robert Mugabe. In 1979 Ian Smith formed a unity government with the African National Council, and the country was christened Zimbabwe-Rhodesia.
St. Mary’s Kippington will be hosting a Confirmation service on Sunday 23rd February at 6.30pm, led by The Right Rev Simon Burton-Jones, Bishop of Tonbridge. Four members of our Church family will be confirmed along with candidates from St. Mary the Virgin, Westerham. Please put the date in your diary and come and support them on this step of their faith journey.
