At 6pm each day, we are invited to join in Prayer for the Nation – as we respond to the terrible milestone of 100,000 deaths from Covid-19 across the UK. There is also a letter from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York for you to read.
Announcement Regarding Services during the National Lockdown
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
Kippington Cat presents "The Night of Wonder"
St. Mary’s Sevenoaks is very proud to bring you a wonderful and original rendition of the story of the Nativity. It has been written by our very own Kippington Cat, with all the wonderful illustrations created by young members of our church family. A huge thank you to Kippington Cat and our young people for all their efforts!
West Sevenoaks Team Ministry Appointments
The Bishop of Rochester and the Patron, The West Sevenoaks Team Ministry Patronage Board, are pleased to announce the appointment of the first ever Team Vicars in the West Sevenoaks Team Ministry, subject to the usual legal formalities.
The Revd Anne Bourne, at present Interim Associate Rector in the West Sevenoaks Team Ministry will become Team Vicar with special responsibility for St Luke’s, Sevenoaks and will continue to work on a part-time basis. Anne is likely to be licensed in February.
The Revd Andy Finn, who currently lives in Southsea, will become Team Vicar, with special responsibility for St Mary the Virgin, Riverhead with Dunton Green working on a full-time basis. He is likely to be licensed in January.
Alongside teaching, Anne sensed a calling to ordination in her early career and studied part-time with the South East Institute for Theological Education. Following ordination, Anne served her title at St Luke’s in Sevenoaks. She is excited to be appointed as Team Vicar and, with her family of Ian, Jonathan, Esther and Rebekah, looking forward to working with us in living out our baptismal calling.
Before being ordained Andy was a youth worker in Saffron Walden. Following ordination, Andy has served in Southsea, Chelmsford and Ingatestone. Having grown up in Folkestone, Andy is excited about returning to Kent. With his wife Tamar, and children Reuben, Caleb and Esther they are looking forward to joining us in the West Sevenoaks Team to continue to grow God's kingdom.
Anne and Andy would very much appreciate our prayers at this time.
Ticket Booking for Christmas Services
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!
To Book…
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
Appointment of a new Curate
Dear Friends,
I am absolutely delighted to be able to announce - following authorisation from Bishop James - that from September 2021 we will be welcoming Steve Osei-Mensah as Assistant Curate to the West Sevenoaks Team Ministry Benefice.
This is one of those appointments that is in the hands of the Rector (without consultation in the parishes) as following ordination Curates begin their ministry in a training parish.
I am thrilled that Steve is coming here as he is a man of considerable gifts and will enrich our new Team Benefice as, I believe, we will be able to enrich Steve in these formative few years of his own ministry.
Steve is in a self supporting ministry and lives close to Sevenoaks.
In the meantime please hold Steve and his wife Emma in your prayers as the Team continues to take shape - with now an additional exciting appointment that will be a great asset to our Benefice Team.
Every blessing
Mark
Remembrance Sunday (Updated)
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
Reflecting & Suggesting Exercise - Share Your Views regarding the Team Ministry
Dear Friends,
Since my appointment as Team Rector, it has been particularly important for me to emphasize that there is not a ‘marking of time’ to be seeking to lead the Team until both Team Vicar’s are physically in place. Rather I am seeking to express leadership during these initial first few months in four particular ways:
Being present in worship/ events across the team as much as I can.
Undertaking a visiting schedule across the team – whose goal is that by the end of March 2021 up to 500 people who attend all of our three churches will have had a get together with me, physically or by Zoom.
Bringing together all three ‘new’ Parochial Church Councils (following the last of the church’s APCM’s) before the year’s end to reflect on possible areas of collaborative ministry from 2021.
Rolling out a ‘reflecting and suggesting’ exercise to every member of the three churches.
I have been at pains to emphasize how valued and important everyone is across the Team and enabling everyone to have a chance to participate in this exercise is a way for me to highlight this. As the Team begins to take shape I need to hear from everyone about their reflections and suggestions concerning the life of our churches. This reflecting and suggesting exercise makes up this communication. People can do this exercise by themselves or with others in the family or as friends. Not only do I hope you will find it useful, but your suggestions will then be valued contributions for our journey as a team going forward.
I would appreciate responses back by the end of November using the link below. We will also be distributing paper copies to those people we know do not have access to a computer, plus copies will be available at the back of the church, or by asking Mark directly.
Mark
Click here to begin the exercise and share your feedback (links to Google Form)
Harvest Family Service
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.
Annual Financial Report from the APCM
Attached is the presentation on the accounts given at the APCM on September 13th. The key messages were:
We must continue to balance daily running costs against income even with Covid.
In order to continue covering our costs in 2020, we need considerably more income.
The number of Planned Givers has reached a plateau but is still well below the levels of the recent past.
Voluntary income remains vulnerable to relatively few key donors more so than ever.
Other income is significantly dependent on the Centre recovering from Covid restrictions.
Consequently we can’t afford to slacken our efforts to increase voluntary giving through Planned Giving wherever possible, so that we can plan more effectively.
The state of the Diocesan finances will continue to put pressure on us to provide as much support as possible.
Please sign up to easyfundraising.org.uk if you buy anything online. We now have sixteen members and so far have raised over £750 in 4 years (and it’s quite painless!)
A reminder also that our full 2019 PCC Annual Financial Report & Accounts document can be found on the Charity Commission website.