Transfiguration News
A very warm welcome to any new readers, and to visitors and newcomers to St Michael's. A special welcome and thanks to Fr Paul, our celebrant this morning, who will also kindly be saying Mass for us on Thursday at 10.30 am. If you are new to St Michael's, do join us in the Vestry Hall after the service, so that we can welcome you properly.
Please note that there will be no Mass on Thursday, 17th August, as Fr Paul will be at Walsingham on pilgrimage during that week.
Thank you to everyone who has been working so hard on the redecoration of the Vestry Hall, and particular thanks to Trevor Gatehouse for his advice and help in procuring the materials. The progress already made does everyone credit, but help will still be welcome. Please speak to Martyn or Paul if you are able and willing to join the decorators.
On Sunday, August 13th, we shall be looking forward to the Assumption of Our Lady. We look forward also to welcoming Archdeacon Andrew, who will be preaching at Mass. Please try to be here to join in our greetings.
CALLING ALL AVAILABLE SINGERS! There will be a choir practice on Friday 11th at 6.15 pm.
Looking ahead: Saturday, September 9th, 10 am – 4 pm, is a Heritage Open Day. As our church is a listed building, we want our community – and visitors from further afield – to be able to enjoy our lovely Angel Windows, and, God willing, to get a sense of the beauty of holiness as St Michael's tries to show it. We shall need volunteers to bake cakes/biscuits, make tea and coffee, welcome visitors and act as stewards, answer questions, and sign in the Ride and Stride participants – including Catherine - who will be doing their sponsored walk or cycle-ride on the same day in aid of the Friends of Kent Churches. A parcel of publicity and decorating materials has already arrived from the organisers. This is an important opportunity to develop our community links and to encourage people to explore our building - and what it stands for. Please put the date in your diary and see how you could help.
From our Tower: Our Tower will be welcoming visiting ringers on Saturday, 12th August, from 3 pm to 4.30 pm, and we all look forward to hearing our lovely bells being in action, and being appreciated, beyond the usual routine.
Kent County Association Maidstone, Kent St Michael and All Angels
Sunday, 16 July 2023 in 44m (6–1–24 in C)
1260 Grandsire Triples
- Philip Jarvis
- Shona Clark
- Jacqueline Barlow
- Susan Clements
- Emma Jarvis
- Graham Heath
- Neil Jones (C)
- Mark Elvers
Remembering Irene Horton (12/7/22) and Jeanette Ardley (17/7/2016), R.I.P..
Bishop Norman will be leading a weekend pilgrimage to Walsingham for members of Richborough family parishes, from Friday 8th to Sunday 10th September. To book, please contact the Shrine accommodation office direct on 01328 820239, indicating when you book that this is for the Richborough Family Pilgrimage. If you have never been to Walsingham and are inclined to be hesitant, that weekend might be for you; it will of course be less expensive than a longer pilgrimage, and would be a chance to “test the water”. Bishop Norman's connection with Walsingham goes back many years (he was once vicar of that parish), and a Walsingham pilgrimage under his leadership should prove to be a spiritual shot in the arm!
An opportunity for this autumn? Canterbury Diocese is running an eight-session “Deepening Discipleship” course which will take place on Wednesday evenings via Zoom, beginning on 27th September – thus participants will not be faced with cold and tiring journeys in the evenings. This course encourages participants to reflect on, and develop, their Christian life, and it also provides a starting-point for anyone who is exploring the possibility of undertaking lay ministry. Applications close on September 13th. Visit Deepening Discipleship - Diocese of Canterbury (canterburydiocese.org) for further information and an application form. (A chance for personal growth – or, indeed, might God be calling you to serve St Michael's as a lay minister?)
Meanwhile, we do need more servers! Servers (who can be make or female) have a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the Faith and the liturgy, as well as having the privilege of making an important contribution to our worship. Why not speak to Fr Paul about becoming a server?