Trinity 11 News

Priest-in-Charge Fr John Ainslie (revjohnainslie@gmail.com; 01628 629827)

A very warm welcome to any new readers, and to visitors and newcomers to St Michael’s. Do please join us for Tea, Coffee, and Cake after the service !!

Services this week: Thursday, Said Mass 10.30am; next Saturday Mass of Our Lady 10.30am; next Sunday Sung Mass 10.30am. All services followed by Tea, Coffee and Cake. Do join us !!

HERITAGE OPEN DAY Saturday 13th September. As usual for HOD we will be opening the church from 10am – 4pm, with displays about the history, art and architecture of St Michaels. Our ringers will be ringing a peel in the morning, Malcom will provide organ music from 2pm, and Oxford Organ Scholar Levente Vas will be giving an organ recital at 3pm. Tea, coffee and cake throughout !! Do plan to come, tell others, and bring your friends and neighbours, for this opportunity to appreciate our wonderful building, understand more of its history and significance, and enjoy the sound of our bells and organ. If you can help provide a friendly welcome in church at some point, or help with refreshments, do let myself or Eleanor know.

RIDE AND STRIDE Saturday 13th September. This coincides with Heritage Open Day and is an opportunity to sponsor (or be sponsored) to walk or ride (bike or horse) visiting as many churches as you can on your journey. If you opt to “Ride or Stride” the sponsorship you raise will be split between St Michaels Church and the Friends of Kent Churches, which provides grants towards the maintenance of churches across the county. Our intrepid rider-and strider Catherine Garland will once again be participating and is looking for sponsorship – do please support her – sponsor forms at Back of Church. If you would like to join her in riding and striding, have a chat with Catherine.

SCHOOL GOVERNOR – ST MICHAELS PRIMARY AND JUNIOR. There is an opportunity for a committed Christian to join the Governing Body of our St Michael’s schools as a Foundation Governor. If you might be interested, or you know someone who might be, please speak to me. This is a very important role for our schools and for local children and families. Fr John.

FOR OUR PRAYERS: For children returning to school, and especially those starting a new school. For teachers and staff as they begin a new school year. For Wendy, staff and children at Wendy House pre-school that meets in our church halls as they also begin a new year. For all refugees and asylum seekers who come to our country seeking refuge, that they will find a humane welcome, and respite from the fear and oppression from which they have fled. For the establishment of safe routes and rapid assessment for genuine asylum seekers. For Bishop Luke and all clergy and parishes under his care; that our churches may be places of sanctuary, healing and spiritual comfort and growth for all who come seeking God’s help.

We pray for those in need, and especially Glynis Reynolds, Yvonne Young, Jessica O’Sullivan, Lindsay Wheeler, Martyn Nash, Fran, Ellie Tomlinson, David Green and Norman Farrington.

We pray for the recently departed. We remember those who have faithfully served God in this Church in previous generations, and we pray for those whose year’s mind occurs this week: Peter Jordan, Daisy de Winton, George Burbridge, Edna Francis.

FROM THE BELLTOWER: Sunday 24 August 1260 Grandsire Triples 1 Michael A Birkbeck 2 Callum Clark 3 George Marks 4 Jacqueline M Barlow 5 Emma Jarvis 6 Svetlana Sokolova 7 Philip Jarvis (C) 8 Mark Elvers Rung for the Feast of St Bartholomew The Apostle. Remembering Father Paul Gibbons 23/08/22 R.I.P.

SUPPORT ST MICHAELS: to make a donation towards the work and worship of St Michael’s Church go to: www.parishgiving.org.uk/donors/find-your-parish/maidstone-st-michael-and-aa-maidstone/