Parish News News

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

Do please join us after Mass for Tea, Coffee and Cake in the Vestry Hall - - just ask if you don’t know the way!

Services this week: Thursday Said Mass 10.30am; Next Sunday Sung Mass 10.30am.

A new year raffle! A handsome hamper from our Christmas Fayre raffle, sadly unclaimed despite our best efforts, will be re-raffled after Mass this Sunday. £1 for five tickets.

Medical supplies for Ukraine? If you are having a new year clear-out, could it extend to your medicine cupboard? Even recently out-of-date medicines will be welcomed by Simon, who lives locally, is qualified to sort such things appropriately, and can send them on to Ukraine. We all know that unused medicines can end up in landfill, even if we do remember to return them to the chemist. Could this be the time we find something better to do with them? A box will be at the back of church for the next 2 weeks. Any questions to Eleanor.

Christmas Collections: These totalled £308.50, which will be split equally between the local charity “Growing Hope Maidstone” (which supports the families of young people with neurodivergent needs and mental health issues) and the international medical charity MSF (which is continuing to work, amongst other places, in Gaza where it supports 1 in 5 of all hospital beds working across six hospitals, assists 1 in 3 births, and supplies 500,000 people with clean water. In 2025 in Gaza it treated 100,000 trauma patients and performed nearly 23,000 operations). Thank you to all who supported our Christmas Charities.

Our Epiphany Collection of groceries and toiletries has been gratefully received by Maidstone Homeless Care. They, and the adjacent homeless shelter, would also be grateful for any unwanted clothes especially in this cold weather – if you have anything hidden in a wardrobe you no longer need either take it along to their premises in Knightrider Street, or let me know and I can deliver to them.

For our prayers: For our Parish and congregation, especially those who have come to church for the first time in recent months, that they will feel welcome and find a glimpse of the love of God in our worship and fellowship. For Bishop Luke and for all clergy and parishes under his care. For the PCC meeting on Thursday. For the leaders of the nations, that they would use their power and influence for the common good, for the preservation of international law, and for the well-being of their own citizens, rich and poor, strong and weak. For a resurgence in the values of truth, justice and compassion. For all refugees and those fleeing persecution, and those living long term in refugee camps.

We pray for those in need, and especially Glynis Reynolds, Yvonne Young, Lindsay Wheeler, Martyn Nash, Fran, David Green, Norman Farrington, Jacqui Barlow and Joe.

We pray for the recently departed, and among them Trevor Gatehouse. 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: Bertha Ward, Dorothy Tester, Lilian Agnes Rootes, Leslie Lott, Joyce Barber, Joyce Payne, Louise Wollen, Ivy Parry, Stan Penney, Lily Chandler, Hazel Warriner.

FROM THE BELL TOWER: Friday, 9 January 2026 1272 Primrose Surprise Minor 1 Mark Elvers 2 Emma Jarvis 3 Shona Clark 4 Callum Clark 5 Philip Jarvis 6 Neil Jones (C) In thanksgiving for the life of Trevor Gatehouse, 5/1/26, 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/