The Assumption Of Bvm 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: Said Mass on Thursday at 10.30am; next Sunday Sung Mass at 10.30am – both followed by Tea, Coffee and Cake.

The Summer Organ Recital and Afternoon Tea last Saturday raised over £600 for the organ fund, and was hugely enjoyed by all who came. A very big Thank You to all who worked so hard to provide the Tea, Cakes and other refreshments.

Saturday 29th August – FiF Pilgrimage Day at Aylesford Priory, 11am Mass with +Luke, Rosary pm. This was hugely enjoyed by those who attended last year. Bring a picnic, and a picnic chair! All welcome. I’m sure we can arrange lifts for any who would like to go but don’t have access to a car. It’s a very short drive away.

Flower Festival and Heritage Weekend – this is a major part of our 150th Anniversary Celebrations and takes place 11th-13th September. Please plan to be here!

Ride & Stride in aid of Friends of Kent Churches also takes place on Saturday 12th September. Catherine Garland is our parish organiser, and is also looking for sponsorship as she cycles and walks around local churches – Please support Catherine and sign her sponsorship form at the Back of Church. Money raised is split 50:50 between our church and the Friends of Kent Churches. The Friends offer grants towards maintenance and repair of Kent churches, and the PCC will be approaching them for a grant towards our new heating system – so it will be good if once again we are seen to be supporting the Friends on Ride & Stride day.

The Maidstone Eco-Hub is open until 22nd August at Creative Maidstone, Gabriel’s Hill, ME15 6JR. Opening hours 10am-4pm, Wed to Sat. Practical advice, giveaways and hands-on activities to help you save money, support nature and make small changes that benefit the environment. The UK is one of the most wildlife-depleted countries in the world, and recent weather underlines the importance of living in an environmentally sustainable way. See what you might do to help.

FOR OUR PRAYERS:

We pray for the people of Afghanistan 5 years after the return of Taliban rule. We pray for peace with justice in the West Bank, and for the protection of Palestine civilians living there. In the Richborough Cycle of Prayer we pray this week for Society Parishes in the dioceses of Winchester, Peterborough, St Albans and Rochester, their Priests and people.

We pray for those in need, and especially Glynis Reynolds, Yvonne Young, Lindsay Wheeler, David Green, Norman Farrington, Phil and Marion, Joe, Keira, Freya, Isaac, Lexie Nicholson, Sarah, Janet, Ralph Austin, Isobel and Fay, Ruby Corquaye.

We pray for the recently departed, including Linda Martin. We remember those who have faithfully served God in this place in previous generations, and for those whose year’s mind occurs this week: Elva Smith, Neil Suitter, Rose Logan Green.

FROM THE BELL TOWER: Friday, 7 August 1272 Carlisle Surprise Minor 1 Emma Jarvis 2 Philip Jarvis 3 Jane Kostelnyk 4 Mark Elvers 5 Stephen Coaker (C) 6 Pam Thomas Rung for The Transfiguration of Our Lord.

Sunday, 9 August 1344 Double Norwich Court Bob Major 1 Stuart Cox 2 Janice Byrne 3 Stephen Coaker (C) 4 Emma Jarvis 5 Jane Kostelnyk 6 Mark Elvers 7 Philip Jarvis 8 Michael Birkbeck Rung on the Saints Day of Mary Sumner, Founder of the Mothers Union 1921. 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/