The Big Day OutI find myself singing “Our God is a great big God” and that was the theme of the day.

SEPTEMBER 2015

ochesterLink

Copy deadline for the October issue of Rochester Link is 1600 on 18 September. Copy to: linknews@rochester.anglican.org

Kent County Show

See page 12 for details

continued on page 6

Early Sunday morning I got into the van to drive to Leybourne for the

Big Day Out. The windscreen wipers worked furiously against the rain. It looked set in for the day and not a hint of a change in the weather. My most profound prayer was “God, help us” and still it rained. As I turned into the road that the castle was on, as if from nowhere, the sun shone, the clouds went on their way and a blue sky spread itself over the site. At 7.40am I find myself singing “Our God is a great big God” and that was the theme of the day. Whatever we had to deal with, the crowds, the lost shoe, the lost child, the exceptional gift of seminar speakers and key note speakers our God was just our Great Big God holding us in his hand.

The Rev Canon Jean Kerr

The children so carefully carrying the bread at communion to give to adults who had to bend to receive.

The gathering of mainly men singing hymns at the beer tent which seemed to be led by some bloke in a leather jacket (apols Archdeacon Paul).

The More Tea Vicar Team coping when the boiler

gave up and still served over a 1600 cups of tea.

The packed church for the healing talk and many being prayed for.The Mothers’ Union stall with loads of balloons and huge smiles.

My PA Carol Evans walking round all afternoon restocking the loos with toilet rolls - humility at its best.

The rapt attention given to Napo John as he talked about Jesus in the Muslim Scriptures.

Dad and lads trying out circus skills together and proving that the younger you are the quicker you learn.

The community choir and children’s choirs singing like they had done it for years.

That moment when the final item from the last run with the van was taken out of it and put in my hallway and I could breathe again.

I could simply go on but most of all I do thank God and his people who indeed went out from this day with joy in their hearts.

Memorable Moments?

2 ochester Link

- Some of the Bishop’s Engagements in September 2015 -

Wednesday 2 09.30 Bishop’s Staff Meeting, Rochester 19.30 Institution of the Rev Edward Wright, St George, WrothamThursday 3 11.00 Chair Faith & Order Commission Safeguarding sub group - King’s College, CambridgeTuesday 8 – Friday 11 Speak at Diocesan Clergy Conference, University of Hertfordshire, HatfieldSunday 13 18.00 Attend Overseas Partnership LINKS service - Christ Church, BexleyheathMonday 14 – Thursday 17 Attend College of Bishops’ Residential - St Hugh’s College, OxfordSunday 20 09.30 Preside and Preach, St Mary, Riverhead, SevenoaksTuesday 22 11.00 Attend Episcopal Reference Group meeting and Faith and Order Commission Meeting - Launde AbbeyWednesday 23 11.00 Attend Consecration - Canterbury CathedralWednesday 23 – Saturday 26 Lead Ordination Retreat for Deacons and Priests at CrowhurstSaturday 26 11.00 Preach at Ordination of Priests - Rochester Cathedral 15.00 Ordination of Deacons - Rochester CathedralTuesday 29 11.00 Attend Consecration - St Paul’s CathedralWednesday 30 09.30 Bishop’s Staff Meeting - Bishopscourt, Rochester

The Bishop of Tonbridge, The Rt Rev Dr Brian Castle

CONTACT USNews and letters to the Editor: linknews@rochester.anglican.org Telephone: 01634 560000

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HORTON KIRBY AND SOUTH DARENTHSt Mary the VirginA celebration of Wedding Anniversaries. 4 to 6 September 2015. Opening hours: Friday 1000 to 1800. Saturday 1000 to 1230 and 1430 to 1800. Sunday 1200 to 1800. Contact: April Glaze. 01474 703027.

SEVENOAKSST LUKE’S CHURCH, EARDLEY ROAD, SEVENOAKS, LUNCHTIME RECITALS30 minutes every Wednesday at 12.30pm. Admission free.Refreshments available from 12 noon2 Trevor Brearley – Piano and Jonathan Chapter – Cello9 Hannah Miller – Soprano and Debbie Gjeloshaj – Piano16 Colin Baker – Guitar, Roy Elliott – Saxophone23 Dave Becket – Acoustic Guitar and Vocals30 Marjorie Ouvry - Contralto

Saturday 12 September SHORNE, St Peter & St Paul Church Open Day. Open for self guide visit with free leaflet 10 am – 6 pm; Church tours (free, no need to book) 2, 3 & 4 pm; Teas & knitwear stall 2.30 – 5 pm. Contact: Andrew Moffat. Telephone: 01474 822280 Email: aimoffat@btinternet.com

MALLINGBarrington Pheloung, will conduct the world renowned London Metropolitan Orchestra in a selection of pieces from Inspector Morse, Lewis and Endeavour. Music at Malling Festival runs from Sunday 20 September until Sunday 27 September.

Artistic Director of Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London, James Pearson, returns to delight with two concerts.More information at: www.musicatmalling.com Becky Clifford. 07564 944765. stmaryswestmalling@hotmail.com

What’s on in September

Norman Warren’s road sign tract called Journey Into Life has sold over 30 million copies worldwide and touched thousands of people’s lives. It still sells over forty thousand copies a year and has even been translated into Eskimo!

I am looking for stories from people who have read ‘Journey Into Life’ and whose lives have been impacted by it.Your story is part of the bigger story not only of this book but also of the Church as it has expanded and reached into

many different corners of this country and beyond. If you have a story to tell about Journey Into Life then I would love to hear it.

If you would like your story to be included then I would love to hear from you.

Contact The Rev Chris Noble. Email: christopher.noble@kcl.ac.uk Telephone: 01732 823939. Or write to: 9 The Coach Drive, Vigo Village Gravesend, Kent. DA13 0SZ

Journey Into Life: Your Story Needed

Celebrate Harvest this year with a Shropshire-based charity that helps families in rural Africa to feed themselves.

Self Help Africa is offering a FREE Harvest Resources Pack which includes a poster, a talk, prayers, stories from Africa and activities for all ages.

To order your free pack and any extra materials, please call Jo Darlington on 01743 277170 or email harvest@selfhelpafrica.org. Or download resources directly from www.selfhelpafrica.org/uk/fundraise/churches

Self Help Africa can also arrange for one of their Church Ambassadors to come and speak to your church during your Harvest service or at another time to suit you. With more than 30 years’ experience of working with rural communities in Africa, Self Help Africa has developed an approach which works. They give families the skills and knowledge they need to grow enough to feed themselves and to manage their own lives.

Celebrate Harvest with Self Help Africa

By celebrating Harvest with Self Help Africa, you’ll be helping African families to feed their children and have enough food for years to come. For more information contact:

Jo DarlingtonEmail: joanne.darlington@selfhelpafrica.orgTel: 01743 277170

Contact Us

Submissions for Link should be emailed to:

linknews@rochester.anglican.org

We regret we are unable to accept hand written submissions.

Copy deadline for the October Link is 1600 on 18 September.

Views expressed are not those of the editor or Diocese.

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A New Term With God

What do you remember from your first school days, - perhaps long

ago now? I remember the excitement of learning new things and the desire to learn more. I recall the first efforts at team sports (- football was a bit of a flop, but cricket was more successful!). I recall too the daily rhythm of prayer at the start of the day, - normally the same prayer said by the Headmaster each day, followed by the whole school community saying together the Lord’s Prayer. It was far from adventurous, but, for someone from a home where this was not routine, it gave rhythm and reflection to each day’s beginning, even in a school without a formal Christian foundation.

Every child deserves an opportunity for their spiritual life to be opened up and nourished in their growing years. It is part of our humanity. Our Church schools strive to offer this within the context of Christian belief and understandings. Not all other schools do this in practice and, of course, some ardent secularists would remove any such element from school life at all, - but why should a child or young person be deprived of this encounter with prayer and God? The spiritual life is very important to our human character. Why, too, should not a child or young person be offered some experience of the Christian faith, which has been so treasured by the vast majority of those who have gone before us in this

land and which remains an inspiration to countless millions who live in this country and across the world today? For some young people, September offers the start of a spiritual journey with God which they may not have begun before. Students starting at university face many challenges, - financial, academic, moral, - and spiritual too. Within minutes of my arriving at my hall of residence at university many years ago, I was welcomed by someone from the Christian Union. (- I learnt later that 3 separate people had written ahead of me, kindly encouraging such a welcome.) - Immediately, I found

myself being introduced to students with a Christian belief from all over the university. In fact, the “C.U.” was the largest student society on the campus of the university (- much larger, for example, than the Marxist Society, etc with their prolific political posters at the time). For me, as for many others, my university years provided great opportunities for growing in Christian faith and understanding, for which I am deeply grateful. For some new students with a Church background, going to university can provide a disorientating experience. They cannot find a church like the church or youth group back home, but then they discover that many amongst their student peers are active Christians too, and that can be a great encouragement. For other students, actually seeing others of their own age-group have an active Christian faith at all can be a huge surprise, for their own school and home backgrounds and the prevailing popular culture never let them realise that. Sometimes, those early weeks and months at university become turning-points for life as Christian faith is encountered and embraced for the first time by a newly arrived student, and a course for life is set which will long outlast university days and offer a horizon of understanding way beyond that of the academic course of their degree. May this September provide an opportunity for spiritual growth for our younger generation in their varied places of learning.

September sees the start of the new term at both schools and universities. Fresh visions of life and frameworks for living are formed and not just in academic subjects.

Bishop James’ Diary - September 2015Tuesday 1 9am Aquinas Schools Trust staff conference 2.30pm Diocesan Finance Committee Wednesday 2 All day Bishop’s Staff Meeting Thursday 3 All day Prison visits in Lichfield Diocese Saturday 5 11.15am Commemoration Service & Licensing of The Rev Stephen Padfield - King’s School, Rochester 2pm Institution of The Rev Dave Johnston - Chislehurst, Christ Church 7.30pm Institution of The Rev Kevin Barnard - Westerham, St Mary Sunday 6 10am 50th Anniversary Service - Sidcup, St Andrew 3:15pm Installation of Honorary Canons - Cathedral 6.30pm Institution of The Rev Pamela Davies - Sundridge with Ide Hill and Toys HillMonday 7 7pm Institution of The Rev Mandy Carr - Weald, St GeorgeTuesday 8 Clergy Conference Friday 11 6.30pm Medway Food Bank reception - Bishopscourt Saturday 12 12noon Magpie Centre Opening Chatham

Sunday 13 10am 60th Anniversary Service - Dartford, St Edmund 6pm Partner Dioceses Celebration - Bexleyheath, Christ ChurchMonday 14 College of Bishops, Oxford - Thursday 17Saturday 19 11am 10th Anniversary of Pilsdon-at- Malling Community 7.30pm Confirmation - Cray, St BarnabasSunday 20 10am Confirmation - Bostall Heath, St Andrew 3pm Preach: Nigerian Chaplaincy Harvest - London Monday 21 10am General Synod Business Committee 7.30pm Institution of The Rev Diane Rees - ShorehamTuesday 22 7.30pm Kent Workplace Mission Trustees - LarkfieldWednesday 23 8.30am Licensing of The Rev Paul Keown as Chaplain - St Olave’s School, Orpington 11am Ordination preliminaries - Bishopscourt/Cathedral 5pm Bishop’s Council

Thursday 24 8am Kent Church Leaders meeting - Maidstone 11am Housing Justice Board - BishopscourtFriday 25 12noon New Church School Headteachers - BishopscourtSaturday 26 11am Ordination of Priests - Cathedral 3pm Ordination of Deacons - Cathedral Sunday 27 10.30am Ordination Service - Bromley, Christ Church 3.15pm Collation of The Rev Paul Francis as Residentiary Canon & Installation of Honorary Canons - CathedralMonday 28 10am Police Chaplains Training & National Police Memorial Day event - Maidstone 7.30pm Institution of The Rev Sharon Copestake - Strood, St Francis Tuesday 29 11am Consecration of Bishops - St Paul’s Cathedral 6.30pm Commissioning of The Rev Mark Montgomery as Missioner - Kings Hill, Discovery SchoolWednesday 30 All day Bishop’s Staff Meeting

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On Sunday 20 September pilgrims will join worshippers in Rochester Cathedral at 9am.

This will be the start of a journey round some of the Medway Faith Centres. There will be visits to the Quakers in Rochester; St Peter, Rochester; the Unitarians, Chatham; Gillingham Mosque; and the Hindu temple, Gillingham. Likely highlights will be open air prayer sessions in the High Streets of Rochester, Chatham and Gillingham.

This year’s themes are Respect for all faiths, Equality in religious belief and Peace – the rejection of all forms of religious discrimination and conflict.It is very interesting to learn about those things religions hold in common and we are proud that in this modern world people of different faiths can walk together in full recognition of the fundamental importance of spirituality for human life.

All are welcome to join at any point in the day. Some help will be available for those who may not wish to do the walking. For those who do walk, the company of the other pilgrims can be enjoyed and the distances are not over challenging.At the end of the day there will be an evening event with food and entertainment at the Sunlight Centrein Gillingham.

Medway Inter Faith Action PilgrimageMedway Inter Faith Action is part of the Inter Faith network for the United Kingdom and its members are drawn from all religions in Medway.

On Sunday 21 June The Anglican and Methodist Church of St Andrew, Paddock

Wood came together with former clergy, lay ministers, community partners and friends to celebrate 60 years of ministry in their current building.

Earlier that morning 50 people had symbolically journeyed on a pilgrimage around three sites that had once been used to host services. Firstly, as a church plant from All Saints Brenchley worship took place in a hoppers’ hut on a local farm. Then by 1851 a new church (St Andrew) had been built and a parish established for this growing village with its newly acquired railway station which sent fruit and hops to London. Whilst finally, in 1978 the two congregations of the Methodist and Anglican churches came together in our current building to form a single congregation. And so during the opening of the service symbols of that journey: a scallop shell, hops, a piece of Kentish ragstone and a loaf of bread were laid on the communion table.

The service took as its theme ‘we are living stones being built up as a spiritual home’ and Bishop James, our preacher, reminded us of the journey the church had been on and of the journey still be undertaken. In particular he drew attention to St Andrew’s long and productive association with the wider Church communion and the support it has offered to mission endeavours both home and abroad. The congregation heard from two mission partners who had valued

60 Years of Ministry

the support this church had given over the years: one working for CMS supporting asylum seekers in the UK and another the CEO of Scripture Union Hungary. The service concluded with The Rev Dr Phillip Luscombe from the South East

District of the Methodist Church leading the congregation in an act of recommitment. With a mixture of prayer, worship and laughter the church was filled with joy and enthusiasm not just for this special day, but for the next chapter of its story.

The day’s programme is available at the Cathedral or by ringing the organiser Hugh Hawkins 01634 843307.

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6 ochester Link

The Big Day Out... Continued from page one

The Workshops! The Workshops were ‘absolutely brilliant’ and so many people have let me know that they were blessed by what they learned and heard, and by the enthusiasm of the Workshop leaders. Some people have been inspired to take things further in their own church: one example of this from a church member who emailed “I know that I have certainly got a lot out of the day and have learnt a lot…please can you pass on my thanks to the lady who spoke about banners in worship; unbeknown to her, she has started something which hopefully will grow at All Saints.” There have been many encouraging stories coming in; this is just one, from Julie Sheldon who gave the Healing Workshop:

“Our workshop in the church went very well. We had a lovely full church and a good response from prayer ministry - we heard a lady’s back was healed and there were other significant works of the Holy Spirit taking place. I brought a team of six from our church who were really blessed by the whole experience, one of whom hadn’t been on a prayer team before

and was there to observe. She was so overcome by the Spirit that she thought someone had put a heater on behind her and had to have a look to see where this great warmth was coming from! It was so special for her and as she said later ‘a really memorable day’.”

Young people at the Big Day Out The younger members of the diocesan family were adventurous! The team from Rock UK, Carroty Wood engaged with young people in activities like rock climbing, BMX and bush craft. Young people were encouraged to climb to the very top of the tower with support from the instructors. Alongside these activities and to enjoy the wonderful weather was a range of inflatables to burn off that excess energy or for the more sedate, a lesson in circus skills. Assisting in the many options on offer was the Rochester Diocesan Youth Council, distinct in their red tops as they mingled amongst the crowd, stewarded workshops, served in the courtyards “More Tea Vicar” and were on hand for any enquiry or question that arose from the diocesan family as the day progressed.

Saturday night played host to the Bohemians, a Queen Tribute Band, which trotted out numerous well-known tracks which, in spite of the rain, left the 1,000 singing along and upbeat. The event, promoted by Leybourne Church, raised over £5,000 towards vital alterations to Leybourne Church in order to install a WC in the building.

On Sunday, Rhapsody was replaced by rapture as around 1,500 people from across the Diocese enjoyed a sun-bathed afternoon, with music, talks, activities and events. Speakers included the Dean of Jerusalem, the Bishop of Rochester, Julie Sheldon and Martin Payne, activities included Hymns and Beer, Messy Church, and a climbing wall and bouncy castle,

and food included tea and scones in the castle courtyard and a BBQ. The afternoon concluded with The Big Worship Bandand Luke Bacon leading the crowd in traditional hymns and up to date worship songs, before a final act of celebrating communion with the Bishop of Rochester.

R White Leybourne church

Bohemians and Bishops Come to Leybourne

7ochester Link

The sum of all its parts?

This mathematical conundrum became a musical reality for all who met at St John, Meopham, for the Diocesan Community Choir’s first rehearsal. Being the only representative from West Malling, I felt a

Within twenty-four hours of the first time I had ever set foot

in Estonia, I was surprised by an interesting conversation. It was not to be the only time I would be surprised by Estonia.

I was in the country to attend Rochester’s Partnership Diocese, the Estonian Lutheran church’s annual clergy conference. Before that, I had been invited on the Sunday to attend a service at the Cathedral in the capital, Tallinn.

During communion, I knelt alongside an elderly gentleman in a suit. We set off together afterwards. It appeared it was customary for people to chat quietly with one another while returning to their seats; a very convivial affair. So the elderly gentleman began to chat with me. I told him that my visit was of particular interest to me, since my mother had been Estonian. He asked me what her surname was. I told him that it was Linneberg, and that her maiden name was Tofer.

“I knew the Tofer family,” he said. “I worked for them as a carpenter before the war.”

This was just the first of the many surprising revelations I encountered and continue to encounter each time I visit Estonia. The helpfulness of the people such as my delightful colleagues in the Estonian church, have encouraged me to pursue my family history in that country even further. I am particularly grateful to The Rev Gustav Piir and The Rev Annika Laats in this respect.

My interest led ultimately to my contacting the Estonian Maritime Museum about my grandfather Bruno Linneberg, who served in the Estonian navy, eventually as a senior officer: kaptenmajor. Through the help and encouragement of the Museum’s resident historian, Arto Oll, we started to piece together something of my grandfather’s life and career. A real Who Do You Think You Are? There is no space to detail all we have uncovered using a mixture of family memories and Arto’s research. Suffice it to say, from being a navy cadet on one of Estonia’s first warships during the Estonian war of independence 1919-20, through to 1945 and the Soviet occupation, my grandfather’s navy career

provides something of a key to all sorts of historical research for Arto and his colleagues.

The culmination of this surprising sequence came at the beginning of July this year. Bruno Linneberg’s son, my uncle Joergen, and I handed over to the museum on permanent loan my grandfather’s medals. The medals will be put on permanent display at the museum. As I handed them over, I said – not without a little emotion – that my grandfather and my mother had been in exile. Both had died before they were able to rejoice in Estonia’s return to independence. However, with the medals, perhaps Bruno and his daughter finally made it home.

Diocesan partnership relationships are more than just church to church, community to community connections. Humankind connects in all sorts of ways. Being Christian is being all of who we are – and sharing that person with others.

The Rev Martin Booth

A Homecoming

little nervous entering this beautiful church. I saw a few familiar faces, but many new ones too. From Longfield, Chislehurst, New Ash Green, Gravesend, Rainham and more, musicians of every age and standard had come to join in; united by a love of singing.

Dylan Turner soon had us divided into four voice parts and began with exercises to warm our voices up. These were great fun and I started to relax.

From Timothy Dudley Smith’s soul stirring setting of the Magnificat, “Tell out, my soul”, to the Iona Community’s calming “Behold the Lamb of God”, a Cantor led Peruvian Gloria to the glorious African Mayenziwe (Thy will be done) the range of music was eclectic. I even developed an unexpected appreciation for Dylan’s four part setting of Our God is a great big God!

Thanks to the brilliant settings, especially produced for the Big Day

Out by Dylan, Alison Letschka and James Crockford, the choir was soon singing confidently in three, four, even five parts by the end of the first evening.

At the second rehearsal, we were presented with a brand new arrangement of Fleetwood Mac’s “Don’t stop thinking about tomorrow” and, in half a rehearsal, had pretty much licked it into shape. A run through with Dylan jamming on the piano was a joyous way to finish the practice!

Emma Buchan was on hand to give us instructions and explain the layout at Leybourne Castle.

On the big day itself, we were delighted (although rather nervous) to be appearing on an impressively equipped stage complete with crew for lighting and sound. This was so well resourced that even those at some distance (like true Anglicans, many gathered towards the back) could hear the choir.

The grand finale was an All-Age Eucharist presided over by Bishop James. Jean Kerr, the day’s organiser, led the children in their special part. We hadn’t factored in distribution on stage – with Luke Bacon’s Leybourne band and the choir on stage it required some really delicate manoeuvring. We sang John Newton’s Amazing Grace as the rest of the congregation received communion.

Dylan and James did an impressive job of keeping us together for the finale – You shall go out with joy: like a rolling stone, it gathered a lot of momentum.

I do hope this group will not be a ‘one off’. It was brilliant to meet new people, a real thrill to praise God and be part of something so special. Mind you, if the choir continues to grow at the pace it has to date, we’re likely to need a considerably bigger stage next time we sing!

Becky Clifford

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De 4:31

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We left Rochester Cathedral after a blessing by the Bishop’s Chaplain The Rev Lindsay Llewellyn-MacDuff at 9am on Sunday morning. This was the longest and hardest day, we walked until 6pm before camping for the night. We all prepared the evening meal together and then enjoyed discussions around a camp fire. It was a great privilege to journey with such a wonderful group of students and to engage in conversations about God with them.

The weather started getting warmer on Monday. The distance was less and we arrived at our camp for the evening where we all played rounders and had a well-deserved water fight before reflecting on the past 2 days.

The final day was tough due to the soaring temperatures. The shade of Kings Wood was a welcome reprieve from the sun and the breeze provided by walking alongside the river as we came into Canterbury helped to keep us cool. The excitement as we first caught a glimpse of the Cathedral was immense!

We arrived at Canterbury Cathedral and were greeted by Canon Clare with tea and pilgrim’s bread. We had a short tour of the Cathedral, Clare showed us where Thomas Becket was murdered, before taking us into the crypt for prayers and a blessing. After all this excitement, we wearily made our way back to the mini bus and home to Gravesend.

Pilgrimage22 students from 11 to 14 years old from Saint George’s C of E School, two teachers and the Saint George’s Chaplain took part in a pilgrimage from Rochester Cathedral to Canterbury Cathedral over 3 days. The journey was over 40 miles long!

We aimed to raise in excess of £1000 for our four community charities (Make a wish, Cancer Research, Battersea dog and cat home and Gravesend Parents’ consortium). The pilgrims also wished to make a donation to the Ruby Young Appeal (a local toddler suffering with neuroblastoma).

It was a long way, and a huge challenge for everyone who took part, but I for one can’t wait to do it again next year!

Churches’ Mutual Credit UnionQ. What do a Rochester vicar, a residential care home worker, a train driver, a charity fundraiser and a member of the House of Lords have in common?

A. They are all members of Churches’ Mutual Credit Union (CMCU).

So far over 400 people from all walks of life have applied to join Churches Mutual Credit Union Ltd (CMCU) the new Credit Union set up by the Church of England, Church of Scotland, Church in Wales, Methodist Church and Scottish Episcopal Church. Membership is open to anyone who holds a recognised position in a paid or voluntary capacity within the churches (including PCC members, PCC employees, diocesan staff as well as lay and ordained ministers) Churches’ Mutual is an essential resource for clergy, employees and parishes offering:

• A choice of accounts to suit different needs – the Regular Savers’ Account helps to build up a nest egg straight from their bank or salary, or the Founder Member Bond for those looking to make a lump sum investment.

• From £250 for a new washing machine to £12,000 for a new car CMCU offers competitive rates on personal and car loans with flexible repayment terms and no hidden charges.

• Benefits for the whole church family - money invested by the credit union’s members means the Churches’ Mutual can make

Visit the credit union’s website www.cmcu.org.uk to open an account, apply for a loan or access more information

affordable loans to the people who need them. When those members borrow, any profit made on the loan is distributed to those savers.

• Corporate Savings Accounts that provide an ethical investment and easy access option for parish funds.

• An online service you can access from home anywhere in the country plus a human voice at the end of the phone if needed.

• One of our own Rochester clergy, Nigel Bourne, the Vicar of Chalk is the Vice-President of CMCU and is very happy to visit chapters or deanery synods to explain something more about credit unions generally and CMCU in particular. He can be contacted via email at vicarofchalk@hotmail.com

The Rev Nigel Bourne

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Intercession During September 2015Tuesday1 SeptemberGiles, hermit, c.710

Snodland, All Saints’ and Lower Birling, Christ Church.

Rector: The Rev Hugh Broadbent

Wednesday 2 SeptemberMartyrs of Papua New Ginea, 1901, 1942

Thursday 3 SeptemberGregory the Great, bishop, teacher of the faith 604

Wrotham, St George, and for the Rev Edward Wright, instituted today

West Malling, St Mary’s with Offham, St Michael’s

Priest-in-Charge: The Rev David Green

Brenchly, All SaintsVicar: The Rev Campbell Paget

For King’s School Rochester and their chaplain the Rev Stephen Padfield, licensed today. Christ Church, Chislehurst and the Rev Dave Johnston, instituted today.Westerham, St Mary and the Rev Kevin Barnard, instituted today.

Paddock Wood Deanery: The Rev Bryan Knapp, Rural Dean; Mr John Kirby, Lay Chair.

Sundridge, St Mary with Ide Hill, St Mary, and Toys Hill and The Rev Pamela Davies, instituted yesterday.

Weald, St George and The Revd Mandy Carr, instituted today.

Saturday5 SeptemberTrinity 14

Friday 4 SeptemberBirinus, bishop, 650

Sunday 6 September

Monday 7 September

Tuesday 8 SeptemberBirth of the Blessed Virgin Mary

For our maternity wards, midwifery led units, paediatricians,

midwives, and the chaplains who serve them.

Wednesday9 SeptemberCharles Fuge Lowder, priest, 1880

For the Bishop’s Conference and all the diocesan clergy gathered there this week.

Thursday10 September

East Peckham, Holy Trinity, with Nettlestead, St Mary the Virgin.

Rector: The Rev Anthony Carr

Friday11 September

Hadlow, St Mary, and Golden Green Mission ChurchVicar: The Rev Paul White

Saturday12 September

Horsmonden, St MargaretRector: The Rev Sue Fauchon-Jones

Sunday 13 SeptemberTrinity 15

The Pilsdon Community: The Rev Pam Rink, Guardian.

Monday 14 SeptemberHoly Cross Day

Lamberhurst, St Mary and Matfield, St Luke. Vicar: vacant

Tuesday 15 SeptemberCyprian, bishop, martyr, 258

Paddock Wood, St AndrewVicar: The Rev Bryan Knapp

Pembury, St Peter and St Peter

Vicar: The Rev Douglas Robertson

Wednesday 16 SeptemberNinian, bishop, .432Edward Bouverie Pusey, priest,1882

Thursday 17 SeptemberHildegaard, abbess, visionary, 1179

For organists, worship bands, choirs, and all responsible for the music of

the worship of their church.

Friday 18 September

Saturday 19 SeptemberTheodore, archbishop, 690

Tudeley, All Saints, cum Capel, St Thomas à Becket, with Five Oak Green United Reform Church.Vicar: The Rev Dr Jeremy Ive

Yalding, St Mary, and St Peter and St Paul with Collier Street, St MargaretVicar The Rev Paul Filmer

Beckenham Deanery: The Rev Rob Hinton, Area Dean; Mrs Sarah Poole, Lay Chair.

Shoreham, St Peter and St Paul, and the Rev Diane Rees, instituted today

Brasted, St MartinRector: The Rev Linda Green

For the ordination retreat, beginning today, and for the ordinands, as they prepare for Saturday.

Monday 21 SeptemberMatthew, Apostle and Evangelist

Sunday 20 September Trinity 16

Tuesday 22 September

Wednesday23 SeptemberEmber Day

Thursday 24 September Chevening, St Botolph

Rector: The Rev Chris Smith

Friday 25 SeptemberLancelot Andrews, bishop, spiritual writer, 1626; Ember Day

For the Diocese’s training incumbents, and all who support them.

Saturday 26 SeptemberWilson Carlile, founder of the Church Army, 1942; Ember Day

For the training parishes, receiving today new curates, or newly priested curates.

Sunday 27 September Trinity 17 For the newly ordained in our Diocese.

Monday 28 September Strood, St Francis, and for the Rev Sharon Copestake, collated today.

Tuesday 29 SeptemberSt Michael and All Angels

The King’s Hill estate, and for the Rev Mark Montgomery, commissioned today.

Rochester Diocese

Inviting you to a free seminar:

•Would you like some top tips for improving your existing church website?

•Do you want ideas as to what makes an effective church website?

•Do you want advice from the experts in church websites?

If any of the above are true then we are sure you will benefit from our church website seminar. Our seminars provide church webmasters, ministers, church staff and members with advice and tips on creating a great website which will really benefit the church.

Our advice has helped churches all around the UK see the potential of the web as a great communication tool and a way of bringing new members to their church. The seminar is provided at no cost to you and covers topics such as:

• Why have a church website?

• The three audience groups your church website must be aimed at

• What to avoid on a church website

• What makes a good church website? • Top tips for creating a successful website

• Pages a church website must contain • Search engines – how to get your website found by Google

Where? The seminars will be held at Rochester Diocese, ME1 1SL on Tuesday 29th September 2015 at 2pm - 4pm or 6.30pm - 8.30pm and is open to all who have an interest in using the web for their church.

For more details and to register your free place please visit www.churchwebsitetips.co.uk/

Church Edit is run by Christians and has been supporting churches since 2002.

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Your church and the web: Creating a successful website for your church

Your church and the web:Creating a successful website for your church

• Would you like some top tips for improving your existing church website? • Do you want ideas as to what makes an effective church website?• Do you want advice from the experts in church websites?

If any of the above are true then we are sure you will benefit from our church website seminar.Our seminars provide church webmasters, ministers, church staff and members with advice and tips on creating a great website which will really benefit the church.

Our advice has helped churches all around the UK see the potential of the web as a great communication tool and a way of bringing new members to their church. The seminar is provided at no cost to you and covers topics such as:• Why have a church website?• The three audience groups your church website must be aimed at• What to avoid on a church website• What makes a good church website?• Top tips for creating a successful website• Pages a church website must contain• Search engines – how to get your website found by Google

Where?The seminars will be held at the Diocesan office, Rochester, ME1 1SL on Tuesday 29 September 2015 at 2pm - 4pm or 6.30pm - 8.30pm and is open to all who have an interest in using the web for their church.

For more details and to register your free place please visit www.churchwebsitetips.co.uk/Church Edit is run by Christians and has been supporting churches since 2002.

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Inviting you to a free seminar:

For the new canons installed in the Cathedral this month, especially the Rev Paul Francis, residentiary canon.

Wednesday 30 SeptemberJerome, translator, teacher of the faith, 420

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In amongst the wicker baskets and wind chimes, ostrich feather

dusters and 3D fibre false eye-lashes stalls, the Diocese of Rochester made its presence felt at the Kent County Show. The Rev Canon Jean Kerr more than ably assisted by a team of volunteers including Emma Buchan, Caroline Clarke and Carol Evans, welcomed visitors to their marquee and offered them conversation and fellowship over a welcome cup of tea.

Friday morning opened to an azure blue, cloudless sky whilst a welcome mild breeze set the flags atop of the tents a-flutter; Jaguar Land Rover, Mitsubishi Motors, Costco and Ducati competed with livestock shows and the plethora of home improvement stalls on display. The carnival atmosphere was populated with the sounds of tired toddlers crying, adults laughing and music from KMFM and BBC local radio. Reveille from the local cadets mingled with

the enticing aromas of sizzling sausages, beef-burgers and onions. The Kent County Show is a finely orchestrated display of the finest products and produce in Kent – but why is the Diocese of Rochester keen to be here amongst so much commercialism?

Caroline Clarke explained, “This is a great opportunity for the Church to be out and about with people enjoying their day. We are saying ‘God is good – come and join us’ just by being here. It’s good to chat to people. We should be found in a commercial setting. We need to be where people are. We can’t just wait for people to come to us in spiritual places: just because someone is commercial doesn’t mean they can’t be Christian. I like the variety of interesting people I meet here.”The Kent County Show has given Caroline the occasional surprise in the past. She explained, “I was nearly flattened by an enormous

pink pig last year! It was coming straight at me and had to be brought to an emergency stop by the farmer. It was quite frightening, but now I know what to do if a huge pig is running at me!”

The Diocese of Rochester’s marquee offers people a brief escape and some short respite. Caroline said, “People are welcome to come and see us and everything we offer is free – from cups of tea to hand massage or Messy Church for the children. People are amazed. It is an oasis of giving back; people can pop in and see us if they are tired, or they just need someone to talk to.”

The Rev Canon Jean Kerr, who organises the marquee and events along with the Diocese of Canterbury said, “It’s really very important for us to have a presence where there is a market place – where there is life.

Kent County Show

If you would like to know more about the Diocese of Rochester please visit www.rochester.anglican.org and if you missed the Kent County Show this year, maybe you should mark it in your diary for 2016!

We offer open and free access for people to the activities of the Church. It’s important to build relationships with people where they are and how they are.”

In the spacious marquee - a haven of peace and tranquillity amongst the maelstrom of the public outside - the team offered a range of free craft activities for children based around Christmas, Easter and Pentecost. There was also a simulated Church with a pretty garden surrounding the entrance and hand massage. Canon Kerr said, “The hand massage offers us a really good contact point. Lots of people go weeks and weeks without touching another person.

We also offered prayers and the opportunity for people to lighta candle.”

Also on offer was an introduction for Soul Food, bite sized thoughts that can be sent straight to your mobile phone or email inbox to help people explore prayer for themselves at their own pace. Canon Kerr added, “The exploration option is really important. People can think about baptism or funerals; we want them to have a good experience of Church and keep some contact with it. It doesn’t have to be your local church building.”