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Bishop Brian and the Ven Dr Paul Wright “remember them” P3 Remembrance NOVEMBER 2011 Diocesan Links Service of Celebration An air of anticipation filled St Estonia. We have a very strong link and we want to develop it.” Bishop Brian then led the George’s Church, Beckenham on congregation in prayer for our brothers and Sunday 9 October as the Rector sisters in Estonia, Kondoa, Mpwapwa and the Rev Canon Paul Francis Harare saying, “We thank God for their witness and courage and we pray for growth, welcomed the congregation to the understanding and love between us.” annual service celebrating the Following Psalm 122 sung by the choir and Diocesan Links of Tanzania, readings from Proverbs and John, the choir sang the Nunc Dimittis before the sermon Estonia and Zimbabwe. was preached by the Rev Stephen Knowers, The primary focus of this year’s service Vicar of St John’s Church, Croydon. Stephen was Estonia. Beginning with a power-point explained that in the summer of 1987, Estonia presentation, the Rev Canon David Kitley was still part of the USSR when he visited a outlined the history of St Mary’s Church Lutheran college. During a tour, the students Tartu, in Estonia. He also described his trip were taken to see a so-called, “erratic to Estonia in January 2010 when it was so boulder”, left high and dry from when the cold the sea froze. He said, “It was just glaciers of the last ice-age retreated. He another example of God’s beauty.” Asking watched, puzzled, as many of the theology rhetorically, “Why do the Estonians value students linked arms and hugged the stone. their links with us?” David explained, “The He came to learn that the stone was regarded Russians are still on the Eastern border and as a “Holy stone.” He said, “Each Estonian Bishop James, Bishop Brian, Rev Canon David Kitley and Rev Stephen Knowers there is room for churches here to link with has a deep sense of the sacredness of the churches there – to give and receive soil. Those boulders put me in mind of the hospitality.” Estonians themselves. They are individualistic recognise when God’s moment will come.” congregations despite the hardships they The congregation joined in a hearty and independent. That’s why in the present After singing “The Church of God a face. He said, “Our brothers and sisters rendition of, “Ye watchers and ye holy ones” European debt crisis, Estonia has the smallest Kingdom is”, Bishop James gave a brief know that the Church is much more than just before Bishop Brian welcomed the debt. They don’t borrow from the future. They update on the situation in Harare. He referred buildings. Although doors may be locked congregation on behalf of the diocesan believe one should owe no-one anything but to the Archbishop of Canterbury preaching to against them, other doors are opened!” Links Committee and thanked the choir for love.” Stephen defined “chronos” time and over 15,000 people in a stadium in Harare Bishop James is often told that the their melodic singing. Reminding everyone “Kairos” time (physical or real time and and his trip to Harare with David Kitley in congregations in Harare pray for us in the that the Archbishop of Canterbury was in metaphysical time) explaining that Kairos time August this year. He said, “We visited our Diocese of Rochester. He said, “I hope Zimbabwe, he asked the congregation to is “God’s special moments.” His sermon brothers and sisters to pray and express our when I tell them we pray for them, that I am remember him in their prayers. He reminded ended with the description of the Estonian solidarity as a Diocese. The Archbishop of telling the truth! Let us all pray for the future everyone that there is a Diocesan group in people defeating the Russian military by being Canterbury is there to express the solidarity of that is to come in Zimbabwe.” Tanzania at present and that the Links clever and diplomatic and by their prayerful the whole of the Anglican Church.” Bishop The service ended with the final hymn, anniversary would also be celebrated in and contemplative approach. He said, “You James told of priests being evicted from their “We have a Gospel to Proclaim” before Mpwapwa. He said, “Today we focus on should be subversively peaceful or you will not properties and of the growth in the size of the refreshments for all. Diocesan Synod says yes At Diocesan Synod on Saturday 15 Presidential Address and a presentation October, the Diocese of Rochester briefly describing his vision for the Diocese. He said, “We are one body, members one of voted to approve the proposals another; we are called to bear one another’s embodied in the draft Bishops and burdens and when one part suffers, we all suffer. And that is part of our witness to the Priests (Consecration and world.” He reminded Synod of the important Ordination of Women) Measure place Church schools have in Britain, saying, “Church of England Schools offer education and Draft Amending Canon No 30. which through its excellence seeks to enrich There was a generous and respectful the whole of society and thus bear witness to debate, with both sides putting their points of Christ within the whole life of our nation.” view clearly and succinctly. The results were Other business for Synod covered the as follows: Both Bishop James and Bishop receiving of the annual reports from the Brian voted in favour. House of Clergy: 36 in Diocesan Board of Education, the Advisory favour and 12 against. House of Laity: 34 in Council for Ministry and Training, the DAC, favour, 11 against and 2 abstentions. The the Canterbury and Rochester Joint Books debate was followed by BBC Radio and TV in and Documents Committee and the Mothers’ Kent, with follow-up broadcasts on Sunday. Union. The afternoon saw discussions on the Bishop James opened Synod with his 2012 budget and safeguarding. PLEASE NOTE: Copy deadline for the Dec/Jan issue of The Link is 4pm Thursday 10 November 2 ochester Link The Bishop of Tonbridge’s Diary, The Rt Rev Dr Brian Castle November What’s on 2 Nov 1000 Lead workshop on ‘Desert Spirituality’ – November 10am-1pm. Many stalls, raffles, Father Christmas and St Andrew’s Convent, Edenbridge Sunday 6 November entertainment. Admisison 30p. BROMLEY – The Brook Piano Trio at St Mary’s Church at SEVENOAKS – Christmas Fair at St John the Baptist 6 Nov 1000 Preach at St John, Sevenoaks 3pm. Contact Peter 020 8464 1239. 2-5pm. Free Admission SEVENOAKS – Come and sing Vivaldi’s ‘Gloria’ at The Various 8-14 Nov On Retreat Drive Methodist Church at 6:30pm. Contact 01732 MEOPHAM – Festival programme. Box office 01474 450355. 813106 or www.meophamfestival.co.uk 16 Nov 0900 Presentation of Bishop’s Award – St Mary 11 Abby Guinness – Word of the Wives Island School Saturday 12 November 18 Jazz Night – Tim Boniface Quartet 1930 Curates’ Supper, Bishop’s Lodge SEVENOAKS – Concert Temenos Chamber Choir at St Luke’s Church at 7:30pm. Tallis “Puer Natus” Mass, 26 From Bach to Beatles: Harp Music with Margaret Watson 17 Nov 1400 Advisory Council for Ministry and Training Howells Requiem and anthems by Harris. Tickets £10, £5 meeting - St Justus, Rochester Students from Sevenoaks Bookshop or 01959 522302. SEVENOAKS - Lunchtime Recitals at St Luke's Church. Sunday 13 November Wednesdays at 12.30pm - retiring collection 18 Nov 1230 School Chaplains’ Lunch - Bishop’s Lodge BROMLEY – St Mary’s Festival Choir will perform Faure’s 2 Pupils from Sevenoaks School with Tau Wey 2030 Teaching Session at SEITE, Aylesford Requiem at St Mary’s Church at 6:30pm. Free admission 9 Peter Young: Organ with retiring collection. Contact Peter 020 8464 1239. 16 Colin Baker: Guitar 19 Nov 1030 Open Kippington Christmas Fair 23 Letitia Perry: Soprano & Anna Tetsuya: Piano Saturday 19 November 30 Dave Beckett: Guitar & Eddie Armer: 20 Nov 1030 Confirmation, St Mark, Tunbridge Wells LAMBERHURST – Callum Smart, one of the finalists of Mandolin/Harmonica 1800 Attend ‘AngelSpace’, Rochester Cathedral the BBC Young Musicians Competition will be giving a violin recital at St Mary’s Church at 7:30pm. Tickets £15. WARWICKSHIRE – CPAS You and Ministry weekend to help people explore a variety of vocations in the Church of 22-24 Nov Bishop’s Staff Residential Meeting, Eastbourne Contact 01892 891115. England at Offa House, Offchurch 18-20 November. CHATHAM – City of Rochester Symphony Orchestra at £160 per person. Visit www.cpas.org.uk/youandministry 25-29 Nov Address Church Conference in Tallinn, Estonia the Central Theatre at 7:30pm performs Prokofiev Suite and visit Diocesan Links from Lieutenant Kije and Dvorak Cello Concerto. Tickets BEXLEYHEATH – Fair Trade Sales – ‘At Home’ at Christ £9-£15 from the Central Theatre Office 01634 338338. Church. Craft items from Tanzania and Ethiopia plus 30 Nov 1600 Attend Callover and Society of St Andrew jewellery from Uganda. Sunday13 3:30pm – 6pm, Awards, Rochester Cathedral BLUEBELL VILLAGE – Christmas Fayre in St Alban’s Monday 14 7:15pm – 8:45pm. Contact 020 8303 4452. Church 2pm-4pm. 50p adults, children free. Money raised to Dandelion Time and Holy Trinity Parish Funds. December FREE SPECIALIST CATALOGUE Friday 2 December AVAILABLE GRAVESEND – Gravesham Choral Society’s Autumn WATERINGBURY – Innominata for Christmas concert at NATIONAL Concert at St George’s Church at 7:30pm. The RUIT the Church of St John the Baptist at 8pm. Tickets £8 F performance includes three Cantatas from Bach’s SPECIALISTS include a drink and a programme from Wateringbury Post Over 300 apple varieties Christmas Oratorio.