Services at St Margaret’s St Lawrence, Seal Chart Parish Magazine during September 2016

In the Church, every Thursday at 08:30, Morning Prayer (said) - CW September 2016

Sunday 4 Sept 11:15 All Age Family Service

Sunday 11 Sept 08:00 Holy Communion BCP 18:00 Evensong BCP Sunday 18 Sept 11:15 Short Family Communion CW Sunday 25 Sept 11:15 Parish Communion CW Sunday 2 Oct 11:15 Harvest Festival

ST LAWRENCE CHURCH AND VILLAGE CONTACTS Vicar - Revd Carol Kitchener - 01732 761766 Reader - St Lawrence Church - Mrs Gretel Wakeham - 01732 761534 Admin Assistant - Tim Pearce - 01732 832408 [email protected] Parish Website - www.sealstlawrence.org.uk Churchwardens Ron Drury 810214 1st St Lawrence Brownies Janet Boswell 01959 523953 Rob Otto 457442 PCC Hon Secretary John Morris 810227 S’oaks District Councillors Julia Thornton 07831 234449 PCC Hon Treasurer Andy Rowell 884950 Roderick Hogarth 760325 Electoral Roll Clive McLintock 452964 Seal Parish Council Covenant & Envelopes Rob Otto 457442 Chairman Edward Oatley 465905 Organist Alex Trigg Vice-Chairman Mike Harvey Choir Director John Morris 810227 Clerk Lorna Talbot 763488 Bellringers Hon Secretary Peter Wharton 810388 Ward Councillors Peter Granville 763832 Deanery Synod Ron Drury 810214 Tony Bulleid Peter Wharton 810388 Sunday School Hilary Darque 453929 St Lawrence Village Hall Management Committee Vicar Reader Chairman Peter Wharton 810388 Child Protection Rep Kate Clark 810829 Secretary Janice Brooker 760843 The Revd Carol Kitchener Mrs Gretel Wakeham Treasurer Andy Smaggasgale 760552 St Lawrence Vicarage The White House Church Flowers Sheila Jackson 811422 Bookings Secretary Andy Smaggasgale 760552 Stone Street Bitchet Green St Lawrence CE Primary School Cricket Club Secretary Robin Webster 01892 862017 Headteacher Alison Saunders 761393 Badm’ton Club Contact Peter Wharton 810388 Sevenoaks, TN15 0LQ Sevenoaks, Kent TN15 0NA Chairman of Governors Paul Martin 761393 Archery Club Secretary Mike Davies 762266 01732 761766 01732 761534 Clerk to the Governors Valerie Maunder 761393 Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinators Church Wardens St Lawrence Pre-School ??? Stone Street Contact Janice Brooker 760843 Seal Chart Contact Nicola Mitchell 764202 Ron Drury Rob Otto Copy for the next issue should be sent, preferably by e-mail, to the editor, Garden Cottage, Raspit Hill 23 Hillingdon Avenue Brian Sutton (01732 450873) at [email protected] to arrive by 08:00 on Wednesday 14 September 2016 Ivy Hatch Sevenoaks The next issue of the Parish Magazine will be in Church on Sunday 25 September 2016 Sevenoaks, Kent TN15 0PE Kent TN13 3RB 01732 810214 01732 457442 Edited and Typeset by Brian Sutton, 50 The Crescent, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 3QY (01732 450873) Printed by Highland Printers, Church Farm, Seal, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN15 0AN (01732 762131)

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Our Vicar’s Page For the Children From the 1 st August we have become a joint benefice, with our new status came a new name, we are now the “Parish of St Lawrence Seal Chart with St Margaret Underriver”. It would have been wonderful to announce this in the August magazines, but the notice came out after the printing dates had passed. Our two churches have worked closely together for more than 20 years sharing the same vicar, or the same priest-in-charge. Over the years there have been many joint services on fifth Sundays and during Holy Week, as well as joint All-Souls Services each autumn. There have been lots of Gar- den Parties over the years alternating between lovely gardens in the two parishes. There have been shared concerts and social events and the annu- al Harvest Suppers and Harvest Lunches have had people from both par- ishes enjoying each others company. The new Joint Benefice makes in Law all that has been made by good will, friendship and hospitality through the years. Our two churches will continue to have their own churchwardens and PCCs and the finances of the two churches will continue to be separate. Each church will still be in a position to make their own decisions about buildings, worship and social events. Through the joint Standing Commit- tee, which will meet several times a year, plans will be made about things to be shared and the strengths of each of the churches will be employed to the advantage of the other church. People talk about the past as being like ‘another country’, well that also applies to the future, that too is ‘another country’, which is still to be ex- plored – an adventure awaits. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of the process of making two churches into a single Joint Benefice. Thank you to all of the people who have prayed and made plans over the last two years. Bishop James was in the parishes in June and he would like to be part of an event to celebrate our new Joint Benefice and once we have been given a date for our cele- bration I will let you know.

Yours in the love of Christ

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8 September - The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary ROW, ROW, ROW YOUR BOAT In both eastern and western churches, Mary has always been held as pre-eminent BEWL WATER DRAGON BOAT RACE 2016 among all the saints. The unique, extraordinary privilege of being the mother of St Lawrence's has entered a team in the the One who was both God and Man, makes her worthy of special honour. 2016 Bewl Water Dragon Boat Festiva l. Thomas Aquinas believed she was due hyperdulia , or a veneration that exceeds that of other saints, but is at the same time infinitely below the adoration, or The event takes place on Saturday 10 September 2016 and should be a fun latria, due to God alone. day out for rowers and supporters. The gospels of Matthew and Luke give Mary most mention. Luke even tells the A team of 20 volunteers from our church and wider community and friends, story of Jesus’ infancy from Mary’s point of view. Her Song, or Magnificat are raising funds for charities supported by the church. appears in Luke 1:46-55. The prime beneficiaries will be : The virginal conception of Christ is clearly stated in the gospels. But after Jesus’ birth, Mary fades quietly into the background. During Jesus’ public life, she is DEMELZA HOUSE mentioned only occasionally, as at the wedding at Cana. She reappears at the provides the best care and support for seriously ill babies, foot of the Cross (John’s Gospel), and is given into John’s care. In the early children, young people and their families, chapters of Acts, Mary is with the Apostles, and received the Holy Spirit along across East Sussex, Kent and South East London. with them on Whitsunday. But her role was not the active one of teaching and preaching. THE BRIDGE TRUST Mary’s significance grew with the centuries. By the fifth century she was called supporting single homeless people in West Kent since 1991.

Theotokos , The Mother of God, and from the seventh century onwards, she was SEVENOAKS AREA YOUTH TRUST given four festivals: the Presentation in the Temple (2 February), the A youth work charity based in Sevenoaks, Kent, with the aim of training, Annunciation (25 March), the Assumption (15 August) and her Nativity (8 September). employing and supporting detached Christian youth workers in Sevenoaks and its surrounding areas. Marian devotion has played an enormous role in the church down the years. Mary has been the object of countless prayers, accredited with performing many The dragon boat races take place throughout the day, starting at 10 am, and miracles, and the subject of thousands of artistic endeavours. She has had finishing at around 4 pm with the 10 boat grand final. Just come down to hundreds of chapels or parish churches named after her. During the Reformation the water's edge and watch all the colourful action. Teams of 16 paddlers, many images of Mary were destroyed. The Second Vatican Council 1962 made plus a drummer and a helm will be competing for the annual trophy in a an extended statement on her, stressing her complete dependence on her Son, and series of time trials over the 250 metre course. regarding her as a model of the Church. There will also be stalls, and there's no shortage of food and drink! Principal Marian shrines of today include Lourdes (France), Fatima (Portugal), Just head to Bewl Water (TN3 8JH) on 10th September 2016. Walsingham (), Loreto (Italy), Czesochowa (Poland) and Guadalupe Standard Bewl Water entry fee of £2 per car (for up to 5 people) applies. (Mexico). * * * * * * * * IT’s NOT TOO LATE - PLEASE : Help If you can give any sum to these amazing charities, either visit The holiday season is almost over but memories of the summer must still be www.sealstlawrence.org.uk/dragonboat/ or fresh in minds, both young and old. Did you have a good time? Was there contact our Church Treasurer, Andy Rowell on 01732 884950 something special in your experience? How about sharing that something with to donate by cheque or bank transfer. other readers. On behalf of our charities and people who benefit from their amazing work * * * * * * * * Thank you for your donation.

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Bells Ringing News from the Tower. It is a tradition for bell ringers from across the country to ask permission to ring HARVEST SUPPER another tower’s bells. This applies to most parish churches across the land but not, I hasten to add, for those of St Pauls Cathedral, or Westminster Abbey etc. IN We have several such requests from other bands usually in the Kent and Home Counties. Before our bells were re-hung in 2013, the number of those who came to ring our bells dwindled as they we were beginning to have a reputation for ST LAWRENCE VILLAGE HALL being rather difficult to ring. ON Since they were rehung and the initial teething problems were resolved we have had in the last three years, a steady stream of ringers. To be exact 17 bands have SATURDAY 1 OCTOBER AT 19.00 rung our bells signalling the fact that they have become much more pleasant to ring. TICKETS ADULTS £12 CHILDREN £6 The most recent visitor to the tower was Sheila Phyall with a band from Smarden who wished to ring a quarter peal in commemoration of Private Stephen Edward FROM CAROL LAMBERT 01732 810913 Phyall M.M who died 100 years ago to the day on 3 rd July 1916 in the Battle of the Somme. 2 COURSE MEAL - QUIZ - ENTERTAINMENT Stephen was born in October 1896, one of eight children born to Henry and Olive Phyall. He had two older brothers, two younger brothers and three * * * * * * * * younger sisters, one of them being Hannah, Sheila’s dad's mother, and therefore, her grandmother. Holy Land without Christians could become just a ‘museum tour’ Private Phyall enlisted in the 6th Bn. Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment Without a Palestinian Christian community, the Holy Land will become a tour of on 27th August 1914 at Tonbridge. He died on 3rd July 1916 the third day of the museums. That was Fr Jamal Khader's stark prediction at the recent annual Battle of the Somme. His name is recorded on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, lecture of UK Christian charity Embrace the Middle East. which means he has no known grave. As we know, he is also commemorated at Fr Jamal, a Roman Catholic priest and dean of the faculty of arts, professor of St. Lawrence Church and the Seal Chart War Memorial. He was awarded the theology and chair of the department of religious studies at Bethlehem Military Medal (hence the initials M.M. after his name). The Military Medal is University, said: “We have survived 2,000 years and want to continue to bear 'an award for gallantry and devotion to duty when under fire in battle on land'. witness to our faith in the land chosen by God for our salvation. Interestingly the address given for Henry and Olive Phyall, from at least 1937 “Our presence is important, not only for historical reasons but for what we stand onwards, is New Cottages, Seal Chart. New Cottages is also the address Sheila for: justice, peace and reconciliation in a land torn by war, hatred and violence.” has for Hannah (her grandmother) at the time she was married to Joseph Bryer Speaking at St James's Piccadilly in London, Fr Jamal outlined the historic UK- until her death in 1959. Joseph continued to live at New Cottages, probably up Palestine relationship over the past century, focusing in particular on Britain’s to about 2000. One of Joseph’s sons still lives at Fernshaw Cottage in Seal Chart. historic and moral responsibilities towards Palestine, and the need for a just On Sunday 3 rd of July Sheila and the band rang 1296 changes lasting about 45 peace in the region. He praised the 'sincere solidarity' of churches in the UK who minutes of Cambridge Surprise Minor. The band comprised of: - have expressed support for Palestinian Christians. * * * * * * * * Bell Treble Peter Sims Bell 4 David Manger Golf Bell 2 Sheila Phyall Bell 5 Richard Bourne ‘I play Second World War golf,’ one clergyman confessed to another. ‘You Bell 3 Pam Manger Tenor Tim Munt (Conductor) know – out in 39 and back in 45.’

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Children in Distress Romania Sue and Harry Ward, retired GP Robin Dunn and his wife Anna are walking the 96 miles of the West Highland Way this September to raise money for The Smarden Band Children in Distress, Romania. Sheila Phyall Robin and Harry are Trustees of this charity which is second from the left. started as a hospice movement for children with HIV left in orphanages after the fall of the communist regime. We are all involved in their work in Romania. The Charity has developed into an organisation which works with the local charities Copii in Difficultate and Positive Plus (for young adult survivors with HIV) to provide a range of residential and community services on several sites Further Significant Bell Ringing Occasions. for children with special needs including terminal illness, severe physical and Stan Jenner’s 60 th Anniversary Peal. learning difficulties, autism and school refusal. The charities work with th government services in these fields. Stan Jenner’s band rang at St Lawrence’s to celebrate the 60 anniversary of his first peal also at St Lawrence’s. Stan is revered in the Tonbridge ringing circles We hope you can support this worthy cause. More information about the Charity, as a peal composer, conductor and miracle memory man. If anybody has rung a the walk and donating can be found on the sites below. Alternatively, please peal with Stan he can probably tell you when, what, where, and which bell you contact us directly on 01732667815. rang. He might also remind you of what you had for lunch. As a previous Tower Captain at Tonbridge and Master of The Cumberland Youths he clearly has very The Charity web site can be found at www.childrenindistress.org high standards. Even so, he was a willing helper on District Training Days. It is The donation site can be found at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Robin-Dunn2 hard to imagine, therefore, that aged around 12 he reluctantly agreed to give ringing a go to appease his father! * * * * * * * * Although living in Edenbridge, Stan learned bell handling at Tunbridge Wells A First for Mark under the guidance of Ernie Ladd. Stan obviously took to ringing because on 16 I hope that most will have seen our local paper in which is recorded the July 1955, aged 14, he rang his 1st peal at St Lawrence’s Seal Chart. His 2nd marvellous achievement of Mark Sheridan when he became the first British, and peal followed swiftly on 14 August that same year at East Peckham. Those bells only the fourth ever, person to swim the 68 km cold waters of Lake Geneva. might dissuade most ringers but not Stan. (At that time these two towers had a Mark, who has swum the English Channel twice, completed this marathon swim reputation of being two of the most difficult). He would regularly cycle from in 33 hours, 6 minutes and 51 seconds. Judd to arrange ringing at East Peckham. By 1958 Stan was already composing * * * * * * * * peals, but his peal ringing really took off when Phil and Lucille Corby moved into the Tonbridge District around 1958/59 and established the 3rd Saturday peal From the Registers band. A variation of the 3rd Saturday peal band still exists, one of the variations On Sunday 14 August we celebrated the baptism of Max Theodore Thompson, being that they meet on any day of the month that suits them! And so it was that infant son of Erin and Howard Thompson, who were married at St Lawrence’s in Stan assembled a band at Seal Chart on the sunny 3rd Saturday morning of July 2013 and who now live in London. to attempt his peal number 1548 to mark the 60th anniversary of his first peal. He had commented some years before this attempt “I hope the bells at Seal Chart We extend a very warm welcome to Max and trust that he will grow in the th fellowship and spirit of our Lord. are rehung in time for the 60 anniversary of my first peal!” a very prophetic remark. Peter * * * * * * * * to be continued

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Services and Events at The Church of St Lawrence Seal Chart Church Flowers during September 2016 Sunday 4 Sept Chrisne Hughes Every Tuesday at 08:30, in the Church Sunday 11 Sept Hilary Denby-Jones Morning Prayer (said) (CW) Sunday 18 Sept Hilary Denby-Jones Sunday 25 Sept Annette Mackellar Sunday 2 Oct Annette Mackellar Sunday 4 Sept 15th Sunday after Trinity Audrey Ellis-Gibbons & Hilary Denby-Jones 08:00 Holy Communion BCP Philemon 1-21 Luke 14: 25-33 09:45 All Age Family Service

Luke 14: 25-33

Thursday 8 Sept Prayer Time (Lasts about an hour, all are welcome) 14:00 at The White House, Bitchet Green

Children meet promptly at 09:45 in the School Hall on the dates below Sunday 11 Sept 16th Sunday after Trinity They will rejoin their parents in the church towards t he end of the service. 09:45 Family Communion CW 1 Timothy 1: 12-17 Luke 15: 1-10 All children aged 3 and upwards are welcome For further information re Messy Church contact Carol on 761766 Sunday 18 Sept 17th Sunday after Trinity and re Sunday School contact Hilary on 453929 09:45 Family Communion CW 1 Timothy 2: 1-7 Luke 16: 1-13 9 Sept MESSY CHURCH [In the Church at 15:15] 18 Sept SUNDAY SCHOOL To be arranged Hilary and Lesley Thursday 22 Sept Prayer Time (Lasts about an hour, all are welcome) 16 Oct SUNDAY SCHOOL To be arranged Lesley & Penny 10:00 at 50 The Crescent, Sevenoaks 6 Nov SUNDAY SCHOOL Remembrance Sunday Hilary, Sam & Sally Sunday 25 Sept 18th Sunday after Trinity 18 Nov MESSY CHURCH [In the Church at 15:15] 09:45 Matins BCP 11 Dec SUNDAY SCHOOL Advent Lyn & Sally 1 Timothy 6: 6-19 Luke 16: 19-end 18 Dec Carol Service [In the Church at 18:00] 24 Dec Christingle [In the Church at 17:30] Sunday 2 Oct 19th Sunday after Trinity - Harvest Festival 25 Dec Christmas Day Service [In the Church at 09:45] 08:00 Holy Communion BCP 15 Jan SUNDAY SCHOOL Relying on Jesus Sam & Lesley Psalm 100 John 6: 25-35 09:45 Harvest Festival Psalm 100 Prayer Time Your Prayers are asked for: those young people awaiting uni acceptance; Sunday 20 Nov Christ the King those who did not get the grades they expected; This will be Carol’s last Sunday with us before she retires. children who are going on to secondary schools; More details to follow! teachers preparing for the new school year.

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