Christmas Tree Decoration Competition ochesterLink

December 2016/January 2017 see pages 6-7 Real Advent Calendars for sick children he was pleased to Tdonate Real Advent Calendars to the sick children of Hedgehog Ward in Pembury Hospital.

The Bishop of Rochester said,

“It can be a bit miserable being in hospital at any time, but especially in the lead up to Christmas. We hope the children enjoy their chocolate Advent Calendars and the enclosed booklet telling the story of Christmas. We wish them all a very happy Christmas and pray for their speedy and full recovery.”

Picture shows Director of Communications, Lindy Mackenzie, giving the chocolate treats to Sue Edwards, Health Play Specialist at Pembury Hospital, accompanied by student nurse Rebecca Louise Pope and Ward Sister Millie Welch. Remembrance Day at St Margaret’s Church, Rainham By Tony Fairclough St Margaret’s Church, Rainham was full for the annual Remembrance Service on Sunday 13 November. 573 people attended church for the service led by the vicar of Rainham, the Rev Judy Henning. Afterwards, they went outside to the war memorial for a short service and laying of wreaths.

Representatives from many local organisations, the Scouts and Guides, as well as many veterans and families attended the service. The usual church congregation was joined at the memorial by hundreds of local people and those from other churches and societies.

Wreaths were laid on behalf of the Mayor of Medway and Mr Rehman Chishti MP. Others were laid by service associations and charities, along with the police, schools, clubs, Scouts and Guides as well as many veterans and families who laid their own wreaths and tributes. 2 ochester Link What’s on What’s On December 2016 donated will go to support the work of the SEVENOAKS Wisdom Hospice. For more information, email Eardley Road, Sevenoaks, Lunchtime Recitals, [email protected], visit the Lasting 30 minutes. Every Wednesday at 12:30pm. website www.christmastreefestivalatstjustus.co.uk Please join us – admission free. Refreshments or ring the Rev Helen Burn on 01634 841183 available from 12 noon 7 Pupils from Knole Academy ASH 14 New Benedict Singers 10-11 December Christmas Tree Festival at 21 Chris Lawton – Organ the Church of St Peter and St Paul, Ash TN17 There are no Recitals on 28 December or during 7HD Saturday from 10:00am – 4:00pm; Sunday January 2017. 1:00pm – 4:00pm. Entry free. Come and enjoy the beauty and peace of this occasion and vote for BURRSWOOD your favourite tree. To enter a tree, contact Jean 3rd December Christmas Concert at Burrswood Bentley 01474872333; [email protected] in Church of Christ the Healer at 7:30pm. We are delighted to welcome the Tunbridge Wells Orpheus PEMBURY Mail Voice Choir to start our Christmas celebrations 10 December ‘Christmas by Candlelight’ at with a heart-warming concert of Christmas music 7:30pm at St Peter’s Upper Church, Pembury. old and new. Tickets £12.50 (seniors and children Cantiaci Vocal Ensemble plus Harpist Anna Wynne £7.50). To book please call 01892 865987 and Flautist Lianna Jeffery. Tickets: £10 from [email protected] or by calling 07775 624048 GILLINGHAM www.cantiaci.org.uk 3 December Medway Youth Services are performing a Christmas Concert at St Mary SEVENOAKS Magdalene Church, the Church on the Green, 10-11 December Christmas Tree Festival at St at 7:00pm; in aid of the Church’s Re-ordering Mary’s Church, Riverhead, Sevenoaks, TN13 2RA CONTACT US News and letters to the Editor: Appeal. Tickets are £5.00 to include refreshments Saturday December 9:30am – 4:30pm and Sunday [email protected] and can be obtained from the Parish Office 01634 11:00am – 4:00pm. There will be a Carol Service Telephone: 01634 560000 853459 or [email protected] or among the trees at 3:00pm on the Sunday. Donationas Hilda 01634 932135. FREE car parking at Saxon for Age UK. Church car park is off Shoreham Lane ADVERTISEMENTS Way School. behind the church. For more information Email: [email protected] [email protected] Copy for The Link needs to be typed and submitted by email please. GRAVESEND Images must be submitted as either a TIFF or a JPEG file of 300dpi. 3 December St George’s Church Christmas Fayre ORPINGTON (Set your digital camera to the highest quality setting and we will try to do 10:00am to 2:00pm at St George’s Church Hall, 11 December Mendelssohn: Sonata no 2 at Parish the rest for you.) Church Street, Gravesend DA11 0DJ. Free entry Church of All Saints, Bark Hart Road, Orpington plus free face painting and children’s activities. Hot BR6 0QD at 7:45pm. Alex Barnes (cello), Raymond refreshments, cakes, jewellery, cosmetics, bottle Lewis (piano), Sterndale Bennett: Sonata Duo, stall, raffle, chocolate tombola, games, and much Max Bruch: Kol Nidrei. Admission free, retiring more. collection. Enquiries 01689 832031

ROCHESTER ST MARY CRAY 6 December Messiah Concert with Carols taking 11 December Music and poetry for a lazy place in the Cathedral at 7:30pm. Tickets available Sunday afternoon from 3:00pm-5:00pm at St from the Rochester Cathedral website, or from the Mary’s Church, High Street, St Mary Cray. Sylvia Cathedral Shop (10:00am – 4:00pm daily except Seaton - violin, Becky Diggens – violin, Philippa Sundays 12noon-4:00pm). Telephone enquiries – viola, David Lee - ‘cello, and members of to Theresa Buckland on 01634 843366 or email the Croft Poetry Club. Tickets: £7 (accompanied [email protected] under 16’s free) including refreshments. Tickets from: 01689 810451 ROCHESTER 9-11 December Christmas Tree Festival @ What’s On January 2017 St Justus at St Justus Church, The Fairway, LAMBERHURST Rochester, ME1 2LT. Friday 9 December 2:00pm 21 January Lamberhurst Music Festival at - 5:00pm, 2:00pm Performance by NChant Choir 7:30pm in St. Mary’s Church Lamberhurst. Concert from Rochester Grammar School. Saturday 10 featuring the famous violinist Tamsin Little who December 10:00am-5:00pm, 4:00pm Performance will be playing and also talking about her music. by Rochester Rock Choir. Sunday 11 December This will be a hugely popular concert so you are LIVING AN AUTHENTIC LIFE 12 noon-4:00pm, Carol Service at 6:30pm. Live advised to book early. Tickets cost £20 (children music throughout the weekend, light lunches under 15 free) at www.lamberhurstmusic.co.uk and refreshments, Creative Family Fun sessions, or 07497 488412 LENT STUDY COURSE 2017 Photo Booth, and Saturday Craft Boutique. There is no entrance charge, and all monies

Explore what it means to be a disciple of Christ, Hymn Books for Sierra Leone with stories and insights from our Anglican Does your church have copies of “Ancient & Modern Revised” (Maroon covers) hymn books partners in India, Iran, Malawi, Pakistan and which you use no longer? South Africa. At Christ Church Bexleyheath we have in our congregation people who come from Sierra Download or order free copies at Leone. This hymn book is still used by the Anglican churches there and they would appreciate www.uspg.org.uk/lent receiving hymn books in good condition. We at Christ Church would be pleased to collect these from you and send them to Sierra Leone. They need words and music editions of this book which is no longer in print.

Please contact George Johnson 01322 405348, Lloyd Bickersteth 07533 388905 or Tony Holcroft 01322 557458 if you are able to help. ochester Link 3

Christmas Message

By the Rt Rev ommentators all over the world have been Csaying how momentous 2016 has been in all kinds of ways. The horrors in Aleppo and Mosul, and Syria and the Middle East more generally, have hardly left the news. The related crisis of migrancy from the Middle East and other parts of the world has become an issue with both global and local implications, with many questions raised about the response in our own and other nations. Some are saying that this will be the defining global issue of the next generation.

In the world of politics we have seen unexpected outcomes to votes both here and in the United States, seen variously as good or bad news depending on one’s perspective, whether of fear or hope. There are increasing questions about the potential outcomes of forthcoming presidential and other elections in continental Europe.

Across the globe, gaps between rich and poor continue to widen in many countries. And then we have also seen traumas of various kinds, including earthquakes in Italy and New Zealand, serious train crashes in various places, and alarmingly frequent shootings of individuals and groups, including of course that of a British Member of Parliament. With this litany of change, uncertainty and challenge (and there’s plenty that I haven’t mentioned), it is understandable that many are confused and even downhearted.

In these weeks of Advent as we approach Christmas, we hear bible readings which fall within the ‘apocalyptic’ strand of Scripture. In these passages we have the But, while the language of these passages inevitably So, yes, we and the world face all kinds of uncertainties, language of wars, rumours of wars, earthquakes and evokes fear, this biblical language of the apocalypse worries and even fears. But, yes, we also re-affirm other calamitous events. These are passages which carries an underlying message of hope. This is hope our faith in the God who comes to us in Jesus Christ, have given rise to dramatic presentations in art and which arises out of who we believe God to be, and the sharing the life of our humanity in all its fullness, and music, as the end of this present age (even of the message that ultimately God is God, and God’s purposes leading us in hope towards the fulfilment of God’s world as we know it) is depicted. Very understandably, of justice and truth will be fulfilled. There is judgement eternal purposes of truth, justice and love. May we successive ages, especially in times of war, calamity – judgement on all that is not of God, all that is contrary indeed be renewed in hope as we celebrate the coming and turmoil, have seen their own age reflected in to God’s eternal purposes. And there is salvation – the of Christ. these passages and their imagery. healing and restoration of all things in Jesus Christ.

December 2016 Bishop James’ Diary 1 Thursday All Day Southern Province Bishops’ 7:30pm Licensing of the Rev Graham 8 Sunday 10:00am Family Communion Service Retreat - Canterbury Lunn - Beckenham St James - St Alban, Dartford 5:00pm Bishop’s Council - Rochester with St Michael and St Augustine 9 Monday All Day Episcopal Exploration Meeting 2 Friday 10:00am Housing Justice Board Meeting 15 Thursday 3:00pm Strategic Framework Meeting - London - London - Rochester 10 Tuesday All Day Bishop’s Staff Meeting 4 Sunday 10:00am Confirmation - South Gillingham 16 Friday Evening Medway Night Shelter Visit - Rochester 3:00pm Centenary Service - Strood 11 Wednesday 9:30am Strategic Framework Meeting - St Augustine, Gillingham 17 Saturday 3:00pm Kenward Carol Service - Yalding - Rochester 7:00pm Patronal Service - St Nicholas, 18 Sunday 10:30am Advent Service - St Laurence 14 Saturday 3:15pm Collation of the Rev Rachel Strood Church, Catford Philips - Rochester Cathedral 6 Tuesday 8:30am London Church Leaders’ Meeting 19 Monday - All Day House of Lords Duty - London 15 Sunday 10:00am Sunday Service - St Augustine, - London 21 Wednesday Gillingham 10:30am Housing Justice Symposium 21 Wednesday - All Day Church Leaders’ Residential 16 Monday All Day Turning Up The Volume meeting - London 22 Thursday - Northiam - Northern Province 1:30pm BAME Meeting - London 22 Thursday 12:30pm Staff Lunch - Rochester 17 Tuesday 7:30pm Kondoa Partnership Group 8 Thursday All Day Senior Leadership Development 7:00pm Carol Service - Rochester Meeting - Kippington Group - London Cathedral 19 Thursday 8:00am Confirmation - St Michael’s 9 Friday All Day Suffragan Exploration meeting 24 Saturday 4:30pm Carols on the Green - Ditton School, Otford - London 11:30pm Midnight Service - Langton 20 Friday All Day Bishop’s Council Residential 10 Saturday - All Day Cell Group meeting - London Green 21 Saturday - London 11 Sunday 25 Sunday 10:30am Christmas Day Service 22 Sunday 11:00am Homeless Sunday Service 12 Monday- All Day House of Bishops - London - Rochester Cathedral - Methodist Central Hall, London 13 Tuesday January 2017 23 Monday All Day College of Bishops - London 13 Tuesday 7:30pm Kent Workplace Mission Trustees 5 Thursday 7:30pm Institution and Induction of the 26 Thursday 6:00pm Holocaust Memorial Day Service Meeting - Larkfield Rev Ted Hurst - St Peter and - Rochester Cathedral 14 Wednesday All Day Bishop Staff Meeting - Rochester St Paul, Shorne 27 Friday - All Day Annual Leave 31 Tuesday 4 ochester Link Advertising Feature ochester Link 5 Assistant Bishops for Rochester Birchwood House Rest Home hree Assistant Bishops were licensed Residential Home for Tat a special service of choral evensong the Elderly held at Rochester Cathedral on Saturday Respite care & short 5 November. They were the Rt Rev (Bishop of Maidstone), the Rt Rev stay available Norman Banks () and A beautifully refurbished Georgian manor house, set in 6 acres of glorious Kent countryside, within easy the Rt Rev Ken Okeke. reach of Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells. • All rooms have en-suite facilities & nurse call Bishop James said: “Licensing Bishop Rod system. Lift to all floors. and Bishop Norman as Assistant Bishops • Excellent home cooking, with special diets catered is an expression of confidence in the for. arrangements put in place in recent years •Hairdressing, chiropody, library and mobile shop. whereby we hold an honoured place within • Monthly in-house Holy Communion and links to our church for those of differing convictions the local church. Stockland Green Road, over ordination to priestly and episcopal Speldhurst, Kent TN3 0TU ministry. Bishop Ken is a retired bishop living in our Diocese, having served in Telephone: Langton (01892 86) 3559 various roles in both England and Nigeria over 35 or more years, including as Bishop on the Niger. All three are now licensed to officiate in the Diocese, and I am delighted The Rt Rev Norman Banks, the Rt Rev James Langstaff, the Rt Rev Ken Okeke to welcome and commend them.” and the Rt Rev Rod Thomas

Honorary Canons for Rochester n Sunday 25 September, Rochester Bishop James welcomed the congregation by the congregation with an enthusiastic OCathedral hosted Choral evensong and led the acclamation, before each round of applause. with the collation and installation of three Honorary Canon was presented to the Bishop new Honorary Canons for the Diocese of in turn. During the service, each Honorary On 20 November, the Rev Alan Mustoe Rochester. The Rev , Vicar Canon was handed a Deed of Collation, a rector of St Nicholas church Chislehurst of Christ Church, Erith and the Rev Mark copy of the Cathedral Constitution and and the Rev Brian Senior, Team Rector of Brown, Vicar of St Peter and St Paul, Statutes, and a Mandate of Installation the Parish of South Gillingham, were also Tonbridge, joined the Very Rev Hosam before being officially welcomed in their new collated at Rochester Cathedral and installed CHURCH PEWS Naoum, Dean of Jerusalem Cathedral, at role by the Very Rev , Dean of as Honorary Canons for the Diocese of this special service. Rochester Cathedral. They were welcomed Rochester. UNCOMFORTABLE? WHY NOT TRY SAFEFOAM’S TOP QUALITY UPHOLSTERED FOAM PEW CUSHIONS? Safefoam, Green Lane, Riley Green, Hoghton, Preston PR5 0SN www.safefoam.co.uk Freephone 0800 015 44 33 Free Sample Pack of foam & fabrics sent by first class mail When phoning please quote RL1216

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Sleeps 6/8, near Carvoeiro, Portugal. Own pool, all Mod Cons Golf, Tennis, Free Wifi. Tel: 02380 265 683 [email protected] www.casa-oleander.co.uk 6 ochester Link Design a Christmas Tree Decoration

he “Design Competition judge Katerina Gerhardt Competition judge Suzanne Rogers Age 6 Ta Christmas Tree Decoration” said, said, 1st Pixie Davies St Mary’s Island competition was launched in Primary School October. Pupils at Church of I was impressed by the three The creativity of the 2nd Miro Shade St Margaret’s at Troy England primary schools were dimensional entries that had entries made it quite difficult Town invited to create new Christmas obviously had a lot of to pick winners for each 3rd Gvidas Mikalauskas St Margaret’s Tree decorations to be in with a thought, like the overall category. at Troy Town chance of winning a Real Advent winner Jessica Thomas and All the children should Calendar with a booklet containing six year-old Pixie Davies who be congratulated for the Age 7 the Christmas story. Winners created a 3D Christmas tree. imagination and originality of 1st Anna Fry St Margaret’s at Troy and their families collected their their designs. Town prizes and certificates from Bishop Overall competition winner Jessica 2nd Nasif Uddin St Margaret’s at Troy James at a special afternoon tea Thomas aged 6 from St Mary’s Island Other category winners were: Town at Bishopscourt in Rochester on 16 Primary School submitted three ceramic Age 5 3rd Fergus Garrood St Margaret’s at November. Christmas Tree decorations. Shaped 1st Benjamin Wildgoose Lady Boswell’s Troy Town like a Christmas stocking, a star and Primary School, Sevenoaks Entries were invited from all of the a Christmas tree. They were carefully 2nd Finnley White St Mary’s Island Age 9 primary schools from decorated on the front and back, Primary School Thomas Gates from Cuxton across the Diocese. It was clear from and would make a festive addition 3rd Nate Debono from Sundridge, the entries that a lot of thought, time to any Christmas tree. Very many Sevenoaks. Thank you to everyone who entered and glitter had gone into the artwork! congratulations and well done to Jessica! and congratulation to our winners.

Bishop James with Overall Winner Age 5 Category Winners Jessica Thomas 1st

2nd

3rd ochester Link 7 Competition

Age 6 Category Winners 1st 2nd

3rd

Age 7 Category Winners 1st

2nd

Age 9 Category Winner 1st 3rd 8 ochester Link

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Diocesan Finance Presentations hit the road Metalsmith www.steelyourself.co.uk On Monday 7 November, Diocesan Conscientious and reliable, Ian Marshall Secretary, Geoff Marsh, accompanied by provides new work and maintenance for a the Archdeacon of Tonbridge, the Ven Clive number of churches. Mansell, the Chair of the House of Laity, Mr To join his list of satisfi ed customers Phillip French, and the Rev Dylan Turner call: 020 8850 7851 or 077 6666 2747 gave a Diocesan Finances presentation to invited delegates from the Tonbridge Archdeaconry. The presentation opened with a short animated film which you encouraged to view on-line here: www.rochester.anglican.org/video/parish- offer-explained.php

The presentation is part of the wider plan to help parishes to understand diocesan finances and the important role that parish offers have to play. The content included details of the short-term steps that have already been taken to improve the financial position, as well as longer-term planning St Mary, Beaminster, Dorset intentions. It concluded with a wide- ranging question and answer session. Other enhancing church interiors similar archdeaconry presentations are also Phillip French planned. Ronald Emett fine furniture www.ronaldemettfurniture.com There, but not there 01308 868025 An installation, created by Martin Barraud for Remembrance. 50 silhouetted men sat in the pews of Penshurst Church. NATIONAL FRUIT TREE SPECIALISTS In the First World War 50 men from the One of the UK's largest suppliers of fruit trees and soft small village of Penshurst in Kent lost their fruit plants including Cranberries and Goji Berries lives. To mark their sacrifice 50 life size clear silhouettes were placed in the pews of St DECEMBER SPECIAL OFFER John the Baptist Church, Penshurst, in the ALL APPLES HALF PRICE run up to Remembrance Sunday. Some, like NATIONWIDE DELIVERY 3 members of the Hardinge family, were sat DEACONS NURSERY next to each other. Others were placed on Godshill, Isle of Wight PO38 3HW their own. All provided a stunning and most 01983 840750 (24hrs) Tel: 01983 522243 Fax: 01983 523575 Email: [email protected] or visit our website moving tribute to these men. www.deaconsnurseryfruits.co.uk One of the visitors of the church said: Photo by Martin Barraud “I’ve been trying to find the right words to And another said: “What a marvellously anyway) the Imperial/Commonwealth War describe it. It is impossible because it does simple but effective idea the Perspex Graves Commission decision to have all the that thing that art sometimes does and just figures, their name blocks and poppies grave markers identical and without any ST OLAVE’S GRAMMAR stirs the soul a little. But as usual it did not are! With the light catching the edge of the distinction regarding military rank or social SCHOOL AND stop me having a go; The spectral echoes of silhouettes it is not difficult to imagine the standing. Although we saw the notices to THE QUEEN’S CHAPEL a community’s sacrifice. The remembered commemorated soldiers in the church and sit amongst them, we couldn’t contemplate OF THE SAVOY returned. Fifty diaphanous figures providing in doing so their ‘presence’ can become doing so as to move past and between them a window on just why we must remember; almost tangible. The decision to make the seemed ‘wrong’ - like pushing past actual WAKEHAM CHORISTERSHIPS in them you also see your reflection. They figures identical and devoid of individuality living people sitting there.” Applicati ons are invited from are us and we are them.” was inspired, echoing as it did (for me boys whose tenth birthday falls between 01.09.16 and 31.08.17

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Signed ______Date ______Please return your completed form to: Church Housing Trust, PO Box 50296, London EC1P 1WF Roch Link Xmas 2016  020 7269 1630  [email protected]  www.churchhousingtrust.org.uk Charity No. 802801 Image courtesy of www.cgpgrey.com ochester Link 11 Intercessions Rochester Diocese - December 2016 - January 2017 Brighter Thoughts The Fellowship of Pray-ers exists to provide prayer support to Similarly, contact the Bishop’s Chaplain if you are interested in Counselling Agency the work and worship of the Diocese of Rochester, as well as to joining the Fellowship. pray for those in urgent need. Routine prayers are submitted Rose 07496 703314 by deanery coordinators but to ask the Pray-ers, urgently More information can be found under ‘Pray-ers’ within ‘Prayers or confidentially, to hold an event or person in their prayers & Intercessions’ in the Ministry menu on the diocesan website: Lorraine 07986523041 please contact the Bishop’s Chaplain: Lindsay Llewellyn- www.rochester.anglican.org/ Their calendar of prayer is in the MacDuff, Tel: 01634 814439, [email protected]. same place under ‘Praying the Way’. www.brighterthoughts.co.uk [email protected] Thursday 1 December Charles de Foucauld, hermit 1916 Monday 2 January Basil the Great and Gregory of Nazianzus, Bishops, For all who find the approach of Christmas problematic. Teachers of the Faith, 379 and 389, Seraphim, monk, spiritual guide, 1833, Friday 2 December Vedanayagam Samuel Azariah, bishop, evangelist, 1945 Bostall Heath, St Andrew, Vicar: The Rev Sulaiman Shahzad Orpington, Christ Church, Vicar: The Rev Jay Colwill Walking with Jesus in Saturday 3 December Francis Xavier, missionary, Apostle of the Indies Tuesday 3 January 1552 Petts Wood, St Francis, Vicar: The Rev Robert Lane Crayford, St Paulinus, Rector: The Rev Canon Antony Lane Wednesday 4 January The Holy LandLed by Sunday 4 December John of Damascus; Nicholas Ferrer Bexley, St John the Evangelist and St Mary the Virgin, Team Rector: Sidcup Deanery, The Rev Philip Wells, Area Dean; Mrs Madeleine The Rev Scott Lamb Bishop John Pritchard Waggett, Lay Chair Thursday 5 January 8th - 17th May 2017 Monday 5 December Blendon, St James the Great, Vicar: The Rev Andrea Ward Erith, Christ Church, Vicar: The Rev Canon Julie Conalty Friday 6 January Epiphany Tuesday 6 December Nicholas, Bishop of Myra For pilgrims and pilgrim shrines. Erith, St John the Baptist, Vicar: The Rev Rob Radcliffe Saturday 7 January Wednesday 7 December Ambrose, bishop, teacher of the faith 397, Footscray, All Saints, with North Cray, St James, Priest-in-Charge: Ember Day The Rev Stephen Sealy Pray for young vocations. Sunday 8 January Baptism of Christ Thursday 8 December Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Sevenoaks Deanery, The Rev Martin Booth, Rural Dean; Brigadier Falconwood, Bishop Ridley Church, Vicar: The Rev Mark Tariq Ian Dobbie, Lay Chair. Friday 9 December Ember Day Monday 9 January For vocations among ethnic minorities. Joydens Wood, St Barnabas, Vicar: The Rev Ren Harding For a brochure please call Saturday 10 December Ember Day Tuesday 10 January William Laud, archbishop, 1645 01992 576065 For vocations among those with disabilities. For the Bishop’s Staff, meeting today. www.lightline.org.uk [email protected] Sunday 11 December Wednesday 11 January Mary Slessor, missionary, 1915 Strood Deanery, The Rev David Green, Area Dean; Mr Geoff Foord, Lamorbey, Holy Redeemer, Priest-in-Charge: The Rev Colin Terry Lay Chair Thursday 12 January Aelred, abbot,1167, Benedict Biscop, scholar, 689 Monday 12 December Lamorbey, Holy Trinity, Vicar: The Rev Philip Wells Northumberland Heath, St Paul, Vicar: The Rev Clive Beazley-Long Friday 13 January Hilary, bishop, teacher of the faith, 367, Kentigern Blessed is the man Tuesday 13 December Lucy, martyr, 304; Samuel Johnson, moralist, (ungo), missionary bishop, 603, George Fox, Founder of the Society of 1784 Friends (Quakers), 1691 who walks not in the For the witness of young Christians. Sidcup, Christ Church, Vicar: The Rev Tom Parsons Wednesday 14 December John of the Cross, poet, teacher of the faith Saturday 14 January counsel of the wicked, 1591 For the Cathedral and for their new residentary Canon, collated today. nor stands in the way Slade Green, St Augustine, Priest-in-Charge: The Ven Dr Paul Wright Sunday 15 January Thursday 15 December Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church: Archbishop Urmas Viilma of sinners, nor sits in For all involved planning the new strategic framework for the Diocese. Monday 16 January Friday 16 December Sidcup, St Andrew, Vicar: The Rev Rupert Hankey the seat of scoffers; but Welling, St John the Evangelist, Vicar: The Rev Adam Foot Tuesday 17 January Antony of Egypt, hermit, abbot, 356, Charles Gore, his delight is in the law Saturday 17 December O Sapientia (O Wisdom!); Eglantine Jebb, social bishop, founder of the Community of the Resurrection, 1932 reformer, 1928 For all who work with young people and children, especially the of the Lord, and on his “O Wisdom, coming forth from the mouth of the Most High, reaching youth workers, meeting today. from one end to the other mightily, and sweetly ordering all things: Wednesday 18 January Week of Prayer for Christian Unity:18-25 Jan., law he meditates day Come and teach us the way of prudence.” Isaiah 11:2-3 Amy Carmichael, founder of the Dohnavur Fellowship, spiritual writer, 1951 Sunday 18 December O Adonai Sidcup, St John the Evangelist, Vicar: The Rev Stephen Sealy and night. He is like a Diocesan Strategy Team, Director: Mr Matthew Girt Thursday 19 January Wulfstan, bishop, 1095 tree planted by streams Monday 19 December O Root of Jesse! Ash, St Peter and St Paul, with Ridley, St Peter, Priest-in-Charge: The Chelsfield, St Martin of Tours, Rector: The Rev John Tranter Rev Canon Ruth Oates of water that yields Tuesday 20 December O Key of David! Friday 20 January Richard Rolle, spiritual writer, 1349 Cray, St Barnabas, Vicar: The Rev Neil Coleman Cobham, St Mary Magdalene, with Luddesdowne St Peter and St its fruit in its season, Wednesday 21 December O Dayspring! Paul, and Dode, Priest-in-Charge: The Rev Angela Walker and its leaf does not Cray Valley, Vicar: The Rev Paul Prentice Saturday 21 January Agnes, child martyr, 304 Thursday 22 December O King of the Nations! For the Diocesan Board of Education. wither. In all that he Crofton, St Paul, Vicar: The Rev Canon Bimbi Abayomi-Cole Sunday 22 January Vincent of Saragossa, Deacon, 304 Friday 23 December O Emmanuel! For all charities and churches working to support and house the homeless. does, he prospers. The Cudham, St Peter and St Paul, and Downe, St Mary Magdalen, Vicar: Monday 23 January wicked are not so, The Rev John Musson For the national College of Bishops, meeting today. Saturday 24 December Tuesday 24 January Francis de Sales, bishop, teacher of the faith, 1622 but are like chaff that Farnborough, St Giles the Abbot and St Nicholas, Rector: For the archdeacons across the country, meeting today. The Rev Matthew Hughes Wednesday 25 January Conversion of Paul the wind drives away. Sunday 25 December Fawkham, St Mary, and Hartley, All Saints, Rector: The Rev Jim Therefore the wicked For all maternity wards and midwives. Fletcher Monday 26 December Stephen, deacon, first martyr Thursday 26 January Timothy and Titus, companions of Paul will not stand in the For Christians witnessing even to the point of death. Istead Rise, St Barnabas, Vicar: The Rev Andrew Vaughan Tuesday 27 December John, Apostle and Evangelist Friday 27 January judgment, nor sinners For exiles and those who cannot go home. Longfield, St Mary Magdalene, Priest-in-Charge: The Rev Dylan Turner in the congregation of Wednesday 28 December The Holy Innocents Saturday 28 January Thomas Aquinas, priest, philosopher, teacher of For all caught in the cross-fire of conflict. the faith, 1274 the righteous; for the Thursday 29 December Thomas Becket, archbishop, martyr, 1170 Meopham, St John the Baptist, with Nurstead, St Mildred, Priest-in- For all who ‘speak truth to power’ at the risk of life or livelihood. Charge: The Rev Alyson Davie Lord knows the way of Friday 30 December Sunday 29 January the righteous, but the Green Street Green, St Marys and Pratts Bottom, All Souls, Vicar: The Tonbridge Deanery, The Rev Canon Mark Brown, Rural Dean; Mrs Rev Karl Carpani Carol Wake, Lay Chair way of the wicked will Saturday 31 December John Wyclif, reformer, 1384 Monday 30 January Charles, king and martyr, 1649 Orpington, All Saints, Vicar: The Rev Brian McHenry Southfleet, St Nicholas, Rector: The Rev David Houston perish. Sunday 1 January Naming and Circumcision of Jesus Tuesday 31 January John Bosco, priest, founder of the Salesian Psalm 1 (ESV) For all those in need of a new start, or who are facing new beginnings Teaching Order, 1888 with joy or trepidation. For our brothers and sisters in the Roman Catholic Church. Photo: www.sxc.hu 12 ochester Link

Bwana Asifiwe

By Mike Fawcett The visitors from Kent were generally group of sixteen from three hit by a culture shock on arrival in their parishes in our Diocese partner villages, but have returned with A many happy memories of the warm returned home on 13 October after welcomes they received, the generous visiting partner parishes in Kondoa hospitality of their hosts and the joy Diocese in Tanzania for the first and vitality in the services in which they time. The aim of the trip was to took part. The depth of their faith and begin building long-term personal the way that communities support each other was apparent at a funeral service relationships to offer each other held in Mwakisabe, after the tragic mutual support in spreading the passing of Joshua, the prematurely born Gospel message. son of Pastor John and Mama Sinda. We have a lot to learn from our African The majority of the party came from St brothers and sisters. Augustine Bromley Common and they visited the parish of Mwakisabe. Smaller Good things are also happening around groups from Christ Church Bexleyheath the diocesan office. The Bible School and St John and St Mildred (Meopham run by Peter and Christine Akester with Nurstead) visited Kidoka and offers 2- and 3-year residential courses The pastor’s wife enters St James’ Church, Itolwa as the youth choir joyfully sing Itolwa respectively, and all the visitors for current and potential pastors. Peter also spent some time at the diocesan and Chris have spent most of their office in Kondoa town. We were lives in New Zealand and Tanzania, extremely well looked after by Sabrina but Peter was brought up in Longfield Derham, from Bidborough, Kent, who and Gravesend. The centre also runs has been working in the Diocese for a dressmaking course to equip women over two years. to augment their incomes and a new, bigger kindergarten is being built. The Christian churches in Kondoa face huge challenges: it is the poorest Parish links between Rochester and diocese in a poor country; the Kondoa have existed for more than 10 predominantly farming communities years. Many of those returning from the have been hard-hit by droughts and trip are now fired up by hopes that they famine in recent years; and Christians can contribute to, and gain from, the are heavily outnumbered by Muslims expansion of this loving long-distance in this part of Tanzania. Despite this, partnership. the strong faith of the African church members is very evident and their acts * Bwana Asifiwe means “Praise the Lord” of worship are full of colour, joy and in Kiswahili and is heard frequently in love. church services. Mothers’ Union choir sing as we leave the partially built new church in Mlongia

The group enjoy a day out at the Ngorongoro Crater after their 10 day visit to the Diocese of Kondoa