The Ramryge Angels at Rochester Cathedral Sculpture Exhibition Sculpture ‘The Ramryge Angels’ Bereavement Studies An exhibition of Perspex sculptures illuminating the stages of grief ochester by Claudia Brown in Link The Lady Chapel, Rochester Cathedral Thursday 10th December 2015 st to Thursday 21 January 2016 www.ramrygeangels.co.uk www.rochestercathedral.org NOVEMBER 2015 See page 12 for details Bishop Brian Reflects On 11 September 2001, Islamist extremists hijacked four planes. Two of them were flown into the twin towers of the World Trade Centre in New York. Another was deliberately crashed into the Pentagon. The fourth plane crashed into a field, 80 miles from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The attacks shocked the world and resulted in the deaths of over 3000 people. for adults. He said, “Life and death are was an amazing event that I remember very close to each other. In Zambia, life fondly. It ended with 1400 balloons is finely balanced and you live on the being released from Rochester Castle. It edge. I think people there understand was amazing!” life better. We can take a lot for granted because death seems so very far away. 2015 has seen Bishop Brian leading Even before Zambia I was interested in a Challenging Poverty campaign. He the theology of death and dying well. said, “It’s been a joy and a privilege The basis of my PhD dissertation was to be part of this campaign. Perhaps to compare hymns around death. These the easiest thing for some people is to conversations are important. People give money. That’s great, but it’s not should write their will when they are enough. People have reflected deeply well, not when they are dying. Laugh on these issues and it has been very and cry about it. We need to remember moving to see how people have reacted to give people permission to grieve in to that.” this country, or that grief will come out in other, less healthy ways.” As his thoughts turn to packing boxes and maybe hiring a skip, Bishop Brian A keen traveller and cross country has given some thought to everyday life skiing enthusiast, Bishop Brian has in the Diocese. He said, “I live in an area visited many countries on vacation. where life is very driven; it’s frenetic. He said, “You only see what is on the People are very aware of all they have surface when you are on holiday. The to say and do. I want people to consider real blessing of our overseas links God saying slow down and enjoy life. I is that people open their hearts and say we have many gifts. Slow down and their lives to each other and they are delight in God and in one another and changed by the experience. The Church those on the outside that we may not ishop Brian Castle the beginning of faith and Mpwapwa and really opens doors so you can have a normally associate with.” Bhad only just been journeys. Licensing Estonia. Bishop Brian genuine relationship and I believe we announced as the new someone or being at a said, “Working with our gain more than we give. It’s important As a final reflection, Bishop Brian said, Bishop of Tonbridge at confirmation is a joy and overseas Dioceses has to understand that it’s not a financial “I look back at my years in the Diocese the time. He said, “The a privilege. This keeps been tremendous. The thing; people in this Diocese are very with thankfulness. It’s been great! I world fell apart in the me fresh and energised. Church outside of this generous. This is a mutual relationship have met a wonderful cross section of afternoon of 9/11. I now I have also spent a lot of country has always been and our link Dioceses always say people here and overseas; it’s been a wonder how much of my time working with people very important to me. it’s about the idea that they are not very stimulating time which has also interest in reconciliation through their ordination My six months of training forgotten. I am thankful that I have had enabled me to do some writing. It’s over the years has training. It’s lovely to be with the World Council these great opportunities to see other been really good.” been shaped by that. I with them as we help of Churches in Geneva people blossom and flourish.” focussed my work during them discern where was very formative; it Bishop Brian will be moving to my sabbatical on the God is calling them. was multi-cultural and The Diocese of Rochester celebrated Somerset with his wife, Jane. He Israel/Palestine conflict.” Ordinations are a time ecumenical and I later 1400 years of ministry in 2004 and a described himself as “helping with a of high emotions, with worked in Zambia as great many events were planned around bit of bishoping and teaching” whilst Fortunately, Bishop people cheering them a vicar.” that celebration. Bishop Brian was the pursuing a few interests of his own Brian’s ministry has been on. It’s great!” Chair of the organising committee. He like fly fishing, cross country skiing and varied and rewarding. Working in Zambia, said, “Some made a pilgrimage to Rome writing. Jane will continue with her He said, “The regular The Diocese of Bishop Brian conducted and it was fantastic! Some people had volunteer work training guide dogs for highlights of my ministry Rochester has a number as many funerals for an audience with the Pope and five the blind and working with riding for have always been of link dioceses including children under twelve thousand people attended a celebration the disabled. We wish them well with around being there at Estonia, Harare, Kondoa years of age as he did service in Rochester and the Cathedral this new chapter of their lives. wasn’t big enough to hold everyone! It Copy deadline for the December issue of Rochester Link is 4pm on Thursday 12 November 2015. Copy to: [email protected] 2 ochester Link Allotments And Commitments What’s on in November NOVEMBER PADDOCK WOOD Many churches in the Father Paul Prentice - Vicar SEVENOAKS 25 November. Training day on Dementia Inclusive Diocese of Rochester, other of The Cray Valley Benefice, 8 November. Come and Sing Fauré’s ‘Requiem’ at Worship at St Andrew Paddock Wood (from 10.00 am to than some in rural areas, comprising: St Andrew and The Drive Methodist Church, Sevenoaks, at 6.30pm. 3.30pm). Cost £20 inclusive of lunch. will have celebrated their St Mary - agreed with the Admission free. Retiring collection for ‘Help for Heroes’. Harvest Thanksgiving allotment holders that we Details from 01732 456345. ROCHESTER Services within the walls would hold the St Andrew’s Valerie Ruddle (Choir Director) 27 November. From 1.30 pm to 3.30 pm. Memory Cafe in of their churches. Next Harvest Thanksgiving Rochester. If you have dementia, or are caring for someone with dementia, come along to your local Cafe, you’ll be to us, at the Church of St Eucharist in the Allotments. ORPINGTON very welcome. Your local Cafe meets every fourth Friday of Andrew on the borders of The allotment holders 12 November. Dementia Friends workshops at All Saints Orpington (from 2.30 to 4.30 pm, or from 7.30 to each month from 1.30pm to 3.30pm in the Parish Centre at Orpington and St Mary Cray added to their generosity by 9.30 pm). Free of charge. St Peter, Delce Road, Rochester, ME1 2EH. in the London Borough of providing a barbecue and Please contact: [email protected] or Bromley, are the Lower refreshments. I believe the LAMBERHURST 07989 783447 or Pam Moss: 01634 721886 Road Allotments. Bishop idea to hold the Service on 13 November. Jong Gyung Park. 7.30 pm. St. Mary’s James visited the Lower the allotments to be inspired Church, Lamberhurst. www.lamberhurstmusic.co.uk TUDELEY Road Allotment Society in and the enthusiasm with 28 November. The Baroque Singers at All Saints’ Church, October 2014. which were welcomed by GREENHITHE Tudeley at 7.30 pm. Performing seasonal music including and hosted by the allotment 14 November. Dementia Friends workshop at St Mary the “Great Mystery” Mass by Tomas Luis de Victoria and holders to be inspiring. Greenhithe (from 2.00 to 4.00 pm). Free of charge. the Gloria by Vivaldi.Tickets (£10 and £5 for under 16’s) online from www.baroquesingers.ticketsource.co.uk Continued on page 9 WATERINGBURY 14 November. 11am to 3pm at the Church of St John the Baptist, Wateringbury, ME18 5PA. Craft bazaar. From DECEMBER beads to bags, and plants to pashminas – over 20 stalls WATERINGBURY full of items by local craftspeople. Refreshments, mulled 5 December. 7.30pm Music for Advent and Christmas wine and mince pieces. Raffle, cake stall and tombola. conducted by Alan Vincent with soprano soloist Alice Brown, at the Church of St John the Baptist, Tonbridge GRAVESEND Road, Wateringbury ME18 5PA. Tickets at £10 14 November Christ Church, Echo Square, Gravesend is (£5 children/students) from Ros Diment 01622 813032, holding a Twelve Days of Christmas themed Christmas Rebecca Moate 07715 399320 and Wateringbury Bazaar at 10.30 am. Stalls including: jewellery, Post Office. CONTACT US gifts, decorations, cakes, books, toys and tombola. News and letters to the Editor: Refreshments available. Father Christmas will be there. 12 and 13 December. 2.30 – 4.30 pm at the Church of Entrance 60p, children free. St John the Baptist, Tonbridge Road, Wateringbury, [email protected] ME18 5PA.