Crossway The voice of St Luke’s Church September 2017 50p SUNDAY WORSHIP 8.00 am Holy Communion 10.15 am Parish Eucharist 6.30 pm Compline as announced 1st Sunday in the month 10.15 am All Together Eucharist - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - JUNIOR CHURCH Children meet in St. Luke’s Hall at 10.15 am and join the regular congregation later in the service, receiving a blessing at the Altar rail during Communion. WEEKDAY WORSHIP Thursday 11.00 am Holy Communion Saints and Holy Days as announced Morning Prayer is normally said in church at 9.15am on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday Holy Baptism, Banns of Marriage, Weddings and Funeral Services should be arranged with the Associate Vicar The Reverend Anne Bourne is available for help at all times, on 07512 734224 She is happy to visit parishioners in hospital or at home, whether you come to church or not, and will be grateful to be advised of any need. Please note that whenever possible she will keep Saturday as her “free” day. For regular visiting please contact Xanthe Duffill, our Pastoral Assistant., on 01959 523037 The Administrator is available in the Parish Office Monday to Friday 9am to 1.00pm Telephone 01732 743045 2 The Associate Vicar Writes September is very much a time of new beginnings. For children and teachers, it is time to return to school after the long and hopefully relaxing summer break, even if the sunshine has not been as prolific as we might all have hoped for. For those younger children, some are beginning nursery for the first time and there are also those young people who are moving on to the next stage of their life journey as they prepare for university or the world of work. For others of us who are not involved in education it may still be an opportunity to start a new chapter of work, perhaps retirement, or even a change of location. Here at St. Luke’s we continue with our interregnum and await the new chapter in our life here together. However, our life and fellowship do continue and many of our activities will begin again this month: Morning Prayer, TOTS, Junior Church and Choir. These are opportunities for learning and being involved in the life and worship of our church alongside serving and encouraging others in their pilgrimage. We shall also welcome Bishop James to confirm seven of our young people and hold them especially before God as they make this commitment. As we begin again let’s remember to keep God at the centre of all we do that he may direct our path. With this in mind our All Together Service on the 3rd September has been planned as an opportunity to ask God to bless the year ahead and be reminded of the importance of placing our feet firmly on the foundations of Jesus Christ, the rock. It would be good for as many as possible to join us on this occasion. Setting our feet on that firm foundation is important wherever we are and whatever stage of life we are at. With God at the centre when the challenges and disappointments come he will strengthen and enable us to face the future, whatever that may be and wherever he will lead us. In the words of David in Psalm 40, “He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.” May we know God’s presence in our lives and our feet firmly on Jesus the rock. May God bless us all as we begin again Anne 3 St Luke’s Away Giving St Luke’s Give-as-you-go scheme The Cause for September is www.thebridgetrust.org.uk The Bridge Trust has been supporting single homeless people in West Kent since 1991. We have helped over 6,000 homeless people with advice, accommodation and support. Significantly we have housed over 700 people in that time. There is still much to do for homeless people in our community, and by working together with the local authorities and other agencies we continue to transform people’s lives by helping them to achieve independence and have a home of their own. In West Kent only 10% of homeless people are rough sleepers, most are “sofa surfers” who manage to find a roof over their heads each night. Those who sleep rough are at great risk of being attacked and in recent months two people have lost their lives because they were out on the streets. For The Bridge Trust it is reminder that there is not enough service provision for all who need it in our community, especially if such terrible events are to be prevented. We always try to do whatever we can to help those who are homeless but it can never be enough. However we are always on the look out for property in West Kent which might be temporarily empty, homes or commercial properties, and any leads would be very helpful in trying to save the lives of those at risk on the streets. Bridge Trust is a local organisation and offers support in our own area. If you want to know more about us copies of the Bridge Bulletin with 4 articles about current projects and fundraising activities are available from the back of the church. As your third Sunday cause for September, we will be speaking at the service on the 17th, to update you on our work and thank you for your generosity. Mark Griffin **If you wish to donate but you won’t be in church on the Third Sunday, please either pass your donation to a Church Warden at any time or put it in an envelope, clearly marked with the Charity’s Name, in the collection on one of the two weeks before or the following week. Should you wish to Gift Aid your donation then see the information on the Current Events notice board. What happened in July & August In July £73.45 was collected for Mission of Seafarers ******************************** In August £93.25 was collected for Kenward Trust ******************************** 5 Interregnum During the interregnum, we have to follow a process that is defined by the diocese. This was explained to the PCC by the Archdeacon, the Venerable Clive Mansell at a special meeting on May 8th. Our next step is to prepare a Parish Profile to attract the right clergy to apply for the post. This will include information about our church and our vision for the future, how we see St Luke's going forward over the next part of our journey with God. Many members of the PCC are currently working on this document. This needs to be finished before we can advertise the vacancy. Janet Bates & Nick Donaldson, Church Wardens. Book Reading Group Our next book is: Is a Radical Church Possible? by Adrian Alker Everyone is welcome when we discuss the book on Friday 8th September at Noon in the Parish Room. Laurence Pearce Induction Mark is being inducted as Rector of St Martin’s and St Paul’s, Canterbury on Tuesday 19th September at 7.30pm. Coach will leave church promptly at 5.30pm and will be £5.00 per head Breakfast Brigade Russell and Abi King, assisted by Oliver will be cooking breakfast on Sunday 1st October and serving from 9am. We welcome children of all ages, and toddlers with Mum and/or Dad. The cost is £1 for cereal, cooked breakfast, and the ever-popular chocolate spread! If you would like to join us for breakfast please contact John Levett on 01732 460143 or email to [email protected]. 6 Dates for the Diary September 7th ATC Passing Out Parade 9th Ride and Stride 19th Mark’s Induction in Canterbury 21st Confirmation Rehearsal in Church - 6.00pm 24th Confirmation Service, Bishop James Langstaff at 10.15am 24th Diocesan Partnership Celebration 6.00pm, St Mary’s Riverhead 30th Harvest Supper - 6.30pm October 1st Harvest Festival & Baptism 14th David Flood Organ Recital 15th Patronal Festival - Guest Preacher Canon Chris Dench th 29 Mattins and Evening Celtic Communion St Luke’s Social & Study Group Our next meeting will be on Monday 2nd October at 8pm. We will be meeting at Margot Croft’s house: 43 Marlborough Crescent, Sevenoaks, TN13 2HH Junior Church Junior Church will restart on Sunday 10th September at 10.15am in the hall. All welcome. Ride & Stride Ride & Stride for Kent Churches takes place on Saturday 9th September. We shall no longer have Mark striding for us, which will make a significant difference to the amount of money we collect! Perhaps a team from the Junior Church could venture out with their leaders. Or better still two teams, one to ride and one to stride. Plan your route with care, start in good time to find your sponsors. Don’t forget to ask people who don’t go to church on a regular basis. It really is a lovely day out. Help to keep the “Show on the Road” by bicycle, scooter or even roller skates. There are eleven Churches in Sevenoaks. Sunday Coffee Rota Please sign up, to keep the coffee flowing on a Sunday after the Service. Sign up sheet is at the back of the church. Many thanks! 7 Bookworm The Mighty and the Almighty Edited by Nick Spencer. Now that the election is behind us, it is interesting to reflect on the part that faith, especially Christian faith plays in the political process, both here in Britain and in the wider world.