Latest News From The Parish
While the Coronavirus COVID 19 measures are in force important news will appear on our Home Page
A message from Rev John Tranter
Dear friends,
THANKYOU & GOODBYE
Though it took us a lot longer time to leave than was originally intended, Janet and I are delighted that we were able to share a last Sunday service with you all. It was wonderful to be able to celebrate a Eucharist with so many friends from across the benefice churches and from the village and wider community too. Being able to sing some of my favourite hymns in church was a real blessing, and hopefully will be an experience you can all share in before long.
Thanks to Rev Susan, the Wardens and the catering team for making our finale such an enjoyable one. Thanks also to all who stayed to chat with us after the service, it was a joy to catch up on your news. If we didn’t manage to talk to you all, please forgive us – I can’t recall a social time at Chelsfield where I’ve talked so much and eaten so little!
Bless you also for your generosity in providing over £1000 for a farewell gift, far more than we expected or deserved. We have plans to erect a summerhouse in our garden and buy some comfortable garden furniture – and hope you won’t mind if we put your gift towards this. The pictures of Well Hill, and Emma’s lovely pen and ink drawing of St Martin’s will always remind us of our time in Chelsfield.
We shall perhaps treasure most the album of photographs, memories and messages of goodwill which will enable us to recall, whenever we look at them, the wonderful love and fellowship that we shared with you over the last seven years. We shall miss you and always be thankful to God for directing our footsteps to Chelsfield and the joy of ministry we discovered even in challenging times.
John & Janet
Church Centre Halls
The Church Centre halls are now open for events once again, so if you’d
like more information or to book a venue for birthday parties, anniversary
celebrations, or any other events, please contact the new Assistant Benefice Administrator, Philippa Rooke, on hallbookings@smasch.org.uk or
01689 852905
Afghanistan
We know many within the Diocese and beyond are concerned about the situation in Afghanistan and are seeking ways they can help. The organisation Welcome Churches has set up an emergency fund to help support Afghan families who are being relocated from Afghanistan to the UK for their safety. Find out more at https://welcomechurches.org/updates/emergency-afghan-fund/
A prayer for Afghanistan
O God of mercy and of peace, We hold before you the peoples of Afghanistan.
Be living bread to those who are hungry each day
Be healing and wholeness to those who have no access to health care amidst the ravages of pandemic
Be their true home to all who have been displaced
Be open arms of loving acceptance to those who fear because of their gender, ethnicity, religious or political views
Be peace to those engaged in armed conflict and those who live within its shadow.
Turn our hearts and minds to your ways of just and gentle peace,
Open our eyes to see you in all acts of compassionate care
Strengthen our hearts to step out in solidarity with your suffering people and Hold us all in your unfailing love.
We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, who emptied himself of all but love in order to bring life in all its fullness.
Amen
This prayer was written by Ramani Leathard, Christian Aid's Head of Region for South East Asia and Afghanistan
Superdrug recycles empty medicine blister packs
Superdrug are now recycling empty tablet blister packs. You can take
these to any of their branches with a Pharmacy, which Orpington has. This is in partnership with TerraCycle.
Amazon Smile - Fundraising Opportunity
If you are an Amazon Prime customer you may already know about
Amazon Smile. This is a part of the Amazon website where Amazon will
donate to a chosen charity, 0.5% of the price of your eligible purchases.
St Mary’s is now registered with Amazon so if you are a Prime customer you may wish to nominate us for donations. You can find out more at: https://smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/chpf/about
During the pandemic many of us have bought more on line than we might
otherwise have so the overall amount could be significant.
We are registered as:
The Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of Green Street
Green And Pratts Bottom (St. Mary's With All Souls).
Other churches have similar names so make sure you have the right one.
It might be helpful to put St Mary’s with All Souls into your search bar as
our name then comes up straight away.
Coronavirus (Covid-19) The Church of England has issued some guidance on how churches should deal with the threat of Coronavirus (Covid-19). The situation is evolving so it is worth checking frequently. Y ou can read the latest advice here: |
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Toddler Group - St Martin’s (CURRENTLY SUSPENDED DUE TO COVID RESTRICTIONS) As some of you will be aware, we sadly said farewell to our Toddler Group in July at St Mary’s. Thank you very much to Sue Bridger and Helen Spence for organising and running our Sparks Toddler Club. There is a Toddler Club at St Martin’s of Tours Church, Chelsfield. The group runs every Tuesday morning during |