What's On
COP26 OR COP-OUT
Join us for a solutions focused discussion on the climate emergency - Bearsted
Speakers:
•Rev.Dr. Jonathan Arnold, Former Dean of Divinity, Magdalen College Oxford, & current Canterbury Diocese Director of Communications.
•Mr John Halladay, Greenpeace, Canterbury Group leader.
Date: Sunday 24th October 2021 6pm to 7.30pm
Admission: By ticket only – click here to book your free ticket.
Venue: Holy Cross Church, Bearsted, ME14 4EE
USPG HARVEST APPEAL
The Church of Zimbabwe’s HIV Stigma Reduction programme is transforming the lives of people living with HIV in the local community. This Harvest we are raising funds for the Wellness Gardens that provide people living with HIV a place to grow crops to eat and sell. Donate today and help fund this life changing work. £35 would pay for tools to make fencing. £60 would pay for essential equipment such as shovels and hosepipes.
Find out more here
TODDLER GROUP
The Toddler Group has restarted. Karen Hill has taken over the running of the group. She used to attend the sessions with her children and has recently been doing cleaning at Holy Cross. It was lovely to have the toddlers back in church. We do need some extra help with teas and coffees. Please speak to John if you are interested.
Groups run Tuesday morning 9.45-11.45am and Thursday 9.45-11.45am
CHURCH MAGAZINE
It is with regret that the magazine will not be produced this month or next month because of deadlines. So far we have been unsuccessful in finding a new Editor and unless someone comes forward in the next month we will not be able to carry on with the magazine. If you could help out with this please email or speak to the vicar 01622 737135 or email
Being Editor is a relatively simple task there is no typing of articles or setting out of articles onto the pages. The main task is to receive copy and to let the printers know which page to put items on.
DIARY DATE - CHURCH CHRISTMAS FAYRE
December 4th – Saturday 4th December – Church Christmas Fayre.
Dear All, your fundraising committee have had a first meeting to discuss fund raising plans.
We have decided to go ahead with planning AN INDOOR Christmas Fayre, to be held in the Church as in pre-covid years, on Saturday 4th December from 10am- 2pm. We hope to have a good selection of stalls including tombola and raffle tables.
We will be hoping for various donations of jams, cakes and tombola items. (We will not have a bric a brac stall nor a knitwear stall).
We will be carrying out a risk assessment of the church, setting out a oneway system, and will be covering all aspects of C19 safety issues, including any new orders from Government.
If you would like to be involved in any way, by manning a stall on the day, or helping with refreshments, or selling raffle tickets, or any other form of volunteering, please do let us know.
Please keep us in your prayers. People to contact in the first instance: Sue Jackson, Pauline Johnson and Patricia Sutch.
SEPTEMBER CHURCHYARD WORKDAY
No working day in August, but on 25th September, the last Saturday of the month, there will be a working day for the churchyard and cemetery.
Cutting down and tidying up of herbaceous plants will be needed, plus the usual clearing of dead flowers etc. Evenings will be drawing in, and shrubs etc will need to be made tidy to cope with lower night temps.
In preparation for the October working day, I'm asking for small donations of daffodil bulbs which will be planted up on that day. All shapes, sizes and colour daffodils will be most appreciated. On that day we will also need a mini army of helpers. Please make a note on your calendars.
Thank you. All enquiries: Patricia Md 630451.
HARVEST SUPPER
All being well, we hope to hold this year’s Harvest Supper event at the Memorial Hall on Saturday 9th October (the magazine indicates 2nd October, but we have had to change the date) Book your tickets now and enjoy superb entertainment and supper. If you feel that after all this time in Lockdown you have missed seeing or being part of a live show, this is your chance to either watch or even better, take part! Don’t think you can do it? Oh, yes you can! Tickets available from Michelle on 07977 204552 or Sandra on 01622 631538.
SEPTEMBER ARRANGEMENTS
There was a generally positive reaction to the suggestion that we remove covid restrictions at the beginning of September. I have monitored covid matters in the meantime and as we know not all indicators are running in the same direction. I spoke to a medical doctor prior to the recent Classic Leadership Team which discussed how to proceed. It should be noted that we will respond both to any further guidance given and to opinions locally.
Communion will at first continue to be served in the pews. The chalice will be offered. Those who do not yet wish to receive the chalice should sit once they have received the consecrated bread.
8am Worshippers will continue to sit in alternative rows, masks may be
removed once they have taken their places.
9.30am Congregational singing will continue. Masks may be removed once in
place. Worshippers will be asked to sit in alternative rows until these are all full and then to fill in in the pew section. Chairs in the Milgate chapel and aisle will be kept socially distanced please. Please leave these seats for those who still feel the need to be socially distanced. It is hoped to restart refreshments.
11.15am This service will continue until the end of September, when it will be suspended. Masks will be worn and there will be no congregational singing. The service will either be said or with recorded music.
The pattern of services and covid precautions will be kept under review and any change in information will be reported in the weekly pewsheet. At the present time the main morning service will be kept at 9.30am. This is so that it fits in with the rota if we have to reinstate the 11.15 and to enable the clergy to help out in other churches in the North Down Team Ministry.
Arrangements for New Way will be communicated separately as the leadership team meets.
Best wishes,
John
Bookings: There is no need to book for the services at Holy Cross but please book on office@holycrosschurch.co.uk for New Way service until further notice, preferably by noon on Thursday so that Kathleen can check and confirm. The inbox will be checked again on late Saturday afternoon. Please email here to book and see Notice Sheet for further details.
On-line, New Way & Morning Prayer.
Mark Pavey continues to produce online services for the team each Sunday morning at 10.00 am - see details below. They will be no on-line services throughout August.
"Zoom Morning Prayer" 9.00am Monday to Thursday each week, continues. A simple 20 minute service with music, Scripture reading, reflection and prayer. This Week's Topic is "Thy Kingdom Come" all are welcome. See "Links" Section below for log in details.
Join us this Sunday using the links:
For 10.00 am On-Line Service (Not in August):
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/northdownschurches
Youtube
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4KnCwLrj4ACApkv_UEyXvg
They are first streamed at 10am on Sunday and remain available after being lived streamed to be watched at a convenient time.
To Join the Zoom "Zoom Morning Prayer" 9.00am Monday to Thursday each week:
Click here and enter Meeting ID & Passcode (624122) between 8.45-9.00am.
Notice Sheet for 26th September.
Notice Sheet for 19th September.
Services each Sunday until further notice:
8.00am Eucharist Holy Cross
9.30am Eucharist Holy Cross
11.15am Eucharist Holy Cross until end of September
New Way Services 10.30am at Memorial Hall 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month - need to book.
Daily Prayers will continue to be offered by the Rector in Holy Cross at the usual weekday time of 9.15am.
The Church is open for private prayer while socially distancing, please follow the instructions displayed.
We will regularly update our Pew Sheet / Notice Sheet on this page so please revisit each week for an update.
Sunday Mornings
As well as the On-line service (not in August) mentioned above which are available after being live streamed consider.
1. Radio. BBC Radio 4, Sunday Worship at 8.10am, Radio 3, Choral Evensong, Sunday 3pm,, Weds 3.30pm. The BBC can be accessed at anytime for recordings of these services.
2. TV. BBC 1 Songs of Praise Sunday 1.15pm.
3. Internet, search All Souls, Langham Place,London and St James,Muswell Hill, London for recordings of services and talks. Take care esp of content, you can always check something out with vicar. Please email office if you come across good internet resources.
4. Do more of personal devotions – pray and read the bible. Also read other Christian books.
NOTICES
WAR MEMORIAL BIOGRAPHIES
The original computer files for the WW2 Biographies for the War Memorials at Holy Cross and St Mary’s have been lost. One or more volunteers are needed to retype from printed hard copies so that they are readily available. If you can undertake this task it does not have to be done immediately.
Please email the office if you are interested.
EASTER DVD
Please email the office if you would like a copy of the Good Friday and Easter Day DVD that the Pastoral Team have produced.
Please email the office if you are interested.
SAMARA'S AID APPEAL - MEDICAL CENTRE SYRIA
Help save lives in Syria by donating towards life saving equipment
March 21
Samara’s team is in the process of opening a new medical centre in Syria in the middle of the Covid crisis. Dependable medical services are urgently needed in this poor area, and especially those which can be accessed free of charge by the poorest and most vulnerable.
Samara is raising funds to support this essential and life saving medical service now the building work is almost complete. Samara has recently got quotes for the following items which she would like to buy to equip and run the new medical centre emergency room and high dependency unit:
2 ventilators - £5,500 each,
6 – 8 patient monitors - £3,500 each
10 -12 syringe pumps - £540 each
This medical centre will be the first step towards enabling a larger Grace Hospital to be built through allowing a smaller, more manageable service first. It will run on a not for profit basis.
Please donate to help buy this life saving medical equipment by visiting MEDICAL AID: SYRIA — SAMARA'S AID APPEAL
Please continue to pray for Samara’s team in Syria led by Dr A who are making and continue to make such a difference to lives in Syria.
For more information on Samaras other current projects include an building long term Grace Hospital , running an outreach centre for orphans and widows with a food bank and children’s safespace, educational support programme, running livelihood courses for widows & farming local land to grow wheat visit here
FUND RAISING COMMITTEE
The Fund Raising Committee for the Holy Cross Church Bearsted, under the logo ‘Raise the Roof’, would like to bring you up to date with news of our fund raising activities.Since October 2017 we have held numerous events, including: quiz evenings, a murder mystery evening, a weekend flower festival, an ecumenical music hall evening with churches from Bearsted and the wider community, and 3 Christmas Fayres. We have received generous gift donations from various local concerts, and from the Bearsted and Thurnham Summer Fayre Committee.
Our fund raising efforts are as a direct result of the recent Quinquennial Report which highlighted the need to have our roof repaired. The repairs are extensive and costs will reflect this. Therefore in addition to our efforts, we are approaching Charitable Trusts to seek financial support. At the time of going to press, we have been successful in being voted a Grant donation from The Cobtree
Trust. Their Grant of £10,000 plus an offer of £10,000 as an interest free loan is a tremendous start.
We have so far raised £21,396.00 and this is due to the wonderful support given to all the above events by the People of Bearsted and the surrounding communities. This is also due to the commitment and sheer hard work of all those involved in organising and volunteering their time and energies to making the above events happen. Thank you.
CHURCH OFFICE – WEDNESDAY EVENINGS
Please note that for an experimental time the Parish Office will be discontinued on a Wednesday
Evening. The office is open as usual Monday mornings and Thursday all day.
SAMARA AID APPEAL
Latest update can be found here
HOMEGROUPS Homegroups at Holy Cross continue to meet regularly providing an opportunity to enquire about and discuss our faith and also to meet socially in an informal setting.
These are the groups, some are temporarily suspended at the moment:-
- Every Thursday afternoon - Les Smith (8 members)
- Every Monday evening - Julie Osborn (7 members)
- Every Tuesday evening - Andy Haines (10 members)
- Every Tuesday evening - Richard Sutch (6 members)
- Every other Thursday evening - Sandra Brabyn (9 members)
- Every Wednesday morning (ladies group) - Diana Sandford (11 members)
- Every other Thursday evening - Juliet Mee (9 members)
All these groups welcome new members. If you are interested in joining a group post Covid-19 please contact
Sandra Brabyn 01622 630500