A message from St Luke’s Church, Eardley Road, Sevenoaks

Garth Hewitt – Preacher – 30^th September 2018

St Luke’s has welcomed Garth many times as a singer but on 30^th September Anne Bourne has invited Garth to speak during the 1015 service. In the last 40 years, Garth has visited areas of poverty, conflict, deprivation and disaster, prioritising friendships with local people and bringing them encouragement, but always returning to Europe and the US with personal stories bringing to life media headlines, keeping individual’s stories at the forefront when newspapers have forgotten them, and challenging us, the privileged, to share, and to join the protest against injustice. He has chosen The Five Marks of Mission as a reference point to talk to us and he would like to answer our questions about Mission in today’s troubled world. This seems very timely to me. Garth will continue this theme during his Concert “Against the Grain” which will follow the service, at 12 noon. Any questions to Peter Ashwell at p.m.c.ashwell@btinternet.com or 01732 461087.

Garth Hewitt – Against the Grain Concert – 12 Noon on 30^th Sept 2018

Please organise your tim

e on this Sunday so that you can listen to Garth Hewitt sing songs from his new album and from throughout his career. You would be very welcome to attend our 1015 service and stay on afterwards to enjoy a cup of coffee and a snack in the Hall…or just turn up for the Concert at Noon.

Bishop Richard Chartres, formerly Bishop of London, said “Garth Hewitt, the Christian troubadour, shows how faith and art flow into active compassion for some of the most vulnerable people in the world. Against the Grain is an inspiration to go and do likewise.”

Lucy Winkett, Rector of St James’s Piccadilly, said “Garth Hewitt writes redemption songs and then sings them without fear. His voice comes through clearly, challenging us by his witness to act for justice. His is a brave voice, needed more than ever in a fearful world and in a sometimes timid church.”

The concert finishes at 1pm. Entry is free with a retiring collection for The Amos Trust.

Any questions? Please ask Peter Ashwell 461087 or p.m.c.ashwell@btinternet.com

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Thursday 2 August, 2018

Welcome to the August edition of Rochester Diocese's monthly e-newsletter.

Resources

Events and Training

New Archdeacon of Rochester

Andrew Wooding Jones has been appointed the new Archdeacon of Rochester. Bishop James introduced him in a letter to the Diocese.

News in brief
Stories from around the parishes

New Youth & Community Engagement Officer Craft-loving Sarah is all set to build community relations. Read more.

Iftar meal brings faiths together
People from across the faiths gathered to mark the end of Ramadan. Read more.

Mum's charity given a boost
Ightham church offers donation to charity supporting young mums. Read more

New statue of The Queen unveiled
Bishop James helps reveal statue celebrating our longest reigning monarch. Read more.

Diocesan Update
All you need to know this month from the Diocese and National Church

CONSULTATION ON THE WAY
A consultation on the introduction of Indicative Offers will commence week beginning 3 September 2018. Details here

PRAYER FESTIVAL
Explore new ways to pray and learn how to help others pray at the Diocesan Spirituality Network's Prayer Festival. Have you booked your workshop yet? Details and booking here

RIDE AND STRIDE

The annual fundraising event is almost upon us. Taking place on Saturday 8 September it is a great chance to raise funds for historic churches, chapels and meeting houses for future generations. Will your church be open or will you be taking part? Drop us an email

NEW BISHOP'S GUIDELINES
An updated set of Bishop's Guidelines is now available. It collates together information on all the matters that are regularly raised with the Bishop's Office. Find them here.

IICSA: The IICSA hearing into Peter Ball has been taking place. Full transcripts for each day can be found here.

NEW DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION: We're delighted to announce that John Constanti has been appointed as the new Director of Education. Please hold John in your prayers as he takes on full responsibility of the Rochester Board of Education.

SOCIAL ACTION SURVEY: Think-tank Demos is working with the Good Faith Partnership on a research project about church social action. They are inviting churches to help them with a survey exploring the partnership projects that churches are already doing and how they can be better supported in their work. Find the survey here.

CONNECT WITH US. FIND US AT:

Safeguarding

The safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults in our churches is of utmost importance and the Diocese takes its responsibilities in this area very seriously. We have a range of policies, forms and advice notes as well as a regular programme of training to assist parishes with their safeguarding needs.

C2: Leadership safeguarding training

Tuesday 07/08/18 at Christ Church, 40 Lubbock Road, Chislehurst, Kent BR7 5JJ Book here
Thursday 23/08/18 at Christ Church, 40 Lubbock Road, Chislehurst, Kent BR7 5JJ Book here
Wednesday 05/09/18 at St John’s Church Centre, Foxbush, Hildenborough TN11 9HT Book here
Saturday 29/09/18 at Diocesan Offices, Boley Hill, Rochester ME5 1SL Book here

C3 Clergy and Lay Ministers Safeguarding Training

Saturday 10/11/2018 St John’s Centre, St John the Baptist, Wrotham Road, Meopham DA13 0AA Book here

Online modules: The C0 and C1modules are available online and are recommended for anyone who needs a basic level of awareness of safeguarding

If you have any questions about Safeguarding, or need to report an issue, please contact the Safeguarding team here or call them on 01634 560 000.

Resources

Top resources to support you in your work, life and faith - or just to share with others.

Learning Lab - supporting your digital needs
If you run your church's online and social presence then the national digital team'sDigital Learning Lab is for you. Full of resources and advice on design, photography and how to use social media. Read their blog, like this one, all about how to create great posters for your church event.

Back to school!
We know it is still the summer holidays, but if you're looking ahead, September brings a great opportunity to show the church's support at a time of new beginnings and transition. In theseChurch Support Hub resources, you'll find ideas to connect families and other s affected by the start of the new academic year. Find them here.

Creationtide

The Creationtide season runs from 1 September to 4 October every year. ChurchCare have assembled lots ofresources to help those who wish to celebrate and cherish God's gift to humanity. Also make sure you see details of an Environment Conference taking place in October in the events section below.

Events and Training

A range of courses can be found in the Diocesan Online Course Directory here. You may also be interested in exploring the courses available at the St. Benedict's Centre here and St. Augustine's College of Theology here.

Modern Slavery Event - 8 September, St Mark’s Church, Gillingham, 2pm to 4pm Join others who want to learn what’s happening in our Diocese and the UK to irradicate modern slavery. Hear from guest speakers including the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) and the Clewer Initiative. There will also be a time of Worship and Prayer. To book click here
Faith and the Environment - 6 October, Holy Trinity Church, Sittingbourne, 9.30am to 4pm. Find out more about how we as Christians can live a more environmentally friendly life both day to day and through our churches. A day conference organised by the Diocese of Canterbury, with national and international speakers. Book by end of August for early-bird ticket of £20. More here
Social media training - SAVE THE DATE! On Tuesday 13 November we will be hosting more social media training from the national digital team. The venue is yet to be confirmed, but if you would like to receive details when we have them, please email communications@rochester.anglican.org

Vision and Aims

Enrich: Working with Schools This part of our vision seeks to see us increase Christian influence in schools across the Diocese.

WATCH: This film explains how work taking place in schools and church projects is helping our young people grow spiritually.
WATCH: School's Celebrations: Year 6 leavers from across our schools enjoyed a day of fun and celebration at Rochester Cathedral and Bromley Parish Church before the end of term. See pictures here.
The Rochester Diocese Board of Education promotes Christian distinctiveness through excellent education in the Diocese of Rochester. Find out more about their work here.