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| This page is for Notices that don't
fit into the Forthcoming Events category, for example
- requests for help, ongoing activities, adverts for available
voluntary positions, general information and so on. |
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| Is everything here? If
you know of any more Notices that should be listed on this page,
please email with
the details. |
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| Please see the Calendar for
Church Services and other events and see the Events page for more
activities. |
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| Spare
Bibles for India |
Ongoing |
Giving
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Wesley Owen needs your
help!
 From
29th March to 30th May Wesley Owen are collecting all spare Bibles that you no longer
want and sending them to India where they will be a treasured gift. They say:
" There
are a great couple of verses in Isaiah 55, 'So it is with
my word that goes out... it will not return to me empty
but will accomplish what I desire, and achieve the purpose
for which I sent it."
All
you need to do is bring them or post them to your local Wesley
Owen Bookshop. Click
here for your nearest store. If you can't
get to a Wesley Owen Bookshop please
give them to Ruth (862878) who will deliver them.
"Be
part of this exciting promise of God. Hand in your spare
Bibles and we will send them to India to bless our Christian
brothers and sisters there. Go on... strip those bookshelves
bare!"
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| Rector's
Advent Charity |
Dec On |
Fundraising
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The Cost of Christmas
It is estimated that the average cost of Christmas in the UK is £838
per person. Every second, £7,600 will be spent with credit and
debit cards during Christmas.* In a society where festive overspending
has become the norm, why not make a different gift this Christmas?
Since its inception in
1987, the Church Urban Fund has given
grants in excess of £58 million to over 4,500,
faith-based projects, mostly in the top 10% poorest
communities in England.
These days we start preparing
for Christmas very early. We are very aware of the
commercial build up, the costs we face and the pressure
to get everything ready on time. During Advent we have,
however, an opportunity to prepare to celebrate the
true meaning of Christmas.
There is an ancient tradition
of leaving a place at the festive table for the unknown
person, the stranger, those who seek food and shelter,
those who are far from their homelands and who feel outcast. |
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A place is made
up at the table over the festive season. It may remain
empty as a symbol, or in some traditions a gift is placed
there.
Sometimes a prayer is made
for the stranger, the unknown 'guest'. In some parts
of the world this is specifically the Christ child.
A more contemporary version of
this is when a family adds up what they expect to spend
for gifts for themselves and for others. They then calculate
what they might give to a charity of their choice as
the gift for somebody they will never meet. This, of
course, is the most generous gift of all. |
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For Advent this year I have gift boxes for the Church
Urban Fund. After Christmas everyone who has asked for
a box from me can simply open their box and return it direct
to the CUF, with a cheque/charity voucher for the value
of their gift.
I pray that you are able to make room for a stranger
at this time of giving and receiving.
Neil Taylor
* Statistics according to The
Credit Card Research Group. This personal gift will be
in addition to the Children’s
Charities supported by each of our Parish Churches at
Christmas. |
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Please pick
up your gift box from any of the three churches |
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The Church Urban
Fund is a not for profit organisation supporting social action
in the poorest areas of England. We resource people working
at the local level who are putting their faith into action
in the places where they live.
By partnering with other organisations, we support men and
women, who are seeking to do extraordinary things for the
good of others in their communities. |
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| Darent
Valley Youth Music |
Ongoing |
Activity |
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Conductor: Duncan Dwinnell.
For young musicians of all standards.
The objectives of the society are to provide a high quality
music centre which will give young musicians of the area an
opportunity to:
• gain experience in group playing and performing
• provide members with quality music-making activities that
are appealing and engaging for young people, that are varied
in style and content and are relevant to their daily lives
• develop, encourage and sustain members' interest in all
aspects of music
• raise members' aspirations, self-confidence and self-worth
• enhance members' education in terms of the National Curriculum
• give members an opportunity to develop their technical
skills, musical knowledge and understanding in an enjoyable,
non-pressurised environment
• make music fun and accessible
Membership of the society:-
Playing Members - young people of any age up to 21 (or at the
discretion of the committee).
Non-playing Members - parents and guardians of the playing
members and those who wish to support the objects of the society.
Ex-officio Members - Director and tutors.
The group meets in St. Martin's Church on Saturday mornings
from 9:45 to 11am.
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| Benefice
Helpline |
Ongoing |
Support |
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Transport can be provided
to hospital, chiropodist, doctor or church. Please contact
Lilian on 863293. 48 hours notice would be appreciated. Queen
Mary's and DVH = £7. Chiropodist at Devon Road = £5. Farningham
Surgery = £2.
Wheelchair available for short term loan
- contact Gillian on 866228.
Feeling anxious or worried and need to talk?
Or if you know someone who needs a kind thought. Phone Mary
Hill on 862722.
Help for the Elderly. Phone Mary Hill on
862722
for a comprehensive booklet.
Hospital Visiting. Please notify Gillian
on 866228 if someone would like a visit from the church pastoral
team.
If you or someone you know is in need of pastoral care and
you cannot contact
the Pastoral Assistant or any other pastoral
team member, please phone Delia Germaine on 01732 763 090. |
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