It was a great joy to share in the licensing service for Jo Purle and Adam Childs on Tuesday evening at St Mary’s Ashford. People from the parish mingled with Adam and Jo’s families, friends and supporters, who had travelled from as far afield as North Yorkshire to participate. The bishop’s preaching was inspiring, key moments of the service deeply moving, and the music uplifting. I’m so grateful to everyone who worked hard to support this wonderful occasion and to all from the parish who attended.
Jo and Adam will be welcomed this Sunday in the churches where they will initially have pastoral responsibility. After that, they’ll be preaching in turn at all the other churches in the parish, before being back at home base for March. So everyone should get a chance to meet them and to receive their ministry in the coming weeks.
I’ve already started talking with Adam and Jo and my other clergy colleagues about how we can work with one another to serve the whole parish more effectively, for instance by taking responsibility for coordinating and developing key sectors of ministry. Jo and Adam will also be joining the Mission Action Planning Coordinating Group and supporting initiatives for mission across our town.
As you may guess, I’m someone who likes to plan. But I know it’s important to remember that our planning needs to be always focused on keeping in line with God’s plans. As we sung at the licensing service, ‘You’ve got plans to give us a future and a hope’. I’m looking forward to the journey into God’s plans, and to sharing it with Adam and Jo – and all of you.
WELCOME REV JO & REV ADAM
On 11th January, Bishop Rose licensed our two new Team Vicars, Rev Jo Purle & Rev Adam Childs to our parish.
About 100 attended the Licensing Service in St Mary's Ashford to welcome Jo & Adam and their families.
Rev Jo will be looking after Singleton. Rev Adam will be looking after Kingsnorth & Shadoxhurst.
Please welcome Rev Jo and Rev Adam. We pray for them as they continue their Christian journey with the Ashford Parish Family.
Welcome!
HOLY WEEK - WITH SPECIAL GUESTS
Some church members may remember that the Archbishop of Canterbury was due to visit the Ashford Deanery for Holy Week in 2020. The first lockdown meant that couldn’t happen, but we’re really excited to be able to let you know that plans are coming together for him to be with us this year instead. Archbishop Justin will be accompanied by members of the Community of St Anselm, four of whom will be based in our parish for the week. The Archbishop’s team have described the two primary aims as encouraging the churches and talking about Jesus, especially with those who don’t yet know him.
The timetable for the week is still at the planning stage, but please be aware that Holy Week this year will be a very special opportunity for ‘sharing our story’ (the theme for the week) with the people of our parish. That needs to feed into the planning in each of our churches – and into our prayers.
This Living in Love and Faith course starts on Tuesday 18 January at St Mary’s Ashford. It’s been produced for the Church of England by a team of church leaders and academics working together over more than three years, and it looks at some of the most sensitive and challenging questions for the church today. Those who participate will be able to feed into a national process of consultation.
We’ve got room for a few more people – if you’re interested, please contact Jacquie Stamp in the church office, if possible before the end of the week (email jacquie.stamp@ashfordchurches.co.uk).
MEETING ONLINE FOR WORSHIP AND PRAYER
All are most welcome to join in our online services:
On Monday 24th January 2022, 5pm-8pm, you are invited to attend the Private Viewing of recent paintings by Sophie Bedingham Smith and art scholars and students at Ashford School.
The exhibition is an investigation in oil exploring their individual imagined and invented landscapes.
The exhibition opening times are 25 January to 27 January 10am to 4pm and 28 January 10am to 12 noon at St Mary’s Church, Churchyard, Ashford TN23 1QG
JANUARY
16th January 2022 – St Mary’s Ashford – “Putting the Puff Back in the Pipes” – Third Sunday Concerts – 3.30 pm – Jane Wisely, Piano – Admission £5.00 minimum – Doors Open at 3.00 pm for a cup of tea. – This concert helps to raise vital funds for the refurbishment of the organ. For More details and a flyer for this concert series, please contact the parish office at info@ashfordchurches.co.uk
18th January 2021 – Living in Love and Faith – St Mary’s Ashford – 7.30 pm – This five-week course starts on Tuesday 18 January at St Mary’s Ashford. It’s been produced for the Church of England and looks at some of the most sensitive and challenging questions for the church today. Please let Jacquie Stamp in the church office know if you would like to take part (email jacquie.stamp@ashfordchurches.co.uk). To help us organize things, it would be great if you could do that by Wednesday 12 January.
22nd January 2022 – St Mary’s Willesborough – 8.00 pm – 11.00 pm – Abba Chique – Tickets £20 at time of booking. This includes a light supper with drinks available at the bar. TO book your tickets please call the parish office on 01233 620433
29th January 2022 – Burns Night supper with dancing – St Mary’s Church Ashford. £12 for adults £6 for children. Tickets from Mary Jarret 07810 148880 or email mj-1947@ntlworld.com
30th January 2022 – New Wine Network Celebration – St Mary, Bredin, Canterbury, CT1 3JN – 6.30 pm – St Mary Bredin are hosting a Worship, Prayer & a talk from Archbishop Justin. Open to all across Kent!
Every Saturday – 10 am – 12 noon – Community Cafe, St Mary’s Ashford.
Every Monday to Friday 9.00 am – 1.00 pm – in inSpire Café, St Mary’s Willesborough.
FEBRUARY
20th February 2022 – St Mary’s Ashford – “Putting the Puff Back in the Pipes” – Third Sunday Concerts – 3.30 pm – Helen Bailey, Soprano and James Clements, Baritone – Admission £5.00 minimum – Doors Open at 3.00 pm for a cup of tea. – This concert helps to raise vital funds for the refurbishment of the organ. For More details and a flyer for this concert series, please contact the parish office at info@ashfordchurches.co.uk
Every Saturday – 10 am – 12 noon – Community Cafe, St Mary’s Ashford.
Every Monday to Friday 9.00 am – 1.00 pm – in inSpire Café, St Mary’s Willesborough.
For Adam and Jo as they begin to build relationships, set patterns for life and ministry here in Ashford, and discern their priorities for these first few months
For those participating in the Living in Love and Faith course – that together we would grow in understanding of the Scriptures, of our society, and of one another
For those involved in the initial planning for the Archbishop’s time with us in Holy Week – for creative ideas, careful thinking, and openness to the guidance of the Holy Spirit
For those who work in the hospitality sector in our parish
Diocesan Prayer:
Merciful God, in our prayer we bring to mind the Biblical stories of those who sought to discern your presence and ways. There was Abraham who felt called to a far country, and Esther who stood up to power. There was Jeremiah who felt too young, and Anna who waited many years. There was Nehemiah who determined to build despite opposition, and John who dreamed of a future city. Because these people, and many unnamed others like them sincerely sought you, we are here today, like them seeking you for life and direction. Lead us we pray, we will follow. Amen.
(Prayer request written by Canon Neville Emslie -
Diocesan Director of Mission and Ministry)
