GNFA - 23 January 2022

GOOD NEWS FOR ASHFORD

23 January 2022

TEAM RECTOR’S MESSAGE

I’m looking forward to the Praise and Worship event for all the churches in Ashford that will be happening at Bright City Church this Sunday evening. For me, there’s something really special about Christians from different churches coming together for worship, witness and discipleship. It’s a sign and a foretaste of the reconciliation of the whole world to God through the cross of Christ.

We’re in the middle of the worldwide Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which takes place each year between the 18^th and the 25^th of January. Did you know that? Could you find some way to join in this year, perhaps by sharing in the event at Bright City, or by making this a focus in your prayers?

What should we pray for? What’s the change we want to see? There’s no doubt that relations between different churches are in many places much more open and supportive than they have been in the past. Is that enough? I’m not so sure. The night before he died, Jesus prayed to the Father for those who would believe in him, that ‘they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me’ (John 17.22–23). I don’t think we’re there yet, and we need to keep sharing in that prayer of our one Lord.

INTRODUCING REVD ADAM CHILDS,
TEAM VICAR

This is going to be quite an adventure, and one that I've been looking forward to for some time now. I’ve lived most my life in East London, from Dagenham to Walthamstow with a stop in Cambridge in-between. So, moving to Kingsnorth, Ashford, Kent is a massive change for us as a family.

I’m married to Becky and we have two boys Seth (5) and Jonah (2). We love getting out and about and having new adventures. I like discovering new technology, enjoy designing and editing, and going to the cinema. I like watching American football and discovering a new series on Netflix, but most of all I love spending time with Becky and the boys and we are really enjoying our time here so far. From trips to Camber Sands in wintery sand storms to exploring local parks and all that Ashford has to offer.

Ashford has a lot to offer, and that's one of the things that kept coming to me as I went through the process of discerning my next post. Ashford has such huge potential as an area of mission and as a place to build community. A community that we can't wait to become a part of.

I grew up going to church with my parents most of that time was spent at one church (St. Chad’s Chadwell Heath) and so church for me has always been an extension of family: its the place I grew up, the community I was a part of, the people that inspired me. It was only when I went into ordination training that I started going to other churches.

I trained at Ridley Hall in Cambridge and spent my curacy in the parish of Walthamstow in East London, and each time I’ve been involved in a new church it’s always been about building community and family as we discover the beauty, awe and wonder of God together.

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN ASHFORD

Celebrating the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

NEW WINE NETWORK CELEBRATION

Worship, Prayer and a talk from Archbishop Justin.
Sunday 30^th January 2022, 6.30pm,
St Mary Bredin Church, 59 Nunnery Fields, Canterbury CT1 3JN
Open to all across Kent!

WALK, WORSHIP, EAT CAKE!

For Walk Church in January, please meet at St. Mary's Great Chart at 1:45pm for a 2pm start on Sunday 23rd January.

The walk will be approximately 2 hours, covering about 4 miles.

Your walk leader will Revd Alex Bienfait, who says:
"With the wet slippery conditions we've looked for a relatively mud free route, and have one here local to Great Chart. You won't totally escape the need for boots, but it's much less slippery than in some places. Afterwards there will be tea cake in our new home in Singleton Road."

More information about the Walk Church community can be found at www.walkchurch.org.uk

VOLUNTEER AT inSpire CAFE

We need more volunteers to help us run this community cafe, which is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am - 1:00pm at St Mary's church, Willesborough.

If you can help, please contact the Parish Office:
Email - info@ashfordchurches.co.uk Tel - 01233 620433

FLOWER ARRANGERS

We are looking for flower arrangers to help with the flower displays for St Mary's Great Chart Flower and Mouse Festival on the weekend of 16-17 July 2022.

The festival is being held to raise funds for Great Chart's Prepare the Way Project to improve the path and entrance to the church.

Arrangers will be needed in the week prior to the event, and the flowers to be arranged will be provided.

There will be a meeting in early February to discuss ideas for the festival.

If you can help, please contact the Parish Office and your details will be passed to the festival organisers.

Email: info@ashfordchurches.co.uk Tel: 01233 620433

USED POSTAGE STAMPS

St Mary the Virgin Church in Ashford is collecting used postage stamps for the charity Canine Partners.

If you have any used stamps to donate, please put them in an envelope and give them to your local clergy, who will deliver them to the Parish Office for you.

Further information about charity can be found at:
www.caninepartners.org.uk/

PRAYING TOGETHER

FOR THE DIOCESE
God of new mornings, we are astonished that every sunrise is different, as is every leaf, every snowflake, every person. We reflect in wonder at your love of uniqueness and are amazed that you delight in every manifestation of personhood. May these thoughts enliven the way we are with people today, and may they renew our hope for a just and peaceable world. Grant to us the gift of being able to delight. Amen.

(Prayer request written by Canon Neville Emslie -
Diocesan Director of Mission and Ministry)