Good News for Ashford - 6 March 2022

GOOD NEWS FOR ASHFORD

SUNDAY 6 MARCH 2022

TEAM RECTOR’S MESSAGE

‘I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy word.’
Many of us will have heard those words this week, from the introduction to the Ash Wednesday service. It can sound like quite a forbidding list of things we’re supposed to do in Lent. Must we make time for all of them?
Lent is a time for seeking to draw near to Christ in his trials and his suffering. To draw near to him is always joy, but as he is all light, so the closer we come to him the more the darkness that clings to us is shown up. Hence the need for self-examination and repentance, and the rest – but all for the sake of knowing him.
We might start by taking just one thing from the list and committing to making extra space for it this Lent. In whatever way we are observing Lent this year, may we draw nearer to Christ, and be changed.

MESSAGE FROM PHIL SIBBALD

Dear All
I just wanted to say a big thank you for all my gifts and best wishes on my departure as Team Development Officer; I was very touched.
I look forward now to a new chapter and I will see you around the parish in due course.
Every Blessing,
Phil

SHARING OUR STORY – LENT COURSE

There are at least nine different groups around the parish using this year’s Lent course, ‘Sharing our Story’. Some have limited numbers as they meet in people’s homes, though there will be plenty of room at Willesborough church for those meeting there from Wednesday 9 March at 1 p.m.

If you’re not already part of a group and would like to join one, daytime or evening, please speak to one of the clergy or contact the office - info@ashfordchurches.co.uk or 01233 620433

YEAR OF LIVING GENEROUSLY

The Old Testament reading for this Sunday, from the Church of England’s pattern of readings, speaks of offering to God ‘some of the first of all the fruit of the ground, which you harvest from the land that the Lord your God is giving you’ (Deuteronomy 26.2).

It’s a good starting point for thinking about what living generously might mean for our attitude to our possessions and our money. Look out for further exploration of that in sermons this week.

OBERAMMERGAU 2022

The Deanery holiday to Austria and Oberammergau for the Passion Play from June 24th to July 1st has unexpectedly secured 2 more twin rooms.

If you are interested and would like further details then please contact Canon Paul Miller by email paulmiller@roundisland.net .

The holiday includes a 5 day stay in Maria Alm with all excursions included and 2 nights in the Passion Play Village of Oberammergau for the Passion Play.

Coach travel from Ashford to Heathrow has been arranged. Flights will be from Heathrow to Munich and return.

ROTARY CENTENARY SERVICE

On February 23rd the Rotary Club of Ashford held a Service of Celebration, Hope and Togetherness at St. Mary's Ashford to celebrate their 100^th Anniversary. It was actually formed on February 23rd 1922.

The service was led by Canon Paul Miller and the address was given by the Revd. Philip Cox, a Past President of the Club. There was a large congregation and the choir of St. Mary’s, under the direction of Bryan Gipps, led the singing.

The current President, Amanda Cottrell, was overjoyed to have the opportunity to focus on this milestone with a church service and then to enjoy the facilities of St. Mary’s with an anniversary supper after the service. She writes: "I have been inundated with messages from Rotarians who said that it was a defining moment for them in their Rotary lives. It has been a difficult and frightening two years, and somehow last night’s celebration triggered a very emotional reaction in a good way."

Commenting on the occasion, Canon Paul said: "This was a very special service for a significant organisation that has a very strong following in Ashford. It was a great example of how we can engage across the community to share these special moments."

UNLEASH YOUR INNER POIROT at CHRIST CHURCH COMMUNITY HALL NEXT SATURDAY

TO BOOK, CALL 07951 648030

The Hubert Fountain in Victoria Park; starting point for the Reclaim the Streets walk,
led by Bishop Rose, Sunday 6 March, 5:30pm

WHAT'S ON

MARCH 2022

6th March 2022 – Reclaim These Streets – a walk for womens’ rights to safety, led by Bishop Rose. Begins at the fountain in Victoria Park at 5:30pm. Finishes at the Bandstand in the High Street. All welcome.

12th March 2022 – An Englishman in New York – a Murder Mystery evening performed by Murder Again at Christ Church Community Hall, 7:30pm. £5 per person. Maximum 6 people per team. Bring your own food and drink. To book, please call 07951 648030 or contact the parish office team (info@ashfordchurches.co.uk), who will pass your details on to the organisers.

18th March 2022 – St Mary’s Willesborough – Film Night – For more details please contact the parish office – info@ashfordchurches.co.uk or 01233 620433

19th March 2022 – Quiz Night – WI Hall, Faversham Road, Kennington, 7:00pm. Bring your own drinks and nibbles. Tables of up to 6 people: £3 per head. To book, contact the parish office team (info@ashfordchurches.co.uk or 01233 620433) who will put you in touch with the organisers.

20th March 2022 – St Mary’s Ashford – “Putting the Puff Back in the Pipes” – Third Sunday Concerts – 3.30 pm – Invicta Singers, Ashford – 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 – 01233 620433 or info@ashfordchurches.co.uk

26th March 2022 – Coffee Morning with guest Speaker – 10:00am at St Mary’s Community Centre, Rylands Road, Kennington – coffee, chat and a guest speaker.

26th March 2022 – Refresh; a Womens’ Day of prayer – 10:00am-4:00pm at Kingsnorth church. £10 per person, including lunch. To book, email the organisers at bruisedjb@aol.com

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.

APRIL

3rd April 2022 - St Mary's Community Centre, 3.00pm, 'The Life of Michelangelo', an illustrated talk by Jackie Clayton. Minimum £3 on the door. Free tea/coffee and cake.

17th April 2022 – St Mary’s Ashford – “Putting the Puff Back in the Pipes” – Third Sunday Concerts – 3.30 pm – Easter Day Festival Choral Evensong with St Mary’s Singers – Free Admission – Doors Open at 3.00 pm. Refreshments available. 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

23rd April 2022 – St Mary’s Willesborough – St George’s Day Celebration – 7.00 pm – Dancing to Contraband – For more details please contact the parish office – info@ashfordchurches.co.uk or 01233 620433

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 information about events later in the year, please click on the button below:

A PRAYER FOR UKRAINE

(Archbishop Stephen Cottrell & Archbishop Justin Welby)

We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace.
that you would hold and protect them.
Above all, we pray for all your precious children, at risk and in fear,
for wisdom, discernment and compassion to guide their decisions.
We pray for those with power over war or peace,
that your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them.
We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow,
We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons.
we pray for the people of Ukraine today.
God of peace and justice,
Amen

DIOCESAN PRAYER, 6 MARCH 2022

[Re: Luke 19.1-10] Jesus, you wait for us. Waiting at the roots of a tangled sycamore tree. You know where we hide and you know how tightly we cling to the knotted, gnarled branches, glad to be hidden by the leaves. And so you wait. Waiting for us to look down; to discover your face looking up. Today I must stay at your house. The words jolt us, the unexpected catches us by surprise. And it’s then, scrambling down without dignity, that we can begin the journey of a life time; journeying with you. Breaking butterfly-like from the chrysalis of what we used to think gave shape and meaning to who we were. Suddenly our hearts are opened and we see our neighbours as if for the first time, with a love that gives without counting the cost. A love which calls us, knows us, and sends us to love the world with openness and generosity, spreading our arms as widely as a sycamore leaf.

(Reflection written by Primrose Northrop - Calendar of Prayer Co-ordinator)

IN THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION -
on this First Sunday of Lent, pray for The Anglican Church of Korea