Notices for Sundays 16^th & 23^rd February

Upcoming dates from the diary (details below)
Ash Wednesday Communion (imposition of ashes for those who wish)Wed 5^th March 12noon
World Day of Prayer, St Peter’s Methodist Church, Canterbury Friday 7^th March 11am
Safeguarding Training morning Sat 8^th March 10 – 12noon

Family Time Together Sunday 9^th March 3pm
Eco Church: The Green Heart of Mission (online meeting) Tuesday 11^th March 2-3pm
A “Walk Church” from St Mary's Chartham Sunday 2pm 27^th July

During Lent
Ash Wednesday Communion Service 5th March at 12 noon.
A special service inviting us to begin the observance of a holy Lent, 'taking to heart the call to repentance and the assurance of forgiveness proclaimed in the gospel and so growing in faith and in devotion to our Lord’. During the service there will be the opportunity, for those who wish, to be marked on their forehead with ash in the sign of the cross.

Weekday Morning Prayer during Lent:
If you are available on any Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday mornings during Lent why not join us for Morning Prayer? This is from 9 to 9:30 am with - music, bible reading, reflection, silence and prayer.

Science and God: Lunchtime Talks in Lent by Rev Garth Barber. Wednesdays @12 noon, and followed by a soup lunch at 1pm
- 12 Mar: God of gaps and God of Science
- 19 Mar: The act of creation - breathing fire into the equations
- 26 Mar: Miracle or magic?
- 2nd Apr: Science’s unanswered questions.

Please sign up on the sheet at the back of church if you would like to stay for lunch. Please do invite friends and family to join us for this exciting series of Lent talks.

To celebrate God's creation there is a Walk Church, organised by Alex Bienfait, on 23^rd February starting at Crundale Church @2pm, which we have been invited to join.
Full details on this link https://walkchurch.org.uk/ or via the QR code:

And please put Sunday, 27th July in your diary for our “Walk Church” from St Mary's Chartham.

Eco Church: The Green Heart of Mission

An online meeting on Tuesday 11^th March Full details via QR code or this link www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-green-heart-of-mission-tickets-1242375441389:

Safeguarding
Safeguarding Training Saturday: 8th March 10 - 12am at St Mary’s Chartham.
An opportunity to participate in the Church of England online Safeguarding Training courses in small groups, led by Gerard O’Sullivan.
The three courses available will be

‘Basic Awareness’ - for everyone within church communities who need to have a basic awareness of safeguarding issues
‘Foundations’ - for those who hold positions of responsibility for the safeguarding of others within church settings (team leaders, PCC members….)
‘Raising Awareness of Domestic Abuse’.

This is an opportunity for everyone to find out more about Safeguarding and for those who need to take (or retake) one of the courses to do so in a group.
Further information about the courses can be found via the QR code:
or at: www.canterburydiocese.org/safeguarding/safeguarding-training/
Please sign up on the sheet at the back of church.

You will need a smartphone, laptop or tablet to access the course (one or two tablets may be available, please indicated on the sign-up sheet if you need to borrow one of these).

Collects and readings

16^th February – Morning Service
3^rd Sunday before Lent
Almighty God,
who alone can bring order
to the unruly wills and
passions of sinful humanity:
give your people grace
so to love what you command
and to desire what you promise,
that, among the many changes of this world,
our hearts may surely there be fixed
where true joys are to be found;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Psalm 1; Luke 6. 17-26

23^rd February - Holy Communion
2^nd Sunday before Lent
Almighty God,
you have created the heavens and the earth
and made us in your own image:
teach us to discern your hand in all your works
and your likeness in all your children;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who with you and the Holy Spirit reigns supreme over all things,
now and for ever.
Gen 2. 4b-9, 15-25; Luke 8. 22-25

Hello and welcome to our church. If you are a new visitor, we have a page for you to get to know us and learn more about planning a visit.
Click here to see more.

Visitors click here.

Planning your Visit

A Warm Welcome

The following information is specifically for those planning a visit, so that you know, beforehand, what to expect on a Sunday morning.

Where and When

We meet at St.Mary's (details below) for our Sunday Service starting at 10am. When you arrive, you should be greeted by someone on our Welcome Team.

We serve tea, coffee and biscuits afterward. It is a great way to meet people, or simply take time to find your bearings. All refreshments are free.

Plan your journey:

Open Google Maps

Accessibility: There is wheelchair access, and a sound loop for anyone who needs it. Please let one of the Welcome Team know on your arrival and they will help you to get set up. There are disabled toilets in the main foyer.

Our Service

The main service begins at 10am with a warm welcome..
Visit our This Sunday page for more information

Children

Getting Connected

Small Groups

While Sundays are a great way to meet new people, it is often in smaller gatherings that you can really get to know someone. Being part of one of our small groups allows you to make new friends, share together and support each other. We have a variety of groups that meet throughout the week, some afternoons and some evenings. Check out Small Groups and see if there’s one that you could join, or we can put you in touch with a small group leader who will be more than happy to invite you along to their group.

Serving and Volunteering

If you want to get involved in the life of the church and help us make Sundays run smoothly, you can sign up to serve on a team.

Get in touch with us to plan your visit

If you would like to come and visit the church beforehand you are more than welcome! Get in touch and we can arrange a time that suits you.

Name:

Telephone:

Email Address:
Comments / Questions or anything you would like to say?

Next, we will contact you by email to say hello and help arrange anything necessary for your visit.

We hope that whoever you are, you will feel at home at our church.

Best Wishes

Notices for Sundays 16th & 23rd February