Biddenden Church and Smarden Church: notices

CHURCH NOTICES for week beginning Sunday, 5th September 2010

All Saints:  Charity Pot for Pakistan Flood Disaster Appeal.  The Charity Pot will be out till 14^th September in the church.   Please give generously this appeal.

Biddenden Study group:  The role of Intercessions in services:  All welcome.  Weds 8^th Sept 8pm. Venue : 39 North Street,  Please speak to Alex for further details.

Opportunities to help:
Baptism visitors: We would like to develop the support for Baptism families.  If you are interested in helping with the visiting and preparation for baptisms please speak to Alex or Judy.

Can you help support Smarden's Sacristan's team?  If you are interested in helping please speak to either Vivienne Rose (770349),  Jackie Seaton, Barbara Spear, or Annette Haynes( 770367).

Daily Bible Readings:  Short daily readings, useful for your daily prayer, provided by the community Taize, are available for September. Sheets available by the prayer candles in each church.

'Four Dens' Men's Breakfast:  'The Spiritual Man'. Saturday 16^th October, 8.00am to 10.30am at Chart Hills Golf Club, Biddenden. Guest Speaker:  Rev'd Steve Coneys, Team Rector of Whitstable and Vicar of St Alphege, Seasalter. Tickets £12 from Alex.  (But £10 if booked today 4^th Sept)

Heritage Open Days:  All Saints Biddenden is taking part in Heritage Open Days getween 9^th and 12^th September. Each day is having a different theme, in particular on Sunday, between 2pm and 4pm, Prue Stokes will be answering questions about the history of the church and there will be an opportunity to try brass rubbing. We need to encourage people to take this opportunity to step inside and look at this important building in the heart of their village.  Please contact Julie Lupton (291658) if you can offer an hour or so of your time on any of these days.

Friends of Kent Churches Sponsored Bike Ride and Stride - Saturday 11^th September, 10.00am to 6.00pm. This is an annual event, the proceeds of which go towards supporting the maintenance of old churches throughout Kent.  50% of the money raised goes to churches nominated by the participants, the remainder to a grant fund administered by the Friends of Kent Churches.  Last year £150,000 was raised.  You may cycle, walk or run, in an effort to visit as many churches as possible during the day.  Full details in parish magazines, but for Biddenden please contact Kate Whapham (01580 291587) if you are interested in taking part;  for Smarden, sponsorship forms are at the rear of church, and you can also join the regular team who leave the church at 10.00am.  Contacts:  David King (01233 770400) or Hugh Perrott (01233 770429)

Saturday 18^th September 7.30pm:  Come to St Michael's Church, Smarden to hear "SING JOYFULLY",
a programme of music sung by the Choir of the Royal Church of St Alfege, Greenwich.  Entrance is free and a retiring collection will be taken to be shared between St Michael's Church and St Alfege Church.  Wine and refreshments will be available.

Pastoral Team Open Evening:  Biddenden and Smarden parish churches have arranged an Open Evening at Smarden Charter Hall on Wednesday 29^th September at 8.00pm.  The subject of this meeting will be Care of the Aged and there will be speakers from Ashford Care Navigator Service and East Kent & Coastal PCT.  All welcome.  More details in parish magazines, or contact Alex Bienfait or Pearl Anderson (01622 890043)

Snowdown Colliery Choir will be performing at All Saints Church Biddenden on Saturday 2^nd October at 7.30pm. Tickets available from Sally Giles (291649) or Kate Whapham (291597) £9, if purchased before 30th September, or £10 on the door. Under 18 £5, under 12 free.

Celebrate 150 years since the 'sending forth' of the first UMCA missionaries to Africa:  2^nd October in Canterbury Cathedral - Evensong at 3.15pm, followed by a reception in the Cathedral Lodge at 4.30pm.  Anyone interested in attending, please contact Julie Lupton on 01580 291658.