Sunday Worship podcast and other news from Seal Church: April 14 2024

 

Dear Friends Listen to today's worship podcast by clicking on the picture above.  Anne Le Bas Worship Online Worship podcast - Click on picture above Order of service (I am having problems with the phone-in version of this podcast, so the 01732 928061 number is not working properly at the moment. I am also having issues with Spotfiy. If you subscribe on Spotify,  this week's and future podcasts can be found here. Access to past podcasts here. It is simpler to use the Youtube link in the picture above, however!) DONATE TO SEAL CHURCH HERE - all contributions gratefully received to keep the church thriving! In the church building today 10 am    All Age Worship 6.30pm Breathing Space Holy Communion This week:  Wed                        10.30 am Lavender Fields Holy Communion                                 4.30pm Children's Choir in the hall                                 7.15pm Choir Friday                     9am Morning prayer in church                                10.30am Friday Group in the Church Hall                                Next Sunday  10 am  Holy Communion and Baptism: Robin Thomas 6.30pm Evensong (said with hymns) Easter 3 Luke's account of Jesus appearing to his disciples in the locked room where they are hiding contains the curious detail of him asking for something to eat. All that is on offer is some "broiled fish" (and honeycomb in some versions), which Jesus takes and eats. He does this to show that he isn't a ghost, or a figment of their imagination, but a real physical being.  We sometimes think of Christmas as being the feast of the Incarnation - the moment when "the Word becomes flesh" and God is born as a human being in Bethlehem. In some ways, though, Easter is just as much about incarnation, about the importance of physical creation and re-creation. Christianity, like Judaism in which it is spiritually rooted, is not a faith which discounts or despises material things, but instead sees them as "very good" in the words of God in the book of Genesis. Christian faith is not about "pie in the sky when you die", but about the blessedness of the present moment. All Age Ideas In today's Gospel story, the risen Jesus eats some "broiled fish" - fish cooked on a grill. It shows his disciples that he isn't a ghost, but real, and that God cares about the real things that worry them. He isn't far away, but right where they are. What do you feel like today? Could you draw a face that shows your feelings? What has happened in the last week that makes you happy, or makes you sad? What are you looking forward to in the next week? Tell God about these things and remember that he is always with you.  CHURCH AND COMMUNITY NEWS MESSY CATHEDRAL There’s no Messy Church at Seal next Sunday because on Saturday we are taking part in Rochester Cathedral’s “Messy Cathedral”. Seal Church’s Messy Church team are manning one of the activities, so we’d love to see some familiar faces there! Rochester Cathedral Saturday April 20  1.30-3.30 Bring a rug or cushion to sit on for the worship, and a picnic to eat with others after the session if you would like to.  Just like our Messy Church sessions, this is for all ages, and it’s free. ELECTORAL ROLL If you are not on our Electoral Roll, and would like to be, please fill in a form which you can find at the back of the church, or download here. Being on the church Electoral Roll qualifies you to vote at the Annual Meeting on May 12, but also means that, if you don’t live in the parish, you could be buried in the churchyard, if you want to. The closing date for applications is April 21st. Completed forms should be returned to the Electoral Roll officer, Wivine Turner, c/o The Vicarage, Church Street, Seal, TN15 0AR CONFIRMATION I am planning to organise some confirmation preparation with a view to taking candidates to a Confirmation service at St Giles Farnborough on Sunday June 16 at 4pm. I would need to meet with candidates a number of times for some preparation – in a group if possible, but otherwise one to one. If you would like to be confirmed, please let me know as soon as possible. This will be the last opportunity to be prepared and presented for confirmation before I retire. SATURDAY MAY 4TH, VINE GARDENS SEVENOAKS  10.30-4PM SEVENOAKS CLIMATE FAIR Free entry - all welcome! Talks, stalls, workshops, food and drink and much more! Bringing businesses, charities and community groups together, and anybody else who is passionate about the climate emergency to empower Sevenoaks to reach Net Zero. SO.... IS YOUR GRANNY A DAB HAND WITH A LITTER PICKER? HAS YOUR BUSINESS WALKED THE EXTRA MILE TO CUT ITS CARBON FOOTPRINT? This event will champion the local unsung climate heroes, taking grassroot action to save the planet. So if you, or you know of anybody, group or business, meeting this criteria, please get in touch - email sevenoaksclimatefair@gmail.com and give the name, age, and story of your nominee in no more than 200 words. A photo would be great too!Winners will be announce at the S CAN CLIMATE FAIR at the above event. SATURDAY MAY 11TH SEAL VILLAGE ALLOTMENTS MIDDAY - 3PM   Plant Sale and Refreshments - ALL WELCOME! SEAL VILLAGE HALL NEWS The feedback regarding the idea of a pop-up cinema, has been phenominal - clearly a popular idea, and one that the Friends of Seal Village Hall, look forward to getting set up. If you haven't already, please let me know if you would be interested in coming along to such an event, AND ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE ABLE, to help with the organisation of it. We all look forward to further responses. SEAL PARISH ANNUAL ASSEMBLY THURSDAY MAY 15TH Seal Pavilion at 7.30pm. All welcome. GARDEN SAFARI REQUESTS New gardens and raffle prizes + plants for the Seal Garden Safari If you have a lovely garden in Seal, please contact me about opening it on Sunday 30 th June at the next Garden safari. I would also like any spare raffle prizes and plants (house or garden) for the safari. In the next few weeks … this is the ideal time to divide your perennials. The money raised this year will be going to Cancer and Mind charities. In other years we have raised about £400 for the raffle and plants which is about half of the money! Thanks to the people who have already said YES to me! Many thanks in advance Frances Fish 01732 760007 mob 07749240456

Copyright © 2024 St Peter and St Paul, Seal, All rights reserved. You're receiving this email because you are a part of our church family, and we thought you would like to know the latest news from Seal Church/ Our mailing address is: St Peter and St Paul, Seal Church Street Seal Sevenoaks, Kent TN15 0AR United Kingdom

Sunday Worship podcast and other news: April 7 2024

 

Dear Friends Listen to today's worship podcast by clicking on the picture above.  Anne Le Bas Worship Online Worship podcast - Click on picture above Order of service (I am having problems with the phone-in version of this podcast, so the 01732 928061 number is not working properly at the moment.) DONATE TO SEAL CHURCH HERE - all contributions gratefully received to keep the church thriving!

In the church building today 10 am Holy Communion  6.30pm Evensong (said, with hymns) This week:  Wed                         NO Zoom Church today, sorry Good Friday           9am Morning prayer in church                                10.30am Friday Group in the Church Hall                                 Next Sunday  10 am   All Age Worship 6.30pm Breathing Space Holy Communion

Easter 2 Kevin is preaching today, on the Gospel story always set for the second Sunday of Easter, the story of Jesus' appearance to his disciples in the locked upper room where they had been hiding. One of the disciples was missing though. We don't know where Thomas was on that first occasion, but Jesus appears just for him. Thomas is often known as "Doubting Thomas", and people can feel that it is wrong to doubt or question their faith. In reality, though, the inclusion of this story communicates that this is not only common, but also healthy. Ancient tradition says that Thomas travelled to India with the Gospel, where he was eventually martyred, and the Mar Thoma (St Thomas) Christians of Southern India trace their origins to his mission - however unsure he was at the outset, his faith was all the stronger for his questioning.  In depictions of Thomas' meeting with Jesus, it is interesting to see where the painter has chosen to show Thomas looking. Sometimes, as in the depiction by Guercino, above, Thomas seems fixated on the wound in Christ's side. In others, like the famous version by Caravaggio, right, Thomas is looking away - Jesus almost seems to be forcing him to touch his wound. In Daniel Seiter's version, though, bottom right, Thomas is looking at Jesus' face, as if he has seen who he is for the first time, which fits with his exclamation "My Lord and my God!".

All Age Ideas Easter isn't one day. It is a whole season lasting fifty days - right up to Pentecost (also sometimes called Whitsun). During this time we hear lots of stories of Jesus appearing to his friends after his resurrection from death. Today it is Thomas's turn. Thomas wasn't there when the other disciples saw Jesus, but Jesus came just to see him a week later.  Easter is a time of joy - what do you do that brings you joy? What could you do that might bring someone else joy? You could make a playlist of some joyful songs to play when you feel sad or tired.

CHURCH AND COMMUNITY NEWS ECO-CHURCH BLUEBELL WALK There will be an Easter holiday Bluebell Walk on Saturday 13th April, meeting at our lychgate at 10.30am, driving to and parking at  the Rising Sun and strolling in the Bluebell woods, finishing with refreshments at the hostelry. It would be lovely to have some of you along!  ELECTORAL ROLL If you are not on our Electoral Roll, and would like to be, please fill in a form which you can find at the back of the church, or download here. Being on the church Electoral Roll qualifies you to vote at the Annual Meeting on May 12, but also means that, if you don’t live in the parish, you could be buried in the churchyard, if you want to. The closing date for applications is April 21st. Completed forms should be returned to the Electoral Roll officer, Wivine Turner, c/o The Vicarage, Church Street, Seal, TN15 0AR CONFIRMATION I am planning to organise some confirmation preparation with a view to taking candidates to a Confirmation service at St Giles Farnborough on Sunday June 16 at 4pm. I would need to meet with candidates a number of times for some preparation – in a group if possible, but otherwise one to one. If you would like to be confirmed, please let me know as soon as possible. This will be the last opportunity to be prepared and presented for confirmation before I retire. SATURDAY MAY 4TH, VINE GARDENS SEVENOAKS  10.30-4PM SEVENOAKS CLIMATE FAIR Free entry - all welcome! Talks, stalls, workshops, food and drink and much more! Bringing businesses, charities and community groups together, and anybody else who is passionate about the climate emergency to empower Sevenoaks to reach Net Zero. SO.... IS YOUR GRANNY A DAB HAND WITH A LITTER PICKER? HAS YOUR BUSINESS WALKED THE EXTRA MILE TO CUT ITS CARBON FOOTPRINT? This event will champion the local unsung climate heroes, taking grassroot action to save the planet. So if you, or you know of anybody, group or business, meeting this criteria, please get in touch - email sevenoaksclimatefair@gmail.com and give the name, age, and story of your nominee in no more than 200 words. A photo would be great too!Winners will be announce at the S CAN CLIMATE FAIR at the above event. SATURDAY MAY 11TH SEAL VILLAGE ALLOTMENTS MIDDAY - 3PM   Plant Sale and Refreshments - ALL WELCOME! SEAL VILLAGE HALL NEWS The feedback regarding the idea of a pop-up cinema, has been phenominal - clearly a popular idea, and one that the Friends of Seal Village Hall, look forward to getting set up. If you haven't already, please let me know if you would be interested in coming along to such an event, AND ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE ABLE, to help with the organisation of it. We all look forward to further responses. SEAL PARISH ANNUAL ASSEMBLY THURSDAY MAY 15TH Seal Pavilion at 7.30pm. All welcome. GARDEN SAFARI REQUESTS New gardens and raffle prizes + plants for the Seal Garden Safari If you have a lovely garden in Seal, please contact me about opening it on Sunday 30 th June at the next Garden safari. I would also like any spare raffle prizes and plants (house or garden) for the safari. In the next few weeks … this is the ideal time to divide your perennials. The money raised this year will be going to Cancer and Mind charities. In other years we have raised about £400 for the raffle and plants which is about half of the money! Thanks to the people who have already said YES to me! Many thanks in advance Frances Fish 01732 760007 mob 07749240456

Easter Sunday worship podcast: March 31 2024

 

DON'T FORGET THAT THE CLOCKS WENT FORWARD BY AN HOUR LAST NIGHT!  DON'T BE THE PERSON WHO IS AN HOUR LATE FOR CHURCH IF YOU ARE COMING!   Dear Friends Listen to today's worship podcast by clicking on the picture above.  Anne Le Bas Worship Online Worship podcast - Click on picture above Order of service You can also access this podcast by phoning 01732 928061 DONATE TO SEAL CHURCH HERE - all contributions gratefully received to keep the church thriving! In the church building today 10 am Holy Communion for Easter Sunday 6.30pm Evensong (said, with hymns) This week:  Wed                         NO Good Book Club Good Friday            Morning prayer in church                                10.30am Friday Group in the Church Hall                                 Next Sunday  10 am   Holy Communion  6.30pm Evensong (said, with hymns) Easter Sunday Happy Easter! Today's sermon focuses on the resurrection story in John's Gospel, a story set in a garden. None of the other Gospels specify this, but as Jesus was buried in a tomb bought by and intended for Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy member of the Jewish leading council, and as it was as popular then as now for people to want to bury their loved ones in beautiful surroundings, it is quite a likely scenario.  Mary mistakes Jesus for the gardener, and the sermon explores why this might be and what the significance might be.  Are you keen on gardening? If you enjoy it, why is that? The Greek verb meaning "to garden" could also mean "to tend" or "to cherish". What or who tends you. What makes you feel cherished?  Do you feel cherished by God? Jesus called Mary by name, which is how she recognised him. How would you respond if you heard him calling your name?  All Age Ideas In John's Gospel it says that Jesus' tomb, and the place where Mary met him was in a garden. When Mary first met Jesus after he was raised from death, she thought he was the gardener. Gardeners look after plants and notice them, so in a way, he was a gardener, looking after Mary. Take a look around your garden or an open space near you (or the churchyard). What signs of spring can you see? What plants, insects and birds can you see? Make an Easter banner with lots of bright colours and happy pictures. Hang it somewhere you can see it. Easter lasts 50 days, not just until you've finished your Easter eggs, so there is plenty of time to celebrate! CHURCH AND COMMUNITY NEWS ELECTORAL ROLL If you are not on our Electoral Roll, and would like to be, please fill in a form which you can find at the back of the church, or download here. Being on the church Electoral Roll qualifies you to vote at the Annual Meeting on May 12, but also means that, if you don’t live in the parish, you could be buried in the churchyard, if you want to. The closing date for applications is April 21st. Completed forms should be returned to the Electoral Roll officer, Wivine Turner, c/o The Vicarage, Church Street, Seal, TN15 0AR CONFIRMATION I am planning to organise some confirmation preparation with a view to taking candidates to a Confirmation service at St Giles Farnborough on Sunday June 16 at 4pm. I would need to meet with candidates a number of times for some preparation – in a group if possible, but otherwise one to one. If you would like to be confirmed, please let me know as soon as possible. This will be the last opportunity to be prepared and presented for confirmation before I retire. SATURDAY MAY 4TH, VINE GARDENS SEVENOAKS  10.30-4PM SEVENOAKS CLIMATE FAIR Free entry - all welcome! Talks, stalls, workshops, food and drink and much more! Bringing businesses, charities and community groups together, and anybody else who is passionate about the climate emergency to empower Sevenoaks to reach Net Zero. SO.... IS YOUR GRANNY A DAB HAND WITH A LITTER PICKER? HAS YOUR BUSINESS WALKED THE EXTRA MILE TO CUT ITS CARBON FOOTPRINT? This event will champion the local unsung climate heroes, taking grassroot action to save the planet. So if you, or you know of anybody, group or business, meeting this criteria, please get in touch - email sevenoaksclimatefair@gmail.com and give the name, age, and story of your nominee in no more than 200 words. A photo would be great too!Winners will be announce at the S CAN CLIMATE FAIR at the above event. SATURDAY MAY 11TH SEAL VILLAGE ALLOTMENTS MIDDAY - 3PM   Plant Sale and Refreshments - ALL WELCOME! SEAL VILLAGE HALL NEWS The feedback regarding the idea of a pop-up cinema, has been phenominal - clearly a popular idea, and one that the Friends of Seal Village Hall, look forward to getting set up. If you haven't already, please let me know if you would be interested in coming along to such an event, AND ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE ABLE, to help with the organisation of it. We all look forward to further responses. SEAL PARISH ANNUAL ASSEMBLY THURSDAY MAY 15TH Seal Pavilion at 7.30pm. All welcome. GARDEN SAFARI REQUESTS New gardens and raffle prizes + plants for the Seal Garden Safari If you have a lovely garden in Seal, please contact me about opening it on Sunday 30 th June at the next Garden safari. I would also like any spare raffle prizes and plants (house or garden) for the safari. In the next few weeks … this is the ideal time to divide your perennials. The money raised this year will be going to Cancer and Mind charities. In other years we have raised about £400 for the raffle and plants which is about half of the money! Thanks to the people who have already said YES to me! Many thanks in advance Frances Fish 01732 760007 mob 07749240456

Sunday Worship podcast link and other news: Palm Sunday March 24

 

Dear Friends Listen to today's worship podcast by clicking on the picture above.  Anne Le Bas Worship Online Worship podcast - Click on picture above Order of service You can also access this podcast by phoning 01732 928061 DONATE TO SEAL CHURCH HERE - all contributions gratefully received to keep the church thriving! In the church building today 10 am Holy Communion and Palm procession 6.30pm Evensong (said, with hymns) This week:  Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri, Sat 8pm Compline Tues                        12.30pm Thanksgiving service for Barbara Arnold Wed                         NO Zoom Church this week Maundy Thursday   8pm Holy Communion and Tenebrae Good Friday            No Morning prayer in church                                10-11.30am Messy Church in the church                                10.30am Friday Group in the Church Hall                                 2.30pm Good Friday Service                                 8pm Compline Holy  Saturday        8pm Compline Next Sunday EASTER SUNDAY 10 am   Holy Communion  for Easter Sunday 6.30pm Evensong (said, with hymns) Palm Sunday  Mark's account of Jesus entry into Jerusalem spends more time talking about the acquisition of the donkey than the entry itself. Today's sermon explores why that might be. This story is sometimes called the "triumphal" entry into Jerusalem, but in reality, there was very little about it that looked triumphal; it could even be said to parody such grand parades. It points forward to Jesus crucifixion, which would have been regarded as a mark of failure and weakness in anyone who claimed to be a Messiah. The resurrection transforms all that, and tells us that God can, and does work, in what looks like failure.  Anthony van Dyck's depiction of the Entry into Jerusalem captures some of the parodic elements of the event. Jesus' feet almost drag on the ground as he rides, and the bedraggled crowd ambles along beside him with their torn clothes and broken branches.  Van Dyck knew perfectly well how to make kings look kingly, and how to paint them on horseback - his portrait of Charles I ( bottom right) which hangs in the National Gallery is a famous example of the style. It is revealing to contrast it with the image of Jesus on his rather ridiculous donkey!   What do you expect a leader or a king to look like? How do the leaders around us today portray themselves and what effect does that have?  At the end of the podcast today, I quote the poem about the Palm Sunday donkey by G.K. Chesterton.  In case you would like the text, here it is. THE DONKEY When fishes flew and forests walked    And figs grew upon thorn, Some moment when the moon was blood    Then surely I was born.   With monstrous head and sickening cry    And ears like errant wings, The devil’s walking parody    On all four-footed things.   The tattered outlaw of the earth,    Of ancient crooked will; Starve, scourge, deride me: I am dumb,    I keep my secret still.   Fools! For I also had my hour;    One far fierce hour and sweet: There was a shout about my ears,    And palms before my feet.     All Age Ideas The week leading up to Easter is called Holy Week. During this week, we think about the things that happened to Jesus then: riding into Jerusalem on a donkey, sharing his last supper with his friends, praying and then being arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, being tried, crucified and then rising from death on Easter Sunday. That's a lot to pack in to one week! We'll be exploring the story on Good Friday at Messy Church from 10 -11.30am, so why not come along then to join us! You might also like to check out some of the craft ideas I've accumulated over the years on Pinterest for Holy Week. https://www.pinterest.co.uk/ajlebas/holy-week-and-easter/ Today, how about making the Palm Sunday Spinner which you can find here, https://flamecreativekids.blogspot.com/2013/03/palm-sunday-spinner.html or some of the other ideas for Palm Sunday on Flame Creative's site. https://flamecreativekids.blogspot.com/search?q=palm   CHURCH AND COMMUNITY NEWS FROM SEAL BARBARA ARNOLD'S MEMORIAL SERVICE will take place on Tuesday March 26th at 12.30 in Seal Church, following a private family cremation. After the service in church there will be a reception in the Restoration Pub, off Sevenoaks High Street (formerly the Blackboy). Everyone is welcome both to the service and the reception afterwards.  COFFEE ROTA Clare Jenne would like to pass over the organisation of the coffee rota to someone else - the current rota runs until June. Would anyone be able to take this on? It also involves making sure that the stocks of coffee, tea, sugar and squash are adequate. CONFIRMATION I am planning to organise some confirmation preparation with a view to taking candidates to a Confirmation service at St Giles Farnborough on Sunday June 16 at 4pm. I would need to meet with candidates a number of times for some preparation – in a group if possible, but otherwise one to one. If you would like to be confirmed, please let me know as soon as possible. This will be the last opportunity to be prepared and presented for confirmation before I retire. FRIDAY GROUP Meets each Friday morning in the Church Hall between 10.30 and 12.30   Coffee, chat, by all means, bring your crafting with you but mostly, enjoy the company. SEAL VILLAGE HALL NEWS You may remember that last year, we were searching for a team of volunteers, to help out with the running of Seal Village Hall. The Management Committee had reached a stage where the lack of support with the general running of the hall, was leading to its possible closure. The search led to a group being set up - Friends of Seal Village Hall - who committed to helping the management committee (which was grown and consolidated) with various specific projects as they arose. Having spent much time discussing various projects, the Management Committee have decided to pursue 2 exciting projects to bring to the Village Hall this year. The first is something I know many of you have mentioned in the past - a pop-up community cinema. The second, is to look at a project which is provided by a group of actors, who bring a ready made production to community halls. The Friends of Seal Village Hall are already considering how they might get involved in helping with these projects, but before they get too far with their planning, we would like to see how much interest there would be in either of these. Please could you take some time to consider whether you might support either of these projects if they were available to you, and respond via this email address. We are pretty sure there is interest in the pop-up cinema, as it has been mentioned by many of you in recent feedback, but the committee would like to know there is sufficient support before committing too much in the way of funds, and, of course, effort. It is likely, therefore, that this will be the first of the projects to bring to our community. Please let me know if you would be interested in coming along to such an event, or, even, to help with the organisation of it. We all look forward to your responses. SEAL PARISH ANNUAL ASSEMBLY THURSDAY MAY 15TH Seal Pavilion at 7.30pm. All welcome. GARDEN SAFARI REQUESTS New gardens and raffle prizes + plants for the Seal Garden Safari If you have a lovely garden in Seal, please contact me about opening it on Sunday 30th June at the next Garden safari. I would also like any spare raffle prizes and plants (house or garden) for the safari. In the next few weeks … this is the ideal time to divide your perennials. The money raised this year will be going to Cancer and Mind charities. In other years we have raised about £400 for the raffle and plants which is about half of the money! Thanks to the people who have already said YES to me! Many thanks in advance Frances Fish 01732 760007 mob 07749240456

Sunday Worship Podcast link and other news from Seal Church: March 17 2024

Dear Friends Listen to today's worship podcast by clicking on the picture above.  Anne Le Bas Worship Online Worship podcast - Click on picture above Order of service You can also access this podcast by phoning 01732 928061 DONATE TO SEAL CHURCH HERE - all contributions gratefully received to keep the church thriving! In the church building today 10 am Holy Communion NO MESSY CHURCH THIS AFTERNOON - NEXT MESSY CHURCH ON GOOD FRIDAY MORNING 6.30pm Evensong This week:  Wed     10.30am Lavender Fields Holy Communion             4.30-5pm Children's Choir             7.15 pm Adult choir practice Fri        9 am Morning prayer in church             10.30am Friday Group in the Church Hall Sat       7.00pm Quiz night - SORRY - SOLD OUT Next Sunday 10 am   Holy Communion . 6.30pm Evensong Lent 5 Today's Gospel reading tells of Jesus' reaction to some Greeks who come to Jesus wanting to talk to him. We don't know what they wanted to talk about, but Jesus' response shows that he is very aware that soon he will be killed. He had been the focus of increasing attention and controversy. Some hoped he would try to overthrow the Romans or the Jewish Temple authorities. Some were horrified at the thought, and looking for ways to get rid of him. Jesus's answer hints that "victory" might not look as people expect.   All Age Ideas The cross is the most common Christian symbol. In some ways it is a sad image, because Jesus was killed by being nailed to a cross, but for Christians it is also a symbol of love and hope. It showed us God's love for us, and told us that nothing can destroy that love. Christians have drawn, painted and carved crosses in many different ways. You could make your own, decorating it as you like.  I wonder whether you will see any crosses around you today or in the week ahead? Perhaps you will see some in churches or at school...Keep your eyes open for them this week! CHURCH AND COMMUNITY NEWS FROM SEAL THE ARCHDEACON was hoping to preach in church at our 10 am service, but has unfortunately been taken ill, so I am afraid you are stuck with the same old vicar again...  BARBARA ARNOLD'S MEMORIAL SERVICE will take place on Tuesday March 26th at 12.30 in Seal Church, following a private family cremation. After the service in church there will be a reception in the Restoration Pub, off Sevenoaks High Street (formerly the Blackboy). Everyone is welcome both to the service and the reception afterwards.  COFFEE ROTA Clare Jenne would like to pass over the organisation of the coffee rota to someone else - the current rota runs until June. Would anyone be able to take this on? It also involves making sure that the stocks of coffee, tea, sugar and squash are adequate. CONFIRMATION I am planning to organise some confirmation preparation with a view to taking candidates to a Confirmation service at St Giles Farnborough on Sunday June 16 at 4pm. I would need to meet with candidates a number of times for some preparation – in a group if possible, but otherwise one to one. If you would like to be confirmed, please let me know as soon as possible. This will be the last opportunity to be prepared and presented for confirmation before I retire. QUIZ NIGHT ON SATURDAY. Tickets are now sold out for this event, but if you wanted to come and were too late - look out for the next one later in the year. FRIDAY GROUP Meets each Friday morning in the Church Hall between 10.30 and 12.30   Coffee, chat, by all means, bring your crafting with you but mostly, enjoy the company. SEAL VILLAGE HALL NEWS You may remember that last year, we were searching for a team of volunteers, to help out with the running of Seal Village Hall. The Management Committee had reached a stage where the lack of support with the general running of the hall, was leading to its possible closure. The search led to a group being set up - Friends of Seal Village Hall - who committed to helping the management committee (which was grown and consolidated) with various specific projects as they arose. Having spent much time discussing various projects, the Management Committee have decided to pursue 2 exciting projects to bring to the Village Hall this year. The first is something I know many of you have mentioned in the past - a pop-up community cinema. The second, is to look at a project which is provided by a group of actors, who bring a ready made production to community halls. The Friends of Seal Village Hall are already considering how they might get involved in helping with these projects, but before they get too far with their planning, we would like to see how much interest there would be in either of these. Please could you take some time to consider whether you might support either of these projects if they were available to you, and respond via this email address. We are pretty sure there is interest in the pop-up cinema, as it has been mentioned by many of you in recent feedback, but the committee would like to know there is sufficient support before committing too much in the way of funds, and, of course, effort. It is likely, therefore, that this will be the first of the projects to bring to our community. Please let me know if you would be interested in coming along to such an event, or, even, to help with the organisation of it. We all look forward to your responses. SEAL PARISH ANNUAL ASSEMBLY THURSDAY MAY 15TH Seal Pavilion at 7.30pm. All welcome. GARDEN SAFARI REQUESTS New gardens and raffle prizes + plants for the Seal Garden Safari If you have a lovely garden in Seal, please contact me about opening it on Sunday 30th June at the next Garden safari. I would also like any spare raffle prizes and plants (house or garden) for the safari. In the next few weeks … this is the ideal time to divide your perennials. The money raised this year will be going to Cancer and Mind charities. In other years we have raised about £400 for the raffle and plants which is about half of the money! Thanks to the people who have already said YES to me! Many thanks in advance Frances Fish 01732 760007 mob 07749240456

Copyright © 2024 St Peter and St Paul, Seal, All rights reserved.

Sunday Worship podcast and other news from Seal Church: March 10: Mothering Sunday

Dear Friends Listen to today's worship podcast by clicking on the picture above.  Anne Le Bas Worship Online Worship podcast - Click on picture above Order of service You can also access this podcast by phoning 01732 928061 DONATE TO SEAL CHURCH HERE - all contributions gratefully received to keep the church thriving! In the church building today 10 am All Age Worship for Mothering Sunday 6.30pm Breathing Space Holy Communion This week:  Wed     10 am Zoom Church             4.30-5pm Children's Choir             7.15 pm Adult choir practice Thurs   10-11.30am Lent Group in the church hall              8pm PCC meeting in the church hall Fri        9 am Morning prayer in church             10.30am Friday Group in the Church Hall Sat       11 am  Meet and Greet with Know Your Neighbours                           inc. Seal Village Association AGM in the VILLAGE HALL Next Sunday 10 am   Holy Communion - the Archdeacon of Tonbridge, Sharon Copestake, will be preaching. 6.30pm Evensong Mothering Sunday Lent 4 Today we celebrate mothering in all its forms, not just biological mothers, but all who mother. The sermon explores the idea of mothering.  The word cloud on the right features some of the words for mother from around the world. It's striking that so many of them include the syllable "ma" or something similar, an ancient word which is also the root of the word "matter".  Who mothered, or mothers, you? What did you call your mother?  Who matters to you, and who do you matter to? All Age Ideas Today is Mothering Sunday. It's often called Mother's Day, but the Church calls it Mothering Sunday because it isn't just about mothers. It's about anyone who cares for us.  Who cares for you? Make a list that is as long as you like! What do they do that makes you feel looked after? I expect you have already given them something today to say thank you, but why not make a card for them telling them why they are special to you.  Look at the picture above. It has lots of words for "mother" from around the world. What do you call your mother? CHURCH AND COMMUNITY NEWS FROM SEAL BARBARA ARNOLD'S MEMORIAL SERVICE will take place on Tuesday March 26th at 12.30 in Seal Church, following a private family cremation. After the service in church there will be a reception in the Restoration Pub, off Sevenoaks High Street (formerly the Blackboy). Everyone is welcome both to the service and the reception afterwards.  COFFEE ROTA Clare Jenne would like to pass over the organisation of the coffee rota to someone else - the current rota runs until June. Would anyone be able to take this on? It also involves making sure that the stocks of coffee, tea, sugar and squash are adequate. CONFIRMATION I am planning to organise some confirmation preparation with a view to taking candidates to a Confirmation service at St Giles Farnborough on Sunday June 16 at 4pm. I would need to meet with candidates a number of times for some preparation – in a group if possible, but otherwise one to one. If you would like to be confirmed, please let me know as soon as possible. This will be the last opportunity to be prepared and presented for confirmation before I retire. FUN QUIZ NIGHT FOR ST PETER AND ST PAUL CHURCH SEAL SATURDAY MARCH 23RD 6.45 for 7pm SUPPER AT SEAL CHURCH HALL. Tickets are running out for this event - please book asap if you want to come! Please join us for a fun evening of quizzing, eating and drinking, not to mention laughing! The tickets include a light supper of baked potatoes with various fillings ,salads followed by apple pie. We ask you to bring your own drinks and glasses, along with yourselves and - most importantly - your sense of fun! Why not get up a team of 6 people and enjoy a cheap evening out. If you don't come in a team, don't worry - you can easily join another group! The tickets are a bargain at just £ 10  per adult and £5 for children in full time education, and can be booked through Ann Frow 07939 431183    or by emailingl marionjgilchrist@gmail.com SEAL KNOW YOUR NEIGHBOURS MEET AND GREET PLUS SEAL VILLAGE FUND AGM On Saturday March 16th, there will be an opportunity, to find out just what goes on in our village. We try to have an annual session, where new residents, or anybody who wishes to know more about village organisations, can come along, have a chat, coffee and cake, and meet those who run the local groups. We will be in the Village Hall between 11.30 and 1pm, along with information for you to glean. Do, please join us. SVF AGM Around 20 minutes of this session, is taken up with the Seal Village Fund AGM, where you can see our accounts, and where your money has been spent, and how this year's funds are being allocated.  If you belong to a local, non profit making organisation, have a specific project for this year, and need a small grant towards this, please make your bids before March 1st. Please contact Becky Watson, the SVF Secretary, for more information. If you have received funding oin excess of £400 over the past 2 years, from this source, other organisations will be prioritised.  REGULAR VILLAGE ACTIVITIES TALKING VILLAGE Monday afternoons between 2pm and 3.30 in Deniz's on the High Street. Buy a cup of tea or coffee and join us on the Talking Village table, for a chat and to make new friends, or catch up with old ones! Saturdays - First Saturday of each month in Seal Library from 10.15am-11.15am. Join us for a coffee whilst out browsing for your library books. At both these venues, there will always be two hosts to welcome you, and we look forward to meeting with you and getting to know each other better. FRIDAY GROUP Meets each Friday morning in the Church Hall between 10.30 and 12.30   Coffee, chat, by all means, bring your crafting with you but mostly, enjoy the company. SEAL TIDDLERS  In Seal Church Hall £2 per session pre schoolers and parents/Carers Monday mornings 9.30-11.30 tea drinks snacks for children art activities singing. Term time only. SEAL OVER 60S As from March, the cost of the over 60s meetings will be increased to £5 per head. (It has to be said though, that this is still excellent value for a great tea, and often very interesting speakers or entertainment.)

Copyright © 2024 St Peter and St Paul, Seal, All rights reserved.

Sunday Worship podcast and other news from Seal: March 3 2024

 

Dear Friends Listen to today's worship podcast by clicking on the picture above.  Anne Le Bas Worship Online Worship podcast - Click on picture above Order of service You can also access this podcast by phoning 01732 928061 DONATE TO SEAL CHURCH HERE - all contributions gratefully received to keep the church thriving! In the church building today 10 am Holy Communion 6.30pm Evensong This week:  Wed     4.30-5pm Children's Choir             7.15 pm Adult choir practice Thurs   10-11.30am Lent Group in the church hall Fri        9 am Morning prayer in church             10.30am Friday Group in the Church Hall Next Sunday 10 am All Age Worship for Mothering Sunday 6.30pm Breathing Space Meditative Communion Lent 3 Today's readings invite us to consider the values by which the communities we belong to live. Our "households" may be our families, friends, workplaces, church, nation or the world, but we all have to share space with others.  In the Old Testament Reading, God gives the community he is forming - the household of Israel - ten commandments to live by, but they aren't just an arbitrary list. There is a pattern within them which hints at a fundamental commandment to let God be God. In the Gospel, Jesus causes chaos in the Temple when he clears the traders from its courts, but he isn't just addressing a temporary local issue of shared space, he is, like Moses, calling his nation to consider who they are and what their values should be. The picture (right) by Cecco del Caravaggio, a follower of the painter Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, is full of the energy, and the upheaval of this confrontation.  In the sermon I ask what your "household rules" are. What are the values which bind the "households" of which you are a part together? How have you come to those values? All Age Ideas In today's Old Testament story, God gives Moses ten commandments, rules to live by.  Rules aren't meant to let some people boss other people around. They are meant to make life fair and to help us look after one another.  What rules does your family or school have? Do you think they are fair? Do you think it is a good idea to have rules? You could play "Simon says" - everyone has to do what you say, as long as they say "Simon says" first.  How does it feel to give the orders, or to have to do what someone else says? CHURCH AND COMMUNITY NEWS FROM SEAL Next Sunday is MOTHERING SUNDAY. We will be celebrating all those who care for us at our 10 am All Age Worship, which will be followed by a cake sale - contributions of cakes will be very welcome! BARBARA ARNOLD'S MEMORIAL SERVICE will take place on Tuesday March 26th at 12.30 in Seal Church, following a private family cremation. After the service in church there will be a reception in the Restoration Pub, off Sevenoaks High Street (formerly the Blackboy). Everyone is welcome both to the service and the reception afterwards.  COFFEE ROTA Clare Jenne would like to pass over the organisation of the coffee rota to someone else - the current rota runs until June. Would anyone be able to take this on? It also involves making sure that the stocks of coffee, tea, sugar and squash are adequate. CONFIRMATION I am planning to organise some confirmation preparation with a view to taking candidates to a Confirmation service at St Giles Farnborough on Sunday June 16 at 4pm. I would need to meet with candidates a number of times for some preparation – in a group if possible, but otherwise one to one. If you would like to be confirmed, please let me know as soon as possible. This will be the last opportunity to be prepared and presented for confirmation before I retire. FUN QUIZ NIGHT FOR ST PETER AND ST PAUL CHURCH SEAL SATURDAY MARCH 23RD 6.45 for 7pm SUPPER AT SEAL CHURCH HALL. Please join us for a fun evening of quizzing, eating and drinking, not to mention laughing! The tickets include a light supper of baked potatoes with various fillings ,salads followed by apple pie. We ask you to bring your own drinks and glasses, along with yourselves and - most importantly - your sense of fun! Why not get up a team of 6 people and enjoy a cheap evening out. If you don't come in a team, don't worry - you can easily join another group! The tickets are a bargain at just £ 10  per adult and £5 for children in full time education, and can be booked through Ann Frow 07939 431183    or by emailingl marionjgilchrist@gmail.com SEAL KNOW YOUR NEIGHBOURS MEET AND GREET PLUS SEAL VILLAGE FUND AGM On Saturday March 16th, there will be an opportunity, to find out just what goes on in our village. We try to have an annual session, where new residents, or anybody who wishes to know more about village organisations, can come along, have a chat, coffee and cake, and meet those who run the local groups. We will be in the Village Hall between 11.30 and 1pm, along with information for you to glean. Do, please join us. SVF AGM Around 20 minutes of this session, is taken up with the Seal Village Fund AGM, where you can see our accounts, and where your money has been spent, and how this year's funds are being allocated.  If you belong to a local, non profit making organisation, have a specific project for this year, and need a small grant towards this, please make your bids before March 1st. Please contact Becky Watson, the SVF Secretary, for more information. If you have received funding oin excess of £400 over the past 2 years, from this source, other organisations will be prioritised.  REGULAR VILLAGE ACTIVITIES TALKING VILLAGE Monday afternoons between 2pm and 3.30 in Deniz's on the High Street. Buy a cup of tea or coffee and join us on the Talking Village table, for a chat and to make new friends, or catch up with old ones! Saturdays - First Saturday of each month in Seal Library from 10.15am-11.15am. Join us for a coffee whilst out browsing for your library books. At both these venues, there will always be two hosts to welcome you, and we look forward to meeting with you and getting to know each other better. FRIDAY GROUP Meets each Friday morning in the Church Hall between 10.30 and 12.30   Coffee, chat, by all means, bring your crafting with you but mostly, enjoy the company. SEAL TIDDLERS  In Seal Church Hall £2 per session pre schoolers and parents/Carers Monday mornings 9.30-11.30 tea drinks snacks for children art activities singing. Term time only. SEAL OVER 60S As from March, the cost of the over 60s meetings will be increased to £5 per head. (It has to be said though, that this is still excellent value for a great tea, and often very interesting speakers or entertainment.)