Passion Sunday News

A very warm welcome to any new readers, and to visitors and newcomers to St Michael's. A special welcome to Fr Paul, our celebrant this morning, who will also kindly be celebrating Mass for us on Thursday at 10.30 am. If you are new to St Michael's, do join us for tea or coffee in the Vestry Hall after the service, so that we can welcome you properly.

Our Annual Parochial Church Meeting is on Sunday 30th April after Mass. In preparation for it, we have to update the church Electoral Roll. If you have joined or rejoined St Michael's during the past year, and would like to be on the Roll, please speak to Martyn and fill in a form (at back of church). Please also see Martyn If you wish to update your details, or check that they are correct.

Join Bishop Norman for the Chrism Mass in Canterbury Cathedral on Tuesday, 4th April, at 12 noon. Could you offer a lift to someone? (Eleanor has 3 places in her car). Bishop Norman, always a good friend to St Michael's, retires later this year. He will celebrate Mass in Canterbury Cathedral for the last time on June 10th and his last Richborough Family Festival in St Albans will be on August 5th. More details later, but put the dates in your diary!

More Dates – agreed at the last PCC Meeting: Our Coronation Big Lunch will be a bring-and-share lunch after Mass on Sunday, May 7th. And we look forward to our Strawberry Fair on Saturday, July 1st – please contact Sara with fair ideas and offers of help.

Thanks to Fr Derek for so kindly leading our Quiet Day in the beautiful surroundings of The Friars.

Readers' List for April: if unable to read on the day listed, please feel free to arrange a swap with another reader. New readers always welcome!

Palm Sunday OT Alison Heywood NT Katja Svarts
Maundy Thursday OT Mike Trout NT Ralph Baldock
Good Friday OT and psalm Eleanor Relle
Holy Saturday Vigil readings (4? tbc) , Mass reading Catherine Garland
Easter Day Paul Jones, Margaret Gatehouse
Sunday 16 Eleanor Relle, Catherine Garland
Sunday 23 Eta/Zangi Katja Svarts
Sunday 30 Paul Jones, Mike Trout

Easter Lilies: If you would like to make a donation towards a lily or lilies – perhaps in memory of a loved one – please put it in the tin in church, or speak to Margaret Gatehouse. Other flowers and greenery for the Easter decorations will be much appreciated during Holy Week – have a look in your garden and see what you could bring!

From Our Tower

Kent County Association: Maidstone, Kent, St Michael and All Angels
Sunday, 19 March 2023 in 40m (6-1-24 in C)

1272 Surprise Minor (2m)
553 London, 720 Cambridge.

  1. Terry Barnard
  2. Rona Joiner
  3. Peter Richardson
  4. Mark Elvers
  5. Rupert Cheeseman
  6. Neil Jones (C)

Rung on Mothering Sunday.

Elizabeth Bryson, who pioneered Anna Chaplaincy in Canterbury Diocese, will be commissioned on 23rd April as the first Anna Chaplain in Ely Diocese. Anna Chaplains and Anna Friends, who minister particularly to the residents of care homes, are still needed here in Maidstone. If you think God might be calling you to train for this ministry, Katja can tell you more.

Palm Sunday (Sunday 2 April): NB the Procession begins in the Parish Hall at 10.15.

Could you pass this sheet on to someone else who might like to see it?

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