Harvest News
A very warm welcome to any new readers, and to visitors and newcomers to St Michael's on our Harvest Thanksgiving day. A special welcome and thanks to Fr Paul Matthias, our celebrant this morning, who will also kindly be saying Mass for us on Thursday (when we commemorate St Wilfrid) at 10.30 am. Everyone is warmly invited to continue our Harvest celebration today with coffee, wine and cake in the Vestry Hall after Mass. If new to St Michael's, you are particularly welcome.
Valerie Brown's funeral will take place in church on Friday, 27th October, at 12.45 pm, followed by cremation at Vinters Park at 2.45 pm. There is a card at the back of the church to express our sympathy with Valerie's family in their bereavement. Everyone who remembers Valerie is invited to sign it. If you would like to write individually, Catherine G has the address of Valerie's daughter Catherine Brown.
Warmest thanks to Alison and her helpers for organising such a wonderful Michaelmas lunch last Sunday, and thanks also to all who contributed to the splendid array of refreshments. And further thanks to those who have brought “a little something” today, to make our harvest celebration special.
The St Michael's Schools' Michaelmas-and-harvest service took place on Michaelmas Day itself. It was particularly good to see such a large group of parents in church, and we very much appreciate the Schools' letting us add their harvest gifts to our own. Among the offerings from the Schools, touchingly, was a pack of dog-food “for the homeless people's dogs”. Thank you also to all who have contributed harvest gifts today; they will mean so much to people who are in difficulties in these challenging times. This week all the gifts will be delivered to the Food Bank in Knightrider Street.
Our pre-Christmas Fair, on 2nd December from 12 noon to 4 pm, will need cake-bakers, jam-makers, plant-growers, craftspeople, prize-donors
- and others, including kindly angels who will give help on the day. It will also be a better Fair if people contribute bright ideas beforehand. How could you help? Sara will be delighted to hear (in person or on 07837 919761) from anyone who is willing to be involved in any way. Let's get together to make it a wonderful day for all concerned!
The Maidstone Deanery Roadshow at St Luke's, Maidstone, on October 16th at 7 pm - what is it? Deanery Roadshows are a chance for parishes to learn about the financial plans of the diocese and how they will affect the deanery and its parishes. Those present can ask questions and, indeed, make representations about financial matters that concern them. Recently St Michael's has made its presence felt, and its voice heard, on these occasions. Please note the date and try to come along.
Flowers in church: Members of the congregation sometimes wish to dedicate a flower arrangement in church in memory of a loved one. If you would like to do this, please have a word with Margaret G., who can provide information and help.
Choral Evensong often speaks not only to active Anglicans but to many people whose links with the Church are far less definite. Everyone will be welcome at Choral Evensong at St Michael's at 5 pm on Sunday, 29th October, with a gathered choir conducted by Gareth James. Do pass the word around!
From our Tower:
Kent County Association: Maidstone, Kent, St Michael and All Angels
Sunday, 1 October 2023 in 42m (6–1–24 in C)
1296 Spliced Surprise Minor (2m)
2m:720 London, 576 Cambridge; 18 com.
- Jacqueline Barlow
- Philip Jarvis
- Mike Birkbeck
- Mark Elvers
- Paul Barton
- Neil Jones (C)
For Michaelmas, and rung on the Saint's Day of Remigius, Bishop of Reims, Apostle of the Franks, 533. Also remembering Valerie Brown, a faithful member of the congregation, 29/9/2023. R.I.P.
A Peal is planned for Monday, 30th October at 2 pm. Probable duration, 3 hours.
“But Maidstone people don't read.” Really? MADM is ready to help us disprove this, with lots of pre-loved Christian books available at its bookshop - 49 Church Street, open 10 am – 2 pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Or why not pause at the back of the church and pick up one of the helpful Church Union leaflets on particular Christian topics that are on display there? Or join Forward in Faith and receive its excellent monthly magazine, New Directions? Good reading can nourish our faith and our prayers, as well as helping us to explain to enquirers what we believe and why.
Could you pass this sheet on to someone else who might like to see it?