Epiphany 3 News

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

Looking forward to another welcome…. Not only have we been able to announce the exciting news that Fr John Ainslie is shortly to become our new Vicar, but we now have a date for his Licensing Service, which will be on the evening of 21st March (time still to be announced). This is an important date not only for our congregation but also for the way in which St Michael's relates to the surrounding community. Invitations will be going out before long; if you know someone from outside the congregation who might like to be invited, please have a word with Eleanor. It will be a particular joy to have our new parish priest with us for Holy Week and Easter.

Sue has created a beautiful card (thank you, Sue!) and is bringing it to Mass so that we can send our greetings to our future Vicar. Please make sure you sign it!

About our new Vicar: After reading Physics and Theoretical Physics at Cambridge, Fr John followed a career in the field of renewable energy, particularly in connection with the development of wind farms, and in the preparing and presenting of expert evidence for the related Inquiries. He was ordained Deacon in 2017 and Priest in 2018, and since then has served as Assistant Minister in three benefices in the diocese of Oxford (most recently at All Saints', Boyne Hill, Maidenhead), during which time he mounted various initiatives in mission and outreach. In addition, he has had responsibilities at diocesan level, notably as a member of the Oxford Diocesan Environmental Task Group. He brings a wealth of experience (church and non-church) to his ministry here - experience that will be of great value not only to St Michael's but to our deanery and diocese. We assure Fr John of our support and our prayers, and hope that he and his dog Rosa will be very happy in Maidstone.

Looking towards Lent:

Canterbury Cathedral is planning a Quiet Day based on the “Joyous Mysteries” on Saturday 3^rd^ February, 10am-4pm. “An opportunity to contemplate the life of Christ, through scripture and the ancient devotional practice of the rosary.” FREE but booking required – for details, visit https://www.canterbury-cathedral.org/whats-on/events/.

Saturday 10th February, 10 am-1pm: an online retreat in preparation for Lent entitled “Companions on the Way,” - tickets £15, or £10 for Church Times subscribers. Details and tickets at https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/companions-on-the-way-a-retreat-in-preparation-for-lent.

And remember our own Lenten Frugal Lunch on Sunday, 25th February – join us for soup and bread-and-cheese and give the price of your usual Sunday lunch to a charity for the hungry! If you are willing to give a hand with the shopping, serving or washing-up, please speak to Sara.

From Our Tower:

Kent County Association, Maidstone, Kent, St Michael and All Angels

Sunday, 14 January 2024 in 41m (6–1–24 in C)

1296 Lightfoot Surprise Minor

1. Emma Jarvis
2. Jacqueline Barlow
3. Philip Jarvis
4. Mark Elvers
5. Stephen Coaker
6. Neil Jones (C)

Remembering Ann Rust (10/1/22) and Norman Rust (18/1/20) R.I.P..

Rung on the Saints Day of Euphrasius the Martyr

Reminder: Valerie Stickland's funeral takes place at Vinters Park on 31st January at 1.15.

Grateful thanks to Margaret S., who has very kindly taken charge of laundering the altar linen.

After Fr John's Licensing on March 21st, we shall of course be providing refreshments in the Parish Hall for those who attend the service, including those who will have travelled from Maidenhead. It isn't too soon to think about ways in which you could help on that important evening. Alison and Sue will be very happy to hear from you!

Among the sick we pray for :Paul, Margaret, Ellie, Pauline, Rue, Fr Leon, Antony, Fran, Ellie, Tom, Joseph, Peter, Joan, Margaret, Lindsay, Glynis, Ethan, Sarah, and Yvonne.

Among the Departed: Ivy Parry, Stan Penney, Lily Chanler, Hazel Warriner, Maureen Tresnan, Norman Rust.