Easter 5 News
Priest-in-Charge Fr John Ainslie (revjohnainslie@gmail.com; 01628 629827)
A very warm welcome to any new readers, and to visitors and newcomers to St Michael's. If you are new to St Michael's, do join us for refreshments in the Vestry Hall after the service, so that we can welcome you properly.
Our Services in the coming week: Thursday – Mass at 10.30 am; Sunday – Mass at 10.30 am.
Today, please stay in church after Mass for our Annual Meeting. This falls into two parts – the Annual Meeting for the Election of Churchwardens and the Annual Parochial Church Meeting – and will take place in church immediately after Mass. Elections at the Parochial Church Meeting include those of Deanery Synod members and PCC members. Are you willing to serve, or can you encourage someone else? Do you want to share your hopes for the future of St Michael's? If you need hard copies of any of the paperwork, some are available in the narthex.
Peggy Thresh – wartime aircraft mechanic, physiotherapist, wife of distinguished plant biologist Michael, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother of a talented family, devoted member of St Michael's (particularly in the area of our music) – died peacefully at The Grove on the morning of April 23rd, aged 102. May she rest in peace and arise in glory. We all have wonderful memories of Peggy, and there will certainly be an opportunity to share them at a memorial service at St Michael's – date to be announced.
From Our Tower:
Kent County Association -Maidstone, Kent: St Michael and All Angels
Sunday, 21 April 2024 in 39m (6–1–24 in C)
1250 Yorkshire Surprise Major
- Jane L Kostelnyk
- Paul Barton
- Philip Jarvis
- Mark Elvers
- Jacqueline Barlow
- Pam Thomas
- Mike Birkbeck
- Neil Jones (C)
A 70th birthday compliment to the ringer of the 2nd (20th April).
Friends of Kent Churches – the charity supported by the Ride and Stride event held every September – is 75 years old this year. Ride and Stride 2024 will take place on September 14th, and a special evensong at All Saints', Maidstone, is planned for 3.30 pm on September 21st. It isn't too early to Indicate that you would like to attend; email frofkch@outlook.com. And please note that Heritage Open Day will coincide, as usual, with Ride and Stride on September 14th, and we shall open the church, as usual, to welcome visitors who come to enjoy our Angel Windows. This year's theme is “Routes, Networks, Connections” - please start having ideas!
Readers' list for May. Many thanks to all our readers! If unable to read on the day listed, please feel free to swap with another reader.
May 5 Acts + Ps Mike Trout, NT Alison Heywood
May 12 Acts +Ps Ralph Baldock, NT Margaret Gatehouse
May 19 Acts + Ps Eleanor Relle, NT William Danes-Volkov
May 26 Acts + Ps Team Kwalombota, NT Catherine Garland
Easy Good Deeds!
Simon at 27, Maryland Drive, Barming collects items for Ukraine, which are sent off in regular consignments. Medical and veterinary supplies (even if recently out of date, even if partly used), old towels etc. (but not duvets) and animal food (even if a bit out of date or partly used) are particularly welcome.
Don't forget Jacqui's stamp box in the narthex – she will send off your used stamps to support the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Please allow a generous half-inch of envelope around your stamp!
We pray for sick people everywhere, including: Paul, Margaret, Ellie, Pauline, Rue, Fr Leon, Antony, Fran, Ellie, Tom, Joseph, Peter, Joan, Margaret, Lindsay, Glynis, Ethan, Sarah, Yvonne, Ruby, HM The King and Catherine, Princess of Wales.
And among the Departed: Peggy Thresh, recently departed, and those whose year's mind falls at this time, including: Harry Mills, Mary Taylor, Kathleen Clifford, Isabel Brooks, John Tester.