Sunday After Ascension 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. A special thank you and welcome to Fr Paul Matthias, who is celebrating Mass for us while Fr John is on holiday.
Our Services in the coming week: Thursday – Mass at 10.30 am; Sunday – Mass at 10.30 am.
Thank you, St Michael's! We have received a warm message of appreciation from the Romanian Orthodox congregation who held their Easter worship in our church last weekend. Their priest, Fr Mihail, then left immediately to minister in Scotland, where the Romanian Orthodox have no official centre for worship and no available priest. Here we have a church, a parish priest of our own, and the opportunity of a full sacramental life - do we realise how much we have to be thankful for?
A not dissimilar thought is prompted by an appreciative letter from the manager at Maidstone Homeless Care in Knightrider Street, to whom we sent £180 after our Frugal Lent Lunch: “...In these difficult times, it is heart-warming to know that there are people such as yourselves, on whom we can rely to keep our services operational...On behalf of Homeless Care, we thank you.” The Food Bank and Day Centre in Knightrider Street support not only homeless people but also other individuals and families who are vulnerable or in difficulties. Gifts of money and food are always appreciated – visit their website on www.homelesscare.org.uk.
The date for Peggy Thresh's Memorial Service is not yet finalised, but it is expected to be in the last week of June.
Summer Fun Day: June 15th! We can start looking forward to this already – and publicising it. We'll have competitions and attractions for everyone from 10 am to 2 pm, including a tombola, a plant stall, cakes and refreshments. It will be the official birthday of HM The King – so children dressed as kings and princesses will be most welcome and may win a prize! Could you contribute plants, tombola items (preferably with a garden/picnic/outdoor theme) - or cakes etc. on the day? Entries invited for the best crown and the best scarecrow – and there will also be a dog show!
From Our Tower:
Kent County Association: Maidstone, Kent, St Michael and All Angels
Sunday, 28 April 2024 in 38m (6–1–24 in C)
1272 Norwich Surprise Minor
- Terry Barnard
- Jacqueline Barlow
- Emma Jarvis
- Mark Elvers
- Philip Jarvis
- Neil Jones (C)
In Thanksgiving for the life of Peggy Thresh, who died on 23/4/2024 aged 102 years, and in memory of John Tester (24/4/22). R.I.P.
Sunday, 5 May 2024 in 39m (6–1–24 in C)
1271 Bamborough Surprise Minor
- Emma Jarvis
- Jacqueline Barlow
- Janice Byrne
- Mark Elvers
- Philip Jarvis
- Neil Jones (C)
Rung on the sixth Sunday of Easter.
Friends of Oaken Wood have arranged an Evening Bat Walk, led by an expert recorder, for the evening of Saturday, 25th May. It will begin at the Redstart pub. For the starting time, and for FREE membership of the Friends, please visit https://friendsofoakenwood.org/.
As half-term approaches, Canterbury Cathedral is advertising several family attractions, including special Family Tours and Stone Week sessions with hands-on experience of stone-carving. These are FREE if you already have entry to the Cathedral. For further information, and/or to find out about the new Cathedral passes, please visit the Cathedral website.
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, Jessica, HM The King, with thanksgiving for his return to public duties, and Catherine, Princess of Wales
...and for the Departed, including: Mary Flisher, Margaret Kent, Ellen Tame, Cyril Hudson.