Trinity 2 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: Thursday 13th June, Mass at 10.30. Next Sunday, 16th June: Mass at 10.30.
Summer Fun Day: This Saturday, June 15th! Please publicise this among your friends and neighbours! Competitions and attractions for everyone from 10 am to 2 pm, including a tombola, a plant stall, crafts and gifts, cakes, and refreshments. It will be HM The King's official birthday – so children may like to dress as kings, queens and princesses and may win a prize! The St Michael's Schools' Junior Choir will be performing at 1 pm, and we look forward to welcoming them and anyone who has a link with our schools. Entries will also be invited for the Best Crown and the Best Scarecrow! Could you contribute plants, craft items, tombola items (preferably with a garden/picnic/outdoor theme) - or cakes etc. on the day? If you can offer help, Sara (07837 919761) and her helpers will be delighted to hear from you. A great opportunity for St Michael's teamwork, which promises to be a great day for us all. Warmest thanks for all Sara's ideas and effort, and let's give her every support.
Do you know Walsingham? In August of this year some of us are joining a pilgrimage to this very special place – but in 2025 the PCC plans for St Michael's to have a pilgrimage of our own from Tuesday to Friday, the 27th-30th May (the May half-term week). Little Walsingham in Norfolk has been known as “England's Nazareth”, and has been a place of pilgrimage, since the 11th century, when the lady of the manor saw a vision of Our Lady, who instructed her to build a house like the house at Nazareth where the Annunciation took place. Destroyed under Henry VIII (though he had previously been there as a pilgrim himself!), the shrine gained a new lease of life in the 20th century and now has a strong ecumenical dimension, with Anglicans, Roman Catholics, Methodists and Orthodox Christians among those involved in the life and worship that centres upon it. A pilgrimage to Walsingham can be a refreshment, an inspiration, a challenge (can I even begin to conceive of the courage of Mary?) - or, less dramatic but just as valuable, an invitation to do as Mary did when she “kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.” Add to this the pleasure of meeting other pilgrims, of joining in worship and in the ongoing intercession offered there every day, of enjoying excellent local food, and of exploring some lovely countryside and coast. The exact charges for 2025 are not yet available, but for the 3 nights the cost should be of the order of £290 (for adult full board – reduced rates for half-board and for children), and we expect to be able to organise car shares to get there and back. Early enquiries to Fr John – and if you are new to the idea of Walsingham, just ask anyone who has been!
PS – To this year's Walsingham pilgrims: August is getting closer! Deposits are now due and there is some paperwork for you to complete – please collect this from Eleanor.
MADM (Making A Difference to Maidstone) is partnering with Kent County Council to restore pre-loved furniture, thus saving unwanted items from disposal and helping those who need and want them. If you are having a clear-out, or know someone who is downsizing, contact this local Christian charity on 01622 687414 or email madmstone@gmail.com; they may be able to collect, or you may arrange to deliver to their shop at 28 High Street.
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 that service; 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 for the day is **“Routes, Networks, Connections” - ideas welcome!
From our Tower:
Kent County Association Maidstone, Kent: St Michael and All Angels: Sunday, 19 May 2024 in 46m (6–1–24 in C)
1260 Grandsire Triples
- Jacqueline Barlow
- Philip Jarvis
- Charlotte Elvers
- Janice Byrne
- Karen Lebon
- Rod Lebon
- Neil Jones (C)
- Mark Elvers
For Pentecost. 1st of Grandsire Triples: 3.
(More recent news from our Tower next week!)
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, Leon, HM The King, and Catherine, Princess of Wales.
And among the departed: Marjory Dray, Brian Smith, Catherine Carmody, John Frater.
Could you pass this sheet on to someone else who might like to see it?