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Goodbye Graham & Pauline Graham’s final service at St Mary’s TRIO The Parish Magazine of St Mary, West Malling, St Michael, Offham & St Gabriel, Kings Hill September 2013 Contributions Welcomed

TRIO The Parish Magazine of St Mary, West Malling, St ...€¦ · St Michael, Offham & St Gabriel, Kings Hill ... Have you ever experienced a TED lecture? ... it really struck a chord

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Goodbye Graham & Pauline Graham’s final service at St Mary’s

TRIO

The Parish Magazine of St Mary, West Malling,

St Michael, Offham & St Gabriel, Kings Hill

September 2013 Contributions Welcomed

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How to Get in Touch The United Benefice of West Malling with Offham

Priest-in-Charge: Revd David Green 01732 842245 [email protected] The Vicarage, 138 High Street, West Malling ME19 6NE Reader: Margaret Moore 01732 841238

St Mary, West Malling Churchwardens: John Musker 01732 849109 Becky Clifford 01732 845634 Sunday School: Kerry Green 01732 842245 Tower Captain: Nick Crutchfield 01732 845187 Mothers Union: Gail Crutchfield 01732 845187 www.stmaryswestmalling.org.uk

St Michael, Offham Churchwardens: Robin Stranack 07881 300742 Stephen Betts 01732 843412 Sunday School: Jane Jordan 01732 848709 www.stmichaelsoffham.org.uk

St Gabriel, Kings Hill Church Council: Jim & Freda Smith 01732 220954 Girls Brigade: Karen Webber 01732 875091 www.stgabrielskingshill.org.uk

Pilsdon at Malling Community Guardian: Revd Pam Rink 01732 870279 [email protected] Pilsdon at Malling, 27 Water Lane, West Malling ME19 6HH

Parish Magazine Editor: Becky Clifford 01732 845634 Email (for all enquiries) [email protected]

This magazine is available for email distribution as a PDF: if you would prefer to receive it in this format, please contact me using one of the methods above and we will arrange for you to be added to our mailing list. We NEVER supply your details to third parties.

We offer free publicity for any community events or charitable concerns. The Editor reserves the right to shorten or modify any material submitted for publication. Please note: the views expressed by contributors are those of the authors; copyright for articles rests with individual contributors. If you would like to use any of the material in any way, please contact the Editor for permission.

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From the Editor Have you ever experienced a TED lecture? TED is an acronym for Technology, Entertainment, Design. Leading thinkers and doers are invited to give their best talk in 18 minutes or less. There are currently in excess of 1,500 lectures freely available at ted.com which can be sorted via subject matter or speaker. So, if you have 20 minutes to spare, you can explore the riches on offer.

Over the holidays I stumbled across a lecture by Ken Robinson. As I listened I could feel the hairs on the back of my neck prickle: it really struck a chord in me. He was talking about education today: the crux of his argument is that current educational practice – obsessed as it is with academic excellence – is quashing children’s creativity. More than that, some children – the less academic amongst us – are simply disengaging from school because it doesn’t make sense to them.

One thing Ken remarked upon was how people feel very strongly about their own education. After all, most of us have had one. And, because of that, we feel we have something to offer to the debate. He asserted that there are three fundamental aspects to education: the curriculum (what you teach); assessment (how you evaluate how well something has been taught) and pedagogy (how you teach). Those who aim to influence education focus almost exclusively on the first two aspects and spend very little time considering the third. How you teach stuff is probably the most influential factor in how children learn and yet it’s given relatively scant attention. It’s like thinking you can fix a restaurant by altering its ingredients whilst ignoring the importance of the chef in producing a Michelin starred meal.

I was chatting recently to a graphic designer who had been asked if it was worthwhile going to university to study graphic design. Given the current debt students are likely to get into during their three years or so at university, he gave the query a great deal of thought. In the end, he concluded it was worthwhile because, in his experience, it’s the first opportunity for students to think creatively and to use their imaginations. If that’s true (and I have no reason to doubt his judgement) that’s a really damning indictment of our system. Why wait until children are 18 to allow them to tap into their creativity?

What if we started with much younger children and allowed them to play to their strengths? How many children just ‘don’t get’ maths because they can’t see any point in it? But if they’re good with their hands and have the opportunity to make things, there’s huge scope for practical maths and science – try building a triangle and a quadrilateral out of cut up pipe-cleaners (for the joints) and straws (for the sides) and see how they differ. You can learn a great deal about properties of shapes from that one, simple exercise.

WB Yeats said that education is not the filling up of a jug, it’s the igniting of a flame. I think he’s right. One of the things I love about teaching is seeing the spark in a child’s eyes when they grasp something for the first time – it’s phenomenally rewarding. The panic of uncertainty is replaced by the confidence of knowledge. Maybe if we used children’s natural talents as our starting point, we’d achieve that spark more often. With very best wishes,

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From David The Summer holidays have passed swiftly in the Green household and alongside a fabulous time at a Christian camp in Somerset (a bit of a busman’s holiday for me), we also had time at Chessington, a day trip to Boulogne and the use of a friend’s beach hut in sunny Bexhill. But like all the MPs suddenly recalled from their Summer holidays, such things start to pale in significance when you realise what is happening in Syria. I’m sure the children of that nation would much rather have a Summer like my children have had than the one they are enduring right now.

In the last few days, those MPs have rejected the Government’s move toward military action. It is obviously very difficult for anyone to know what to do about all this. There is risk in doing nothing. There is also risk in getting involved.

Whatever you think of the politics of the matter, it is worth bearing in mind the words of the new Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby. Speaking about Syria in the House of Lords on Thursday he said, ‘We have to learn that there are intermediate steps between being in barracks and opening fire.’

Until we are absolutely sure that every other option has been exhausted, until we are sure we know the truth of the matter as to who has been responsible, until we know that the international community is of one mind, we cannot say with 100% certainty that our cause is just. And that’s important to be sure of, because as soon as the West opens fire, as soon as it begins, the consequences will be totally out of our hands.

Chemical weapons are a horrible atrocity. But I find myself wondering why we were not outraged in the West when the Syrian army fired upon civilian protesters in April 2011, or why we were not outraged when the Syrian army dropped cluster bombs on rebel-held towns in September 2012 causing massive civilian casualties, or why we didn’t stand up in protest when a Syrian Christian priest was beheaded in the street with men and children looking on and taking pictures on camera phones? Those who would rush to action now because chemical weapons have been fired need to ask why we weren’t rushing to action then.

As the Archbishop went on to say, it’s also worth noting also that intervention from the West will declare ‘open season’ on Christian churches in the region, according to a very senior Christian leader there. There were two million Christians in Iraq 12 years ago. There are less than 500,000 today. Many of these churches draw their roots from the very earliest days of Christianity and they are in great peril.

Those who find themselves in the middle of such conflict fight for their lives. Those who are watching from the outside have a responsibility to fight for the best possible outcome with long-term peace and reconciliation. Doing nothing isn’t an option. These people need the world’s help. But if we take action that diminishes the chances of long-term peace, then we have will have contributed to the killing and made it all far worse than it already is. May God give our leaders and give us all great wisdom as we seek to be peacemakers. David Green

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The Malling Society Clout Institute, High Street, West Malling Wednesday 18th September | 8:00 pm

Cutty Sark – the update a talk by Roger McKenna

on her restoration following the fire Visitors very welcome

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For the Parish Registers St Mary, West Malling Baptism 7th July Elsie Kate Gooden 14th July James Richard Piers Tavis Looker & Jude Anthony Embery 21st July Tillie Mae Smallman 4th August Emily Michelle Loader 18th August Myla Ann Hewlett 24th August James Cameron Knell 25th August Tabatha Land & Mateo Paris Fudulu-Land Wedding 6th July Christopher Paddock & Hayley Robinson 1st August Wayne Brazil & Charlotte Mace 17th August Hayden McDonald & Devon Ashton 30th August Christopher Nye & Karen Wright Funeral 5th July Mary Rhiannon Mallard 24th July Kevin John Smither 9th August Gordon Granick Barn Chapel, Pilsdon at Malling Wedding 24th August David Woodward & Roberta Frost

Flower Arranging Demonstration at St Mary’s The Guild of Church Flower Arrangers is an ecumenical organisation that meets in different churches four times a year, shortly before the major festivals of Harvest, Christmas and Easter to provide ideas, practical tips and inspiration, plus a summer demonstration in June.

A professional florist demonstrates a variety of arrangements for differing parts of that church, for instance, a pedestal, an altar arrangement, a windowsill, the font or vestibule.

The next meeting will be on Monday, 2nd September at St Andrew’s, Barming Heath, ME16 9AN. Our AGM will be followed by a demonstration entitled ‘The Glory of Flowers’.

St Mary’s will be hosting the meeting at 7:45 on Monday 25th November; when Patricia Ellis will be sharing her ideas and expertise.

Entrance to meetings is £4 for visitors, £2.50 for members (subscription is £3 annually). Further details can be found at www.mgcfa.co.uk.

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Heritage Open Days Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th September

St Mary’s Abbey Guided Tours at 2:00 pm, 2:20 pm, 2:40 pm

Admission free | must be pre-booked 01732 770929 Tonbridge Castle TIC

The Pilsdon Community, Water Lane with its beautiful 15th Century Barn Chapel

St Mary the Virgin, High Street The Malling Society, Clout Institute, High Street

‘Serving West Malling’ An exhibition with prints from the Freda Barton collection

are all open from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm Twitch Heritage Centre,

Douces Manor, St Leonards Street Parking in marked bays on road | Admission free

open from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm Come and see where WW II Officers spent their ‘down time’

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What’s on at St Mary’s An excited group of parishioners gathered outside the gate of St Mary’s Abbey on Sunday 7th July; the nuns had kindly invited a group of us to join them for tea. Hospitality is a very large part of the Benedictine rule of life and they welcome more than 3000 visitors annually. However, the nuns of West Malling are a ‘closed’ order; they don’t work in the community. Their lives are centred on worship through the seven daily ‘offices’ (services) and Eucharist (Holy Communion); part of each day is devoted to practical work but much time is spent in silent contemplation, study and prayer. Each day begins with Lauds at 4:30 am! To say it’s a radical step to become a nun is a mastery of understatement, but clearly there are women who find the monastic way of life the best expression of their being. That vocation is thoroughly tested: it’s at least 5½ years from being ‘clothed’ as a novice to taking the Benedictine vows of stability, conversion of life and obedience.

We were welcomed into the abbey grounds by the Abbess, Mother Mary-Joseph. As we walked through the archway, various nuns paired off with individuals and took us around the abbey grounds. My guide was Sister Mary. We wandered through the extensive gardens; I listened as she talked about their way of life. It was very warm. I asked how she coped with her habit given the heat. ‘It’s fine if you stay in the shade,’ she replied. Well, of course.

What I found fascinating was that her story of how she had come to be part of the community seemed – by her own admission – a little bit bonkers. It was certainly circuitous. But, I reflected, life isn’t linear – we just work on the assumption that we think it should be. What it boiled down to, though, was a dawning realisation that what mattered to her most of all was prayer. And the seven offices of the day help underpin all that.

We gathered on the lawn for cups of tea and mountains of cake (we don’t always have cake in this quantity, explained another nun – it’s just for special occasions) and had the opportunity to talk to some of the ‘alongsiders’ and visitors. ‘Alongsiders’ stay at the abbey for a few months at a time and work, pray and worship alongside the nuns. Find out more at the abbey’s website: www.mallingabbey.org

After tea we were shown into the visitors’ wing of the chapel for their service of Vespers (sometimes known as Evensong). The service was sung without accompaniment; just the reading was said. It was unhurried and absolutely beautiful. Many of us only had a view of the altar throughout the service – the visitors’ section is positioned at the far side of the chapel and, for many, the view is very restricted – which brings the words sharply into focus. After the service we went directly from the chapel back into the outside world. I think we are really blessed to have a powerhouse of prayer right in the centre of West Malling.

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Drivers for the Nuns! The nuns at the Abbey have asked if three or four drivers would be willing to be added to their Driver List as they’re running rather short of volunteers. They would contact you if they are in need of help; if you can’t do that day they would contact another driver.

Usually it’s a trip to Maidstone Hospital for appointments or to the GP surgery in King’s Hill. Two of their members are in a Nursing Home in Ditchling, Sussex and one or two like to visit them once a month. They pay a certain amount in mileage but you would need to check your car insurance!

If you are interested in helping, please contact Issy who will act as the initial go-between.

01732 849051 Isobel Macdonald

Rev. David Green will be coming to speak to us at our next meeting on Monday 9th September at 2:30 pm in the Church Centre. Do join us if you can, you will be warmly welcomed.

Several of us attended Evensong at Rochester Cathedral on Lady Day. We were joined by other branches for a wonderful service. Gail Crutchfield

Prudential London/Surrey 100 Mile Event Thank you very much to all those who sponsored, supported and prayed for me before and during my challenging ride on Sunday 4th August.

It was wonderful to take part in its inaugural year. The organisation was superb and it felt great to be on streets in London closed to other traffic. The crowds watching and fellow cyclists were all very encouraging. The worst bit was towards the end when I started to get cramp in my legs but this was soon forgotten by the joy of the final push cycling down the Mall. I was pleased to finish the circuit in 7 hours 20 minutes.

I was cycling for Mothers’ Union and my sponsorship site will be open for a few more weeks. It is www.justgiving.com/Gail-Crutchfield. Thanks again. Gail Crutchfield

Cluster Service for Michaelmas with Canon Jean Kerr Come and celebrate St Michael’s Day at Discovery School, Kings Hill on Sunday 29th September at 6:00 pm. It’s a brilliant opportunity to praise God together with friends from other churches! If you haven’t seen St Gabriel’s new home, now’s your chance.

Thank you to everyone who donated money to the Children’s Society via the box scheme. The grand total raised was £801.78 – a brilliant effort! Jill Rutland

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On Saturday 14th September 2013 from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm hundreds of cyclists, walkers, riders, canoeists (you can travel in any way you choose) will be visiting as many churches as they can to raise money for Friends of Kent Churches. Would you like to join them? Plan your own route: either visit local churches or take a train Romney Marsh or Canterbury and see the churches there. More than 750 churches all over Kent will be open. Sign in at each church and enjoy exploring some of Kent’s hidden treasures. Many churches offer excellent refreshments.

This event is sponsored and the money raised is divided in two - half goes to the church of your choice and half goes to Friends of Kent Churches. The Friends use the money to give grants to Kent churches for repairs to their fabric. They also provide loans for churches that need them. Over £1m has been distributed in the last ten years.

Details and forms from Mary Gibbins 01732 870643 | [email protected] or visit the website www.friendsofkentchurches.co.uk from which sponsorship forms can also be downloaded. Please let me know if you can church sit on the day at St Mary’s to welcome riders and walkers. Church sitters can also be sponsored! Mary Gibbins

Heritage Weekend, September 14 - 15 If you could help show people round our lovely church over this special weekend, when the Ride & Stride event will also be taking place, please let David, John or Becky know.

Harvest Festival On 22nd September there will be a special Family Service so all can be involved in our Harvest Celebrations. All donations are most welcome and will be shared between the Kenward Trust and Pilsdon at Malling. Dried and tinned foods are particularly useful because of their extensive shelf life.

Bishop Brian comes to St Mary’s Rt Revd Dr Brian Castle will be conducting a Confirmation Service at St Mary’s on Sunday, 13th October at 6:30 pm. If you are interested in being confirmed, confirmation classes begin on Wednesday 11th September at the Vicarage and run for four weeks. If you can’t make that time, please let David know: he’d be happy to run another option if demand is there.

Youth Group Open to all in school years 9 – 13, the group meets fortnightly on Wednesdays from 7:30 – 9:30 pm at the Vicarage. Evenings are a mixture of social events, DVD nights and sessions when we look at the Bible together, answer questions you want to ask, consider issues that affect you and explore faith in God together. Please speak to David if you’d like to come or know teens who may be interested. The first session is on 11th September.

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Glimpses from St Gabriel’s After several months working closely with David and particularly the congregation of St Gabriel’s, Kings Hill, Richard Higham has concluded that he needs to explore other avenues of church work. Richard has done much to provide a regular presence at St Gabriel’s; he, Alison and Rebekah will be sadly missed, but we are incredibly grateful for the gifts of his time, energy and expertise over the past months. We wish him and his family well as he works in other settings to discern what his future holds.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words: the congregation of St Gabriel’s saw this projected at the beginning of one sermon. Even if you don’t know the Harry Potter stories, this is pretty indicative of how the characters (Severus Snape on the left and Harry Potter on the right) feel about each other. There’s not a lot of love lost between them.

But then Harry gets the opportunity to see things from Snape’s point of view – he looks into the pensieve. The pensieve is an interesting concept: pour magically captured memories into its bowl and you can watch events through another person’s eyes. And in watching everything through Snape’s eyes – given new information – Harry has to re-evaluate everything: absolutely everything. And that was not an easy thing to do; it cost Harry a lot. He had to let go of his idealised view of his father and embrace a more realistic version; it can be difficult to let go of dreams.

Why were we thinking about the pensieve? Because there are, astonishingly, parallels in the letter to the Hebrews. Once, the writer says, we understood things in a certain way because our understanding was incomplete. Now, because Jesus was born, because he lived, because he died, because he rose again for us, we understand things in a different context. We need to reinterpret the Old Testament in the light of everything Jesus said and did now that we’ve glimpsed the bigger picture.

The writer is brimming with excitement: ‘Look, look,’ he says. ‘We understood this that way back then – look at what it means now! Look what our forefathers taught us about faith; look at what they taught us about trust; look at what they taught us about just getting on with stuff. They listened to God and stepped out in faith even though they didn’t know where their journeys would lead. So what does that mean for us today?

I think is means we need to take time to listen to what God’s trying to say to us – and we need to be quiet to do that! We need to step out in faith, too. It doesn’t matter if it doesn’t seem to make much sense – it doesn’t even matter if it doesn’t seem to ‘work’ – just having a go is enough. Exercising your faith is good for you – and it helps to paint God’s big picture more boldly. Think about it; it’s not possible see the whole canvas while you’re busy concentrating on painting your little bit – you have to step back for a while and take time to look to be able to do that. So, for now, our task is to listen, to respond and, from time to time, to step back and try to see the bigger picture.

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St Michael’s Offham News & Muse St Michael’s Offham News

The Annual Sponsored Ride & Stride for the Friends of Kent Churches will be on Saturday, 14th September; sponsorship forms are available from Nicola Mackrill ( 01732 842432). St Michael's will benefit from any money that you raise, and we would particularly welcome more cyclists from the village - this is a fun

event, so please come along and join in. Both St Michael’s Church and Offham Methodist Church will be open from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm for cyclists and walkers to “sign in” so that these visited Churches can be part of their sponsorship. The proceeds of the event will be divided equally between The Friends of Kent Churches and the Church or Chapel of the rider’s choice.

Harvest Festival will be on Sunday, 22nd September.

Services of Harvest Thanksgiving will take place at 9.15 am at St Michael’s and then Offham Methodist Church will hold their service at 11.00 am: St Michael’s congregation is warmly invited to join the celebrations.

The services will be followed by the customary Harvest Lunch at 12.30 for 12.45 pm and will be a combined event at the Methodist Hall. This is an opportunity for the whole community of the village to gather together to give thanks for God's gifts to us. St Michael’s congregation will supply the main course. Offers of food, such as quiches, will be welcome; Offham Methodist Church will provide the puddings. Everyone is most welcome. Mike Rowe will be circulating invitation forms giving details so you can let us know if you intend to join us for planning purposes.

Offham Methodist Church Our Harvest Service will be held on Sunday, 22nd September at 11.00 am which will be led by Revd Kath Pawlett; the service is followed by a joint lunch with St Michael’s.

“Tea & Chat” is on the first Tuesday of the month – 3rd September, meeting in our hall from 2.00 until 4.00 pm; please join us to meet old friends and maybe some new ones over a cup of tea. Next month we’ll meet on Tuesday 1st October.

Walkers from Churches in Offham join a larger group from the Methodist Circuit one Thursday morning each month. This month’s walk will take place on Thursday, 19th September meeting at the Village Hall Car Park in Chart Sutton (TQ 796501) at 10.00 am. We’ll walk for about 5 miles taking in the reservoirs and farms of the Weald. New walkers are very welcome.

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Our annual fund raising PLANT SALE will be held on Saturday, 5th October at 3.00 pm, featuring stalls with cakes, produce, indoor and outdoor plants. Donations of plants will be very welcome. There is still time to grow some plants for us to sell so get your green fingers busy!

Offham Open House

The September Meeting on Thursday, 5th September, will be a Coffee Morning at 10.00 am in Penny Marriott’s home: Fairlead, Church Road. It’s in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

The October Meeting will be on Thursday, 3rd October at 10.00 am at the home of Wendy Williams, 19, Pepingstraw Close – bring a book to swap and tell us about a book that you have enjoyed. There will also be a picture quiz to guess the book titles.

The next Offham Society meeting will be on Thursday, 3rd October at 8.00 p.m. in the Village Hall when Mr Brian Macknish will give an illustrated talk on ‘The Thames and Medway Canal

from its opening in 1824 to the present day’. The canal now runs from Gravesend to Higham in North West Kent and has an interesting military, engineering and social history. The TM Canal Association has restored the canal and now promotes its use as a multipurpose amenity and as viable navigable waterway.

TABLE TOP SALE Sunday 20th October 2013 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

OFFHAM VILLAGE HALL Church Road, Offham

Free entry | Refreshments If you would like a table to sell your goods, please contact Fiona Lloyd-Williams 01732 847843 Cost: £10 each

Clear out your cupboards! Sort out your shelves! Your clutter could be somebody else’s treasure.

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Goodbye Graham & Pauline

Graham presided at Holy Communion at St Mary’s for the final time on Sunday 11th August. As the service was drawing to a close, David took the opportunity to reflect on Graham’s contribution to the life of our churches. He recalled that when he had first come to the parish, he’d been struck by the wisdom of Graham’s articles in the Parish Magazine and had made a mental note to get to know him to see if there was anything else he could offer. He soon found out there was!

Graham longed to return to full time ministry and was initially granted Permission to Officiate by Bishop James, then subsequently licensed as Associate Priest of this benefice by him this spring. We’ve enjoyed his stories, his sermons, his sense of humour, his calming and prayerful presence. We are really sad to say goodbye to him and Pauline, but know that our loss is Helsby’s gain: Graham will be licensed as priest of two parishes and also be Director of Spirituality in the Diocese of Chester.

At the end of the service, Pauline and Graham were presented with hand-painted cups and saucers by the children (so they can remember us over their morning cup of tea!) and cheques from St Michael’s, St Gabriel’s and St

Mary’s to help with the inevitable costs of moving.

‘Whatever you have given us – and we’re very grateful for it – my wife will have spent it before she’s sat down!’ Graham quipped.

He ended the service with a beautiful blessing: The Lord be within you: to strengthen you; outside you : to preserve you; over you: to shelter you; beneath you; to support you; before you: to guide you; behind you: to steady you; round about you: to secure you.

And so receive a blessing for all that may be required of you; that love may drive out fear; that you may be more perfectly abandoned to the will of God and that peace and contentment may reign in your heart.

Graham writes: "Pauline and I would like to thank everyone who has wished us well and who have given us such a generous present to help us settle in at Helsby. We really enjoyed our last service and will miss you all very much. St Mary's, St Michael's and St Gabriel's have given us a real sense of home and belonging. You will see us every now and again when we have some time off and we visit the family here in Kent. God bless and thank you once more."

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Music @ Malling September 2013

Thursday 26th September The Schools’ Concerts 11:00 am | 12:30 pm | 2:00 pm St Mary’s, West Malling The Soldier’s Tale | Igor Stravinsky Chamber Domaine English National Ballet Narrated by Matthew Sharpe

Friday 27th September Ancient and Modern 1:00 pm | Barn Chapel, Pilsdon Piano Quartet | Mahler Barkham Fantasy for Piano | Simpson Intro & Allegro for Piano Trio | Britten Adagio for Piano Trio | Mozart/Pärt Piano Quartet Op.47 | Schumann Chamber Domaine

A Family Four Seasons 7:00 pm | St Mary’s, West Malling Chamber Domaine| Conductor Thomas Kemp| Eynsford Concert Band | Director Mike Smith Two outstanding musical ensembles will get your toes tapping and put a smile on your face!

Fun for all the family | Children’s tickets are FREE! Four Seasons | Vivaldi Chaccony | Purcell Modern Classics including Dam Busters

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Saturday 28th September

The Sacconis play Schubert & Mozart 1:00 pm | All Saints’, Birling Sacconi Quartet featuring brilliant clarinettist and featured composer, Mark Simpson Quartettsatz | Schubert Summa | Pärt Three Pieces for Clarinet | Stravinsky Clarinet Quintet in A | Mozart

Meet the Artist 7:00 pm | St Mary’s, West Malling Graham Clarke, celebrated artist, will be sharing his stories about his sharply observed drawings and prints.

Masterclass! 2:00 pm | Various historical venues in and around West Malling. Leading performers will be coaching young musicians, encouraging the stars of tomorrow.

The Great American Songbook 8:00 pm | St Mary’s, West Malling

James Pearson and Friends (Resident ensemble at Ronnie Scott’s) Rhapsody in Blue | Gershwin A wealth of music from ‘across the pond’ – a must for all jazz lovers

Sunday 29th September

Cellisimo! 1:00 pm | St Lawrence’s, Mereworth Leading cellist, Richard Harwood performs in the Palladian splendour of Mereworth Church Fantasiestucke | Schumann Fratres | Pärt Ave Maria | Schubert Cello Sonata | Britten Meet the Composer 6:00 pm | St Mary’s, West Malling A chance to meet Mark Simpson as he talks about his work as a performer and composer. Simpson & Mozart 7:00 pm | St Mary’s, West Malling Cantus in Memoriam | Pärt Simple Symphony | Britten Windflower | Simpson Benjamin Britten Septet | Simpson Festine Lente | Pärt Clarinet Concerto | Mozart

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Meet Mark Simpson – BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist 2012 – 2014 Mark, who uniquely won the Young Musician and Young Composer of the Year 2006, will be at St Mary’s, West Malling at 6:00 pm on Sunday 29th September to talk about his work both as a composer and performer. His compositions are featured over the festival weekend as part of Music@Malling’s commitment to showcasing contemporary talent.

Born in Liverpool, to a distinctly unmusical family, Mark began by playing the recorder at primary school and graduated to the clarinet when he was nine. He could have chosen the flute but had been blown away by Gerschwin’s Rhapsody in Blue which opens with an amazing clarinet glissando. He really began to enjoy playing after a few years, and progressed from his school orchestra to the County Youth Orchestra, joining the National Youth Orchestra as a composer in 2004.

His interest in modern classical music was sparked by listening to another of this festival’s featured composers: Stravinsky. It wasn’t The Soldier’s Tale though, it was The Rite of Spring: a ballet so groundbreaking and unusual there were riots at its premiere in Paris in 1913. So impressed was Mark with the amazing texture of the music, he ordered a score from his local music shop. It was the start of an accumulation of an eclectic collection of contemporary compositions. It also prompted him to explore his own ‘voice’ as a composer.

Mark is a huge advocate for getting young people interested and involved in music; he despairs of the stuffy attitude some retain about when to clap (or not) at concerts; he recognises it’s a real turn off. If you think classical music is only for ‘posh’ people, Mark is somebody who has truly broken the mould: with his scouse accent, twinkling eyes, impish grin and enthusiasm, he is a fantastic ambassador for contemporary classical music.

So, is Mark first and foremost a clarinettist or a composer? It’s a question he finds a little frustrating – he’s first and foremost a musician – and a brilliant one at that. Come along to this exciting free event to discover what makes him tick. If you’ve never been to a ‘Meet the Composer’ session before, this would be a fantastic way to break your duck. It’s a wonderful opportunity to meet a world class composer and musician.

Children – and their questions – are particularly welcome.

Volunteer Needed Compaid, a local charity based in Paddock Wood, provides opportunities for elderly and disabled people. We are looking for a volunteer to join our dedicated Outreach team in the Aylesford area every Thursday afternoon, 1.30pm – 3.30pm.

This is an interesting and varied role supporting elderly/disabled people to explore and share the recreational, creative, social and educational activities that computers offer. Your reward would be to see individuals gain in confidence and ability – and just simply to have fun!

If you would like to find out more please contact Judith Williams, Volunteering Manager

t: 01892 538345 e: [email protected] www.compaid.org.uk

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The Soldier’s Tale Treasure Hunt: 23rd – 30th September Spot the soldiers hiding in the windows of shops in West Malling. There are four soldiers from different countries: Russia, England, Scotland and Greece. You will also have to locate the devil, a dancing princess and the soldier’s violin.

Entry forms are available from St Mary’s Church (open from 9:00 am until dusk) and participating schools. Entry is free for all primary aged children.

In keeping with the tale, we’re running a joke competition. Can you give us a chuckle with a joke about heaven or hell? We’re sure you can do better than this:

Joe was stranded on the rooftop of his house and the floodwaters were rising. A man rowed by in a dinghy. ‘Jump in,’ he said. ‘No, thank you,’ Joe replied, ‘the Lord will save me.’ The flood waters kept rising. A lifeboat came near by. A coastguard flung out a life-belt and said, ‘Grab this and we’ll pull you in.’ ‘No, thank you,’ Joe replied, ‘the Lord will save me.’ The waters kept rising. By now Joe was up to his neck into it. A helicopter hovered overhead. The winch-man lowered himself down. ‘Come on,’ he said, holding out his hand. ‘Hold on to me and I’ll get you to safety.’ ‘No, thank you,’ Joe replied, ‘the Lord will save me.’ The helicopter flew off. The waters kept rising and Joe drowned. In heaven, he approached God indignantly and asked why he hadn’t saved him. ‘Well, I tried,’ replied God, ‘I sent along the dinghy and the lifeboat and the helicopter…’

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The Accidental Churchwarden

‘Yesterday, despite the weather, we celebrated a fabulous wedding at Pilsdon,’ Pam Rink began. She was presiding for us at St Mary’s on the Sunday of the August Bank Holiday weekend. ‘As Pilsdon isn’t licensed for weddings, we had to jump through a few hoops to make it happen,’ she continued.

You may remember that particular Saturday. Unusually for this summer, which has generally been one of balmy, blue skies and scudding white whisps, this particular Saturday was heavy and overcast, with leaden clouds. The morning was punctuated by intermittent showers; shortly after lunch time the heavens opened; the deluge was of almost biblical proportions.

As it happened, I knew a little about the hoops, too. There are lots of legalities which must be complied with when conducting weddings and, in the main, these are to ensure the ceremonies comply with civic law. There are registers which need to be completed – in triplicate. They are entered into two books; one for the Registrar, one for Church records and onto the certificate which is given to the couple: officially, this is a copy of the certified entry. Weddings can only take place within certain hours of the day (I assume this is to comply with Registry Office opening times but I’d be thrilled to be enlightened if there is an alternative explanation) and have to be preceded by a licence or the reading of banns on three separate occasions. This I knew as I’d dealt with the marriage registers during the interregnum and it’s something I’ve continued to do.

An Anglican wedding can take place in ‘unlicensed’ premises by special permission – from the Archbishop of Canterbury! The licence was duly granted – it’s an amazing looking document – so the preparations could begin in earnest. Of course, because the Barn Chapel at Pilsdon isn’t licensed, it doesn’t have its own set of books and certificates, so Pam asked if she could use the books at St Mary’s. We were only too pleased to help.

Prior to the big day we discussed how to fill in the registers – when something a little out of the ordinary is happening, it’s important to get it right – and I duly completed them. On the morning of the great day I strolled into Pilsdon and handed the registers and certificate over.

‘Have you brought the pen?’ Pam asked.

Oh. No. I hadn’t. I really had forgotten to put two and two together. Because registers are going to be around for a very long time, they have to be completed with indelible ink – many modern inks fade, so it’s important to use the correct one. To complicate matters slightly, the wedding was taking place at 2:00 pm and at 1:00 pm there was a service at St Mary’s – for which we would need the same ink. Oops! ‘Don’t worry,’ I said. ‘I’ll be back.’

The problem was, my day was already chock full. How on earth was I going to fit another trip to Pilsdon in? Fortunately, the solution lay in my timetable. I went home, located a spare pen, filled it with indelible ink, tested it (it’s a little temperamental) and found some blotting paper. Returning to St Mary’s, I ensured all was ready for the baptism at one and explained to Canon Chris Dench why I had to dash. Within minutes the pen was safely nestled by the registers: the final hoop jumped, David and Roberta could enjoy their big day. Spurred by the spits and spots, I even managed to get back to St Mary’s in time for the service!

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September Connect-ten 1. Trap that strangles (5) 2. Glue (5) 3. For boiling water (6) 4. Whisk or mix (4) 5. Organ of hearing (3) 6. Specific clothes for sport (3) 7. Fossil fuelled lubricant (3) 8. Display (5) 9. Largest organ in the human body (4) 10. What you encourage ‘cheeses’ to do in

Stilton on Shrove Tuesday (4) 11. What connects these ten answers?

See p. 22 for Crossword and Connect-ten answers Having fun on Shrove Tuesday in Stilton

1. Difficulty (7) 2. Container for 21 Across (7) 3. Venetian form of transport (7) 4. Wear away (5) 5. Opening prayer (7) 6. Alcoholic beverage e.g. (7) 7. Hut, e.g. (7) 10. Episode (6) 14. Top Card (3) 15. Land transport (3) 16. Fish eggs (3) 17. Joined (6) 18. ___ Edmonson, comedian and musician (3) 19. Employ (3) 20. Ingest (3) 22. Gathering (7) 23. Herb (7) 24. Cultivating (7) 26. Small scaled (7) 27. 19th Century decorative type (7) 28. Spouse (7) 30. Wall mounted storage (5)

Crossword Nº 34 Harvest Festival ACROSS 1. We ____: harvest hymn

(6,3,6) 8. Rectangle (6) 9. Clothes shop (8) 11. What the first child in the

queue should do (7) 12. Property of ulcers, for

instance (6) 13. More aged (7) 21. Lubricated (5) 22. Change church interior

(7) 25. Following sixth (7) 29. Retaliates (7) 31. Reprimands (7) 32. Dreams (8) 33. Silver screen theatre (6) 34. Extract from chorus of 1

Across (4,5,6) DOWN

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St Michael’s, Offham Sunday 9:15 am Holy Communion*

St Gabriel’s, Discovery School, Kings Hill Sunday 9:30 am Holy Communion*

St Mary’s, West Malling Sunday 8:00 am Holy Communion (BCP) 11:00 am Holy Communion* (Common Worship) Monday 7:45 pm Bell Ringing Tuesday 10:00 am Morning Prayer Thursday 7:30 pm Choir Practice

Offham Methodist Church Sunday 11:00 am Worship

Calendar – Regular Events (*unless otherwise stated)

September 2013

1st Fourteenth after Trinity / Creation 1 9:15 am Family Service St Michael, Offham 9:30 am Parade Service Discovery School, Kings Hill 11:00 am Family Service & Baptism St Mary, West Malling

Coffee and cakes after the Service 1:00 pm Thanksgiving for Jake Templeton St Mary, West Malling 2nd 8:00 pm Cluster Prayers 27 Ames Way, Kings Hill 3rd 8:00 pm Ransom/Fortnum Housegroup 4th 8:00 pm Betts/Cooke Housegroup 7th 2:00 pm Wedding of Pete & Nicola St Mary, West Malling 8th Fifteenth after Trinity / Creation 2 11:00 am Holy Communion with Baptism St Mary, West Malling 1:00 pm Baptism St Mary, West Malling 9th 2:00 pm Mothers’ Union Church Centre, West Malling 11th 5:15 pm Confirmation Class Vicarage, West Malling 7:30 pm Youth Group Vicarage, West Malling 14th 10:00 am Heritage Weekend – see p. 6 for details of events Ride and Stride for Friends of Kent Churches – see p. 9 15th 7:00 pm Zone 12 Event St Mary, West Malling 16th 7:45 pm Kings Hill Congregation Meeting 17th 8:00 pm West Malling PCC Church Centre, West Malling 18th 5:15 pm Confirmation Class Vicarage, West Malling 20th 7:30 pm Graham Green’s Induction Service in Helsby 22nd Harvest Festival 12:30 pm Bring and Share Lunch Methodist Hall, Offham 23rd 8:00 pm Offham PCC Methodist Hall, Offham 24th 7:30 pm Baptism Evening Church Centre, West Malling

Barn Chapel, Pilsdon at Malling Wednesday 12 noon Holy Communion Sunday 4:00 pm Open House Tea 6:00 pm Holy Communion

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Calling all budding authors! We need new articles, stories, and anecdotes. If you’ve never written anything before and fancy having a go, the Parish Magazine is a fantastic starting point. You can send your contributions in any format: hand written, typed, Word or Pages documents. Send your contribution to Becky Clifford, 135 Offham Road, West Malling ME19 6RE or [email protected] if it’s in electronic form. You might just see yourself in print!

September Connect-ten Answers: 1. SNARE 6. KIT 2. STICK 7. OIL 3. KETTLE 8. STAND 4. BEAT 9. SKIN 5. EAR 10. ROLL

11. All can be preceded or followed by ‘drum’

25th 5:15 pm Confirmation Class Vicarage, West Malling 7:30 pm Youth Group Vicarage, West Malling 26th – 29th Music @ Malling International Music Festival see pages 14, 15 , 17 & 18 for further details 27th 9:30 am School’s Harvest Service St Mary, West Malling 29th 1:00 pm Thanksgiving for Jacob Alvey St Mary, West Malling 6:00 pm Michaelmas Cluster Service Discovery School Kings Hill

Advertising Rates for 2013

6.5 cm x 4.5 cm (1/8 page) £6.00 / month 6.5 cm x 9.25 cm (¼ page) £11.00 / month 13.25 cm x 9.5 cm (½ page) £21.00 / month Full page: £40.00 / month There’s a maximum of 3 pages in a 24 page edition and 4 in a 28 page edition. First come, first served.

September Crossword

Key Concert Contacts at St Mary’s Could you be the key contact at St Mary’s for one or two concerts a year (dates to suit)?

You would need to be at the concert, help with refreshments and shut the Church at the end. You’ll meet fabulous people and listen to wonderful music. Could you help?

Contact Becky 01732 845634 [email protected]

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For Your Prayers from Rochester’s Cathedral’s Calendar of Intercessions

1st Ministry amongst the Deaf & Deaf/Blind 2nd Coxheath, East Farleigh, Hunton, Linton and West Farleigh 3rd Residential and Nursing Homes in our communities 4th Ditton 5th Development of collaborative ministry teams in the diocese 6th East Malling, Wateringbury and Teston 7th Larkfield 8th Those serving in the Armed Forces, Forces Chaplains and the work of the

Garrison Church Chatham 9th Bishop’s Council meeting at West Malling Abbey today 10th Churchwardens, PCC Secretaries & Treasurers 11th Leybourne 12th Mereworth with West Peckham; the Licensing of Elizabeth Robertson as

Associate Priest, Ash and Ridley 13th St George’s RAF Chapel of Remembrance, Biggin Hill 14th Those being ordained as deacons and priests today, their families and

parishes 15th West Malling with Offham 16th Paddock Wood Deanery; the College of Bishops meeting this week. 17th Brenchley 18th Parish and detached Youth Workers 19th Clergy with Permission to Officiate. 20th East Peckham with Nettlestead 21st Bromley and Sheppards Colleges 22nd Huggins College Northfleet 23rd Hadlow 24th Horsmonden 25th The Church Army 26th The Additional Curates Society 27th Lamberhurst & Matfield 28th Paddock Wood 29th Pembury 30th Yalding with Collier Street