23/05/2026
Dear friends
Tomorrow is Pentecost, and we will be joining our Methodist brothers and sisters in the orchard next to St Mary's Newington for our annual combined Pentecost service. It looks set to be another swelteringly hot day, but there is plenty of shade in this beautiful space. We'll be singing a couple of songs which may be unfamiliar - if you'd like to have a listen, you can find Enemy of apathy here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EmkyT6uUZE and O God of burning cleansing fire at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEpsnCY3sMo
We will hear the story of that amazing day (Acts 2), not simply as a distant moment from the past, but as a living reality, when the Holy Spirit overwhelmed and filled those frightened disciples. Pentecost reminds us that God still comes to ordinary people through the Holy Spirit: bringing courage where there is fear, hope where there is weariness, and new life where people feel stuck or lost. The same Spirit that filled those first disciples still moves through the Church and the world today, drawing people together, renewing hearts, and helping us live differently. Pentecost invites us to a community which is different from so much we see in our world today.
A community where people do not need to pretend.
A community where difference is not feared.
A community where people are patient enough to hear another person’s story.
So let's gather for what should be a wonderful time of celebration!
On Trinity Sunday, 31st May, we will be worshipping back in our home churches.
St Margaret's Lower Halstow - 10am Songs of Praise
St Mary's Newington - 10am Morning Worship - Teresa Parker
St Mary's Upchurch - 10am Communion - Rev Liz Cox
All Saints Iwade - 10.30am Family Worship - George Hulme
St Michael's Hartlip - 6.30pm combined service with Methodists
Please do pray for Mary, who many will know from when she lived with Andrea and Julian at the vicarage. Mary's mother has died, very suddenly, and her funeral has already been held in South Sudan; this of course means that Mary is apart from her family at this most difficult of times. There will be a service of memorial and thanksgiving at St Mary's Newington, date to be confirmed, when we can gather with Mary to pray for her and her family.
Every blessing
Amanda
We have a wonderful garden on our doorsteps at Snakesbury in Iwade Road, Newington, where Ann Bedford, a member of the congregation at St Mary's, lives with her son Gareth. The garden is open through the Open Gardens Scheme today and tomorrow, 11am to 4pm Snakesbury is a beautiful five-acre wildlife-friendly garden with paths mown through wild areas and a newly-planted woodland. Having visited this afternoon, I can recommend it as a wonderful place to be in the heat! https://findagarden.ngs.org.uk/garden/48756/snakesbury
St Michael’s church in Hartlip hosted a wonderful wedding celebration today (Saturday). Following the wedding there is the most spectacular display of flowers in the church and everyone is welcome to pop in and take a look.
Lower Halstow's Tuesday Social is on Tuesday, 26th May, when Richard Emmett will give a talk entitled The Train That Jumped The Gap. It's at the Memorial Hall, Lower Halstow, starting at 7.30pm £4 on the door. Raffle and Refreshments. All welcome
Small Groups & Prayer meetings:
Opportunities for fellowship, prayer, study, discussion and worship
as part of being rooted in Jesus:
· Monday Zoom group: At 2.30pm, for link contact Gill Gay [email protected]
· Connect Group Newington: 7.30pm every Tuesday evening. Contact: Teresa Parker [email protected]
· Connect group Iwade: 7.30pm at 17 Meadow Brown, Iwade. Contact: Becky Ridley [email protected]
· Prayer Groups Newington: Wednesdays fortnightly (1st & 3rd) from 10am. Contact Teresa Parker. Tuesday morning at 7.30amin St Mary's Newington. Contact [email protected]
Lower Halstow Prayer and chat 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month from 10am at St Margaret of Antioch church. Contact [email protected]
· Men's Breakfast: second Saturday at 8.30am at St Margaret's Lower Halstow.
Other regular activities: If there are any gaps then do let us know. Next dates are highlighted.
· St Michael's Hartlip: Coffee morning first & third Wednesday from 10.30am: 3rd June
· Bereavement Group: in St Margaret's Lower Halstow every Thursday morning from 10am.
· Rainbow Cafe: in St Mary's Upchurch on second Thursday from 2.00 to 4.30pm: 11th June
· Cornerstone Cafe: in St Mary's Newington third Thursday from 9am: 18th June
· Newington Methodist Coffee Morning: First Saturday morning from 10.00 to 12.00 in Newington Chapel: 6th June
· "Porch Sale" in St Mary's Upchurch: on Second Saturday from 10.00am: 13th June
Upchurch Choral Society: Rehearsals every Friday night, from 7.45pm to 9.15pm in St Mary's church. It is a four-part choir. New members are always welcome, with no audition needed. Interested? Contact the Secretary Liz Walters on: [email protected].
Happy Hour Singing Group at Lower Halstow Memorial Hall, 6.30pm-7.30pm, 1st and 3rd Monday of the month. Next meeting 1st June
· Newington Court: Two monthly events are open to local residents: Dementia Cafe every 2nd Friday / Craft Club every 4th Wednesday Book through 01795 843033.
Iwade Film Clubs are twice a month. Silver Screen is particularly appropriate to older folk and on the second Wednesday at 3.30. Family Film Club is especially suitable for children and is on the fourth Sunday at 3.00. All on the BIG screen at All Saints and all FREE. Refreshments will be served. Next Silver Screen 10th June, next Family Film Club 24th May.
I will be away for a few days this coming week, from Wednesday to Saturday
--
Amanda Lane
Priest-in-Charge of The Six
