APRIL 2021

Dear all,

Friday 16th 

On Friday evening we will be hosting special services of commemoration and thanksgiving ahead of the funeral of HRH the Duke of Edinburgh. These will be at 6pm at St Katharine's, Knockholt and at 7:30pm at St Margaret's, Halstead.

Representatives of various community groups have been invited, but there are still spaces available, so if you would like to be there, please get in touch and I will book you a place.

Sunday 18th

I do hope that you will be able to be with us this Sunday.

You can book here:

• For 9am at St Katharine's – https://knockholtandhalstead.churchsuite.co.uk/events/9viaioep
• For 11am at St Margaret's – https://knockholtandhalstead.churchsuite.co.uk/events/nqxc3eph
• Or, if you are unable to book into the service you wanted, you can book into waiting list – https://knockholtandhalstead.churchsuite.co.uk/events/jdubvevo

We will be starting our new series for the summer term, where we will be discovering something of the depth of God's love for us and how great is the power He will put to work for our good as we look together at the book of Ephesians.

Children

Here are our weekly children's sheets:

• Our Old Testament sheet looks at Saul being anointed as king - https://1drv.ms/b/s!AkD37_TbHk0VgcgtsIBecPdvYng1Vg?e=8wUSdF
• Our New Testament sheet looks at Jesus on the road to Emmaus - https://1drv.ms/b/s!AkD37_TbHk0VgcgsTyA52TadRu00PQ?e=Vf0ONg

(If you want a reminder if the Emmaus Road story, have a look at our Easter drama on YouTube).

Small groups

Our small groups will be meeting this week on Tuesday and Wednesday evening.

They are a great opportunity to explore what the Bible has to say in a friendly, encouraging environment.

If you would like to know more, do get in touch.

DEF LLF

Lastly, some of you will be aware that the Church of England has been engaged in a series of conversations around some of the issues of human sexuality under the banner "Living in Love and Faith".

The Diocesan Evangelical Fellowship is hosting a series of lunchtime webinars to help unpack some of the issues here.

The first of those is on Wednesday at 1pm – it will last no more than an hour (so it will fit within a lunch break).

If you would like to know more, or for the Zoom details, do get in touch.

Every blessing,

Your Rector, Tim
 

The Rev'd Tim Edwards
Rector of the United Benefice of Knockholt with Halstead

01959 532 133
07980 826 365

Website: knockholtandhalsteadchurches.org/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/knockholtandhalsteadchurches
YouTube: www.youtube.com/HalsteadRectoryUK
Giving: knockholtandhalstead.churchsuite.co.uk/donate

OTHER USEFUL TOPICS TO NOTE:

YOUTUBE:

If you were with us on Easter Day you will have enjoyed seeing our Easter Drama, performed by children (and some adults) from our church family.

You can now see that on our YouTube channel – and share it with friends and family. You can access the channel on the top right hand side of this page.

That is here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXL3BYOZFyH40Rcv9-O12FYHkYxeY9TJ6

In addition, during Holy Week, we had "An Evening with Jeremy Marshall", which you can also now see on our YouTube channel – it is well worth sharing with others.

Jeremy is a local man and the former CEO of the UK's oldest private bank (C. Hoare & Co.). In 2016 he was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Jeremy is able to speak clearly about what difference Jesus makes to life. Tim interviewed Jeremy after which people were welcome to ask any questions whatsoever. Jeremy is also the author of our two Lent books for this year. I honestly cannot think of anything more urgently relevant to where we are in 2021.

That can be seen here: https://youtu.be/G-hcupg5xaA

GIVING: 

As we move out of the current restrictions towards whatever the "new normal" will be, there are many things that we hope to do together as a church family. The last twelve months, while strange, have also been some of the busiest we have known. The need have never been greater for us to put into action of vision of "Knowing God, Loving God, Sharing God."

Humanly speaking, we can only do that if we work together.

Can I, therefore, ask you to consider whether you are able to make a regular gift to the work of your local church?

Not everyone will be able to do that, we know – the last year has been financially difficult for many (that is why, for example, we have been supporting local families through our Food Bank).

But could I ask you to think whether you could either start giving regularly or increase your regular gift to help make our vision a reality?

The easiest way to give is simply to go to our website and click on "donations/giving", which will allow you to give securely.

Thank you, so much,

Your Rector, Tim

The Rev'd Tim Edwards
Rector of the United Benefice of Knockholt with Halstead

ACCESSING CHURCH SUITE:

- If you have the myChurchsuite app – you can sign up directly there; or
- Use the links for each service below; or
- Email the Rectory – Tim (tim.edwards@gmail.com) or Debbie (rev.tim.office@gmail.com) and we will add you on.

OTHER PARISH NEWS: 
Are you online and would like to connect?

Connect with us here:  http://knockholtandhalsteadchurches.org/ or at https://www.facebook.com/knockholtandhalsteadchurches/ or click on the FACEBOOK icon on top right hand side of this page.

Have you filled out your contact form?
Make sure that you have filled out the contact form, you can do that at: http://knockholtandhalsteadchurches.org/resources/contact-details-form/  so that we can keep you in touch.

Would you like to join our weekly Bible Study Groups? It's an opportunity to grow in your faith and to get to know Jesus. To join one of the groups online: See the benefice calendar for details here: http://knockholtandhalsteadchurches.org/whats-on/benefice-calendar/

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COMMUNITY INITIATIVES : 

Food donations -

Useful to note: 

a) If you would like to give a physical donation of food.

b) Please take your physical donation to: Coolings Green & Pleasant, Main Road, Knockholt. 

c) This will go to support our partners at Trinity School Food Bank, who are working actively, and doing great work, to support local families within Sevenoaks.

d) Thank-you! for supporting this local initiative.

Knockholt HELP !  - We take phone calls between 9 am to 1pm Monday to Saturday only, or you can email us and we’ll get back  to you as soon as possible. Contact Ray by telephone on: 01959533024    or by email – knockholthelp@gmail.com

When contacting us please tell us your name and phone number, particularly if the line is busy and you have to leave a message.   [ Knockholt Help is supported by Knockholt Parish Council ]

These are the key areas where we can be of help:

• Shopping for groceries;
• Collecting vital medication;
• Posting letters and packages;
• A friendly ‘phone call or a chat

Do you or a member of your household have one of the Coronavirus symptoms and have been told 
to self-isolate for 7 or 14 days? If so, then help is at hand.

Knockholt Help was set up by a group of local volunteers during the first Lockdown period  in the Spring, and will be reactivated to help and support our fellow villagers who need to self-isolate. This service is free and utilises Knockholt Grapevine, so please check your emails regularly for updates.