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A Letter from the Rector
We are about to celebrate Easter, which is the most significant event in the Christian calendar. It is a time of joy, hope, and renewal. As we approach this the Easter season, we are reminded of the profound significance of Jesus’ resurrection and the promise of salvation it brings to all believers. The Easter message is one of triumph over death, light over darkness, and love over sin.
This year, as we prepare to celebrate Easter, let us continue to reflect on the journey of Lent, a period of spiritual discipline and introspection. Through prayer, fasting, and acts of service, we have sought to deepen our relationship with God and grow in our faith. As we enter Holy Week, we follow Jesus on his path to the cross, remembering his sacrifice and the ultimate victory of his resurrection.
Easter Sunday is a day of jubilation and praise as we gather to worship and proclaim the good news of Jesus’ triumph over the grave. It is a time to rejoice in the promise of new life and the hope of eternal salvation. Let us come together as a community of faith to celebrate the resurrection and share in the fellowship of believers.
As we reflect on the significance of Easter, let us also remember those in need and reach out with compassion and generosity. This season offers us an opportunity to embody the love and grace of Jesus by serving others and demonstrating the power of redemption in our lives.
In the midst of our Easter celebrations, let us not forget the message of reconciliation and forgiveness that Jesus brought to the world. As we gather with family and friends, may we extend grace to one another, seeking to mend broken relationships and restore harmony in our lives.
Easter is a time of new beginnings and fresh starts. Let us embrace this season with a spirit of renewal and transformation, allowing the message of Easter to permeate every aspect of our lives. May we emerge from this Easter season with hearts full of gratitude, minds focused on the eternal, and spirits renewed by the power of the resurrection.
May this Easter season be a time of blessing, joy, and spiritual growth for each one of us. Let us rejoice in the victory of Jesus and proclaim to the world that He is risen indeed!
Rev Barry
Diary: St, Peter & St Paul, Saltwood
Our regular pattern of worship includes a service every Sunday at 10am. Usually this is Holy Communion (to which all are welcome, whether or not you choose to receive communion) with a Family Service on the fourth Sunday of each month. Other services of Holy Communion, including ‘Book of Common Prayer’ services at Saltwood and Pedlinge, are shown on the website calendar, along with all services and events for the month.
Bubble Church, for families with Toddlers, is held in the Lads’ Club at 10am on the first Sunday of the month; Sunday Club, for children aged 3 – 10 is held at 10am in the Lads’ Club, on the third Sundays in term time.
Some highlights for your diary include:
Friday 1st – 14.00 – World day of Prayer service at Hythe Salvation Army, Portland Rd
Saturday 2nd – 14.00 – Baptism
Monday 4th – 14,00 – Monday Chats in the Lads’ Club (and each following Monday)
Tuesday 5th – Our Rector’s day off (and each following Tuesday)
Wednesday 6th – 10.00 to 11.30 – Saltwood Toddlers in the Lads’ Club (and 13th & 20th this month)
Wednesday 6th – 14.00 – Afternoon Prayer Group at 34 Harpswood Lane
Thursday 7th – 19.00 – Choir Practice (and each following Thursday)
Friday 8th – 09.00 – Prayer in the church (and each following Friday)
Sunday 10th – 10.00 – Mothering Sunday N.B. Family Service
Saturday 16th – 10.30 – Coffee Morning at Lympne Church
Saturday 16th – 15.45 – Messy Church in the Lads’ Club
Wednesday 20th– 14.00 – Cinema Club in the Lads’ Club
Thursday 21st – Funeral – Penelope Samuelson
Sunday 24th – 10.00 Palm Sunday – Hooba All Age Service
Sunday 24th – Last date for items for the March magazine
Thursday 28th – 19.00 – Maundy Thursday Service with meal in the Lads’ Club, followed by Eucharist in the church
Friday 29th – 9.45 for 10.00 – Walk of Witness, Hythe (meet in Waitrose car park)
Saturday 30th – 14.00-16,00 – Explore Easter (Lympne church)
Sunday 31st – Easter Day – 10.00 Holy Communion
Useful Contacts
Rector – Rev Barry Knott: Telephone: 01303 883243 email: rev.barry@icloud.com
Church website: www.saltwoodchurch.org
Community Support Hub: 01303 269602
Parish Pastoral Support: 0300 030 1330
Children & Families Ministry (including weddings and baptisms) – Christine Clover:
Telephone: 0300 030 1662 email: christineclover@lympneandsaltwoodchurches.uk
Lads’ Club Bookings: Jan Heard 01303 266945 email: jan.entendu@gm
Parish Magazine: Beth Lewsey 01303 264577 email: parishmagazine@saltwoodchurch.org
Items for the April Magazine
If you have any items for the April edition of the magazine, please forward to Beth Lewsey, by 24thMarch, by email if possible, to: parishmagazine@saltwoodchurch.org or deliver to 20 Castle Avenue. (Tel 01303 264577)
From the Parish Records
Congratulations to:
Gillian Durdan and Michael Cooper who were married on 20th February
Our love and sympathy go to the friends and family of:
Kathleen White, whose funeral was on 1st February
Margaret Morgan, whose funeral was on 13th February
Peter Henwood, whose burial was on 16th February
Olive Sherrard whose funeral was on 29th February
Intercessions for March
Today we pray especially for: –
1 The local and International committees of the World Day of Prayer
2 Businesses in our parish
3 The work of the Folkestone Rainbow Centre
4 Those struggling with addiction, thinking particularly of those known to you
5 St Mary & St Ethelburga Lyminge, St Mary Postling and All Saints Stanford
6 Those who live in Cylinder Road and Freshfield Lane
7 Christian communities facing persecution
8 Our ministry team
9 Village community groups
10 Our own discipleship as a community of faith
11 Those who live in Fairlight Road and Harpswood Lane
12 Carol Cooke and John Campbell, our Churchwardens, and the members of the PCC
13 Our local hospitals and Tricia Hill who leads the Canterbury hospital chaplaincy team
14 The King and the Royal Family
15 Those with physical and mental health needs and those who care for them, thinking particularly of those known to you
16 Our prayer groups
17 Those who live in New Road and The Coppice
18 Messy Church
19 Deanery Synod, its committees and officers
20 St Mary & St Eanswythe Folkestone, and St Peter Folkestone
21 Those who live in Tanners Hill, Tanners Hill Gardens and Deedes Close
22 Barry, our Rector
23 The bereaved and those who care for them, thinking particularly of those known to you
24 Our SALT house groups
25 Saltwood Primary School – the staff and pupils
26 Those who live on The Green, Old Saltwood Lane and Conway Close
27 St Luke Hawkinge and St Martin Acrise
28 Rose, Bishop of Dover and Darren, Archdeacon of Ashford
29 Those who live in Castle Road, Kiln Corner, The Close and Castle Crescent
30 Our Toddler group
31 All local churches, of any denomination, as we all celebrate the Risen Lord
A Prayer for Lent
Forgive those things we have done
which have caused you sadness,
and those things we should have done
that would have brought you joy.
In both we have failed
ourselves,
and you.
Bring us back to that place
where our journey began,
when we said that we would follow
the way that you first trod.
Lead us to the Cross
and meet
us there.
( Written by John Birch: Faith and Worship website)
Prayer Ministry at Saltwood
The Prayer Ministry Team invite you to come for prayer, in the sanctuary immediately after the Sunday morning services. You can ask for prayer for anybody and anything…. maybe the health and well-being of someone else or yourself? Or perhaps you have a national or world concern on your mind? You don’t need to share any sensitive details and you will not be asked any intrusive questions. You can bring your coffee with you if you wish. St John assures us ‘This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.’ (1 John 5:14)
Team members will be glad to pray with you where you are sitting in the pews, if you prefer. Just ask one of the welcome team to let us know.
Saltwood Church Pastoral Group
Caring for One Another
‘And let us look out for one another to provoke love and good works’ (Hebrews 10:24)
Our Pastoral Group meet monthly to seek ways of offering support to those who are going through difficult or challenging times. If you know someone you are concerned about, or if you have concerns yourself, please contact us. You will always find a friendly voice and a listening ear at the end of the line. Caring for others is at the heart of Christian life and you can help us by being our eyes and ears, letting us know of anyone who is in need.
Contacts: 01303 266454 01303 883243
Special Easter Services and Events at Saltwood
24th March Palm Sunday: 10am Hooba All Age Service – Saltwood
28th March Maundy Thursday: 7pm Maundy Thursday service with meal– Lads’ Club (followed by Eucharist in the church)
*(need to sign up, sheets will be in both churches through March)
29th March Good Friday:10am Walk of Witness, Hythe (meet at Waitrose car park at 9:45)
3pm Hour at the Cross Saltwood
31st March Easter Day: 10am Holy Communion – Saltwood
Lent Lunches
Saturdays 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd March
12 – 1.30pm
In the Lads’ Club
Home made soup with fresh bread,
cheese and chutney
Tea and Coffee
Adults £6 Children £3
(But do bring along some extra cash to buy lovely home-made cakes and jams etc)
Saltwood Cinema Club
Will be showing
‘A MAN CALLED OTTO’
on Wednesday 20th March
at 2pm at the Lads’ Club
Otto is a grump who’s given up on life following the loss of his wife. When a young family moves in nearby, he meets his match in quick-witted Marisol, leading to a friendship that will turn his world around. Starring Tom Hanks as Otto.
Cost £5 per person to include tea and cake
All proceeds to the Lads’ Club Funds
Developing our Faith is a Life-long Journey
We have many ways to learn more about God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, whatever our age – and many of these ways come with the added benefit of companionship with others.
For ADULTS we have SALT House Groups
(SALT = Sharing And Learning Together ,,,, or
SALT = Saltwood And Lympne Together)
There are three groups in Saltwood, mostly meeting a couple of times each month: –
Wednesday evenings. Contact Bob White on 07742 927356
Thursday evenings. Contact Jeremy Russell on 07740 030659
The Afternoon Group has changed their time of meeting. We now meet on the 2nd and 4th Friday of each month at 34 Harpswood lane, the home of Penny Forsyth, at 2.30pm so that will be 8th and 22nd March for this month. Penny can be contacted on 01303 980593. You will be very welcome to join us.
There are also two groups in Lympne: The Monday evening and Friday morning homegroups meet every two weeks. We are still reading our way through Matthew; we read a passage, discuss its meaning and enjoy a wide-ranging discussion.
Contact Rachel Cornish at lympnechurch@gmail.com
New members are always made very welcome at any group!
As you will remember from the January magazine, there are also plenty of learning and fun opportunities for CHILDREN:-
Bubble Church (for babies, toddlers & young families). A puppet-packed, Jesus centred, coffee and croissant fuelled, 30 minute kids and families adventure
Book here: https://lympneandsaltwoodchurches.org.uk/book-bubble-church/
Next Bubble Church Sunday 3rd March 9:45am Lads’ Club, Saltwood
Sunday Club (ages 3-10). Meet 10-11am Lads’ club
Contact Christine Clover: Call 0300 030 1662 or text 07379 877846
or Email christineclover@lympneandsaltwoodchurches.uk
Messy Church –
Meets in the Lads’ Club on the third Saturday each month for families to enjoy fun, food and worship.
Contact Bob on 07742 927356 for more details
Warden’s Corner
From John Campbell: –
Holy Spirit Video Teaching Series
John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
Going Live in March and Generally Accessible from April
We have recently completed recording a set of 12 teaching videos to provide a grounding and knowledge in the vitally important Person of the Holy Spirit, His working with us individually, and in the church. Some of the videos have already been seen in the SALT groups. From next month, we will publish the links every month, and I would like to encourage you to watch them at your leisure. No video is longer than 29 minutes and most are much shorter. The teaching is designed to be progressive, but each video also stands happily on its own.
At the moment, all the links will be YouTube links, but shortly I hope to have the videos accessible and playing from within the church website as well.
The videos cover the following subjects.
Video 1 – The Inerrancy and Infallibility of Scripture
Video 2 – An Introduction to the Holy Spirit
Video 3 – The Holy Spirit in Scripture – Part 1
Video 4 – The Holy Spirit in Scripture – Part 2
Video 5 – The Holy Spirit’s Work in Our Lives
Video 6 – The Fruit of the Spirit
Video 7 – The Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Video 8 – Walking in the Spirit
Video 9 – The Holy Spirit’s Role in Prayer
Video 10 – The Holy Spirit and Spiritual Growth
Video 11 – The Holy Spirit and the Community of Believers
Video 12 – An Overview and Summary – not yet recorded
Repeated Post – Reverend Barry’s Day Off.
Barry’s nominated weekly day off is Tuesday. This is the day that suits him best, so I would ask you all not to contact him at all that day by any means – by phone, email, or text. If an emergency occurs, by which I mean something that really, really can’t wait until Wednesday, then please contact one of the wardens.
We take our days off for granted and most of us during our working lives had both Saturday and Sunday off. Barry has only one day off and I am asking each one of us to honour it and protect it.
From Carol Eastell: –
Lent Lunches start on Saturday 2 March and continue through March the final one being on 23 March. Please come and support the Lent lunch teams. If you have any spare jars that we can use for leftover soup, that would be most helpful. Bring them with you to church or to the Lads’ Club on a Saturday. Also it would be marvellous if you could bake a cake to sell. Most of all though, just bring yourselves. We look forward to seeing you there!
The Afternoon Prayer group meets this month on Wednesday 6 March at 2 pm in the home of Penny Forsyth, 34 Harpswood Lane. We would love to see some new faces. Don’t be shy – come and join our friendly group as we pray for our church and our church family, as well as for the world. Prayer is the key and I believe we can all see how desperate is the need for prayer, throughout the world, these days.
Reminders about other Prayer Meetings:
Sundays at 9 40 am for a few minutes before the service in Saltwood Church
Fridays at 9 00 am in Saltwood Church
From Rachel Cornish, Warden at Lympne: –
This month I’ve been thinking about community.
The 3 churchwardens in the benefice met together earlier this month to get to know each other, share ideas, and look at ways we can support each other as we look after different churches within one benefice.
Do we “all live in a community”? No. We live in houses or flats in villages, towns or suburbs. We have to take action to become part of a community. Many people find this difficult as they are shy or unsure whether they will fit it – and this creates loneliness. Churches can help with this, by organising community events that bring people together.
Our churches are also communities – and some people are nervous about approaching them. Non-religious events within a church building can break down fear or apprehension; it is great that Lympne church is now used regularly for coffee mornings, for meetings of organisations such as the Lympne Airfield society, and hosts pilgrims overnight as a Pilgrim Sanctuary church.
The previous wildlife festivals and Nativity Procession attracted lots of people into the churchyard and church; we are now looking at other events such as the Explore Easter event on Easter Saturday and groups such as the St Stephens Eco Volunteers.
A Quote to Ponder
With Lent in mind…
The shortest distance between a problem and its solution is the distance between your knees and the floor. – Anon
From the Parish Magazine 2004
Extracts from our magazine from 20 years ago- and many things have not changed that much!
Lent Lunches – Every Saturday until 3rd April in the Lads’ Club (Adults £2.50)
Women’s World Day of Prayer – Friday 5th March2004, 10.30 am at Hythe United Reformed Church – Speaker: Mrs Audrey Wayte
Items of news: ‘The national waistline is expanding. In Britain today (2004) nearly seven out of ten men and more than half of all women are either overweight or obese’
‘96% of all 15-24 year-olds in Britain now have a mobile phone,’ (Ed: Remember this is twenty years ago!)
From the PCC meeting: Lads’ Club – It was noted that there were difficulties opening and closing the main door – this would be looked at.
Website – the website is up and running, though not yet complete
Parish Cards – A sub-committee had been formed for the purpose of making cards and notelets. Any profits to be distributed to a cause to be agreed each year.
Building Project – The total raised to date was £30,000 with around £93,000 having been promised.
St Stephen’s Church, Lympne
Services and Events in March
3rd – Holy Communion – 11.00
10th – Mothering Sunday: Hooba family Service – 11.00
16th – Coffee Morning – 10,30
17th – Holy Communion – 11.00
24th – palm Sunday: Holy Communion – 11.00
31st – Easter Day – Hooba family Service with Holy Communion
See elsewhere in this newsletter for services on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday at Saltwood Church
CHURCH PRAYER MEETING
This has now moved to a Friday lunchtime; in March we will meet on Friday 8th March at 12:30pm in Lympne Church
PCC and APCM
A reminder the Lympne PCC is on Monday 11th March at 18:45pm in Lympne church.
Advance notice that the APCM is on Sunday 18th April followed by a bring & share lunch.
LARGE PRINT HYMN BOOKS
Lympne church has large print hymn books for Songs of Fellowship – ask if you would like one (or three as this comes in 3 volumes!). There are usually large print orders of service available in the church as well – ask!
If you have not heard about the ECO CHURCH project – and St Stephens’s Silver Award, some details are on the website at https://lympneandsaltwoodchurches.org.uk/ecochurch/ – there are 5 different areas of church life that are looked at.
Saturday 30th March. 2-4pm St Stephen’s Church, Lympne
Come and see and experience the activities that Lympne primary school has been doing in Lympne Church to explore the true meaning of Easter, All ages welcome.
This coincides with a Hoppy Easter Hunt next door at the castle – so families can spend an afternoon in Lympne both thinking about the meaning of easter and hunting for easter eggs.
St Stephen’s Eco Volunteers
This is the name of a new community group formed to encourage and care for wildlife within Lympne churchyard and ensure this area remains a beautiful place to walk and enjoy the view.
Although organised by some members of Lympne congregation, the aim is for most members of the St Stephens Eco Volunteers team to be from outside the worshipping community.
Initial plans include increasing the amount of land set aside for wild flowers, improving arrangements for composting and adding bee and butterfly friendly plants. Also documenting the wildlife seen throughout the year.
LYMPNE FELLOWSHIP GROUP
We were privileged at our February meeting to welcome Pat Marshall, accompanied by husband Roger and Rosie, Pat’s guide dog, who behaved impeccably and captured the hearts of everyone present. Pat spoke frankly and informatively about her life since losing her sight and how she became accustomed to having a guide dog. We learned about the very intricate training programme and the total trust involved when the dog has to be The Eyes of the owner. A very enjoyable, thought-provoking and ‘eye-opening’ afternoon.
Lympne Fellowship normally meets at 1.15pm in the Harry Margary Hall on the 2nd Thursday of the month, with a programme of interesting and informative talks and activities. For further information about our group, please contact Jill Page on 07846 819693
SHAL: Studying History and Archaeology in Lympne
Our presenter in February was Chris Shaw, Chairman of the Shorncliffe Trust, who gave us a fascinating talk on a historical topic about which we knew little despite its Folkestone home.
The story begins in the late 1700s when a Redoubt, a temporary fortification, a big sand castle to counter turmoil from the French, was built on Hospital Hill. Shortly after, a battery fortification, a cluster of cannons in action to counter an enemy battle or siege, was constructed. Into this scenario came General Sir John Moore, a brilliant leader, hero and legend – in 1803 in charge of 52nd Oxford Light Infantry facing Napoleon and his troops. He was followed by William Truss, a genius in leading Royal Engineers in constructing the line of Martello Towers along the south coast, all 100m x 100m, built on sand with a S. side entrance and 14ft. thick front making it difficult for the enemy. Meanwhile Colonels Manningham and Stewart introduced methods of firing as a group, organised good regiments and treated soldiers well. Scots Regiments played bagpipes to identify where they were situated amongst the troops whilst Dundas organised them how to form a square. Moore took charge of well-organised training at Shorncliffe, and fought in the 1815 Battle of Waterloo in which Napoleon was defeated. Shorncliffe attracted Germans and Canadians to train in the 1850s and fight successfully in the Boer War. It embraced the World War 1 call to arms and constructed trenches for training in conditions they would encounter in battle. Chris has continued to organise activities to recognise the importance of Shorncliffe’s contribution to defence of our country for nearly 200 years.
At our next meeting on 19 March Andy Linklater will talk on the theme of ‘The Romans are coming’.
Castle Green WI
President Julie Andrews welcomed forty-four members to the Annual Meeting. The record of the January meeting was approved and signed. Julie informed members that the programme for 2024-2025 was on the website.Our treasurer, Margaret Wilson gave a financial update and reminded members that subs were now due. She will present the budget for the coming year at the March meeting.
Future events. Biddy has kindly offered another visit to her bluebell woods. Date to be arranged when the bluebells are in flower. In May, the Resolutions Meeting will be followed by a Ploughman’s Lunch. Romany is starting to plan a summer outing in late June or early July and in October there will be a Soup Lunch (always popular!)
The sub-groups will all hold meetings in February. See website for more information https://castlegreenwi.org.uk/.
Next on the agenda was the Annual Meeting. Margaret Wilson gave the Financial Report, prepared by Daphne Gazeley, which was proposed, seconded, and accepted by the members Biddy Fraser then read out the committee’s Annual Report. The sixty-one members of Castle Green WI had enjoyed varied and interesting talks and craft sessions. They had also been busy knitting bonnets for premature babies which were given to the William Harvey Hospital and knee blankets which were given to local nursing homes and care homes. In her President’s address Julie thanked the committee members for their work during the past year, she also thanked the leaders of the sub-groups and members who helped at meetings in various ways. Julie proposed the adoption of the committee’s report which was seconded and approved. A vote of thanks was given to the committee which was heartily endorsed by the members.
After coffee and chat some members settled down to sew up the colourful array of knitted squares into knee blankets. These had been knitted by members during the winter, led by the Knit and Natter group. The rest of the members settled down for a quiz session lead by Margaret Alcock. The picture round was of past (some very past!) British Prime Ministers. The second quiz was about television quiz and game shows past and present; again, some were very much in the past. This proved to be quite difficult and there were groans when the answers were read out. One answer really stirred memories. Which “dance” was performed by the audience at the end of each Blockbusters episode? The Hand Jive!! Several members immediately started “dancing”! Dawn and Susan were the winners and were awarded the magnificent prize of a pack of Kit Kats.
The next meeting will be on March 8th when the speaker will be from the Pilgrims Hospice.
Margaret Alcock
Finishing with a Smile …
Musings on life…
… I’m taking care of my procrastination issues. Just you wait and see.
… I hate it when I see an old person, and then realize we went to school together.
… My boss calls me ‘The Computer’. Nothing to do with intelligence; I go to sleep if left unattended for 15 minutes.
