If you wish to print this newsletter, please click on the link below to the pdf. Please note that this is in booklet form, so please print double sided, flipping on the short edge, then fold the paper to form your magazine.
Click here
A Letter from the Rector
Dear All,
We have just celebrated Ascension Day, which fell on May 29th this year, a time when we reflected on the significance of this important event in the Christian calendar. Ascension Day marks the moment when Jesus ascended into heaven, 40 days after His resurrection. This day not only commemorates the physical departure of Jesus but also emphasises His divine authority and the promise of the Holy Spirit.
“After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. ‘Men of Galilee,’ they said, ‘why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.’” Acts 1:9-11
Jesus’ ascension marks the conclusion of his earthly ministry. He fulfilled his mission of teaching, healing, and ultimately sacrificing himself for humanity’s sins. By leaving the mission to his disciples, Jesus empowers them to continue spreading his teachings and the message of salvation. This act signifies trust in their ability to carry on his work. Before ascending, Jesus promised the disciples that they would receive the Holy Spirit. This event, known as Pentecost, is seen as the moment when the disciples were empowered to spread the Gospel effectively. We will celebrate Pentecost on Sunday 8th June.
The ascension also provides Christians with the hope of Jesus’ return. It emphasises the belief that Jesus is alive and will come again to fulfil God’s promises. Jesus’ ascension to heaven symbolises his divine authority and role as the mediator between God and humanity. It highlights his exaltation and the establishment of his kingdom.
Overall, Ascension Day serves as a reminder that Jesus is not only our Saviour but also our reigning King. It encourages us to live with the hope and expectation of His return. As we celebrate this day, let us commit ourselves to the mission He has left us to spread the Gospel and make disciples of all nations. How well are we doing?
Blessings,
Rev Barry
Diary: St Peter and 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 dates to note for your diaries:
Monday 2nd – 1400 – Monday Chats in the Lads’ Club (and each following Monday)
Tuesday 3rd – N.B. – Our Rector’s day off (and each following Tuesday)
Tuesday 3rd – 19.00 – Hymn Singing for All at Lympne church *
Wednesday 4th – 10 to 11.30 – Toddler Group in the Lads’ Club (and each following Wednesday)
Wednesday 4th – 11.30 – Funeral
Wednesday 4th – 14.00 – Afternoon Prayer Group at 34 Harpswood Lane
Thursday 5th – 18.00 – Bell Ringing Practice (and each following Thursday)
Thursday 5th -19.00 – Choir Practice (and each following Thursday)
Friday 6th N.B. – Carol Eastell’s day off (and each following Friday)
Friday 6th – 9.00 – Prayer Group in the church (and each following Friday)
Monday 16th – 7.30 – PCC Meeting in the Lads’ Club
Wednesday 18th – 14,00 Cinema Club in the Lads’ Club
Saturday 21st – 10.30 – Coffee Morning at Lympne church
Saturday 28th – 19.30 – Concert: Police male Voice Choir
*Lympne are starting a hymn singing evening for anyone who wants to attend. The idea is to broaden the congregation’s repertoire of hymns. It’s open to the whole benefice plus those who are not regular church attenders.
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@gmail com
Parish Magazine: Beth Lewsey 01303 264577 email: parishmagazine@saltwoodchurch.org
Items for the July/August Magazine
If you have any items for the July/August edition of the magazine, please forward to Beth Lewsey, by the 24th June
by email if possible, to: parishmagazine@saltwoodchurch.org
or deliver to 20 Castle Avenue. (Tel 01303 264577).
N.B. The coming magazine will cover two months, so please ensure anything relating to July AND August is included in your entry.
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
From the Parish Records
Our love and sympathy go to the family and friends of:
Elizabeth Woodford, whose burial was on 2nd May
Alan Miller, whose burial was on 3rd May
Jean Lewis, whose funeral was on 15th May
PRAYER MINISTRY on Sundays at Saltwood
Every Sunday, at the end of the morning service at Saltwood, there is an opportunity for anyone to receive prayer, with two members of our Prayer Ministry Team. If you are concerned for someone in your family, a friend or a worrying situation, we would be honoured to pray with you. You will not be asked any invasive questions, and your request is always treated in complete confidence. We trust you will find these prayers bring you the Lord’s blessings – as many people have already experienced. We look forward to welcoming you in prayer.
Intercessions for June
Today we pray especially for:
1 Those who live in Castle Road, Kiln Corner, The Close and Castle Crescent
2 Businesses in our parish
3 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 John Campbell and Carol Eastell, our Churchwardens
13 Our local hospitals and their chaplaincy teams
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 The members of our PCC
25 Saltwood Primary School – Paul Newton, his 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 The members of our church ‘Garden Gang’
30 Our Toddler groups
A Prayer for the month of June
This prayer refers to the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, this year Pentecost is celebrated on Sunday 8th June. Please read the following article for more information.
Pentecost took place on the well-established Jewish festival of Firstfruits, which was observed at the beginning of the wheat harvest. It was seven weeks after Easter, or 50 days including Easter.
A feast day to celebrate the country’s wheat harvest does not sound exactly world-changing, but that year, it became one of the most important days in world history. For Pentecost was the day that Jesus sent the Holy Spirit – the day the Church was born.
Jesus had told His disciples that something big was going to happen, and that they were to wait for it in Jerusalem, instead of returning to Galilee. Jesus had plans for His disciples, but He knew they could not do the work themselves. They would need His help. So they waited in Jerusalem, praying together with His other followers, for many days. Then on that fateful morning there was suddenly the sound as of a mighty rushing wind. Tongues of flame flickered on their heads, and they began to praise God in many tongues, to the astonishment of those who heard them. Such was the power of the Holy Spirit upon them!
“You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth” Acts 1:8
We all get tired and battle weary sometimes. The disciples of Jesus had just been through a three-year long roller coaster adventure with Jesus that had culminated in His death, resurrection and ascension into heaven.
The range of emotions would have been hugely taxing in the days leading up to Pentecost, as they remembered Jesus weeping in the garden of Gethsemane, betrayed by Judas, brutally beaten and crucified, and then dead and buried. Then there had been the shock and awe of finding out that He was alive again! But then He had left them again, to return to His Father. By the time the day of Pentecost arrived, the disciples w
For us today, many of us have felt emotionally drained with the uncertainties caused by Covid, the worry of prices rising at an alarming rate, and now the pain and uncertainty of what will happen in the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.
So, what better day to pray for fresh spiritual fire for each of us? As we celebrate the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and birth of the Church, let us thank God that He will never leave us or forsake us.
Your PCC
Following the recent APCM, here is an updated list of members of the Saltwood PCC:
Chair: Rev Barry Knott
Secretary: Derek Harris
Treasurer: John Hall
Church Wardens :
Carol Eastell (With specific responsibility for the Prayer Life of our Church)
John Campbell
Lay Reader :
Bob White
Deanery Synod Representatives:
Laurie Maxfield
John Campbell
Mary Hunter
Additional PCC Members:
Rev Tricia Hill
Christine Dodd
Alexandra Harrington
Beth Lewsey
Penny Marsh
David Weller
A Message from Laurie Maxfield
I retired at the APCM as Treasurer to Saltwood Church after 45 years. I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed my time as Treasurer and am grateful to all who supported me over that time.
I was particularly touched by the very generous retiring present you gave me at the APCM and wanted to thank all involved for this. I have not yet spent the vouchers but will enjoy doing so in the coming weeks.
I would also like to wish every success to our new Treasurer, John Hall
Best wishes, Laurie Maxfield
Kent Police Male Voice Choir
Quotes
When praying, don’t give God instructions – just report for duty. Anon
Leisure is a beautiful garment, but it will not do for constant wear. Anon
From the Parish Magazine – JUNE 2005
Rosie Ball was promoting a talk by Jeremy Gilley, documenting the journey of the original idea of a Day of World Peace, to it’s adoption by the United Nations. (Editor; Oh, how we still continue to pray for World Peace)
The congregation was asked if anyone had skills in Makaton or British Sign Language to aid communication and make every visitor welcome.
Another article gave good information about St Peter and St Paul, our patron saints, whose feast day is celebrated on 28th June
Children from Saltwood School shared their experience of a visit to canterbury: to the cathedral and to the Marlowe theatre to see ‘Joseph and the amazing technicolour dream-coat’.
This month’s ‘smile lines’ are also taken from the June 2005 magazine!
Saltwood Cinema Club
will be showing
BOOKWORM
On Wednesday 18th June
at 2pm in the Lads’ Club
When a little domestic incident with the toaster sees her mum in hospital, the 11-year-old “Mildred” (Nell Fisher) finds she is to be looked after by her dad. Thing is, she hasn’t seen him before – ever, and so the arrival of the enigmatically clad “Strawn Wise” (Elijah Wood) who makes his living as an illusionist, proves distinctly underwhelming to this rather cynical young girl. He agrees to take her camping to find a mythological beast known as the Canterbury Panther. Set in New Zealand the cinematography shows off the countryside well.
Cost £5 per person to include tea and cake
All proceeds to the Lads’ Club Funds
Paul’s London Marathon
A MASSIVE THANK YOU
Paul and Hilary would like to thank you all for sponsoring Paul’s London Marathon run in aid of The Pilgrims Hospices.
He completed it in 6hrs 14min, and was ranked 29788 out of 57000 runners.
He can confirm that he raised £1481.03
Warden’s Corner
From Carol Eastell: –
Monday Chats
Calling all Chatterers! We have booked Afternoon Tea at Bybrook Barn Garden Centre in Ashford, for Monday 7 July at 2pm for our Chatterers. So if you would like to join us, the cost per person including the tip is £16 each. But let Carol know as soon as possible and also whether you have any dietary needs. (07795 100 441)
We have to sort out transport, so, if any of you are able to offer space in your car, we would be delighted to receive offers and we would be most appreciative.
Geoff and I went to the Garden Centre this morning and it was huge with lots of an amazing variety of all sorts of lovely things to look at. We bought one or five things and had some refreshments too. We thoroughly enjoyed our morning.
Prayer time:
The monthly Afternoon Prayer Group will be meeting on Wednesday 4 June at 2pm at the home of Penny Forsyth. Come and join us; we would love to welcome you as we pray for our church community as well as our local community and friends and family who are in need of some prayer intervention. Penny’s home is 34 Harpswood Lane. (The other Wednesdays in each month are when Penny hosts her SALT group)
On Friday mornings we meet in church at 9 am for thirty minutes of prayer for the Sunday Services and again for our church and any other urgent happenings.
Everyone is welcome to join us on Sunday mornings for a short time of prayer before the Service. This prayer time is mostly for the Service and the people connected with it, as well as our church family. We meet at the back of the church near to the coffee table at 9 40am.
You are proving to be very shy about coming up for prayer on a Sunday morning after the Service. Several of us have benefitted from this very personal prayer, as you would do if you gave it a try. The prayers are offered in complete confidence.
Finally, do not forget we have a Prayer Support Group who have a list of folk for whom they pray, privately at home, whatever their need. So, again, give Carol a call (07795 100 441) and we can begin to pray for you, your friends or family.
From John Campbell: –
Autumn Quiz Night
Just to warn you all to pop into your diary Saturday, the 1st of November when we will have another quiz night. Peter Kent will be publishing the details in due course but please save the date. The last one was a huge success and I’m sure this one will be too.
Ride and Stride 2025
Very shortly, we will be receiving details of the ride and stride event for this year. It happens on the first Saturday in September normally. Unfortunately, it requires a bit of organising and unless anybody is willing to step forward and arrange it this year, it won’t happen. That does not mean that individuals cannot get involved and get sponsorship forms and send their money to Friends of Kent churches, and our church will receive half of that in return. But we are not going to organise it centrally because unfortunately it falls on the same people.
On the other hand, if anyone would be willing to take this on, please see me. We will anyway provide details and sponsorship forms at the back of the church so individuals will be able to take and arranged their own routes.
Prayer/Family/Quiet Corner
Most of you will by now have seen the prayer corner immediately on the left as you enter Church. I want to say a huge thank you to Rosemary Henry and to Stan Ford who each gave us a sofa. Carol in particular has made it look lovely. These sofas are not out of bounds, and everyone is welcome to sit there, even in services. But they offer a comfy place where people being met in Church to discuss weddings and funerals and baptisms can sit. It is also where the prayer team sit during the week. And of course, it is a place for mothers to sit with complaining children rather than be forced to remove them from the church, which is the last thing we want.
The Last Paragraph!
And this is for all those things I meant to tell you about and thought about during the month, but which completely deserted at the time of writing!!
From Rachel Cornish and Chris Laker (Wardens at Lympne):
The south wall of the main nave of Lympne Church was painted in May and is now looking good again.
It is important to keep our place of worship in the best condition possible. Huge thanks also to the unseen volunteers who help keep the church and churchyard clean, tidy and in working order.
Lympne Taize Service
The Taize service at the end of April was a time for quiet worship and reflection. About half who attended were familiar with the style of Taize worship and for others this was a new way of worship; more meditative with space for individual prayer and sitting quietly.
The service showed the benefits of being able to arrange the chairs and make use of the light and space within Lympne church
We hope to put on more Taize services later in the year.
St Stephen’s Church Lympne
Services and Events in June
| Sunday 1st | Morning Worship | 11.00
|
| Sunday 8thth | Hooba Family Service
|
11.00 |
| Sunday 15th | Holy Communion | 11.00
|
| Saturday 21st | Coffee morning
|
10.30 – 12.30 |
| Sunday 22nd | Holy Communion
|
11.00 |
| Sunday 29th | N.B. Benefice service of Holy Communion at Saltwood | 10.00 |
Looking Ahead:
Tuesday 3rd June: 7pm Lympne Church – Hymn Singing Practise for all (not just the choir)
Thursday 5th June: 7pm at The County Members – Hope Discussion Group
Saturday 14th June: Lympne Progressive Supper
Saturday 21st June 10:30am Lympne Church Coffee Morning
Looking Further Ahead
Saturday 12th July 10:30am Lympne Church – Creative Arts Day
Saturday 26th July 10:30am Lympne Church Coffee Morning
Weekly Events in church:
Mondays 12:-30-1pm (every other week) – Prayer Meeting
Mondays 19:30-21:30 – Bell ringing Practice
Saturday mornings 10:30 – 12:30 Eco group working churchyard (when dry)
Date for your diaries:
Lympne Fellowship
The date for our annual meal out was changed so that we could participate in the village’s VE Day commemoration events on the second Thursday in May. Therefore it was on the 15th May that member enjoyed lunch (and much chatter!) at the Walnut Tree at Aldington.
In June we revert to our usual pattern, meeting in the Harry Margary Hall at 1.15 for 1.30 on 12th June, when we shall hear about the work of the RNLI.
For further information, please contact Jill Page on 07846 819693.
ST STEPHEN’S CHURCH, LYMPNE – Coffee Morning
SATURDAY 21st June
10.30 am – 12.30pm
Join us for coffee, cake & savoury bakes
Take a break from those preparations/walk
(Well-behaved dogs welcome)
Catch up with old friends and new
Proceeds to maintenance of the church plus a donation to this month’s nominated charity
SHAL: Studying History and Archaeology in Lympne
SHAL’s meeting in May incorporated the AGM, which recognised the steps which we had made during the past 12 months in increased membership, attendances at meetings, and extension of our excavation with notable finds.
Following the AGM our speaker, Vince Williams, traced the history of the Bobby’s store in Folkestone which later became Debenhams up to its closure in 2019.
Bobbys was originally CJ Saunders and bought by Mr. Bobby in 1914 as he recognised he could expand into Sandgate Road as there was a restriction on sales of drapery. In 1920 he developed a new store which he handed to his son to run. and which was opened in 1931 to sell new stock. In 1931 after the General Election Martin Waters sold their business to add to Bobby’s. A further development in 1937 was a restaurant, which was allowed to play music. However through World War II, people were not buying, but afterwards in the 50s and 60s a new staircase and restaurant were built, and the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh visited the store. At that time Bobby’s was at its peak and Sandgate Road became a one-way system with taxis outside in a queue to pick up customers. Bobby’s then became Debenhams in the early 70s who developed a further refurbishment, accompanied by a new restaurant in a pedestrianised Sandgate Road.
However, there is no doubt that Bobby’s remained as a well-known department store highly regarded by its loyal customers and residents of Folkestone over 60 years.
There is no SHAL meeting in June but a visit to the Franciscan Gardens in Canterbury on 20th.
Hythe Guided Walks
Sandling Station
Is 137 years old!
Please join us at the station to celebrate
Wednesday 11th June 10 am -12 noon.
The station is to be decorated in bunting. Hopefully a railway related author there to sign books. Tea/coffee and cake being provided.
Castle Green WI
Christine Farquhar, our President, welcomed thirty-three members and two visitors to the May meeting also known as “the resolutions meeting.”
Christine pointed out the fire exits, and the tea and coffee hostesses were thanked. The record of the last meeting was approved and signed; there were no matters arising.
Tricia Heath gave a report of the East Kent Federation Annual Meeting, which was held at Kent College and Sarah, who with Dawn had been a steward at the meeting, gave us an insight into what stewarding involved.
All the subgroups met in May; see website for details. The new Gardening Group held its inaugural meeting at which twenty- three members joined up.
Future Events; June 26th, Summer Outing at Bilsington Priory at a cost of £20.
August 8th Fish and Chips on Hythe beach more details to follow.
November 26th Christmas Lunch at Sotirio’s. (Is this the earliest mention of the C word?!)
Members were saddened to learn that Jean Lewis had died. Jean had been an active member for many years She had been President and Treasurer and if you look on our website and go to history of Castle Green tab you can see photos of Jean in various guises over the years. Jean’s last visit to a meeting was in February. Jean also played an active part in the life of Saltwood village. Several members attended Jean’s funeral on May 15th. The service was taken by the Reverend Canon Roger Martin who started the eulogy by saying that Jean having sat through many overlong eulogies during her time as Verger had written her own! This caused a ripple of laughter. Unsurprisingly the last hymn was Jerusalem.
After a break for tea/coffee and croissants, with butter and jam, we welcomed Hilary Askew from Margate WI. Margate WI’s resolution Bystanders can be Lifesavers will be presented by Hilary at the NFWI meeting on June 4th. Hilary explained that Margate WI realised that there was a shortage of defibrillators in Margate and wanted to raise awareness of how members of the public could help someone in a life changing event. She and her colleague from Community Lifesavers demonstrated with models how to use a defibrillator and the manual method. This was an interesting talk and Castle Green members voted in favour of the resolution. This decision will be sent to our delegate at the NFWI Annual Meeting. Carol Kenny gave the vote of thanks.
The next meeting of Castle Green WI will be on Friday June 13th; the speaker will be Jonathon Ramsden from the Cats Protection charity.
Margaret Alcock
Finishing with a Smile …
… At what time was Adam born? A little before Eve
… Who is the smallest man in the Bible? Some say it was Zacchaeus, but really it was peter – he slept on his watch!
… Who was the most popular actor in the Bible? Samson – he brought the house down!
… What did Jonah do for the three days in the belly of the big fish? Sang, of course – everybody sings in Wales!
