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A Letter from the Rector
Dear All,
As we step into March, we find ourselves in the heart of Lent—a beautiful time of preparation for Easter! But remember, Easter is not just a single day or a long weekend; it’s a vibrant season filled with rich meaning and tradition that extends far beyond Easter Sunday.
We begin this joyful journey with the Easter Triduum, which includes Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. These days invite us to reflect on the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus in a deeply meaningful way.
The Easter season, or Eastertide, lasts for fifty glorious days, culminating in Pentecost. During this time, we celebrate the incredible joy of Jesus overcoming death for us. Each Sunday is a special occasion, filled with uplifting hymns and vibrant liturgies that remind us of the hope and new life that the resurrection brings.
At the heart of our faith is the resurrection, a powerful symbol of hope and the promise of eternal life. This season encourages us to reflect on the transformative power of faith in our lives. Easter emphasises Jesus’ victory over sin and death, offering us a profound message of redemption and grace.
This Easter, let’s embrace the various traditions that enrich this season, such as decorating eggs, which symbolise new life and rebirth! Many communities come together for Easter egg hunts, parades, and joyful celebrations, creating a sense of unity and festivity.
It’s also a wonderful opportunity for personal renewal. As we reflect on our faith journeys, let’s consider how the resurrection influences our lives. In addition to enjoying cherished customs, let’s also engage in “Acts of Kindness.” Many believers participate in charitable acts and service during this time, embodying the love and sacrifice that Jesus exemplified.
The Easter season is a pivotal moment in the Christian calendar, intricately connected to other meaningful feasts and observances. Forty days after Easter, we celebrate Ascension Day, marking Jesus’ ascension into heaven and emphasising His divine authority and the promise of His return. Then, fifty days later, we joyfully celebrate Pentecost, honouring the arrival of the Holy Spirit, empowering the apostles, and marking the birth of the Church.
So, as we journey through this Easter season, let’s remember that it’s not just an isolated event but a vital part of a larger narrative of faith, tradition, and community celebration.
Wishing you a fruitful Lent, and I pray that we all experience a life-changing Easter this year!
Blessings,
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 extra dates to note in your diary:
Monday 2nd – 14.00 – Monday Chats in the Lads’ Club – and each following Monday
Tuesday 3rd – NB – Our Rector’s Day off – and each following Tuesday
Wednesday 4th – 10.00 – Toddler Group in the Lads’ Club – and each following Thursday except the18th
Wednesday 4th – 14.00 Afternoon Prayer Group at 34 Harpswood Lane
Thursday 5th – 18.00 – Bell Ringing Practice – and each following Thursday
Thursdays – 19.00 – Choir Practice – and each following Thursday
Fridays – N.B. – Carol Eastell’s day off
Fridays – 9.00 Prayer Group in the church
Friday 6th – 14.00 – World day of Prayer at Hythe Methodist Church
Wednesday 18th – Cinema Club in the Lads’ Club
Saturday 21st – 10.30 – Coffee morning at Lympne
Saturday 21st – 15.45 – Messy Church at the Lads’ Club
Tuesday 24th – Last date for entries for the March magazine
Saturday 28th – N.B. Clocks go forward by one hour tonight!
Sunday 29th (Palm Sunday) – 10.00 – Service starts at Saltwood Church and processes to The Green
APRIL:
Thursday 2nd (Maundy Thursday – 19.00 – Communion Service with Stripping of the Altar
Friday 3rd (Good Friday) – 10.00 – Walk of Witness leaving promptly from Waitrose car park
14.00 – An Hour at the Cross (Saltwood Church
16.00 – Passion Play (Lympne Church)
Useful Contacts
Rector – Rev Barry Knott: Telephone: 01303 883243 email: rev.barry@icloud.com
Church website: www.lympneandsaltwoodchurches.org.uk
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 April Magazine
If you have any items for the April edition of the magazine, please forward to Beth Lewsey, by the 24th March
by email if possible, to: parishmagazine@saltwoodchurch.org
or deliver to 20 Castle Avenue. (Tel 01303 264577).
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
A Prayer for the Month of March
and to give more than either we desire or deserve:
pour down upon us the abundance of your mercy,
forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid
and giving us those good things which we are not worthy to ask.
Amen.
Intercessions for March
Today we pry especially for:
1 Those who live in Castle Road, Kiln Corner, The Close and Castle Crescent
2 Businesses in our parish
3 Those who live in Cylinder Road and Freshfield Lane
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 Today’s ‘World Day of Prayer’
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
13 Our local hospitals and those in the hospital 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 –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 Folkestone Rainbow Centre
30 Our Toddler group
31 Our sister church at Lympne
Prayer Ministry
‘This is the confidence we have in approaching God,
That if we ask for anything according to his will, he will hear us.
And if we know that he hears us – whatever we ask –
We know that we have what we asked of him.’
1 John 5: 14-15
The Prayer Ministry team are here for you – in the Sanctuary at the end of the Sunday service at Saltwood every week. Is there anything on your heart you need to bring to God? Concerns for yourself or a loved one? Anxious about our world? Burdened by daily bad news? St John assures us – if we ask anything according to his will, he will hear us.
Your request is treated in the strictest confidence, and you will not be asked intrusive questions. You may like to try the added bonus of being anointed – having the sign of the cross marked on your forehead and hands, with oil that has been blessed for that purpose.
This ministry is recognised and valued throughout the world-wide church and team members have been trained and accredited by the Diocese.
Come and see – a blessing just waiting there for you!
Quote
– Jean-Pierre de Caussade SJ
From the Parish Records
Our love and sympathy go to the family and friends of:
Maurice Swan, whose funeral was on 2nd February
Brian Crunden, whose funeral was on 5th February
World Day of Prayer
The first Friday in March is always a very special date in my diary, for that is always ‘World Day of Prayer’. Many of you may remember this as ‘Women’s World Day of Prayer, but the title has been changed, because although still organised by women, EVERYONE is welcome!
It isn’t just ‘prayer’ – it is worship! Each year, a different country takes a turn to write a service, which is then translated into many different languages, so that across a twenty-four hour period, as the globe rotates round the sun, that same service can be used across the world in over 170 countries. What a wonderful way to bring us together: using the same order of service to praise God.
This year, women from Nigeria have prepared the service, using a theme drawn from Matthew 11:28-30. Locally we have a committee with representatives of all the Hythe (and Saltwood!) churches, who meet to ensure we, too, can share in this wonderful experience. Our local service will be on Friday 6th March at 2pm at Hythe Methodist church (St Michael’s Methodist – Anglican centre)
In these very troubled times, isn’t it great to have the chance to act in unity with so many others. Do come and join us!
Saltwood Cinema Club
will be showing
THE CHORAL
On Wednesday 18th March
at 2pm in the Lads’ Club
Cost £5 per person to include tea and cake
All proceeds to the Lads’ Club Funds
Saltwood Church
LENT LUNCHES
Saturdays: March 14th, 21st, 28th
At the LADS’ CLUB, Rectory Lane
12 noon to 1.30
Homemade soup, French bread, cheese and chutney
Homemade cakes and jams on sale
Adults £7 Children £3
ALL WELCOME!
Bible Gem Number 3 –
The Scarlet Thread of Covenant
As we enter Lent and begin to look toward the Cross, there is something in Scripture that many in our own age find difficult. The Bible speaks often of blood. To modern ears, that language can sound unsettling, even primitive. Yet within Scripture it is treated not as something crude, but as something sacred — the holy means by which God binds Himself to His people and makes peace with them. From its earliest pages to its last, this theme is neither accidental nor exaggerated. It is woven deliberately through the story of redemption and reaches its extraordinary zenith on the cross.
In Eden, when Adam and Eve attempted to hide their shame with leaves, God clothed them. The account is brief, yet it points to the life of an animal given so that their guilt might be covered. The next generation brings the pattern into clearer view. Cain and Abel both bring offerings to God, yet Abel brings “the firstborn of his flock,” while Cain brings produce from the ground. Abel’s offering — a life given — is accepted. Cain’s is not. Very early in the story, we are being shown something sobering and holy: reconciliation with God is not achieved on our own terms. It is bound up with blood and the giving of life.
When God later made His covenant – His binding promise with Abraham – animals were cut and laid opposite one another, and the covenant was sealed in blood. In the ancient world, this was how solemn promises were confirmed. A life was given to show the seriousness of the pledge.
The pattern becomes unmistakable at the Passover. The blood of the sacrificed lambs was placed upon the doorposts in Goshen, and those inside the marked houses were spared when judgment passed through the land. We are not told the spiritual condition of every person within those homes. The emphasis falls elsewhere: where the blood marked the house, there was deliverance.
Then, in the law given through Moses, the principle is stated plainly: “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life” — that is, the blood is given so that sin may be forgiven and relationship with God restored.
Generations later, when Jericho stood under judgment, an unexpected figure steps forward. Rahab, described as a prostitute, sheltered the Israelite spies and confessed her belief that the Lord of Israel was the true God of heaven and earth. Because she trusted Him and acted on that trust, she was given a sign — a scarlet cord to hang in her window — and she was told to gather her family into the house. That cord, crimson against the city wall, echoes the earlier sign of blood upon the doorposts in Egypt. When the city fell, all who were found within that marked place were preserved. Once again, the emphasis rests not on merit or status, but on being found under the appointed sign of mercy. And Rahab is in the genealogy of Jesus.
By the time we reach the Cross, the thread is drawn tight. Jesus speaks of “the new covenant in my blood.” What had been foreshadowed in sacrifice, promise, and deliverance now stands fully revealed. A new and lasting bond between God and His people is established — not temporarily, not symbolically, but finally.
And here lies the quiet wonder. If this scarlet thread has run unbroken from Eden to Calvary, then the redemption secured there is neither accidental nor fragile. It is the fulfilment of a promise long prepared. Scripture even dares to say that what God has accomplished exceeds what we ask or imagine.
As we take the communion cup in the weeks ahead, we are not only remembering a moment in history. We are standing within a story in which God Himself has provided the blood that makes peace between Himself and us — a mercy woven through centuries, now given to us.
John Campbell
Notes from the Choir
The choral evensong at St Eanswythe’s on 1st February was again well attended, with our amazing Tim Clark on the organ, a truly wonderful service, as well as the usual psalms, hymns and responses, we sang two anthems, ‘Teach me O Lord’ by Attwood and the magnificent ‘O Thou the Central Orb’, such a fabulous anthem. Our support is always so much appreciated and we look forward to the next invitation to join them.
We as a choir aim to sing two anthems during Holy Communion on two out of three weeks, when we are accompanied by either Berkeley or Tim. These are really special occasions when we not only sing our praises to God, but we are hopeful that we may encourage others to join us. We are also called upon to sing at funerals and weddings, where we feel privileged to be involved.
So if you feel like trying something new for a new season, but are a bit unsure, don’t worry, just come and join us, we look forward to seeing you.
Fran Dyer
From the Parish Magazine –MARCH 2006
Twenty years ago, Val Adams reported on her new experience of going on retreat, at ‘Wychcroft’
Our church bells had been fitted with new ropes -indeed the ‘Rolls Royce’ of ropes!
The Rector and Churchwardens had decided to have more than one person able to be Crucifer, and were seeking recruits to be trained.
Folk were being invited to consider Confirmation (to take place at St John’s Folkestone this year.)
And of course, March was the month for LENT LUNCHES – the tradition which still continues!
HELP STILL NEEDED with cleaning our lovely church
Any help at all would be very much appreciated, just an hour a couple of times a year would be wonderful. If you have a friend who would come with you even better! No need to be a church member – just someone who cares about our building. Could YOU help?
For more information, contact Mary Hunter: 01303 268423
We’re Proud to have another Marathon Runner!
Many of you will know, or at least recognise William, grandson of Ken and Anne Elcock, and who often attends our morning service. So this is a reminder that on 12th April William will be running the Paris Marathon in aid of Dementia UK, and in memory of his other Grandma, Penny Keutenius, who passed away in 2024.
If you feel able to support William by contributing to Dementia UK, he has set up a fund-raising page at:
https://www.justgiving.com/page/willi-keutenius-dementiauk
I’m sure donations can also be given direct to William, or I am happy to pass them on to him. (Beth Lewsey)
WARDENS’ CORNER
From Carol Eastell: –
Lent Lunches
We are fairly well organized for the Lent Lunches starting on Saturday 14 March and the two proceeding Saturdays. We would ask you firstly to come and enjoy some delicious and warming soup with crusty bread and cheese starting at 12 o’clock till 2pm (last serving at 1 30 pm). And then if you are able, can you bake us a cake to sell or bring some home-made preserves? This will be the last year of Lent Lunches unless an enthusiastic person comes forward to be the overall organiser, so let’s have a good final turnout.
Monday Chats
On the 11th February the Chatterers enjoyed a delicious lunch at the Castle Inn, so much so we are planning to make this a regular feature. Our next date is Wednesday 25th March at 12 30pm. Wednesdays are Senior lunch days and are set at an extremely favourable price so try it for yourselves or join the Chatterers. You will be very welcome!
Afternoon Prayers will be meeting as usual at the home of Penny Forsyth, 34 Harpswood Lane, on Wednesday 4 March at 2 30pm. You will be more than welcome to join us in our hour of prayer.
Finally, this is a very advanced notice of the FAB (Fight Against Blindness Charity) Coffee Morning. You may remember I held one a few years ago. All proceeds go to FAB. It is the most wonderful charity where 100% of donations go to setting up clinics within all the major hospitals including Moorfields and Great Ormond Street. Children with serious visual problems are given the time and loving care from doctors to counsel them with their fears and concerns. I am always humbled when I sit in on their annual meetings to hear from these lovely people, about the progress and otherwise as they come alongside the children and their parents. Anyway, the coffee morning is on Saturday 2 May in the Lads Club. We will be selling lovely leather goods, ie handbags, purses etc, together with scarves, jewellery, gifts and cards. I do hope you will want to come and support me on this occasion.
From John Campbell: –
The Good Gnus – 12th September 2026
This will eventually make its way into Barry’s weekly diary forecast but we have managed to book The Good Gnus for a concert in the church on Saturday 12th of September. The Good GNUs are a trio of musicians who delight audiences with the wit and wisdom of our greatest musical humourists – according to their Facebook page. It should be fun and this is part of our plans to raise funds for the church. So please put it in your diaries and invite friends too. More details in due course.
From Rachel Cornish (Warden at Lympne):
Lympne Church will again be putting on a Passion Play on Good Friday, telling the story of Jesus from the garden of Gethsemane through Good Friday to Easter Day. –
Would you like to take part?
We have vacancies for:
1. roles that say between 3-10 lines, with some acting involved
2. roles that say 1-2 lines, some with acting, some not.
3. non-speaking acting roles and
4. dressing up as part of “the crowd”
Some roles will depend on availability at planned rehearsals.
The planned rehearsal dates and provisional times are:
- Friday 6th March at 6pm
2. Saturday 14th March at 4pm
3. Friday 20th March at 6pm
4. EITHER: Thursday 26th March at 6pm OR: Friday 27th March at 6pm
If you would like to take part, please email Rachel on lympnechurch@gmail.com indicating the type of role you would like, and which rehearsals you can make.
St. Stephen’s Church, Lympne
Services and Events in March
Sunday 8th March 11am Family Service
Sunday 15th March 11am Holy Communion
Sunday 22nd March 11am Holy Communion
Sunday 29th March No service at Lympne – join Saltwood for a Palm Sunday service on Saltwood Green at 10am. There will be some seating provided.
Looking Ahead:
Good Friday, 3rd April – 4pm Passion Play (not 3pm as previously advertised)
Friday 10th April 7pm Hymn Singing Practice – open to all
Evening Services:
Sunday 26th April 6pm Taize Service
Sunday 31st May 6pm Songs of Praise
Regular Events:
Mondays 12:-30-1pm (every other week) – Prayer Meeting
Mondays 5pm (every other week) – Home Group – Speak to Valerie or Rachel
Mondays 19:30-21:30 – Bell ringing Practice (each week)
Friday mornings (every other week) – Home Group – Speak to Monica or Peter
Saturday mornings 10:30 – 12:30 Eco group working churchyard (when dry)
Lympne Fellowship
We were delighted to welcome Judi Knight in February, who fascinated us with a talk entitled “Fashion and the Ration”. During WWII, as well as food, petrol etc, clothes, shoes and materials were also strictly rationed. Women were given one ration book a year, to cover all their clothing needs. One dress, one coat and one pair of shoes! So everyone had to turn their skills to needle and thread and “make do and mend”. Old blankets, including picnic blankets, were used to make coats and jackets, parachute silk (when this could be found) to make underwear, evening and wedding dresses etc. Old dresses and trousers would be taken apart and re-cut, or embellished in some way. A pair of shoes had to be strong and suitable for most occasions. Knitting was also the name of the game, including woollen swimwear which stretched and sagged as soon as it got wet! Life was definitely a challenge but many new skills were developed and carried people through well into the post war era.
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.
ST STEPHEN’S CHURCH, LYMPNE – Spring Coffee Morning
SATURDAY 21st March
10.30 am – 12.30pm
Join us for coffee, cakes & bakes
Bring the family, friends and neighbours
Catch up with old friends and new
(well-behaved dogs welcome)
Proceeds to maintenance of the church plus
a donation to the month’s nominated charity
HYTHE DEMENTIA AWARENESS FORUM
SHAL: Studying History and Archaeology in Lympne
On Tuesday February 17th we had a fascinating talk by Vince Williams about Folkestone’s Pleasure Garden Theatre. Those of us not brought up in Folkestone had no idea this amazing building was constructed and opened in 1886. Even those familiar with Folkestone remembered very little. It was finally demolished in 1960 to be replaced by the Orion Insurance Building, now Bouverie House and the Police Station.
Mr Williams has an amazing collection of photos, postcards and programmes tracing the development of first, an exhibition Hall resembling the Crystal Palace built for the Great Exhibition in London in 1851, and then a theatre hosting drama, musicals, talks and variety performances. That Folkestone was such an ambitious town to build and operate a building on this scale, made us all realise how much of its earlier history is now lost or forgotten. We are very grateful to Mr Williams for keeping these memories alive and sharing them with us.
The next meeting of SHAL will be on Tuesday March 17th at 7.30 p.m. in the Harry Margary Hall when Sam Moorhead will be talking about Roman coins in Lympne.
SALTWOOD VILLAGE SOCIETY
THURSDAY 12th MARCH
7.15 for 7.30PM
At The Lads’ Club, Rectory Lane
THE FORENSIC INVESTIGATION OF TERRORISM
THE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND OF FORENSIC SUPPORT IN INVESTIGATIONS INCLUDING TWO CASE STUDIES:
THE BRIGHTON BOMBING AND THE TEN-YEAR IRA BOMBING CAMPAIGN FROM 1981 TO ARRESTS AND TRIALS
BY DAVID TADD
(FORMER HEAD OF FORENSIC INVESTIGATION, SCOTLAND YARD)
VILLAGE NEWS/RAFFLE/FREE REFRESHMENTS
MEMBERS £3, NON-MEMBERS £8.
ALL WELCOME
FREE PARKING AT THE CHURCH
Castle Green WI
Christine thanked Hortense, Julia, and Molly for organising the refreshments, Diane and Cynthia for the raffle and Ros for the sales table. The record of the January meeting was approved and signed. Wendy gave the finance report and reminded members that subs were now due.
Sub Groups. The sub groups all met in February. Please see website for details.
Future plans. The Christmas Lunch will be on Thursday December 3rd at Etching Hill Golf Club!!
Annual Meeting. The record of the last Annual Meeting was approved and signed. There were no matters arising.
The Treasurer presented the Financial Statement which was proposed, seconded and approved.
Secretary Biddy Fraser presented the Committee’s Annual Report outlining the highlights of Castle Green WI’s year.
President’s Address. Christine also spoke of the events and speakers we had enjoyed over the last year and how much she herself had learned. She thanked the committee for their help and advice.
The committee for the coming year was introduced, and voting took place for President. Christine Farquhar will be President for another year.
Margaret Alcock gave the vote of thanks to the committee.
We then relaxed with coffee and cakes and a good natter. Kate Dilkes then took over and we played Dog Bingo. A good time was had by all.
The next meeting will be on March 13th when members of the St John’s Ambulance will give a resuscitation demo.
Visitors are always welcome to our meetings. See website for more information.
Margaret Alcock
Finishing with a Smile …
… A grandmother was taking her young grandson for a walk in the park. The daffodils and hyacinths were in bloom, and it was a beautiful Spring day. Wanting to encourage her grandson’s spiritual understanding of the world, she said: “Doesn’t it look like an artist painted this scenery? Did you know God did all this?”
Her grandson replied: “Oh yes, and God did it left-handed, too.” In astonishment, the grandmother asked what he meant. “Well, He must have done,” said her grandson, “because we learned at church last week that Jesus sits on God’s right hand.”
