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A Letter from the Rector
Hope in the Midst of Drought: A Theological Perspective
As we reflect upon this summer of scorching heat and persistent drought, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the challenges we face. The dry earth, parched landscapes, and dwindling water supplies can weigh heavily on our hearts. Yet, as a Christian community, we are called to respond not only with concern but also with hope and action, grounded in our faith.
The Bible is rich with imagery of drought, often using it to illustrate spiritual desolation and the need for divine intervention. In the book of Isaiah, we are reminded that “the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your soul in drought” (Isaiah 58:11). This verse offers profound comfort, assuring us that even in the toughest times, God’s provision and guidance remain steadfast. Our faith teaches us that drought is not merely a physical phenomenon; it serves as a metaphor for our spiritual lives as well. Just as the land yearns for rain, our souls long for God’s presence.
In moments of scarcity, we are invited to reflect on the nature of our dependence on God. Jesus, in the Gospel of John, refers to Himself as the “living water” (John 4:14), offering eternal sustenance that transcends physical needs. This invitation calls us to dig deep into our spiritual reservoirs, nurturing our relationship with Christ through prayer, Scripture, and community support. Together, we can cultivate a culture of hope and resilience, encouraging one another to seek God’s renewal in our lives and our environment.
Moreover, this season challenges us to embody stewardship of the earth. In Genesis, God entrusts humanity with the care of creation (Genesis 2:15). As drought impacts our communities, we are called to act with wisdom and compassion. This might involve supporting local initiatives for water conservation, advocating for sustainable practices, or helping those who are most affected by the drought. Our faith compels us to love our neighbours, particularly those who are vulnerable, reflecting Christ’s love through our actions.
Finally, let us remember that God is not distant in our suffering. The Psalms remind us that “the Lord is close to the broken-hearted” (Psalm 34:18). In our prayers, we can lift up the land, the farmers, the families, and all those affected by this drought. As we unite in prayer, we can trust that God hears us and is at work, even when we cannot see immediate results.
In this challenging season, may we lean into our faith, support one another, and actively seek God’s grace and renewal. Together, we can emerge from this drought not only as a community strengthened in spirit but as agents of change in the world around us.
Have a blessed month,
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:-
Tuesday 1st – Our Rector’s day off (and each following Tuesday) Wednesday 2nd – 10.00 – Toddler Group in the Lads’ Club (and each following Wednesday) Wednesday 2nd – 14.00 – Afternoon Prayer Group at 34 Harpswood Lane
Thursday 3rd – 18,00 – Bell Ringing Practice (and each following Thursday)
Thursday 3rd – 19.00 Choir Practice (and each following Thursday) Friday 4th – Carol Eastell’s day off (and each following Friday) Friday 4th – 09.00 – Prayer Group in the Church (and each following Friday) Monday 7th – 14.00 Monday Chats in the Lads’ Club (and each following Monday) Saturday 12th – 09.00 Ride and Stride event
Saturday 12th – Good Gnus concert
Wednesday 16th – 14.00 Cinema Club in the Lads’ Club
Saturday 19th – 10.30 Coffee Morning at Lympne
Saturday 19th – 15.45 – Messy Church in the Lads’ Club
Wednesday 23rd – 14.00 Defibrillator Training in the church
Thursday 24th – last date for entries for the October magazine
Saturday 2th – 19.00 Lympne Harvest supper and Quiz
If you have any items for the October edition of the magazine, please forward to Beth Lewsey, by the 24th September
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
From the Parish Records
We welcome into the family of the Church:
Lottie Hall, who was baptised on 9th August
Congratulations to:
Lesley Coulter and Simon Tilby, who were married on18th July
Our love and sympathy go to the family and friends of:
Heather Pritchard, whose funeral was on 27th July
Joan Mary Bennison, whose funeral was on 4th August
Diana Maxfield, whose funeral was on 20th August
Intercessions for September
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 Pilgrims Hospice
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, our Church Warden and Carol, our Prayer Warden
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 Members of our PCC
25 Saltwood Primary School – Martin Thomas, 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 work of the Folkestone Rainbow Centre
30 Our Toddler groups
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.
A Prayer for September
Dear Lord, September – the month of new starts:
new terms, new groups, new friends, new hopes, every year.
Lord, be with us!
Lord, thank you for the new start you offer us when we put our trust in Jesus. A new start that we make once – and then can renew every day.
Every time we falter, you pick us up. Every time we come back to you, you forgive us and accept us.
Thank you, Lord, for never letting us down, for never leaving or forsaking us, that new starts with you are always possible, not just in September.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
(By Daphne Kitching)
MEXICANSUPPER & QUIZ NIGHT
Hola Amigos! Another fun Quiz Night is happening! It’s a Mexican Supper & Quiz Night on Saturday 10th October 2026 at 6pm in the Saltwood Lads’ Club. Supper and quiz start soon after.
Tickets are £12 which includes a supper of jumbo Mexican-style chilli dog (traditional sausage with optional chilli beef and onion toppings), table snack food and dessert. Wine and soft drinks are available to buy from the bar, please don’t bring your own and instead support the bar! All proceeds go to St Peter & St Paul Church, Saltwood.
There will be prizes for the winning quiz team and during the evening there will be some short games with more prizes (to participate in these please bring some £1/£2 coins). There will also be a raffle for which you will need some more cash!
To clarify – all payments, whether for tickets, drinks, games or raffle, need to be made with cash, it’s not feasible to pay by plastic.
Mexican being the theme, if possible, please dress up in Mexican outfits, and dig out those colourful sombreros, ponchos, shawls, embroidered white blouses, skirts, pantalones etc – just suggestions but wear anything that is connected with Mexico!
Green, white and red are the Mexico flag colours but their clothing is a vibrant mix of all colours! Maybe bring along your maracas too! There will be prizes for best individual outfits!
Assemble your teams together (max 6 per table). You don’t have to make up a team so don’t worry, come as a couple or an individual and you will be assigned to a team. Let me know the names of the quizzers in your team and choose a creative Mexican team name! It’s essential to pre-book whether in teams or coming as couples/individuals and cash pre-payment is required please. Book your places now, first come first served! Anyone can come, it’s not just for Saltwood and Lympne churches and you don’t have to be a churchgoer so bring your family, friends and neighbours!
Let me know if you are vegetarian or have any allergies.
To buy your tickets, contact me at pkent.email@gmail.com or on 01303-266140 or see me by the main door after Sunday 10am services (Saltwood) where I will be most weeks.
It will be an evening of fun, friendship and bringing our community together – Mexican style! Look forward to seeing you there.
Chao – Peter Kent
Good Gnus Concert
Ride and Stride
Saturday 12th September
Raising money for Friends of Kent Churches (who will donate half of what we raise back to Saltwood Church)
How can you help?
Join the happy group who will be walking round the churches of Hythe (See Geoff Cooke for more details)
Plan your own route to walk or cycle, gathering your own sponsors
Volunteer to man our own church, welcoming those from elsewhere who visit
Sponsor those who are walking (You cannot escape from Derek Russill and his clip-board who will be at most 10am services between now and the 12th!)
Saltwood Cinema Club
will be showing
HAPPINESS FOR BEGINNERS
on Wednesday 16th September
at 2pm in the Lads’ Club
Happiness for Beginners follows recently divorced Helen as she seeks a fresh start on a challenging Appalachian Trail-hiking course, where an unexpected familiar face complicates her journey of rediscovery. Based on Katherine Center’s novel, the film blends scenic wilderness backdrops with themes of healing and connection, making it a pleasant watch for fans of gentle romantic dramedies.
Cost £5 per person to include tea and cake
All proceeds to the Lads’ Club Funds
Do You Know How to use a Defibrillator?
All in the community are welcome to come to a training session to be held at Saltwood Church on Wednesday 23rd September, 2-4pm, with refreshments (Even if you came to the previous training it may be good to refresh your skill.)
Wardens’ Corner
From John Campbell: –
Could You Help Us Buy a Dishwasher?
Every Sunday, around fifty of us enjoy tea or coffee together after the service. It’s a valuable part of our church fellowship, giving us time to welcome visitors, catch up with one another and strengthen the friendships which help to make us a church family. The difficulty comes afterwards, because washing and drying all those mugs takes a considerable amount of time and places an unnecessary strain upon those who so faithfully serve us.
Subject to PCC approval, we would therefore like to install a high-speed commercial dishwasher in the church kitchen, similar to the one used at the Lads Club. This would complete a full load in only a few minutes and make the whole Sunday-morning operation much easier. In this modern age, it seems a sensible and practical improvement to make.
We estimate that purchasing the dishwasher, installing it and making any necessary alterations will cost approximately £1,500. Before we proceed, I’d like to discover whether members of the congregation would be willing to help sponsor it. As a rough guide, if each of our fifty regular worshippers gave £30, the entire cost would be covered. Gift Aid could also be reclaimed where applicable, but donations needn’t all be as much as £30; every contribution would help.
At this stage, I’m simply putting a toe in the water to see what support may be available. If you’d be willing to contribute towards the dishwasher, please let me know. There is no obligation whatsoever, but sufficient offers of support would allow us to go ahead with something that would make a real and lasting difference to those who serve us Sunday by Sunday.
Ride and Stride – Saturday 12 September
This year’s Ride and Stride takes place on Saturday 12th September. We shall be doing the Hythe circuit, visiting some of our neighbouring churches while raising money to support Kent’s historic church buildings. Further details and sponsorship information are available at the back of the church and from Geoff Cooke.
We’ve deliberately chosen a reasonably manageable route this year because there is something else happening later that same day!
The Good Gnus Are Coming!
On the evening of Saturday 12th September, the Good Gnus will be performing in the church. It promises to be an evening of excellent entertainment and huge fun, so we hope that plenty of people will come and bring their friends.
Tickets cost £15 per person, including a drink, and the proceeds will go towards the much-needed funds required to maintain the church and sustain its work. Those taking part in Ride and Stride should still have plenty of strength left to enjoy the concert afterwards!
The Aumbry
Our new aumbry has now been completed. The aumbry will be created within the small piscina in the Lady Chapel and will provide a safe and fitting place in which to reserve the consecrated bread. Barry has identified a suitable vessel for the host and the light which will indicate that the sacrament is being reserved, while the new gate will be kept locked.
The gate was designed and made for us by a young local blacksmith, who produced this lovely piece of work at remarkably good value. There is something rather special about placing within the church an object made by a local craftsman, continuing a tradition which reaches back through its history. We believe that our font was made locally in the 16th century, along with a number of other locally made items which have served the church over the centuries.
I wanted you to see the gate and to know what your generous contributions have helped to provide. Everything is now ready, and we are simply waiting for the faculty to be granted by the diocese before it can be installed.
Please Protect Barry’s Day Off
After the summer break, it may be helpful to remind everyone that the Revd Barry’s usual day off is Tuesday. Like all clergy, Barry needs one day each week when he can lay aside the responsibilities of parish ministry, rest and attend to his own life.
We know that he often doesn’t manage to have the whole day free, but we as a church family can help by trying hard not to telephone, email or contact him on a Tuesday unless something is genuinely urgent. Protecting his day off is one simple and practical way in which we can care for the person who spends so much of his time caring for us.
Please Protect Carol’s Day Off Too
Carol, our amazing Prayer Warden, is always ready at the end of the telephone or an email, organising prayer for a never-ending list of people and situations. That ministry also requires a proper day off, although genuine emergencies may sometimes interrupt it.
Friday is Carol’s day off, and I would ask everyone, as far as you’re able, to respect it and avoid contacting her on that day. It is another simple way in which we can care for someone who devotes so much time and prayer to caring for others.
A Message from Carol Eastell
Prayer Groups
Our monthly Afternoon Prayer Group is raring to go on Wednesday 2nd September. We are meeting at 2 pm in the home of Penny Forsyth, 34 Harpswood Lane. It would be great to see more of you there. We have lots to pray for and the more pray-ers who join us not only is a great encouragement, we feel it strengthens our prayer time. We pray for up to an hour followed by a welcome cup of tea and slice of cake. Come taste and see – the Lord is good!
And don’t forget our Friday meetings for prayer at 9 am in the church. This prayer time is for half an hour and we mainly pray for the Sunday Services and the Ministry Team.
I think Stella will be writing elsewhere about Prayer Ministry which we offer after the 10 am Services. We love to pray with anyone who has a need, whatever it might be.
Monday Chats
It will be lovely to be together again on Monday 7th September. We meet together in the Lads Club from 2pm to 4pm. We love to welcome new friends and as always for a small donation we have delicious home-made cakes and cups of tea to offer. Chats is not an exclusive club for church family; it is a friendly gathering for village friends and neighbours. Come and join us and see for yourselves!
It was a dreadful shock to learn that our beloved Diana Maxfield was called home to a far, far better place but it has left many of us in shock and devastation. She made wonderful cakes for us each week for Monday Chats, so lovingly, enthusiastically and willingly. We will be missing Laurie too, coming in each week with his lovely smiles to bring us Diana’s latest cookery creation. That is not to say we will not have cakes to offer as we already have our super team of cake makers, and several others have stepped forward to join our monthly cake rota. We will not be cakeless! Our grateful thanks to all our helpers and cake makers. You really are a smashing bunch!
Greeting Cards
There is a lovely selection of Christian Greeting Cards at the back of the church, mostly at the very low price of £1 each. Take a look, you might find just what you are looking for.
Hooba Services
Come on Church Family! You don’t know what you are missing …. Hooba Services are different, but they truly are worth coming to. Liz delivers a terrific talk with many pearls of wisdom for us to think about as we go home. As always, she puts her heart and soul into the service and it seems such a shame that more of you do not come to hear what she says. My feelings are that as a church family in any case, we need to come together to support the endeavours of our brothers and sisters. And when you come, you will be glad you have made the effort! So why not give it a chance.
Notes from the Choir
Well, what a summer! The holidays and heatwaves are over, the school exams and results are all behind us and we can all breathe a sigh of relief to be back to normal. How many dads are saying right now that they’ve gone back to work for a rest! Human nature is so contrary, we long for hot weather when it’s cold, and for cooler temperatures when it’s hot, we long for summer holidays and then can’t wait to get back to normal again after only a week or two!
But this is as they say all part of life’s rich pattern, and who would want it to be any other way, the joy of rain after drought! I remember when I was in the WRAF serving in Cyprus. I had only been there 6 months when it rained at the beginning of October: everyone came out of their accommodation blocks and offices and just stood around cheering, arms held out, faces to the sky and just gloried in getting absolutely drenched!
The first day back at school is always exciting, new classrooms, new books, new teachers, new things to learn, and in this last respect choir is no different. Our rehearsals resume on Thursday 3rd September from 7pm-8pm. All are welcome, even if you just want to see what we do. We don’t just practice hymns; sometimes we are asked to sing at weddings and funerals, and I have to say it’s not only a pleasure but a huge privilege to be part of their day. There are also Evensong services which are arranged by Berkeley and Tim, psalms to learn, and anthems which we rehearse and sing at most 10 o’clock communion services, and in due course we will be preparing for Advent. So much to look forward to and so exciting to be part of.
Do join us if you can, we are still hopeful of recruiting large cohorts of men with fabulously deep voices to swell our ranks! However, anyone is welcome even if you just want to try it until Christmas. Fran Dyer
From the Parish Magazine – SEPTEMBER 2006
What was going on in the parish during September 20 years ago?
A Mission Jumble Sale on the 2nd
Ride and Stride (sound familiar?!) on the 9th
A Mother and Toddler service on the 13th
A Men’s Breakfast on the 16th
Bible Workshop began a new term on the 26th
A Christian Aid Coffee morning in Hythe Town Halll on the 2nd
Preparations were also being made for an October Autumn Fair, for a weekend Retreat at Wychcroft in the coming February, and for an 800th Anniversary
Quote
The real mark of a saint is that he or she makes it easier for others to believe in God.
– Anon
Starting a new series of Saltwood memoirs:-
A VILLAGE AT WAR
AN EXTRACT FROM A WARTIME MEMOIR BY MARGARET MARY SANSOM
(Margaret ‘Peggy’ Sansom)
Ninety-nine years in Saltwood hold many memories. I was born Margaret Mary Holloway, on 20th June 1920 at Hayne Barn, Saltwood. When I left school I did various types of housework and also helped my mother clean the Lad’s Club.
When war broke out, I volunteered for ARP work. Our HQ was in a side-room in Saltwood village hall. When on duty I would answer the telephone and in the event of a raid, I would report any relevant details to our Canterbury HQ.
During the Battle of Britain, Mum, Gramp and I often stood by the front door of our home at 6 Victoria Place and watched the dogfights above. Sometimes they fought at tree-top height, and we could see the pilots’ faces as they weaved above our heads. However, a cannon-shell tearing through the roof of the outside lavatory belonging to our next-door neighbour, was an abrupt reminder of our vulnerability. Fortunately, it failed to explode, and the Bomb Disposal Unit removed it.
Air raids were common. A German aircraft came over, machine-gunning as it went. Mr Appleton was working on the roof of Cylinder House and failing to get down in time, he was shot through the thigh.
Mum and I had a couple of close calls. We were walking up Church Hill when a German raider appeared machine-gunning anything that moved. Mum and I made a dash for the steps at the top of the hill, all the time being urged to ‘hurry-up’ by a lady standing in the doorway of the corner shop in North Road. She ushered us inside and we all hid under the kitchen table until the raider had passed.
Another occurred in School Road. A German raider appeared machine-gunning like mad, and Mum and I were forced to dive for cover under a hedge. It offered little in the way of protection, but it was all that we had.
The kissing gate at the entrance to Court’s field
Many were not so lucky. The Arcade in Hythe High Street was bombed on Friday 4th October 1940. I was standing on the bank behind Victoria Place watching a German Dornier fly over. It suddenly dived and dropped two 500lb bombs; one landed near St Leonard’s church, and the other hit the Arcade. The Arcade was completely flattened, and the Bodsham Farm shop next door was also badly damaged.
But wartime had its lighter moments. On 25th January 1941 a German raider dropped a Molotov breadbasket of incendiary bombs. Some landed on the village hall roof, some in the trees around Rectory Lane, and some on the church porch. Being in the ARP I went to help put out the fires, and an off-duty soldier kindly offered to assist. Our rudimentary equipment comprised a small tin bath and a stirrup-pump. However, undeterred, we filled the bath with water and headed for the church.
In our haste we decided to take a shortcut across Court’s field, which meant passing through the kissing gate just past the Lad’s Club. To get through the gate we had to lift the bath of water to chest height, and me being much shorter than the soldier, I got a thorough soaking. We could do little but laugh.
However, in wartime tragedy is never far away. On Monday 24th March 1941, two bombs exploded in Tanners Hill Gardens. One destroyed number 49, killing Samuel Wonfor, his wife, Mary, and their 20-year-old daughter, Audrey. This was particularly sad for me as I knew Audrey well.
Animals were not exempt from the trauma of war. Colonel McElwain and his family lived in The Close and were evacuated to Scotland. Mum and I were asked to look after their dog, and English setter called Rowan, until they sent for him. When the call came, I took Rowan to Sandling Station with a label tied round his neck and sent him by train as ‘luggage’, to join them. I can still see the bewildered look on that poor dog’s face as I walked away from him.
The war progressed; I joined the RAF and was sent on courses to become a telephonist. After training I was posted to Biggin Hill, a busy fighter station. I can still remember many of the pilots whose names would become indelibly etched into history: Group Captain Douglas Bader, Group Captain John ‘cat’s eyes’ Cunningham, Group Captain Adolph ‘sailor’ Malan, to name but three of the few.
I remained in the RAF until the war was over, having reached the rank of Leading Aircraftwoman and then Corporal.
This month, I’d like to do something slightly different. Instead of explaining one of the great truths of the Bible, I invite you to join me in a small biblical detective story. It begins with a very familiar picture—and a question about whether that picture is true.
We all know the traditional scene in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve stand beside the tree with its forbidden fruit, while a snake coils itself around one of the branches. The snake speaks, Eve listens, and the tragedy of the Fall begins. I have explored the Fall in more detail in my book Adam at the Threshold of Death, but here I want to follow just one intriguing trail: was there really a snake in the tree?
Our trail begins close to home. Ethelbert William Bullinger was born in Canterbury in 1837 and became a distinguished Anglican clergyman and Bible scholar. He was an expert in the languages and structure of the Bible, and the Archbishop of Canterbury awarded him an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree in recognition of his work. His books include The Companion Bible, The Witness of the Stars and Number in Scripture: Its Supernatural Design and Spiritual Significance.
Bullinger believed that the being who spoke to Eve was Satan himself, appearing in the form of a magnificent angel. The Bible calls him “the serpent”, Bullinger argued, because a serpent perfectly represents his character: clever, subtle and deadly.
There is a complicated name for this way of writing—hypocatastasis—but the idea is simple. Jesus called Herod a fox, although Herod was a man. Paul spoke of being delivered from “the lion”, probably meaning the Roman emperor Nero. A fox describes Herod’s cunning, while a lion describes Nero’s power and cruelty. In the same way, calling Satan a serpent tells us what he was like rather than what he looked like.
The first clue Bullinger found lies in the original language of Genesis. The Hebrew word translated serpent is nachash. Via a rather complicated technical language analysis, Bullinger connected nachash with brightness and with words describing the gleam of polished brass or copper. He therefore suggested that it could also be understood as “the shining one”.
The next clue takes us to Ezekiel 28, where we are shown a glorious spiritual being who had been “in Eden, the garden of God”. He is described as “the anointed cherub who covers” and as being “perfect in beauty”. His heart became proud because of his beauty, and his wisdom was corrupted because of his brightness. This is almost certainly Lucifer, the magnificent angel who rebelled against God and became Satan.
Now Bullinger’s picture begins to come together. Paul tells us that “Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light”. Eve was not listening to an ordinary garden reptile. She was facing a glorious spiritual being who appeared beautiful, wise and authoritative. She listened because he seemed to possess knowledge beyond her own.
Another remarkable clue is found in the structure of the Bible itself. The serpent first appears in Genesis 3—the third chapter from the beginning of the Bible. He appears again in Revelation 20—the third chapter from the end—where an angel seizes “the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan”.
In the third chapter from the beginning, the serpent enters the story. In the third chapter from the end, the Holy Spirit tells us exactly who he is and records his defeat. That is a remarkable piece of biblical symmetry.
Moses wrote Genesis many centuries before Revelation was given to John. He could not have known through ordinary human knowledge how perfectly the picture would be completed at the other end of the Bible. The Holy Spirit knew, because He inspired the whole of Scripture and saw its ending from its beginning. The serpent was the perfect image for Satan because he deceives, strikes and brings death. That image remains in place throughout the Bible until Revelation finally names him, seizes him and casts him down.
Bullinger’s understanding also brings the rest of Genesis 3 into focus. God declares that Satan will go upon his belly and eat dust. This is a picture of humiliation and defeat. We still speak of someone being “brought to his knees” or “biting the dust”, without imagining those things happening literally.
Then God promises that the woman’s Seed will crush the serpent’s head. This reaches far beyond the crushing of a snake’s skull. It foretells the victory of Jesus Christ, who would destroy Satan’s power and bring all his plans and purposes to an end.
By the time Bullinger has led us through these clues, the familiar picture of a talking snake curled around a branch begins to look less like the scene described in Genesis and more like a picture added by tradition. Genesis never says that Satan entered a snake, caused a snake to speak or coiled himself around the tree. It calls the tempter “the serpent”, and Revelation finally tells us that this ancient serpent is the Devil and Satan. Read in that light, the scene becomes a momentous encounter between Eve and a glorious spiritual being whose beauty concealed his deadly purpose.
The Bible gives us something far greater. Evil entered Eden clothed in beauty, intelligence and apparent spiritual authority. Eve was approached by one of the most magnificent beings she had ever seen. Behind the figure of the serpent stood the ancient enemy himself, questioning the Word of God and drawing humanity away from its Creator.
The Bible is a living, supernatural book, and even a passage we have known since childhood may contain wonders we have never seen. So, when you next picture the scene in Eden, remove the snake from the branch and ask yourself: What did Eve really see?
John Campbell
St. Stephen’s Church, Lympne
Services and Events in September
Sunday 6th 11am Holy Communion
Sunday 13th 11am Family Service
Saturday 19th 10.30 Coffee Morning
19th – 20th Bible Reading Marathon
Sunday 20th 11am Holy Communion
Saturday 26th 7pm Harvest Supper and Quiz
Sunday June 27th 11am Holy Communion
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
On Thursday 10th September 2026 we look forward to a talk given by a member of the Rainbow Centre about the work this organisation does to help those suffering genuine hardship. They provide food services, homeless support, family contact and money advice to individuals and families across the Folkestone and Hythe district and treat all those they seek to help with sympathy, compassion, kindness and fairness. St Stephen’s Church supports this organisation by donating food items to their local food bank.
Lympne Fellowship normally meets at 1.15pm in the Harry Margary Hall on the second 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.
Lympne Church Coffee Morning
SATURDAY 19th September
10.30am – 12.30pm
Join us over coffee, cake & savoury bakes
Explore the churchyard and enjoy the fabulous view
(Well-behaved dogs welcome)
Proceeds to the maintenance of the church plus a donation to this month’s nominated charity: HYTHE DEMENTIA AWARENESS FORUM
Harvest Celebration at Lympne
SHAL: Studying History and Archaeology in Lympne
Talk and Presentation by Phyllis Brewin: ‘Miracle Windows of Canterbury Cathedral’. With thanks to the Dean and Chapter of Canterbury Cathedral for their help in facilitating the presentation.
So, what are Miracle Windows? Our speaker, Phyllis Brewin, a Canterbury Cathedral guide, told us why they were created, the stories that inspired them and their evolution from the original stained glass to later pieces inserted.
We all know that Thomas Becket was cruelly assassinated. After serious disputes with King Henry II, he fled to France, but returned from exile in 1170 and was greeted by cheers from crowds of ordinary people. Henry was enraged at Thomas’ return and some of his knights believed he wanted Thomas dead. Four of them chased him into Canterbury cathedral where he had sought sanctuary; one took out his sword and struck him on the head, cutting through the crown of his skull. Other knights joined in and tragically Thomas met his end. Benedict, a monk at Canterbury who later became Abbot of Peterborough, and others, soaked cloths with his blood to preserve a part of him as relics. There is documentary evidence that there were ampoules and other containers for blood diluted with water at the tomb. After Thomas died his body was buried in the crypt and as more and more pilgrims visited his grave a marble casing with holes was placed around the tomb to protect it from pilgrims taking pieces as souvenirs. The openings also allowed people to touch the tomb itself. Stories of miracle cures had spread so far and wide that it had become a place of pilgrimage with people arriving in Canterbury to seek Thomas’ intercession to cure them of ailments and injuries.
During the years 1171-3, miraculous happenings and cures were recorded by Benedict of Peterborough, William of Canterbury and others. They interviewed people much as journalists do today to gather stories. These were subsequently depicted in stained glass windows created c. 1180-1220 within the cathedral. They became known as the Miracle Windows and act as a pictorial record by depicting ordinary people, both rich and poor, who had experienced extraordinary events. One window shows a pilgrim bending down to the tomb, apparently having put his head through one of the openings in the tomb’s marble casing! Pilgrimages and cures were depicted in some of the earliest windows, dating from the late 12th to early 13th centuries, about 200 years before Chaucer’s tales. They are a unique record giving insight into contemporary methods used for cures and also the kind of clothes people wore and other items. Another window shows an early miracle depicting a man who had been possessed by demons. He had twice sought Thomas’ help when he was alive and found temporary relief; but the third time he came, after Thomas’ death, he was completely cured. The demons had left him. There are other miraculous events shown in the windows, far too many to recount here.
Four years after the murder, part of the cathedral, including the choir, sustained fire damage but fortunately the crypt survived. The eastern end of the cathedral was rebuilt in Thomas’ memory in the emerging Gothic style, including the creation of the Trinity Chapel with the windows all around. During the Reformation, in Henry VIII’s time and later in the Puritan era, stained glass windows, including some of the Miracle Windows were smashed. Some of the figures’ heads were destroyed and expert analysis shows that some parts, including a few of the heads, are later replacements. In 1220, Thomas’ remains were finally moved from the crypt to the magnificent shrine in Canterbury Cathedral’s Trinity Chapel. Phyllis recommended that we visit to see the windows and suggested the following books for further information. If you can’t find them online, then they are available in the Cathedral bookshop.
i) Rachel Koopmans’ ‘The Passion and Miracles of St Thomas Becket’ ii) ‘Stained Glass of Canterbury Cathedral’ by M. A. Michael iii) ‘Journey to Thomas – Pilgrimage and Healing in Window nIII’ by Rachel Koopmans and Leonie Seliger iv) ‘The First Miracle Window – Becket’s Earliest Pilgrims in Canterbury’s Stained Glass’ by Rachel Koopmans with digital reconstructions and an afterword by Leonie Seliger v) ‘The Lives of Thomas Becket’ – Selected Sources Translated and Annotated by Michael Staunton vi) ‘Thomas Becket and His World’ by Michael Staunton.
Next events: 29th August 2026 – ‘Visit to Stutfall’ with Keith Parfitt and 15th September 2026 – ‘East Wear Bay Dig’ a talk by Keith Parfitt.
If you would like to become a member of SHAL please email our Chair Rosemary Stutchbury at r.stutchbury1@gmail.com
President Christine Farquhar welcome 37 members and 6 visitors to the July meeting.
Coffee hostesses Kate D, Kay H and Dee M-P were thanked; Julie T was thanked for the flowers. Molly M was thanked for selling all 50 of the NFWI raffle tickets.
The Treasurer gave an update of our finances.
All the subgroups met in July.
After a break for coffee, cake and chat we welcomed Alison Marsden whose talk was entitled “Gardening for Drier Summers” which was very appropriate for the current weather conditions. Allison started by saying that summers were becoming warmer and that the weather was becoming direr all year round. Alison the told us about improving soil structure, rainwater collection and plants that have adapted to drier conditions. She illustrated these points with photos of Beth Chatto’s garden and gardens at Chartwell. As always with gardens it is a case of right plants in the right place. Given the recent heatwaves and drought this was a timely talk.
On July 14th 14 members visited Maison Dieu in Dover. After an interesting, guided tour they enjoyed a delicious afternoon tea.
As usual Castle Green did not meet in August, however the annual ‘ Fish and Chips (with Prosecco or soft drinks) Lunch’ was held on Hythe prom. This year the weather was very warm with a cooling sea breeze. Photos of both events are on the website.
The next meeting is on September 11thwhen Sue and Carol from our Garden Group will lead us in a Fun Quiz.
Margaret Alcock
Finishing with a Smile …
…A weekly-paid worker approached his employer, holding his pay packet and proclaiming ‘My pay is £50 short.’
‘I know,’ replied his boss,’ but last week you were overpaid by £50 and you didn’t complain then.’
‘Well I don’t mind the occasional mistake,’ replied the worker, ‘but when it becomes a habit, I have to call your attention to it!’
