News from the hot seat...

 

Dear friends,

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Many of us have recently been completing the Methodist Church's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion training.* It includes this video entitled 'We are the church,' a video I thought I would share more widely because it resonates so clearly with what we were thinking about last week at Tonbridge Road. It's a cliché to say that the church is the people, not the building - but like so many clichés, it contains an important truth that we forget at our peril.

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'You can find a church almost anywhere in the world, not because there's a sign with a cross on it, but because there are people gathering together to worship, to learn, to grow, to encourage each other.'

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Below, you'll find lots of information about our activities this Advent and Christmas. There are plenty of opportunities for you to invite family, friends and neighbours to join you - and we hope, when they do, that they will encounter a church - a family that gathers together to worship, to learn, to grow, to encourage - and that their experience will be filled with such joy, hope and love that they will want to return. And, even more importantly, that it will help them to experience something of the love of the One in whose name we gather.

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Some news and updates...

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Plans for this Sunday 

This Sunday, we will be having a 'scratch nativity' at Breakfast Church at 9am. All are welcome - no preparation or rehearsal required. If you've always fancied being a shepherd, a star or even Mary - this is your chance!

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After Breakfast Church, there will be a 45-minute 'Advent lessons and carols' service in the church at the later time of 10.30am, for those who prefer a quieter, more reflective form of worship. If you would be willing to read a Bible passage or a poem at this service, I'd love to hear from you. 

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Coffee will be served at 10am in the hall. Please join us for a chance for those who have attended Breakfast Church to mingle with those arriving for the 10.30am service.

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Advent and Christmas

We have an exciting programme of services and events taking place over Advent and Christmas - I've attached a poster, which we'll be using to advertise, and a grid of all the services and events taking place across Burham, Eccles, Larkfield and Tonbridge Road. If you're looking for something that's not taking place at your church (a midnight communion on Christmas Eve, say, or a musical celebration of Christmas) then you would be most welcome to join friends at another church.

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In addition, our Travelling Nativity set will be starting its journey at Breakfast Church on Sunday and making its way around some of the families in our church, before returning to the Messy Christingle on Wednesday 20 December. We hope to have some photos to share with you of its adventures!

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Manse pies! Saturday 9 December 10.30am - 12 noon

In addition, you are all warmly invited to join us at the manse (45 Garner Drive, East Malling, ME19 6NF) for 'manse pies' on Saturday 9 December from 10.30am until noon. We'll have mulled apple juice, mince pies and other festive nibbles. Luke, the girls and I would love to see you - do pop in if you're able.

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EDI training

*Today's introduction hopefully serves as a gentle reminder that all Local Preachers, Stewards and Worship Leaders need to have completed the Methodist Church's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion training by the end of this calendar year. You can find it online here - it took me a couple of hours at home last week. If you're struggling to access the course, or would like to join together with someone else to do the training, do let me know.

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Every blessing,

Naomi