News from the hot seat...

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4/6/26

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Dear friends,

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Welcome to your last weekly update for a little while!

 

As you’ll probably have gathered (because I keep banging on about it), I'll be on sabbatical from 8 June, returning to work on 16 September. Once every seven years, Methodist ministers are granted three months off work, to rest, to recharge, and to do something that will enrich our ministry when we return. This idea is firmly grounded in biblical notions of sabbath rest, and the sabbatical year described in Leviticus 25, where every seventh year the land was to rest, debts were released, and people were given space for restoration. Sabbaticals are a healthy reminder that our worth does not depend on our productivity - and that every human being needs and deserves rest. I feel hugely fortunate to be given this amazing gift. 

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So, what will I be getting up to this summer? I’m looking forward to spending time with Luke, Rachel and Abi during the summer holidays, and to catching up on sleep. In September, I’ll be walking St Hilda’s Way, ending up at the abbey in Whitby, as I did to prepare for ministry in 2019. I’ll be brushing up on my British Sign Language, and visiting the Bread of Life Christian bakery and café in Strood to learn how to make ciabatta and Danish pastries. I’ll be breaking my sabbatical for one week, to be Chaplain to Larkfield’s Brigade Camp on the Isle of Wight in August.

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You will all be in my prayers over the summer, and I know the time will go quickly. There's more information below about whom to contact in my absence. I look forward to seeing you all in September – hopefully with Danish pastries!

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Welcome Ron 

Those of you who attended the General Church Meeting will remember that Ron Hazelwood was appointed as our new Church Treasurer. Alan is currently handing over to Ron, and Ron will become our Treasurer from the end of this month. For those who haven't yet had the pleasure of meeting Ron, we asked him to introduce himself:

 

Hello, my name is Ron, and I live in East Malling with my partner Natalie, and our two children, Poppy and Theo.

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Since moving to the area, our family has become an active part of the church community. You may have already met us at Messy Church or Breakfast Church, which we regularly attend. My daughter has also been a dedicated member of the Girls’ Brigade for several years. On my own faith journey, I have found joy in deepening my own faith recently. I attended the Alpha Course last year, and I am currently enjoying The Bible Course.

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Professionally, I have spent nearly 20 years working for an accountancy firm in Maidstone, where I specialise in personal tax. I genuinely enjoy helping my clients manage their financial affairs and making complex tax legislation easier for them to understand. I look forward to utilising my experience, and developing new skills in the church Treasurer role.

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Outside of work, the majority of my free time is spent with my family. We all share a deep love for nature and the great outdoors, and we love heading out on adventures together.

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If you see us at a service or event, please do come over and say hello.

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Ron is going to be baptised, confirmed, and received as a member at the 10.30am service on Sunday 4 October. Please do come along to support him and to welcome him officially into the church family.

 

Messy Church - Thank you 

A huge 'thank you' to all our volunteers at last week's Pentecost Messy Church. We made multilingual candles, flaming disciple cakes (not a typo) and 'wind and fire' streamers. Although we had fewer families than we sometimes do, perhaps because of the glorious sunshine, this created space for some really meaningful conversations. Thank you again to the team who set up, helped with crafts, and served snacks - we couldn't have done it without you. 

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Items from Swanscombe Methodist Church

There are a few items remaining at Swanscombe Methodist Church, and James Walker (our Circuit Operations Manager) would like to know if they would be useful to other churches in the circuit before the church is sold, which is likely to take place on 17 June. The list of items is at the bottom of this email - if any of the items would be useful, or you would like to see photos of them, please contact James on operations.nkmc@gmail.com

 

Light shining in the darkness - News from Cuba

At the beginning of May, the Cuban government declared that the country had essentially run out of fuel – both diesel and fuel oil. This has resulted in power blackouts of up to 20 hours a day across Cuba, with some rural areas going without electricity for as long as five days. The consequences have been devastating, deeply affecting already vulnerable healthcare and education systems, food availability, and transport. Thanks to a solidarity grant of £15,000 from the Methodist Church in Britain’s World Mission Fund, the Methodist Church in Cuba will quite literally be able to bring light into the darkness. You can read more about this story here.

 

Cover during sabbatical

A reminder of the arrangements for ministerial cover during my sabbatical:

 

• Rev Robert Zachar will provide ministerial cover for Larkfield - including Burham - and Eccles.

• Rev Bonni-Belle will provide ministerial cover for Hextable and Tonbridge Road from 8 June. She will hand over to Rev Alex when Alex returns from medical leave. The date for this will depend on Alex's rate of recovery.

 

If you have a query or a worry while I am away, please contact your Pastoral Visitor/a Steward/a member of the Leadership Team in the first instance. They will be able to redirect you to a minister, if one is required.

 

I'm immensely grateful to all those who are taking on extra responsibilities during my absence, or who have given creative thought to resourcing the missional and worshipping life of the churches. Please be assured of my love and prayers over the next three months - but after two periods of maternity leave, I'm confident that you will be absolutely fine without me!

Every blessing,

Naomi

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Remember...

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Updates to the church website

We're enormously grateful to Martin, who has generously continued to update and maintain the church website for several months after moving to Shropshire. Thank you, Martin.

 

Claire Boxall and Georgia Harvey (whom many of you will have met at Alpha or at Girls' Brigade, where she volunteers) have generously agreed to take over looking after the website, and will do so jointly. If you have any updates for the website, please contact Claire and Georgia on gigi.lh@outlook.com

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Note from Martin...

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Greeting to all my lovely friends in Larkfield. It has been a privilege and a pleasure to be your webmaster for the last few years. It has been great to read all your news as we settle into life here in Shropshire. We miss you all. However, we have a new beginning and we are getting involved in the community here. For the past few months I have been editing the website from the former Methodist Church in Cleobury (it is now a community hub with a climbing wall). We attend a breakfast club once a month and this month I am giving a talk about life behind bars. I have joined a men's walking and talking group and Irene has joined a craft group and a belly-dancing group! Lots of love, Martin (& Irene)

 

The future of 1st Larkfield Girls' Brigade 

Hopefully, you will have gathered by now that this is a time of great change and transition for 1st Larkfield Girls' Brigade, which meets at the church on Monday evenings and is an important part of our outreach to young people. This summer, Val and Claire will be standing down after many years of faithful service. The GB Leaders and Helpers have met twice and begun to put plans in place for September onwards. We are pleased that we believe we will still have sufficient volunteers for our younger sections; however, we are urgently seeking a new volunteer who can take overall responsibility for the older sections, working alongside our fab team of existing volunteers. We have liaised with local churches and schools, and advertised on social media, but so far, the right person has not come forward. We will need to make a decision in early June as to whether we can continue the older sections in September. Please hold the Company in your prayers, and especially Val and Claire as they prepare to step down. Please also think carefully about whether you, or someone you know, might be willing and able to join the team and to take on a position of responsibility for the older sections. Full training and support will be provided. If you have any thoughts, I would love to hear from you. 

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Could you be an e-steward?

Six years after they began, our weekly circuit online services continue to be greatly appreciated. The circuit is seeking someone to act as 'e-steward' on the first Sunday of the month - monitoring the chat thread, greeting worshippers as they arrive, and posting information in the thread about the order of service. Training will be provided. If you might be able to help, please contact James Walker on operations.nkmc@gmail.com

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Church WhatsApp group

Did you know that the church has an informal WhatsApp group, so we can share news and prayer requests? If you'd like to join, please send me your phone number.​