This week...

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SATURDAY

Jumble sale - Saturday 25 October 

After the success of Larkfield's jumble sale last weekend, why not pop along to Tonbridge Road Methodist Church from 10.30am - 12.30pm on Saturday 25 October for their jumble sale, and pick up another bargain? 

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Ladies' breakfast and speaker - Saturday 25 October 

Our friends at West Malling Baptist Church are hosting a ladies' breakfast with speaker on Saturday 25 October at Offham Village Hall - please see the attached poster for details. Entry will be by ticket only, and there are a limited number of tickets available, so please do get in touch if you'd like to book your place.

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FRIDAY​​​

Family-friendly events on Friday 31 October

On Friday 31 October, a couple of our sister churches in Maidstone will be holding some fabulous events for young children. The Vine is hosting a 'Bright Lights' Narnia-themed party, with games, crafts and hot dogs, from 4.30pm - 6.30pm (details on the attached poster). The girls and I will be heading to St Luke's for their hugely popular 'Light Trail' from 5-7pm (free, but you'll need to book a slot). All the details can be found here.

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For your Diary...

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NOVEMBER

Services of Remembering

In November, across the churches I serve, there will be two special Services of Remembering for those who have lost loved ones. These gentle, reflective services will be an opportunity to remember those who have died, to light candles, and to give thanks for their memories. The services will take place on the following dates, and all are welcome:

 

Sunday 2 November at 4pm at Tonbridge Road Methodist Church (with friends from Union Street)

Sunday 23 November at 3pm at Larkfield & East Malling Methodist Church

 

​Strangers on a Train

4-8 November, Hazlett Theatre: an opportunity to raise funds while at the theatre! see posters below. 

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Spaces available on First Aid course

If any of you are looking for First Aid training, The Vine in Maidstone has spaces available at a course on
Thursday 6 November from 10am - 2pm on Boughton Lane. The suggested donation is £35 per person. If you would like to book a place, please contact Sue (sue.creasey@thevineuk.net). 

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Trustee training course - Thursday 6 November 7pm

Are you a Trustee - perhaps you're a member of the Church Council, or the Circuit Meeting? If so, you might like to attend this two-hour Zoom training session on the role and responsibilities of Trustees, led by James, our Circuit Operations Manager. To book a place, contact James on operations.nkmc@gmail.com

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Domestic abuse awareness webinar - Thursday 27 November

The Methodist Church has organised a domestic abuse awareness webinar on Thursday 27 November from 9.30am - 12.30pm. This webinar will seek to increase understanding around control and coercive behaviour, the challenges of leaving an abusive relationship, and how churches can respond well to domestic abuse, ensuring that there is help available for victims/survivors. You can find the details and sign up here.

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DECEMBER

HMP Maidstone Carol Service - Tuesday 16 December 5.30pm

I know that several of you really value the opportunity to attend the annual carol service at HMP Maidstone. This year's service will take place on Tuesday 16 December at 5.30pm; please see the attached for further details, including about how to book your place.

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JANUARY

Church weekend away 

We're excited to say that we'll be sending out invitations on Sunday 14 September (the day our Alpha Course begins) inviting you to book your place on our church weekend away. We'll be heading to Ashburnham Place from Friday 30 January - Sunday 1 February 2026 - and we'd love for you to join us. There are 50 spaces available, and the grant funding we have received from the circuit and district means that we can operate on a 'pay what you can' basis - meaning that the weekend away will be accessible to anyone from our extended church family who wishes to join us. We hope this will be a really special time together, as we spend time with old friends and make new ones, and as we build on the content of this autumn's Alpha Course. Do save the date - and get ready to book your place!

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JUNE - SEPTEMBER 2026

Sabbatical

Every seven years, Methodist ministers are generously gifted a sabbatical of three months by the Church. I wanted to let you know that mine is due next year (from mid-June to mid-September 2026) - as we're now starting to get meetings in the diary almost that far ahead! I will be working with a support group from the circuit between now and June to ensure that suitable cover is in place across the churches I serve.

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OTHER NOTICES

Maidstone Churches Winter Shelter - Volunteers needed

MCWS will be returning to Tonbridge Road on Sunday evenings this winter. Applications are welcome from anyone wishing to volunteer (at Tonbridge Road or in other venues). You can find the form at maidstoneshelter.org.uk/volunteer - click on the 'Volunteer here' button. If you prefer a paper form, you can contact the office on 01622 296 450 or mcwsoffice@maidstoneshelter.org.uk. The deadline for applications is Sunday 30 November, and further details can be found in the attached. 

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MCWS is also holding its annual fundraising dinner, with support from Frédéric bistro, on Tuesday 21 October 2025 at 7pm. Frédéric’s is an independent French restaurant in the heart of Maidstone. The dinner will cost £30 per person, which includes a donation to the winter shelter. If you would like to book your place, please do so by Thursday 16 October by emailing Mandy on mcwsoffice@maidstoneshelter.org.uk.

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Could you be a BB Leader - or do you know someone who could? 

Our fabulous Boys' Brigade team are still looking to recruit new Leaders and Helpers. I've reattached the advert - please have a think and a pray about whether you know someone who might be suited to the role (or whether you might be!). Please do pass the advert to anyone who might be interested. ​​​​