This week...

​​​​​​(See services and activities pages for a list of regular groups and activities.)​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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Exploring vocation

The Methodist Church offers an 'Explore' programme for anyone wishing to explore church leadership, whether lay or ordained. The next cohort begins in May 2026. If you might like to join them, you can book here to join a taster session on 14 April 2026 at 7pm.

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For your diary...

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APRIL

25 April 2026

Churches Together in Malling have been busy organising a fantastic event for next year. On Saturday 25 April 2026 at Brookfield Primary School, Larkfield, there will be a performance of I am Mark: a solo, word-for-word dramatisation of the Gospel of Mark, consciously modelled on the very first tellings of this good news. Since beginning in 2016 in Speakers’ Corners and on high streets, it has been presented in churches, cathedrals, theatres, schools, festivals and prisons. It has consistently proved a powerful way of opening up Scripture for both those exploring faith and Christians encountering it afresh. Do pop the date in your diaries!

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We do hope that lots of you will be able to come along, and to bring a friend - please speak to Valerie (valeriet_17@hotmail.com) to book your free ticket.

 

We are hoping for a team of volunteers from across the churches to help on the night. If you could help (as a car park attendant, a welcomer, serving refreshments, etc) then please let Naomi or Valerie know.

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The Bible Course - Starting 25 April 

Following on from Alpha and the church weekend away, we are thrilled to be offering The Bible Course - an eight-week course designed to help participants get to grips with the key stories, characters and themes in the Bible. The sessions will run on Saturday mornings, starting on 25 April, with the final session on 13 June. Coffee and pastries will be served from 9.30am, with the session beginning at 10am and finishing at 11am. It would help us to have an idea of numbers, so if you're hoping to join us (even if you can't manage every week), please let me know.

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Safeguarding training

If you are an officeholder in the Methodist Church, depending on the nature of your role, you may need a DBS check and/or to undertake Safeguarding training. If you're unsure whether this applies to you (or how to access the relevant training), please chat to your Church Safeguarding Officer. You can also consult the attached lists of roles requires to complete Foundation or Advanced Safeguarding training; the attached 'Safer Recruitment' policy also contains information (from p. 17 onwards) about who is required to have a DBS check. 

 

The circuit will be offering the Foundation Module training both online and face-to-face in the Spring. You can either:

 

• Attend two online sessions via Zoom towards the end of March (both sessions must be attended).

• Attend one in-person session at Third Avenue Methodist Church in Gillingham on 25 April at 9.30am. 

 

Please contact Paul and Trish, the Circuit Safeguarding Officers, on safeguardingtrainingnk@gmail.com to book your place.

 

If you have completed the Foundation Module in the past, but need to renew (after four years) you can do so online at a time of your choosing, here: https://mcb.theologyx.com/course/creating-safer-spaces-foundation-module/

 

If you need to complete the Advanced Module, you can find the dates for the gathered sessions here (you will need to complete work online first).

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General Church Meeting on 26 April 

A reminder that the annual General Church Meeting will take place after the service on Sunday 26 April, and will be followed by a bring-and-share lunch. We do hope that as many of you as possible can join us. Following our Alpha Course and church weekend away, part of our conversation will focus on reviewing and updating our Mission Plan. 

 

Gift Day - Sunday 26 April

Sunday 26 April will also be our annual Gift Day - watch this space for more details!

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MAY

Leadership Team meeting - Tuesday 5 May 

To all members of the Leadership Team - our next meeting will be at 7.45pm on Tuesday 5 May in the Sycamore Tree Centre. Please pop the date in your diaries.

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First Aid course - Spaces available

Hextable have organised a First Aid course on Saturday 9 May from 9am - 4pm, at a cost of £35pp. Participants are asked to bring their own lunches, but drinks will be provided. There are a few spaces still available, so if you'd like to book a place, please contact Mary on marymatthews2@virginmedia.com

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Maidstone Bible Week 11 - 14 May 

Please find a letter about this year's Maidstone Bible Week, in which Nigel Styles from Cross Connections will be speaking about 2 Peter.

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Overwhelm Tour - Wednesday 13 May

Patrick Reagan, a well-known author and Spring Harvest speaker, is bringing the 'Overwhelm Tour' to St Luke's in Maidstone on Wednesday 13 May at 7.30pm. The evening, looking at burnout, will feature live music, honest conversations about mental health, and teaching rooted in vulnerability, faith and hope. The message at the centre of the tour is 'It's OK not to be OK - and none of us should face challenges alone.' You can find more details and book a space here.

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Circuit picnic - Saturday 30 May 

On Saturday 30 May, there'll be the opportunity to gather with friends from across the North Kent Methodist Circuit for a picnic at The Friars in Aylesford. Join us between 12pm and 2pm, and BYO food and games. The Friars has some beautiful gardens, chapels, a lovely tea room, and toilets! More information will be circulated soon, and we do hope that folks from every church in the circuit will be able to come along.

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JUNE - SEPTEMBER

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.

 

JULY

Bonni-Belle's farewell service - Sunday 19 July 4pm

The Revd Dr Bonni-Belle, our Superintendent, will be 'sitting down' (Methodist-speak for retiring) this summer. Her farewell service will take place on Sunday 19 July at 4pm at Tonbridge Road Methodist Church, and the preacher will be Rev Tony Graff. Please do put the date in your diaries, and let me know if you could help (eg by providing a cake for after the service). Please continue to hold Bonni-Belle in your prayers as she undergoes chemotherapy. 

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OCTOBER

Save the dates 

Our next Church Council meeting will be on Thursday 15 October at 7.30pm at church. All are welcome.

 

On Saturday 17 October at 7.30pm, we'll be hosting a fundraising quiz - and you don't even have to leave your home! It'll be a Zoom quiz (just like in Covid times) and we do hope that friends who have moved away will be able to join us for an evening of fun and frivolity. Details will be circulated closer to the time - but please pop it in your diaries.

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​OTHER NOTICES

Basecamp training session

James Walker, our Circuit Operations Manager, is running an online training session for anyone wishing to find out more about Basecamp, the online system we use for storing property documentation relating to each of the circuit's manses and churches. Ultimately, it is designed to help the circuit to offer local churches the right kind of property support, at the right time. The session will last for around an hour - please find a poster attached.

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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.

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Cooks needed! 

As many of you know, as a church, we love being able to offer Meal Trains (ie a week of meals delivered to your door) to those who might find this helpful - those who have just come out of hospital, for instance, or have just had a baby. We would love to have a few more volunteers to join the Meal Train team - you don't have to sign up to every Meal Train, and if cooking isn't your speciality, then you can always deliver a ready meal or order a takeaway! We have a couple of Meal Trains on the horizon (as families in the church are expecting babies in the near future, and we would love to bless them in this way). If you might be willing to join the team, please contact Claire (claireboxall@sky.com).

 

​Volunteer vacancies in the South East District

If you are interested in getting involved in Methodism beyond the local level, you might like to check out these vacancies for volunteers in the South East Methodist District. I'm sure the district would be thrilled to hear from you!

Volunteer Vacancies — The Methodist Church — South East District

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Newsletter from Maidstone Street Pastors

Please find attached the latest news and updates from the Maidstone Street Pastors, about their valuable ministry in the town centre.

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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. ​​​​