WELCOME
Welcome to the website of St. Mary's Church, Riverhead and Dunton Green. Whether you are a first-time visitor or enquirer, or a member of our Church community, we hope the information provided will be helpful.
A summary list of dates of Notable Church Services and Events for 2019 can be viewed via this link.
For all enquiries about our Church Hall, please do not contact the Vicar, but follow this link.
INTERREGNUM ARRANGEMENTS AT ST MARY'S RIVERHEAD
With the departure of Revd Martin on 10 March 2019, the Parish is now in an 'interregnum' (formally 'Church in suspension'). However a successor cannot be appointed until the Proposed Pastoral Reorganisation (see article below) has been concluded. In the meantime, the work of the Parish will continue, with the assistance of visiting ministers. The usual Services will still be held, babies will be baptised, couples married and lives celebrated. Contact details during this time will be as follows:
LENT SERVICES AND LUNCHES
Under the auspices of Churches Together in Sevenoaks and District (CTSD), during the five weeks of Lent different Churches will be holding a short service at 12:30pm followed by a light lunch. All are welcome, and this year the collection will be for the Charity Crosslight (www.crosslightadvice.org):
Monday, 2 March at St John's Hill URC, Sevenoaks
Tuesday, 10 March at St Luke's Church, Sevenoaks
Wednesday, 18 March at St Thomas RC Church, Sevenoaks
Thursday, 26 March at The Drive Methodist Church, Sevenoaks
Friday, 3 April at St Mary's Church, Riverhead
Further details can be found on the poster.
CHRISTIAN AID FRUGAL LUNCH
On Sunday, 15 March 2020 at 12:30pm there will be a Frugal Lunch at the Kippington Church Parish Centre in support of Christian Aid. The speaker will be David Muir, from Christian Aid, and the theme will be exploring the challenges faced by communities in Kenya affected by climate change. Enjoy a basic lunch. There is no charge but everyone is invited to give as a donation what they would normally spend on a Sunday lunch. Further details: see poster.
ADVERTISEMENT AND PROFILE FOR NEW TEAM RECTOR
As of 20 January 2020, the post of Team Rector for the Benefice of West Sevenoaks Team Ministry is being advertised on the Pathways section of the C of E website (link). The advertisement includes a link to the Profile for the Team Rector role (based at Kippington). The closing date for applications is given as Friday, 21 February 2020; with interviews due to be held on 12 March 2020.
BIBLE STUDY GROUP - LENT COURSE
On Monday morning, 27 January 2020, the Bible Study Group started a new series of 6 weekly Bible studies, designed for Lent, called "A passion for Christ". We will consider how, as followers of Christ, we can: *share in the sufferings of Christ; *be a Church marked by love and holiness; *share the hope of the Gospel; *shine the light of Christ's glory; *use suffering as a personal testimony; *give our lives as a living sacrifice to Christ.
Anyone is welcome to join us for any or all of the studies. We meet in the Church at 10:00 for 10:15am.
ECUMENICAL LENT COURSE 2020
Initial information has been received that Churches Together in Sevenoaks and District (CTSD) will, once again, be organising Ecumenical Lent Groups for five weeks in Lent, starting in the week beginning 2 March 2020. As in previous years the course being used has been produced by 'York Courses'; this year's is entitled 'Superstar'. Details about the course can be viewed by following this link. Further details and application forms can be viewed by following this link.
THREE PARISHES CONSULTATION (UPDATED 20.01.20)
It was announced to the congregation, in December 2017, that the Bishop was to give some consideration to a possible reorganisation of the three Parishes of Kippington (St Mary), Riverhead with Dunton Green (St Mary) and Sevenoaks (St Luke). Below is a collection of documents which provide the latest position on these developments. Further details can be obtained via the Churchwardens.
ST LUKE'S 'FOOD FOR THOUGHT' - SERIES OF TALKS
St Luke's Church have organised a series of evening talks and have issued an open invitation for anyone to attend. The talks are designed to get the audience thinking and give them a chance to discuss what they have heard, and feedback comments to the speakers. The overall flyer for the series can be accessed via this link.
The next talk is on Friday, 6 March 2020, at St Luke's Church Hall; on "Modern-day Slavery" by Michele Amos. Doors open with refreshments at 7:30pm, with the talk at 8:00pm, finishing by 9:45pm.
PRAYER DURING INTERREGNUM
GOD Our Father
You have welcomed each one of us in Jesus and called us to be His Body in this place;
Send us your Holy Spirit, at this time of uncertainty and change, to fill us with vision, energy, and faithfulness in prayer, that we may be true to our calling to bring new life to our communities;
And guide with your heavenly wisdom those who are to choose new Incumbents for our parishes, that those whom we receive may be wise and gentle shepherds of your people: ready to serve us with joy, to build us up in faith, and to lead us by example in loving obedience to your son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Amen
PRAYER EVENINGS, IN SUPPORT OF PROPOSED TEAM MINISTRY
The evenings start at 19:15 and run for about 30 to 40 minutes. Each Church takes it in turn to host:
* Tuesday, 11 February - St Luke's
* Tuesday, 18 February - St Mary's, Kippington
Please don't forget donations of non-perishable food are urgently required every week, as part of our support for the Community Food Bank. Contributions can be left in the basket at the back of the Church.