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.
NEW ELECTORAL ROLL
Every six years, the Electoral Rolls of all Churches in the Diocese have to be completely revised, and 2019 is such a year. No names are carried over from the old Roll, and everyone must make a new application. The new Roll has to be completed between 10 and 23 March 2019. Forms are now available in the bookshelf at the back of the Church. You can also download a Form from the Downloads/Admin/Forms area of this website (where you can also find information about Data Protection and Privacy). The Form provides details of what it means to be a Church Member; including the qualifying requirements, and the entitlements that follow.
A separate Form is needed for each person. Young people who are going to attain the age of sixteen during the next 12 months may also apply. Completed Forms should be handed to Margaret Nicholas as soon as possible please.
CHARITIES BEING SUPPORTED 2018/9
Following consultation with Church members, the PCC decided to support the following charities this year: Maidstone Area Parents Support (MAPS) Group, Kerry West Orphanage Project, Mercy Ships, as well as the Rochester Diocese Povery & Hope Appeal. As usual, the intention will be to invite representatives to 9:30am Sunday services, spread throughout the year, and to have retiring collections. Our recent speaker was Paul Hellyer from Mercy Ships, on Sunday, 27 January 2019. You can listen to his excellent talk or view a summary version of his presentation slides by following this link.
REVD MARTIN LEAVING
At the services on Sunday, 18 November 2008, Revd Martin announced that he and Maggie will be leaving during Spring 2019 as they had decided that Revd Martin should retire. He went on to say that all would not be lost, and he was sure there would be a really good future ahead for St Mary's. In this respect he asked the Churchwardens to say a few words about the Three Parishes Review.
BIBLE STUDY GROUP
We have recently started a new course 'THE BIBLE COURSE' (exploring the Bible) which involves watching a DVD and discussion plus private readings for preparation. We are at present meeting at Ronnie Todd's house on Mondays at 10am for 10.15. The introduction proved very interesting and if anyone would like to join us please get in touch with Ronnie or Daphne.
ECUMENICAL LENT COURSE 2019
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 11 March 2019. As in previous years the course being used has been produced by 'York Courses'; this year's is entitled 'Daring to see God now'. A poster can be viewed by following this link. Further details and application forms can be viewed by following this link.
MOTHERS' UNION EVENTS 2019
1) The Rochester Diocese Mothers' Union are holding their Commissioning Service at Rochester Cathedral on Saturday, 23 March 2019 at 11.30 am. Come along and meet the new Trustees, other members of the Mothers' Union and see each branch banner being paraded during the Service.
2) The Rochester Diocese Mothers' Union Spring Council and AGM will be held on Saturday, 27 April 2019 at 9.30 am to 2.30 pm at St Andrew's Church Hall, Paddock Wood.
THREE PARISHES CONSULTATION
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.
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.