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, the Parish is now in an 'interregnum' while a successor is appointed. 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:
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Baptisms - These will take place on the 3rd Sunday of the month, during the |
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| Weddings - by arrangement. Please contact: |
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| Funerals - by arrangement. Please contact: |
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| Pastoral Care - Please contact: |
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| General enquiries - Please use the 'Contact Us' form, accessed via the main menu, or |
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FAREWELL TO REVD MARTIN & MAGGIE - 10 MAR 2019
It was a day of mixed emotions as we said fond farewells to Revd Martin and Maggie, as they move on to pastures new. The 9:30am Parish Eucharist Service was very well attended, including representatives from other neighbouring Churches. Youngsters from Sunday Club also stayed in the main service, to be part of the occasion. Revd Martin presided and preached, and selected most of the hymns. His sermon was based on Psalm 121 (Assurance of God's Protection; and Leave-taking). At the end of the service, a presentation of gifts was made, including a collage from Sunday Club. The service was followed by a reception in the Hall, with a wonderful spread of home-prepared food, a cake, and further speeches. Both the text and audio recording of Revd. Martin's sermon can be accessed here. Photographs can be accessed here.
LUNCH CLUB FAREWELL TO REVD MARTIN AND MAGGIE
At their lunch on Tuesday, 26 February 2019, members and helpers of Littlecourt Lunch Club bade a fond farewell to Reverend Martin and Maggie, as Martin retires. The scene was set, with Janet playing old-time pieces on the piano. Deirdre made the presentation; thanking Martin and Maggie for the generous and wonderful support they had provided to the Lunch Club over more than six years.
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).
TEMENOS CONCERT AT ST MARY'S, RIVERHEAD
On Saturday, 30 March 2019 at 7:30pm. See flyer for full details. In this Lenten programme, Temenos will be singing the famous Allegri Miserere in which the stratospheric soprano solo will be sung by Nicola Corbishley. Nicola sings in several professional ensembles, including the Gabrieli Consort and Ex Cathedra. She will be joined as a soloist by tenor Nicholas Todd in Scarlatti's wonderful Stabat Mater, a favourite work of the choir.
ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING (APCM) AND MEETING TO ELECT CHURCHWARDENS
The APCM and the Vestry Meeting to elect Churchwardens will take place on Sunday, 7 April 2019, at 11:15am, in Church.
Papers/reports for the meetings, as they become available, can be accessed via the 'Other Information/Downloads area'.
A summary of the rules applying to these meetings can also be viewed via the link at the bottom of the 'Other Information/PCC Members' page.
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 next speaker will be from the Kerry West Orphanage Project, on Sunday, 24 March 2019.
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.