Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

It was a real pleasure last Saturday to have had Bishop James with us for a service of Confirmation where 6 members of our church, Christian Major, Iona Mitchell, Verity Mitchell, Pete Smee, Russell & Sarah Speed made their public declaration of faith in Jesus Christ.  If you wish to see the service, please look on our YouTube account. In a similar vein on Saturday 15th May at 2.30pm Verity Mitchell will be licensed as a Licensed Lay Minster in Rochester Cathedral; we pray that as she responds to her calling, God will bless her ministry with us. If you wish to follow the service, please visit the Diocesan web site for details. https://www.rochester.anglican.org/

Prayer as a Christian is one of the most important things we can be part of; in Philippians 4: 6 it says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

May I encourage you all to pray for the needs of all peoples and of all nations; the situation here in the UK maybe improving, yet sadly this is not true everywhere. Our TV screen highlights the plight of India, Brazil and many other countries. We may feel powerless to help yet the one thing we can do is hold them in our prayers before God.     

Prayer
O Lord our God,
source of all goodness and love,
accept the fervent prayers of your people;
in the multitude of your mercies look with compassion
upon all the nations of the world,
That in these times of distress and uncertainty
Your love is never far from us,
for you are gracious, O lover of souls,
and to you we give glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
now and forever.
Amen.

God Bless you

Rev’d Steve Spencer (vicar) & Rev’d Rachel Winn (curate)

Join us as we meet to worship together on Sunday morning at 10.00am
online, with the Zoom room opening from 9.45am, by clicking here.

If this link doesn't work or you wish to join via telephone, instructions are here.
After the service, we’ll have the opportunity to break into groups for fellowship. 
The Zoom Service Sheet  can be found here.

Please book in advance if you intend to join us for the Holy Communion. Contact Rev Steve Spencer on: 0208 4671351 or revsteve.spencer@btinternet.com

Followed by 12.00 Midday a service of HOLY COMMUNION in St Augustine’s church.

Bible Reading:  Acts 10: 44-48

Collect:

Risen Christ,
by the lakeside you renewed your call to your disciples:
help your Church to obey your command
and draw the nations to the fire of your love,
to the glory of God the Father.
Amen.

Service on Zoom.

12.00 Midday a service of HOLY COMMUNION in St Augustine’s church.

Annual Parochial Church Meeting

The Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) for St Augustine with St Luke will take place on Zoom on Saturday 8th May at 10.30 am. If you lead a group within the parish and you usually submit a report for the APCM, I would be grateful to receive a report from you. Please send your report to johanna.gurney@btinternet.com.

The full details of the APCM have been sent to you by a separate email earlier in the week.

The Zoom session is the same as for our Sunday services and can be accessed by clicking here.

If this link doesn't work or you wish to join via telephone, instructions are here.

Mental Health Awareness week is fast approaching (10th -16th May). This year’s theme is nature and outdoors, with a focus  on climate care too. We have been hearing that people of all ages can be affected by mental health issues, not just adults. During the pandemic lockdowns the mental health of many school children and young people was impacted and spending excessive time indoors and on screens was a contributory factor.

Below are two links to help look at how nature might help our wellbeing and mental health; the first link offers 5 ways we might enhance our wellbeing by connecting with nature and the second is aimed at younger people:

https://www.wwf.org.uk/5-ways-connect-nature-help-our-wellbeing

https://www.annafreud.org/on-my-mind/self-care/spending-time-in-nature/

Ascension Day: On Thursday 13th May there will be an evening zoom service at 7.00pm. Details and service sheet will be sent separately by email next week.

Lent to Pentecost Parish Prayer Walk
Prayer makes such a difference to our community, even when we don't see the result ourselves.  There is still time for YOU to be involved so please consider if you could offer to pray along one, or more, streets in our parish.

• You can walk and pray alone
• You can walk and pray with someone else (for a 'prayer friend' you might like to contact Hilary on: 07884195700)
• You can pray as you like or use the attached PRAYER WALK GUIDE 

To sign up for the Parish Prayer Walk  please contact Rev’d Rachel Winn on 07311330202 or e-mail: curaterachel@yahoo.com

Thy Kingdom Come:
Thy Kingdom Come runs between Ascension and Pentecost, and in 2021 will take place from 13th-23rd May.  Details to follow about how we as a church, and individually, might be involved.

Christian Aid Week: this year runs through 10th - 16th May 2021.

If you wish to donate but cannot do so electronically we now have Christian Aid envelopes early next week placed in the plastic dispenser by the front entrance of St Augustine's for you to collect. Please return these to the vicarage. If you are unable to collect one yourself please contact Rev Steve or Rev Rachel. Again this year, most donations will be given online. https://www.christianaid.org.uk/give/ways-to-donate

Children's Society Boxes

Friday 30 April would have been Captain Sir Tom’s 101st birthday and his family have pledged to celebrate his life with an event that everyone around the world could get involved in to celebrate his generosity, hope and sense of fun.

Find out more at CaptainTom100.com and on our own 2makeit Captain Tom 100 fundraising page: 
https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/2makeit-captaintom100?invite=true

Bromley Foodbank 

The Foodbank are now in the process of re-stocking their Centres in view of them opening again in the near future, there are a few areas of shortfall that need addressing.

Biggest need is BAGS FOR LIFE, as well as Desserts Ladies deodorant, Tinned Tomatoes, Washing Up Liquid

Biscuits, Bio & Non Bio Capsules/Powder, Cold Meat, Cleaning Sprays, Coffee and Squash.