Crockham Hill Newsletter
December 2019/ January 2020
To keep up to date for Church and Village events, please look at the Website's News and Events section. All the Christmas services will be publicised here.
On News in Pictures are photos of the church decorated for Harvest Festival, and of the effects of drought in our link parish in Kongwa, Tanzania.
Do email with suggestions, and anything you want to publicise to
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What’s on at Holy Trinity
Every Sunday 8.00am Prayer Book Communion
DECEMBER
Sunday 1st December
Advent Sunday
10.00am First Sunday Service with Baptism
and collection of Toys for New Cross
Sunday 8th and 15th
10.00am Eucharist with Sunday Club
Wednesday 18th December
7.00pm Reflective Communion Service for Advent
(Church open for personal prayer and reflection 3.00pm – 4.00pm and 6.30pm – 7.00pm)
Sunday 22nd December
NO 10.00am SERVICE
6.30pm 9 Lessons and Carols
Christmas Eve
4.00pm Crib and Christingle
11.30pm First Communion of Christmas
Christmas Day
10.30am Family Communion
Sunday 29th December
10.00am Family Communion
JANUARY
Sunday 5th
Family Communion for Epiphany
Sunday 12th 19th and 26th
10.00am Eucharist with Sunday Club
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Overnight accommodation wanted for Mary and Joseph
Once again Mary and Joseph, along with their donkey will set out on their journey to Bethlehem on Advent Sunday 1st December. Can you offer them a bed for the night?
They just need a shelter, the more imaginative the better and we just need a photo to add to our FB page and Church website. Please get in touch (sue.diggory@outlook.com or via the church FB page) if you would like to join the 2019 ‘Journey to Bethlehem.’ Last year we had a waiting list so you may need to get in quickly.
Rev Sue
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News from the Vicarage
Before begin to look forward to Christmas and the wonder of the coming of the Christ child it seems right to comment on the recent theft at the church. Most of you will know that the church lectern was stolen in early November. As I write we are engaged with the police but I suspect it is gone forever.
I thought I would just share three sadness’s I have over this senseless incident. Firstly, that the sacred space of our church was violated, secondly that many people in the community are sad and upset by the loss of something that had been used as part of our worship for many years, and finally that those who took it have no idea of the upset and pain that they have caused.
Some have said ‘it’s only a piece of metal’ and of course that is true but it is or was a piece of metal that was used in the morning worship at Holy Trinity, the place where God’s word is read each week. It was an integral part of who we are and what we value as the community of Crockham Hill. But, the positive, and there always is a positive is that our values continue the same, our worship continues the same and as the sadness heals we will in due time replace what we have lost. It will not be the same, but whatever our future lectern looks like it will become part of our worship and part of how we express our faith as we go forward in our desire to worship God and share the love of Christ with all.
Let’s now focus on something much more important, Christmas and our preparations to once again welcome the Christ-child, the one who came as a vulnerable baby into our world, the one who grew into the man who eventually went to the cross, the one who makes it possible for us to know God and be known by God, the one who once again will step down into our increasingly dark world this Christmas time.
I do hope that amongst all the fun, all the shopping, and all the busyness of the season we will each be able to find the time and space, either at a church service or in the quiet of our hearts to once again welcome the baby, the baby born in a manger, the baby who came and comes as God incarnate, God with us Emmanuel.
God Bless
Rev Sue
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Lights shining in the Darkness
Wednesday 18th December
I am very aware that for some of us Christmas is not the happy jolly season that seems to expected by the media. The loss of a loved one, family who live far away, loneliness or illness, all these any many other issues can make Christmas a difficult time. The church will be open for quiet prayer along with the opportunity to light a candle from 3.00pm – 4.00pm ad 6.30pm – 7.00pm on Wednesday 18th December. This will be followed by a quiet Communion Service at 7.00pm. please feel free to pop in and stay for as little or as long as is helpful. I will be there if you want a quiet word and all the candles will be re-lit and left on the altar on Christmas Day.
Rev Sue
email: sue.diggory@outlook.com
Tel: 01732 446466
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OUR FRIENDS IN NEW CROSS AT CHRISTMAS
Christmas Gifts by 8th December would be most gratefully received by our friends - toys for children and scarves, hats, gloves, socks, towels and toiletries for adults. Please leave (unwrapped) in box in Church or at Redlands Barn - wrapping paper welcome. Don’t worry if you’ve missed the deadline- cheques made out to ‘Holy Trinity Church, Crockham Hill’ via David or June at any time would be most welcome.
Thank you very much for your generosity.
David Hodges 866233 and June Davies 866350
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Hotpot Supper 2020 - are you able to help?
The hotpot supper is a highly anticipated, enjoyable and welcoming event in the Crockham Hill calendar with great food and excellent entertainment. We have been extremely fortunate to have an enthusiastic team to ensure this event has always been a great success. We need someone to help organise the next hotpot supper on 25th February 2020. We know there will be lots of people very happy to help but we are looking for someone to take the lead.
If you feel able to do this or would like to find out more please contact:
Lorraine - lorrashley@aol.com or 01732 868363 or
Sue - Sue.diggory@outlook.com or 01732 446466
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Women's Christian Fellowship
Our traditional Advent Service will be held at Marnie's on Wednesday 11th December at 10.30am followed by coffee and mince pies. With the start of the new Church year (and a new government and probable new relations with the world) and looking forward to the birth of Jesus, the theme will be 'New Beginnings'. Rev Sue Diggory will be speaking to us during a very informal service in which all who wish to can take part. Do come along. Our January meeting will be at The Warren on Wednesday 8th January also at 10.30am. Further details will be in the pewsheet nearer the time.
Do get in touch if you want to know more. Susan Cash 866218.
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THE PRAYER GROUP
Trish Proctor 866219
THE PRAYER GROUP to which ANYONE IS VERY WELCOME. WE WILL NOT MEET IN DECEMBER because there will be a quiet COMMUNION SERVICE THAT EVENING. We will meet on WEDNESDAY JANUARY 22nd at 2pm at Woodmote. Do come and join us in a short time of prayer. We have some readings to begin with, on a theme with periods of prayer and then pray for the needs of our world, the Church, our local community and our families. There is no expectation to do anything but just come relax and listen, pray quietly or openly as you feel comfortable. Prayer requests and prayer ideas are always used during this time so if you have anyone or anything you would like us to pray about please let Sue Diggory or me know. COME AND SEE YOU WILL BE MOST WELCOME.
Our editor
Dharmi Damodaran
COPY DEADLINE FOR FEBRUARY ISSUE:
Friday 17th January
All items for inclusion to the editor, Dharmi Damodaran at
(0776 968 1961)
Or leave in box either on shelf at the back of the church
or in the Royal Oak pub
.
CHIPS/WADS
CHIPS/WADS - Autumn Production of 'A Dickens of a Christmas Carol' -
Performances will be on Wednesday 4th December - Saturday 7th December
(Sat Matinee 2.30pm and 8pm performance), at Westerham Village Hall. Tickets £9.00 available via the CHIPS website, crockhamhillchips.co.uk or the WADS website wads-web.net
If you are unable to access the websites then please do contact Emma Jonas on 01732864835oremergetic@hotmail.com
The performances will be at Westerham Hall from the Weds 4th December to the Sat 7th December. Patrons are urged to use the town car park (Darent car park, just along the A25, on the left, as you leave Westerham towards Sevenoaks), with a short walk (3min) to the hall. There is ample space and good lighting. However, for anyone who would have difficulties with this, then we are happy to provide a free taxi service from the Darent car park to Westerham Hall (and back!); please let me know in advance if you would like to do this. (Please call Claire Tobin 01732 866 503/claire@theveryedge.co.uk to book a lift!). Also - there will be food available from our friends at The Courtyard here in Westerham. Food will be available in the auditorium serving from 6:30 pm each evening so why not arrive early and eat before the show! Food charged separately.
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Crockham Hill Bonfire and Fireworks
Thank you to all those who turned out on a very wet night to support the annual village bonfire and fireworks on Saturday 26th October. Despite the weather, we hope you enjoyed the torchlit procession, bonfire, and fantastic firework display, which is always the highlight of the evening. Thank you too to all of our sponsors, and a special thanks to those of you who volunteer to help set up, run and clear down the event, whose help we couldn’t do without.
Janice Donaghue
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CROCKHAM HILL WI – Christmas Celebration 2.30pm Wed 4 Dec
June Davies 866350
A riotous, entertaining romp through the ‘Roaring Twenties’, by Delia Taylor, set a lively tone for our November meeting. We are now looking forward to ending 2019 with festive fun at our ‘Christmas Celebration’, enhanced by a scrumptious tea at the Village Hall on 4 December, to which we are delighted to welcome guests from across the community.
Forward look 2019/2020
06 Dec: A Dickens of a Christmas Carol – Westerham
08 Jan: Members meeting – A Surprise! – 2.30pm Village Hall
29 Jan: Pub Lunch – Bottle House – details tbc
05 Feb: Kent Air Ambulance – 2.30pm Village Hall
Other opportunities include – Ongoing walking netball and craft activities, as well as planned visits in 2020 to London, Batemans and Bewl Water. Please do join us anytime as a welcome guest – we’re a very lively, friendly group. Visit www.crockhamhillwi.com/ or ring June for more information.
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These boots are made for walking… and keeping fit to enjoy the festive fun!
As well as the magic of Christmas, December brings us cold days when all we want to do is snuggle up and keep warm indoors.
Resist the temptation – rather than staying inside and hibernating this winter, why not be outside in the fresh air and experience the mood lifting effect and health benefits of a brisk winter walk?
What are you waiting for? – come and join us – a friendly group that enjoys talking whilst walking in the countryside, making new friends and having pub lunches. We also enjoy various social events throughout the year and organise holidays together, both in the UK and abroad. Each week we offer a selection of walks for different abilities, ranging from 3 – 12 miles. There’s bound to be one that suits you and you are welcome to walk with us on one or two occasions before you decide whether to join East Surrey Walkers. We’d love to have your company…
Some of our walks coming up in December…
3 Dec Tuesday 10am Godstone Strenuous, Fast Fitness 3.5 miles
11 Dec Wednesday 10am Limpsfield Leisurely 5 miles
12 Dec Thursday 10am Lingfield Easy, Amble 3 miles
14 Dec Saturday 10am Reigate Leisurely 5.5 miles
18 Dec Wednesday f10am Woldingham Leisurely (mulled wine) 6 miles
19 Dec Thursday 10am Dormansland Leisurely 5.5 miles
28 Dec Saturday 10am Woldingham Easy, Amble 3 miles
For details of where to meet and our full programme, please visit our website on:
Pamela Cunniffe
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Crockham Hill Wildlife Restoration Project
We were delighted by the 85+ who attended the Kent Wildlife Trust talk in the Village Hall on gardens forming stepping stones for wildlife.
We have arranged a lecture on Barn Owls on 12th March in the Village Hall.
Inspired by Isabella Tree’s lecture last March, a group of local enthusiasts have published a Handbook for Wildlife Restoration in Crockham Hill and surrounding villages.
Copies of the Handbook are available free from Michael Court (01732 866342) or mike@theoasthouse.com).
We want to coordinate the creation and linkage of wildlife habitats in gardens and fields, to encourage wildflower meadows, more ponds, mixed hedges (cut infrequently), and gaps in boundaries so that wildlife can travel along green corridors.
If you are already using, or would like to use a part of your garden or field to provide wildlife habitats and linked wildlife corridors, please would you let us know on mail@wildliferestoration.org.
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Parish Safeguarding contacts.
Jo Naismith, Parish Safeguarding Officer
01732 866248/07966264290
Susan Cash, Advocate for Children and Vulnerable Adults 01732 866218
Rev’d Sue Diggory, Vicar 01732 446466/07799892583
Further details are available on the church website www.crockhamhillchurch.org and are displayed on the notice board in the church porch.