Parish Safeguarding - Statement

Like all Church of England churches, safeguarding and safer recruitment are paramount.  The PCC are committed to ensuring that our church and hall are safe places for all who use them. For more detailed information and guidance click the Parish Safeguarding Handbook  or visit   https://www.rochester.anglican.org  and click on safeguarding. Produced by the National Safeguarding Team, it is a comprehensive guide, summarising the key areas a parish needs to address with regards to safeguarding.

Parish Safeguarding - Past Review

If you are concerned about something you have experienced in a church, now or in the past, or you are worried  about another person - perhaps a vulnerable adult or a child – there are people you can talk to and you will be taken seriously. You can contact the Diocese of Rochester’s Safeguarding team on 01634 560 000 or visit their webpage Click to read more

One of the Sacred Spaces created by the congregation at St James

See more sacred spaces....

Rev’d Ren writes-

Team Rector’s Letter                       February 2021

It’s been quite a while since I’ve had to pack for a trip away!

Like many of you, I had no holidays in 2020 and no overnight stays. Future travel seems very uncertain at the moment.

When you are able to go away, are you a careful, organised packer, or a last-minute one? What counts as a ‘travel essential’ for you? My main travel essential is my Kindle, as it saves me packing a suitcase full of books. What you take with you depends of course on where you are going, and what you plan to be doing. For some holidays it will be sturdy boots, a torch and sleeping bag, for others an elegant outfit for dining out and a good supply of sun-cream and beach-towels.

Spiritual writers have often seen human lives as like a ‘journey’. We may encounter times in our lives when it is as if the sun is shining and the sky is cloudless or others when it seems that the storm clouds gather and the temperature seems to drop dramatically. At these times, the spiritual equivalent of ‘travel essentials’ are vital for our survival.

In good times and dark times, we have a deep need of God in our life-journey! God can offer us some sense of direction, for He is our destination and our guide. He offers us nourishment and refreshment, through the powerful words of the Bible. He brings light into our lives through the kindness of other people.  And whatever our circumstances, He enables us to have a sense of security and peace.

May you know God’s presence with you on your ‘journey of life’.

Reverend Ren Harding (Team Rector)

contact me at Joydens Wood Vicarage,

6 Tile Kiln Lane, Joydens Wood, Bexley, DA5 2BB  

01322-528923                         renharding@hotmail.co.uk

I am pleased (and slightly shocked!) to have been invited by Bishop James to accept appointment as an Honorary Canon at Rochester Cathedral, one of four others appointed in the present round.Read the full article here

Team Rector’s Letter  December 2020

Read Revd. Ren's letter here

Bexley Womens Aid - We were happy to help out with donations at Christmas

In December we had our usual Toy service where we collected donations for Bexley Womens Aid. It wasn’t our usual service due to Covid restrictions but as usual the people of North Cray came up trumps!

We contacted Womens Aid before the service, and asked if they had any particular requests for the children this year. They asked for chocolate selection boxes and sweets and small toys. The word soon went around and we had many generous donations.

As we reach the terrible milestone of 100,000 deaths from COVID-19, we invite everyone in our nation to pause as we reflect on the enormity of this pandemic. Read the Archbishops' letter here 

Bexley Team Ministry - Clergy Contact Details.

View them here.....

Bexley Team Children's Church

This year we want to offer our families a weekly Bexley Team Children's Church.

The link to the material can be viewed here.......  

A virtual visit to St James Church .

Revd Ren visited St James, during the first  period of lockdown, and recorded this video clip.