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Bexley Team News
St Barnabas, Joydens Wood
St James, North Cray
St John the Evangelist, Bexley
St Mary the Virgin, Bexley
4th July 2021 Issue 68 Fifth Sunday after Trinity
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The church buildings will have been thoroughly cleaned. As usual, face-masks MUST be worn (unless medically exempt) hand sanitiser will be used and social distancing of 2 Metres MUST be observed at all times. Do not attend if you or a member of your household is shielding or vulnerable. The church doors will be open for ventilation, so dress accordingly.
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St Mary’s 8.30 am Holy Communion
10.00 am Holy Communion
St James 9.30 am Holy Communion
St Barnabas 10.45am Holy Communion
St John’s 8.00 am Holy Communion
10.00 am Holy Communion
Wednesday 10.00 am Holy Communion
Friday 10.00 am Livestreamed Holy Communion: www.facebook.com/stjohnsbexley
Team Zoom Services and Worship material
Saturday 3rd July NO Saturday Nightwatch Zoom Service
Instead you are invited to join the Thanksgiving and Farewell service for Bp James at 3.00 pm which will be livestreamed from Rochester Cathedral
Sunday 4thJuly please note the new time of 9.00 am Sunday Zoom Service
Bexley Team Children’s Church
Great news! Children’s Church is back and this week we are looking at the story of Ruth and Naomi. Please visit https://youtu.be/z471Z_B3TH0 
For other resources and ideas please visit Diocese of Rochester | Family Worship in the Home (anglican.org)
Bible Readings Ezekiel 2 v1-5 2 Corinthians 12 v2 – 10 Mark 6 v1-13
The Collect: Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is governed and sanctified: hear our prayer which we offer for all your faithful people, that in their vocation and ministry they may serve you in holiness and truth to the glory of your name; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
The Additional Collect: Almighty God, send down upon your Church the riches of your Spirit, and kindle in all who minister the gospel your countless gifts of grace; through Jesus Christ our Lord
Rev’d Ren writes-
Our gospel reading this week tells us of the astonishment of the inhabitants of Jesus’ hometown of Nazareth, when they encounter the wisdom and power given to this ordinary carpenter, whose family background they knew so well. Surely, they ask themselves, he’s nothing special, just one of us! Where did he get all this wisdom?
It seems an appropriate reading this weekend as we bid Farewell to Bishop James Langstaff. Now I’m pretty sure Bishop James didn’t come from a carpenter’s family, but I know that many of us will have met him at various diocesan and parish events and have been struck by his openness, and his ability to make people from all backgrounds feel at ease. He shows a strong recognition of the value of lay ministry in the work of the Church. Clergy often comment on his real, supportive concern for them in the challenges they face.
Bishop James Langstaff has been our Diocesan Bishop since December 2010 and will be greatly missed.
Born in 1956, James was bright enough to get a degree at Oxford, and then trained as a priest. He worked in parish ministry in the Guildford and Birmingham Dioceses. He served as a bishop’s chaplain until he was appointed suffragan bishop of Lynn in 2004, before accepting his present post as Bishop of Rochester. Throughout his ministry, Bishop James has had a particular interest in urban regeneration initiatives and social and affordable housing. He is the chair of Housing Justice, a small charity dealing with the problems of homelessness. He is also bishop of prisons, demonstrating his compassion to those on the margins of society.
Bishop James will retire as diocesan bishop, but I suspect not from a wider public role.
So, what is the process for the appointment of a new bishop?
Bishop Simon Burton-Jones, suffragan bishop of Tonbridge, will take on responsibility for the diocese from now until the next bishop is in place.
In the Church of England, the process used to find and appoint the next bishop is managed by the diocesan ‘Vacancy in See Committee’ a group of clergy and lay people from across the diocese. This committee works with a group called the Crown Nominations Commission. They submit the name of the person they believe God is calling to be the next Bishop of Rochester to the Prime Minister, for the appointment to be formally made.
I wonder what would be your ‘wish list’ for our new diocesan bishop? I suspect from talking to many of you that the first criteria would be a bishop who was ‘down-to-earth’ as well as being wise! That means someone who would understand the many challenges of living a Christian life in the early twenty-first century, someone with a real, grasp of the demands placed on parish churches in these difficult days.
As we bid farewell to Bishop James, please join me in praying for the man or woman who will take on his role. Undoubtedly, they have a hard act to follow!
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As we make the move back to ‘in-person’ worship, and continue to engage with people on Zoom and through live-streamed worship, the Team clergy felt that now was the time to bring our weekly Reflections in the Bexley Team News to an end - this reflection will be the last. We will continue to produce and distribute the Bexley Team News online, and as a paper copy for those who need it.
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Barbara Rivers RIP: We were saddened to hear the unfortunate news of Barbara Rivers death. Her funeral will be held at St John’s at 2.15pm on Wednesday 14th July, and the family have said that any of Barbara’s friends who wish to attend are welcome to do so.
Reverend David Knight’s memorial service
Due to the delay in lockdown easing it is now necessary to book places for Reverend David Knight’s memorial service at St Mary’s on 17th July at midday. Please book your place by emailing Mary Andrews maryrose.andrews@gmail.com also indicating if you wish to stay for light refreshments in church afterwards (or by signing the list in the cross aisle of St Mary's)
School Crossing Patrol Volunteers Needed: Old Bexley Church of England Primary School is hoping to recruit School Crossing Patrol Volunteers to manage safety on Hurst Road at the beginning and end of the school day. The posts are subject to Council Funding and would require commitment to approximate shift times from 8.15am-9.15am and 3pm-4pm on weekdays. Full training will be provided. The positions will initially run until the end of the calendar year. Interested applicants should email admin@oldbexley.bexley.sch.uk by Friday 9th July and include name, contact details and shifts you would be willing to commit to.
SAVE THE DATE! 🎉🦄⛪ï¸
We are very pleased to announce that the St Barnabas Fayre committee have had our first meeting and we are going ahead with plans for another Joydens Wood Community Fayre at St Barnabas Church on Saturday 7th August 11am-3pm. 🥳🎉ðŸ˜. Please save the date. Thank you in advance for your support. The focus is bringing the community together while raising funds to replace our rapidly deteriorating Harold Porter Hall with a building which will serve our community. Any government Covid restrictions will apply.
Holy Hush – we are a small group who meet together on the first Tuesday of the month in one of our homes for a short informal meeting based on (but not) a Julian Group meeting. The ‘leader’ opens with a reading/ poem/ thought; then we have half an hour of silence; and end with a short prayer followed by a cup of tea and chat. It is a pleasant/restful/inspiring break among friends and we would love you to join us. Next meeting Tuesday 6th July at 2.00 pm, venue to be announced. Details from Liz Montague (07740099461) or lizmontague@hotmail.co.uk (Liz is a member of the St. Barnabas congregation)
Archdeaconry Representative on the council of Friends of Rochester Cathedral. The Cathedral is looking for someone to take on this voluntary role – for a term of three years (about five meetings a year).Speak to Ren if you would like to find out more.
Bexley Interfaith Forum: The next meeting of the Bexley Interfaith Forum will be held on Zoom on Tuesday 27th July at 7.30pm on Zoom. The Speaker will be the Anglican Bishop of Tonbridge, the Rt Rev’d Simon Burton-Jones on the subject of Challenges facing Religious Communities following the lockdown and the Covid pandemic.ZoomLogin: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83092088701?pwd=VitFNEkwaGowM3oyYW9qbkZ4MklyUT09
Meeting ID: 830 9208 8701 Passcode: 407069. A further meeting is being planned for 7.30pm on Wednesday October 20th on the topic of Mental Health.
Pilgrimage: Clive will be leading a holiday to Austria and Oberammergau including the Passion Play 22-29 June 2022. If you would like to consider joining the group printed and e-copies of the holiday/pilgrimage brochure are available- please let Clive know.
FINANCIAL GIVING TO THE TEAM CHURCHES
For St Barnabas Any contributions can be dropped off at the Treasurer’s house or at the Vicarage. Or you can give by BACS transfer. In all cases, if you are a taxpayer please “Gift Aid” your giving. If you have any questions regarding this please contact, David Peters on 01322 529796 or by email davidpeters45@hotmail.co.uk
For St James, North Cray Contributions can be dropped off at 91 The Grove, or made by BACS transfer, contact Suzy Higgs on 07799072548.Please make cheques payable to St James, North Cray PCC.
For St John's You can give to the continuing upkeep and ministry of St John's via our Just Giving page: www.justgiving.com/stjohntheevangelist-bexley
For St Mary’s If you ordinarily make your financial contributions in church but, in the present circumstances, wish to contribute by cheque then please make your cheque payable to St Mary’s Bexley PCC and send it c/o C. Lee 11 Holmesdale Road, Bexleyheath, DA7 4TJ. Your continued support is very much appreciated.
Each week the musicians at St James North Cray offer links to a selection of songs and music for us to enjoy. These can be found on our website www.stjamesnorthcray.org.uk/welcome/music/
St John’s Sermons are posted each Sunday at fatheredwardbarlow.wordpress.comSocial Media - engage with us via Facebook (/stjohnsbexley), Twitter (@stjohnsbexley) and Instagram (@stjohnsbexley)
THE BEXLEY TEAM CLERGY
Team Rector: Rev’d Canon Ren Harding renharding@hotmail.co.uk 01322 528923 07836644782
Associate Priest: Rev’d Sue Twynam susantwynam@btconnect.com 01322 559501 07952 468127
Team Vicar: Rev’d Edward Barlow fr.edwardbarlow@gmail.com 01322 521786
Team Vicar: Rev’d Clive Wood revclivewood@gmail.com 01322 270942 07982 392809
Team Curate: Rev’d Matt Hodder matthodder10@gmail.com 07889873125