Join us at St Nicholas Church to remember the late Queen Elizabeth II. It is a time to mourn, but also a time to give thanks for what the Queen has brought to the life of this nation and many others. Here is a lnk to our Archbishop Justin's statement: https://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/news/news-and-statements/statement-archbishop-canterbury-death-her-majesty-queenHere is a link to our Bishop Rose's statement: https://www.canterburydiocese.org/our-life/news-events/news/quotour-national-family-mournsquot.phpA local book of condolence is available in church. The chruch will be open this week at the following times for prayer and reflection: - Monday 9 - 10am - Tuesday 9 - 10am- Wednesday 9 -10am, with morning prayer said on Wednesday at 9:15am.- Saturday 9:30am - 12 midday- Sunday 9:30am-12 midday (the morning service starts at 10am)At these times, you are welcome to add to the book of condolence your own tribute to the Queen.
Gracious God, we give thanks for the life of your servant Queen Elizabeth, for her faith and her dedication to duty. Bless our nation as we mourn her death and may her example continue to inspire us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.There is an online book of condolence at https://www.churchofengland.org/remembering-her-majesty-queenMore details about local arrangements to follow. Photo courtesy of the Press Association, used with permission
Over the decades, many local people have walked through the lychgate of St Nicholas Church to worship, to baptisms and christenings, to weddings and funerals. I'm told that, in years gone by, the lychgate has also provided shelter to young people on many a wet evening. Maybe you were one of those many people? However, this historic lychgate now needs significant repairs and the best estimate puts the cost at over £10,000 ! To help raise funds, Rev Nick White and his son put their best feet forward and did a sponsored walk around the many different churches in Canterbury as part of the Ride and Stride for Churches event in Kent. the Ride and Stride for Churches sponsored walk. It's going to take a lot more than a sponsored walk to raise the money, but as the proverb says, "Every journey starts with a single step". The walk was in aid of Friends of Kent Churches, a charity which supports the repair and maintenance of historic church buildings in Kent. 50% of the money raised by Nick White will go to St Nicholas, Thanington. The other half will go to the churches in Kent which are most in need of support. Thanington Parish Church can also apply for a grant from Friends of Kent Churches. It's not too late to sponsor me. You can donate to my JustGiving page by clicking on this link: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Nick-White41?utm_source=Sharethis&utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=Nick-White41&utm_campaign=pfp-email&utm_term=425e9c9f22da4fb58bde0e40cdef51a1.Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.Or, if you prefer, go to our giving page on this website, which explains various ways you can make a donation direct to Thanington Parish Church. https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/11928/page/78331/view/Thanks for your support!
The bells are ringing againOn Easter Sunday morning, the bells of St Nicholas Church could be heard in Thanington for the first time since the covid pandemic began. And after a lot of hard work cleaning the bell tower, the bells will start ringing again each week.I wonder if you heard the bells? I wonder what that sound means to you? Perhaps it brings back memories. Perhaps it makes a connection with the past. Perhaps it reminds you that the church is still here for the people of Thanington now.Of course, there was a time when ringing church bells were the latest technology, a new way to send out the message to everybody in the surrounding area, sending a simple message: "It's time to gather for worship". And, for at least one person I met on Easter Sunday, it was the sound of the church bells that encouraged them to come to church. Bells could sometimes be a warning of danger (like the old fire engine bells). But the ringing of bells could also be a celebration of good news - wedding bells for example. When you hear the bells in Thanington on Sunday morning, I hope it will remind you of three things: 1. the church is here for you2. the heart of the Christian faith is good news of God's love for us all3. you are invited and you are welcome at St Nicholas Church.Bell-ringing restarts this summer. The bell-ringers practice on Tuesday evenings and then ring on Sunday mornings before the church service. If you are interested, click on "Get in touch" and send us a message.
