Our weekly shopping trip to Lidl in Hawkinge is a simple errand—until you drive there from Lyminge. The route winds through Etchinghill and along Teddars Leas Road, a narrow country lane where only one car can pass at a time. Almost every journey involves pulling into a passing place to let someone by.When that happens, my wife and I always watch to see what kind of acknowledgment we’ll get. Most drivers are gracious—some flash their lights enthusiastically or wave with gusto. Others offer a simple hand lift, or the laziest of gestures: a barely raised finger from the steering wheel. But every so often, someone zooms past without even a glance of thanks.That lack of gratitude always stings. After all, it feels good to be appreciated, especially when we’ve gone out of our way for someone. It reminds me of a passage from the Gospel of Luke. Ten lepers were healed by Jesus—but only one, a foreigner and a Samaritan, returned to give thanks and praise to God.Gratitude, it seems, is rarer than we think. Yet giving thanks—to God, to others—should be as natural as breathing. It’s an expression of humility and recognition that we’re not self-sufficient.When Jesus met those ten lepers on the border of Samaria and Galilee, they cried out, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” They didn’t demand healing; they asked for mercy. Their plea wasn’t just for restored bodies but for restored dignity and belonging. I once met a small community of lepers in Nepal, cared for by a Christian charity. Their compassion reminded me that mercy still lives in quiet places. Perhaps next time we are helped by someone, or a driver stopping on a narrow lane—we might remember to show the same grace, and to simply say, “Thank you.”
The Rector’s wonderings…I wonder if you’ve ever passed a quick judgement on someone without knowing the whole story?We can sometimes unfairly judge others who we know very little about, based on gossip.Proverbs is a book of wisdom in the Bible and says, “The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man’s inmost parts.” ( Proverbs 18:8). When we listen to gossip, it goes to our “inmost parts.” Gossip sinks its teeth into our hearts, souls, and minds and corrupts us like a fast spreading cancer.Gossip is always trouble. Gossip obscures the truth. Gossip drives us from God. Gossip ruins reputations. Gossip destroys relationships. Gossip divides churches. Gossip is incredibly destructive.Rather than tearing people down, we should build them up!How do we do that? Well, one of the ways we do that is through encouragement.Proverbs 12:25 says:“Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down, but a good word cheers it up.” Don’t weigh down someone’s heart by giving them something to be anxious about through your gossiping. Instead, cheer up someone’s heart by giving them a good word.Challenge yourself this month in this one way:Make a pledge to encourage rather than gossip.Can you imagine how wonderful it would be if all the gossip in our community turned into encouragement?Ask yourself these questions (attributed to Socrates):Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it kind?Let that be your guide. Here’s another tip: If in doubt, don’t say it. Dear Lord, Set a guard over my mouth ; keep watch over the door of my lips. Help me to be an encourager by speaking a good word.” Amen ( Psalm 141:3)
These eight country churches are all lovely for baptisms and each has a beautiful stone font.Baptisms or christenings are usually part of a regular Sunday service, where the congregation can welcome the newly baptised into the church, but in special circumstances a baptism can be arranged as private service (usually later in the day on a Sunday).Scroll down for more photos!<br>For Baptisms please contact Alison Dale, Benefice Administrator:beneficeadmin@elhamvalleygroupofchurches.co.uk
