The Educational Foundation of Thomas Smith & Others (Ecc) known as Preston Educational Trust, was set up many years ago to assist with further education. The Trustees are pleased to announce that once again small grants are available for assistance with books and resources for those young people attending university, college or apprenticeships for those that live or worship in the ancient parish of Preston. This covers Preston-next-Faversham, North Preston and those that worship at either St Catherine’s Church, Preston or St Mary Magdalene & St Lawrence, Davington. Applications should be made in writing giving full details to include personal details, educational or apprenticeship establishment and also for what purpose, with costs, that the award would be put towards. Please send to 1 Harold Court, Faversham, ME13 8TF.
<div><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Firstly, can I begin by wishing you all a very peaceful and happy Christmas. This Christmas will be the quietest in living memory, but the peace of the Christ child is still the same as it was that first Christmas Day. I hope that the peace and joy of Christ fills your homes and your hearts and that families separated by distance can join virtually together.</span></div><div><div>This past year has been difficult in so many ways and the beginning of the new year looks no easier. I pray that we can seek to support one another not just in our church community but also in the wider community. Working with the church wardens in the four churches in the Benefice and with agreement from our Bishop the four churches of Faversham, Preston, Davington and Ospringe will close after Christmas Day for services in person until the end of January. The online services will continue. Please link in via Facebook or YouTube.</div></div><div><div>If you are aware of parishioners in need both physically and mentally would you, please contact either me or a Warden so that we can reach out and seek to support people in these difficult times.</div><div>I am minded at this time of the words from the opening of John’s Gospel:</div></div><div><div>In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.</div></div><div><div>May the light of Christ shine in your hearts and homes undimmed and his grace surround you.</div></div><div><div>Yours in Christ</div><div>Revd Simon Rowlands</div><div>Vicar.</div></div>
