WELCOME TO ST MARY'S AND ALL SOULS
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Poverty and Hope Appeal 2024/25: Loving our neighbours around the world This year it has been agreed that our Parish Lent Appeal will be for the Diocese’s Poverty and Hope Appeal. Visit the News page to find out more |
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Take a look at the churches in the Benefice from the air |
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St Mary's and All Souls Services We will post any revisions to services here and on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/StMarysAndAllSouls |
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St Mary's and All Souls latest Newsletter |
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PCC Papers You can now download minutes and other PCC documents from the PCC page |
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Food Bank latest needs: https://bromleyborough.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/donate-food/ *PLEASE DON'T SEND US FROZEN OR CHILLED ITEMS AS WE DON'T HAVE THE CORRECT STORAGE FOR IT AND IT SPOILS BEFORE WE CAN DISTRIBUTE IT* WE'VE GOT PLENTY OF PASTA, CEREAL & BISCUITS
Thank you!
Judith Simmonds will be taking the Parish contributions towards the end of the month so please drop your donations into our box in the porch before then. |
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Reverend Michael writes:
Reflecting on the February General Synod.
As I write this month, the February sessions of the General Synod have just finished. For the past few years now, all the sessions are broadcast live on YouTube, and I have managed to watch some of the proceedings this time around.
A common perception of General Synod is that it is not very exciting viewing, but I found it engaging in that there were many members of synod, Bishops, Clergy and Lay who spoke passionately about the subjects that were on the agenda. Unsurprisingly, one of the main agenda items was a discussion about the Makin Report and on the wider safeguarding issues.
There was a vote taken on the way in which safeguarding is conducted and more importantly whether Diocesan and Cathedral Safeguarding Officers would remain employed by the Church of England or whether they should all be transferred to a separate organisation independent from the church.
There were strong feelings on both sides with some members pushing hard for the fully independent option but in the end the less independent option was voted for, at least for the time being. This will be met with disappointment by many people inside and outside the church who believe that only a fully independent safeguarding process will restore some credibility to the Church of England. In the future this route may be taken but for the present, Diocesan and Cathedral safeguarding officers will be employed internally.
However the system is organised, the important outcome is that Safeguarding is taken seriously and that wrongdoing is exposed and dealt with. In addition, the culture of the church needs to change to ensure that every church is a safe space for all people who enter it and particularly those who are vulnerable in any way.
Please pray for Diocesan Safeguarding Officers and particularly for our own Parish Safeguarding Officers – Steve McCann at Chelsfield and Karen Harcombe at Green Street Green with Pratts Bottom – that they will continue to foster an awareness for safeguarding and that our Parishes
will be safe spaces now and in the future.
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