Welcome to The Six!
"The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not overcome the light".
Although we live in an unprecedented time as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, we can still worship even if in a different way than we had planned. As the local church in the villages that form The Six, do join with our services of worship online. Let us celebrate Jesus, Emmanuel 'God with us.'
Never has it felt so important!
Everyone is welcome to join us at any of our services, which provide different flavours of traditional and contemporary worship. We endeavour also to reflect this in our weekly online service, which you can find on our YouTube channel by clicking here.
Who are we? We are a Church of England Benefice of six village parishes in the countryside between Sittingbourne and Rainham in North Kent, with seven diverse congregations. We seek to be
"the people who bless", seeking to embody Jesus in our daily lives sharing by our presence, service and words the Lord's transforming love and grace. We see church as a community we belong to, not just a place we go to. Yet we recognise that each village's ancient building speaks of the steadfast, faithful presence of God through the varying times of life down the centuries. They speak of the Lord's promise to us:
"I am with you always"
which lies at the heart of the Christmas season.
Our church buildings (clockwise): Hartlip, Iwade, Lower Halstow, Upchurch, Stockbury, Newington
WE ARE HERE FOR YOU.
Your local church community is still here to serve and support you, to be available to you and especially for the most vulnerable in our village communities. Whilst our buildings are closed for communal public worship for the time being, they are open individual private prayer at defined times. So even in this current difficult period, we want you to see our buildings as Places of Hope where you can come to find Breathing Space. Time and space just to 'breathe out' the anxieties and pressures you may be experiencing and to 'breathe in' some peace and hope in their place that comes by just being in the presence of God's love and grace. Time to be still, to come and rest for a while and to pray as you can.
Days when the buildings are available for individual prayer and breathing space are as follows.
St Michael's Hartlip: Saturdays and Wednesdays 10am - 4pm
St Mary's Newington: Wednesdays 10am-12 pm ; Saturdays 2pm - 5pm
St Mary's Upchurch: Wednesdays & Sundays 2pm - 4pm
St Mary Magdalene Stockbury: Sundays times 10am - 5pm
All Saints Iwade: Wednesdays & Saturdays 10am - 4pm
St Margaret's Lower Halstow: Wednesdays TBC
We are committed to ensuring the safety of everyone who enter our buildings, so we have put appropriate measures in place to provide a Covid-19 secure space. We kindly ask that everyone abides by these, including wearing a face mask, sanitising hands and providing Test & Trace contact details.
If you are worried and struggling in some way during this period,Do not struggle alone. Do ask.There are many who can help in practical ways or by listening.Blessings |
Rev. Julian Staniforth |
Rector & Priest-in-Charge of The Six benefice |
t: 01795 227329 / e: julian.staniforth@gmail.com |
Safeguarding is an essential part of our churches being safe for everyone. Follow the link here.
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