Latest News and Views form Holy Trinity

Our Gospel this Sunday from Matthew 18: 21-35 is one of the most challenging parts of the New Testament. Forgiveness can be something very creative and goes beyond the existing facts. It recognizes the deeper goodness in people, despite what they have done. The truth of the matter is, there is no forgiveness if one only wants punishment. Forgiveness means pardoning and letting go completely, creating and making the offender new again. It requires great grace to forgive. Justice can so often be the enemy of love. It indicates the normal legal way of proceeding. We often hear people say: ‘We want justice done’. But mercy or forgiveness is far nobler and says, ‘I want the person to be fully well and alive again’. Easier said than done!

SUNDAY SCHOOL RE-OPENS. We are hoping to start Sunday school again as from Sunday 27th September at our usual time of 9.30 am. To start with we will only be able to accommodate children who are school age in order to maintain social distancing. There will be a limit of 15 children and unfortunately no parents can stay. We will use the main hall and children will be seated at tables using individual pens etc. A leaflet will be available next week with more detailed information and this will also be on our Facebook page. We are looking forward to seeing you once again and assure you that we will take all precautions necessary to ensure the safety of the children. If you have any queries at all, please contact Sherri Baker on the number above.

ORGAN APPEAL The total to date stands at £17,080 given towards our target over just over £19,000 plus VAT to cover all major works. The Gift Aid on this amount will give us another £3,416, however that money does not come to us immediately. Fr Paul, Churchwardens and PCC would like to express our sincere thanks to you all for the amazing generosity. There is still time for you to purchase an organ stop at £150 each, a coupler at £50 or a key at £20? See the large board with full details.

The Sacrament of Confirmation – September 20th.

Please note: There will be a special Mass with Confirmation on Sunday September 20th at 4:00pm. This liturgy will replace the normal 9:30am Mass that day. We welcome the Bishop of Richborough, The Right Reverend Norman Banks as the Confirming Bishop on this special occasion. Please pray for Rebecca and Dave who are to be Confirmed.

Please make a real effort to support this special event if you can. Please note that Morning Prayer will be said in Church at 9:30am.

Please note that our normal pattern of weekday Masses has now resumed. Tuesday Mass at 9:30am. Wednesday Mass at 6:00pm. Friday Mass at 12 Noon. Attending a weekday Mass may be a gentle way back to public worship if you are still unsure about Sunday Mass attendance.

KEEPING OUR PEOPLE SAFE. As from next week we will be using a new spray sanitiser on all pews and public areas for extra protection against Covid-19. Deep cleaning will continue on a weekly basis with our newly appointed Church cleaner.

The latest changes in the law on social gatherings announced last week will not affect public worship at this time. If there are any changes in the law, we will email and advertise these on our Facebook page and on our web site, and by email.

Reading at Mass

We are compiling a new Rota of Readers for those who read at our Sunday Mass. Is this something you would like to do? If you are interested, then speak with Fr Paul, the Churchwardens or Colleen Kite our PCC Secretary who is compiling the new rota. The new Rota is on the vestibule table. If you have never done anything like this before, please be assured that full training will be given.

HOLY TRINITY SCHOOL We are very pleased to announce that on September 23rd the Bishop of Dover, The Right Reverend Rose Hudson-Wilkin will be visiting our Church school for worship and to address the school., and also to see what we get up to in our amazing school.

Church Repairs

You may have noticed the scaffolding on the west gable of the Church; this is due to heavy winds dislodging yet more roof tiles. However, when the roofing contractor inspected the problem, he found that we have some movement on the west gable! There is about a 1” inch gap between the gable and the roof tiles. This is not good! Our architect and a structural engineer have now investigated the problem and we are awaiting a full written report as to what we need to do next. Their recommendation will probably require the use of metal straps to bind the west gable to the roof. We are also aware that the stone dressings in various places on the west façade are in need of repair to make them safe and watertight. Further updates will be published as soon as we know more detail from the architect.

The Annual General Meeting of Forward in Faith Canterbury takes place at St Michael and All Angels in Harbledown on Saturday October 17th. If you are a member, and would like a lift, please see Fr Paul

ADVANCE NOTICE – It is proposed that our Christmas Eve Midnight Mass will move this year from 11:30pm to the earlier time of 10:30pm.