Working towards a Shared Vision for the Parish of Kemsing and Woodlands

With St Mary’s Church, lying at the heart of the Kemsing village and St Mary’s Church in the centre of Woodlands, they are more than just historic churches in beautiful locations.

There has been a place of worship in Kemsing for over 1,000 years and in Woodlands for over 170 years, and the churches today continue to serve the community.

A mission statement was established for St Mary’s Church in Kemsing a number of years ago, ‘To know Christ, and to make him better known’. In many senses, this remains central to what Jesus calls us to do.

Alongside the development of plans to enable the Parish to grow and flourish we are beginning a process to establish a new vision or mission statement for the whole Parish of Kemsing and Woodlands, embracing both Churches.

With this in mind and with the support of the Parochial Church Council, during Lent this year a five week sermon series, alongside a five week study guide, is being put into place on the theme of ‘Working towards a Shared Vision for the Parish of Kemsing and Woodlands’.
This process is designed to enable everyone to be involved and for all thoughts to be shared and responses taken into consideration. Once this is done it will be important to put the Vision into practice.

For many people the church is a place of history, a place in which to mark important events in their life, a place of prayer, a refuge, or maybe a place to avoid or a total irrelevance; just another old building.

For others, and especially those who worship in our churches, they will have different ideas. It will be good to share these and to pray together, search the scriptures and to discern God’s will for His church in Kemsing and Woodlands.

The question is, “What on earth is the church for?”

Discussion Topics

This is the outline framework, with study booklets provided, as we listen and respond to God and one another…

Lent 1 - Images of Worship
In Spirit and in Truth

Lent 2 – A Relationship with God
My will and God’s will

Lent 3 – A Relationship with each other
My gifts and your gifts

Lent 4 – A Relationship with the Community
My life and your life

Lent 5 – Maintenance or Mission?
My vision and God’s vision

Sermon Series

The five week Sermon Series throughout Lent will be focussed on each of our Sunday morning Services:

Lent 1 - 26 February 9.30am and 11.00am
Lent 2 - 5 March 8.00am, 9.30am and 11.00am
Lent 3 - 12 March 9.30am and 11.00am
Lent 4 - 19 March 8.00am, 9.30am and 11.00am
Lent 5 - 26 March 9.30am and 11.00am

Lent/Bible Study/Fellowship Groups

Alongside the existing Bible Study and Fellowship Groups two further, hour long, Lent Groups are planned for each Monday evening and Thursday afternoon, to be held in St Mary’s Church, Kemsing, as follows:

Lent 1 - Monday 27 February 8.00pm
- Thursday 2 March 2.00pm

Lent 2 - Monday 6 March 8.00pm
- Thursday 9 March 2.00pm

Lent 3 - Monday 13 March 8.00pm
- Thursday 16 March 2.00pm

Lent 4 - Monday 20 March 8.00pm
- Thursday 23 March 2.00pm

Lent 5 - Monday 27 March 8.00pm
- Thursday 30 March 2.00pm

Personal Study

If you would prefer not to join one of the existing or new groups, booklets will be available for all members of the churches and you are encouraged to participate and respond individually.
A Prayer for Vision

Father we know we are your beloved children; help us to hear your voice.
Lord Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd; lead us to be the people you want us to be.
Holy Spirit you bring life to your people; come to us and bless our deliberations.
Give us the energy, patience and courage to follow Jesus and do the Father’s will.
Almighty God all things are possible with you; hold us and shelter us as we seek your vision for the parish of Kemsing and Woodlands.
Strengthen us to follow and work out the vision you give us.
Your will be done, Your kingdom come, on earth as in heaven…
Amen.

Please plan to join in the process so that every part of the body of Christ is functioning fully to the glory of our Lord.

4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

1 Corinthians 12:4-6

For more information contact Mike Lodge
Telephone: 07484 245993
Email: ven.mikelodge@btinternet.com