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THE MUSTARD SEEDTHE Mustard Seed aims to provide an informal and friendly tea at 3.00 pmon the third Thursday of every month in Christ Church hall.It is a venture that offers the opportunity to meet new friends and reminisceabout old times.The Mustard Seed, as the parable says (Mark4; 3-32) is very small - likedust - but has the potential to develop into one of the largest plants.Please join us as we plant the Mustard Seed and assist to make it flourish.Who knows what may happen!The Mustard Seed is in its third year now, and the next gathering will be onThursday 21 January. You are so welcome.For further details please contact any member of the pastoral careteam. Pastoral assistants Pam Kilby, Colin Parsonson, JasmineHumphries.Swans have been supplying top-quality kitchens and bathrooms atbest-value prices to customers throughout the south of England for 30years. We specialise in top-of-the-range German kitchen units and worktops, plus appliances. We will create the kitchen of your dreams, tailoredto your personal needs but at superstore prices.Kitchen CollectionsModern, country or classic whatever your preference in kitchensyou will find the perfect kitchen for your home.From a small modern galley to a large traditional farm housekitchen, you will find the ideal kitchen for your home in Swan’skitchen collection.Once you have found the kitchen units for you, why not browse ourextensive selection of work tops, sinks and top-brand appliances.Once you have chosen the elements for your dream kitchen clickhere to contact Swans Kitchens for one of our designers toprepare a personal quotation.80 Parrock Road,Gravesend, KentDA12 1QFEmail: swans@xln.co.uk01474 569070Christ Church Milton-Next-GravesendPage 14JANUARY 2016

Churches together, Christian Aid Carols, andChristmas tree FestivalChrist Church Milton-Next-GravesendPage 15JANUARY 2016

Christ Church 200 ClubThe 200 Club is a means of raising money for the Christ ChurchGeneral Fund, which supports the Ministry and Mission of thechurch and Good Causes as agreed by the PCC, whilst at thesame time giving members the opportunity of a small ‘flutter’and the chance to win some money.Membership costs 30 per year. Fifty percent of all monthlydonations are given over to the Christ Church General Fundwith the remainder being returned to the membership in prizemoney. The draw is made on the fourth Sunday of every monthin the hall after the morning service.Payment can be made by an annual sum of 30, a quarterlypayment of 7.50 or a monthly payment of 2.50, the latter twoby bankers order. Cheques should be made payable to ChristChurch PCC No 3 account.Join by contacting John Thrush, in church, and completing anapplication form. If you are not sure who John is, ask one of thesides people and they will point you in the right direction.Winning chances are only limited by the amount of numbersyou purchase, the more you have the better your chance ofwinning.Worthwhile it certainly is, since its inception the 200 Club hasdonated over 40,000 to Christ Church to support its Ministryand Good Causes.Are you a member?Why not think seriously about joining and helping your churchContactJOHN THRUSH200 Club SecretaryChrist ChurchChrist Church Milton-Next-GravesendPage 16JANUARY 2016

Bringing churchesto life - an updatefrom Bishop JohnInge from NovemberGeneral Synodchurches will need to be closed we believe that themood music should be much more positive,recognising the potential for the gospel and for thegood of society that our churches represent.However, in order for that potential to be realisedwe believe change is needed.“The Report includes suggestions that diocesesshould be more strategic in their missionalapproach to church buildings. It also makes specific“The recent report of the Church Buildings Review proposals to streamline the manner in which theGroup which I chaired and which was welcomed national church institutions assist with theunanimously by General Synod in November is stewardship of church buildings.currently out for consultation. Please read it and “More fundamentally, we suggest that a number ofrespond. The deadline is 29 January 2016. The churches have become more like museums breport provoked a lively debate in Synod and it cause of a lack of awareness that both parts of ourwould be good for very many more people to Lord’s summary of the Law have repercussions forbecome involved.churches, as they do for disciples. The first purpose“There are those who maintain that our church of churches, as with human beings, is to worshipbuildings are a millstone around our neck and an God and churches generally do reasonably well onimpediment to mission. We disagree. Though some the first Great Commandment.”Bathrooms, wet rooms, cloakrooms,bathrooms to meet special needs.Swans have been supplying top-quality bathrooms at best-valueprices to customers throughout the south of England for 30 years.Why not visit our showrooms or telephone to arrange a personalvisit, to discuss your requirements, in your own home.Email: swans@xln.co.uk80 Parrock Road, GravesendKent DA12 1QF01474 569070Christ Church Milton-Next-GravesendPage 17JANUARY 2016

GRAVESHAM FOOD BANKMany thanks to those who support the food bank.Below is a list of items required at the momentMilk (UHT) CustardToothpaste Hot chocolateShampooSweets/treatsBreakfast cereal (not porridge) MarmiteFruit juice/squashToilet rollSponge pudding DeodorantTinned potatoes Laundry liquid/tabletsThis list is only a few of the items that can help those less fortunate than ourselves,any tinned or non-perishable items are most welcomeBIBLE NOTESSome people find it useful to have a set portion of the Bible to readeach day.The Bible Reading Fellowship have a booklet called “New Daylight”which sets out a short Bible reading and explanatory notes. Thesebooklets are priced at 4.30 (they do go up each year) for a four monthperiod.If you would like to try one of these booklets please let Julie Hill know.FIRST STEPSIs a service especially designed for families with pre-school children, althoughall children in the family are welcome to come.We meet in the church at 1.45 pm on the second Wednesday in each monthfor a short service and then to enjoy a chat over a cup of tea.We are finished in plenty of time for parents to meet their other children fromschool.Why not come along with your children, you will be very welcome.Next date is Wednesday 13 January.Christ Church Milton-Next-GravesendPage 18JANUARY 2016

MRS FINCH - Church CaretakerPeter Shearan has published a book with the abovetitle about a real-life lady who acted as churchcaretaker in Christ Church one hundred years ago. Herlife began in 1835, when King William IV was on theBritish throne, and when stage coaches were acommon sight passing through Gravesend; throughthe Great War; and only ended when she died at theage of 85, by which time she had witnessed many ofthe marvels of today’s life (aeroplanes, motor cars andbuses, and electric light to name only a few). Peter haswoven the tale of what he has found to have been aremarkable woman around all the known facts:through doing so he has come to know her well(although he wishes he had known her personally!).His book is on sale now, price 10.All proceeds from the sale will be going towards aplanned commemoration of WWI in Autumn 2016.Exciting Youth Choir inGravesendJoin theIf you are aged between 7 and 17and enjoy singing then comealong!Youth choir inGravesendŸ Join a friendly group of singersŸ Learn great music of differentstyles andWe meet weekly forRehearsalsŸ Perform at concerts andservicesat Christ ChurchFor further information visitTuesday eveningswww.christchurchgravesend.org.uk6.15 pm to 7.30 pmŸ Or call 01474 534517Christ Church Milton-Next-GravesendPage 19JANUARY 2016

What happens at Christ Church?Sunday Services8.00 am Holy Communion (said)10.00 am Communion with crèche & God’s GangOn the 2nd Sunday All-Age serviceEvening Service - see inside magazine for details.Weekday ServicesHoly Communion (said)Monday and Saturday 8am.Tuesday & Thursday 7.00am.Wednesday 10.00amRegistered Charity no. 1130741For further informationContactThe Church WardensFridayOffice hours6:30 pm until 7:30 pmRegular activities and youth organisationsThere are a wide variety of clubs for you:DailyChrist Church Pre-school (2½ upwards)MondayMusic Group; BrowniesTuesdayCubs and SemiquaversWednesday Guides; Mothers Union (1st Wednesday)First Steps (under 5’s and carers) 2nd Wednesday 1.45pmIfield Ladies (every third Wednesday)ThursdayBeavers/Brownies; Choir Practice:3.00 p.m.Mustard Seed (every third)FridayScouts; Parent and ToddlerSaturdayWorking Party (9.30 a.m. every second)Christ Church Milton-Next-GravesendPage 20JANUARY 2016

C of E and ArchbishopJustin welcome COP21agreement“I warmly welcome the agreement that almost 200states came to in Paris on Saturday, setting a clearand ambitious path towards tackling global climatechange.“As faith leaders, we urged those participating inthe negotiations to apply the best of our world’sintellectual, economic and political resources toreach a legally-binding global agreement to limit theglobal rise in average temperatures to 2 C. Thecommitment made by world leaders to hold theincreaseinglobaltemperatures to ‘well below’this level is welcome andSoroptimist International ofcourageous progress.Gravesend & DistrictWelcoming the climate deal reached in Paris, theArchbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, said theglobal church must be a key partner in tacklingclimate change.“Those most affected byclimate change are the poor.In our prayers and actions wemust demonstrate our love forthem through sustainable andgenerous innovation.A Fun Evening on Saturday 9th January 20167.00 for 7.30 p.m. Prompt Start.At Christ Church Hall, Old Road East, Gravesend. DA12 1NRsTeam ummMaxi ach6 in eProceedsto support our Link ClubFreetown, Sierra Leone 5.00 entry per personRaffleBringown yourSand D nacksrinksAdmission by Ticket only% . .Soroptimist International Gravesend & District – Annual Quiz – Saturday 9th January 2016Please let Pamela Debnam know how many Tickets are required (Admission by Ticket only)Contact Name . . .Tel No. . . .Total Number attending . . . . .Return to Pamela Debnam, by 2nd January to Rosemount, 22b Old Road East, GRAVESEND Kent, DA121NQTel 01474 329342 Fax 01474 354203 Mob 07913 680231 E-mail debnam77@sky.comPLEASE INCLUDE A STAMPED ADDRESSED ENVELOPE AS TICKETS MUST BE BOOKED INADVANCE — SEATING IS LIMITEDChrist Church Milton-Next-GravesendPage 21“The success of thenegotiations to bring togetherso many different countriesand groups to an agreementis a remarkable achievement.“One of the AnglicanCommunion’s marks ofmission says that we are “tostrive to safeguard theintegrity of creation, andsustain and renew the life ofthe earth”. The global church– extraordinarily led on theissue of climate change byPope Francis and theEcumenical Patriarch – mustbe a key partner in tacklingclimate change. As the Bodyof Christ, his church is calledto be incarnational. Each ofus has a role to play, if we areto help achieve what hasbeen agreed in Paris.”JANUARY 2016

Sanctuary is the name given to a project to providea shelter for the homeless in Gravesend townduring the worst of the winter months. It is beingrun by City Praise Centre and GravesendMethodist Church in association with GraveshamChurches Together. For more information pleasevisit our website esend & DistrictOsteoporosis Support GroupThe next meeting of the Group is onTuesday 5th January 2016atChrist Church HallOld Road East, Gravesend DA12 1NRIf you want to help out buthaven’t yet completed anapplication form, then you cando this on-line by going to thewebsite belowhttp://www.graveshamchurchesTime: 7.00 p.m.Entry 2.00together.org/ /Sanctuary EnquiryA TALK BYA COMMUNITY WARDENFollowed byA TASTING SESSION OFHEALTHY FOODThere will be a raffleTea/coffee and biscuitsEveryone Welcome!Contact the Chair forFurther Information01474 564234Christ Church Milton-Next-GravesendThe response has been a realindication that this project isGod inspired and He hasplaced a desire within theheart of His people to fulfil thecommission to ‘find the lostand feed the hungry’.Page 22Gravesend is one of the poorertowns in Kent that has a sizablecommunity of people who arehomeless.Manyaremalnourished and in need ofmedical help, but are unsure ofwho to turn to. Much of this goesunseen, but becomes apparent atnight as uncovered by membersof the Street Pastors andFoodbank teams. Although thereare local government andcharitable organisations seekingto address this problem, the realityis that some will remain homelessover this winter.JANUARY 2016

CALENDAR JANUARY 2016Sunday3131008.00 Service10.00 Service08.00 Service10.00 Service4Monday112408.00 Service10.00 Service08.00 Service10.00 Service251808.00 Service08.00 Service08.00 Service08.00 8.00 Service10.00 Service16.00 Evensong1207.00 Service07.00 Service192607.00 Service07.00 ServiceCUBSCUBSCUBSCUBS18.30 Semiquavers 18.30 Semiquavers 18.30 Semiquavers 18.30 Semiquavers6Wednesday1310.00 Service17.15 EveningPrayer19.30 Mother’sUnion10.00 Service13.45 First Steps17.15 EveningPrayer7Thursday1407.00 Service14.00 Pilgrim courseBROWNIESChoir practice19.30 Pilgrim courseFriday1810.00 New Year’sDay Holy CommunionSaturday2BROWNIESChoir practice152710.00 Service17.15 EveningPrayer2110.00 Service17.15 EveningPrayer2807.00 Service14.00 Pilgrim course15.00 Mustard SeedBROWNIESChoir practice19.30 Pilgrim course2207.00 ServiceBROWNIESChoir practice2913.15 Parent andToddlers13.15 Parent andToddlers13.15 Parent andToddlers13.15 Parent andToddlers18.30 Office hoursSCOUTS18.30 Office hoursSCOUTS18.30 Office hoursSCOUTS18.30 Office hoursSCOUTS169NO SERVICES07.00 Service2008.00 Service09.30 Work partyChrist Church Milton-Next-Gravesend08.00 ServicePage 23233008.00 Service08.00 ServiceJANUARY 2016

ChristchurchtotsFor babies, toddlers,pre-schoolersCome and enjoy this fun and friendly Parentand Toddler group. We have a wide range oftoys including ride-ons, trikes, push-chairs andslidesBaby area, crafts and play dough. Large gardenarea in good weather. Tea, coffee, squash andbiscuitsFriday 1.15-2.30 p.m. term time 1.50 per familyIn the hall at Christ Church,Echo Square, Gravesendwww.christchurchgravesend.org.ukChrist Church Milton-Next-GravesendPage 24JANUARY 2016

The gentle souls who come to “do the flowers”, The quiet ones who organise the fete, Church sitters who give up their weekday hours, Doorkeepers who may open heaven’s gate. God knows the depths that often go unspoken Amongst the shy, the quiet, and the kind, Or the slow healing of a h