NEWSLETTER
Tonbridge Methodist Church Notices
1st February 2026
Upcoming Services
Sunday 1st February
9.00 Holy Communion service led by Rev Kirsty McGhee
10.30 All-age Cafe service led by Rev Kirsty McGhee
Sunday 8th February
10.30am Holy Communion service led by Rev Kirsty McGhee
Sunday 15th February
10.30 service led by Deacon Helen Cook
Please note that Rev Kirsty will be on holiday from 15th February to 5th March.
Kirsty and Helen have decided to make the first Sunday of each month Cafe worship, as well as being All-age, until August, when they will review how it is going. Kirsty and Helen will alternate who leads them. We still have the 9am Holy Communion service beforehand.
Church bank account - important changes
For the past couple of years, the Church has held bank accounts at Santander and more recently at Charities Aid Foundation - CAF Bank. Last year we experienced problems with Santander who decided their records were inadequate and all the signatories were obliged to present passports and utility bills to prove who they were, despite the fact that we have been a customer for many years.
In January, we were contacted again by Santander advising that they required the same documents from every member of Church Council as they constitute the Trustees of the Church. Santander requested this information by 25th February and refused to extend this deadline. They have also indicated that if this is not done, they will freeze our account so that we cannot access our own funds.
In the light of this unsatisfactory behaviour the Finance Committee will recommend to Church Council that the Santander account is closed and the Church uses only the CAF account. Those church members who kindly make their regular giving by Standing Order will be contacted, requesting that they change their giving to CAF Bank. It is of particular importance that this alteration is put in place as soon as possible, certainly before 25th February, when the Santander account is likely to be closed.
If you would like any further information please have a word with John Davis, Roi Arden or myself.
Hugh Taylor on behalf of the Finance Committee
January jigsaw and book sale
The next sale will be on Saturday 7th February We will give donations to Brenda Foster's daughter, who works for Wycliffe Translators, to help a man in Nigeria needing a knee operation so he can work and support his family.
Organ recital 7th March - postponed
Regrettably, I have decided to postpone the organ recital I was planning to give on 7th March until later in the year. My recovery from the physiotherapy treatment I received in the autumn for my right thigh and hip is taking longer than I had hoped. This means that I have not been able to practise as much as I would have liked for the recital. The recovery period from physiotherapy can be anything from six weeks to six months. I am hoping I will have recovered before the six months is reached.
Peter Overton
Trip to Bletchley Park
Roi Arden is involved in organising a coach trip to Bletchley Park on September.
If anyone is interested in going, please contact Roi.
Seniors Group
The first meeting of this year will be on Thursday 29th January.
Vacancy: District Treasurer
We have an exciting opening for a new District Treasurer, to begin from April 2026. This will be an appointment by the District Synod.
For an informal conversation about the role, you are invited to contact the current post holder, Pauline Newton.
Tonbridge Philharmonic Society
Dvorak cello concerto
Janacek Sinfonietta
Saturday 21st February 2026 at 7.30pm
Chapel of St Augustine, Tonbridge School
Box Office 07778 0334396 TONPHIL.ORG.UK
Tenemos Chamber Choir
Love Divine
Sacred British music from the last hundred years from composers including Kenneth Leighton, Gerald Finzi, John Rutter, Bob Chilcott, Judith Weir.
Patrick Craig - Conductor
Andrew Lumsden - Organ
Saturday 14th February 7.30pm
St Mary's Church Riverhead TN13 3DU
Tickets £15 (£7 students) www.ticketsource.co.uk
01959 523765 or visit Sevenoaks Bookshop (cash or cheq only)
www.tenemos-chamberchoir.org.uk
North Tonbridge Community Craft group
New craft group at Tonbridge Methodist Church in Higham Lane on Friday mornings between 10.30am and 12noon. Now also Mondays 1pm till 3pm. Car park is at the back of the church.
Come along and have a chat and a cuppa. Make some new friends. All kinds of craft, knitting, crochet, jewellery, embroidery. Try something new or share your own expertise.
Contact: Jeaniecarole24@gmail.com
Repair Cafe
Repairs offered - electrical, electronics, mechanical, wood, clothing, textiles, sharpening
Sat 10th January
Sat 14th February
Sat 13th March
Sat 11th April
Sat 9th May
10.00 am to 12.30 pm
Last repaid accepted at 12.00pm or when capacity has been reached.
FREE - voluntary contribution welcome
ENJOY - refreshments at St Stephen's Cafe
St Stephen's Church Waterloo Road, Tonbridge TN9 2SW
TMC Community Wednesdays
- FEAST Fresh Larder. Guests pre-book a slot between 10.30am and 12.30pm via www.feast.org.uk
- Cafe during the larder time open to all, offering drinks and cakes/biscuits.
- Lunch from 12pm. Please come along, everyone welcome.
- Toast 3.30pm to 5pm. Games, craft and plenty of toast. Primary and pre-school children welcome (term-time only)
Saturday coffee and chat
Please note that coffee, tea and biscuits are now served at our church every Saturday morning, from 9.30am to 11am.
Please come and join us. There is no charge and all are welcome.
Monday prayer meeting
A prayer meeting takes place every Monday at 4-4.30pm in the Church - all very welcome.
Please send any prayer requests to Lynne via: tonbridgemethodistchurch1990@gmail.com
Newsletter
If you are receiving or would like to receive this newsletter by email, please ensure that you have completed one of our GDPR forms. If you are unsure whether you have completed one, please contact the church secretary at tonbridgemethodistchurch1990@gmail.com If you have not completed one yet, your details may be removed from the weekly mailout when we next update our records. Forms can be obtained from the church office or by contacting tonbridgemethodistchurch1990@gmail.com
Thank you.
Carers Support group
Are you caring for somebody with dementia, memory loss or other cognitive issues. If you would like to meet others experiencing the same challenges please join us.
Carers Support Group
1st Friday of every month at Angel Indoor Bowls, Ave Du Puy, Tonbridge Club 2pm to 3.30pm.
Free refreshments.
For more details tel: Chris Parker 07887 553467
Angel Indoor Bowls Club Memory Cafe
Every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month at 2.30 - 4pm
Open to anyone living with dementia memory loss or other cognitive issues.
Data Protection - A gentle reminder to us all that we are not to give out other people's telephone numbers, addresses or e-mails without their permission. Please also remember that if you hold very old church lists with data on, these should be shredded.
Church notices
Please send any items of church life, meetings, news and events for these weekly notices to: katherinehampton@spuc.org.uk by Thursday, thank you.