NEWSLETTER
Tonbridge Methodist Church Notices
22nd March 2026
Upcoming Services
Sunday 22nd March
10.30am Service led by Richard Cannam
Sunday 29th March
10.30am Palm Sunday service led by Peter Hungerford-Welch
Easter Offering
The Easter offering envelopes will be in the Church as we come up towards Easter. This is our opportunity to give to the World Church fund. This part of the Methodist Church raises money for those around the world who are desperately in need. Please give as generously as you can.
Messy Church
Messy Church will be held at our church on Saturday 4th April, from 2pm to 4pm.
Messy Church is a wonderful way for us to share faith in a relaxed, creative, and welcoming environment. It brings together people of all ages for crafts, conversation, celebration, and food - creating space for families to explore God's love together.
We would love your help to make it happen. Jobs would include welcoming families at the door, helping with refreshments, helping on a craft table or just being a friendly face.
If you would like to help, please get in touch with Rev Kirsty or Deacon Helen.
Lent Course
This year our Lent Course is going to be 'Finding a Voice' which is based on the film The King's Speech. Each week we will explore a portion of the film and the Bible to explore our beliefs, values and faith and how we might have more courage to express it.
Sundays at 3pm starting 22nd February
I have some copies of the book to end, or you can easily buy it online. If you have not seen the film before, we will be having a film night on Wednesday 18th February at 7pm (it will be finished by 9pm) and there will be popcorn!
Deacon Helen
A message from the Connexion
The government has announced plans to permanently curtail refugee family reunion. This policy enabled those granted refugee protection in the UK to be joined by their closest family members, including their children, recognising that family unity is integral to protection, stability and integration. The Joint Public Issues Team (JPIT) is currently running a campaign to urge the government to reconsider its proposals and keep families together. It is inviting faith leaders to show support by adding their names to an open letter to the Home Secretary. Please consider signing and sharing.
Congratulations!
We would like to pass on our congratulations to Jeffrey, a member of our Junior Church, who has just been signed tinto the Crystal Palace Football Academy!
Jigsaw and Book Sale
Next month's sale will be on Saturday 4th April (Easter weekend) and donations will be shared between the Macular Society and Mission Without Borders, a Christian charity helping people out of poverty mainly in Eastern Europe, for which Kate Walker is being sponsored in the London Marathan.
Celebrate Easter
Thursday 2nd April 8pm - Tenebrae (reflective service ending in darkness)
Friday 3rd April 10.30 - Good Friday
Saturday 4th April 2-4pm Messy Church
Sunday 5th April 6am Sonrise Service
Sunday 5th April 10.30 All age Communion
From Sunday 22nd February 3pm weekly lent group
SPRING FAIR - Saturday 25th April, 10am to 12 noon.
We are planning our Spring Fair for Uganda Projects again! Many friends have said they are willing to help and a few more will be welcomed! Here are some things you can do in advance:
Gardeners, please put in some seeds to raise plants for our Garden Stall. This stall, at the Higham Lane side of the church, together with the pre-loved stall, attracts attention from passersby! Cuttings and split plants all potted up, are very acceptable.
Look out some children's books in good condition, for Jo Rowe's stall. She is very keen to get children reading.
Put aside some items you no longer use in house or garden for our pre-loved stall.
Margaret Pool is looking for jewellery items you no longer wear for her popular stall.
A volunteer is needed for a little stall of inexpensive gifts ie bars or boxes of chocolates, speciality jams or pickles, biscuits, bags of soft fruits like dates, prunes or apricots - little treats. We will be looking for donations for this stall too.
We will be welcoming some stall holders from outside the church and cream teas will be served all morning too! Please take this opportunity to invite your friends and neighbours to come along.
Thank you. Daphne and Roi
Last Night of the Proms Concert
Raising funds for: Tonbridge & Tunbridge Wells Dementia Friendly Communities
St Peter and St Paul Parish Church, Church Lane, Tonbridge TN9 1DA
Saturday 25th April at 7pm
Featuring: The Royal Tunbridge Wells Orpheus Male Voice Choir, Tonbridge Community Singers and Guest soprano 0 Rebecca Hooper
Tickets £10 on the door
Raffle and refreshments
Tonbridge Philharmonic Society present Haydn: Nelson Mass
Saturday 28th March at 7.30pm
Chapel of St Augustine, Tonbridge School
Conducted by Naomi Butcher
Box Office: 07778 034396 TONPHIL.ORG.UK
Tickets £17/Seniors £16/Students £8/under 18s free
North Tonbridge Community Craft group
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 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.