NEWSLETTER
Tonbridge Methodist Church Notices
26th April 2026
Upcoming Services
Sunday 3rd May
9am Holy Communion service led by Rev Kirsty McGhee
10.30am All-age Cafe Worship led by Deacon Helen Cook
Seniors' Group
Seniors Group is the last Thursday of each month, so this month it is on Thursday 30th April. We have baskets, soil and plants for everyone. If you want to bring gloves, please do! Tea and cake as usual.
Lee Athwal
Parking
A polite reminder that when parking at the Hunt Road side of the Church to please NOT park in front of the garage as frequent access is required. Thank youl
Safeguarding Training
Carol Oakley, our Circuit Safeguarding Officer, is running another Foundation Module Safeguarding Training Course, at Otford Methodist Church, on Monday 11th May, at 2pm. It takes about 2.5 hours to complete. Those who have done it before need to redo the course once every 4 years.
If you are on the Pastoral Team, or help with Junior Church/Messy Church, or are the lead volunteer at an activity/event, then you need to complete safeguarding training. Anyone else is welcome to go so you're covered if you decide to join something later on. I'm happy to help organise transport for the day if that is helpful.
If getting to Otford is going to be really difficult but you do need to complete the course, just let me know and we'll try and sort something else out.
To book, I need to let Carol know you're going, and give her your full name (for the certificate) and email address (so she can let you know any details/info for the day).
Rev Kirsty
Ready, Teddy, Sing!
Nursery rhymes, teddies and noisy toys followed by a story.
9.15am to 10.00am Tuesday in term time, starting 5th May 2026
Register now at kirsty.mcghee@methodist.org.uk
Free PSA screening
We have been asked to advertise this free screening by Tonbridge Lions:
Free prostate PSA* screening in Tonbridge for men aged 40-80 on Saturday 16th May at the Angel Leisure Centre, Angel Lane, Tonbridge TN9 1SF 10am to 4pm
Online bookings only via www.pcaso.mypsatests.org.uk
For enquiries phone 01926 419959 (Mon-Fri 9 to 5pm)
Create an account, select TONBRIDGE and follow booking instructions.
Are you at higher risk of prostate cancer? If you have african/caribbean heritage, or you have close family experience of prostate, breast or ovarian cancer, your risk is 1 in 4 (double the average 1 in 8).
Don't get caught - GET TESTED!
*a blood sample is taken from your arm and tested in an NHS laboratory. The PSA (prostate specific antigen) result will be available in less than 10 days for you to view securely online.
Rev Dermot Thornberry
Rev Dermot will be leaving the Weald of Kent Circuit in the summer and the Circuit Leadership Team has agreed that it would be lovely to mark this occasion with a gift on behalf of the whole Circuit.
If you would like to contribute towards this gift for Dermot, please arrange a bank transfer to the account below, clearly referencing 'Dermot farewell gift' in the payment details, by Tuesday 7th July (bank transfer is preferable to cheques - a request from the Circuit Treasurer). Bank details are:
Weald of Kent Methodist Circuit
Sort Code 40-52-40
Account 00037481
Thank you. It will be a wonderful way to say goodbye and express our gratitude for all that Dermot has given to this Circuit.
The Methodist Church South East District
WILD Life
A residential weekend for young people (year 6 and up) in the South East Methodist District to come together and go wild in faith, friendship and fun!
£80 per youth 10th - 12th July 2026
Your Church/Circuit may be subsidising this further so be sure to check with them!
Buy tickets here: buytickets.at/southeastdistrict
The event will take place at Carroty Wood, Higham Lane, Tonbridge TN11 9QX
Enquiries: ben.scrivens@methodist.org.uk
Not coming but want to support the young people? Follow the ticket link and sponsor the event.
Tonbridge Philharmonic Society present
Brahms violin concerto
Beethoven symphony No3 Eroica
featuring violin soloist Yixuan Ren (Strings winner TWIMC 2024)
Saturday 23rd May at 7.30pm at Tonbridge Parish Church
Box office 07778 023396 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
At Tonbridge Methodist Church - Wednesday 1st April 10am - 12.00
Repairs offered - electrical, electronics, mechanical, wood, clothing, textiles, sharpening
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.