Dear Friends
2022 has been dominated by big events: the war in Ukraine, coming out of Covid restrictions, the death of the Queen, three Prime Ministers and a cost of living crisis that is on going!
In our local and church communities we have said goodbye to some dearly loved friends and welcomed new people. I’m delighted to have been installed as Rector and that Jane Rosam has been licensed as Lay Minister. We’ve joined formally the Edenbridge Churches in Covenant, celebrated the 900 years of Christian Worship at Hever and been part of BBC Songs of Praise on 18th December.
When I was interviewed in February 2020, I was asked about my priorities and I gave two: Discipleship and the life of Prayer and Children and Young families. Here’s where we are on these:
Discipleship and the life of Prayer
Discipleship is about growing deeper and closer in our personal walk with Jesus and working this out in our daily lives of worship and service. Part of this is our own personal prayer and bible reading. I cannot recommend the Lectio 365 App too strongly, although there are many other prayer and Bible reading materials that can help. I am always ready to provide advice and guidance.
I am also delighted that we have our regular Monday Zoom Bible Study a 6pm and in person at 8pm with ten people attending and a few others in Advent and Lent. I am encouraged by the way people are articulating matters of faith and would encourage others to join us, even just to listen!
Children and Young families
When Jesus took young children in his arms, he reminded us that whoever welcomes them, welcomes him (Mark 9:37). Children are the church of today as well as the church of tomorrow.
We have monthly Family services at each of our churches and have seen strong growth at Forest Church in Hever and have the Children’s choir at Markbeech. We are relaunching Family worship at Four Elms on the third Sunday under the banner of ‘Four Elms at Four’. In addition, we have an open door at both schools.
Can I urge all of you to support these new initiatives by attending yourselves and maybe volunteering to help, encouraging young families you know to come along and letting me know of any newcomers and, of course, praying for God to build his church in the Three Spires.
As we go into 2023, have a look at words from the letter to the Hebrews in the Message paraphrase version and make it our prayer for the future, looking back with thanks and forward trusting in Jesus.
Revd Simon Braid
Discipline in a Long-Distance Race
Hebrews 12:1-3 (The Message)
Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it.
Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in.
Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honour, right alongside God.
When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he ploughed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!
At the 1924 Olympics in Paris, shown in the film, Chariots of Fire, the Scottish sprinter, Eric Liddell won the gold medal in the 400 metres. ‘It has been a wonderful experience to compete in the Olympic Games and to bring home a gold medal’ he said. ‘But since I have been a young lad, I have had my eyes on a different prize. You see, each one of us is in a greater race than any I have run in Paris, and this race ends when God gives out the medals.’
Three Spires Benefice 
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