St John the Baptist Church, Sevenoaks

A busy day began with our school’s harvest festival service. A full church of pupils, parents, teachers (and a three-day old calf!) heard Bishop Norman recount stories from his time as a parish priest in rural North Norfolk. The children’s hard work paid off as they beautifully sang, said and prayed their thanksgiving for the harvest in this traditional service.

The pupils and staff then had a longer opportunity to talk to the bishop when, after the service, he and Father Robin and Father Matthew visited the school, and the bishop was able learn more about the school’s many achievements.

It was a short walk from the school to reach Gloucester House Care Home for the twice monthly service of Holy Communion led by our Reader John Robinson. Bishop Norman gave the blessing and after the service met residents and members of staff.

Lunchtime was spent at a wonderful buffet meal supplied by parishioners, around twenty of whom joined the Bishop and spent a very convivial hour and a half together.

The afternoon began with an opportunity to meet the new Archdeacon of Tonbridge, the Reverend Canon Julie Conalty.

This was followed by a visit the ‘Loaves and Fishes’ Foodbank. A weekly local ecumenical project based at St John’s Church Hall that provides food for around 40 families. Bishop Norman met some of those families and volunteers explained how the Foodbank operated as various harvest festival gifts were stored in readiness for distribution.

The bishop then joined the parish clergy in their regular weekly chaplaincy visit to Sevenoaks Hospital, visiting patients and staff on the hospital’s two wards.

On his way back to the Clergy House Bishop Norman called in at the church to see the preparations being made for the forthcoming session of our popular Messy Church.

Finally, after saying Evening Prayer with the vicar and curate, Bishop Norman presided and celebrated at a Confirmation Mass. It was a joyful occasion in which Louise, Tim and Ewan were Confirmed and made their Communion for the first time. It was a tremendous blessing to be gathered around our bishop for the celebration of these sacraments, and the sense of fellowship was carried through to a very happy gathering in the Hall afterwards before Bishop Norman left to catch the 10pm train from Sevenoaks.

A full and memorable day!