St Marys Church Hadlow

St.Mary's Church has had a link with the DBS since the early 1980's through the late Dorothy Cotman, a resident of Hadlow, who was the sister of Fr Kenneth Sharp, one of the leaders of the DBS for many years. Fr Kenneth visited his sister regularly over many years and kept us up to date with their work in Delhi. Fr Kenneth died during a visit to Hadlow in the Summer of 1992 and his funeral took place at St Mary's Hadlow in July 1992, attended by many people who were connected to the DBS.

The Link with Tanzania

The Rochester Diocese has Links with the Diocese of Mpwapwa in Tanzania, of which the Hadlow Link to the village of Kibakwe is one.  The aim of the Link is to develop friendships with our brothers and sisters in other countries to better understand each other’s culture and way of life.  Because we have so much and our brothers and sisters in Africa have so little, we can give to them from our surplus of material wealth.

This is a community Link, seeking to link the churches, schools, the Agricultural Colleges, the uniformed organisations, the Mothers’ Unions and other village societies.

Hadlow Primary School sent gifts and a compiled book about Hadlow in 2009, which delighted the Kibakwe children.  We also took money to buy a motor cycle for the pastor which enabled him to visit people in distant parts of his parish.   

A team from Hadlow visited Kibakwe in 2010, taking sports and classroom equipment for the schools and baby clothes and quilts made by the Mothers’ Union for Saint Luke’s Clinic in Mpwapwa.

Another team will be visiting Kibakwe for two weeks at the end of May 2012, including three staff from Hadlow Primary School.  We shall be working in the schools and hoping to build on the interest  in the Scouting Organisation shown by the students in 2011.

Pastoral Visiting

St. Mary's has a pastoral visiting team which is always pleased to come and sit and have a chat with you about any concerns.  Please contact the church office on 01732 850238 if you wish to arrange a visit.

Home Communions

St. Mary's has a Home Communion team who bring and share Communion with those who find it either difficult to get to church because of an illness or are in a Care home.  For more information please contact the church office on 01732 850238.

Friends Together

Since October 2007 Abbey Funeral Services have been sponsoring Friends Together Groups.  It is a support group for the bereaved which meets over a simple lunch.  This is held at St. Mary's once a month on a Monday.  For more details please contact the church office on 01732 850238.

For more information on the above please download the leaflet Pastoral Ministry

Newsletter

Keep up to date by reading the free monthly newsletter. It is produced by St Mary’s and delivered to all homes in Hadlow and Golden Green by volunteers.

Hospital Car Service

If you are unable to get to a hospital appointment and require a lift contact Hadlow Hospital Car Service. This service is run by volunteers willing to drive people from Hadlow to local hospitals in their cars. If you need a lift or can offer to drive those who do, please get in touch.

Hadlow and Golden Green Directory

If you are new to Hadlow a copy of the directory will be delivered by your Road Representative. Every road in the parish has a Rep who acts as a link with the church and can provide local information.

Need to Talk?

St Mary’s has a team of people willing to listen. If you would like a home visit, a bereavement visits or want to discuss a problem please contact The Vicarage.

Hearing Loop

If you use a hearing aid you can use the hearing loop connected to the sound system.

Large Print Books

We have large print hymn books and most of our service sheets and the weekly news sheet are produced in larger print as well.

For Comfort

Cushions are available at the back of the church. There are two toilets within the building. The one on the ground floor has easy access and facilities for disabled people and there is another toilet upstairs.

Mobility Problems

We keep a wheelchair in church to aid those requiring help from a car into the building. For those unable to walk to the communion rail, communion will be given to you in your seat.Parking

Parking is available in the Old School car park every Sunday.