Dear friends, The flowers in the picture today were donated by the flower show to cafe church in the marquee last Sunday. We had a most wonderful service with lots to think about. It was lovely to see so many people gathered celebrating. God bless, Dineke van den Bogerd Notes-20250817.pdf Weekly Notes Readings-20250817.pdf Weekly Readings Post expires at 7:25pm on Wednesday August 12th, 2026

Dear friends, Yesterday evening was a quiet moment before the week leading up to the Capel show. Leaving the Crown after a pleasant couple of hours with friends we saw this beautiful sight. God’s creation is wonderful and we must ensure to be appreciative and thankful at all times. The Capel show will be over by next Sunday but there is a lot to be done still and if you can spare some time to prepare or to help on the day please contact Helen Burt : helenmb0909@gmail.com or call/text on 07990597553. Not only is this one the main fundraisers for our churches this year, it ia also great fun to be part of the team. God bless, Dineke van den Bogerd Notes-20250810.pdf Weekly Notes Readings-20250810.pdf Weekly Readings Post expires at 8:27am on Sunday August 9th, 2026

Dear friends, Last month we took our house guests to the Hannah Peschar sculpture garden (see photo). It was the first time we went in the more than 20 years we have lived close by and we have missed out! It’s a beautifully laid out garden with a changing collection of sculptures. Worth a visit! God bless, Dineke van den Bogerd Notes-20250803.pdf Weekly Notes Readings-20250803.pdf Weekly Readings Post expires at 7:26pm on Friday July 31st, 2026

Dear friends, Summer keeps on giving this year but I for one am pleased that temperatures above 30 Celsius are off the cards for now. Many water companies have introduced hosepipe bans due to water levels in reservoirs falling very low. In our part of the world the reservoirs are natural aquifers in the North downs. Due to their size they do not empty very fast but they no longer fill up to former levels so we would do well to use water wisely anyway: this is not a limitless source of this precious liquid. The picture is of the dining room in Leith Hill Place with a gorgeous stencilling detail on the chimney. God bless, Dineke van den Bogerd Notes-20250727.pdf Weekly Notes Readings-20250727.pdf Weekly Readings Post expires at 9:56am on Sunday July 26th, 2026

Dear friends, This rather battered purple emperor landed on our picknick table last week. I guess he (or she) would not have lasted very long after I took this picture but it is nice to know that these beauties reside in our garden. God bless, Dineke van den Bogerd Notes-20250720.pdf Weekly Notes Readings-20250720.pdf Weekly Readings Post expires at 3:56pm on Saturday July 18th, 2026

Dear friends, I hope you are all well and coping with the weather. At least for now the temperature goes down to levels that make sleeping possible. The image today is a detail of the magnificent copper beech in the garden of Bob and Judy. Nature is so beautiful! God bless, Dineke van den Bogerd Notes-20250713.pdf Weekly Notes Readings-20250713.pdf Weekly Readings Post expires at 9:35am on Sunday July 12th, 2026

Dear friends, This week I heard two very inspired and inspiring speakers on inequality in society: Gary Stevenson and Kwajo Tweneboa. Both worth looking up to hear what they have to say. It took place in the union chapel in Islington and I just had to take a picture of the beautiful ceiling. Please spare a thought for the organisers and other volunteers who slave away at the Capel military show to raise funds for our church. I’m sure they’re all glad it’s not as warm today. God bless, Dineke Notes-20250706.pdf Weekly Notes Readings-20250706.pdf Weekly Readings Post expires at 9:16am on Sunday July 5th, 2026

Dear friends, Last Monday I found myself walking across Chelsea bridge and could not resist taking this photo. Only now, looking at the picture, did I notice the dove in the centre. It is holding an olive branch. How I wish for peace, not just for the 13 major wars in the world but for all the conflict. Think how far the money and effort could go if it wasn’t spent on fighting others. Please be aware that we have no service in the parish this week so all can come to the service of ordination in the cathedral. Details are in the notes and Dik still has room in the car if anyone needs a lift. God bless, Dineke van den Bogerd Notes-20250629.pdf Weekly Notes Readings-20250629.pdf Weekly Readings Post expires at 8:09am on Saturday June 27th, 2026

Dear friends, When hunting around in the phone archives for a picture to share with you I came across this scene of the latest Café Church which we held in The Weald CofE school. You can see Bob preparing the children to act out the story of Jonah for Pentecost. If you wonder about the link between the two, well, you should have been there! As the band members often say: ‘Anything can happen.’. It was a wonderful service and we hope this one will be followed by many more well-attended events. God bless, Dineke van den Bogerd Notes-20250623.pdf Readings-20250622.pdf Post expires at 7:10am on Monday June 22nd, 2026

Dear friends, It is with great sadness that I read the news that Eric Sutcliffe died in the early hours of this morning. He will be greatly missed. Please remember Jessie and all the family in your prayers. God bless, Dineke van den Bogerd Notes-20250615.pdf Weekly Notes Readings-20250615.pdf Weekly Readings Post expires at 9:35am on Sunday June 14th, 2026

Dear friends, Pollen are a major source of food for bees. For that reason this hydrangea is a major attraction for them in late spring. We hope to welcome many of you at our café church event in the Weald school Sunday morning. Coffee will be ready around 10:45 for the service to start at 11:00. God bless, Dineke van den Bogerd Notes-20250608.pdf Weekly Notes Readings-20250608.pdf Weekly Readings Post expires at 4:10pm on Sunday June 7th, 2026

Dear friends, This Saturday we saw the tail end of the Rhododendrons near Leith Hill Place. We also finally visited the house. It was lovely to look around the place that was once the home of Ralph Vaughan Williams. I’m sure you probably all know this but I had to think what St MM meant when I read attached notes: St Mary Magdalen. This is obviously just for those who are as unobservant as I am! Do please make an effort to come to café church in the Weald next week and support this work in the community. God bless, Dineke van den Bogerd Notes-20250601.pdf Weekly Notes Readings-20250601.pdf Weekly Readings Post expires at 2:40pm on Sunday May 31st, 2026