CHURCH WARDENS

 

I came to live in Darenth in 1985 when my parents moved here, when I was only 3 years old. I can remember coming to Saint Margaret’s as a child and attending the Sunday school (junior church) which was run by two lovely ladies called Mrs Coppard and Mrs Ford who was the then Vicars wife. I attended the church as a child until I was about 10 or 11 when I slowly stopped attending. 

I moved out of the village when I was 22 years old and returned 2 years later when myself and my then Fiancée (now Wife) bought a house in the village. That year I had a strange desire to go to Church on Christmas Eve for the midnight communion, I was made to feel welcome but I didn’t feel the need to go back. Four months later it was Easter I again had a desire to go to church which I did, again I felt welcome, I stayed behind for tea (I even won the raffle and took home a huge Easter egg). 

A few weeks later Leann and I met with Jan (the Vicar) to discuss getting married, at the meeting I asked about the Alpha course which I had heard Jan mention in the Easter service. Leann and I both attended the course and during the period we started to attend St Margaret’s, at first we attended the family services and then came every Sunday as we learnt of the love of Jesus. In Easter 2007 Leann and I were confirmed at St Margaret’s, and in august we were married in the church.

Before the AGM in 2008 Jan approached Leann and myself and asked if we would go on the PCC (parochial church council), I think she nearly fainted when I said I had been listening to her sermons with her plea for a new Church Warden, and that after listening to my heart and a prayer to God would do this job. Just after Easter I was elected as Church Warden and installed by the Arch Deacon along with many other church wardens from the diocese. 

Almost a year into the job I have no regrets, and look forward to the next two years as Church Warden, ensuring with help that many more people will come to worship at Saint Margaret’s.

 

Aaron Janes. March 2009

 

 KAREN KEEN

I’ve lived in Darenth now for one and a half years. I grew up in Shoreham, Kent, and I was christened, confirmed and married in the village church, St. Peters and St. Pauls. I moved out of Shoreham when I met my husband, Keith (who is now the treasurer) and lived in Sidcup for 22 years, where I helped out at the Sunday School in our local church. We have 2 daughters who are now 16 and 19.
Once I moved to Darenth, one of my main priorities was to find a church where I would feel comfortable and accepted as a member. I felt at ease in St. Margaret’s as soon as I walked through the doors. The vicar and the congregation were friendly but not too pushy and I feel very blessed to have made many good friends here.
During one service, I heard Jan, our vicar, mention that more help was needed within the church. I knew that I had to offer my services- although I didn’t yet know what for! After talking to Jan, I became a member of the Fabric Committee; this is a group which deals with general maintenance at St. Margaret’s. We organise events such as working parties and have recently launched a £150,000 appeal to improve and renovate the church; this is particularly important as it is a grade 1 listed building. Several months after this, our extremely hardworking church warden and treasurer decided to step down. My husband and I decided to step up and try to fill these roles.
I had heard a great deal about the Alpha Course before I arrived in Darenth, but I had never felt the need (or had the courage!) to try it. When I first started at St. Margaret’s, I began the Alpha Course but unfortunately I felt that it wasn’t for me at the time. However, as I became more and more involved in the life of the church over the next year, I became more comfortable with the idea. I have re-enrolled and am determined to finish this time! I look forward to each meeting and to my future role as church warden.
Karen, July 2009.