A special time to give thanks for those who nurture us

Mothering Sunday is a special time to give thanks for those who nurture us - and to remember that motherhood often comes with worry. Many mums know the anxiety of children drifting out of sight, and in that, Mary, the mother of Jesus, speaks directly to our hearts.

In Luke 2:41-52, Mary and Joseph lose twelve-year-old Jesus during a journey to Jerusalem. Three days of searching bring relief and bewilderment when they find him in the temple, deep in conversation with the teachers. Mary treasured it all in her heart, holding together love, worry, and trust in God.

Like Mary, we may experience fear, hope, and unanswered questions. While children may vanish from sight in many ways, Jesus can always be found in God’s house - among worship, teaching, prayer, and community.

We warmly invite you to the church on Mothering Sunday, 15th March 2026, and any Sunday at 10:30am, to encounter Jesus in fellowship and worship. After the service, stay for tea, coffee, and refreshments - a chance to chat, relax, and enjoy company. Whether parent, child, or seeker, there is a place for you here, and you are always welcome. 

Pastor Robert and the church family

Image courtesy of Lumo Project Films – www.lumoproject.com

A Shoulder to Lean On

Finding kindness, friendship, and a moment of rest together

They say travelling by train can take the stress out of driving - if the trains are running, of course! You can sit back, enjoy a coffee, rest your eyes, or even have a snooze - just don’t miss your stop. 

On an early-morning train to London, the man sitting next to me nodded off while listening to music. A couple of times he leaned towards me, his head almost touching my shoulder, but each time he caught himself. I guess he didn’t want to intrude. It made me smile and got me thinking. The song Lean on Me by Bill Withers came to mind: “Lean on me when you're not strong, I’ll be your friend, I’ll help you carry on.”

When life is hard, we all need someone to lean on. It’s a basic human need - for kindness, support, and friendship. Proverbs 3:5 reminds us: 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” 

Sometimes we forget and try to manage alone. Yet we can always lean on Jesus, whatever we face. He doesn’t mind if we pause for a while or rest on His shoulder. As Christians, we are also called to support one another. And to all our neighbours in the village - of all faiths and none - we share the same need for kindness and friendship. So, why not join us and rest with us for a while? 

A warm, kind and friendly welcome awaits you. 

Pastor Robert and the Headcorn Baptist church family

Photo by Lin Renais on Unsplash

Visitors from the East

On a visit to Corton beach near Lowestoft in Suffolk, I followed a sign to Britain’s most easterly point. Indeed, the selfie opposite was taken as I stood on that very spot at journey’s end. Later, it reminded me of the Wise Men, who also came “from the east” (Matthew 2:1). They saw a sign - a star - and began a long journey west. Unlike my 15-minute walk, their “star trek” took years, and Epiphany on January 6th, 2026, marks the moment, about two years after Jesus’ birth, when they boldly went, sought out and finally found the child Jesus. When they saw him, they joyfully worshipped him and presented their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

The Wise Men, and the shepherds before them, show us that God’s love reaches across every distance and culture whether it be in the north, south, east or west. Their journey reminds us that God draws all people toward Himself, inviting us to seek, follow, and honour Jesus in our own lives. No one is beyond His redeeming love and that yes that does include you reading this today! As a church family, we begin this new year with the earnest prayer that we may continue our journey of faith together with joy this Epiphany season and beyond. We also invite you to join with us on this ongoing journey to seek, find and joyfully experience the love of Jesus for yourself. You can be assured that a warm and loving welcome awaits you. 

Happy New Year! 

Pastor Robert and the church family