What We Do
We're on a mission to know the depth and breadth of love God has for this town
Our Worship
Family Friendly Churches
All our Sunday services are open to all.
Our Holy Communion services, using the bread and wine to recall Jesus' actions upon the cross for us, and our Worship & Praise services which are shorter and more informal, help us to celebrate God's presence in our daily lives.
Children are welcome to be a part of all our services. Whilst we do not currently have children's groups running, children are able to enjoy the freedom to explore the church and the worship in their own way.
Choirs are present at our services at St Martin's and All Souls church.
Baptisms and Weddings in Church
Important moments in our lives marked within a living community of faith can bring a precious spiritual touch to an precious day.
Each of our church buildings is available for weddings and christenings throughout the year. If you're looking to have your wedding or a christening in our churches, please get in touch with us using the contacts listed below, we'd love to help you for your special day.
We Are Safeguarding Churches
Our three churches take the safeguarding and care of children and vulnerable adults very seriously. Details of our Safeguarding Policy can be found below and in each of our churches.
The parishes of St Martin, Cheriton, St Nicholas, Newington, and All Souls, Cheriton are committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults. We follow the House of Bishops' guidance and policies and have our own Parish Safeguarding Officers.
The Diocese of Canterbury’s safeguarding pages contain vital links and information including contacts for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor who advise our Parish Safeguarding Officers.
If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm please contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor. If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police on 999.
Our Parish Safeguarding Officer
Joanne Pearce
07745 010720
The Parochial Church Councils (PCCs) of All Souls Cheriton, St Martin Cheriton and Newington have adopted the safeguarding policies and procedures of the Diocese of Canterbury. In particular, we are committed to:
- The safeguarding of all children, young people and vulnerable adults;
- Carefully selecting and training paid and voluntary staff who might come into contact with children or vulnerable adults, using the Disclosure and Barring Service amongst other tools, to check their suitability;
- Responding without delay to every complaint made which suggests that an adult, child or young person may have been harmed
- Cooperating fully with the police, local authority and any other appropriate statutory body in any investigation;
- Ministering appropriately to anyone, child or adult, who has experienced abuse;
- Extending pastoral care to those known to have offended against children or vulnerable adults whilst ensuring that children and vulnerable adults are protected from them.
Diocesan Safeguarding Officers
Fiona Coombs
07548 232395
Paul Brightwell
07398 009951
National Helplines
NSPCC 0808 8005000
Childline 0800 1111
Stop it Now 0808 1000 900
National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC) 0808 801 0331
Samaritans 116123
Family Lives 0808 800 2222
National Domestic Violence Helpline 0808 2000 247
Action on Elder Abuse 0808 808 8141
We Are Inclusive Churches
We believe that God's love is open to all,
so at our churches we aim to welcome everyone.
We have an active Inclusion Project headed by our Inclusion Champions to help us keep reflecting on what it means to be an open-hearted set of churches that can embrace people just as they are. All our churches are members of Inclusive Church, a movement aiming to see churches celebrate and affirm every person and not discriminate. We also support the activities of the nearby Open Table community in Canterbury.
Our Inclusion Champions have said that being Radically Inclusive is like "stepping into another person's experience to have true empathy and, from there, wanting to make things right even if it means changing something we hold dear."
Our Statement of Welcome
Whatever your age, ethnicity or how much money you have -
You are welcome.
Whatever your relationship status or the shape of your family -
You are welcome.
If you are LGBTQ+ or are still working that out -
You are welcome, and we affirm you.
If you are neurodiverse,
or find yourself feeling different from others -
You are welcome.
If you live with an impairment or condition,
or face challenges with mental health -
You are welcome.
Whoever you are,
our intention is to be churches that anyone can be a part of, and
You are welcome in the name of Jesus Christ.
Who We Are
Who's that then leading the service this week? Here you can find out.
Revd Stephen Crofts
Rector
Folkestone born, travelled a bit and came back again. Stephen has served churches in Leicestershire and Japan.
Linda Wilsher
Worship Leader
Linda adds a creative element to our services and runs the Benefice Bible Study Group.
Revd Kim Aston
Assisting Priest
Kim was a secondary school music teacher before ordination in 2003. She has served churches in Croydon and Welling before moving to Hythe
Jenny Todd
Inclusion Champion &
Hall Bookings Officer
I’m enjoying the opportunity of working towards a more inclusive church
Revd Eileen Webb
Assisting Priest
Stephen Ind
Trainee Reader Minister
Stephen has been a worship leader for many years and is training for the next step as a Reader Minister.
Also a churchwarden, with a deep faith - Chelsea Supporter!
Stephen Brown
Deacon
Stephen is currently training to become our deacon. He served in the British Army for 42 years, in Germany, France and America.
Jacqueline Durban
Inclusion Champion
I feel passionate about playing my own small part in creating a world where God's justice rolls down like water.
Jenny Hoyle
Reader Minister
Get in Touch!
Website's are brilliant, but why stop there? Come & find out more about us.
Email us
Call the Admin office by Phone
01303 270604
For Hall Bookings at All Souls, call
01303 272197
We're on
Instagram
And also Facebook!
