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    FROM THE EDITOR

    VICAR: The Rev Stephen Bowen,

    The Vicarage, Felbridge,West Sussex RH19 2QT

    Tel: 01342 321524;

    Fax: 0870 9156268

    [email protected]

    Vicars day off: Thursday

    ASSOCIATE MINISTER:Michael Peach

    5 Burns Way, East Grinstead,West Sussex RH19 1SA

    Tel: 01342 312406

    [email protected]

    Michaels day off: Friday

    OCTOBER: Articles for the October issue to be handed in by 12th September.Publication: 26th September. E-mail your articles to [email protected],put them in the editors pigeon hole in the church entrance, or post them to LouiseRussell at Fircroft, Furzefield Road, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19 2JN.

    I was delighted to find an inboxoverflowing with articles for this

    months magazineeven afterdeleting all the spamwhich sadly

    didnt make the final edition. So if the

    summer issue was a skinny edition,this is definitely the full fat version.

    There are some great updates onwhats been happening over the

    summer, and a lot planned for theautumn, so do have a peruse.

    Louise Russell

    Cover p ho t o : Rust in PeaceMy shed and roller lean togetherfor mutual support. The roller has an honourable history. This includes

    helping the residents to convert the unmade-up Limes to a proper road with

    verges in 1967 under the direction of Tim Clark. It had previously been rolled

    around my father's 'Dig For Victory' allotment at St. Phillip's, Norbury; our

    modest garden near All Saints, Sanderstead and, with Joan, our first attempt

    to flatten the clay out of Hurst-an-Clays and to molest the moles of Felbridge.

    It now Rusts in Peace so there are no tears, shed. Peter Bateman

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    IN THE GARDEN

    I LOVE the sunshine so I have reallyenjoyed this summer, but after morethan eight weeks with very little rainthe garden has looked very sad. Theheat wave in June/July turned the soileither to concrete or a dust bowl andthe lawn to straw. It certainly mademe think about the genuinely drought-stricken countries of the world.

    Many plants, such as the water-lovingastilbes struggled in the parchedconditions despite the fact that I wascharging around the garden with myheavy watering cans like the Sor-cerers Apprentice! It seems perverse

    that when we badly need water thebutts are all empty whereas in winterwhen we dont need the water thebutts are full to overflowing. Thingsdid not go well at the allotment eitherand we had several failures. Howeverwe were very pleased with our twopots of blueberries which producedover 2lb of fruit. But more about fruit

    and vegetables next month.

    There is still time to take late summercuttings of hydrangeas, penstemons,and pelargoniums and to collect seedsof just about everything. We also col-lect seeds from the runner beans,butternut squash and marrows. Wealways collect far too many seeds then

    feel we should sow them and dontknow where to plant them all. A good

    time too to pot up seedlings such asfoxgloves and verbena bonariensis andalso to split up large clumps of aga-panthus, crocosmia and asters.

    This is also the time to think aboutbulbs for next year and perhaps trysomething different. What aboutchinodoxa, or fritillaries, leucojumswhich are like giant snowdrops,ipheion called the starflower,ornithogalum (the Star of Bethlehem),the little yellow allium Molly or oneof my favourites, sparaxis tricolour,the Harlequin flower. I also particu-larly like the small alpine sisy-

    rinchium called blue ice which as itname suggests has pretty blue flowers.A bulb which is planted in the autumnfor flowering in early summer is thelovely camassia. The variety that wegrow is called Lady Eve Price and hasbright blue starry flowers on elegant3ft stems.

    I foolishly planted giant whitenicotiana seedlings in the front of abed, which was totally the wrongplace. They have grown to well over4ft high with huge heads of flowersand cabbage-like leaves that havecovered all the smaller things nearby.But I shall grown them again next year- at the back of the border!

    Maureen Reynolds

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    Sundays8am Holy Communion (2nd & 4th Sundays in the month)10am Morning Service

    Family Service (1st Sunday in the month)5pm Raise The Roof (3rd Sunday in the month)6pm Evening Service

    Tuesdays12.45pm Food for Thought, Zion Church2pm WIfirst Tuesday of the month in the Village Hall

    Wednesdays2pm Watercolouron Wednesdays

    Thursdays10.30am WIGS at the Old Pheasantry, Woodcock Hill (home of June Clark)6-7.30pm JAFFAClub in the Church hall on the first Thursday of each month

    Saturdays8am Prayer Breakfast on first Saturday morning in the Church Hall

    REGULAR EVENTS

    Through the week at St. Johns

    A fun action-packed evening for children in school years 3-6

    Meetings on the first Thursday of the month

    9th September, the Church Hall, 6-7.30pmLots to do Bible teaching, games and craft

    For details of how to apply to join contact Diane Francis(01342 714575)

    (Jesus a friend for all)

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    Recycle all the mess of life not just cardboard and plastic says a new bookby CMS mission partner Dave Bookless.

    God can redeem and recycle anything that we consider waste. Thats the boldclaim of Dave Bookless, a CMS mission partner and leading Christianenvironmentalist, in a new book just published.

    Dave doesnt just mean literal waste, as you might expect from a greencampaigner, but the senseless waste of suffering and personal tragedy. Over theyears weve struggled with the same problems others face long-term illness,unanswered prayer, depression, miscarriage, bereavement and more, he explains.What weve found is that, although God never sends bad things, God is oftenmost intensely and powerfully present in such situations, and able to transform usas well as our circumstances.

    The book, God Doesnt Do Waste, tells the story of how one ordinary family, theBookless bunch, went greenbut it doesnt stop there. It takes in all the waste

    and mess of human existence and is honest about the struggles that go with it. Insome ways its simply a missionary autobiography its about how God has led mywife and I to where we are and what were doing, says Dave, who is the director ofA Rocha UK, a Christian charity promoting care for creation.

    He says he wrote God Doesnt Do Waste for people who would never read a bookon theology. Great news for most readers. That includes Christian friends whodont think of themselves as green or environmental and my non-Christian andother-faith friends who are intrigued by why I gave up a good job as a vicar inorder to start an environmental charity.

    Nonetheless it is a deeply spiritual book and a book with a mission, says Dave.I hope it will help people understand more of Gods passion for the whole ofcreation, and for us as part of it and that it will also help those who like us

    have struggled with illness, disappointment and despair,as it shows how God can transform even the toughestsituations when we offer them back to him.

    God Doesnt Do Waste (ISBN 978 1 84474 473 2;160pp; 7.99 plus P&P) is published by IVP.

    From the CMS website, www.cms-uk.org

    BOOK REVIEW: God doesnt do waste

    God doesnt do wasteby Dave Bookless

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    WHATS HAPPENING

    5th September Family Service at 10am with Stephen BowenHoly Communion at 6pm with Michael Peach

    12th September Holy Communion at 8am with Stephen Bowen

    Morning Prayer at 10amwith Michael Peach

    Evening Prayer at 6pm with Stephen Bowen

    19th September Holy Communion at 10am with Stephen Bowen

    Raise the Roof at 6pm

    26th September Holy Communion at 8am with Jack Baker

    Open Church at 10am with Stephen Bowen

    Evening Prayer at 6pm with Don Ely

    Forthcoming Events

    Sat 4th September Prayer Breakfast, 8am

    Mon 6th September Home Group Central, 7.45pm

    Thurs 9th September JAFFA Club resumes, 6pm (see p4)

    Sat 11th September Mens Breakfast, 8.30am

    Sun 26th September Open Church Sunday (see opposite)

    Sat 2nd October Harvest Supper (see p11)

    Sun 3rd October Harvest Service 10am, with John Archer from

    Tearfund preaching

    Sun 10th October Songs of Praise (see p16)

    Sun 31st October Philip Johanson from Church Army preaching at

    the evening serviceplease note this change of date

    Sat 20th November Quiz Night, Church Hall, 7.30pm (see p19)

    17th-24th April 2011 Week of Special Events (see p22)

    Please note: the Evening Service, including Raise the Roof, hasbeen moved to 6pm from September onwards.

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    Open Church Sunday

    26th September at 10am

    Do you know a friend, family member or neighbour who used to go tochurch if only occasionally but somehow no longer seems to do so?Perhaps this even applies to you as you read this magazine!

    Despite the best of intentions there can be all sorts of reasons whypeople drift away. It may be work pressures, family commitments, theneed to do the weekly shopping, regular sporting fixtures or all thoselittle jobs that mount up at home. Whatever it is, life just seems to gettoo busy and church slips off the agenda.

    For some people the main concern is that they will be uncomfortablewith what they may be asked to do or say in the service. Others feel itwill just be boring or that they would not be welcome anyway!

    With all this in mind we have nominated our morning service on26thSeptember at 10am as Open Church Sunday. We hope it will be

    a special opportunity for those who may have gone to church in thepast, to consider coming again. And for any who might just be curious,or perhaps worried they might feel uncomfortable, it will be a goodchance to taste and see what its all about. Nobody will be asked tosay or do anything they dont want to they can just come and be aspectator if they wish!

    Based on our normal straightforward and user-friendly service there willbe no gimmicks, no embarrassing features, and no unwanted pressure.So why not come along? You never know, you might enjoy it! And whynot take this particular opportunity to invite your friends and family tocome with you? Children will be welcome at their own special event inthe Church Hall and, as always, Fairtrade drinks and refreshments willbe available afterwards. We look forward to seeing you!

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    CHURCH CENTRE PROJECT

    Progress Report: August 2010

    SummaryPhase 1 is due to be completed during the October half termweek. Phases 2 & 3 are currently on programme. Spend forPhases 1 & 3 is currently at or below budget; Phase 2 estimateis over budget.

    Progress

    Phase 1 (Hall windows and redecorate)

    Structural Engineer carried out survey (after Macphersons - windowcontractor - removed one panel of the hall to facilitate inspection) and sent ushis report (basically no problems found).

    Survey report and other information requested by the Diocese sent to one oftheir architects for approval.

    Diocese accepted proposals and issued public notice for display in church.

    Application for a Certificate of Lawfulness submitted to Tandridge District

    Council and validated 19th July. No objections received.Phase 2 (Playground)

    The Guides submitted comments on the sketch plans.

    Diocesan rector responsible for graveyards informed of our proposals.

    PCC reviewed sketch plans and requested an increase in area.

    Walls redesigned and plans revised extending the boundaries to the southand west.

    Tenders invited for clearing the shrubs and trees.

    Phase 3 (North-west development)

    Soil report received.

    Architects programme received for preparation of documents for all Phases(3 to 6) for Building Regulations approval and Diocesan approval.

    Other Projects

    Diocesan architects planning application for lighting in the car park has been

    approved by Tandridge.

    Comments on car park surfacing ideas (basically plastic cells filled withgravel - similar to that at the Queen Victoria Hospital) sent to the Diocesanarchitect as requested.

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    Forecast

    Phase 1 (Hall windows and redecoration)

    The granting of the faculty is expected by mid-September.

    The Certificate of Lawfulness is expected by mid-September.

    Window installation is planned for the school autumn half-term holidays.

    Planning of the hall clearance and reinstatement will start once the order for thedouble glazing is placed in September.

    Phase 2 (Playground)

    Details of bids for site clearance and a recommendation to be issued to PCC forapproval in September.

    Revised plans to be submitted to the PCC for approval in September.

    Site clearance expected to be completed in the autumn.

    Ground survey carried out once shrubs removed.

    Phase 3 (North-west development)

    The Architect to receive further quotations for the asbestos survey andbat survey.

    Design development for all Phases planned to commence 23rd August

    PCC to consider in September approving the commencement of production

    drawings for Phase 3.

    Submission of documents for approval planned for mid-October.

    Building Regulations approval expected end of November.

    Other Projects

    Details of car park surfacing awaited.

    Temporary repairs to car park to be considered.

    John Grainger (Chair CCPT) 15th

    August 2010

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    FELBRIDGE WILDLIFE

    I HAVE been attacked by an assassinbug. Not fatally, you may realise, but adistinct nip from this tiny sharp-nosedbug in ambush among the raspberrycanes. They and their related damselbugs are fierce killers of other insects,

    including the bed bug which is up andabout again, (although not, of course,in East Grinstead!)

    Our canes also shelter harmless andbeautiful shield bugs which carry ashield, or scutellum, on their backs.Some are bright green, some brownand some, such as the hawthorn shieldbug, are bi-coloured in camouflage

    against the birds that would takethem for a main course before araspberry dessert.

    While we enjoyed the spectacle in NewJersey of millions of lightning bugs,flashing like tinyTinkerbells in the dusk,here at 'Poynings' the

    large grey chrysalis weleft behind turned into asplendid elephant hawkmoth to greet our return.Assiduous readers may recall that aspectacular caterpillar of this speciesentranced our neighbours a year ago.

    This has been a good summer for mostbutterflies and a red-and-black

    cinnabar moth flitted about thechurchyard, from purple knapweed to

    Nip in the bug

    yellow hawkweed. Butterflies, waspsand hoverflies seek nectar fromsummer's fading flowers.

    Many of our garden birds haveproduced second or even third broods,which have been nourished by aplentiful supply of caterpillars.

    I have found small newts and largetoads, but few frogs in the parish and aneighbour found a grass snake in hiscompost heap. Nationally it has beennoticed that the much-protected watervole has developed an unfortunateGallic appetite for frogs' legs.

    Has it happened in Felbridge?

    Well, remains to be seen.

    Peter Bateman

    After Glow

    "How does the lady lightning bug

    her deepest feelings show?

    Is it three short glints for, "Yes,

    my dear?"

    And one long flash for, "No!"?

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    St Johns Harvest SupperSaturday 2nd October, Village Hall

    Tearfunds Ian Roberts will lead us in some Scottish country dancingand there will be activities for all ages - more details to follow.

    Please call Brenda on 311516 with offers of help.

    John Archer, also from Tearfund, will be speaking at the 10am

    Harvest Service on Sunday 3rd October.Please put these dates in your diary and plan to come along.

    A Fiery Parable

    I've just had a bonfire.

    The parable I noticed was this once the garden twigs were alight, pushed to-gether in the incinerator, they burnt fiercely and set other bits alight around them.The heart was on fire and the flames were licking outwards and involving more andmore of the leaves and sticks.

    When I put grass cuttings on a few twigs fell off and flamed furiously on theground, then glowed and went out, occasionally nearly bursting into flame, butthen going out completely. When gathered up into the incinerator they caughtalight again.

    When the flames died down and the grass cuttings started burning the whole thinggot really hot and yet there were not so many flames but gradually the job wasdone and the waste disposed of, even if more slowly in the constant build up ofheat though there were only flames from time to time, when more obvious activitywent on.

    The smoke went up and was blown away on the wind so those around knew I washaving a bonfire even though it didn't blow over them.

    At the end was a good pile of ash, ready to feed the ground and be thebasis for another bonfire another day.

    I'll leave you to see how important it is for us individually andas a church not to give up meeting together.

    Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit ofdoing, but let us encourage one another all the more as you seethe Day approaching.Hebrews 10:25

    Mandy Bowen

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    IN SHARING the background to myChristian conversion, firstly I am veryaware of the importance of those whoprayed for me consistently throughouttheir lives - in particular mygrandmother and my godparents.These praying people are so vital!

    Secondly, it was Gods word thatspoke to me. A special young ladycalled Margaret or Mags took a groupof teenagers into her home one nighteach week and read Marks gospelwith us.

    The course (Read Mark Learn) wasnot unlike Christianity Explored. Istill remember the key verse as beingMark 10:45: For even the Son of Mandid not come to be served, but to serve,

    and to give his life as a ransom for

    many. For the first time I properlyexplored the implications of the things

    Jesus said and did.

    I was very thankful for my fathersChristian library - I was able to take acommentary on Mark off the shelf anddevour that too! The fact that we werea bunch of people from severalchurches and from none was alsoimportant. As a teenager, I needed toexplore faith distinct from that of myparents. I still remember theexcitement of the growing realisation

    that Christianity was so much more allencompassing than a discrete bunch ofbible stories and attending church on aSunday morning.

    This brings me to the third impact seeing how Christ changed lives.My Christian friends lived outdistinctively different lives in thechallenging arena of the 6th formcommon room! It changed theirlanguage, their attitudes, their studies,their relationships, their dreams andtheir hopes. They were still flawed

    people, but they had an obviousdifferent sense of purpose thatwas Christ!

    Shortly after this time, I preachedmy one and only sermon it wasduring our churchs interregnum(a period without a minister), so theymust have been desperate! It

    concerned the early verses in Romans12 including v2: Do not conform anylonger to the pattern of this world, but

    be transformed by the renewing of

    your mind. Then you will able to test

    and approve what Gods will is - his

    good, pleasing and perfect will.

    Having conscientiously prepared forthis at a time when I was only justbeginning to discover what my faithmeant in practice, this verse, along

    WHY BELIEVE?

    St Johns members tell us what its like to follow Jesus. Thismonth, we hear from Jane Poole...

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    with the one above in Marks gospelhas always stuck with me. It remainsmy hope and my conflict to be there,listening to the pains and problems of

    the world whilst listening to God topractically provide support.

    This includes responding to the needsof my family, to friends, colleaguesand neighbours (care for Godspeople). At work, it also includes mystrategic response in the developmentof environmental policy (care forGods creation) which should ofcourse be translated into appropriatepersonal action in relation to: wealthand possessions; wise resource use;and waste minimisation, amongstseveral others.

    Although friends at work will tell youabout my strong sense of purpose, Iknow that many of them do not yet see

    Christ. To that end, I feel I am failingin developing maturity in Christ and inletting his Spirit work within me. Ifanything, I now shy away from

    challenging conversations.

    I would love to have the time, health,courage and opportunity to sit downand read the Bible with so manypeople that would be my request foryour prayers!

    I also give thanks for the dedicationand commitment of those involved in:

    Christian camps; mid-week childrensgroups such as JAFFA; services likeRaise the Roof which give anopportunity for young people to lead;and the many other one-to-one biblestudies that go on mid-week, unknownand unnoticed. These differentcontexts are all so important for thoseexploring and growing in their faith.

    THE WORSHIP SERVICERaise the Roof is a fun, action-packed service,presenting Jesus message through music,

    dance, drama and dancing. The next service is

    on:

    Sunday 19th SeptemberRehearsal 4.30pm Scrummy tea 5.30pm

    Service 6-6.40pmIf youd like to join in playing an instrument, acting, dancing or singing -

    young or old, beginner or pro - contact Kris Defriend on 01342 312788 [email protected].

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    The Scarecrows!

    DO YOU REMEMBER the words, If you go down to the woods today,youre sure of a big surprise?

    Well if you went across the road to Whittington College on Saturday17th July you certainly were in for a big surprise. Fourteen amazingly welldressed scarecrows had taken root in the orchard for all to see. And all didsee them. Whittington College residents flocked to their usually quietorchard and many others came in, having been warned by local radio itwas the place to be on that summer Saturday afternoon.

    Why? It was another of our fund-raising ventures for the church hall

    improvements. The scarecrows in all their glory were judged by ourvisitors either before or after they enjoyed a walk in the wonderfulgrounds of Whittington College or before or after they had enjoyed acream tea in the Whittington Room.

    Was it a successful afternoon? Oh yes. Everyone had a wonderful time,the sun shone down on us and there was a lovely feeling of fun and friend-ship. The scarecrows were a great success, the afternoon teas sold out, theproduce stall sold out and we made a further 350 for the fund.

    Will we do it again? Thats up to you really, however I think the commit-tee would like to build on the success of the 2010 Scarecrow Competition,so watch out next year for all the details, then you too can join in the fun.

    Our sincere thanks go to Steve, the Manager at Whittington College forallowing us to use their lovely facilities, and to Anne Butler for being ourco-ordinator. Thanks also to all the helpers on the day and for all thecakes and jams donated by various ladies and gents of our congregation.And finally, but not least, to all the participants who made the

    scarecrowsthey were fantastic.

    First, second and third places were awarded to Di Giles for her Bisto Kids,Callum Jones with his Farmer Crow, and his sister Hannah who tookthird place with Cruella De Vil. Each received a medal with a certificateand a St Johns mug full of sweeties and seeds. Everyone else came fourth.

    It should also be mentioned that Di stole the show by dressing up as avery fetching scarecrow, scaring visitors by suddenly speaking to them.

    What a wag!Thelma Manning

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    IN JULY, torrential rain destroyedmore than 600,000 homes, broughtmisery to millions of people acrosssouthern China and caused the deathsof more than 1,000 people. Landslideshave further worsened the problem.

    More than 10 million people facehunger in the Sahel region of WestAfrica due to a worsening drought.In Niger alone, eight millionpeoplenearly half thepopulationare affected.

    This month, the focus hasshifted to Pakistan whereheavy monsoon rains in the

    north have destroyed roads,bridges, crops and livestock asrivers burst their banks and inundatedvast areas of the country.

    As I write, over 20 million peoplehave been affected by the disaster inPakistan and more than 1,600 peoplehave been killed. Thousands of people

    have been left injured and homeless.The world is witnessing increasedlosses from natural disasters. Thenumber of people affected by thesedisasters was three times higher in the1990s than in the 1970s and economiclosses were five times higher, says areport from Tearfund entitled Natural

    Disaster Risk Reduction. Some 98%

    of those killed or affected by naturaldisasters come from poor countries.

    Preventing disasters by risk reduction

    CURRENT ISSUES: DISASTERS

    Even when hazard events are forecast,as in the Mozambique flood disaster of2000, the response of the internationalcommunity has been apathetic. Whenthe country made an appeal for $2.7mto improve its flood defences, less thanhalf was received. Once the floodscame, Mozambique received $100m in

    emergency aid.

    In some countries that facecontinual disasters greatprogress has been made inthe past 20 years in

    developing drought, cycloneand flood warning systems,

    building cyclone shelters and planningfor evacuation of communities. Moreneeds to be done; we must plan ahead.

    Tearfunds report concludes: The richworlds scant investment in naturaldisaster risk reduction is illogical andindefensible. The authors add, Itwould also make greater moral sensefor the rich world to help prevent

    needless loss of life from disasters inthe developing world than simply toprovide aid and sympathy afterdisaster strikes.

    Without planned action on disasterprevention our efforts in helping poorpeople escape poverty cannot be aseffective as they really ought to be.

    Gordon Wilkinson

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    VILLAGE MATTERS

    Felbridge W.I. had a very entertaining

    afternoon doing chair aerobics withMiss Julie, where we all found musclesthat we had forgotten about andrealized just how much air we couldhold in our lungs!

    Our scarecrow is now frightening offthe birds in one of our membersvegetable patch. Our Tuesday walk on

    Ashdown Forest was interrupted by therain, but we had a good stroll aroundWych Cross Garden Centre and en-

    joyed their goodies! No rain for ourafternoon tea in a members gardenwhich was very well supported witharound 30 visitors.

    We meet at the Village Hall on the first

    Tuesday of every month from 1.30pmto 3.30pm. At our next meeting we willbe hearing about wildlife in theCanadian Rockies. For more informa-tion telephone EG 322302

    The Felbridge Horticultural Societywill be meeting at the Village Hall onThursday 16 Septemberat 8.15pm to

    hear an illustrated talk on Climbing

    and Wall Plants by Ken Turner. Docome along you can be sure of awarm welcome.

    Items from Felbridge Village websiteThe Happy Valley Walk on Sunday12th September has been organized bylocal Rotary Clubs on behalf of MarieCurie Cancer Care. There are two

    separate walks of 3 miles and 7 miles.Dogs are welcome.

    Surrey Army Cadet Force is raisingmoney for Help the Heroes and itsown charity with a 150 mile cycleride. More information from CaptainAdrian Pace on 07973 322538.

    Your photographs are urgently neededfor a 2011 Calendar of village scenes,events and/or people.

    More information on the website,www.felbridgevillage.co.uk.

    Daphne Ayerst

    Songs of Praise 10th October

    At this informal evening event on Sunday 10th October at 6pm,

    various members of our congregation will introduce well known hymns

    and songs and tell us why they are their particular favourites.

    Do make a special effort to join us to enjoy this one-off special

    occasion and make sure you invite your friends and family as well!

    Stay afterwards if you can to chat over tea, coffee and cake.Andy Brown

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    PARISH COUNCIL

    MEETING

    On 2nd September

    at 7.30pm

    in the Village Hall

    FELBRIDGE WI NEEDS

    YOU!So why dont you come along on

    the 1st Tuesday of every month.

    Meetings start at 1.30pm in

    Felbridge Village Hall

    Speakers, Competitions, Outings,

    Raffles and much more

    This summer I went to Nefyn Camp in Wales and we did

    sleep in tents, but we did have camping mattresses, so

    the floor wasnt too hard! Nefyn Camp is Christian camp

    for young people aged 9-17, but ours was mainly for

    10-12 year olds, though we did let the mini campers join in as well -

    they were the children of the leaders there. The highlights for me were

    going to the beach, doing canoeing, swimming, crabbing, Pitch & Putt,

    playing life-sized cluedo, playing crocker a game a bit like rounders

    with big balls, playing crazy football and a game called wanted,

    where we had to go around the village collecting things

    and get back to camp without being caught. I also

    enjoyed going to the evening meetings, where we

    looked at the Bible.Rowan Saunders

    Update on World Mission Gift Day

    I'm sure you will all be as thrilled and encouraged as I am to learn that the amountraised so far is 12,215! This is a really wonderful total, especially in these days ofsuch financial constraint. Thank you all for your generosity!

    As in previous years, the money will be divided between the ten Mission Partnersand agencies we support, with a larger proportion being allocated to our individualMission Partners - the Laceys, the Leakes and Natasha Kasprowicz. If you wouldlike more information about our involvement with World Mission, or to receiveprayer-letters, please do speak to me or any of the Mission Team. Regular updatesand information are displayed on the Mission notice board at the back of church,and one of the societies is highlighted in the Parish Magazine every month.

    Anne Butler (Mission Team Co-ordinator)

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    Why is St Johns a Fairtrade Church?

    CURRENT ISSUES: FAIRTRADE

    MANY YEARS AGO, St Johns Pathfinder group (aged 11 to 14)were looking at the biblical basis of Fairtrade. During the discussionswe realized that St. Johns didnt use Fairtrade tea, coffee, sugar orcookies for the refreshments after the 10 oclock service or at any other events.

    The Pathfinders wrote a letter to the PCC asking the members to consider makingSt. Johns a Fairtrade Church. The motion was passed and in June 2004 we

    received Fairtrade status. Bible references giving guidance on this issue include:

    Micah 6:8He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the

    LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly

    with your God. Buying Fairtrade-certified products is one way we can put ourfaith into practice. Everyone deserves to live with dignity, to have adequate food,education and healthcare. Fairtrade helps to make this possible - it strengthensfamilies and communities, empowers people to take care of themselves, promoteshuman rights and supports responsible stewardship of the Earth.

    Proverbs 13:23The fields of the poor may produce abundant food, butinjustice sweeps it away. Bananas - the UKs most popular fruit - are still mostlygrown on large plantations where people work for low pay in difficult conditions.Small family farms find it impossible to compete. Fairtrade agreements guaranteegrowers higher prices and the Fairtrade premium has transformed communities.However, there are still thousands of producers who do not yet benefit. You canhelp remedy the injustice by buying Fairtrade products whenever possible.

    Ezekiel 22:29-30The people of the land practise extortion and commit

    robbery; they oppress the poor and needy and mistreat the alien, denying

    them justice. There are many mentions of social injustice in the Bible. Heres justone example of Gods word about oppression of the poor and the needy. Thesewords give people a clearer picture of what God is like. Through our lives andactions, it is easier for them to respond to His love.

    Luke 4:18 He has sent me to bring good news to the poor. There are morereferences in the Bible to responding to the poor than any other topic. And it is thepoorest people in the world who are suffering most at the hands of unfair trade.Fairtrade has justice at its heart a fair system that frees producers from

    exploitation, enabling them to lift themselves out of poverty.To find out more about Fairtrade, visit website: www.fairtrade.org.ukwhere you

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    Quiz Night

    Please put the following date in your diaries for the next popular, not to be missed,Quiz Night: Saturday 20th November at 7.30pm in the Church Hall. The cost is7.50 per person. Get together a team of 6 or if this isnt possible, we will allocateyou to a team. There will be the usual fantastic hot dogs and a licensed bar.All proceeds will go to the Church Building Fund.

    will find numerous stories from producers telling how Fairtrade has transformedtheir lives and helped them to provide for their families.

    Im sure that everyone reading this article believes in fair pay and fair treatment forworkers. Thats why our country has a minimum wage and employment laws toensure good working conditions. These rules have yet to be adopted in the countrieswhere much of our food is grown and this is why the Fairtrade Foundation cameinto being. People in the UK wanted to ensure better working conditions and fairerpay for the people that grow our food and produce our commodities.

    So, when you are shopping or arranging a Church event, please do try to useFairtrade products as much as possible and fulfil Gods wishes.

    For further information, contact Brenda or Gordon Wilkinson.

    Prayer for Fairtradeby Kathleen Scullion

    Lord, open our eyes to the need for fairness,Open our eyes to the cries of the people,

    Open our hearts to a greater understanding,Open our lips to share the truth.

    Give us the courage to speak out,Give us the confidence to confront the powerful,

    Give us the strength to persevere,Be with us Lord, as we strive to create a fairer world.

    Christmas Shoe Box Appeal

    Hats and mittens plus other items will be on sale in the Church Hall every Sundaymorning in October ready for shoe boxes to be made up.

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    IN THE PAST few months wehave been learning about ChurchArmy internationally.

    We heard recently from Malawithat two students are training at the

    Church Army Training College inNairobi, having just completedtheir first year. They are preparingto go back to Malawi to share theGood News of Jesus with theirfellow countrymen.

    In the July/August Parish News, welearned of the little-known nation

    ofVanuatu, a chain of 83 islands,of which 69 are inhabited, with atotal population of 250,000, over100 different languages and around600 dialects.

    Ben Tosiro of Vanuatu has recentlyspent 3 months with Church Armyin New Zealand and has been able

    to translate the 12 week trainingprogramme for young people into

    the Bislama language. Thistraining programme will launchChurch Army in Vanuatu.

    Items for prayer

    For all the students in training,

    here in England and those at thecollege in Nairobi.

    For the launch of Church Army inVanuatu, and all who are involvedin translating the Scriptures into somany languages and dialects.

    Change of date

    Philip Johanson OBE,International Secretary, will bevisiting St Johns on 31st Octoberat the Evening Service (not the 3rdOctober as previously stated).

    Di Giles (CA rep)

    CHURCH ARMY INTERNATIONAL

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    ST JOHNS AND MISSION THROUGH CMS

    WHEN YOU READ the letters CMS,does it also stand for Community ofMission Service? Well, this is what itnow is. The Church Mission Societyhas now been acknowledged as amission community of the Church ofEngland. Such communities have anEpiscopal Visitor and for CMS this isthe Rt Rev Christopher Cocksworth,

    Bishop of Coventry.John Martin, until recently the Directorof Communication for CMS, said in arecent issue of Yes magazine,Throughout the history of the church,various forms of community haveplayed a vital role; communities seemto come into their own when conditionsare hostile, and have sustained the

    presence of the church in places wherelife has been tough and external forcesantagonistic to the gospel.

    It seems to meand trends in theWest bear this outthat community asa vehicle for the maintenance andexpansion of the church will becomemore and more important as

    Christianity is marginalised by culturalforces in Britain and Europe.

    He adds: What is certain is the paro-chial model of Christian presence nolonger works in many of our inner cityareas and rural contexts. Not everyoneis called to residential communityliving, but there are many wayscommunity can be lived out for the

    expansion of the gospel and renewal ofthe church.

    So CMS is a community of missionservice: inspiring a mission lifestyle,equipping people in mission, andsharing resources for mission work.

    As CMS enters this new phase of itslife, the former South AmericanMissionary Society has joined thiscommunity. The integration of CMSand SAMS gives the opportunity to

    reaffirm the inspiring vision of theWhole Church sharing in the WholeChrist with the Whole World.

    At Pentecost this year in Oxford, agathering of around 1000 people,together with Archbishop JohnSentamu, Canon Alfred Cooper fromChile and others, to celebrate and share

    in this new and exciting era of mission.Allan and Anne Lacey are ourperson-to-person link with the churchoverseas in Madi / West Nile Dioceseof the Church of Uganda, and theLeakes our link with Argentina.

    If you would like personal news fromeither the Laceys or the Leakes, pleasecontact Barbara Cottier or Silvina

    Granger. But if you would like to havethe bigger picture of CMS and learnmore, please go to the website,www.cms-uk.org, for weekly prayernews and all sorts of other information,especially about joining this newcommunity. There is also a newwebsite launched to help people takesimple steps to make Gods mission

    their lifestyle. It is linked from theCMS homepage.

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    A Week of Spec ial Events17th 24th April 2011

    Next year in the week before Easter we will be

    having a whole w eek of spec ia l events here a t

    St Johns.

    The events will be a t d ifferent t imes and invo lve

    d ifferent ac tivities, but ea c h will g ive an opportunity

    to invite g uests to hear something about Jesus, his

    life, his dea th a nd his resurrec tion. There will a lso be

    p lenty of op portunities for eve ryone to ask any

    questions they might have in a relaxed andfriendly atmosphere.

    We will be joined for the week by a tea m of

    stud ents from Oak Hill College (a c ollege in London

    tha t tra ins c hurc h ministers), who will be very happy

    to help us out.

    This should be a rea lly good and va luab le week, so

    p lea se do put the da tes in your d ia ry now!

    Mic hael Pea c h

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    KIDS IN CHURCH3-year-old Reese: Our Father, Who does art in heaven, Harold is His

    name. Amen.'

    A little boy was overheard praying: 'Lord, if you can't make me a

    better boy, don't worry. I'm having a really good time like I am.'

    After the Christening of his baby brother, Jason sobbed all the way

    home in the back seat of the car. His father asked three times what

    was wrong. Finally, the boy replied, 'The preacher said he wanted us

    brought up in a Christian home. I wanted to stay with you guys.'

    A Sunday school teacher asked her children as they were on the way

    to church service, And why is it necessary to be quiet in church?' One

    bright little girl replied, 'Because people are sleeping.'

    A mother was making pancakes for Kevin, 5 and Ryan, 3. The boys

    began to argue over who would get the first pancake. Their mother

    saw the opportunity for a moral lesson. 'If Jesus were sitting here, He

    would say, 'Let my brother have the first pancake, I can wait.' Kevin

    turned to his younger brother and said, ' Ryan, you be Jesus!'

    A father was at the beach with his children when the four-year-old

    son ran up to him, grabbed his hand, and led him to the shore where

    a seagull lay dead in the sand. 'Daddy, what happened to him?' the

    son asked. 'He died and went to Heaven,' the Dad replied. The boy

    thought a moment and then said, 'Did God throw him back down?'

    A lady invited some people to dinner. At the table, she

    turned to their six-year-old daughter and said, 'Would

    you like to say grace?' 'I wouldn't know what to say,'

    the girl replied. 'Just say what you heard Mummy

    say,' the lady answered. The daughter bowed

    her head and prayed, 'Lord, why on earthdid I invite all these people to dinner?'

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    CHURCH FAMILY NEWS

    We are so delighted that Gordon and Brenda Wilkinson have achieved their targetof donating 25,000 to Tearfund from sales of their excellent cookbook "Recipes

    for Disaster Relief and Development". If you want to buy a copy they may well

    be able to find you one at half-price, 3.50 or 3 for 10! For more information, go

    to www.recipesfordisaster.org. This was a great, practical and fun initiative and a

    wonderful amount of money to raise for some of the worlds poorest communities.

    David, Rachel, Georgina and Andrew Leach are moving to Ireland with David's

    job. Their address can be obtained from the church office. Please email to:

    [email protected]

    We hope to have an address for Karen and Adrian, Jamie and Henry before too

    long. We will miss both families very much. We said farewell to them, and will

    hold them in our prayers as they settle in Ireland and Singapore respectively.

    Some from St John's will remember Betty Stollery, who most recently lived at

    Stildon. She sadly died in August.

    Thank you...

    "I would like to thank the church family for their prayers and kindness when I had

    my eye and hand operations. You will be pleased to know (as I am) that they have

    been successful. With love, Barbara Bannerjee

    Thank you to the St Johns family for the kind thoughts, prayers and lovely

    flowers whilst I was ill. Jacky Egginton

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    ...continued

    Congratulations to...

    Alistair and Gill Matson, who have a new grandson, Oliverthis time to their sonTim and his wife Steph.

    Stephen and Janet Partridge, who are grandparents to Stanley, born at the endof June.

    Dave and Beth Clark, who welcome their new granddaughter Emily.

    Rona who has a new grandson, Tom.

    George and Muriel Orpen on their Golden Wedding Anniversary on 25th June.

    Haylee (ne Cofield) and Vincent Ilhe who have a new son, Edward, born 28th July.

    Congratulations to Daphne Ayerst, Barbara Pearson and Joan Bateman on extraspecial birthdays!

    Ken Sutton Jones on celebrating his 90th birthday on 1st August.

    Sarah Tadman (Phil and Rosemary's daughter) on achieving a distinction in eachpart of her Masters degree.

    St. Johns 2010 Family Directory

    The new Family Directory is available so please pick up your personal copy, in anaddressed envelope from church, if you haven't already. Also please ensure that youshred and dispose of any old ones safely and responsibly. If there are some that youcan deliver personally to people who have not collected them that would be helpfultoo. If you require further copies we have a few extra.

    No doubt there will be corrections(!) (sorry for those) and, in time, additions andchanges. We do try to update details via the magazine, so do make any changes toyour copy as you see them.

    If anyone wishes to make a contribution to production costs, please put it in thegeneral collection. For a searchable pdf version of the directory, contact Gordon on311516 or email him on [email protected].

    Last, but not least, our very many thanks to Barbara Cottier who printed and madeup all the copies for us. A large task to undertake alone and the effort is muchappreciated by us all.

    The first correction is to the Lacey's PO Box number which should be 932.

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    CHURCH REGISTER

    FuneralsElizabeth Ann Gateland died 22nd June aged 76. The funeral was held at the Surreyand Sussex Crematorium on 2nd July.

    Clive Jones died 15th July aged 76. The funeral was held at the Surrey and SussexCrematorium on 28th July.

    The bells, the bells

    On Sunday evening 1st August, while the bells were being rung, asmall piece of stone came detached from the bell tower and narrowly

    missed someone who was walking round the outside of the church.

    It appears that the stone supporting the north bearing of the south

    bell has crumbled under the weight. There are marks on the nave

    roof tiles where the stone may have impacted and then slid onto the

    porch roof, landing on the ground close to the south porch. There is

    a risk that more stone fragments could fall the other way (i.e. onto

    the path beside the west wall), especially during high winds.

    As a precaution, we will not be ringing the bells until they are

    professionally inspected and any repairs completed. The bell ropes

    have been lifted onto the window sill above the Mission Notice Board

    (hopefully out of reach), and a notice has been taped to the wall.

    Anyone who distinguishes themselves by showing unusual courage in

    stopping anyone else from ringing the bells will be eligible for a

    "No-bell Peace Prize".

    As a further precaution, please do not use the outside path that runs

    beneath the bells along the west wall of the church. A notice has

    been erected at each end and hazard warning tape has been

    stretched across the path.

    John Grainger

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    PEST CONTROL SERVICESWasps, flies, fleas. All types of rodents and vermin 01342 321373

    BUTCHERARTHUR FRY, Lingfield Road, East Grinstead 01342 323225

    CHIMNEY SWEEPMILBORROW & JOYNES, The Flueologists 01342 717900All Flues and Appliances Swept and Serviced. Pots, Cowls,

    Caps, Birdguards. Fireplace Repairs, Stacks Repointed

    FUNERAL DIRECTORSR MEDHURST, Vine House, Hartfield 01892 770253Caring family firm; home visits; 24 hour service. 01342 315880Memorials arranged: Golden Charter pre-paid Funeral Plans

    GARAGE & CAR REPAIRS, MOTs & COACHES 01342 325544WOODCOCK HILL SERVICE STATION, London Road, Felbridge 01342 326213

    KOINONIA COUNSELLINGMarriage problems, bereavement, depression, eating disorders etcJacqueline Lake (ACC Accredited) 01342 718948

    TV SALES, SERVICE & INSTALLATIONSPanasonic Specialists. Plasma, LCD, Multiroom Systems, Aerial & Satellite.Scott Brothers, 178 London Road, East Grinstead. 01342 321117

    R J LONGHURST TV-VIDEORepairsSales and Home Tuning. LCD, Plasma, CRT TVsplus DVD, CD and microwaves17 Hillside Close, East Grinstead RH19 2DW 01342 323022

    PAINTERS & DECORATORS

    D G GURR. Over 30 years experience; Professional and reliableSpecialising in wallpaper hanging. Call for free advice and estimate 01342 321051

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    USEFUL CONTACTS

    Churchwardens: Anne Butler 01342 313640e-mail: [email protected]

    Stephen Granger 01342 312103e-mail: [email protected]

    Treasurer: Chris Saunders 01342 325662e-mail: [email protected]

    PCC Secretary: Sheila Drury 01342 323865e-mail: [email protected]

    Magazine Editor: Louise Russell 01342 323692e-mail: [email protected]

    Cleaning Rota: Carole Grainger 01342 325482

    Ministry of Flowers: Ann Morley 01342 714645e-mail: [email protected]

    Church Hall Bookings: Sally Hobbs 01342 410929

    Church Office (closed on Thursdays) 01342 321524

    Village Hall Bookings: Lynda Railton 01342 322205

    CHILDREN/YOUNG PEOPLE ACTIVITIESClimbers (3-6 yrs): Lindsey Saunders 01342 325662

    e-mail: [email protected]

    Explorers (Year 2 to 4): Diane Francis 01342 714575e-mail: [email protected]

    Light Eagles (Year 5+): Dan and Suzy Callaway 01342 321658e-mail: [email protected]

    Parish Safeguarding Officer Chris Ely 01342 311614e-mail: [email protected]

    Rainbows, Brownies & Guides Ann Tucker 01342 317283e-mail: [email protected]

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