Oct2012 GW
Oct2012 GW
Oct2012 GW
VICAR: The Rev. Stephen Bowen (on sick leave) ASSOCIATE MINISTER: Michael Peach 5 Burns Way, East Grinstead, West Sussex RH19 1SA Tel: 01342 312406 michaelstevenpeach@gmail.com Michaels day off: Friday
Cover photo:
European greenfinch on sunflower in Felbridge by Peter Bateman
NOVEMBER: Articles for this issue to be submitted by SUNDAY 14th October Publication: 28th October Please e-mail your articles to parishmagstjohns@gmail.com or put them in the editors pigeon hole in the south porch at church.
Connections on 8th October from 2 - 4pm in the Church Hall WI Annual Meeting on 2nd September at 1.30pm in the Village Hall Watercolour on Wednesdays at 2pm in the Church Hall 1st Felbridge (St Johns) Brownies at 5.15pm in the Church Hall Keep-fit at 7.30pm in Church Hall Monthly Prayer meeting on 10th October at 8pm in Church WIGS at the Old Pheasantry, Woodcock Hill at 10.30am 1st Felbridge (St Johns) Rainbows at 5.45pm in the Church Hall 1st Felbridge (St Johns) Guides at 7pm in the Church Hall Prayer Breakfast on 6th October, 8 - 9am in the Church Hall
Tuesdays
Wednesdays
Thursdays
Fridays
Saturdays
Snappy Happy?
If you would like one of your photos on the cover of Parish News, or in our Finding Reality leaflet, please send them by email, at high resolution, to parishmagstjohns@gmail.com by 31st October together with your captions. Decisions on which images to use will be made by the editorial team during December.
3
WHATS HAPPENING
Sunday Services in October
7th Oct 14th Oct 10am Family Service with Don Ely 6pm Holy Communion with Jack Baker 8am Holy Communion with Alan Mathers 10am Morning Prayer with Michael Toogood 6pm Evening Prayer with Michael Peach 21st Oct 10am Holy Communion with Peter Markby 6pm Raise the Roof with Michael Peach 28th Oct 8am Morning Prayer with Jack Baker 10am Farewell Service for Stephen Bowen 6pm Evening Prayer with James Radcliffe
10am Family Service: 7th October Harvest Festival At our Harvest Festival Celebration well thank God for providing for us in so many ways. This all-age service will be great for the whole family: well sing hymns old and new, meet our old friend Bruno the dog, and learn from Gods Word together. 10am Service: 14th & 21st October The rise and fall of Solomon (1 Kings 1-11) In our morning services in October we shall begin to look at the life of one of the most famous of all the Old Testament kings King Solomon, as we work through the first few chapters of the book of 1 Kings. Well see how God establishes Solomon as King and gives him great wisdom, but as we continue through the Autumn well also see Solomons great folly, and much else besides! As we consider Solomons life well learn a lot about God (who is the same now as then!), and about how God relates to his people. Solomon was a great King in lots of ways, but well see how his story points forward to the much greater king Jesus Christ. 4
6pm Service: 7th, 14th & 28th October Jesus: Greater than the rest! In our evening services we shall continue to explore the book of Hebrews. It is a deep and rich book which considers how Jesus fulfils the Old Testament in many different ways, and how he is better than all that has come before. Through October well see how Jesus is greater than the Old Testament hero Moses, and hear how the Old Testament has serious warnings for us today. 6pm Service: 21st October Raise the Roof At this informal and interactive service well spend our time investigating Psalm 2 together. As we do so well see what the Old Testament has to say about Gods promised King!
VILLAGE ISSUES
Felbridge W.I.
WE WERE PLEASED to see extra visitors at our meeting to hear a most entertaining talk on Edwina Countess Mountbatten of Burma by Mr. D. James. He gave us many interesting anecdotes on Edwina and Dickie and further entertained us by singing marching songs with a lovely strong voice. Felbridge Village Craft Show will be on the 27th October and we have booked a table for sale of craftware so members are busy making various interesting items for sale. We have been looking into our past history and were pleased to be able to display a collage which was made for a County project over forty years ago with the theme of the last verse of Jerusalem Our green and pleasant land. We will be taking it to an Archivist Advice meeting to see the best way for it to be preserved. We were pleased to receive 13 nominations for the committee which will be decided at our Annual Meeting next month. There will be social activities after the business meeting has finished so do come along. For more information ring 01342 322302. Felbridge and District Horticultural Society will be meeting in the Village Hall on Thursday 18th October at 8.15pm. Daphne Ayerst
PLEASE HELP!
There must be some of you reading this who could find 1-2 hours once in two months to help clean our church. Many of our dedicated team have been serving in this role for years and our numbers are dropping. Cleaning is not a popular task, but it is one small way we can honour God. Do join us. To find out more please speak to Carole Grainger or phone 01342 325482. If you prefer using a mouse to a mop or a keyboard to a vacuum cleaner then the church laptop projection team would be glad to hear from you. Further information from any laptop operator or contact John Grainger: john@malcolmgee.plus.com
FELBRIDGE WILDLIFE
Go Sloe
HEDGEHOGS and moles have been thriving on the abundance of slugs and earthworms that were produced in the wet summer. 'Snatch', our local sparrowhawk, has been living up to its nickname among the feeding stations intended for small birds. European birds don't come any smaller than the goldcrest. Last month, I held one in my hand when it stunned itself by flying into one of our windows, which was shut at the time. It made a soft but wet landing in a bucket of water and a few minutes drying in the sun enabled it to fly over the hedge in the direction of a Scots Pine which it probably called home. Fewer butterflies this year, but we were able to watch two hummingbird hawk-moths hovering, with amazingly fast wing beats, to collect nectar with a long probing proboscis, just before sunset. At the Mariners end of Hedgecourt Lake lies our local Site of Special Scientific Interest. It has been cared for by the Surrey Wildlife Trust since 1987, when the upper part of the Eden Brook was dammed to form it and to encourage rare bog plants and many species of dragonfly. A boardwalk allows birders, botanists and anglers, and all of us, 7 Goldcrest Courtesy: RSPB easy access through the wet bits. On my last visit, I saw a bullfinch flash its white rump as it flew into a coppice of willow, and a doe roe deer gave me one of those doeeyed looks before leaping across a flower- and berry-filled glade. It was followed closely by one of its little deers, now nearly full grown. As I opened the gate to regain the road, a big fully furred fox was approaching from the other side and politely turned aside to let me pass. St. Francis of Assisi, whose commemorative day is the 4th of the month, would surely have approved. The last of the blackberries have gone but the buckthorn still puts on a good sloe.
Peter Bateman
IN THE GARDEN
To bend with apples the mossed cottage-trees, And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core; John Keats THE MELLOW FRUITFULNESS of Keats great poem has not really materialised this year as the trees, which usually bend under the weight of apples and pears, have very little fruit to harvest. In spring, the blossom gave us its usual glorious show but it remained mostly unfertilised as the insects, particularly the bees, cannot fly in heavy rain. Beekeepers all over the country found that they had to feed their bees, which is unheard of in summer. We have been luckier than that and did not have to feed so early, but we have not taken a honey crop as it is clear that the bees need all they have made for themselves. The picture has been the same throughout the country and gives us all a stark reminder of just how much we need the bees, so we must look out for the RHS bee-friendly logo when choosing new plants for our gardens. However, the gardener is ever the optimist and now is the ideal time to be planting new fruit trees and soft fruits. I plan to replace my summer fruiting raspberries as they are past their best. New ones will be planted in a raised 8 bed and the gap inside the fruit cage will be filled with gooseberries and redcurrants. Heres hoping for a really fruitful season next year. Time, too, to finish the planting of spring bulbs. We all have the usual daffodils, tulips and crocuses, but have you thought of planting something a little more unusual? Camassia esculenta is a glorious blue, as is Chionodoxa forbesii; I plan to try both this year, probably on our new rockery, as I do so love blue flowers. Theres still just time to plant prepared hyacinths if you want them to flower at Christmas, but leave them a little longer if, like me, you prefer them later, to welcome in the New Year. Summer may be past, but there is still plenty to see and do in our local gardens. Wisley has a Free Day Friday on the 5th October. It is followed by the Taste of Autumn Festival from 17th - 21st October. Meanwhile, Nymans Garden will be hosting a series of free garden workshops with their Garden Rangers. However long I have gardened, theres always room to learn something new; the more I know, the more there is to find out. Rosemary Archer
TELL ME?
Why is there so much fuss about Jesus death?
THROUGHOUT HISTORY there have been good people who have died unjustly, and often there are stories of soldiers who die to save their comrades. So why is there so much fuss about Jesus death? Jesus death is so significant for two reasons: his unique identity, and his unique achievement. Jesus unique identity: Jesus was a good man, who went around performing many acts of kindness and mercy. At his trial the Roman governor Pontus Pilate made clear that he thought that Jesus was innocent of all the charges brought against him. However, Jesus was also much more than a good and innocent man. One of the New Testament writers describes Jesus like this: The Son is the radiance of Gods glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. (Hebrews 1:3 NIV) The Bible makes the amazing claim that Jesus was not only a man, but also God God the Son. Jesus shows us what God the Father is like, for Jesus is Gods Son, and fully God himself. He even sustains the universe by his word! So when Jesus is nailed to a Roman cross, it is the person of God the Son who hangs there, and dies as a man. This alone makes Jesus death the most astounding in history! However, it is 9 also hard to see why this happened without our second reason. Jesus unique achievement: Why would God the Son submit himself to life as a man and a most painful death? The Bibles answer is clear: to save helpless people. Often we think of ourselves as decent people, but in moments of honesty we have to admit that there is much in our lives and our pasts of which we are ashamed. God is good, holy and fair he could never justly accept any of us, for we have all ignored or rebelled against him and his good rule. Jesus, the only wholly innocent and sinless man, is the only one God could accept the only person who is righteous. Yet this righteous man swaps places with us on the Cross. He takes the consequences of our sin and rebellion. This is how another of New Testament writers puts it: For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. (1 Peter 3:18 NIV) Jesus death means that all who trust in him can be counted as having lived the sinless and innocent life of Jesus. Jesus is uniquely God the Son, and the achievement of Jesus death is something we desperately need: a way that we can be accepted by God. Jesus death is worth all the fuss and more! Michael Peach
Smile Lines If at first you don't succeed then sky diving is not for you The best labour saving device a wife can have is a rich husband 10
Connections, our series of events for Seniors will be back in the hall this month for tea, coffee and cake, a short informal talk from the Bible about things that matter, and lots of different activities and games. A great opportunity to meet old friends and make new ones all welcome! Our next meeting will be on
MISSION MATTERS
Scripture UnionRun your race
RUNNING your Race is topical because of the recent Olympic and Paralympic Games, but we dont only do running in sport or as a physical activity. Run your race is the heading in the SU Daily Bread Bible reading notes for 23rd August this year, when the passage discussed is Hebrews 12:1-13. Verse 1 in the passage ends let us run with perseverance the race marked out before us and the commentator on the passage writes the race you are running is the race God has set before you. Your performance in the race so far may have been, well, a bit wobbly. But just as an athlete stays perfectly straight by fixing his eyes dead ahead, so can you too by looking straight at Jesus (v 2). Daily Bible reading through a Bible reading scheme provides a systematic way of getting to know the Bible and reflecting on Gods Word. It also provides us with practical help in daily life. At St Johns, the following Scripture Union Bible reading notes are available every quarter: Daily Bread, Encounter with God and Closer to God. A large print version is also available for Daily Bread. I will be taking orders in November for the notes for the first quarter in 2013, so do ask me if you would like further information. Dont forget you can also visit the SU interactive website WordLive www.wordlive.org a daily online Bible experience which you register for with a username and password. A Frequently Asked Question is What if I get behind with reading my Bible notes? Thats perfectly natural I do it all the time. The answer is: just keep your eyes dead ahead and you will find your own way of catching up.
Gill Matson
16
HARVEST SUPPER
Saturday 6th October in the Village Hall 7 for 7.30pm
Tickets: 5 (2.50 for children at Primary School) includes a hot meal and light entertainment. Available from Cecilia Bliss on 01342 718441. A Message from the Gideons
For many years, 11 year old pupils at Brambletye, Imberhorne, Michael Hall, Sackville and Worth Abbey, have been offered pocket size copies of the New Testament and Psalms. It is indeed an answer to prayer that Gideons have been privileged to make the presentations. However, whilst the welcome from the school remains and funding is still provided, the number of local Gideons available to visit the schools is now diminishing as a result of house-moves and age, to the point where the local branch may have to close. Please pray urgently that the Lord of the harvest will send new workers (ie. Gideons) into this field and if you feel that He may have you in mind, discuss it with your church leaders and contact Derek Houghton, 01444 483634 or derekandjo@gmail.com Meadowcourt, East Grinstead: One bedroom ground floor retirement apartment enjoying views over communal gardens with direct access via patio doors. Fully fitted kitchen/storage heating throughout/newly decorated and carpeted. The complex has a House Manager on site and careline system/residents lounge/car park and guest suite available for visitors. 120,000 or nearest offer. Any interest, please contact Seana Dawson 01342 324282 19
on
If you have difficulty obtaining The Large Hadron Collider Tunnel (Wikimedia Commons) your glasses, come along to St. Johns and well be happy to let you know how you Also, if you use the special can get them. glasses, made available as you read the later part of the book, it I love it when Science, at great also gives you some valuable expense, catches up! insight into beautiful, descriptive stories, written to explain in more (A Constant of 40% of all detail not only the how but more scientists in the world, many at the importantly the why. cutting edge of their fields, are reported to be Christian and A note of warning; it isnt possible have been since at least the to completely understand the whole 1950s). book without these glasses it is also necessary to look at the latter John Dabell
20
VILLAGE NEWS
Felbridge Country Show Group
THE DIAMOND JUBILEE, the Torch Procession and the wonderful spectacle that was The Olympic Games has shown us all that the appetite for real community events is alive and well in Felbridge. The Country Show group will be organising further events throughout the year which we hope will help to keep alive the spirit which we enjoyed this summer as well as raise funds for an even bigger and better Country Show next year. The first of these events will be an Arts, Crafts and Food Market on October 27th in the Village Hall. Groups, individuals and charities from Felbridge and the surrounding area are invited to take part as well as commercial arts and crafts sellers and local food producers. With Christmas just around the corner this will be an ideal opportunity to discover those unusual and individual presents that are so hard to find in regular shops. Refreshments will be available and mulled wine will be served. Many of you enthusiastically entered the competitions at the Country Show and this is a further opportunity to show the lovely work going on throughout the community. Time to get down to producing those works of art, fabulous crafts, and tasty foods. Full details and entry forms are on the show website at www.show.felbridge.org.uk and are available from Chetan Patel at the Village Shop. Rosemary Archer
Congratulations to Hannah Jones on obtaining the Baden Powell Award. This is the highest award a girl can obtain whilst a Guide, before she moves onto Rangers. It can take up to two years of hard work and dedication. She completed ten challenges covering a diverse mixture, including such things as organising and running a cooking competition, joining a residential training programme with people unknown to herself, improving her own fitness by joining an athletics club and working with young people. The purpose being that she becomes a person who can show stickability, reliability, and become a well rounded member of the community. We at Worth Division are all very proud of her. Rona Bingham
BUTCHER
ARTHUR FRY, Lingfield Road, East Grinstead 01342 323225
CHIMNEY SWEEP
MILBORROW CHIMNEY SWEEPS, The Flueologists All Flues and Appliances Swept and Serviced. Pots, Cowls, Caps, Birdguards, Fireplace Repairs, Stacks Repointed 01342 717900
FUNERAL DIRECTORS
R MEDHURST, Vine House, Hartfield Caring family firm; home visits; 24 hour service. Memorials arranged: Golden Charter pre-paid Funeral Plans 01892 770253 01342 315880
KOINONIA COUNSELLING
Marriage problems, bereavement, depression, eating disorders etc Jackie Lake 01342 718948
USEFUL CONTACTS
Churchwardens: Phil Tadman 01342 322825 e-mail: philandrosemaryt@sky.com Andy Brown 01342 314267 e-mail: brownemail@btinternet.com Treasurer: PCC Secretary: Magazine Editor: Cleaning Rota: Ministry of Flowers: Church Hall Bookings: Village Hall Bookings: Chris Saunders 01342 325662 e-mail: treasurerstjohns@gmail.com Sheila Drury 01342 323865 e-mail: sheila.drury1@hotmail.co.uk Sarah Francis 01342 714575 e-mail: parishmagstjohns@gmail.com Carole Grainger 01342 325482
Ann Morley 01342 714645 e-mail: annmorley@aol.com Sally Hobbs 01342 410929 e-mail: hobbsfamilysja@gmail.com Lynda Railton 01342 322205
Rainbows, Brownies & Guides Ann Tucker 01342 317283 e-mail: ann_tucker@btinternet.com
24