Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Cover photo:
Pink berries of Sorbus sp. at Wakehurst Place by Brenda Wilkinson
Connections on 10th September from 2 - 4pm in the Church Hall WI on 4th September at 1.30pm in the Village Hall Watercolour on Wednesdays from 12th September at 2pm in the Church Hall 1st Felbridge (St Johns) Brownies from 12th September Monthly Prayer meeting on 12th September at 8pm in Church Monthly Afternoon Prayer meeting on 26th September from 2.30pm to 4pm at the home of Di Giles WIGS at the Old Pheasantry, Woodcock Hill at 10.30am Homegroup Central on 6th September at 7.45pm in the Church Hall to launch the new home group study series 1st Felbridge (St Johns) Rainbows from 14th September 1st Felbridge (St Johns) Guides from 14th September Prayer Breakfast on 8th September, 8 - 9am in the Church Hall
Tuesdays Wednesdays
Thursdays
Fridays
WHATS HAPPENING
Sunday Services in September
2nd Sept. 9th Sept. 10am Family Service Michael Peach 6pm Holy Communion with Alan Mathers 8am Holy Communion with Alan Mathers 10am Morning Prayer with Andy Brown 6pm Evening Prayer with Michael Peach 16th Sept. 10am Holy Communion with Mike Ovey 6pm Raise the Roof with Michael Peach 23rd Sept. 8am Holy Communion with Jack Baker 10am Morning Prayer with Michael Peach 6pm Evening Prayer with Don Ely 30th Sept. 10am Morning Prayer with Peter Davies 6pm Evening Prayer with Don Ely
VILLAGE ISSUES
Felbridge W.I.
WE WERE pleased to welcome two new visitors to our meeting. Our speaker Mrs Bridges gave a very interesting illustrated talk on the varying fashions over past years going back to the 1800s when bouffant hair with extra extensions was the rule of the day. Twenty-inch waists with a curvaceous bust and hips were achieved by the rigid use of whalebone corsets. With the cheaper cost of printing, various adverts for Lifebuoy soap, Beechams Pills and Andrews Liver Salts regularly appeared in womens magazines for healthy living. There were eight entries for the special WI Jam Swiss Roll competition at the Felbridge Horticulture Show on 18th August, so a lot of baking went into that. Mrs Pauline Lacey won first prize. Various members won awards for categories ranging from watercolour painting to handicraft and flower arranging, so well done to everyone who entered. A Craft Stall has been booked at the Arts, Craft and Food Market to be held in the Village Hall on the 27th October. A very active Craft group is making items for sale. Our walk around Wakehurst Place last month was very enjoyable and Septembers walk will be on the Ashdown Forest. Our next meeting is on the 4th September at 1.30pm in the Village Hall when Mr. James will be talking about Edwina Mountbatten (28 Nov 1901 21 Feb1960). For more information, telephone 01342 322301.
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 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
Death in the Living Room
HOLIDAY over, doors and windows closed, key into door and there on the carpet in front of the TV set was the body. Not a mark on it. A case for Silent Witness? The means of entry and cause of death are still unknown, but thats the yellow necked mouse for you. Outside, between the compost heap and the gooseberry bush lay another body, that of a grass snake, distinguished by white collar and pale blue scales along its sides for its length of 51cm. Cause of death seemed to be the snake's partiality for a meal of frog's legs with frog still attached. Consequently it was ensnared in garden netting. In the Felbridge plant world, the great hairy willow herb is prolific on our verges, the greater celandine appears beside the A22 on Woodcock Hill and the wet soil has encouraged more meadowsweet than I have seen for years. On the Forest, two of our strangest birds that live in the twilight world of dusk have thrived. Three pairs of nightjars have been churring in one area, but will now return to more southerly climates. Ten woodcock have braced themselves to fly round together to make five moving targets. Each plump bird resembles an oven-ready chicken, but with a 7 long straight bill from which you can occasionally hear it uttering an unbirdly grunt. One parishioner, who had to repair an old nest box, found within it a mass of honeycomb-like cells and many long-dead wasps. These proved to be Norwegian wasps, a species now well established in Britain and which is noted for moving into bird boxes. September is a good month to watch for departing migrants which may turn up in odd places and, after the Olympics, someone is sure to suggest that as our national bird we should adopt the goldfinch. Let us now prepare ourselves for another golden harvest and do it right.
Peter Bateman
Courtesy: RSPB
IN THE GARDEN
The day becomes more solemn and serene When noon is past - there is a harmony In autumn, and a lustre in its sky,
Percy Bysshe Shelley 'Hymn to Intellectual Beauty'
runners - all wonderful ways to make new plants for free. This years fruited summer raspberry canes can be cut out now and the new canes tied in securely before winter, while autumn fruiting varieties should be picked regularly to keep them cropping. The experts tell us to take unripe tomatoes indoors to ripen now, on a sunny windowsill or in a dark drawer with a banana but Ive never made it work! Then, having cleared the last of the greenhouse tomatoes, it is time for the annual chore of thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting the greenhouse, ready for winter. After all that work we should really find time to relax and what better way than to find inspiration at the Wisley Flower Show, running from September 6th to 10th. If you are feeling more energetic, the National Trust has organised The Great British Walk, a walking festival starting on 1st September, with a variety of guided walks for all ages and abilities. Most of our local properties have organised events focused on gardens, wildlife and woodland, so there are opportunities for us all. Lets hope that the weather stays fine so we can all get out there and enjoy the treasures of our wonderful countryside. Rosemary Archer 8
WELL WE finally did get some summer and can hope for an Indian summer this month, before the nights really draw in. I cant remember a more difficult year for gardening or more disappointing fruit and vegetable crops, but there have been some real high points as well: have you ever seen more magnificent hydrangeas everywhere in our great gardens, our private gardens and our public open spaces? In March, I told you I was planning to plant a small wildflower meadow and I did; it has been the one triumph in my garden this year. The meadow is constantly changing as one type of flower finishes and another appears; the colours are amazing and the whole area is alive with bees and butterflies. I am awestruck by its simple beauty. Many gardeners consider that the gardening year begins and ends in September. We harvest the fruits of our past labour at the same time as we start to prepare for next spring. Now is the time to be collecting ripe seed, dividing herbaceous perennials and rooting strawberry
TELL ME?
Will heaven be boring?
WHENEVER heaven is depicted on television or in the newspaper, it always seems to be filled with people floating around in white dresses, sitting on clouds and playing the harp. If this is what heaven is like, then it sounds pretty boring and unappealing! There is a lot that is good and can be celebrated in our world. The London Olympics have been a great example of people coming together and having a great time. Yet at the same time we have been hearing on the news of the ongoing conflict in Syria, and the tragic case of the disappearance and death of a 12 year old girl. There is much that is good in our world, for God created a good world but it is marred by pain, conflict and sadness. The promise of the Bible is that this will not always be the case. While the Bible talks about heaven as the place where Gods people will go immediately after death to be with Jesus, this is not its ultimate focus. The final destination for Gods people will be the New Creation a New Heaven and a New Earth. This is how the last book of the Bible describes it: And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, 9 and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. The New Creation will be like the best of the present creation, but without all the things that spoil and damage it. In the New Creation God will live with his people, and his people will rejoice to praise and serve him always. The New Creation will be physical as well as spiritual, so not just floating around on clouds! The Olympics have shown us something of what it is like when people from many nations come together with a common purpose and in a good spirit. Many of us have enjoyed supporting our team and cheering them on. In the New Creation Gods people from all nations will be there together cheering and praising God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit for his goodness and for saving us. The New Creation will be a wonderful place. To be there we need to trust in Jesus God the Son. All those who do trust him, all who put our lives in his hands, will enjoy eternity with him. It will be many things, but not boring will you be there? Michael Peach
MARYLEBONE PROJECT
ON THE 4th July a group of us from St Johns was privileged to visit the Marylebone Project in London on a special open evening which they had organised to introduce people to the wonderful work they do empowering homeless women towards independent living. The project is run by the Church Army, and Di Giles had arranged for us to visit on this special occasion and even hired a minibus to take us all up there! We were certainly not disappointed; I had known about the work of the project for many years, but I had no idea of the size and extent of their facilities, which are being improved all the time, and was very impressed! Their large complex of imposing buildings in the heart of Central London provides a home for women who find themselves homeless, for whatever reason asylum seekers, victims of domestic violence, the unemployed, drug and alcohol users... the list goes on. Each woman is given loving care and support at a time when they are at their most vulnerable and helped and encouraged to move on to independent living when they are ready. The hostel has 112 beds, for those who need residential care and support. There is also a well-equipped Day Centre, which provides help and support to dozens of women on the streets from hot showers, laundry facilities, and good meals to training courses and art and drama sessions giving them 10 the tools and support they need to make informed changes in their lives. The recently-opened Valentia Suite is a mental health unit staffed by specialists in this field. It is the only one of its kind in London and meets a great need. There is a small Emergency Bed unit, which is open 24 hours of the day, every day, for crisis management before women are referred on to the Hostel or other support networks. A newer initiative has been to introduce training in various skills jewellery making, IT, artwork and even a catering course, which is now operating commercially, bringing in some additional income. To our amazement and delight, some of the residents had prepared a wonderful meal for all their visitors that evening over 100 of us! Seated at beautifully laid tables in the central courtyard we were served with a delicious selection of food, which they had chosen and cooked for us and, praise God, the rain held off! The evening ended with a speech by Mark Russell, the CEO of Church Army, who quoted their President, Desmond Tutu: The women we serve are Very Special People whom God loves deeply, and we yearn for each woman to see how amazing she is in Gods eyes, and indeed ours. Anne Butler
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
Situations Vacant
Girlguiding 1st Felbridge (St Johns)
Have vacancies for girls aged 5 to 14 and for helpers with all 3 sections. We meet in term time only, at St Johns Church Hall, Felbridge on:
Wednesdays Fridays -
Brownies (7- 10 years old ) Rainbows ( 5-7 Years old) and Guides ( 10 14 years old )
We offer a wide range of activities, giving the girls lots of opportunities to learn new things and skills, have fun and make new friends in a unique girl-only space. To find out more, or to put your daughter on a waiting list so that she gets a place when she reaches the right age its never too early please contact Ann and Louise Tucker on 01342 317283 or email felbridge_rbg@hotmail.co.uk. 17
KENNETH SUTTON-JONES
Our Kens Life and Lights
I WAS FIRST aware of Ken SuttonJones many years ago, when he and Phyllis led a walk around Godstone for the St. Johns Pathfinders. By then, he had already made a greater individual contribution to maritime safety than any individual since Smeaton fixed a light on the Eddystone rock. What Ken called his pharomania, love of lighthouses, began when, aged 9, he first saw that light. It guided his unique career, from an apprenticeship in a West Midlands industrial glass company to Managing Director of AGA Ltd., the premier organisation providing worldwide coverage of technology, supply and maintenance of lighthouses, buoys and beacons. Kens personal technical knowledge, selflessness and trustworthiness took him into negotiations in 150 countries with various governments, port and harbour authorities and rehabilitation agencies. For 81 of these he obtained contracts for essential work to maintain safe international seaways. After the devastating destruction of port and navigation facilities in World War II, the Nasserisation of the Suez Canal and neglect following many natural disasters, Kens integrity and expertise were priceless. His knowledge and experience were obtained by putting himself in harms way and risking distress to those he loved. He thus gained the respect of local engineers. He also incurred bouts 19 of life-threatening illnesses and a great burden of caring anxiety for Phyllis and their sons Stephen and Philip. Kens first employer, Chance Bros of Smethwick, became Stone-Chance of Crawley, involving Ken and family in moves to Beckenham and Ashurst Wood, with long commutes to AGA at Brentford when he was not overseas. Kens strong Christian belief, with dedication to Christ through Croydon Crusaders, to which he was introduced while at Whitgift School, Gideons and Church mens groups, provided an unfailing moral compass, which guided many of us away from the rocks and quicksands of life. His three volume autobiography Grandpas Lighthouse details his personal endeavours alongside the development of an industry in which he became literally and metaphorically a leading light, with a mission for all those in peril on the sea. Ken remained an active member of the International Association of Lighthouse Authorities well beyond his retirement at 75 and saw his company receive a Queens Award for Achievement. Deaf in one ear from an enemy bomb blast in wartime Bath, Ken was rejected for service with the Royal Navy. Ironically, the rejection enabled him to serve all the navies of the world the stone that the builders rejected? Peter Bateman
BIBLICAL ARCHAEOLOGY
ARCHAEOLOGISTS have recovered over 5,500 fragments or complete books of the New Testament, but the earliest fragment is known as Rylands Library Papyrus P52 and can be seen at the John Rylands Library, Manchester. This small fragment, measuring less than nine centimetres high, is one of a large collection of Greek papyri in the library. On one side it contains parts of verses 31 to 33 and on the other side parts of verses 37 to 38 of the eighteenth chapter of Johns Gospel. The papyrus was discovered in Egypt at the end of the 19th century, probably at the famous site of Oxyrhynchus (modern day al-Bahnasa), the ruined city in Upper Egypt where B P Grenfel and A S Hunt carried out some of the most successful excavations in the history of archaeology. Dated with confidence from the writing style to the time of Hadrian (117 to 138AD), the papyrus is therefore the earliest known fragment of the New Testament in any language. It is important because it provides evidence of the spread of Christianity, within a hundred years or so, to lands distant from where Jesus preached. How amazing to think that one of the books read by early Christians in Upper Egypt was St. Johns Gospel, 20 commonly regarded as one of the latest books of the New Testament. Like other early Christian works which have been found in Egypt, this gospel manuscript was written in the form of a codex, or book, not as a papyrus roll. The true nature of the find was only appreciated when C. H. Roberts, coincidentally of St Johns College, Oxford, picked up the fragment and recognised parts of the text as being from St. Johns Gospel. In February this year, Professor Daniel Wallace of the Dallas Theological Seminary claimed to have discovered fragments of the Gospel of Mark - the second book of the New Testament that chronicles the life and ministry of Jesus - that could be even older than P52. Of seven papyri that had been recently discovered and dated, he said that six were probably from the second century, but one was most likely from the first century and predated the oldest known papyrus of Marks Gospel by 100 to 150 years. A full report will be available next year. The most remarkable aspect about this find, if it is indeed confirmed to be from the first century, is that it will be the first ever manuscript that has been discovered which was written within the lifetime of some of the eyewitnesses to Jesus resurrection.
VILLAGE NEWS
Felbridge Horticultural Society
THE WEATHER was glorious for the annual Late Summer Show at the Village Hall on Saturday 18th September. There was a good turnout of members and visitors to appreciate the floral arrangements, vegetables, craft, watercolours and cakes. There were 250 entries for the nine different categories, which included a new garden and patio pot competition, which had been judged in July and was illustrated by a fine photographic display. The Best in Show award went to Lucy Mason for her floral arrangement By the Sea. Vegetables ranged from beautiful displays of onions to matching sets of French beans and inviting tomatoes, but (to my mind) the most impressive entry was a pair of splendid leeks submitted by Brian Jeffries. There was a good spread of awards among the entrants, members of St. Johns were well represented as was Anne Luxford who supplies the flowers for Church. The next meeting will be at the British Wildlife Centre on 20th September. For further details, or membership, please contact Sylvia Huggett on 01342 326617. Brenda Wilkinson
Welcome Stranger
A Service of meditation exploration and worship on the issues of asylum in the UK
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Hebrews 13 v2 21
Funeral
Kenneth Sutton-Jones died peacefully in a Crawley care home on 10th August 2012 aged 92. The funeral was held at St. Johns on 28th August.
Thank you to all who came along to the recent Chariots of Fire film night at Trinity Methodist Church and made it such a successful evening. The event raised 177 for Trinitys New Build Fund. Guiding News:
Congratulations to Rebecca Allen (assistant leader with the Guides) for completing her adult leadership qualification and good luck at university in September. Well done to Lizzy our young leader at Brownies on her A-level results and good luck at university in September. Congratulations to Betty Baker (unit helper) on the presentation of her 40 year long service award much of the 40 years service to Guiding has been at 1st Felbridge (St Johns) initially with the Guides and in recent years with the Rainbows.
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 (temporary): 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 Brenda Wilkinson 01342 311516 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
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