St Johns Church

Felbridge

Welcome
I think its true for most of us that we like being part of
something bigger than just our own individual lives.
Ive been struck by this over the last few months.
Celebrating 150 years as a church has been a real
landmark, and has brought home to me how much we are
part of something far bigger than just us here at this time:
huge numbers of people whose lives have been touched
by the message of life, hope and freedom in Jesus Christ
since this church was built. And of course even bigger
still, what we are part of here goes back far beyond 1865
to when Jesus laid the foundations of the worldwide
Christian church in his life, death and resurrection.

I have also been struck by this thought as the content

for this issue of our magazine has come together. You
will notice inside the focus on mission, locally and
globally. Life is not just about us here in this place, but
as we partner with people and organisations across
our community and across the globe we can be part of
something that reaches out to every life on the planet:
Gods unstoppable mission! In the book of Acts in the
Bible, Jesus says to his very first followers,

You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you,
and you will be my witnessesto the ends of the earth.
Jesus calls us to be part of this too!
MARK FRANCIS (vicar)

BIBLE BY THE BEACH CONFERENCE

WHATS IT ALL ABOUT?
Brilliant fellowship: a great weekend to enjoy being together
as nearly 50 of our church family came along. There was actually
the time to finish conversations with people as we got to know
each other a little better! It was also hugely
encouraging to meet with hundreds of other
Christians from all over the South East as
we joined together in the meetings, chatted
over coffee and sang praises to our Heavenly
Father!

Bible, Bible, Bible: Richard Pratt took us

on an overview of Gods unstoppable mission
in the main Bible reading sessions. It was
amazing to be so challenged once again to
live my life according to Gods original plans:
made in His image, made for relationship with
Him, fully forgiven and called to share in His
mission of introducing people to Jesus so they
can see for themselves what he has done for
everyone who chooses to put their trust in him.
There were also seminars on a range of topics
that you could choose from. The children and
young people had a lot of fun learning songs, games, Bible stories,
puppets and chatting with their friends in their various groups
as they embarked on their Space Mission adventures for the
weekend! Weve even brought some of the songs back with us
from the beachShine, whoooofrom the inside out!!

Time to return home: Having had the luxury of time to

feast on Gods word, enjoy time with each other and have fun
on the beach, it was time to think about how this would impact
my life when I returned home to normal
routines! Well one way in which I have been
encouraged is to have seen the unstoppable
mission of God in our Sunday morning
teaching series on Acts back at St. Johns.
Having been challenged on how I will put
God first in the decisions I make and how
I will stand for the gospel despite worldly
pressures, it has been hugely encouraging to
see how some of the first disciples stood firm
and served Christ as the church was being
established and beginning to grow, even
when it was tough for them to do so. And so,
it is the same God today that gives me the
strength to stand firm for Him in all that I do,
no matter what may come my way in life not
easy to do at times but what a great rock to
stand firm on when life is tough!

BBtB 2016: I am looking forward to the next Bible by the Beach,

to enjoy fun times together and to be challenged and encouraged
more to live my life distinctively for Christ in the circumstances that
God has planned for my life, and not just for the Bible by the Beach
weekend but for the rest of the year too!

Photo courtesy of Bible by the Beach

Photo courtesy of Bible by the Beach

ST. CATHERINES
HOSPICE
Jenny Young is
the St. Johns rep.
for St. Catherines
Hospice, one
of our mission
partners.
We caught up
with Jenny to
ask her a few
questions:
CAN YOU TELL US A BIT ABOUT WHY YOU ARE
PASSIONATE ABOUT ST CATHERINES HOSPICE?
When my brother-in-law, Stephen, was terminally ill
at the age of 35, we were desperate to get him out of
hospital. In an answer to prayer, I remembered a talk I
had heard about hospices at the St. Johns Group for
Young Wives (this was a long time ago!) and we made
some enquiries about hospices near to us. This was 30
years ago now, but I was able to arrange for him to be
cared for by St. Barnabas Hospice in Worthing. They were
so amazing in helping Stephen, his wife and all his family
and friends. They made what was a terrible experience
bearable.
The second time I have had personal experience of a
hospice was when my mother had cancer at the age
of 66. I was trying to be with her and care for her in
Cambridge. This was not easy as I had children at home
at the time. My sister and I did our best and it was a
very sad time for us all, and eventually Mum went into a
hospice in Cambridge where she eventually died. Mum
was really scared and cross with us all for letting her go
there, but thanks to this hospice in Cambridge she had a
peaceful death with her children by her side. They were
so caring for us all and we have never forgotten that.
These experiences were where my passion for the
Hospice Movement began.
Since those times in my life, I have had friends with
personal experience of our local hospice here, St.
Catherines in Crawley. So when they became one of our
mission partners I agreed to be the St. Johns rep. Over

time I have become more involved with the hospice and

was really glad to be able to help when we were asked
if we could hold a Tree of Light Service at St. Johns
for people who had lost loved ones. And since I have
been retired, I have become a regular volunteer at St.
Catherines.

HAVE THERE BEEN ANY STORIES THAT HAVE

REALLY ENCOURAGED YOU OVER THE LAST
YEAR OR SO?
Well, I went to a lunch for volunteers a while ago and
one of the speakers was a nurse on the In- patient unit.
She spoke very movingly about one patient in particular.
This was a young married man aged 34 and with two
children. He had motor neurone disease and eventually
could only communicate by blinking his eyes once for
yes, twice for no. The nurse told us how they had been
able to talk to him and his family before he had reached
that stage about what his wishes were for his end of life
care. This of course involved so many staff not just the
nursing staff, but many people including the catering
team, spiritual care team and various therapists. His wish
was to live long enough to celebrate his little girls 6th
birthday and he did just that. He was there when she
blew her candles out in the day room at St. Catherines.
The catering staff had made a birthday cake for her. He
then quietly indicated that he wanted to go back to his
room on his own. He wanted the family to stay with his
daughter so as not to spoil her party. He died with one of
the nurses holding his hand shortly after.
It was so inspiring to hear how all those people at the
hospice did so much to help this one family. It made me
realise just how much our help means to them.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST IMPRESSED WITH ABOUT

ST. CATHERINES?
What impresses me most is how much the staff and
volunteers really do care. It is far more than just a job
for them, they are passionate about what they do. That
goes for all the staff, not just the people who work with
the patients, but everyone. And they have to work so hard

to raise sufficient funds to provide the care that they provide. I

know they are so grateful for the help we give them.

Tree of Light Service

If you have been bereaved or experienced loss, our Tree of Light Service for remembering loved ones will be held at
6pm on Sunday 6th December at St. Johns. All are very welcome.
St. Catherines Hospice is one of the organisations that we partner with at St. Johns turn the page to find out a bit more
about the others

NATASHA RAYAN
Natasha Rayan grew up at St. Johns here in Felbridge and
had never lived in London prior to working with UCCF.
She has grown to love this amazing city and as she works
among students she is passionate about reaching the
world on our doorstep with the gospel. Did you know
that London has more international students than any
other city in the world?

ST. JOHNS MISSION

PARTNERS
Our Mission Partners are making a difference locally and
globally. Heres how...

Suzy Callaway writes: Natasha and her team are helping

to take the gospel message to students and reach the
world through international students studying here. It has
been particularly amazing to hear about the success of
Uncover (for people to meet Jesus as they read the book
of Luke with friends) among students in London and the
stories of people coming to know Jesus.

Brenda Wilkinson writes: Gordon and I have supported Tearfund for over 30 years
and visited projects in Honduras, Colombia, Sri Lanka, India and Thailand. It has
been truly humbling to meet the inspirational people running these projects - to see
their commitment, witness their faith that God will always provide and appreciate
how wisely they use the money we donate. We have been continually challenged to
do more to support Tearfund and reassured that the money raised really does go to
where the need is greatest.

Glen Jones writes: CPAS helps local churches

to be more effective where they are. They have
a particular focus on young people it is from
our young people that God will raise up future
leaders within the church and outside it. CPAS
provides support and encouragement to people
considering Christian leadership and to existing leaders.

KATHRYN AND GIFT ASIKU

ANDREW & MARIA LEAKE

Andrew and Maria Leake are working with the

Church Mission Society (CMS) in Argentina.
Barbara Cottier writes: The Leakes are
engaged in the long-running campaign to
support the rights of local indigenous people
whose homelands and natural resources
are threatened by widespread commercial
deforestation and agriculture. I love seeing
their passion to serve poor and marginalised
people in these difficult situations. Their work
is not easy, but demonstrates humility and
obedience to Gods call to use their education
and experience in serving others for Gods glory.

Im impressed by their ability to keep focussed on the job they have been called to
do despite many setbacks and disappointments. They have stickability when there
are probably many other job opportunities for people with their language skills and
a PhD in environmental studies!

Kathryn and Gift Asiku are working with

Wycliffe as Bible Translators in Uganda.
Lindsey Saunders writes: Kathryn and
Gift Asiku are dear friends of ours I
have known Kathryn since I was 22 and
living in Aberystwyth when we were
prayer partners. It has been wonderful
to see how Kathryn and Gift's work
is helping to change peoples lives
through reading the Bible in their own
language. I have been so impressed
with Kathryn and Gift's faith that God
will provide what they need, Gift's
patience to wait until the time is right
in every stage of his translation work,
and Kathryn's adaptability to life in a
very different country. They are amazing
witnesses of God's love for all.

I remember reading about a coach that broke down bringing young people back from
a CPAS holiday. The driver and the leaders got out to look at what the problem might
be. When they returned not having found anything obvious, one of the leaders asked
the young people what they were doing. They replied, We are praying for God to fix
the coach you have been teaching us all week about the power of prayer, so thats
what we are doing! The coach started and was able to return home without any further
problems.

They have been involved in the development of the mission of the church locally
and globally through family life courses and with the Anglican Communion Creation
Care initiatives and consultations. Andrew attended with his Bishop the Anglican
Communion Environmental Network (ACEN) conference in Cape Town in February
to discuss experiences and responses to global climate change.

Tearfunds call is to follow Jesus where the

need is greatest. Working with committed
Christians in more than 50 countries has
enabled Tearfund to understand the needs of
the worlds poorest people.
In the last 10 years, more than 25 million
people have benefitted from Tearfund
projects. Through local churches and inspiring partners, they have been helped
to improve their health, education or food security, or to gain land rights. Work
creation schemes, improved agricultural methods and microfinance projects have
given them hope for the future. Other projects have helped communities recover
from and be better prepared for natural disasters.

Welcare is the practical expression of the concern of churches of

Southwark Diocese for families and children.
Based locally in Redhill, the charity work with families in need
through poverty, isolation, family breakdown or homelessness.
The aim is to help families with problems before they reach the
stage of requiring Local Authority intervention. Welcare provides
practical support, such as toys, clothing and counselling, through
volunteers and social workers.

Church Army trains and sends evangelists to work in Anglican churches and in
projects with children, homeless people and the elderly. We have had visits from
Mark and Heather Dadds who work with the Marylebone Project in London for
women in housing need, and with ''The Bridge'', helping disadvantaged people
return to useful lives in the community. Di Giles, who is a Church Army Sister, is our
rep. We support the Marylebone Project in London, run by women for women
in housing need. It provides accommodation for vulnerable women and runs a
day centre supporting over 5,000 women every year, offering crucial advice and
practical assistance.

WORLD MISSION GIFT DAY AT ST. JOHNS

Sunday 11 October, 10am & 6pm (with church lunch)

Visiting speaker: David Greenwood from MAF (Mission Aviation Fellowship)

Enjoying the Felbridge walk

The All Souls Choir and

Orchestra was amazing!

The youngest person on the bike ride was 7

and the oldest was 91!

What happened 150 years ago in 1865?

Victoria was Queen of England and Empress of India.
There were about 30 million people living in the UK, less than
half todays total.

A new speed limit for horse-drawn carriages was introduced of

2mph in towns and cities.

Charles Dickens was a survivor of a major rail crash at Staplehurst

in Kent 10 people were killed and 49 injured he writes about
the disaster at the end of his book Our Mutual Friend.
Lewis Carroll published Alices Adventures in Wonderland.

Elizabeth Garrett Anderson graduated as Britains first woman

doctor (today, about half of GPs in the UK are women).

American President, Abraham Lincoln, was assassinated while at

the theatre in Washington D.C.
Concerned with the plight of the poor, William and Catherine
Booth founded The Christian Mission, later renamed The
Salvation Army.

Hudson Taylor founded the China Inland Mission, now OMF

International, which resulted in hundreds of missionaries going
to remote areas of China.
St. Johns Church was built in Felbridge.

The rain stopped just in

time to form an orderly
queue for the hog roast.

Cupcakes, cupcakes and

cupcakes!

As you come to him, the Living Stoneyou also, like living stones,
are being built into a spiritual house (1 Peter 2:4-5).

The best bit of the weekend was

the wide open doors with so many
guests joining us.

150TH BIRTHDAY WEEKEND

20/20 VISION
With the year 2020 now five years away, it seemed too
good an opportunity to miss not to have a 2020 Vision.
So whats our 5-year plan? Or more importantly, where
does God want us to be as a church by the year 2020?
After much prayer, discussion and consultation, we have
developed the following vision statement:

The message of Christianity, Gods love for his world shown to us

in Jesus, is exciting and life-changing, and we hope for that to be
increasingly reflected in our Sunday services as we meet together,
full and vibrant at our two main Sunday services.
Our age profile as a church at the end of 2013 looked like this:

We believe Jesus is calling us (in the power of the

Spirit) to be a church that is...

full and vibrant at our 2 main Sunday

services

thriving for every age group

widening our impact, reaching out to all

people whatever they believe

Since then, things have been changing to more accurately reflect the demographic of this area, and we want this to continue so
that as a church we are thriving for every age group.
Did you know that 45% of people in Britain now describe themselves as having No Religion? And the number who describe
themselves as Christian has been falling rapidly. How can we widen our impact as a church, reaching out to all people
whatever they believe?
So now heres a summary of our 2020 vision, and some steps we might take (in Gods strength) to get there:

Youth Group for 14-18s meets

every other Friday evening for
food, Bible discussions and prayer.
Email office@stjohnsfelbridge.com
for more details.
01342 314027
office@stjohnsfelbridge.com
www.stjohnsfelbridge.com