1

FROM THE EDITOR

Last month, I wrote of my frustration at
how the nettles and brambles have
overtaken our garden due to my lack of
effort to clear them earlier in the year.
And I wonder whether our lack of effort
(myself included) at raising money for
the church building project back in 2007
is the reason that it is now being
terminated.
VICAR: The Rev Stephen Bowen
The Vicarage, Felbridge, From the start, we were not united as a
West Sussex RH19 2QT church—disagreeing over small issues,
Tel: 01342 321524 thinking selfishly rather than for the good
Fax: 0870 9156268 of the whole. And now we are left with
stjohnschurchoffice@gmail.com the frustration of using a miniscule
kitchen, a crèche room that smells of
Vicar’s day off: Thursday
damp and with nowhere for the children
ASSOCIATE MINISTER: to play outside safely. The entrance
Michael Peach remains frustratingly narrow and storage
5 Burns Way, East Grinstead, is limited. The effort that John Grainger
West Sussex RH19 1SA and the fundraising team have put into
Tel: 01342 312406 the building project will be wasted.
michaelstevenpeach@gmail.com
Or will it? Let us unite together as a
Michael’s day off: Friday church. Let us use the money that we
have already raised to make St John’s a
place where old and young can enjoy
Cover photo: fellowship with one another. Let us fix
The Green Walk at Red our eyes on Jesus, the author and
perfecter of our faith - so that we will not
House. grow weary and lose heart.
Taken at the National Trust (Heb 12:2-3).
property known as Red House by Lindsey Saunders
David Legg

JULY/AUGUST: Articles for this Issue to be handed in by

SUNDAY 12TH JUNE
Please e-mail your articles to parishmagstjohns@gmail.com, put them in the editor’s
pigeon hole in the church entrance, or post them to Lindsey Saunders at The
Bungalow, Saint Hill Farm, Saint Hill Green, East Grinstead, RH19 4NG.

1
STEPHEN WRITES…
DEAR FRIENDS,
Have you ever unwrapped a
present and been overcome with
complete mystification about what
it really is and what it is for? ‘Why
did they think I would want that?’
you ask yourself.
I have to confess that this is
always happening to me. There is
something about the excitement
of unwrapping a present that
interferes with the normal
operation of my brain, with the
result that I am unable to
assimilate the evidence of my
eyes and make sense of what
this object is, and what anyone
thought I would do with it.
Furthermore, in this state of panic
I find it impossible to put on a
convincing show, and it is
manifestly obvious that I don’t
know what it is. It is difficult to
sound convincingly grateful in
such circumstances.
When Jesus told his disciples that
it was for their good that he was
going away, on the night before
his death, his explanation was
one that they found hard to grasp
at the time. It was for their good,
he said, because otherwise ‘the
Counsellor’ would not come to
them, but if he went away, he
would send him to them. You can
read this in John chapter 16
verse 7.
2
It is clear from the context that ‘the
Counsellor’ meant the Holy Spirit.
A gift which many find hard to
understand. What is the Holy
Spirit? What was Jesus promising
them? How could his coming in
any way make up for the absence
of their Lord?
And every year when we come to
Pentecost Sunday, how can we
convincingly express gratitude for
a gift we don’t understand?
On the first Day of Pentecost the
disciples discovered what Jesus
meant by his promise. One of the
most wonderful things was that
when the Spirit came upon them,
he brought the presence of Jesus
to each of them. Which was just
what he had promised—see John
chapter 14 verses 15-21! He had
not left them—he was with each
of them, wherever they were,
for ever!
Is his presence a reality for you?
Yours sincerely,
P.S. If you received one of the
copies of John’s Gospel we
recently distributed round the
parish, look up the verses and
read them for yourself.
REGULAR EVENTS

Through the week at St. John’s

Sundays
8am Holy Communion on 12th & 26th June
10am Morning Service
6pm Evening Service
Tuesdays
1.30pm WI first Tuesday of the month in the Village Hall

Wednesdays
2pm Watercolour on Wednesdays in the Church Hall

Thursdays
10.30am WIGS at the Old Pheasantry, Woodcock Hill
(home of June Clark)
6—7.30pm JAFFA Club in the Church hall on 9th June
7.30—9pm JAFFA Plus in the Church hall on 9th June

Saturdays
8am—9am Prayer breakfast on 5th June
8.30—10am Men’s breakfast on 12th June at 5 Burns Way

SALTMINE THEATRE presents

The PILGRIM’S PROGRESS

On Friday 1st July
At Chequer Mead Theatre
Follow Christian and his companions as they set out on a dangerous
adventure, a journey that will see him meet friends and enemies along
the way. With challenges great and small on his path, will he ever
reach the Heavenly city? This remarkable retelling brings this timeless
story to life for a whole new generation of people.

3
WHAT’S HAPPENING

Sunday Services
5th June 10am Family Service with Michael Peach
6pm Holy Communion with Frank Gough
12th June 8am Holy Communion with Richard Adfield
10am Morning Service with Michael Peach
6pm Evening Service with Andy Brown
19th June 10am Holy Communion Service with Frank Gough
6pm Raise the Roof with Michael Peach
26th June 8am Holy Communion with Jack Baker
10am Morning Service with Stephen Bowen
6pm Evening Service with Don Ely

Celebrate Christ’s Ascension

on Thursday 2nd June
with a service of Holy Communion
around the Lord's Table in the chancel at 8pm

Half Term holiday club—craft & games

Thursday 2nd June
Contact Diane Francis for further details: 714575

THE WORSHIP SERVICE

Raise the Roof is a fun, action-packed
service, presenting Jesus’ message through music,
dance and drama. The next service is on:
Sunday 19th June
Rehearsal 4.15pm Scrummy tea 5.30pm
Service 6-6.40pm
If you’d like to join in playing an instrument, acting, dancing or singing - young
or old, beginner or pro - contact Kris Defriend on 01342 312788 or
k.defriend@sky.com.

4
 IN THE GARDEN
WHAT A SPRING. The driest
March for more than 50 years and the
warmest April for 350 years. Flowers
peaked early and the blossom came
and went all too quickly. Some new
plants were looking distressed for
lack of rain and of course the water
butts were empty. The weeds, as
always, seemed to thrive. But still it
was a real pleasure to be out working
in the sunshine. There was so much
colour this spring. As fast as one
thing faded something else bloomed.
The azaleas were never better.
A shrub that always seems to do well
is Enkianthus campanulatus, or
pagoda bush, with its pretty red-
veined, creamy yellow, bell-shaped
flowers in spring. It also gives a
grand show in the autumn when the
foliage goes flaming red, so you get
two spectacular shows for the price
of one! Now that the shrubs such as
mock orange, weigelia, kerria and
kolwitzia (beauty bush) have
flowered it is a time to cut back the
spent stems that flowered this year
and also the oriental poppies. The
pulmonaria, brunnera and Euphorbia
5
polchroma all did well this year and
need to be pruned.
A big favourite in many spring
gardens is aquilegia or granny’s
bonnet. They seed freely in any soil
and are trouble free. My favourites
are the old fashioned doubles, but
some of the newer varieties, with
bright colours and very long spurs,
are very good. The lychnis will soon
be out with white, red, or magenta
flowers. We also grow a shorter very
pretty pink one called Lychnis nana
which like all the lychnis family are
easy to grow from seed. I was given a
lovely new erodium last year with lots
of pink flowers so I shall try to take
root cuttings this year. We have a few
pasqueflowers and intend growing
more next year as I read recently that
they are in decline in the wild.
Talking of decline, this is the first
year that we have had no frogspawn
in our pond.
If you are thinking of choosing a rose
for your own garden, or as a gift, then
this is the optimum time to see them
in all their glory. We have a great
rose nursery in this area where you
can see thousands in full bloom this
month. Much better than choosing
from a picture.
How blessed we are with the beauty
all around us … and summer is still
to come.
Maureen Reynolds
VILLAGE MATTERS
Parish Matters
KEN HARWOOD is now out of
hospital and making good progress.
He came out of hospital on the 5th
May in time to make his vote and
was re-elected to the District
Council with a huge majority.
Felbridge P.C. have nominated the
playing fields in Crawley Down
Road for the Queen Elizabeth II
Fields Challenge which will provide
protection from development. The
Project Officer has visited the
playing fields and has confirmed
that they are eligible. If accepted
they will be renamed Felbridge
Queen Elizabeth II Playing Fields.
Parish Councillors will have a table
at the village fair on the 18th June.
Please come and visit them if you
have any issues that you wish
to discuss.
Felbridge W.I.
The village hall was decorated with
Union Jack bunting and flags to
welcome our members to celebrate
Prince William and Kate’s wedding.
They arrived dressed in their finery
complete with hats and posies to
take part in our Fish and Chip lunch
followed by trifle.
The meeting continued with a
discussion on the Resolutions to go
before the Government on Mega
Farming and The Closure of
Libraries put forward by our
Secretary, Mrs. Carol Lewis. This
6
was followed by tea and cake and a
Tombola in which every participant
received a prize.
A gentle walk took place on the 17th
May over Ashdown Forest. We went
to Ham House, Richmond by coach
on the 19th May and on the 24th May
lunched at one of the local garden
centres.
Next month we are having a talk on
Beekeeping. We meet on the first
Tuesday of the month at 1.30 –
3.30pm in Felbridge Village Hall.
Do come along. More information
from 01342 322302
Felbridge & District
Horticultural Society
On 16th June there will be a talk by
Sarah Paton on Beekeeping. We
meet at the Felbridge Village Hall at
8.15pm.
John Wells, who gave a very
informative talk in April, has invited
anyone to contact him if they would
like to hear more about nature
conservation around hedgecourt
Lake.
Daphne Ayerst
VILLAGE FAIR
18TH JUNE
12-5pm
AT THE VILLAGE HALL
CHURCH BUILDING PROJECT
Every member of St John’s should have received the following letter regarding
the church building centre project, which started in 2007, explaining why the
plans to develop the church building have been terminated in favour of more
realistic and affordable development of the kitchen, toilet, church access and
children’s area.
Dear Member of St John's,
As you are aware, we have been spending a lot of time over recent years on the
P.C.C. considering the issues of the Church Centre Building Project and many of
you have been involved in raising funds towards it. At our meeting on 16th May
we took the decision to stop moving ahead with the existing plans. As you can
imagine, this was a difficult decision to arrive at, but after careful and prayerful
consideration of the issues it was agreed by a substantial majority.
There will be a congregational meeting after the morning service on Sunday 29th
May when we can explain the reasons for our decision and listen to your
comments. There are many smaller issues that will need to be addressed in the
light of this big decision, and it will be good for the whole church family to listen
to one another. If this door has closed, we need to see what other doors will open.
Yours sincerely,

What do YOU think about the termination of the church building project?
Do you think we need to use the money we have raised to move
ahead quickly with getting better toilets, kitchen, creche and play
area? Whether or not you were able to attend the Congregational Meeting
on 29th May, please write to me with your comments. Thank you.
Lindsey Saunders, Editor.

LADY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO HELP WITH

FELBRIDGE GIRL GUIDES.
Please contact Ann and Louise Tucker on 01342 317283 or by email
felbridge_rbg@hotmail.co.uk for more details of how you can help at our weekly
meetings.

7
FELBRIDGE WILDLIFE
That’s the wise thrush
‘WHAT,’ asked Mandy, ‘is that bird
that sings the opening bars of La
Donna e Mobile?’
Two days later I realised that our
avian Figaro is an exceptionally
vigorous and vociferous song thrush
that is operating operatically from a
giant ash tree in Ebor Lodge and a
Scots pine at Poynings. Verdi would
have been flattered.
Chris was puzzled by an apparently
demented bird at Saint Hill, rising and
diving with broad floppy wings and a
plaintive call over a farm field. This
turned out to be a lapwing threatening
a possible predator, the call being the
call that gives its alternative name of
'Peewit'. Now, sadly rare in this
parish, there are a couple of pairs
south of Imberhorne Farm.
This year has been exceptionally
suited to the orange tip butterfly. Only
the male has the bright orange tip to
8
its white wings
but both sexes
have mossy
green patterns
on the undersides providing
camouflage when raised over their
body on their favourite food plant.
The delicate mauve lady's smock,
mischievously lifted by a passing
breeze, reveals its support of pale green
stems and leaves on which the small
grey caterpillars of orange tips feed. It
is also called bittercress or the
cuckoo flower.
Another favourite food plant of the
orange tip is garlic mustard, with its
small white flowers and broad green
leaves which smell very strongly when
crushed. This is also called Jack-by-
the-hedge, not to be confused with
Jack-at-the-hedge which is cleavers or
goose grass and sticks to passing fur or
woollen clothes and climbs vigorously
over hedges and children.
‘That's the wise thrush
He sings each song twice over
Lest he should ne'er recapture
That first fine careless
rapture.’ (Browning)
Peter Bateman.
PS. Have just sighted the first inverted
May bug of the year in our front porch.
Some creatures never seem to land on
their feet.
WHY BELIEVE
Joan Bateman shares her story
I’D LIKE to be able to put a date, or clearly to both Mum and me were
time in my life, when I first became a Proverbs 3 v.v. 5 and 6.
Christian - a follower of Jesus Christ.
‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
But I can't.
and lean not on your own
I was born in Sanderstead in the Battle understanding; In all your ways
of Britain and, Purley Hospital having acknowledge him, and he will make
suffered bomb damage shortly your paths straight..’
afterwards, my Father put my mother,
Peter and I were married in 1963 at
brother Lyle and me onto a train
All Saints and a few years later we
bound for Scotland. I was Christened
moved to East Grinstead and joined
in the front parlour of a house in
the fellowship at St. John's Church
Tighnabruaich with the rose bowl
here in Felbridge - the one that was
acting as a font!
illuminated on our trips up and down
When I was twelve years old we the A22 to visit parents in
moved to Lancing. Shortly after we Sanderstead.
moved my Father died. That was a
Our faith grew as the family did. In
hard period in our lives, especially as
all the ups and downs of family life,
my brother was abroad on National
the Lord has sustained, encouraged
Service. However, we found comfort
and comforted us. I'm still trying to
and a sense of security in the Church
learn to 'wait on the Lord' and to 'rest
we attended in Lancing.
in the Lord' and allow him to know
Throughout this difficult time, I was what is best for me.
aware that my Mother continued to
Towards the end of Mum's life, when
pray and read her Bible regularly. She
she was in a nursing home, one of the
often said that she could only get
care workers said, ‘Mary has lost
through each day by relying on the
everything, but she has not lost her
Lord. I joined the Church Choir,
faith.’ I hope one day someone will
attended a Crusader Class and
say the same about me.
started to help in the Sunday School.
The Bible teaching was sound What a responsibility and privilege
and inspirational. we have as Christians to be
Ambassadors for Christ in the place
In time, I realised that what had
he has set us. What a challenge!
started as a habit had become a deeply
held conviction. The Lord Jesus was Joan Bateman.
my Lord. Two verses that spoke

9
CURRENT ISSUES: MARRIAGE
Will Royal Wedding encourage more marriages?
MORE THAN 34 million people in
the UK watched the Royal Wedding
of Prince William and Kate
Middleton, making it one of the all-
time top ten most-watched TV
programmes.
The interest in the wedding came
despite declining marriage rates and
increases in cohabitation. A recent
survey of over 1,000 couples by
eHarmony concluded that 92% of
people in the UK live together before
getting married.
According to the Office of National
Statistics, ONS, the number of
marriages in England and Wales in
2009 was the lowest since 1895.
How have these social changes
affected our children? The ONS
reports that almost half (46%) of
children were born outside marriage
in 2009, with 30% being registered
to cohabiting couples.
Harry Benson of the Bristol
Community Family Trust wrote in
December 2010, that, ‘unless family
trends change dramatically for the
better, one half of all children born
today will experience family
breakdown’. He added, ‘the problem
is not divorce… unmarried families
account for 80% of the break-ups’.
Kathleen Kiernan, who co-authored
the National Child Development
Study in 2008, told The Christian
10
Institute that, ‘Children from
disrupted families tend to do less
well in school and subsequent careers
than their peers.’
More worrying is the fact that
children from broken homes, ‘are
nine times more likely to become
young offenders’ according to a stark
warning by Work and Pensions
Secretary Iain Duncan Smith last
November. Smith believes: ‘It is
important that we recognise the role
of marriage in building a strong
society, especially if we want to give
our children the best chance in life.’
So what can be done? Benson argues
that, ‘the key issue is how to improve
the stability of unmarried parents.’
He says that marriage and
relationship education programmes
improve relationship quality, reduce
conflict and increase stability.
Reasserting the importance of
marriage and commitment, ‘may be
contentious, but it is vital’. Making
relationship education available is far
less contentious, and many schemes
have proved to be successful.
Christians believe that marriage is a
gift from God. Commitment to each
other is strengthened by our
commitment to Him. Let’s hope and
pray that more couples will want to
make that commitment.
Gordon Wilkinson
16
14
MISSION GIFT DAY
10th July
WE ARE holding our annual
Mission Gift Day this year on
Sunday July 10th – do put the date
in your diaries and plan to be there!
Our visiting speaker in the morning
will be Imtiaz Ashraf, who works for
Release International – an
organisation which seeks to help
Christians in the persecuted church
through practical aid and support, as
well as campaigning for justice. As
opposition to Christians increases in
many parts of the world – including
our own, to a lesser degree – this is
such an important topic, and one
which should concern us all as we
support our fellow-Christians who
are suffering persecution for their
faith, through our prayers and
involvement.
At the evening service, Philip and
Rosemary Tadman will speak about
the history of Siwok craft goods,
produced in Argentina, and the way
they can help local people earn a
living and become self-sufficient.
I'm sure Rosemary will have some
of the beautiful crafts on sale, so do
come prepared!
After the morning service we plan to
have a bring-and-share lunch to
which everyone is welcome,
including families, so it provides an
ideal opportunity for everyone to get
together; and we hope that Imtiaz
13
will be able to show us some pictures
of the work he is doing.
As usual, there will be envelopes in
the pews to encourage us to make our
offerings for God’s work throughout
the world. Since this is our main
annual source of giving for Mission,
please be thinking and praying in
advance about how much the Lord is
prompting you to give. In these days
of financial constraint, when we all
have so many demands on our
resources, the Societies and Agencies
we support are feeling the pinch even
more as donors feel unable to give as
generously as before. For those who
are tax-payers, Gift Aid increases the
value of our gifts at no extra cost to
us, and makes a big difference to
the recipients.
St John’s supports nine different
charities and mission partners, both at
home and abroad. As a church, we
pledge to give away at least 10% of
our income to Mission, most of which
is given during Mission Gift Day.
Last year we were able to raise
£12,220 which was very encouraging;
it would be wonderful if, even in
these days of economic hardship, we
could exceed that this year! The
money is divided between all nine
Agencies, the larger proportion being
given towards the support of our
Mission Partners. Details of all those
we support can be seen overleaf.
Perhaps you'd like to tear out and keep
these pages as a reminder to pray for
all our Mission links! Information can
also be found on the church website,
www.stjohnsfelbridge.co.uk, under
'Outreach'. Look at the Mission
noticeboard at the back of church,
which highlights a different society
each month.
The eagle-eyed amongst you will
notice that I have only mentioned nine
societies rather than the previous ten –
read on to discover the reason!......
Anne Butler
LINK PARTNERS:
NATASHA
KASPROWICZ –
working with UCCF
(Universities and
Colleges Christian
Fellowship).
Natasha is known to many of us, as she
grew up at St John’s. Having worked
for several years amongst students in
Russia, she is now based in London
where she has the responsibility as
Team Leader for co-ordinating the
outreach to students in the various
London universities, although she is
based mainly at University College.
This year they held two Missions to
students in London, and are now busy
with following up and encouraging
those who committed themselves to
Christ or expressed interest.
Dan and Suzy Callaway are the church
links for Natasha, and distribute her
prayer letters.
14
ALLAN &
ANNE
LACEY
Link
Partners
with CMS
(Church Mission Society), working in
NW Uganda. They ‘postponed’ their
retirement in order to use their
combined experience overseas. Allan
is working through the Diocese to
improve training, educational facilities
and resources for the clergy and lay
staff, while Anne is based at Kuluva
Hospital, helping to improve nurse
education and community health in
the surrounding area. They find it both
a challenging and rewarding situation.
They miss their grown-up family at
home, but press on in the assurance
that they’re in the place God wants
them to be.
Our church rep. is Barbara Cottier,
who also worked with CMS in East
Africa.
ANDREW &
MARIA LEAKE
have worked in
Northern Argentina
for many years, first
with SAMS but now
under the aegis of
CMS since the
merger of the two societies. They are
engaged in the long-running campaign
to support the rights of the local
indigenous people in Salta Province,
whose homelands and natural
resources are threatened by
widespread commercial deforestation
and agriculture. They are now
engaged in the process of buying up
land to be protected and conserved
for the Indian population, to preserve
their way of life and provide
sustainability. Their eldest son,
Tomas, is at university in Cordoba;
Cecilia, now 16, is looking at options
for higher education, and Carolina
(13) is at a local school.
Barbara Cottier distributes their
prayer letters, and further
information can be obtained from
Philip and Rosemary Tadman who
have long-standing links with South
America.
Many of you will remember that for
several years we have supported
Firm Foundations Training Centre.
Sadly this has had to close as it
proved too difficult to find suitable
people to manage the Centre, but
many of the disabled youngsters who
were trained there and equipped for
independent living are coping well,
and are a tribute to all that was
accomplished. Wonderfully, one of
the local Board members has bought
the Centre buildings, and will
continue to use them to provide
facilities and training for disabled
people, so nothing has been wasted!
OTHER AGENCIES:
CHURCH ARMY trains and sends
evangelists to work in Anglican
churches and in projects with
children, homeless people and the
elderly, both here in the UK and
abroad. We are now hoping to
support their work in Malawi, since
Mark and Heather Dadds, who
15
worked at the Marylebone Project
in London are now involved in
other areas.
Di Giles, an ex-Church Army Sister,
is our church rep.
CPAS (Church Pastoral Aid
Society) aims to help local churches
by training and advising leaders and
providing resources – spiritual,
practical, and sometimes financial –
for the whole church, but especially
for Youth Groups like Pathfinders
and CYFA. They also organise
activity holidays for young people
during the summer.
If you’d like to know more, or find
out about the holiday camps, speak to
our church rep, Glen Jones.
SCRIPTURE UNION seeks to
make God’s good news known to
children, adults, young people and
families, and encourages people of
all ages to meet with God daily
through Bible reading and prayer.
They publish a wide range of
literature, including children’s stories
and, more recently, a series of books
to be used with dementia sufferers;
and have also set up an interactive
website – www.wordlive.org – as
well as offering training, support, and
a variety of holiday events.
Bible Reading Notes, in various
formats and for all ages, are available
from Gill Matson.
CONTINUED OVERLEAF
TEARFUND works through local
churches and Christian agencies to
open up a brighter future for the
world’s poorest communities, and to
see lives and situations transformed
by God’s love through the generosity
of Christian people. It also campaigns
for social justice and human rights,
particularly the need for clean water
and proper sanitation in every
community. They are perhaps best
known for their response to disaster
situations, supplying vital supplies of
water, food, shelter and medical
equipment as speedily as possible, but
also providing ongoing support and
resources to impoverished
communities.
Gordon and Brenda Wilkinson are the
Southeast Reps, and also sell
‘Created’ craft goods at local events.
WELCARE is a local charity,
working with families who are in
need through poverty, isolation,
family breakdown or homelessness.
Their aim is to help and support
families before they reach crisis point,
by providing practical aid such as
toys, clothing, debt management
advice, counselling and friendship,
through volunteers and designated
social workers. At Christmas we hold
a ‘Toy Service’ to provide some
happiness and care for families who
otherwise would have no cause
for celebration.
Speak to our rep, Rona Bingham, for
more information.
16
ST CATHERINE’S HOSPICE
in Crawley is well-known to many of
us, either because we have visited
friends or family members there, or
have visited their Charity Shop in
London Road! The Hospice provides
palliative care to people with
progressive, life-threatening illness,
offering them the opportunity to live
life as fully as possible and to die with
dignity, and to support those close to
them. The Chaplain, Mike Neville, and
the staff are trained to care for the
physical, emotional, social and spiritual
needs of each patient, their families and
friends, whether in the Day Centre or as
in-patients. Hospices are not funded by
the NHS, so our support is vital. Each
December we hold a ‘Tree of Light’
service at St John’s, in memory of loved
ones who have died; and we hope to do
so again this year.
Jenny Young is a volunteer at the
Hospice, and has all the information.
BISHOP DANIEL YISA lives
with his wife Alice and three children in
Minna Diocese, Nigeria. We became
involved in his missionary outreach
when he visited St John’s during a
Mission weekend a few years ago, and
support them through our prayers – as
well as remembering the persecuted
church in various parts of Nigeria.
15
13
 FELBRIDGE HOTEL & SPA JUNE EVENTS
Wild Wild West on Saturday 25th June
Yeeeee-haa! Saddle up partner for a night of fun at our Wild West Night!
We have a cracking 3 piece Country and Western Band called The Big River
Bandits who are set to provide you with all the knee-swinging tunes y'all need to
get your boots on the dance floor.
You can also try your luck on the Bucking Bronco and at the quick draw
machines! The winners will win a Spa Weekend at the hotel! Enjoy a 3 course
meal, live entertainment and a disco playing popular party music.
Tickets to this event are £55 per person.
Why not treat yourself and stay over in one of our beautiful bedrooms? From just
£92.50 per person to include your ticket, overnight accommodation and full use
of the Chakra Spa facilities. Or from £102.50 per person to include breakfast in
the Bay Tree Restaurant as well. (These rates are per person and based on 2
people sharing a double room)
*Book a table of 10 and receive one ticket free!
*Book this event and receive 5% off your ticket price of any other event in 2011
(subject to availability).
Offers cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers

DONATIONS NEEDED IN AID OF CHURCH BUILDING FUND

for the Village Fair on 18th June
modern clean paperbacks & puzzles for the Book Stall
bottles for the Bottle Tombola.
These can be left on the pew next to the book stand at the back of the
church or contact Cecilia Bliss or Lis Woolley.
Please support our efforts as this is such a good opportunity to raise
funds and share fellowship and friendship with people from the village.
Put the 18TH JUNE in your diary to come along between 12-5pm.

19
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Solar heating panels—are they effective?

FOUR YEARS AGO I described the solar heating system we had installed on
our roof at the end of April 2007 ( to provide domestic hot water) and I reported
the figures for the first four months of operation. In 2008, 9 and 10, after each full
year in use (May to April), I produced a summary of my records.
Last year I stopped the weekly recording of results, but the comparison of annual
figures is shown below

Total pump Average Estimated gas

hrs running pump hrs/wk used pa kW
2007/08 1902 36.5
2008/09 1862 35.7
2009/10 1873 35.9
2010/11 1858 35.6
Before solar (Average pa for 10 years) 28,000
After solar (Average pa for 4 years) 23,400
Reduction 4,600

Although there would have been variations in the amount of gas used for central
heating, I expect the solar panels have saved at least 16,000 kW over the four
year period.
We have now decided to reduce our energy demand still further by installing
photovoltaic panels on our roof. Up to last year, the cost of this was prohibitive,
but with the Government’s introduction of Feed-in-Tariffs for micro-generation
schemes, it now makes environmental and economic sense in the long term. The
size and orientation of our roof is far from ideal as the area is restricted (there is
only room for eight panels), it faces nearly ESE, (the optimum is south), it is
inclined at 38 degrees to the horizontal (the optimum is 30 degrees).
However the proposed system is expected to generate around 1,400 kWh in an
average year, some of which we will use, thus reducing the cost of energy we
need to buy, and the rest will be exported to the grid.

20
If you are thinking about installing Solar PV then this is the year to do it as there
are signs that the start up Feed-in-Tariff (currently 43.3p/kWh) will be reduced
for new schemes installed after March 2012. Projects completed before then will
be guaranteed the rate of 43.3p/kWh (increased annually in April based on the
Retail Price Index) until at least 2035.
There are many factors to be taken into account and a number of assumptions
made in the ‘standard’ assessment which indicates that the pay-back period is
eight years. My calculation includes extra allowances for the gradual reduction in
performance of the solar panels (manufacturers give guarantees of no more than
15-20% loss in 25 years), the loss of interest on the initial investment, not all the
electricity generated will be used by us (so less saving off our electricity bill). I
expect the scheme will have paid for itself in about 11 years, therefore from 2022
to 2035 the scheme will be in profit.
Plenty of information (too much?) on the web, but you could start with
www.fitariffs.co.uk.
J Grainger

The Bells ….. The Bells!

At last I am able to report some real progress with fixing the problems we
have had with the bells of St. Johns and the bell-tower. As some of you
probably know, towards the end of last summer, one evening, when the
bells were being rung for the evening service a piece of stone became
dislodged from the bell tower. On closer examination it appeared that the
stone supporting one of the bearings of the bell on the right hand side
(from the road) had crumbled under the weight of the bell. Since then the
bells have not been rung, and the path around the west of the church has
been closed.
Our preferred stone contractor Christian Marshall came on site on 13th
May with the scaffolders to erect some scaffolding all around the Bell
Tower. He can then survey the bells and its supports, and in conjunction
with our Church Architect prepare a report detailing the work to be done. I
am hopeful that he will also be able to do something while work is in
progress to stop water coming into the church where the bell ropes enter
the church through the roof. We have a report by the Church Architect
which was done a couple of years ago relating to the Church Fabric, which
identified general repairs that were needed for the stonework of the
Church, and I would very much like this to be done as well while we have
the stonemasons on site.
Peter Burton

21
BIBLE BY THE BEACH
A Personal Overview
THIS YEAR’S title, The
Resurrection People, had
suggested to my warped mind,
sinister undertones of Burke and
Hare. I should have known
better. The whole event was a
glorious post-Easter celebration
of the risen Christ, shared by
about 3,000 Christians in the
whole Eastbourne Congress
Theatre complex, Winter Gardens
and local churches. And there
was the attraction outside from
prom to pier for those who sought
a breath of bracing fresh air. The
Bible by the Beach was no picnic,
but a satisfying life enhancing
experience.
The most thought-provoking and
generally challenging talk Joan
and I attended was the wit and
wisdom of John Lennox entitled
‘God’s Undertaker’, which took
the claims of atheism and shook
them until they fell apart.
The Final Celebration was
intensely moving, but I confess
that for me the most exciting
demonstration of music in the
service of God was the
enthusiastic ebullience of Noel
Tredinnick with singers and
performers from All Souls
Orchestra and guest hymn writer
Stuart Townend.
Peter Bateman
22
Before I went to Bible by the
Beach
I saw at the royal wedding
An archbishop on TV
I heard Stuart Townend on CD
I had listened to Rico Tice on a DVD
During Bible by the Beach
I saw Archbishop Greg Venables live
I heard Stuart Townend live
I listened to Rico Tice live
And learned from the evidence of the
resurrection
That Jesus is very much alive!
Malcolm Francis
I was a bit nervous about not
knowing anyone else in my group
at first, but it was awesome! I
made friends with some other
year 4 boys and we got to throw
cream pies at the Rockschool
leaders!
Benjamin Saunders, age 9
I really enjoyed BBtB this year. The
speaker for the main Bible Readings,
Archbishop Greg Venables, was
excellent; I especially took to heart his
comment to a young interviewer that
he had learnt over the years to worry
less, and trust God more in every
situation - a lesson I definitely need to
learn! Highlights for me were the
wonderful concert on Saturday
evening and the inspiring Sunday
evening meeting with a brilliant talk by
Rico Tice.
Anne Butler
SIGNS OF LIFE
What was Signs of Life?
For the week running up to Easter the
St John’s church family sought to
reach out with the good news of
Jesus Christ, to friends, family,
neighbours and people living in the
parish: we called this event Signs of
Life. To help us out we were joined
by an enthusiastic and hard-working
team from Oak Hill Theological
College in London.
What happened?
We ran around twenty different
events and services during the week
for all different people with each
event included a talk about Jesus
from John’s Gospel.
For children we ran a holiday club
and were pleased that 29 children
joined us as we cracked open Easter
eggs with a hammer and learnt about
what Easter is really all about! Many
families also joined in with the
‘Hunting for the Real Easter’ event
which included an Easter egg hunt
and a talk about how we can only
come to God the Father through
Jesus.
In the evenings there were smaller
events which people organised in
their own homes and then later in the
week talks looking at issues like
Jesus’ uniqueness, why people suffer,
the Cross, and life in Jesus.
23
There were many other great events
through the week, but not enough
space to mention them all!
What did we do in the
parish?
As part of Signs of Life we gave out
copies of John’s Gospel to every
house in the parish. Then during the
Signs of Life week church members
and members of the visiting team
went around and knocked on (pretty
much!) every house in the parish.
This was a great opportunity to talk
to people and also to invite them to
events during the week.
Is it all over then?
No! While the Signs of Life week is
over we still want to be reaching out
with the good news of Jesus. In Jesus
alone is true and eternal life – it is a
great message that we have heard
and believed, and we want everyone
else to find true life in Jesus too! As
John says about his Gospel account:
‘But these are written that you may
believe that Jesus is the Christ, the
Son of God, and that by believing
you may have life in his
name.’ (John 20:31 NIV)
Michael Peach
APCM REPORT
THE ANNUAL Parochial Church
Meeting took place on Sunday April
10th after the 11am service and was
attended by 46 church members. The
first part of the meeting saw the
election of Anne Butler and Andy
Brown as the Church Wardens for the
coming year and the following people
were elected as the new members of
the PCC: Gordon Wilkinson, Brenda
Wilkinson, Jessica Stopp, Kris
Defriend, Elisabeth Woolley and
Cecilia Bliss. The four representatives
of the Deanery Synod who were
elected for a period of three years
were Peter Burton, Barbara Cottier,
Philip Tadman and Don Ely. Stephen
Bowen thanked all those whose term
of office had ended for their
contribution to the life of the church.
Chris Saunders, Treasurer, reported
that the Church finances were on a
sound footing and presented the
accounts showing how the money had
been spent in the last financial year.
Members were reminded to review
their giving on a regular basis and to
speak to Chris for information about
more tax-efficient ways of giving.
There were reports from all the
organisations connected with St John’s
and these were presented in a 28 page
document available before the
meeting. Stephen Bowen encouraged
members to read the reports and
discover the many aspects of church
life described therein.
24
There was also a report on the fabric,
goods and ornaments of the church.
Information was given about the
state of the bell tower, the car park,
the churchyard and the
refurbishment of the Church Hall -
all of which have had work done on
them during the course of the year.
Stephen gave an update on the Signs
of Life Mission week planned for the
week before Easter. He encouraged
everyone to pray for the success of
the week and to take part in the
many activities arranged.
Stephen reported that the costs for
the Church Centre project now stood
at £472,000. He thanked John
Grainger for all his hard work on the
project and said the new PCC would
now have to seriously discuss
whether we could afford this. They
will need clear guidance and
direction as to the best way to
proceed.
In the Vicar’s remarks, Stephen
reminded everyone that the most
important thing for us all is to follow
Jesus and we should not lose sight of
this in the many other things we are
involved with as a church. We
should keep the Main Thing as the
main thing.
Sheila Drury
CHURCH FAMILY NEWS
Congratulations
Congratulations to Sarah and David Marchant on the birth of Adam Christopher
(and to grandparents Chris and Sue Turner!)
Congratulations Vic and Linda Barker on the birth of their grandchildren—twins,
Sophie and Tom.

News and Thanks

CRECHE HELPERS NEEDED! If you think you could spare one Sunday
morning per month to look after a gorgeous baby or two, then please speak to
Joan Brown to find out more!
There is a copy of the thanksgiving service for Betty McAulay available on CD if
anyone would like to hear it. Thank you to Ann Morley for recording it and
Malcolm Francis for carefully editing it.
Esther and Ian Walker are on their way back from Sudan after nearly 5 years
(they were in Sierra Leone before that). They are not 100 pc certain where they
will live. It depends on where Ian will be posted in the Army. Esther is planning
to continue in palliative care. Whilst being in Khartoum Esther helped set up
Sudan’s first palliative care unit in the main oncology hospital. She says it was a
wonderful experience and allowed her to get to know the Sudanese people who
she says are the most gracious and hospitable people. We await more news on
their return to the UK.
Thank you to all those who helped distribute Easter and Signs of Life bundles.
The next leaflets to be delivered will be for Harvest and should be lighter!
Jim and Janette Farrant send their greetings. It looks as if they may have found a
house to buy in Toller Porcorum in West Dorset and an address will follow!
Stephen and Mandy would like to thank the family of St John’s for the beautiful
mugs we received at Easter: lavender design for Mandy and English garden birds
for Stephen. They are lovely and we are delighted with them, thank you! (They
also had lovely chocolate eggs inside!!)
Thank you everyone for the beautiful flower arrangement I received on my return
from hospital. The flowers were such pretty colours and lasted for ages reminding
me daily of all the prayer support I receive from my Church Family to trust in the
Lord at all times. Thank you, Linda Barker.

25
EULOGY TO BETTY MCAULAY
We were sad to hear the news that Betty McAulay died at the end of April.
She will be remembered with much affection by many at St John’s. Her
cheerful smile and happy conversation touched many. Even when she
was coping with operations she was always interested in others and
showed a loving concern for them. She contributed to the life of the church
in many ways and we will miss her.
It was lovely that her two sons Duncan and Richard could join us at a
morning service prior to the thanksgiving on 6th May. At the thanksgiving
service they told us more of her life and what a happy childhood she gave
them even though she was widowed, in South Africa, whilst expecting
Richard and far from her roots in England.
She was a remarkable lady and coped with all sorts of things over the
years and her faith in the living God gave her courage and hope. We
thank God for her.

THANK YOU to all who supported the `Watercolour on Wednesdays`

exhibition and to those who worked hard to make it a success. £526 was raised
for the Church Building Fund.

CHURCH REGISTER
Baptism
Theo Patrick Xystras on 1st May 2011

Funeral
Vera Margaret Harris died on 29th March 2011, aged 83. The funeral was held at
Surrey and Sussex Crematorium on 13th April 2011.
George William Wright died on 23rd April 2011, aged 92. The funeral was held
at Surrey and Sussex crematorium on 6th May 2011
Elizabeth Ann McAulay (known as Betty) died on 28th April 2011, aged 82. A
Thanksgiving Service was held at St John’s on 6th May 2011, followed by a
cremation on 13th May.

26
PEST CONTROL SERVICES
Wasps, flies, fleas. All types of rodents and vermin 01342 321373

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. 01892 770253
Memorials arranged: Golden Charter pre-paid Funeral Plans 01342 315880

GARAGE & CAR REPAIRS, MOTs & COACHES

01342 325544
Woodcock Hill Service Station, London Road, Felbridge
01342 326213

KOINONIA COUNSELLING
Marriage problems, bereavement, depression, eating disorders etc
Jackie Lake 01342 718948

TV SALES, SERVICE & INSTALLATIONS

Panasonic Specialists. Plasma, LCD, Multiroom Systems, Aerial & Satellite.
Scott Brothers, 178 London Road, East Grinstead. 01342 321117

CLARINET LESSONS
Classical or Jazz, for pleasure or exam preparation
Elaine Short CT ABRSM 01342 327563

GARDEN SERVICES
Ron West 01342 712586
 USEFUL CONTACTS
Churchwardens: Anne Butler 01342 313640
e-mail: butleranne09@gmail.com

Andy Brown 01342 314267

e-mail: brownemail@aol.com
Treasurer: Chris Saunders 01342 325662
e-mail: treasurerstjohns@gmail.com
PCC Secretary: Sheila Drury 01342 323865
e-mail: sheila.drury1@hotmail.co.uk
Magazine Editor: Lindsey Saunders 01342 325662
e-mail: parishmagstjohns@gmail.com
Cleaning Rota: Carole Grainger 01342 325482
Ministry of Flowers: Ann Morley 01342 714645
e-mail: annmorley@aol.com
Church Hall Bookings: Sally Hobbs 01342 410929
e-mail: hobbsfamilysja@gmail.com
Church Office (closed on Thursdays) 01342 321524
Village Hall Bookings: Lynda Railton 01342 322205

CHILDREN/YOUNG PEOPLE ACTIVITIES

Climbers (3-6 yrs): Michael Peach 01342 312406
e-mail: michaelstevenpeach@gmail.com
Explorers (Year 2-4): Diane Francis 01342 714575
e-mail: diane_francis@tiscali.co.uk
Light Eagles (Year 5-7): Dan and Suzy Callaway 01342 321658
e-mail: daniel.callaway@iname.com
NG (Year 8-9): Michael Peach 01342 312406
e-mail: michaelstevenpeach@gmail.com
Parish Safeguarding Officer Chris Ely 01342 311614
e-mail: christineely2@msn.com
Rainbows, Brownies & Guides Ann Tucker 01342 317283
e-mail: ann_tucker@btinternet.com

28
28