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FROM THE EDITOR

YOU may be wondering why there is no vicars letter this month or you may have heard that Stephen, our vicar is ill. Andy Brown, our Church Warden, has written an article about this on page 2 which replaces the usual Stephen Writes article. At such times as these it is hard to see that Gods plan is good and much easier to fall into despair, becoming angry with God or even turning away from him. Yet I once heard someone say that pain is Gods megaphone. Sometimes its the only way we can be reached, because weve switched off all other channels. Thats not to say that everyone who experiences pain has turned away from God. Remember Joseph - God was with him, talking to him through his dreams, and yet he was still imprisoned for a long time. But it worked out alright in the end and he was able to save his family from starvation - he just didnt know that when he was in prison. So if you are going through painful times right now - dont give up - God never stops loving you and he wants what is best for you. Sometimes that might be bringing you home to him or it might mean a time of suffering or in some cases it might mean miraculous healing. Romans 8:28: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Lindsey Saunders

VICAR: The Rev Stephen Bowen The Vicarage, Felbridge, West Sussex RH19 2QT 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:
Tractor wheel, Hayward's Farm
Gordon Wilkinson

MAY: Articles for this Issue to be handed in by SUNDAY 15th April. Publication: 29th April
Please e-mail your articles to parishmagstjohns@gmail.com, put them in the editors pigeon hole in the south porch, or post them to Lindsey Saunders at The Bungalow, Saint Hill Farm, Saint Hill Green, East Grinstead, RH19 4NG.

STEPHEN BOWEN A MESSAGE FROM THE CHURCHWARDENS

AS MOST will have heard by now, Stephen our vicar has recently been diagnosed with kidney cancer for which he is undergoing urgent investigation and treatment. This serious problem was discovered in early March and, on medical advice, he immediately relinquished his church and parish responsibilities to allow his treatment to take priority. He will remain on sick leave for the immediately foreseeable future and we appreciate your continuing prayers for him, Mandy and all the family. Stephens unexpected absence means we will all have to pull together as a church family to keep the various activities of St Johns running and we will soon appreciate how much Stephen and Mandy have done week by week. The first practical change will be the need to rearrange the schedule of services to accommodate input from visiting ministers and preachers. Please keep an eye on the monthly timetable. We hope you will understand if your favourite service has been moved or rebadged! You may be wondering who will be in charge while Stephen is away? The obvious and immediate answer is, as always, our wonderful caring Father God! It may be difficult to understand the reason for this sudden sad setback, and no doubt 2 questions will remain for many of us, but Christians believe that God reigns in all circumstances. (Look up Romans 8: 37-39 for a refresher course in this truth!) However, there will certainly be a need for various people to step into the gap left by Stephen and Mandy. When such circumstances arise in the Church of England the Churchwardens have the responsibility for the general oversight and governance of church affairs, with the help of the PCC. Please approach us if you have any queries or concerns. Michael Peach, our Associate Minister, will take responsibility for planning services and supervising most of the practical day to day matters. Please keep him informed of any diary dates, activities etc. We will aim to bring you regular news of Stephens progress but please contact Anne Butler, who is acting as a link person, if you need interim information. (Tel: 01342 313640. Email: butleranne09@gmail.com). Finally, please keep praying for Stephen and asking if there are areas you could help with over the coming months. Dont be afraid to volunteer! Comfort and prosperity have never enriched the world as much as adversity has. (Billy Graham.)
Andy Brown

The Youth Team at St Johns Felbridge presents:

Race Runners: Easter Holiday Club

A fun holiday club for Primary School aged children (those in school years R to 6, so aged 4-11) including games (with an Olympic theme!), activities, craft, and learning about Jesus together from the Bible.

Tuesday 3rd & Wednesday 4th April, 10am-12noon,

in St Johns Church Hall.

Followed on Wednesday 4th at 12noon by a lunch for all the family.

Adult helpers from St Johns very welcome (and feel free to bring your younger children with you). Over 11s very welcome to come and help too.
If you are interested in helping or coming along, please contact Diane Francis, 01342 714575 diane.francis21@gmail.com.

Good Friday Easter Service

Walk of Witness behind the cross from Trinity Methodist Church at 10:30 to the High Street followed by Open Air service starting at 11.00am.
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WHATS HAPPENING
Easter Services
Palm Sunday 1st April - Services will be held at 10am & 6pm Maundy Thursday 5th April - 8pm Service of Holy Communion Good Friday 6th April - 11am in the High Street, 2pm The Last Hour Service Easter Sunday 8th April - 8am Holy Communion, 10am Family Service, 6pm Evening Prayer

Other Sunday Services in April

15th April - Morning Service at 10am, Raise the Roof at 6pm 22nd April - 8am Holy Communion, 10am Morning Service, 6pm Evening Prayer 29th April - 10am Holy Communion, 6pm Evening Prayer

Alterations to Services in April

There will be no Family Service on 1st April. The Morning Service on 1st April will be followed by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting.

THROUGH THE WEEK

Mondays

Connections 2-4pm on 2nd April in the Church Hall WI 6th March at 1.30pm in the village Hall Watercolour on Wednesdays in the Church Hall at 2pm 1st Felbridge ( St Johns) Brownies Prayer on Wednesday (non-homegroup weeks) at 8pm Afternoon Prayer meeting on at the home of Di Giles WIGS at the Old Pheasantry, Woodcock Hill at 10.30am (home of June Clark) Girls Bible Study in the Church Hall at 4pm JAFFA Plus in the Church hall on 5th April at 5pm - 7pm 1st Felbridge 1st Felbridge (St Johns) Rainbows (St Johns) Guides

Tuesdays Wednesdays

Thursdays

Fridays

Saturdays
Prayer breakfast on 7th April at 8am9am Mens breakfast on 21st April at 5 Burns Way from 8.3010am Felbridge and District Horticultural Society Our meeting on Thursday 19th April will be the Spring Show at 8pm.and this will be followed by an illustrated talk by Len Stebbings How to Exhibit New members are always welcome you dont have to be an expert gardener!
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CURRENT ISSUES: HONESTY

Why are the British less honest than a decade ago?
PROFESSOR PAUL WHITELEY of the University of Essex Centre for the Study of Integrity surveyed more than 2,000 adults at the end of last year and concluded that British people are less honest than they were ten years ago. People today, says Professor Whiteley, are more tolerant towards a range of misdemeanours such as having an extramarital affair, drink driving or failing to leave a contact after damaging a parked car than they were in 2000 when a similar survey was undertaken. In 2000, seven out of ten people said that cheating on your spouse could never be justified, but this has now dropped to just over half of those surveyed. Today, two in three people can justify lying if its in their own interest. Tolerance of smoking cannabis and underage sex has also markedly increased, says the report. In 2011 Britons were more likely to condemn accepting bribes, falsely claiming benefits or drink driving than they were to be critical of lying or exceeding the speed limit. In the latest survey, 2,000 adults were asked to take an integrity test in which they were asked whether they thought a range of activities could ever be justified. Around seven out of ten respondents said they would never condone taxdodging or buying stolen goods, but about half thought that falsifying a job application could sometimes be justified. People did seem concerned about dropping litter, drink driving and falsely claiming government benefits, with more than eight out of 10 respondents saying these activities could never be justified. The one area where British people appear to have become less tolerant in the last decade is cheating the benefits system, with 78% condemning it in 2000 but 85% doing so in 2011. Attitudes to driving while under the influence of alcohol have softened in the past decade, although more than 85% of people still believe it is never justified, down from 90% in 2000. The young were much more likely to condone bad behaviour than older people, the study found. Under-25s scored an average of 47 points on an integrity scale against an average of 50 points, while those aged 65 and over
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scored an average of 54 points. For example, only a third of under-25s said that lying on a job application couldnt be justified, compared with three quarters of the over-65s who said it was wrong. The researchers said that the differences between young and old might mean that Britain would continue to grow more dishonest as this young generation aged, but alternatively it might simply tell us that people tend to become more

honest as they grow older. It might also tell us that as a society we need to do more to make it clear what things are right and wrong there are too many grey areas. Why not see how you score on the integrity test? Check out: http:// www.essex.ac.uk/government/ documents/integrity_test.pdf.
Gordon Wilkinson

Youth Easter Special

Thursday 5th April, 5:30-7:30pm in St Johns Church Hall A special Easter youth event for anyone in

school years 5 upwards (9 and over).

fun games

yummy food
what the Bible say about Easter

If you want to come, please reply to Gaby Cicala: gabriella.cicala@gmail.com

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VILLAGE ISSUES
Felbridge W.I.
WE WERE very pleased to display the new banner we had made through the very kind donation from one of our past members. We plan to wave this when the Olympic torch comes through the village, and to advertise our stall at the Country Fair. Ann Neale gave a cookery demonstration - a four course meal made easy. She started with home made hummus which can be a lot cheaper than one from a shop. Then on to spicy prawns, and a special chicken dish finishing with an apple and ginger compote. The room was filled with wonderful smells which made our mouths water I am sure her family enjoyed the food that she had prepared before us whilst we were left with our mouths still watering. We comforted ourselves with tea and a biscuit! We are looking forward to two events in April our usual meeting on the first Tuesday of the month when we will be hearing about Felons and Fingerprints, and on Wednesday 18th April; we will host a Border Group meeting when Nick Owen will be telling us about Strictly Come Dancing and TV Secrets. Both meetings will start at l.30pm. Please ring 322302 for more info.
Daphne Ayerst

Felbridge Country Show

More detail is now appearing about the competitions at the Country Show. From Jubilee Weekend we are looking forward to scarecrows appearing around the village, created by individuals and groups, which will be in place in front gardens, or maybe even more imaginatively, until Show day, 16th June. This will give everyone plenty of time to see them all in situ and vote for their favourite for the Peoples Choice Award. More details here next month on the Art, Photography and Domestic Sections as well as other attractions. Entry forms are available from Chetan Patel at the Village Shop and on the Country Show Website at www.show.felbridge.org.uk as well as from the organisers and various village organisations.
Rosemary Archer

Felbridge Village Store

new opening times:

Mondays-Saturdays 8am to 7:30pm Sundays 8am to 4pm.

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FELBRIDGE WILDLIFE
Cuckoos Clocked
THE CUCKOO has been declining for many years and sadly can no longer be considered a traditional harbinger of Spring. In an attempt to find where cuckoos go in the wintertime, five caught in England were fitted with tiny satellite transmitters which revealed them to be in Nigeria for Christmas and moving Northwards in February. However, in Felbridge this month we can enjoy a number of 'cuckoo flowers', the commonest being the pale lilac ladies smock. Less welcome is the cuckoo spit, a covering of froth exuded by the larvae of young froghoppers to protect them as they suck the sap of plants. The emerging adult 'spittlebug' will jump away from harm. Especially in a Leap Year. Last month half a dozen lesser redpolls visited gardens in The Limes, a species now on the Red List of birds of special conservation concern. This month should see the return of our mercifully commoner song birds from the South, and the start of nest building by the local residents.
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A topical deft definition states that a wicked developer is someone who wants to build a house in a Green Belt Settlement. A conservationist is someone who already has. Certainly overdevelopment could mean fewer nests in which any surviving cuckoo could lay its own eggs. The Protestant Church was founded on The Diet of Worms. Our thrush needs a diet of snails. We no longer hear the cuckoo. It would be tragic to lose that thrush. Not A Local. For those mystified by the colourful character on last month's cover, it was a Greater Double Collared Sun Bird that lives in East and South Africa and inspired our indefatigable Tear Fund team.
Peter Bateman.

IN THE GARDEN
The only problem then is dealing with the quantities successfully germinated; I just cant bear to waste them! This year, Im planning to be a little more selective with what I try to grow, sticking to what works for me and not wasting time and effort on those cabbages, cauliflowers and broccoli which never turn out well; I will also try to grow fewer but better tomatoes! The water companies are already making those dreaded drought predictions and it looks as if it is only a matter of time before the hosepipe bans appear, so we all need to be planning for that. Surely all they need to do is promise us another Barbeque Summer it usually works. I always think that the best way to find new ideas to try is to look at how others plan their gardening - I grow my runner beans on a pergola which was directly copied from one I saw a few years ago in an Open Garden. For those of us wanting to learn more about the real art of gardening, April 19th brings the opportunity to watch the very best at work at Sissinghurst with Behind the Scenes with the Head Gardener followed by a cream tea. What could be nicer? Rosemary Archer

Our England is a garden, and such gardens are not made By singing: - Oh, how beautiful! and sitting in the shade, Rudyard Kipling THERELL BE no sitting in the shade for the first enthusiastic tenants of the new Felbridge Garden Plots, which are finally underway. For them, there is a lot of hard work ahead, to get their ground ready for the spring sowing, but they are all keen and ready for the challenge. The very best of luck to them all for their new venture. April is when the pace if not always the weather really begins to hot up in the garden. Seed sowing of both flowers and vegetables reaches its peak and it starts to get difficult to find the space for everything that still needs to be under cover. Last year, I decided that my small heated propagator just couldnt cope with everything I wanted to raise from seed, so I invested in a soil heating cable which runs through large trays of sand. Ordinary seed trays with plastic covers stand on the sand and the whole acts as a giant propagator at a fraction of the price. 10

TELL ME WHY?
Can we really believe in Jesus resurrection?
AT THE HEART of Easter is the claim that Jesus Christ was killed and on the third day was brought bodily back to life. In this age of science and medicine can we really believe that a man was raised from the dead? If you like television crime shows then you know that the detectives always have to follow the evidence, and as they do so they can establish the truth. When it comes to the resurrection the Bible is full of evidence of what happened, and the evidence all points to the same conclusion. Lets consider three pieces of biblical evidence.

The empty tomb

On Friday Jesus was killed (and this was verified by an experienced Roman soldier) and his body placed in a new tomb while other people watched. This tomb was then closed with a large stone, sealed and guarded by armed soldiers. Yet somehow by the Sunday morning the large stone had been removed and this tomb was empty, except for Jesus grave clothes. How could this have happened? The disciples could not have taken Jesus body quite apart from the fact they are scattered and scared, how would they get past the guard? The authorities would not have opened the tomb and taken the body, for they wanted people to get over the excitement regarding Jesus, and if they had they taken his body they would have produced it as soon as resurrection was suggested. Something remarkable must have happened.

The eyewitness accounts

Not only was Jesus tomb empty, but many people saw Jesus alive, as Paul tells us: ...he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living... Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also... (1 Corinthians 15:5-8 NIV) Many people saw Jesus alive, and when Paul writes this letter he says that most of them are still alive the implication being that you can go and ask them and check this out.

The changed disciples

On the night Jesus was killed, Peter, one of Jesus closest disciples, denies to a servant girl that he even knows Jesus. Yet only a few weeks later this same Peter tells the same leaders who had condemned Jesus, that he is Jesus follower and that whatever they do, he cannot stop speaking of Jesus. Later many of Jesus disciples died for speaking of Jesus and his resurrection each must have been convinced Jesus really had been raised from the dead. The evidence all points the same way Jesus was raised from the dead. So we cannot write Jesus off; we must listen to what he claims.
Michael Peach

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FELBRIDGE HOTEL & SPA OFFERS Restaurants: New lower price for square meal lunch menu, two courses just 13.95. Chakra Spa: Winter Warmer, 99 for 2 Spa Days! Health Club: 1 a day Gym Membership Events Wedding Open Evening Thursday 26th April 2012
Get a real feel of what your wedding would be like with us. Our Wedding Coordinators will also be here as well as our Chef so you can talk through any queries you may have about your big day.

Connections is a new series of events for Seniors. We will meet monthly for tea, coffee and cake, a short informal talk from the Bible about things that matter, and lots of different activities and games. Theres even a newspaper corner! Hand massage is available too! Or you can simply spend time sitting and chatting. A great opportunity to meet old friends and make new ones all welcome! Our next meeting will be on

Monday 2nd April, 2pm-4pm, in St Johns Church Hall.

For more information please do contact Don Ely or Michael Peach.
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NEW WORLD ORDER

IN THE 1980S, as the Soviet Union imploded in upon itself, finally releasing its iron grip on Eastern Europe, the entire Western World heaved a huge, collective sigh of relief. By the 1990s, Mr Blair and Mr Bush were talking enthusiastically about a, New World Order, centred on the Worlds remaining superpower, the United States of America, with Democracy, Freedom and Justice for all. It is reported that Mr Blair also had a dream of adding to this power base with a second pillar, the United States of Europe which would further underwrite peace worldwide. I wonder how that all worked out?! Throughout history, there have been other such dreams, including that of the British Empire, which, not so very long ago, effectively controlled and administered a huge part of the Globe. The thing is, of course, that the controlling peace is not generally wielded for philanthropic reasons at all but rather for the personal gain and glory of the power wielding it. At the time of Jesus, it was Pax Romanus, the Peace of Rome. Jesus came to tell/remind us that the real King of the World is God and that, despite the fact that the Kingdom, Is currently taken by force, He was about to re-establish, take back, His Kingdom, with genuine Freedom and real Justice for all. However, having won the Kingdom, not by strength of arms but, paradoxically, by total 17 surrender and sacrifice, Jesus left it to us to continue to establish that Kingdom on Earth, until such time as He returns to take possession of it and to unite it with Heaven, in a true New World Order. We may not know when that time will be but I would say, looking around, that we have plenty to be getting on with, wouldnt you? Rest assured, God always keeps His promises, He never lets us down and His plan will not fail. He truly is the only one deserving of Glory. Jesus warned us not to be side-tracked in our purpose by worldly concerns but rather to, Seek first the Kingdom and His righteousness, seeking being working-towards as opposed to looking around for, and as we do, to rely on God, who knows our needs. He also promises us real power from God Himself, to enable us to do His work, in His name. (Which is a whole other exciting subject!) Living the Kingdom Life To effectively see the Kingdom, we need to long for the return of the King, yet live each day as though He already has. If you would like to know more about Gods exciting plans for the World and how important He feels that you are in those plans, come along to Church one Sunday. John Dabell.

BOOK REVIEWS
God Hunting by Joe Swinney
I FOUND this book refreshingly down to earth, funny and easy to read. The author is also a Mum with young children and understands the pressures of working, bringing up children, looking after the house and finding time to spend with God. This book is her account in a diary form of developing her relationship with God using different methods such as prayer, fasting, solitude, worship, simplicity and the Bible. She openly confesses her difficulties, but also describes the benefits she has discovered from each experience. An easy book to pop in and out of when you have a few spare moments.
Lindsey Saunders

Is it nothing to you
Is it nothing to you, All you that pass by, To see that giant cross stand Against the dark sky? Is it nothing to you That a man bled and died, Was sentenced unjustly To be crucified? Is it nothing to you All you that pass by, To see the sun darkened, To hear the last cry? Is it nothing to you, As you gaze on his face, To know that he hangs there In your rightful place? Is it nothing to you, All you that pass by Have you never considered Just why he did die? Is it nothing to you That twas your sin He bore? So pause there a moment, To think and adore!
Ann Butler

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MISSION MATTERS
UCCF:thechristainunions
NATASHA KASPROWICZ is one of St Johns mission partners. Natasha has now worked for UCCF in London for three and a half years after returning from Russia, where she worked for the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (IFES). UCCF is a family of students, staff, and supporters. Christian Unions (CUs) are mission teams operating in universities and colleges, supported by the local church, and resourced by UCCF staff. This family exists to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ in the student world. (www.uccf.org.uk). Recently the London CU project mission has been keeping Natasha busy. The mission took place at the end of January in Central London and at the end of February in South West London. CUs from different universities across London worked together to provide opportunities for students to hear the good news of Jesus. The mission involved local events on campus where Christian Unions engaged with students to discuss the questions they most want to ask God. Christian Unions ran a survey in December and students most wanted to ask God why he allows suffering, followed by What is the meaning/ purpose of life? The third in the list was Is there life after death? and the simple Do you (God) exist? was also a popular choice. 19 There were also joint events shaped by the surveyed students favourite films. Krish Kandiah, the mission speaker, linked Lukes gospel and themes from the films. For example, the talk Jesus and Inception looked at Luke 15 and included the themes, What about my past?, Who can you trust?, and What is real?. Other evening talks were titled Jesus and Lord of the Rings looking at Luke 9:18-27 and Jesus and the Shawshank Redemption looking at Luke 11:37-54. The venue was set up in the style of a film awards ceremony with red carpet and a popcorn cart. The joint events were very popular with a few hundred students attending. A good number of international students also attended the dinner held before the evening talks and Natasha hopes this is something that will continue to grow over time. International students asked questions, like, how does prayer work?; Is there any point in trying to be good?; Isnt Christianity just for Western people?; and You said Jesus was God but I thought he was a man, can you explain that? We are hoping to hear more about the mission project and the follow up events, which included a six week course studying Lukes gospel and a tour of the British Museum looking at the evidential basis for the Bible, in Natashas next newsletter. If you are interested in receiving Natashas newsletters please speak to Dan or Suzy Callaway.

THE UNIQUENESS OF MARRIAGE

Seven Reasons not to legalise same sex marriage
1. Marriage is the union of one equality. But marriage and civil partnerships have been designed for two very different types of relationship and should be kept distinct. It is not and should not be one size fits all. 3. Redefining marriage without consultation is undemocratic None of the political leaders who are supporting the legalisation of same sex marriage announced it as a priority in their election manifestos. There is already a huge amount of opposition to the move and pressing ahead with legalisation will lead to considerable dissension and division. Legalising same sex marriage to appease a small minority is wrong and it should not be foisted on the British people without proper consultation about whether rather than how it should be done. 4. Equality does not mean uniformity In a free democratic society we accept that many human activities are not open to everybody. Not everyone is allowed to drink alcohol, drive a car, buy property, cast a vote, own a firearm, attend university, visit Buckingham Palace or participate in a 100m womens Olympic event. This does not mean that those who are not eligible for these activities are in any way denigrated or demeaned, but just that there are eligibility criteria. Same sex couples do not fulfil the eligibility criteria for marriage, which should be reserved for the voluntary union of one man and one woman for life.

man and one woman

THROUGHOUT HISTORY in virtually all cultures and faiths throughout the world, marriage has been held to be the union of one man and one woman. Marriage existed thousands of years before our nation began and has been recognised in our laws as the voluntary union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others for life (Hyde v Hyde 1866). The UN Declaration of Human Rights (article 16) recognises that the family, headed by a man and a woman, is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State. It is not up to governments to redefine marriage but simply to recognise it for what it is, and to promote and protect it as a unique institution. 2. Same sex couples already have

civil partnerships
All the legal rights of marriage are already available to same sex couples through civil partnerships so there is no need to redefine marriage to include them. The President of the Family Division has even described civil partnerships as conferring the benefits of marriage in all but name. Such a move would also inevitably lead to calls to open civil partnerships to opposite sex couples on the basis of 20

5. Protecting traditional marriage

safeguards children and society

Stable marriages and families headed by a mother and a father are the bedrock of society and the state has a duty to protect the uniqueness of these key institutions. Though death and divorce may prevent it, children do best when raised by a married mother and father. Whilst single parents or same sex couples may do a good job in raising children, social policy has to be concerned with what is normally the case, and children have a right if at all possible to have a married mother and a father involved in their upbringing. In general the evidence shows that marriage provides a stability for adults and children which is hard to beat in terms of outcomes. There is considerable evidence to show that marriage leads to better family relationships, less economic dependence, better physical health and longevity, improved mental health and emotional well-being and reduced crime and domestic violence. By contrast, sexual freedom and relationship breakdown cost Britain 100 billion annually and other models of the family have not been shown to have the same stability as traditional marriage. Same sex marriage, in comparison with conventional marriage, is an unproven and experimental social model. 6. Marriage is a unique biologically

undermine this distinctness and difference and risks normalising the technological instrumentalisation of reproduction and increasing the number of families where there is confusion of biological, social and family identity. 7. Redefining marriage will be

complex and expensive

Redefining marriage could cost billions and involve amending hundreds of pieces of government legislation. The word 'marriage' appears 3,258 times in UK legislation, which underlines the central role the institution plays in national law. Introducing same sex marriage is a legal can of worms which cannot be achieved without changing the common and legal definition of the word marriage and other words which define it (eg. husband and wife, consummation and adultery). These changes will inevitably change the definition and nature of marriage for opposite sex couples by trying to accommodate these two very different kinds of relationship under one legal umbrella. According to an assessment done for gay rights group Stonewall by a former civil servant, the cost of implementing one favoured option would be around 5 billion. This figure relates to a theoretical increase in straight couples taking up the opportunity of civil partnerships, with knock-on implications to their entitlement to pension and tax benefits. This is simply not a priority for government at a time of economic recession as it will confer no new rights.
Christian Concern

complementary relationship
Marriage is the only legal union which can naturally lead to children. It takes both a man and a woman to produce a baby. The fact that there is a natural link between sexual intimacy and procreation is what makes marriage distinctive and different. Redefining marriage will 21

CHURCH FAMILY NEWS

Congratulations
CONGRATULATIONS to Gary and Kathy Hunt on the birth of Alexander. We are glad for Ed and Sheila Drury on becoming grandparents as Jenson Arthur Rodd was born to their daughter Claire and son-in-law Duncan. Our thoughts and prayers are with them all as Jenson awaits a major heart operation.

Change of address:
The Defriends new address is available from the church office by emailing: stjohnschurchoffice@gmail.com

Corrections to the family directory

Ann Tucker and Sue & Terry have new email addresses. For details, contact: stjohnschurchoffice@gmail.com

Funerals
Audrey Barbara MacGregor died 18th February aged 84. The funeral was at the Surrey and Sussex crematorium on 29th February 2012.

Baptisms
Jacob Andrew Callaway on 18th March 22

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

GARAGE & CAR REPAIRS, MOTs & COACHES

Woodcock Hill Service Station, London Road, Felbridge 01342 325544 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 For Fairtrade gifts and jewellery that help lift people out of poverty, call Brenda Wilkinson on 01342 311516 for a catalogue and to place your order, or log on to www.createdgifts.org.
When you contact any of our advertisers, don't forget to mention that you saw their advert in Parish News. For advertising enquiries, contact Gordon Wilkinson on 01342 311516 or John Dabell on 01342 317745.

USEFUL CONTACTS
Churchwardens: Anne Butler 01342 313640 e-mail: butleranne09@gmail.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 Lindsey Saunders 01342 325662 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

CHILDREN/YOUNG PEOPLE ACTIVITIES

Stars (3-6 yrs): Comets (Year 2-4): Meteors (Year 5-6): The Rock (Year 7-9): Parish Safeguarding Officer Sally Hobbs 01342 410929 e-mail: hobbsfamilysja@gmail.com Diane Francis 01342 714575 e-mail: diane_francis@tiscali.co.uk Gaby e-mail: gabriella.cicala@gmail.com Michael Peach 01342 312406 e-mail: michaelstevenpeach@gmail.com Chris Ely 01342 311614 e-mail: christineely2@msn.com

Rainbows, Brownies & Guides Ann Tucker 01342 317283 e-mail: ann_tucker@btinternet.com

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