1

FROM THE EDITOR

YOU may be wondering why there is no vicar’s 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 God’s 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 God’s megaphone. Sometimes it’s the only way we can be reached, because we’ve switched off all other channels. That’s not to say that VICAR: The Rev Stephen Bowen everyone who experiences pain has turned The Vicarage, Felbridge, away from God. Remember Joseph - God West Sussex RH19 2QT was with him, talking to him through his ASSOCIATE MINISTER: dreams, and yet he was still imprisoned for Michael Peach a long time. But it worked out alright in the 5 Burns Way, East Grinstead, end and he was able to save his family from West Sussex RH19 1SA starvation - he just didn’t know that when Tel: 01342 312406 he was in prison. [email protected] So if you are going through painful times right now - don’t give up - God never stops Michael’s day off: Friday 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 Cover photo: suffering or in some cases it might mean miraculous healing. Tractor wheel, Romans 8:28: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who Hayward's Farm love him, who have been called according Gordon Wilkinson to his purpose. Lindsey Saunders

MAY: Articles for this Issue to be handed in by SUNDAY 15th April. Publication: 29th April Please e-mail your articles to [email protected], put them in the editor’s 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.

1 STEPHEN BOWEN – A MESSAGE FROM THE CHURCHWARDENS

AS MOST will have heard by now, questions will remain for many of Stephen our vicar has recently us, but Christians believe that God been diagnosed with kidney cancer reigns in all circumstances. (Look for which he is undergoing urgent up Romans 8: 37-39 for a refresher investigation and treatment. This course in this truth!) serious problem was discovered in However, there will certainly be a early March and, on medical need for various people to step into advice, he immediately relinquished the gap left by Stephen and Mandy. his church and parish When such circumstances arise in responsibilities to allow his the Church of England the treatment to take priority. He will Churchwardens have the remain on sick leave for the responsibility for the general immediately foreseeable future and oversight and governance of we appreciate your continuing church affairs, with the help of the prayers for him, Mandy and all the PCC. Please approach us if you family. have any queries or concerns. Stephen’s unexpected absence Michael Peach, our Associate means we will all have to pull Minister, will take responsibility for together as a church family to keep planning services and supervising the various activities of St John’s most of the practical day to day running and we will soon matters. Please keep him informed appreciate how much Stephen and of any diary dates, activities etc. Mandy have done week by week. We will aim to bring you regular The first practical change will be news of Stephen’s progress but the need to rearrange the schedule please contact Anne Butler, who is of services to accommodate input acting as a link person, if you need from visiting ministers and interim information. (Tel: 01342 preachers. Please keep an eye on 313640. Email: the monthly timetable. We hope [email protected]). Finally, you will understand if your favourite please keep praying for Stephen service has been moved or and asking if there are areas you “rebadged”! could help with over the coming You may be wondering who will be months. Don’t be afraid to in charge while Stephen is away? volunteer! The obvious and immediate answer Comfort and prosperity have never is, as always, our wonderful caring enriched the world as much as Father God! It may be difficult to adversity has. (Billy Graham.) understand the reason for this sudden sad setback, and no doubt Andy Brown

2 The Youth Team at St John’s 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 John’s Church Hall. Followed on Wednesday 4th at 12noon by a lunch for all the family. Adult helpers from St John’s very welcome (and feel free to bring your younger children with you). Over 11’s very welcome to come and help too. If you are interested in helping or coming along, please contact Diane Francis, 01342 714575 [email protected].

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.

3 WHAT’S 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.

4 THROUGH THE WEEK

Mondays  Connections 2-4pm on 2nd April in the Church Hall Tuesdays  WI 6th March at 1.30pm in the village Hall Wednesdays  Watercolour on Wednesdays in the Church Hall at 2pm  1st Felbridge ( St John’s) Brownies  Prayer on Wednesday (non-homegroup weeks) at 8pm  Afternoon Prayer meeting on at the home of Di Giles Thursdays  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 Fridays  1st Felbridge (St John’s) Rainbows  1st Felbridge (St John’s) Guides Saturdays  Prayer breakfast on 7th April at 8am—9am  Men’s breakfast on 21st April at 5 Burns Way from 8.30—10am

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 don’t have to be an expert gardener!

5 CURRENT ISSUES: HONESTY

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

6 scored an average of 54 points. For honest as they grow older. It might example, only a third of under-25s also tell us that as a society we said that lying on a job application need to do more to make it clear couldn’t be justified, compared what things are right and wrong… with three quarters of the over-65s there are too many ‘grey areas’. who said it was wrong. Why not see how you score on the The researchers said that the integrity test? Check out: http:// differences between young and old www.essex.ac.uk/government/ might mean that Britain would documents/integrity_test.pdf. continue to grow more dishonest as Gordon Wilkinson this young generation aged, but alternatively it might simply tell us that people tend to become more

Youth Easter Special Thursday 5th April, 5:30-7:30pm in St John’s 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: [email protected]

7 VILLAGE ISSUES

Felbridge W.I. Felbridge Country Show More detail is now appearing about WE WERE very pleased to display the competitions at the Country the new banner we had made through Show. From Jubilee Weekend we the very kind donation from one of are looking forward to scarecrows our past members. We plan to wave appearing around the village, this when the Olympic torch comes created by individuals and groups, through the village, and to advertise which will be in place in front our stall at the Country Fair. gardens, or maybe even more Ann Neale gave a cookery imaginatively, until Show day, 16th demonstration - a four course meal June. This will give everyone made easy. She started with home plenty of time to see them all in situ made hummus which can be a lot and vote for their favourite for the cheaper than one from a shop. Then People’s Choice Award. More on to spicy prawns, and a special details here next month on the Art, chicken dish finishing with an apple Photography and Domestic and ginger compote. The room was Sections as well as other filled with wonderful smells which attractions. made our mouths water – I am sure Entry forms are available from her family enjoyed the food that she Chetan Patel at the Village Shop had prepared before us whilst we and on the Country Show Website were left with our mouths still at www.show.felbridge.org.uk as watering. We comforted ourselves well as from the organisers and with tea and a biscuit! various village organisations. We are looking forward to two Rosemary Archer events in April – our usual meeting on the first Tuesday of the month when we will be hearing about Felons and Fingerprints, and on Felbridge Village Store Wednesday 18th April; we will host a new opening times: Border Group meeting when Nick Mondays-Saturdays Owen will be telling us about Strictly Come Dancing and TV Secrets. Both 8am to 7:30pm meetings will start at l.30pm. Please ring 322302 for more info. Sundays 8am to 4pm. Daphne Ayerst 8 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 A topical deft definition states satellite transmitters which that a wicked developer is revealed them to be in Nigeria someone who wants to build a for Christmas and moving house in a Green Belt Northwards in February. Settlement. A conservationist is However, in Felbridge this someone who already has. month we can enjoy a number Certainly overdevelopment of 'cuckoo flowers', the could mean fewer nests in commonest being the pale lilac which any surviving cuckoo ladies smock. Less welcome is could lay its own eggs. the cuckoo ‘spit’, a covering of froth exuded by the larvae of The Protestant Church was young froghoppers to protect founded on The Diet of Worms. them as they suck the sap of Our thrush needs a diet of plants. The emerging adult snails. We no longer hear the 'spittlebug' will jump away from cuckoo. It would be tragic to harm. Especially in a Leap Year. lose that thrush. Last month half a dozen lesser Not A Local. For those mystified redpolls visited gardens in The by the colourful character on Limes, a species now on the last month's cover, it was a Red List of birds of special Greater Double Collared Sun conservation concern. This Bird that lives in East and South month should see the return of Africa and inspired our our mercifully commoner song indefatigable Tear Fund team. birds from the South, and the Peter Bateman. start of nest building by the local residents. 9 IN THE GARDEN

The only problem then is dealing with the quantities successfully germinated; I just can’t bear to waste them! This year, I’m planning to be a little more selective with what I try to grow, sticking to what works for me Our England is a garden, and such and not wasting time and effort on gardens are not made those cabbages, cauliflowers and By singing: - ‘Oh, how beautiful!’ broccoli which never turn out well; I and sitting in the shade, will also try to grow fewer but better Rudyard Kipling tomatoes! The water companies are already making those dreaded THERE’LL BE no sitting in the drought predictions and it looks as if shade for the first enthusiastic it is only a matter of time before the tenants of the new Felbridge hosepipe bans appear, so we all Garden Plots, which are finally need to be planning for that. Surely underway. For them, there is a lot all they need to do is promise us of hard work ahead, to get their another Barbeque Summer – it ground ready for the spring sowing, usually works. but they are all keen and ready for the challenge. The very best of luck I always think that the best way to to them all for their new venture. find new ideas to try is to look at how others plan their gardening - I April is when the pace – if not grow my runner beans on a pergola always the weather – really begins which was directly copied from one to hot up in the garden. Seed I saw a few years ago in an Open sowing of both flowers and Garden. For those of us wanting to vegetables reaches its peak and it learn more about the real art of starts to get difficult to find the gardening, April 19th brings the space for everything that still needs opportunity to watch the very best to be under cover. Last year, I at work at Sissinghurst with ‘Behind decided that my small heated the Scenes with the Head propagator just couldn’t cope with Gardener’ – followed by a cream everything I wanted to raise from tea. What could be nicer? seed, so I invested in a soil heating cable which runs through large – Rosemary Archer 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. Let’s 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

11

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. There’s 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 John’s Church Hall. For more information please do contact Don Ely or Michael Peach.

16 NEW WORLD ORDER

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

17 BOOK REVIEWS

God Hunting by Joe Swinney

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

18 MISSION MATTERS

UCCF:thechristainunions There were also joint events shaped by the surveyed students’ favourite films. NATASHA KASPROWICZ is one of Krish Kandiah, the mission speaker, St John’s mission partners. Natasha has linked Luke’s gospel and themes from now worked for UCCF in London for the films. For example, the talk ‘Jesus three and a half years after returning and Inception’ looked at Luke 15 and from Russia, where she worked for the included the themes, What about my International Fellowship of past?, Who can you trust?, and What is Evangelical Students (IFES). UCCF is real?. Other evening talks were titled a family of students, staff, and Jesus and Lord of the Rings looking at supporters. Christian Unions (CUs) are Luke 9:18-27 and Jesus and the mission teams operating in universities Shawshank Redemption looking at and colleges, supported by the local Luke 11:37-54. The venue was set up in church, and resourced by UCCF staff. the style of a film awards ceremony This family exists to proclaim the with red carpet and a popcorn cart. gospel of Jesus Christ in the student The joint events were very popular with world. (www.uccf.org.uk). a few hundred students attending. A Recently the London CU project good number of international students mission has been keeping Natasha also attended the dinner held before the busy. The mission took place at the end evening talks and Natasha hopes this is of January in Central London and at something that will continue to grow the end of February in South West over time. International students asked London. CUs from different questions, like, how does prayer work?; universities across London worked Is there any point in trying to be good?; together to provide opportunities for Isn’t Christianity just for Western students to hear the good news of people?; and You said Jesus was God Jesus. but I thought he was a man, can you explain that? The mission involved local events on campus where Christian Unions We are hoping to hear more about the engaged with students to discuss the mission project and the follow up questions they most want to ask God. events, which included a six week Christian Unions ran a survey in course studying Luke’s gospel and a December and students most wanted to tour of the British Museum looking at ask God why he allows suffering, the evidential basis for the Bible, in followed by What is the meaning/ Natasha’s next newsletter. If you are purpose of life? The third in the list was Is there life after death? and the interested in receiving Natasha’s simple Do you (God) exist? was also a newsletters please speak to Dan or Suzy popular choice. Callaway.

19 THE UNIQUENESS OF MARRIAGE

Seven Reasons not to ‘equality’. But marriage and civil partnerships have been designed for legalise same sex marriage two very different types of relationship and should be kept distinct. It is not 1. Marriage is the union of one and should not be ‘one size fits all’. man and one woman 3. Redefining marriage without THROUGHOUT HISTORY in consultation is undemocratic virtually all cultures and faiths None of the political leaders who are throughout the world, marriage has supporting the legalisation of same sex been held to be the union of one man marriage announced it as a priority in and one woman. Marriage existed their election manifestos. There is thousands of years before our nation already a huge amount of opposition to began and has been recognised in our the move and pressing ahead with laws as the ‘voluntary union of one legalisation will lead to considerable man and one woman to the exclusion dissension and division. Legalising of all others for life’ (Hyde v Hyde same sex marriage to appease a small 1866). The UN Declaration of Human minority is wrong and it should not be Rights (article 16) recognises that the foisted on the British people without family, headed by a man and a woman, proper consultation about whether ‘is the natural and fundamental group rather than how it should be done. unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State’. It 4. Equality does not mean is not up to governments to redefine uniformity marriage – but simply to recognise it In a free democratic society we accept for what it is, and to promote and that many human activities are not protect it as a unique institution. open to everybody. Not everyone is allowed to drink alcohol, drive a car, 2. Same sex couples already have buy property, cast a vote, own a civil partnerships firearm, attend university, visit All the legal rights of marriage are Buckingham Palace or participate in a already available to same sex couples 100m women’s Olympic event. This through civil partnerships so there is does not mean that those who are not no need to redefine marriage to eligible for these activities are in any include them. The President of the way denigrated or demeaned, but just Family Division has even described that there are eligibility criteria. Same civil partnerships as conferring ‘the sex couples do not fulfil the eligibility benefits of marriage in all but name’. criteria for marriage, which should be Such a move would also inevitably reserved for the voluntary union of one lead to calls to open civil partnerships man and one woman for life. to opposite sex couples on the basis of

20 5. Protecting traditional marriage undermine this distinctness and safeguards children and society difference and risks normalising the Stable marriages and families headed by technological instrumentalisation of a mother and a father are the bedrock of reproduction and increasing the number society and the state has a duty to of families where there is confusion of protect the uniqueness of these key biological, social and family identity. institutions. Though death and divorce 7. Redefining marriage will be may prevent it, children do best when raised by a married mother and father. complex and expensive Redefining marriage could cost billions Whilst single parents or same sex and involve amending hundreds of couples may do a good job in raising pieces of government legislation. The children, social policy has to be word 'marriage' appears 3,258 times in concerned with what is normally the UK legislation, which underlines the case, and children have a right if at all central role the institution plays in possible to have a married mother and a national law. Introducing same sex father involved in their upbringing. In marriage is a legal can of worms which general the evidence shows that cannot be achieved without changing marriage provides a stability for adults the common and legal definition of the and children which is hard to beat in word marriage and other words which terms of outcomes. There is define it (eg. ‘husband and wife’, considerable evidence to show that ‘consummation’ and ‘adultery’). These marriage leads to better family changes will inevitably change the relationships, less economic definition and nature of marriage for dependence, better physical health and opposite sex couples by trying to longevity, improved mental health and accommodate these two very different emotional well-being and reduced crime kinds of relationship under one legal and domestic violence. By contrast, umbrella. According to an assessment sexual freedom and relationship done for gay rights group Stonewall by breakdown cost Britain £100 billion a former civil servant, the cost of annually and other models of the family implementing one favoured option have not been shown to have the same would be around £5 billion. This figure stability as traditional marriage. Same relates to a theoretical increase in sex marriage, in comparison with straight couples taking up the conventional marriage, is an unproven opportunity of civil partnerships, with and experimental social model. knock-on implications to their 6. Marriage is a unique biologically entitlement to pension and tax benefits. complementary relationship This is simply not a priority for Marriage is the only legal union which government at a time of economic can naturally lead to children. It takes recession as it will confer no new both a man and a woman to produce a rights. baby. The fact that there is a natural link Christian Concern 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: [email protected]

Corrections to the family directory

Ann Tucker and Sue & Terry have new email addresses. For details, contact: [email protected]

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. 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

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: [email protected]

Andy Brown 01342 314267 e-mail: [email protected] Treasurer: Chris Saunders 01342 325662 e-mail: [email protected] PCC Secretary: Sheila Drury 01342 323865 e-mail: [email protected] Magazine Editor: Lindsey Saunders 01342 325662 e-mail: [email protected] Cleaning Rota: Carole Grainger 01342 325482 Ministry of Flowers: Ann Morley 01342 714645 e-mail: [email protected] Church Hall Bookings: Sally Hobbs 01342 410929 e-mail: [email protected] Village Hall Bookings: Lynda Railton 01342 322205

CHILDREN/YOUNG PEOPLE ACTIVITIES Stars (3-6 yrs): Sally Hobbs 01342 410929 e-mail: [email protected] Comets (Year 2-4): Diane Francis 01342 714575 e-mail: [email protected] Meteors (Year 5-6): Gaby e-mail: [email protected] The Rock (Year 7-9): Michael Peach 01342 312406 e-mail: [email protected] Parish Safeguarding Officer Chris Ely 01342 311614 e-mail: [email protected] Rainbows, Brownies & Guides Ann Tucker 01342 317283 e-mail: [email protected]

24