FROM THE EDITOR I AM always made to feel very welcome when I return to St John‘s during university holidays We went to St Petersburg as a family last weekend, and of course, visited the Hermitage. After being stunned by the lavish interiors and numerous chandeliers, we found ourselves in a corridor full of boxes labelled ‗fragile‘. And halfway down that corridor, VICAR: The Rev Stephen Bowen, having squeezed through gaps between The Vicarage, Felbridge, the boxes—rather unsure whether we West Sussex RH19 2QT were meant to be there at all, we came Tel: 01342 321524; across a small cabinet of radiate-headed Fax: 0870 9156268 brooches. [email protected] Now to most people, a radiate-headed Vicar’s day off: Thursday brooch is an unexceptional piece of ASSOCIATE MINISTER: metal. To me as a student of Anglo- Saxon archaeology, who happens to be Michael Peach writing a project about a pair of these 5 Burns Way, East Grinstead, brooches from Cambridgeshire, this West Sussex RH19 1SA cabinet was pure treasure. More than Tel: 01342 312406 that, it was unexpected. [email protected] One can recall the parable of Jesus Michael’s day off: Friday about hidden treasure in Matt 13:44: The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went Cover photo: and sold all he had and bought that Hydrangea by Gordon field. Wilkinson Sarah Francis JUNE: Articles for the JUNE Issue to be handed in by 16th May Publication 30th May Please e-mail your articles to [email protected] or put them in the editor’s pigeon hole in the church entrance. 1 STEPHEN WRITES… DEAR FRIENDS, So what should influence our choice as we come to vote? For me May 6th means my brother‘s birthday. On that day in 1953 a shout I would suggest the following: came down the stairs, ‗It‘s a boy!‘ I (1) It is a Christian responsibility had no idea what they were talking about. In those days children were not to vote and we should exercise it. informed about such impending (2) We should not just events. unthinkingly vote the way we have always voted in the past. I can‘t remember anything about the baby, though I did get to know him (3) We should not focus on what better as the years passed—but I do might benefit us or people like us, but have very fond memories of the what would be best for those in the Bayko construction set I was given as greatest need. a consolation present. (4) We should recognize that we This year May 6th has a different are voting for an individual MP, not meaning for us all. Something is due primarily for a Prime Minister or a to happen that day which will have party. (This can raise difficult issues consequences that will last for many if the individual we are drawn to vote years into the future. I doubt whether for belongs to a party we do not there will be many consolation support!) presents on offer, though! (5) Christians should pray about There have been times when elections the way they vote and about the have been held when there were outcome for the whole country—and absolutely clear issues of principle we should pray for those who are between candidates, and Christian elected, whether they were our leaders have felt that it was right to candidate or not. point that out to their congregations. What would your list of principles Most people would not feel it was and priorities look like? quite that clear-cut in our country at the moment. There are people of high Yours sincerely, principles in all the main parties, and committed Christians among them. 2 IN THE GARDEN Strawberries & Rhubarb WHILE planning ahead this year I We had a great show of primroses this have been reflecting on how fashions spring and some of the large clumps in gardening have changed. During the need to be divided. At its best this war years and the forties and fifties, month with its pretty pendant bell- because of rationing and as we were a shaped flowers is the enkianthus - also large family, my father grew mainly known as the pagoda bush which goes fruit and vegetables. I remember my well with rhododendron ‗temple bells‘. grandmother‘s scented garden full of Just occasionally we gardeners put clarkia, pinks, lily-of-the-valley, things into the garden with little snapdragons, violets, marigolds, planning and strike lucky. This wallflowers, larkspur, Sweet William happened with the climber actinidia and granny‘s bonnets. Then came kolmikta, or Chinese gooseberry, decking, grasses, gravel and water which was planted against a wall. It is features. Now gardening has come full very spectacular at this time of the year circle as more of us aim for the cottage with lovely pink and white heart- garden look and want to grow our own shaped leaves. Without thinking we organic vegetables. I believe there are planted a paeony ‗Bowl of Beauty‘ in now more than 80,000 people waiting front of it to great effect because they for allotments. are the same colours and come into flower together. The lovely hellebores have finished flowering and will need a good feed The garlic, shallots, onion sets and and mulch. I have never had much potatoes are planted. The spinach and success with clematis except clematis beetroot are in and also the beans – Montana which is so hardy and French, borlotti and runners. We have rampant that even I can grow it. After given up on carrots because ours flowering that will need a good tidy up always fork or are very tiny. However and also feeding with a tomato feed for we are fortunate to have a long south- maximum flower power next year. I facing wall where our tomato plants do hung the pheromone traps into the fruit very well in growbags. Last year we trees earlier this year as last year we had a bumper crop of strawberries so still had some maggots in the plums. now is the time to put fresh straw Time too for feeding the lawn and under the plants to prevent them rotting tackling the moss. off, and pick the rhubarb - so lots of crumble! Maureen Reynolds 3 REGULAR EVENTS Through the week at St. John’s Sundays 8am Holy Communion (2nd & 4th Sundays in the month) 10am Morning Service Family Service (1st Sunday in the month) 5pm Raise The Roof (3rd Sunday in the month) 6.30pm Evening Service Tuesdays 12.45pm Food for Thought, Zion Church 2pm WI first Tuesday of the month in the Village Hall Wednesdays 2pm Watercolour on Wednesdays Thursdays 10.30am WIGS at the Old Pheasantry, Woodcock Hill (home of June Clark) 6.00-7.30pm JAFFA club in the Church hall on the first Thursday of each month Saturdays 8am Prayer Breakfast on first Saturday morning in the Church Hall Come and join a fun quiz and buffet supper to raise money for Christian Aid at St Luke’s Church on Saturday 8th May 2010 at 7.00pm. Teams of up to 6 people may enter - £6.00 per person – please bring your own drink & glasses. There will be a raffle. Phone Pauline Cotton on 323633 to enter a team. 4 JUST A BIG FISH? Sermons in Jonah THE STORY of the big fish swallowing Jonah must be one of the best known Old Testament Bible stories. But what is the rest of the story? And what has it got to teach us now? It is tempting to think of Jonah as just a children’s story, but while the events might capture the imagination of the young, the teaching of the book is a challenge to us all. Jonah is about God’s authority and power over all things and people, his authority to judge, and his wonderful mercy to those who ask for God’s forgiveness. It shows how God’s concern is not just limited to those who are presently part of his people, but is for all people everywhere. During May we all have the chance to spend some time in this challenging book: 2nd May A Second Chance (Jonah Family Service) 9th May God is Lord of All (Jonah 1) 16th May God’s Mercy to Jonah (Jonah 2) 23rd May God’s Mercy to Nineveh (Jonah 3) 30th May God’s Concern for All (Jonah 4) As well as sermons on Jonah all the children’s and youth groups are also looking at Jonah, so learning from Jonah will be a whole church activity! Hopefully this should provide lots of opportunities for chatting about what we are learning across all ages. I do hope you will join us! Michael Peach 5 WHAT’S HAPPENING 2nd May Family Service at 10am with Kevin Defriend Holy Communion at 6.30pm with Stephen Bowen 9th May Holy Communion at 8am with Stephen Bowen Morning Prayer at 10am with Michael Peach Evening Prayer service at 6.30pm with Stephen Bowen 16th May Holy Communion at 10am with Stephen Bowen Raise the Roof at 5pm Evening Prayer at 6.30pm with Andy Brown 23rd May Holy Communion at 8am with Jack Baker Pentecost Morning Prayer at 10am with Stephen Bowen Evening Prayer at 6.30pm with Michael Peach 30th May Holy Communion at 8am with Rev. Richard Adfield Morning Prayer at 10am with Andy Brown Evening Prayer at 6.30pm with Don Ely Forthcoming Events 1st May 8am Prayer Breakfast 15th May 8.30am Men’s Breakfast 22nd May Day of Prayer 19th June Village Fair 17th July Fun Scarecrow Competition at Whittington College (Jesus a friend for all) A fun action-packed evening for children in school years 3-6 Meetings on the first Thursday of the month 6th May, the Church Hall, 6-7.30pm Lots to do – Bible teaching, games and craft For details of how to apply to join contact Diane Francis (01342 714575) 6 OTHER EVENTS Organised by Churches Together and Justice & Peace Date Location Event Wednesdays Jubilee Family Support Work 3 mornings (10am - 1pm) of 5th, 12th and Community FREE training for volunteers to help a professional 19th May Centre social worker in East Grinstead provide help for families.