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FROM THE EDITOR

Ive just started reading Getting your kids through church without them ending up hating God. Interestingly it doesnt come up with fantastic ideas for transforming the youthwork, but what it does do is pose challenges about what our motives and values are and also questions the way I treat my children - how I show them they are loved and accepted. Rob Parsons says: If you really want to get them through church without hating God, make sure they dont see church as the main competitor for your time. I am sad to admit that I have often put church work before the children and now we are faced with the situation that one of our children doesnt want to come to church. Over the past few months Chris and I have been attempting to tackle the editing of the Parish News together - hes been doing all the work and then Ive been changing it! Its not really working and Im finding time to write this at 6am on a Saturday morning. So I would like to ask if there is anyone who feels that they might be willing to take on the role of editor of the Felbridge Parish News. No experience necessary, but access to a computer essential and access to publisher useful. Lindsey Saunders

VICAR: The Rev Stephen Bowen The Vicarage, Felbridge, West Sussex RH19 2QT Tel: 01342 321524 Fax: 0870 9156268 stjohnschurchoffice@gmail.com Vicars day off: Thursday 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:
Trees in the snow by Brenda Wilkinson

FEBRUARY: Articles for this Issue to be handed in by SUNDAY 15TH JANUARY

Please e-mail your articles to parishmagstjohns@gmail.com, put them in the editors 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.

STEPHEN WRITES
A White Christmas...
Are you dreaming of one?! Just like the ones we used to know Of course in practice there are various inconveniencesthe relatives you are expecting cant get to you, or (even worse) have to stay longer than expected, or essential last-minute deliveries dont arrive. From a vicars point of view it depends on whether your congregation tend to walk to church or drive, I suppose! Last year when it was snowing on the evening of the service of Carols by Candlelight we had a really good turn-out. On the rare occasions that we get a white Christmas it does look lovely, doesnt it? But I believe really only about 6% of Christmases in the South-east have really counted as white over the last century. How we have got this powerful folkmemory of the white Christmases that used to happen virtually every year? It must be just one of the myths of Christmas. And there are so many of them! The net result is that it is very easy to write the whole thing off as myth and legend. But really, under the layers of snow that have fallen year after year, there is the real and utterly reliable kernel of the account of the birth of 2 the baby in Bethlehem, who was God come down to earth in human flesh. How can we dig down to it? How do we know when to stop clearing the layers away? What is the real heart of the matter, that we can rely on? The wonderful thing is that we do have a very simple basic account of the birth of Jesus in two of the gospels, Matthew and Luke. Some people discount them because although they are simple and basic, they do claim that something miraculous was happening when this child was born. But then if God did decide to come down to earth in the person of a human baby, Jesus, born in Bethlehem, its not too surprising if you find yourself reading an account of the supernatural world breaking into our natural world! With best wishes for a Happy Christmas,

REGULAR EVENTS
Through the week at St. Johns
Sundays
8am 10am 6pm Holy Communion on Morning Service Evening Service

Tuesdays
1.30pm WI first Tuesday of the month in the Village Hall

Wednesdays
2pm Watercolour on Wednesdays in the Church Hall 1st Felbridge ( St Johns) Brownies

Thursdays
10.30am 4-5pm 7pm - 8.30pm WIGS at the Old Pheasantry, Woodcock Hill (home of June Clark) Girls Bible Study in the Church Hall JAFFA Plus in the Church hall on 1st December 1st Felbridge ( St Johns) Rainbows 1st Felbridge ( St Johns) Guides

Fridays

Saturdays
8am9am Prayer breakfast on 3rd December 8.3010am Mens breakfast on `18th December at 5 Burns Way

WHATS HAPPENING
Sunday Services
4th December
10am FAMILY SERVICE with - Kevin Defriend 6pm HOLY COMMUNION with Stephen Bowen 10am Morning Service with Stephen Bowen: 6pm TREE OF LIGHT SERVICE with Don Ely

11th December 8am HOLY COMMUNION with Stephen Bowen

18th December 10am HOLY COMMUNION Service with Michael Peach

6pm CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT With Stephen Bowen

25th December

8am Holy Communion with Jack Baker 10am Family Service with Michael Peach 10.45am Holy Communion 10am Family Service with Stephen Bowen 6pm Holy Communion with Don Ely 8am Holy Communion with Stephen Bowen 10am Morning Service with Stephen Bowen 6pm Evening Service with Michael Peach 10am Holy Communion with Michael Peach 6pm Raise the Roof with Kevin Defriend 8am Holy Communion with Jack Baker 10am Morning Service with Tim Neale 6pm Evening Service with Don Ely 10am Morning Service with Andy Brown 6pm Holy Communion with Stephen Bowen

1st January 8th January

15th January 22nd January

29th January

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, or just the opportunity to sit and chat. A great opportunity to meet old friends and make new ones all welcome! Our first meeting will be on Monday 9th January, 2pm-4pm, in St Johns Church Hall. For more information please do contact Don Ely or Michael Peach.
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BIBLE BY THE BEACH - 2012

For several years now a group from St John's has gone to 'Bible by the Beach' at Eastbourne over the first May Bank Holiday, and have found it really worthwhile. Next year it will be held from 4th -7th May, once again at the Congress Theatre. If you've never had the inspiring experience of singing hymns and Christian songs with several hundred other people, this is your chance! And, as an added bonus, the singing is led by Stuart Townend and his band! On offer next year to tempt you! - the Bible Readings will be led by Stephen Gaukroger on the theme of 'Christ in all the Scriptures'; a choice of 3-part seminar sessions will take place each day, to focus on specific aspects of our faith and the world around us; and the Evening Celebrations will again be a wonderful time of worship and inspiration with a number of different speakers. Great for families, with age-related, action-packed groups for children, including pre-schoolers. Judging from the video clips we saw last year of their activities they had a brilliant time! If we have a group of 12 or more booking before 31st January, we can get a discount held at last year's rate of 65 per person. Children go for 12, or 6 for pre-school age. Accommodation needs to be booked independently. Discounted rates have been negotiated on all hotel and guest-house bookings by Eastbourne Accommodation Bureau; details can be obtained on the website: conferenceeastbourne.com/Bible2012, or phone or email Liz Attwell on 01323 647130 or accommodation@eastbourne.gov.uk. If you would like to go, please speak to me asap, so that we can take advantage of the group booking rate. There are leaflets at the back of church which have all the details and the booking form, and there is a website at www.biblebythebeach.org.
Anne Butler

If you would like to camp with the Saunders family, please let Chris or Lindsey know, so we can book the campsite. Last year we stayed at a lovely sheltered site, close to Westham station with beautifully clean toilets and showers. The kids loved the ducklings and farm animals there. It would be lovely to go along with a few friends this time. Lindsey 5

VILLAGE ISSUES
Felbridge and District Horticultural Society
We held our 60th Anniversary Supper at our meeting this month and I am sure it was enjoyed by all. This is our last meeting through the winter and we start again on Thursday 15th March 2012 at 8.15pm at Felbridge Village Hall. Our next meeting will welcome Tilda Conway who will show us how to make Christmas decorations for our homes.
Daphne Ayerst

Communication hubs
Surrey County Council have got a new gritter and they have increased their supply of salt in preparation for bad weather. Crawley Down Road now has the same status as the A264 for gritting protection. Gas boilers should, of course be checked before the bad weather starts and a C.O.2 alarm would make you aware of any malfunction in your gas supply.
Kenneth Harwood

Felbridge W.I.
Over fifty ladies sat down to afternoon tea and cake as we celebrated our 87th birthday. We were entertained by Geraldine Horne with very funny stories and her sketch of a W.I. meeting made us laugh until we cried. Rosie Archer placed the W.I. poppy wreath in St. Johns Church at the Remembrance Service.

The Olympics coming to Felbridge on Tuesday 17 July

Well the flame! We are looking forward to the Olympic flame coming through Felbridge on 17th July. Stephen spoke to radio Surrey and Sussex on 7th Novemebr when it was announced! A different town and city of the UK will welcome the Olympic Flame every evening of the Torch Relay. Torchbearers will carry the flame through Brighton & Hove, then to Crawley &Copthorne and on to Felbridge, then into East Grinstead, passing through Tunbridge Wells, Crowborough, Lewes, Eastbourne, Pevensey Bay, Bexhill on Sea and St Leornards on Sea, stopping in Hastings for an evening celebration. 6

CAR PARK UPDATE

AT last there is some progress with refurbishing the church car park (not before time you cry!) The Diocesan architect has invited contractors to provide costs for two options to resurface the car park in an attempt to satisfy the Local Planning Authority and the Parish. Option 1 - Marshalls Driveline Priora Permeable Block Paving (or similar) laid in 90 degree herringbone pattern. Colour - Bracken, with parking bays etc marked out using Charcoal coloured blocks. Option 2 - Golpla (Hoofmark UK Ltd) high quality recycled hexagonal plastic cell system (or similar) with max 10mm beige/grey decorative stone infill. Cell colour Silver/Grey, with parking bays etc marked out using Golplas plastic inserts (in white and/or yellow). In addition the tenderers are to include for: A A central kerb to divide the car park into two separate areas, with a street lamp at either end (lighting controls fitted in the church hall). B Four bollards (one each side of each entrance) indicating the kerb edges (particularly when obscured by snow). C Footpath adjacent to the white timber fence (which remains) to improve pedestrian access and protect the west lamp post. This shifts the three DDA spaces, but does align the two central rows (instead of the present staggered arrangement which makes pedestrian access between cars difficult). As a result: (i) the parking bay layout is revised (ii) one car parking space lost (iii) a motorcycle space is added D Dropped kerbs for wheel chair access. E Kerbs extended across end of Disabled Bay. F Cross hatching painted on access road area to define No Parking zones G Existing soakaways cleaned out and connected to a new channel drain along the west side. Tenders are due back on 21st November, so we may know the result before this report is published. Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns (email john@malcolmgee.plus.com). J Grainger
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FELBRIDGE WILDLIFE
A Battered Bat and a Rambling Brambling
AROUND Halloween, a very uncommon bat appeared in Felbridge. Sadly it was injured when the tree in woodland off the Crawley Down Road, in which it was sleeping, was felled by developers. The bat, a Nathusius' pipistrelle is recovering in the Bat Hospital run by Jenny Clarke at Forest Row. I was asked what had nibbled the splendid toadstool featured as last month's magazine cover. The fly agaric is named for its ability to kill flies. It also produces a range of hallucinogenic toxins that do no good to people. Mice, however seem able to make a meal of it, as do the maggots of the mushroom fly. Indoors, No Fly Zones have been created by several species of house spiders, especially Tegenaria domestica or the seriously large Tegenaria gigantea, which can mop up hibernating Autumn flies, or cluster flies and other insects in our houses. One definition of a weed is a plant for which we have not yet found a use. Thank God for creating so many wonderful plants we do not know that we need. Among the lowliest of these, literally at ground level, are the liverworts and mosses. In the wetter parts of the parish are bog moss or sphagnum and the rich green fleshy lobes and elfin cups of plants too neglected to have memorable English names. A welcome visitor to the garden from across the North Sea has been a solitary brambling. Nicknamed 'the chaffinch of the North', this delightful finch is more black and orange and shows a white rump as it flies. More are forecast by the 'Autumnwatch' pundits for the New Year, when both bramblings and chaffinches will turn over old leaves under the beech and birch trees. I shall be turning over a new leaf, with resolutions that again I shall fail to keep, but with God, hope springs at least until February.
Peter Bateman.

CURRENT ISSUES: UNEMPLOYED?

Unemployment reaches 17-year highcan you help?
UNEMPLOYMENT has now topped 2.6 million, the highest since 1994. More worryingly, over one million of our 16 to 24-year-olds are now out of workmore than at any time since 1992. While the figure includes the 286,000 people in full-time education who are looking for part-time work, the youth unemployment rate is now 22%. The months up to Christmas dont look much better, with most employers intending to create fewer jobs, reports a survey by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development . Government ministers say that the figures are a reflection of the impact on the UK of economic uncertainty in the eurozone and slower growth in the global economy. This misses the point. The reasons arent importantwhat is important is the impact on individuals. When you lose your job, you feel like your world is collapsing around you, you feel depressed and sometimes afraid, you feel frustrated by the fact that everything revolves around job vacancy adverts, getting your applications in on time, and wondering why companies just dont seem to respond, even with a rejection letter. Having been made redundant when I was 32, I know about the financial worries this can bring. Losing your job for any reason affects how you feel about yourself, it means a loss of 9 dignity, self-esteem and confidence you feel alone and begin to wonder if youre worth anything to anyone. Its bad enough to lose your job, but imagine leaving school and being unable to get your first job. Many young people are unable to get work without experience, but not being able to get experience without having a job. Volunteering or taking unpaid work is increasingly the only option. If you can summon up the enthusiasm to look at them, there are guides to help you cope. Try: www.helpguide.org/ life/unemployment_job_loss_stress_ coping_tips.htm. Just believe that you can get through this and you will. Here are four useful tips from the guide: face your feelings and accept the reality of the situation as this can help you move on; let people know that you are looking for work and share what youre doing with people you love and trust; involve your family and listen to their suggestions; and take care of yourself. Above all, stay positive and be patient. If you want to work, something WILL turn up eventually. For those of us in employment or retired, lets try to do what we can to support, encourage and inspire anyone we know of in this difficult position. If you can, persuade your employer to create some work - every little helps.
Gordon Wilkinson

IT'S ALL ABOUT COMMUNICATION..!

No-one can dispute the fact that we live in an age of communication which would have left our great-grandparents breathless and bemused! Some of us 'senior citizens' still actually write and post letters, although that seems to be a dying art! Most of us use the phone, tap out texts, send emails, download attachments, surf the web, watch the TV, catch up on 'Iplayer', listen to the radio, and read newspapers and all the other 'stuff' that drops through our letter-boxes day by day, to keep in touch. Some of us manage our finances on-line, order goods from Amazon, sell things on E-bay, and 'google' the information we need. Those who have time to spare use Facebook, Twitter, Skype or Blogs to communicate with friends and family or even total strangers. The younger generation - and many of their elders, too get withdrawal symptoms if they are parted from their mobile phones for any time, and now the invention of I-pads and other ingenious technological devices mean that no-one needs to be 'out of touch' for a moment, whether it's phoning home from the train to announce that they'll be at the station in seven minutes precisely, or standing in the supermarket aisle enquiring which brand of cereal to buy. Yet, despite the fact that we spend a huge proportion of our time in communicating with the world around us, I wonder how much time we spend in communicating with God? After all, he communicates with us all the time through the beauties of his wonderful creation, through all the changing seasons; in the love of friends and family, or the kindness of strangers; in the answers to unspoken prayers, or the 'co-incidences' that delight us; in the way he cares for us when the going gets tough, and shows us the way ahead when we are confused. And, of course, through his Word which teaches, comforts, enlightens and warns us. The Bible, both the Old and New Testaments, is full of prayer for help, healing, comfort, deliverance and justice, as well as prayers of hope, praise, gratitude and acceptance. God always answers our prayers, though not always in the way we might wish or expect; sometimes the answer is 'No', or 'Not yet' or 'Wait', because God knows all our circumstances so much better than we do. The Bible teaches us that prayer is fundamental to our Christian lives. We can pray on our own (Matthew 6:6); with one or two others (Matthew 18: 19-20); or in a church fellowship (Acts 2:42). Jesus knew the importance of prayer, and made it his priority to spend precious time with his Father in Heaven whether slipping off to a secluded place on his own, or praying with his disciples, or joining in the synagogue worship even praying on the Cross. God longs for us to communicate with him in prayer, and it's a two-way process, whether it's through reading our Bibles, praying with a prayer-partner or in our family, joining a Home Group, coming to a church prayer meeting; praying formally or informally; sending up 'arrow-prayers', or spending time in intercession for people or situations. It should be as vital to us as breathing, and as instinctive as a child communicating with its parents. I still have so much to learn about prayer but I couldn't live without it! Anne Butler

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FELBRIDGE HOTEL & SPA EVENTS

Burns Night on Saturday 21st January 2012
Celebrate 253 years since the birth of 'Rabbie' Burns, with a traditional Burns Night. Felbridge Hotel & Spa will warm up this cold winters night with a traditional Scottish menu followed by coffee and fudge as well as a wee dram of whisky with the address of the Haggis. Traditional entertainment in the form of a Piper and Ceilidh Band will guarantee to get you all dancing. Our resident DJ will also be on hand to ensure you party through to the wee hours. 39.00 per guest. Why not treat yourself and stay over in one of our beautiful bedrooms? From just 99.00 to include breakfast, overnight accommodation and full use of the Chakra Spa facilities. For bookings call 01342 337700 or email events@felbridgehotel.co.uk Menu Starters- A choice of Haggis, Neeps and Tatties or Cock-a-Leeky Soup(V) Main Course- A choice of Skirlie stuffed Chicken Breast with Rumbledethumps & a Whisky Sauce or Sweet Potato and Root Vegetable Pie with Rumbledethumps(V) Dessert- Crananchan followed by Coffee and Fudge For bookings and more information please call 01342 337700

One Life. Whats it all about?

Christianity Explored is an opportunity for a small group to meet together and consider what Marks Gospel says about the central questions of life: Whats life all about? Who is Jesus? Why did he come? What does it all mean for me? Anyone can come along to Christianity Explored. You would be very welcome whether you feel you know nothing much about Jesus at all, or have been coming along to church for many years but would just like to revisit the central truths again. Each time the group gets together well start with tea and coffee, followed by looking at a bit of Marks Gospel. After that well watch a short talk on DVD, discuss what everyone thinks, and have the opportunity to ask any questions. We will be starting a daytime and an evening group from January onwards, meeting for 7 weeks, at a time that is convenient for those who would like to come along. If you are interested, or would like to find out more, then please do contact Michael Peach: (01342) 312 406, michaelstevenpeach@gmail.com

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IN THE GARDEN
as buddleias and lavateras down by about half to stop them rocking in high winds which could weaken them. Then they can be pruned much lower in the spring as usual. One can also trim back this years shoots of passionflowers to within a few inches of the wood. The mistletoe seeds we attempted to grown on an apple tree were not successful but if you have holly and ivy or variegated evergreens then it is so easy to make a Christmas wreath for the door using an old wire coat hanger, some chicken wire and red ribbon. There is still a lot of colour hanging on in the garden especially the nerines, fuchsias, schizostylus and argyranthemums. We have dug up the dahlias for winter storage because we were so eager to put daffodils in their place. We have also divided overgrown clumps of asters and obedient plants and replanted them elsewhere and filled pots with tulips. Already I am itching to be out there again in the spring. In the meantime like the hedgehogs, dormice and bats that hibernate because of lack of food and to save energy I too shall hibernate simply because I dont like the cold! Happy Christmas.
Maureen Reynolds

WINTER with the grey, wet, cold days and dark evenings is my least favourite season. T S Eliot called midwinter the dark time of the year. I prefer Shelleys If winter comes can spring be far behind? which is full of optimism and cheers me up. In the middle ages winter was referred to as The Terror. In those days a good harvest and a mild winter was a matter of life and death. Now we can not only store and preserve the surplus produce from the garden but also freeze it. Once Christmas is over we shall all be cheered, as always, to see the new shoots of daffodils and snowdrops poking their tips through the cold earth and the primroses in flower. The camellias are already full of promise with their fat buds preparing to dazzle us. Now that the leaves have fallen it is a good time to look at the bare bones of the trees and shrubs as it is easy to see where branches cut across one another. Remove any unwanted or weak branches to improve the light and air to the centre. It is also useful now to cut some of the deciduous shrubs such 16

TELL ME WHY?
Isnt the Christmas story just make-believe?
EVERYONE likes the Christmas story, dont they? With its shepherds, wise men, angels and an exciting birth too, it is a fun story but is it just that? Can we really believe the Christmas story is true? Does it matter? Much of the Christmas story is found in Lukes Gospel account. Thats where we hear about the journey to Bethlehem, the stable, the angels, the shepherds and of course Jesus birth. However, this story is not the very first part of his Gospel, before that he says why and how he has written this account. Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. (Luke 1:1-4 NIV) Luke says that he is seeking to write reliable history. He makes clear here that he is aware of the other accounts that have been written and has taken those into account. He knows what eyewitnesses to these events have said, and those who have been followers of Jesus from the beginning. He has carefully investigated and looked into all that he has heard and brought it together into an orderly account. Luke has approached his task as an investigator and historian, not as a creative writer! Luke also makes clear here what his purpose is in writing his Gospel. He wants his readers to be certain regarding the things they have been taught about Jesus. He wants to make sure that people have heard the truth about Jesus and have confidence in that truth. Luke has sought to write a reliable account of Jesus birth so that we can be certain about what happened, for those events 2000 years ago affect the whole of history. The angels and the remarkable birth of Jesus show that he was no ordinary baby, but Gods own Son and the Saviour that we need. Surely Luke at least deserves a hearing! So why not read Lukes Gospel account this Christmas time, and consider thoughtfully what he says about Jesus. For the truths that he records changed history, and can change our lives forever.
Michael Peach

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MISSION MATTERS
St Catherines Hospice
The Mission Team Reps are each allocated a month to promote their Charity or Mission. I have December as thats when we hold our Tree of Light Service so it fits in very well. I usually write about the Tree of Light Service but I did that last month to ask for help etc. and a tree!! So this month I thought I would tell you a bit about St Catherines, the work they do and how I have become a bit more involved. I retired in 2010 and spent the summer months relaxing and slowly becoming used to not having to do things I didnt want to do. By the time September came around I began to realise that I needed to do something more. I had a few contacts at the Hospice as the link person for St Johns, so rang and asked if I could help in any way as a volunteer. After a few forms had been filled in, references followed up and an interview, I was asked if I could help in the Fundraising Department. I did wonder what exactly this would entail but said ok and we agreed I would be there on Tuesdays each week. By this time it was October so my first task was to help with the Christmas cuddlies campaign. I wont bore with the details but it involved making lots of phone calls, data entering, working 18 on spreadsheets, franking post, mail shots etc. The staff are all friendly and helpful making me feel very welcome and I actually felt useful again! Since then I have helped in a small way with the preparation for many fundraising events throughout the year- far too numerous to detail here. Many of you will know about the work of St Catherines sadly some of you at first hand. If so, I am sure you will have been as impressed as I am at the amazing work the Medical Staff carries out. They work with the In Patients but there is also a Community Care team and a Day centre which they are involved with. As well as Clinical care, patients have access to Counselling, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Welfare advice, a Lymphoedema Clinic and Complementary Therapies. These include: Massage, Aromatherapy, Reflexology and Relaxation, all of which help to improve Patients wellbeing. What of their Spiritual wellbeing though well, the Spiritual Care Team are there for that. They are led by Mike Nevill and Sue Clarke who are supported by qualified and experienced volunteers. St Catherines believe the role of spiritual care is to enable those

living with illness to reflect on and find meaning in their experiences. The spiritual care team can help patients discover their own meaning, direction, purpose and answers, regardless of faith and belief. Through providing an open, sensitive, listening ear and talking, the team can help patients and their loved ones achieve a sense of peace and understanding. People have their own spiritual needs and concerns and will use their own coping mechanisms in dealing with problems. The team will help to explore thoughts and feelings for example about things happening in peoples lives, relationships with others or questions about the meaning and purpose of life and their beliefs. They will not be preached at or pressured to accept anything that they are not comfortable with. For practising Christians they may wish to receive Holy Communion or prayers, perhaps with anointing at the bedside. This can be arranged with the patients own Minister or they can ask one of

the Spiritual Care Team who will be pleased to pray with them. The Hospice does not have a Chapel because it is not a religious organisation. Instead there is a Quiet room offering peace and quiet for reflection or prayer, for people of all faith or none. Services of prayer and reflection are held weekly in the Quiet room. Services are non-denominational, lasting about 20 minutes and are held on different days each week to allow Day Hospice Patients to attend if they wish. All are very welcome to attend. I could go on and on about the work of the Hospice, the staff and volunteers ( about 600), Hopefully I have captured just a little but if you would like to know more, please ask me and I will do my best to help or find someone who can. Or you could look on the Hospice website yourself if you have access to the internet (www.stch.org.uk).
Jenny Young

Christmas Lunch
Thursday 15th December 12.30 pm to 2.30 pm
The Star Inn, London Road Felbridge 2 courses 14.99. 3 courses 17.99 varied festive menu
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CHURCH FAMILY NEWS

News and Thanks
We are delighted to welcome Andy and Joan Brown back from their time working on the Mercy Ship off the coast of Sierra Leone. Andy was using his skills as a surgeon and Joan was helping with physio for in and out patients and helping read to children and as an assistant in the physio department. We hope to hear more about their experiences soon. There is a very welcome addition to the churchyard. Sheila Johnson has renewed the bench which had become unsafe, which was dedicated to the memory of her husband Ian. Ian and Sheila and their family were very much part of the life of St John's for many years .Ian contributed so much to the life of the church and other organizations locally before his untimely death. Sheila and the family continued to do so for many years. Sheila has now moved away but there is still a special memory of them all here in Felbridge. We are glad to welcome Don Ely to the status of reader at St Johns. A number went up from St Johns to Southwark cathedral for his licensing in October. There were a good size group being licensed and so the cathedral was full but St Johns had a good strong party in support of Don as well as his family. (Thank you Ann for arranging the mini bus for this) Then it was good to have a welcome service for him at St Johns when folk from his course (he studied in Guildford) came and joined us all. Don and Chris put on a marvellous lunch in the hall afterwards to end a happy occasion on a very tasty note! Thank you to all who brought filled shoeboxes for the Mustard Seed relief mission to take to children abroad for Christmas. There were 72 boxes. Thank you too to Daphne Ayerst (and Jacky Egginton) who sold items for these boxes and raised more money for the Mustard Seed Relief Mission. Mustard Seed Mission Shoe boxes went to the Sumy region Ukraine where the temperature was minus seven degrees and getting colder. The shoe boxes were given to the children in two of the orphanages. All the children quietly wait their turn to receive a box even though they are so excited at the thought of a gift. The mission leader said these children are in our hearts and we will always continue to work hard for them and show them just how much they are loved. Many thanks to Anne Butler who has spent much of her days over the last weeks in church ,seeing workmen in and one thing and another. Rather like the camp outside St Paul's cathedral only no tent and no protesting! 20

In Decembers Family Service there is an opportunity to give new toys (unwrapped please) or vouchers to needy families in this country who are struggling, through Welcare. Welcare is one of the organizations St Johns supports regularly. Thank you to Gordon and Brenda Wilkinson for hosting two coffee mornings where fairly traded craft goods were on sale. 800 worth was sold, which is great news. A new powerful, upright cleaner has now been bought for the church cleaning team (thank you for sorting this John and Carole Grainger!) so it will now be a delight to clean the church! If you'd like to join the team, have a word with Carole Many thanks to Gaby for encouraging Chris and Lindsey to metamorphose the hospitality Sunday into a get together lunch in the Star Inn. Nearly 30 people joined in which was really great. Thank you also to those hosts who chose to cook lunch for their guests instead of eating out. Liz Woolley would like to thank everyone for their prayers for her sister. I was deeply touched by the many cards and kind messages I received after my sister, Julia, died suddenly at home on 24th October. She was only 62. Thank you so much for your prayers and concern. They were a comfort to my sister when she was alive and helped her cope with all the treatment she was having. Holly and her mother were very close and Holly is finding it difficult to come to terms with what has happened. However, as a Christian family we all thank God that Julia is now at peace. http://www.johnstottmemorial.org/london/ This is the address to apply for a ticket to attend John Stott's memorial service at St Paul's cathedral They are free on a first come first served basis. A Service of Thanksgiving for the Life and Ministry of

Rev Dr John R W Stott

will be held at St Pauls Cathedral London at 11.30am on Friday, 13 January 2012 Bishop Michael Baughen presiding Bishop Timothy Dudley-Smith preaching Tickets (without charge) will be required. If you wish to come, please apply for your ticket before 31st December 2011. Tickets will be issued until the maximum capacity of the Cathedral is reached. One ticket per person must be requested. Your ticket will be delivered by email: please print and bring to the Cathedral. 21

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Solar Photovoltaic Panels (Solar PV) ...FIT for purpose?
Even if you were only vaguely interested in generating electricity from Solar PV panels you are probably aware of the Governments eight week consultation period on a proposal to roughly halve the feed-in-tariff (FIT) from 1st April next year for all installations completed and registered on or after 12th December this year. The consultation ends on 23rd December and those in the industry expect that the proposals will be implemented although the announcement is only likely to be made after the New Year. The good news is that installations registered before 12th December are not affected. The bad news is that St Johns will be unable to benefit financially as the reduced FIT barely covers the installation and maintenance costs, as shown below. Our projected benefit at the end of 30 years (assuming 4% inflation): (a) at the current FIT is a gross benefit of 129,000 and a net benefit of 77,000 (after deducting costs to install, maintain and remove the panels). The initial outlay is 33,500 so the net benefit is equivalent to a gain of 2.822% pa. In other words, if we invested the initial outlay in a savings account earning 2.82% pa, then the total in the account after 30 years would be 77,000. (NB figures are rounded). (b) at the proposed FIT is a gross benefit of 68,500 and a net benefit of 16,500. The initial outlay is the same 33,500 so the net benefit is equivalent to loss of 2.345% per annum The impact of these proposals is a massive reduction in income - money that could be used for community projects. The Church of Englands national campaign Shrinking the Footprint has started a petition calling on the Government to exempt not for profit organisations (which includes churches). If you support that idea then please sign the petition on line at https://submissions.epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/20928 Progress at St Johns is as follows: An application to Tandridge District Council has been submitted (but not yet verified). The Diocesan Advisory Committee has recommended our proposals for approval by the Chancellor, subject to certain comments to be resolved at a later date. The preparation of a St Johns energy audit has been completed based on the spreadsheet established by the Diocese. A response to the Governments proposal is being prepared for sending to the Department of Energy and Climate Change before 23rd December. There is still a long way to go and it is by no means certain that we will receive approval from Tandridge. However, if we do (and the PCC still wish to proceed at the lower FIT) then we could have the panels installed and registered by the end of 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

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MILBORROW CHIMNEY SWEEPS, The Flueologists All Flues and Appliances Swept and Serviced. Pots, Cowls, Caps, Birdguards, Fireplace Repairs, Stacks Repointed 01342 717900

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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

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

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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
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USEFUL CONTACTS
Churchwardens: Anne Butler 01342 313640 e-mail: butleranne09@gmail.com Andy Brown 01342 314267 e-mail: brownemail@aol.com Treasurer: PCC Secretary: Magazine Editor: Cleaning Rota: Ministry of Flowers: Church 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 01342 321524 01342 322205 Lynda Railton

Church Office (closed on Thursdays) Village Hall Bookings:

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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