Rectors Ramblings

Dear Friends,

Two things struck me as rather challenging in the news this week.

Firstly, the water in the River Thames is cleaner now than it has been for 200 years. Fish and other aquatic

creatures can live quite happily in the heart of the city of London. Even seals sometimes venture upstream to

London. The downside is that whales can become disorientated and beached. A minke whale got stuck in rollers

at Richmond lock and having been freed from there got caught again at Teddington lock. It had become injured

and distressed, and the decision was made to euthanise it. Perhaps it is easier to recognise signs of distress and

being lost in a whale than it is in a friend or colleague but being lost can be equally fatal in human beings. An

acute sense of direction is not a gift given to all, and everyone on occasion gets lost. I must confess that

reflecting on the news, it feels like there was more coverage about the stranded whale than there was about the

new born child found dead in a London canal, and I found myself wondering whether we care more for the

plight of a lost mammal than we do for human beings in need?

Secondly, the results of the elections threw up the need for a couple of by-elections. Tracy Brabin’s victory made

her ineligible to hold her seat in the House of Commons and Jonathan Seed’s drink driving conviction from 28

year ago made him ineligible to take up the post of Police and Crime Commissioner for Swindon and Wiltshire

to which he had been elected.

Our reading this week from the Acts of the Apostles recounts the election of Matthias in a ‘by-election’ to

replace Judas. It would be wrong to equate either Ms Brabin’s or Mr Seed’s need to stand down with the need

to replace Judas as one of the Twelve.

However, it reminds us that the Holy Spirit can work through something as seemingly mundane as our casting a

vote in a ballot box, and as Matthias who finds himself catapulted into the limelight, the call to holiness both

then and now is often demanding and surpassing.

On Thursday evening last, we celebrated Ascension day. The Ascension of Jesus links Luke's gospel and the Acts

of the Apostles. Before he leaves them, Jesus enables his followers to understand the scriptures. He encourages

them to wait confidently to be fully equipped by the Holy Spirit for their ministry. This ministry will be to call

people, in the name of Jesus Christ, to turn their lives around and return to God. After watching Jesus ascend

into heaven the disciples returned to Jerusalem from where they will spread the good news to all the nations.

What do you feel about the idea of ‘winning people for Christ’?

Is there still a place for language about winning, losing and being lost when it comes to speaking about the

Gospel?

This week may we be reminded of the call that Christ places upon all our lives, to share His Good News, to love

each other as much as we love ourselves, and that God’s love extends to all people of all nations, creeds,

colours, sexuality or gender, and that showing this begins through our worship of God and through our service

to our communities.

Don’t forget to be praying for 5 people through these 10 days of Thy Kingdom Come and prayer journals are

available from both churches and the Rectory. You can watch the introduction here

Have a good week, keep safe and keep in touch.

Paul

There is an 8:00 a.m. Holy Communion at both St Mary’s and St Peter’s this week

Our 10:00 a.m. Streamed services will be available on - St Mary’s Church, Newick-Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/saintmarysnewick/ or

https://vimeo.com/stmarysnewick or on the website https://newickchurch.org/

Our Prayer for Growth

God of Mission Who alone brings

growth to your Church,

Send your Holy Spirit to give

Vision to our planning,

Wisdom to our actions, and power to our witness.

Help our church to grow in numbers,

In spiritual commitment to you,

And in service to our local community,

Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Please remember those on our prayer list who are unwell.

Harri Gande, John Hart, Joy Hay, Mike Hawkes, Spike MacGuire,

Christina McCann, John Morrison, Adrian, Andrea & Amber Pariss,

Gemma Peacock, Kevin Slipper, Gerry Smith, Cheryl Stewart,

Martin Tardiff, Dave Tolhurst, Danielle Tora, Toni Warrilow,

Sean Watson, Mick Weeding, Jenny Weller,

Allen Whitmore, Nasima Wright

If you would like to receive prayers or know someone who would, please contact Rev Paul Mundy on 01825 723186 or church.newick@gmail.com

Death of Brian Thomas

We very sadly report the death on the 29th of April of Brian Thomas.

Brian was a Lay Reader, and also for many years our church treasurer. As treasurer he played a

monumental role in our acquisition of the church barn, particularly in raising a very considerable

funds needed for its purchase and subsequent conversion.

Brian was also one of the four founding trustees of the Newick Distress Trust. It was a very great

loss to our church and to the village when Brian, his wife Janet and their two daughters left us to

take up residence in Glynde in 1988.

We hold Brian’s family in our prayers at this time, and give thanks for his life and the many benefits

that his legacy of the Barn Centre has brought us, and the many joyous times we have shared

together there over the years.

As you know, our Rector, Rev Paul Mundy has recently had a throat

operation.

Last night, at our wonderful Ascension Day service, Father Martin Morgan

asked and urged us to pray for two minutes each day for Rev Paul’s recovery.

He went on to say later that if we all pray, it will happen.

Remembering the importance of prayer and healing in the life and ministry of

Jesus and his disciples and apostles, please join us each day in spending two

minutes praying, with utmost sincerity and faith, for Paul’s recovery.

Christopher Hume and Geoff Clinton

The Barn Centre is gradually re-opening as government

restrictions are relaxed. From Monday 17th May

children's and youth groups and exercise classes are

allowed, subject to the Barn Centre protocol which is

on our website: newickchurch.org Groups of up to six

people may also meet indoors.

From 21st June, all being well, all restrictions will be

removed and larger groups may return. For any

bookings please contact Sue

Balloch: sue.balloch@btinternet.com

Every year we give the children in Year 6 a

Youth Bible to take with them when they

leave us at Newick school and set forth on

their path to secondary school. The bibles

cost £10 - if you would like to make a

donation towards these we would be very

grateful. Cash or cheques can be given to

Rev Paul.

Can you cast your mind back far enough to the far distant time when NASA landed two men in the Luna module

‘Eagle’ on the moon on July 16th 1969 when Commander Neil Armstrong and pilot Buzz Aldrin who were the first

men to land then walk on the moon. They left the task of orbiting the

moon in the command module ‘Columbia’ to the astronaut Michael

Collins who died recently on 28th April. I remember the landing very

well, the excitement and respect for the astronauts and the technology

which their lives relied on, I was amused to read a quote by Michael

Collins who said he kept reminding himself of the original quote by

John Glenn (First American to orbit the earth in 1962) that every single

component in the his craft was provided by the guy with the cheapest

tender!

I seem to remember my Dad waking my sister and me up to watch the

landing on our small black and white TV; it was an amazing time with

the papers and news bulletins keeping the world up to date with the

Apollo 11 mission. I still have the collection of coins which I believe Dad collected from

buying petrol at the Shell garage and the scrapbook I made with

pictures, postcards and newspaper cuttings. When I look up at the

moon in all its beauty it still

amazes me that men have

been there and I also look

with concern about its

future as we know how

easy it is for mankind to

exploit new territory. When the landing happened the achievement

and human endeavour was foremost in my thoughts but now I am

more fascinated by the effect the experience had on the astronauts, the

awe which they felt and how it affected their faith. Looking through

my scrapbook I have the newspaper cuttings from Apollo 13 and remember the world almost holding its breath

while it waited to see if the astronauts would survive what felt like a doomed mission. If you look at the photos

included, here is one with the classic picture of praying hands and the other says ‘Welcome back prayer’, I can

almost feel the tension from that time and the joy across the

world when they survived re-entering the atmosphere and then

rescued and the prayers of thanks as a result.

On Christmas Eve 1968 the three astronauts orbiting the moon in

Apollo 8 sent this moving message to people back on earth,

"We are now approaching lunar sunrise, and for all the people

back on Earth, the crew of Apollo 8 has a message that we would

like to send to you.

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth, and the

earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the

face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters, and God said, Let there be light: and

there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. And God

called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day. And

God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. And

God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were

above the firmament: and it was so. And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning

were the second day. And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and

let the dry land appear: and it was so. And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the

waters called the Seas: and God saw that it was good. And from the crew of Apollo 8, we close with goodnight;

good luck, a merry Christmas – and God bless all of you, all of you on the good Earth".

This caused some controversy so NASA discouraged public broadcasts of faith.

However the Commander of Apollo 15 in 1971 left a bible on the lunar rover and a

signed message by Pope Paul VI was included in statements from dozens of world

leaders on the moon in a silicon disc during the Apollo 11 mission. Buzz Aldrin himself planned to broadcast his communion service with the kit

provided by his church but was forbidden, but continued to celebrate it privately

and there have been many observances and memorable quotes made out in the

depths of space since.

James Irwin (Apollo 15) who was out in rough terrain on the moon radioed back

to earth his favourite scripture passage - "I’ll look unto the hills from whence

cometh my help" psalm 121

Of the 29 astronauts who visited the moon during the Apollo program 23 were

Protestant and 6 Catholic with a high proportion serving as church leaders back

home. There can easily feel a divide between religious faith and science but the

Apollo program certainly proved how the two can work together hand in hand.

I finish with this moving quote by astronaut John Glenn

"To at this kind of creation out there and not to believe in God is impossible" - after looking at the truly incredible

pictures from the Hubble Telescope and that scientists are revealing more and more of the true vastness of space I

most certainly agree with him.

Wishing you a very happy, healthy and safe week ahead. Patsy x

Westerlund 2, Gum 29 - (NASA, ESA, the Hubble Heritage

Team (STScI/AURA), A. Nota (ESA/STScI), and the Westerlund 2

Science Team)

M16, Eagle Nebula, NGC 6611 -

(NASA, ESA, and the Hubble

Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)

CAPTION - Candid Apollo 11 - On July 24,

1969, the Apollo 11 crew with Commander

Neil Armstrong, Command Module Pilot

Michael Collins and Lunar Module Pilot Buzz

Aldrin splashed down in the Pacific Ocean

after achieving the first lunar landing. (NASA)

CAPTION - Astronaut Buzz Aldrin walks on

the surface of the moon near the leg of the

lunar module Eagle during the Apollo 11

mission. Mission commander Neil

Armstrong took this photograph with a

70mm lunar surface camera. While

astronauts Armstrong and Aldrin explored

the Sea of Tranquility region of the moon,

astronaut Michael Collins remained with

the command and service modules in lunar

orbit. (NASA)

People aged 38 and over are now eligible to receive their Covid vaccination.

Across the country, we are moving to the next phase of the COVID-19 vaccination

programme after reaching the target to offer all those in phase 1 of the vaccination

programme a vaccination.

Everybody in cohorts 1 to 9 – those aged 50 and over, the clinically vulnerable and

health and social care workers – has been offered a vaccine, meeting the government’s 15 April target.

This group accounts for 99% of all COVID-19 deaths during the pandemic, so by offering them the vaccine, we

are helping ensure the most vulnerable are protected from the virus.

The significant milestone marks the beginning of phase 2 of the vaccination programme and people aged 45 to 49

across England can now book appointments through the NHS booking service. People in this age group can also

wait to be contacted by their GP led vaccination service.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has published its final advice on phase 2 and in line

with this; eligible people will be invited to receive their vaccines in order of age over the coming weeks and

months.

If anyone in the first nine priority cohorts is yet to have their first vaccination we encourage them to arrange their

appointment immediately through the NHS booking service, by calling 119, or speaking to their GP.

Click here for the latest newsletter.

Click here for the Sussex Covid Vaccination programme

Super easy and delicious

Ingredients

Serves: 8-12

250g digestive biscuits

75g soft unsalted butter

350g jar of Nutella (at room temperature)

100g chopped toasted hazelnuts

500g cream cheese (at room temperature)

60g icing sugar (sifted)

Method

1. Break the digestives into the bowl of a processor, add the butter and a 15ml tablespoon of Nutella, and

blitz until it starts to clump. Add 25g/3 tablespoons of the hazelnuts and continue to pulse until you

have a damp, sandy mixture.

2.

3. Tip into a 23cm/9inch round springform and press into the base either using your hands or the back of a

spoon. Place in the fridge to chill.

4.

5. Beat the cream cheese and icing sugar until smooth and then add the remaining Nutella to the cream

cheese mixture, and continue beating until combined.

6.

7. Take the springform out of the fridge and carefully smooth the Nutella mixture over the base. Scatter the

remaining chopped hazelnuts on top to cover and place the tin in the fridge for at least four hours or

overnight. Serve straight from the fridge for best results.

Featured in NIGELLISSIMA

FOOD BANK DONATIONS

As a Church, we support FSW, the Family support charity helping children and

families in Sussex.

Our particular support is giving food – cans, pasta etc. to the Uckfield branch of FSW

to distribute through their food bank. The current Covid pandemic is causing a sharp

increase in the demands on the foodbank – there is real suffering, hurt and hardship

out there.

Ron and June Perou collect donations which can be left in the church porch they

then deliver them to the food bank. If you have a chance to pick up an extra item at

the supermarket or are able to add an additional item to your online delivery please

be assured that they will be very gratefully received.

A lot of small donations make a big difference

https://www.familysupportwork.org/

Specific Items Needed Locally

Pasta Sauce

Sponge Puddings

Chocolate/sweets

Rice Pudding (Tinned)

Jam

Honey

Chocolate Spread - (Not Peanut

Butter)

Long Life Juice - Orange/apple

Hygiene Products

Toiletries – deodorant, toilet paper,

shower gel, shaving gel, shampoo, soap,

toothbrushes, tooth paste, hand wipes

Household items – laundry liquid

detergent, laundry powder, washing up

liquid

Feminine products – sanitary towels and

tampons

Baby supplies – nappies, wipes and food

General Items

Cereal

Soup

Rice

Tinned tomatoes

Lentils, beans and pulses

Tinned meat

Tinned vegetables/fruit

Tea/coffee

Biscuits

St Peter’s Church has a very good electronic organ, an ORLA GT5000, in excellent condition, which is

now surplus to our

requirements and we would

like to pass it on. We needed it

several years ago when our

main organ was being

refurbished. We could try to

sell it on eBay or similar;

however, we would rather

receive just a reasonable

donation to church funds if

there is someone local who

would like it. We can offer free

delivery within a 10 mile radius

of Chailey.

Please contact Teresa Wenban

(01825 722586) or Chris

Peskett (01825 723431) if you,

or anyone you know, is

interested. Viewing and

‘test-driving’ can be arranged.

Excellent Electronic Organ requiring a new home.

August 24th/25

th/26

th

St Mary’s Church, Barcombe 9:00 -1:00 p.m.

4-11 year olds

Connecting with God through the Psalms and through

Nature to calm, excite and amaze!

Would you like to be involved?

We need volunteers of all ages and stages!

Bring witness to the young people of East Sussex by being part of

this Mission, whilst empowering yourself to be active, creative and

fully God-centric. We all need this after 1 ½ years of Pandemic,

don’t we?

Please sign up on this Doodle Poll if interested in helping.

Thank you!

Owls Club May-Aug

(Barn Centre, Newick Church)

After a few months of virtual Sunday Club, Owls Club Live is

back! Yippee! We meet on the 3rd Sunday of every month in

the Barn Centre, just up from Newick Church. Sign-up via

Calendly each month for track and trace. Parents/carers drop

children at the Club and then attend the service in Church.

The sign-up link is:

Owls Club (Newick Barn Centre at 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.)

https://calendly.com/stmarysnewick/owls-club

Owls Club (Newick)

Sunday 16th May

Sunday 20th June

Sunday 18th July

Sunday 15th August

The Clubs are subject to a strict Risk Assessment and all possible protocols will be put in

place to reduce the transmission of Covid 19.

The Risk Assessment is here

The Carer’s Disclaimer form is here

What are we thinking about in each session?

We are going to follow the Messy Church

sessions each month this year, with craft /

game / story.

May: Saul to Paul on the Road to Damascus

June: Parable of talents Matt 25:14-30

July: Rich young ruler Mark 10:17-27

August: Noah’s Ark Genesis 6-9

August 24th/25

th/26

th is Holiday Club!

Questions?: Email Ali on alibarcombe@gmail.com

*

Denotes standard Year B Lectionary readings.

All communion services are said and will be taken in one kind.

*Also live-streamed on https://www.facebook.com/saintmarysnewick and can be seen at

www. https://newickchurch.org/services/

Sunday 2nd

May

Fourth Sunday after Easter

BCP Holy Communion (St Peter’s, Chailey)

Preacher: Fr Martin Morgan

Holy Communion Livestream*

Isaiah 30:15-21

John 14:1-14

Preacher: Jeremy Burdett

8:00 am,

10:00 a.m.

Sunday 9th May

Fifth Sunday after Easter

BCP Holy Communion*

Preacher: Fr Martin Morgan

Morning Worship Livestream*

Acts 10:44-end

John 15: 9-17

Preacher: Jeremy Burdett

8:00 a.m.

10:00 a.m.

Thursday 13th May

Ascension Day

Service of Holy Communion

Acts 1:1-11

Luke 24:44-end

7:00 p.m.

Thy Kingdom Come

13th – 23

rd May

10 Days of Prayer

https://www.thykingdomcome.global/

resources/new-2021

Sunday 16th May

Sunday after Ascension

BCP Holy Communion*

Morning Worship Livestream*

Acts 1:15-17,21-end

John 17:6-19

Preacher: Rev’d Paul Mundy

8:00 a.m.

10:00 a.m.

Sunday 23rd May

Pentecost

BCP Holy Communion*

Holy Communion *

Acts 2:1-21

John 15:26-27,16:4b-15

Preacher: Rev’d Paul Mundy

8:00 a.m.

10:00 a.m.

Sunday 30th May

Trinity Sunday

BCP Holy Communion*

Holy Communion *

Isaiah 6:1-8

Romans 8:12-17

John 3:1-17

Preacher: Rev’d Paul Mundy

8:00 a.m.

10:00 a.m.

With thanks to Rebecca Hume for this week’s photographs

The Sussex Hospices Trail is made up of 26 mapped walks and was created to raise awareness and funds

for our hospices. It covers a total of more than 200 miles of Sussex from Chichester in the west, via

Brighton & Hove to St Leonards in the east and it reaches as far north as Horsham. Each walk is

available as a downloadable leaflet or via AllTrails. Click here for the website.

Walk no: 20

Length: 6 miles

A 6 mile linear walk from Haywards Heath rail station to Balcombe rail station in West Sussex, forming

the 20th stretch of the Sussex Hospices Trail. The route takes you through beautiful Sussex Weald

countryside with impressive views and wildlife spotting opportunities around the tranquil Ardingly

Reservoir. On route you will walk through mixed woodland, climb rolling hills and stroll alongside the

198 acre Ardingly Reservoir, also designated a Local Nature Reserve. In the distance you can admire the

magnificent Ouse Valley Viaduct and the historic Ardingly College. The return leg can be completed

with a single 5 minute train journey.

The Weald is famous for its mud and after rain the trail can be heavy going, although in many places

you will find side paths through the woods running adjacent to the main track. You will need to

negotiate a number of kissing gates, footbridges and low step barrier stiles, but no fence stiles. There are

some short sections of walking through quiet residential areas and there is one steep section of steps

through a wood. Dogs should have no problems on this walk but must be kept on leads when walking

through the golf course and do take care with dogs when livestock are grazing in the fields. Allow 3

hours.

Download the walk leaflet (pdf)

Download GPX files

For the lastest publication

click here

Please take a look at www.newickchurch.org

Notices & Newsletters Click here

Church Service Information Click here

The PCC Click here

Events Click here

Owls Club Click here

Owls Picture Gallery Click here

Donations Click here

Newick -Automated External Defibrillators Click here

Faith in Sussex Magazine Click here

If you have been out and about and would like to share a photograph of the village/village life/autumn

scenes please send it to me at churchoffice.newick@gmail.com

If you would like to add anything to the newsletter or any details on the newsletter to be updated or amended please email churchoffice.newick@gmail.com

Newick Memory

Moments Café

All meeting are suspended but help and advice can be found at

http://knowdementia.co.uk/moments

Lady Vernon Trust

“Lady Vernon Trust” For information about grants for

educational purposes for young people up to the age of 25

years please contact Linda Farmer 01825 722061 or email

linda.farmer.1@btinternet.com

Newick Trust

Relieving Poverty in Newick. For financial support in times of

crisis.

Contact Geoff 01825 722512

Newick Good Neighbours

Following the support given through the pandemic via Newick

Community Response, there is now a permanent group of

volunteers set up via Newick Good Neighbours, who will be

there to continue to support those in the community who need

help with shopping, prescription collections and so on.

If you need a little help please

contact newick.goodneighbours@gmail.com

What3words

What3words is a geocode system for the communication of

locations with a resolution of three metres. What3words

encodes geographic coordinates into three dictionary words;

the encoding is permanently fixed.

For example, St Mary’s Church Newick is located with

///rehearsal.caressed.tweed

https://what3words.com