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OCTOBER: Articles for this issue to be submitted by

SUNDAY 16th September

Publication: 30th September

Please e-mail your articles to parishmagstjohns@gmail.com or put them in the editor’s pigeon hole in the south porch at church.

SOME OF YOU, like us, were fortunate in being able to get tickets to the Olympics. We were impressed by the organisation, transport, security, volunteers and, of course, the events. We wondered how much better some countries would have fared if the athletes had received better nutrition as children.

With many international leaders and sports celebrities attending the Games it was a great opportunity to get key people together to look at this issue. On 12th August, Prime Minister David Cameron had a meeting with Brazilian Vice President Michel Temer and double Olympic gold medal winner Mo Farah to discuss a global drive to boost nutrition.

They were joined at Downing Street by sporting legends Pele and Haile Gebrselassie who have also campaigned to end the cycle of hunger and poverty by tackling their root causes. The meeting urged the world to take action before the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio to transform the life chances of millions of children by improving their nutrition.

Michel Temer said: “In the past, there was an almost complete lack of concern for the hunger which poor people all over the world were subjected to. Little by little we came to realize the harm that hunger causes, restricting development. It is with this new perspective in mind that countries have come together in London in this commendable initiative to search for ways to fight hunger.”

With many other topics on the political agenda, it is heartening to know that the

VICAR: The Rev. Stephen Bowen (on sick leave)

ASSOCIATE MINISTER: Michael Peach 5 Burns Way, East Grinstead, West Sussex RH19 1SA Tel: 01342 312406 michaelstevenpeach@gmail.com

Michael’s day off: Friday

UK is supporting research into improved crops, providing nutrition-rich seeds and tubers to poor farmers, working with leading companies to provide nutritious food at affordable prices, and developing text messaging to provide early warnings of famine.

Let’s hope that these projects achieve a gold medal performance.

Brenda and Gordon Wilkinson

FROM THE EDITORS

Cover photo: Pink berries of Sorbus sp.

at Wakehurst Place

by Brenda Wilkinson

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DEAR FRIENDS,

Thank you all very much for your prayers and many expressions of good wishes. I am making progress, although it seems very slow! I had my first lot of treatment back at Kings College Hospital at the beginning of August, and it went very well. I will probably have another 5 days up there in November, and perhaps more in the new year. I am extremely grateful for the wonderful treatment and care that I have received.

As far as St John’s is concerned, it has been a very strange experience to have been suddenly cut off from all the work that I have been involved in for so many years, and the people that have been part of our lives. I am very

appreciative of the wonderful work that the churchwardens Andy Brown and Phil Tadman have done, and of the role that Don Ely has played, and especially Michael Peach who has worked so hard to keep everything going. So many other people have continued fulfilling their existing commitments and others have taken on new ones.

It has contributed significantly to my peace of mind to know that things have been in such good hands. We should be grateful for your continuing prayers - we have many big decisions to take over the next few weeks and months.

WE MENTION the Olympics many times in this issue and thinking about runners always reminds me of the two men in the adverts for the 118-118 telephone service. The bible has some good ‘118’ verses worth remembering.

Like the 118 men, doing press-ups or another challenge, 1 John 1:8 has a challenge from God – If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. It’s a good place to start – accepting that we need to be forgiven and trust in Jesus.

I don’t know the identities of the 118 actors – it’s a mystery. And there’s a

mystery in 1 Peter 1:8 – Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy. This reminds us that we must have faith in Jesus and trust in Him, no matter what the world throws at us.

Call 118-118 and you can guarantee to get a plumber, electrician or carpenter. There’s an eternal guarantee in 1 Corinthians 1:8 that if you believe in Him – He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Gordon Wilkinson

STEPHEN WRITES ...

118, 118 ...

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Mondays Connections on 10th September from 2 - 4pm in the Church Hall

Tuesdays WI on 4th September at 1.30pm in the Village Hall

Wednesdays Watercolour on Wednesdays from 12th September

at 2pm in the Church Hall

1st Felbridge (St John’s) Brownies from 12th September

Monthly Prayer meeting on 12th September at 8pm in Church

Monthly Afternoon Prayer meeting on 26th September from 2.30pm to 4pm at the home of Di Giles

Thursdays WIGS at the Old Pheasantry, Woodcock Hill at 10.30am

Homegroup Central on 6th September at 7.45pm in the Church Hall to launch the new home group study series

Fridays 1st Felbridge (St John’s) Rainbows from 14th September

1st Felbridge (St John’s) Guides from 14th September

Saturdays Prayer Breakfast on 8th September, 8 - 9am in the Church Hall

THROUGH THE WEEK

This week at a church near you?

Tuesday - Weight Watchers will meet at 8pm. Please use the large double doors at the side entrance. Wednesday - Counselling Meeting cancelled due to a conflict. Thursday - Potluck supper, 8pm. Prayer and medication to follow. Friday - Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet at 7:30pm. Please use the back door. Saturday - Jumble Sale, 2 - 4pm. Ladies - get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Don’t forget your husbands.

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Sunday Services in September

2nd Sept. 10am Family Service Michael Peach 6pm Holy Communion with Alan Mathers

9th Sept. 8am Holy Communion with Alan Mathers

10am Morning Prayer with Andy Brown

6pm Evening Prayer with Michael Peach

16th Sept. 10am Holy Communion with Mike Ovey

6pm Raise the Roof with Michael Peach

23rd Sept. 8am Holy Communion with Jack Baker

10am Morning Prayer with Michael Peach

6pm Evening Prayer with Don Ely

30th Sept. 10am Morning Prayer with Peter Davies

6pm Evening Prayer with Don Ely

“God welcomes messed up people” 10 - 11am: Sunday 30th September

Guest Speaker: Peter Davies Service at St John’s Church, Felbridge

Could God accept someone like me? Come and hear the Bible’s answer to this most important of questions.

Haven’t been to church for a while? Curious to know what it is like? Then this Sunday would be an ideal time to come along!

The service will be straightforward and we’ll sing many well known hymns, with tea and coffee afterwards. Please do come and bring your friends too!

WHAT’S HAPPENING

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September Sundays @ 10am : What are we all about? St John’s (like probably every organisation these days!) has a vision statement. Of course vision statements aren’t perfect, and they never say everything that is important. Nevertheless, they do help us understand what a particular organisation or group is about, and what is important to them.

St John’s vision statement is: “To win and build followers of Jesus Christ.”

Even though we are in a time of transition at St John’s, our vision remains the same. So, for two Sundays in September we are going to think about our vision. We’ll see how the vision statement for St John’s is central to the Bible’s vision for church, and we’ll think about what living out this vision will mean for our life together.

9th September: To win followers of Jesus Christ 23rd September: To build followers of Jesus Christ

September Sundays @ 6pm: Jesus:

Greater than the rest! In our evening services we are going to be exploring the book of Hebrews. It is a deep and rich book, which considers how Jesus fulfils the Old Testament, and how he is better than all that has come before. Indeed, Hebrews will lead us to see that Jesus is greater than the rest! As we focus on the Lord Jesus Christ it will lead us to praise and wonder and also to consider how we can live for him in everything.

THE WORSHIP SERVICE Raise the Roof is a fun, action-packed

service, presenting Jesus’ message through music, dance and drama. The next service is on:

Sunday 16th September

Rehearsal 4.15pm Scrummy Tea 5.30pm

Service 6-6.40pm

If you’d like to join in playing an instrument, acting, dancing or singing - young or old, beginner or pro - call Michael Peach for further information.

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Felbridge W.I. WE WERE pleased to welcome two new visitors to our meeting. Our speaker Mrs Bridges gave a very interesting illustrated talk on the varying fashions over past years – going back to the 1800s when bouffant hair with extra extensions was the rule of the day. Twenty-inch waists with a curvaceous bust and hips were achieved by the rigid use of whalebone corsets. With the cheaper cost of printing, various adverts for Lifebuoy soap, Beechams Pills and Andrews Liver Salts regularly appeared in women’s magazines for healthy living.

There were eight entries for the special WI Jam Swiss Roll competition at the Felbridge Horticulture Show on 18th August, so a lot of baking went into that. Mrs Pauline Lacey won first prize. Various members won awards for categories ranging from watercolour painting to handicraft and flower arranging, so well done to everyone who entered.

A Craft Stall has been booked at the Arts, Craft and Food Market to be held in the Village Hall on the 27th October. A very active Craft group is making items for sale.

Our walk around Wakehurst Place last month was very enjoyable and September’s walk will be on the Ashdown Forest.

Our next meeting is on the 4th September at 1.30pm in the Village Hall when Mr. James will be talking about Edwina Mountbatten (28 Nov 1901 – 21 Feb1960). For more information, telephone 01342 322301.

PLEASE HELP! There must be some of you reading this who could find 1-2 hours once in two months to help clean our church. Many of our dedicated team have been serving in this role for years and our numbers are dropping. Cleaning is not a popular task, but it is one small way we can honour God. Do join us. To find out more please speak to Carole Grainger or phone 325482.

If you prefer using a mouse to a mop or a keyboard to a vacuum cleaner then the church laptop projection team would be glad to hear from you. Further information from any laptop operator or contact John Grainger: john@malcolmgee.plus.com

VILLAGE ISSUES

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HOLIDAY over, doors and windows closed, key into door and there on the carpet in front of the TV set was the body. Not a mark on it. A case for Silent Witness? The means of entry and cause of death are still unknown, but that’s the yellow necked mouse for you.

Outside, between the compost heap and the gooseberry bush lay another body, that of a grass snake, distinguished by white collar and pale blue scales along its sides for its length of 51cm.

Cause of death seemed to be the snake's partiality for a meal of frog's legs with frog still attached. Consequently it was ensnared in garden netting.

In the Felbridge plant world, the great hairy willow herb is prolific on our verges, the greater celandine appears beside the A22 on Woodcock Hill and the wet soil has encouraged more meadowsweet than I have seen for years.

On the Forest, two of our strangest birds that live in the twilight world of dusk have thrived. Three pairs of nightjars have been churring in one area, but will now return to more southerly climates. Ten woodcock have braced themselves to fly round together to make five moving targets. Each plump bird resembles an oven-ready chicken, but with a

long straight bill from which you can occasionally hear it uttering an unbirdly grunt.

One parishioner, who had to repair an old nest box, found within it a mass of honeycomb-like cells and many long-dead wasps. These proved to be Norwegian wasps, a species now well established in Britain and which is noted for moving into bird boxes.

September is a good month to watch for departing migrants which may turn up in odd places and, after the Olympics, someone is sure to suggest that as our national bird we should adopt the goldfinch.

Let us now prepare ourselves for another golden harvest… … and do it right.

Peter Bateman

Death in the Living Room

Courtesy: RSPB

FELBRIDGE WILDLIFE

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The day becomes more solemn and serene When noon is past - there is a harmony In autumn, and a lustre in its sky,

Percy Bysshe Shelley 'Hymn to Intellectual Beauty'

WELL WE finally did get some summer and can hope for an Indian summer this month, before the nights really draw in. I can’t remember a more difficult year for gardening or more disappointing fruit and vegetable crops, but there have been some real high points as well: have you ever seen more magnificent hydrangeas everywhere – in our great gardens, our private gardens and our public open spaces? In March, I told you I was planning to plant a small wildflower meadow and I did; it has been the one triumph in my garden this year. The meadow is constantly changing as one type of flower finishes and another appears; the colours are amazing and the whole area is alive with bees and butterflies. I am awestruck by its simple beauty.

Many gardeners consider that the gardening year begins and ends in September. We harvest the fruits of our past labour at the same time as we start to prepare for next spring. Now is the time to be collecting ripe seed, dividing herbaceous perennials and rooting strawberry

runners - all wonderful ways to make new plants for free.

This year’s fruited summer raspberry canes can be cut out now and the new canes tied in securely before winter, while autumn fruiting varieties should be picked regularly to keep them cropping. The experts tell us to take unripe tomatoes indoors to ripen now, on a sunny windowsill or in a dark drawer with a banana – but I’ve never made it work! Then, having cleared the last of the greenhouse tomatoes, it is time for the annual chore of thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting the greenhouse, ready for winter.

After all that work we should really find time to relax – and what better way than to find inspiration at the Wisley Flower Show, running from September 6th to 10th. If you are feeling more energetic, the National Trust has organised The Great British Walk, a walking festival starting on 1st September, with a variety of guided walks for all ages and abilities. Most of our local properties have organised events focused on gardens, wildlife and woodland, so there are opportunities for us all. Let’s hope that the weather stays fine so we can all get out there and enjoy the treasures of our wonderful countryside.

Rosemary Archer

IN THE GARDEN

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TELL ME?

Will heaven be boring?

WHENEVER heaven is depicted on television or in the newspaper, it always seems to be filled with people floating around in white dresses, sitting on clouds and playing the harp. If this is what heaven is like, then it sounds pretty boring and unappealing!

There is a lot that is good and can be celebrated in our world. The London Olympics have been a great example of people coming together and having a great time. Yet at the same time we have been hearing on the news of the ongoing conflict in Syria, and the tragic case of the disappearance and death of a 12 year old girl. There is much that is good in our world, for God created a good world – but it is marred by pain, conflict and sadness.

The promise of the Bible is that this will not always be the case. While the Bible talks about heaven as the place where God’s people will go immediately after death to be with Jesus, this is not its ultimate focus. The final destination for God’s people will be the New Creation – a New Heaven and a New Earth. This is how the last book of the Bible describes it:

“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people,

and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

The New Creation will be like the best of the present creation, but without all

the things that spoil and damage it. In the New Creation God will live with his people, and his people will rejoice to praise and serve him always. The New Creation will be physical as well as spiritual, so not just floating around on clouds!

The Olympics have shown us something of what it is like when people from many nations come together with a common purpose and in a good spirit. Many of us have enjoyed supporting our team and cheering them on. In the New Creation God’s people from all nations will be there together cheering and praising God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit – for his goodness and for saving us.

The New Creation will be a wonderful place. To be there we need to trust in Jesus – God the Son. All those who do trust him, all who put our lives in his hands, will enjoy eternity with him. It will be many things, but not boring – will you be there?

Michael Peach

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ON THE 4th July a group of us from St John’s was privileged to visit the Marylebone Project in London on a special ‘open evening’ which they had organised to introduce people to the wonderful work they do ‘empowering homeless women towards independent living’. The project is run by the Church Army, and Di Giles had arranged for us to visit on this special occasion – and even hired a minibus to take us all up there!

We were certainly not disappointed; I had known about the work of the project for many years, but I had no idea of the size and extent of their facilities, which are being improved all the time, and was very impressed! Their large complex of imposing buildings in the heart of Central London provides a home for women who find themselves homeless, for whatever reason – asylum seekers, victims of domestic violence, the unemployed, drug and alcohol users... the list goes on.

Each woman is given loving care and support at a time when they are at their most vulnerable and helped and encouraged to move on to independent living when they are ready. The hostel has 112 beds, for those who need residential care and support. There is also a well-equipped Day Centre, which provides help and support to dozens of women ‘on the streets’ – from hot showers, laundry facilities, and good meals to training courses and art and drama sessions – giving them

the tools and support they need to make informed changes in their lives.

The recently-opened ‘Valentia Suite’ is a mental health unit staffed by specialists in this field. It is the only one of its kind in London and meets a great need. There is a small Emergency Bed unit, which is open 24 hours of the day, every day, for crisis management before women are referred on to the Hostel or other support networks.

A newer initiative has been to introduce training in various skills – jewellery making, IT, artwork and even a catering course, which is now operating commercially, bringing in some additional income. To our amazement and delight, some of the residents had prepared a wonderful meal for all their visitors that evening – over 100 of us! Seated at beautifully laid tables in the central courtyard we were served with a delicious selection of food, which they had chosen and cooked for us – and, praise God, the rain held off!

The evening ended with a speech by Mark Russell, the CEO of Church Army, who quoted their President, Desmond Tutu: “The women we serve are ‘Very Special People’ whom God loves deeply, and we yearn for each woman to see how amazing she is in God’s eyes, and indeed ours.”

Anne Butler

MARYLEBONE PROJECT

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Connections, our series of events for Seniors will be back in the hall this month for tea, coffee and cake, a short informal talk from the Bible about things that matter, and lots of different activities and games. A great opportunity to meet old friends and make new ones – all welcome! Our next meeting will be on

Monday, 10th September 2 - 4pm

in St John’s Church Hall

For more information contact Don Ely or Michael Peach.

and uniqueness, look no further. Created has been selecting beautiful, high-quality gifts for over 35 years for you to give to friends.

By buying Created goods, you can help bring transformation and fresh hope to people living in poverty. You can provide the dignity of employment with fair wages to skilled craftspeople living in poor communities around the world.

In January, Gordon and I met a lady called Mohanna, who has been trained in sewing and patchwork by Created supplier CMCT in Chennai. She said that the love and prayers of her fellow workers have helped her grow in confidence and faith. The work she does helps to provide for the family and gives her confidence for the future.

Please pick up a Created catalogue from the back of church and encourage your friends, work colleagues and family to buy. Orders can be placed on the website: www.created.org.uk or via Brenda and Gordon Wilkinson on 01342 311516 or brenda7406@gmail.com

Handcrafted quality Ethical values Thoughtful gifts

If you are looking for gifts that express care, thoughtfulness

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SOME of us have been watching the Olympics and seen many Kenyan runners in the long distance events, but not many Ugandans. Uganda only sent 15 athletes, but one of them was from the West Nile District where Allan and Anne Lacey are working in church and health related projects. Dorcas Inzikuru ran the 3,000m steeplechase, but sadly just missed out on being in the final.

Uganda will soon celebrate 50 years of Independence. I was in Arua in 1962 and saw the Union Jack come down and the Ugandan flag go up. Since 1962 the country has seen many turbulent events and a lot of bloodshed. Hopefully, now it is more peaceful, but with many challenges and threats to its borders from the DR Congo in the southwest. West Nile - bordering on DRC further north and South Sudan - is relatively calm. Arua is a very busy town with its links to South Sudan and on the route to the border. Fortunately a new tarmac road is being built to the border at Kaya as previously it was terrible - the Laceys can testify to that!

Back in April Allan was made a Canon of Emmanuel Cathedral in recognition of the work he has been doing to help clergy be better equipped in leading their parishes (often with a number of churches in their care) by providing a lectionary with teaching helps, and helping pastors to see the ways in which they can assess their own parishes needs and develop strategies for meeting those needs. Allan and Anne help at the Cathedral and also go

out into the district to preach and teach. Anne has handed over her role as head of Diocesan Health work to Cindy, but is involved with teaching in the Nurse training school at Kuluva Hospital 7 miles from Arua, where they lived until their last leave. They have now moved to a house on the outskirts of Arua, nearer to the Diocesan offices and the Reprographic unit (now part of the Diocesan Resources Centre).

At our Mission weekend we met Gift and Kathryn Asiku who work with Wycliffe on Bible translation in Uganda. Gift is from Arua and is involved with two translation projects in West Nile languages – Aringa who now have the New Testament and Madi/Okollo, which has a Luke translation on-going. This is Bishop Joel Obetia’s mother tongue, and he said that having the Scriptures in your “heart language” is so important.

The wider Church of Uganda has recently elected a new Archbishop who will be consecrated in December. The former Archbishop, Henry Orombi (from the southern part of West Nile – Nebbi Diocese) retired early (like ours) to devote himself to evangelism. Praise God for a united church and pray that Uganda as a whole will continue to live in the strength of its National Anthem: “O Uganda may God uphold thee, we lay our future in thy hand; United, free, for liberty, together we’ll always stand.” For more details ask me for a newsletter or visit ww.cms-uk.org.

Barbara Cottier

MISSION MATTERS - UGANDA

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OUR WORLD Mission Gift Day on July 8th was a very worthwhile and enjoyable occasion and we praise God that £11,250 was generously given for the work of the mission partners and organisations we support – a great cause for rejoicing and gratitude!

We were blessed to have Gift and Kathryn Asiku speaking to us about their work with the Wycliffe Bible Translators in Uganda (see Barbara’s article opposite). They were then able to tell us more over a Fellowship Lunch in the hall afterwards.

In the evening, Andy and Joan Brown showed us slides from their time working with Mercy Ships off the coast of Sierra Leone. They told us about the impact that the medical services on board the ship have made

on the people in that impoverished country, where access to medical care is rare and costly. Andy had a full schedule of operations and Joan was busy with physiotherapy for recovering patients. For more information go to: www.mercyships.org.uk.

We were able to make a gift, from the money that was donated, to help support Wycliffe Bible Translators and the work of the Mercy Ships.

Many thanks to all of you who supported our Mission Gift Day through your gifts, prayers and interest. Please continue to pray for the work of all our mission partners, as well as for the Asikus and the Mercy Ships, that God will be glorified and the Gospel spread through word and deed.

Anne Butler

Situations Vacant

Girlguiding 1st Felbridge (St John’s)

Have vacancies for girls aged 5 to 14 and for helpers with all 3 sections. We meet in term time only, at St John’s Church Hall, Felbridge on:

Wednesdays - Brownies (7- 10 years old ) Fridays - Rainbows ( 5-7 Years old) and Guides ( 10 – 14 years old )

We offer a wide range of activities, giving the girls lots of opportunities to learn new things and skills, have fun and make new friends in a unique girl-only space.

To find out more, or to put your daughter on a waiting list so that she gets a place when she reaches the right age – it’s never too early – please contact Ann and Louise Tucker on 01342 317283 or email felbridge_rbg@hotmail.co.uk.

MISSION GIFT DAY - UPDATE

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ALL EYES were on Mo Farah as he won this year’s 5,000 metre Olympic race, but did anyone see American runner Lopez Lomong?

You may have heard the remarkable story of Farah’s journey to become a top athlete, but 27-year-old Lomong had a journey of a different kind. He was one of thousands of child refugees who fled the civil war in Sudan.

He recently told Leana Hosea of the BBC World Service: “One Sunday morning, rebels burst into our church in the village of Kimatong and tore me away from my mother’s arms. All our parents were begging them not to take us, but they kidnapped all the kids and took us to a training camp to become child soldiers.”

Conditions at the training camp were horrific. Aged only six, he was too young to carry his AK47 assault rifle and faced death with the other little boys, but three older boys looked after him and one night they managed to crawl out of the camp unnoticed and started running. “That was my very first race,” said Lomong. “We ran three days and nights. We thought we were heading back to our village, but instead we ended up in Kenya.”

From there he was registered as a refugee, spending the next ten years in a camp, where life was tough and food was scarce. He said that he ran and played football to forget his hunger. He managed to go with other youngsters to

Running from Sudan, Somalia, Burundi ...

a rich Kenyan’s house to watch the Olympics on TV where he saw Michael Johnson win a gold medal and decided that he wanted to run for the USA. His dream came true when the country agreed to take 3,500 of Sudan’s ‘Lost Boys’ as part of a government resettlement programme.

He lived with a foster family and started training in track and field. In 2008, he qualified for Beijing in the 1500m and carried the US flag at the opening ceremony. Lomong frequently visits South Sudan, where he has been reunited with his family. Through his charitable foundation, 4 South Sudan, he is raising money to provide communities with clean water, education and medicine.

Football fans may know that Islam Feruz and his family fled war-torn Somalia and he now plays for Chelsea and Scotland; Saido Berahino a refugee from Burundi, a country plagued with ethnic violence, plays for West Bromwich Albion; and Alhassan Bangura, a victim of human trafficking in Sierra Leone, is a midfielder with Forest Green Rovers. While Bangura has played away games for Sierra Leone, he has feared his life would be in danger if he returned to the country.

There must be many stories like these, but it is the refugees that become leading sportsmen that get a chance to highlight some of these issues.

Gordon Wilkinson

CURRENT ISSUES: SPORT

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Our Ken’s Life and Lights

I WAS FIRST aware of Ken Sutton-Jones many years ago, when he and Phyllis led a walk around Godstone for the St. John’s Pathfinders. By then, he had already made a greater individual contribution to maritime safety than any individual since Smeaton fixed a light on the Eddystone rock.

What Ken called his pharomania, love of lighthouses, began when, aged 9, he first saw that light. It guided his unique career, from an apprenticeship in a West Midlands industrial glass company to Managing Director of AGA Ltd., the premier organisation providing worldwide coverage of technology, supply and maintenance of lighthouses, buoys and beacons.

Ken’s personal technical knowledge, selflessness and trustworthiness took him into negotiations in 150 countries with various governments, port and harbour authorities and rehabilitation agencies. For 81 of these he obtained contracts for essential work to maintain safe international seaways. After the devastating destruction of port and navigation facilities in World War II, the ‘Nasserisation’ of the Suez Canal and neglect following many natural disasters, Ken’s integrity and expertise were priceless.

His knowledge and experience were obtained by putting himself in harm’s way and risking distress to those he loved. He thus gained the respect of local engineers. He also incurred bouts

of life-threatening illnesses and a great burden of caring anxiety for Phyllis and their sons Stephen and Philip.

Ken’s first employer, Chance Bros of Smethwick, became Stone-Chance of Crawley, involving Ken and family in moves to Beckenham and Ashurst Wood, with long commutes to AGA at Brentford when he was not overseas.

Ken’s strong Christian belief, with dedication to Christ through Croydon Crusaders, to which he was introduced while at Whitgift School, Gideons and Church men’s groups, provided an unfailing moral compass, which guided many of us away from the rocks and quicksands of life.

His three volume autobiography Grandpa’s Lighthouse details his personal endeavours alongside the development of an industry in which he became literally and metaphorically a leading light, with a mission for all those in peril on the sea. Ken remained an active member of the International Association of Lighthouse Authorities well beyond his retirement at 75 and saw his company receive a Queen’s Award for Achievement.

Deaf in one ear from an enemy bomb blast in wartime Bath, Ken was rejected for service with the Royal Navy. Ironically, the rejection enabled him to serve all the navies of the world… ‘the stone that the builders rejected’?

Peter Bateman

KENNETH SUTTON-JONES

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ARCHAEOLOGISTS have recovered over 5,500 fragments or complete books of the New Testament, but the earliest fragment is known as Rylands Library Papyrus P52 and can be seen at the John Rylands Library, Manchester.

This small fragment, measuring less than nine centimetres high, is one of a large collection of Greek papyri in the library. On one side it contains parts of verses 31 to 33 and on the other side parts of verses 37 to 38 of the eighteenth chapter of John’s Gospel.

The papyrus was discovered in Egypt at the end of the 19th century, probably at the famous site of Oxyrhynchus (modern day al-Bahnasa), the ruined city in Upper Egypt where B P Grenfel and A S Hunt carried out some of the most successful excav-ations in the history of archaeology.

Dated with confidence from the writing style to the time of Hadrian (117 to 138AD), the papyrus is therefore the earliest known fragment of the New Testament in any language.

It is important because it provides evidence of the spread of Christianity, within a hundred years or so, to lands distant from where Jesus preached. How amazing to think that one of the books read by early Christians in Upper Egypt was St. John’s Gospel,

commonly regarded as one of the latest books of the New Testament.

Like other early Christian works which have been found in Egypt, this gospel manuscript was written in the form of a codex, or book, not as a papyrus roll.

The true nature of the find was only appreciated when C. H. Roberts, coinciden-tally of St John’s College, Oxford, picked up the fragment and recognised parts of the text as being from St. John’s Gospel.

In February this year, Professor Daniel Wallace of the Dallas Theological Seminary claimed to have discovered fragments of the Gospel of Mark - the second book of the New

Testament that chronicles the life and ministry of Jesus - that could be even older than P52. Of seven papyri that had been recently discovered and dated, he said that six were probably from the second century, but one was most likely from the first century and predated the oldest known papyrus of Mark’s Gospel by 100 to 150 years. A full report will be available next year.

The most remarkable aspect about this find, if it is indeed confirmed to be from the first century, is that it will be the first ever manuscript that has been discovered which was written within the lifetime of some of the eyewitnesses to Jesus’ resurrection.

BIBLICAL ARCHAEOLOGY

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St Mary’s Church, Windmill Lane Sunday 30th September at 4pm

“Welcome Stranger”

A Service of meditation exploration and worship on the issues of asylum in the UK

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Hebrews 13 v2

VILLAGE NEWS

Felbridge Horticultural Society THE WEATHER was glorious for the annual Late Summer Show at the Village Hall on Saturday 18th September. There was a good turnout of members and visitors to appreciate the floral arrangements, vegetables, craft, watercolours and cakes. There were 250 entries for the nine different categories, which included a new garden and patio pot competition, which had been judged in July and was illustrated by a fine photographic display.

The ‘Best in Show’ award went to Lucy Mason for her floral arrangement ‘By the Sea’. Vegetables ranged from beautiful displays of onions to matching sets of French beans and inviting tomatoes, but (to my mind) the most impressive entry was a pair of splendid leeks submitted by Brian Jeffries. There was a good spread of awards among the entrants, members of St. John’s were well represented as was Anne Luxford who supplies the flowers for Church.

The next meeting will be at the British Wildlife Centre on 20th September. For further details, or membership, please contact Sylvia Huggett on 01342 326617.

Brenda Wilkinson

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Baptism Amelia Jane Gowen was baptised on Sunday 5th August.

Funeral Kenneth Sutton-Jones died peacefully in a Crawley care home on 10th August 2012 aged 92. The funeral was held at St. John’s on 28th August.

Thank you to all who came along to the recent ‘Chariots of Fire’ film night at Trinity Methodist Church and made it such a successful evening. The event raised £177 for Trinity’s New Build Fund.

Guiding News: Congratulations to Rebecca Allen (assistant leader with the Guides) for completing her adult leadership qualification and good luck at university in September. Well done to Lizzy – our young leader at Brownies on her A-level results and good luck at university in September. Congratulations to Betty Baker (unit helper) on the presentation of her 40 year long service award – much of the 40 years’ service to Guiding has been at 1st Felbridge (St John’s) initially with the Guides and in recent years with the Rainbows.

Felbridge Village Store new opening

times:

Mondays-Saturdays 8am to 7:30pm

Sundays 8am to 4pm.

Lunch Club for the retired

The Lunch Club meets on the 3rd Thursday of every month in the Village Hall from 12 - 1.30pm.The 2-course meal costs £3.00 and changes every month. All retirees welcome. For more details please contact Mary Taplin on 01342 325548

NEW this Autumn!!! Youth Home Group

To find out more, contact Suzie Callaway or watch this space!!

News and Thanks

CHURCH FAMILY NEWS

PEST CONTROL SERVICESWasps, flies, fleas. All types of rodents and vermin 01342 321373

When you contact any of our advertisers, don't forget to mention that you sawtheir advert in Parish News. For advertising enquiries, contact

Gordon Wilkinson on 01342 311516 or John Dabell on 01342 317745.

KOINONIA COUNSELLINGMarriage problems, bereavement, depression, eating disorders etcJackie Lake 01342 718948

TV SALES, SERVICE & INSTALLATIONSPanasonic 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 ofpoverty, call Brenda Wilkinson on 01342 311516 for acatalogue and to place your order, or log on towww.createdgifts.org.

GARAGE & CAR REPAIRS, MOTs & COACHES

Woodcock Hill Service Station, London Road, Felbridge01342 32554401342 326213

BUTCHERARTHUR FRY, Lingfield Road, East Grinstead 01342 323225

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

FUNERAL DIRECTORSR MEDHURST, Vine House, HartfieldCaring family firm; home visits; 24 hour service.Memorials arranged: Golden Charter pre-paid Funeral Plans

01892 77025301342 315880

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USEFUL CONTACTS

Churchwardens: Phil Tadman 01342 322825 e-mail: philandrosemaryt@sky.com

Andy Brown 01342 314267 e-mail: brownemail@btinternet.com

Treasurer: Chris Saunders 01342 325662 e-mail: treasurerstjohns@gmail.com

PCC Secretary: Sheila Drury 01342 323865 e-mail: sheila.drury1@hotmail.co.uk

Magazine Editor (temporary): Brenda Wilkinson 01342 311516 e-mail: parishmagstjohns@gmail.com

Cleaning Rota: Carole Grainger 01342 325482

Ministry of Flowers: Ann Morley 01342 714645 e-mail: annmorley@aol.com

Church Hall Bookings: Sally Hobbs 01342 410929 e-mail: hobbsfamilysja@gmail.com

Village Hall Bookings: Lynda Railton 01342 322205

CHILDREN/YOUNG PEOPLE ACTIVITIES

Stars (3-6 yrs): Sally Hobbs 01342 410929 e-mail: hobbsfamilysja@gmail.com

Comets (Year 2-4): Diane Francis 01342 714575 e-mail: diane_francis@tiscali.co.uk

Meteors (Year 5-6): Diane Francis 01342 714575 e-mail: diane_francis@tiscali.co.uk

The Rock (Year 7-9): Michael Peach 01342 312406 e-mail: michaelstevenpeach@gmail.com

Parish Safeguarding Officer Chris Ely 01342 311614 e-mail: christineely2@msn.com

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