Parish Magazine
March 2018
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Rector’s Letter
Dear Friends,
Let me ask you one of those huge life, the
universe and everything questions: What do
you think about the future of this world? Do
you think it has one? I mean, when you look at
how the human race is going are you hopeful or do you despair of
what will become of us all? When you look at the apparently
endless cycles of evil and retribution, of selfishness and suffering in
the world, do you despair about the human race ever rising out of
the mire of self -seeking? Or when you look at predictions of global
warming or hear threats of nuclear proliferation, do you despair
about the very continued existence of our human race and planet
earth? Closer to home perhaps and when you face - as we all must
ultimately face - your own physical death, do you see that as a final
defeat in the struggle against extinction?
As Mary went to Jesus’ tomb on the first Easter Sunday morning she
was in despair. Her world had come to an end. It seemed that the
cycle of evil and retribution had indeed triumphed and that the
grave had triumphed over the most exciting life she had ever
encountered. But then Mary heard the Gospel: CHRIST IS RISEN.
In other words, she understood that life is stronger than death, that
light overcomes darkness and that love will conquer evil and hatred.
Because the resurrection isn’t just about one man 2000 years ago in
Palestine. It’s about the whole way the Universe works. The
resurrection says that there is more to life than this world and that
means that we still have hope. Hope in the midst of all that might
otherwise lead us to despair and hope too that when we approach
our own death we will find that the way of death is not a road to
oblivion but actually a road to new life.
The truth is of course, that our lives - indeed our whole world - can
sometimes seem very dark. And God doesn’t promise us that we
won’t sometimes struggle in the long night watches. But he does
promise us the dawn. He does promise us the ‘Son Rise’. The night
passes because the light of Christ conquers death and evil and love
triumphs. So, whatever you may be struggling with at the moment
let me urge you to hear again the Easter message. It is the
message of our loving God who says that what may seem
hopelessly dark from a human perspective is but a new beginning.
It is the darkness before the dawn!
Of course, some people make the mistake of thinking that the
resurrection is only about the future. But Jesus did not say “I will
be the Resurrection and the Life.” He actually said “I am the
Resurrection and the Life.” So, all of us, even those of us who
already call ourselves Christians, need to grasp the wonderful fact
that we can know glimpses of heaven right now. Where we follow
Jesus, there will be glimmerings of the glory of life in all its fullness
here in this world and in our lives. We follow Jesus because in so
doing we begin to feel the chains of our captivity loosening, we
begin to see the light seeping over the horizon and we’re promised a
foretaste of the heavenly banquet. The point is that resurrection
life, or life in all its fullness is starting right now. The party is
already beginning.
The Risen Lord Jesus Christ is awaiting us at the empty tomb. It is
there that the miracle begins. The darkness and despair of our life
is being brought into the glorious light of his presence. So, this
Easter why not let the Son rise in your life!
Yours in His service,
Services in March 2018 [and for HOLY WEEK and EASTER]
Sunday 4th March The Third Sunday of Lent
8.00am HC [BCP] Psalm 40: John 12: 37 - 46
With refreshments served sunday@thecentre
from 10.00am and a café style service for everyone in the Church
throughout the service Centre and this month looking at Psalm 40: Our worship begins at 10.15am Past, Present and Future 6.30pm Open to God
A quiet and reflective service for the end of the day
Wednesday 7th March A Theological Munch for Lent! 12.30pm Join us for a simple lunch in the Church Centre
and over lunch we will chat about the Psalms as tools for prayer. Part One: Giving attention to God
Sunday 11th March MOTHERING SUNDAY
8.00am HC [BCP] Psalm 23; John 10: 11 - 18 10.15am Holy Communion [CW] Psalm 23; John 10: 11 - 18
Wednesday 14th March A Theological Munch for Lent!
12.30pm Join us for a simple lunch in the Church Centre
and over lunch we will chat about the Psalms as tools for prayer. Part Two: The language of love
Sunday 18th March The Fifth Sunday in Lent (Passiontide begins)
8.00am HC [BCP] Psalm 125; John 10: 27 - 30 10.15am Psalm 125 Morning Praise Wednesday 21st March A Theological Munch for Lent!
12.30pm Join us for a simple lunch in the Church Centre
and over lunch we will chat about the Psalms as tools for prayer. Part Three: Grappling with evil
Sunday 25th March PALM SUNDAY
8.00am HC [BCP] Psalm 118: 19 – 29, ; Mark 11: 1 - 11
10.15am
Holy Communion [CW] Psalm 118: 19 – 29, ; Mark 11: 1 - 11 with prayer for healing and wholeness
Tuesday of Holy Week [27th March] to Wednesday of Holy
Week [28th March] Twenty-four hours of prayer in church beginning at 11.00am on Tuesday and continuing through to 11.00am on Wednesday. The last hour will be a service of Holy Communion
Thursday 29th March Maundy Thursday
7.00pm As we remember how Jesus and the disciples
gathered in the Upper Room to share the Last Supper, we will gather in the Church Centre for supper followed by an informal celebration of Holy Communion.
Friday 30th March Good Friday
10.30am messychurch@thecentre Be messy, get messy and have messy fun! A chance for families together to meet with Jesus and learn about Easter whilst being creative together, eating together and having fun together.
2.00pm A Good Friday Reflection on Christ
on the Cross A service built around Jesus’ words from the cross that through music, quiet reflection, meditation, hymns and songs will help us to focus upon the death of Christ on the Cross.
Sunday 1st April EASTER SUNDAY
8.00am HC [BCP] Acts 10: 34 – 43; Mark 16: 1 - 8
10.15am “He has Risen!” Holy Communion [CW] A service of Holy Communion for Easter Sunday
morning
NOTICEBOARD for MARCH
Meeting Point Coffee Mornings
These will take place on 5th and 19th March in
Hapstead Small Hall from 10.15 to 11.30. All are
welcome. If anyone needs a lift please contact
Jeannie Leadsom on 892571 before the day. Help
is appreciated in setting up tables etc.
Women’s World Day of Prayer
Friday 2nd March.
2.00pm at the Evangelical Free Church, Lindfield
Refreshments afterwards.
This year Women’s World Day of Prayer has been prepared by the
women of Suriname, a small country on the Atlantic coast of South
America, and the theme is God’s Creation
8th March Ardingly Film Night – details to be announced
Mothering Sunday 11th March
Do come and bring all the family!
“Theological Munches” on 7th, 14th and 21st March
12.30 at the Church Centre
Check Services in March page for more details
Let the Dad’s Out – Saturday 17th March
This is an event for all Dads! Information on the
next pages of the magazine
Friday 30th March – Good Friday
Once again “Messy Easter” will be taking place at St Peter’s Centre
from 10.00 - 12.00. More information on the next few pages.
ARDINGLY HISTORY SOCIETY
AGM on Tuesday 13th March at 7.45pm in HAPSTEAD HALL
followed by entertainment by MAK NORMAN.
WARDEN’S WORDS Many of you will no doubt have heard recently about the work that
needed to be done to our organ and I am pleased to report that this has now been completed and the organ is fully operational once
more. However, as one expenditure is met, we are now faced with
another major expense – the stone and ironwork around the West Window.
Over the past few months, this has been suffering – no doubt the
result of old age and the weather (something which affects us all!)
and the time has come when we can leave this no longer and it needs to be repaired.
Together, these two items are unlikely to see much change out of
£10,000 and expenditure of this nature cannot be met out of our planned annual giving.
It is, though, important that we do everything we can to keep our wonderful building in good condition and so we need to cover the
cost of this work from our reserves – even though it will make a significant hole in these and may limit the ability for us to undertake
other repairs in the future.
If you feel that you would be able to make a financial contribution
towards the cost of this work and help us make sure that our church remains safe and secure, this would be most gratefully received. If
you can help, please speak to the Rector or one of the church
wardens.
Nigel MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS
Thank you to all those who have paid their subscriptions for 2018,
especially those who have shown their support by giving more than
the minimum £3. I would be grateful if those who have not yet paid
could do so soon, so that we can budget for this year’s printing
costs. You can either let your deliverer have the sub, or better still,
pop it through my door at 35 High Street with your name and
address.
Many thanks MICHAEL
Messy Easter
10.30 – 12.00 noon on Good Friday
30th March 2018 in the Church Centre
Be messy, get messy and have messy fun!
A chance for families to meet with Jesus and explore the events of
Easter through different creative fun activities and a short drama,
finishing with food!
Children, parents and grandparents are all welcome! No smart
clothes!
Scene from a previous Messy Church event
EASTER LILIES
At Easter the flower team decorate the church with lilies and other
flowers in memory of loved ones. If you would like to remember a
family member or friend in this way please let Belinda know no later
than 16th March so she knows how many flowers to order.
Lilies cost around £3 each. A donation of between £5 and £20 will
enable us to make the church look lovely. Many thanks.
Belinda 01444 892368
Sunday@thecentre
All are welcome at Café Church
Sunday 4th March at St Peter’s Church Centre
Coffee (and tea) are served from 10.00am and throughout the
service. Our worship begins at 10.15 a.m.
Seated around tables instead of sat in rows, we drink coffee, eat
croissants, discuss faith and relax.
Grab a seat, fill up your cup and Welcome to Café Church!
(There are activities for children)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CHURCH SPRING CLEAN
Saturday 24th March
It’s that time of year again! Each year we give the church a good
clean before Easter, so please do join us on Saturday 24th March.
Bring dusters, cloths, brushes and any cleaning materials which you
think would be helpful. Cobweb brushes are always useful.
If enough of us are there, it only takes a couple of hours – and it’s
only once a year!
Suitable refreshments will be on offer during the morning.
Come when you can and go when you must!
Phil Kelly will be there around 9.30 but if anybody wants an early
start the church will probably be open around 9.00 a.m.
Visit to Nepal Lynn & Pat Wilson
Our son, Ross, having taken a year off work to go travelling inspired us to plan a
'trip of a lifetime' and meet up with him in Sydney, Australia, where we also have
a close friend with whom Pat and I both worked at Gatwick in the late 1960's.
That decision made, we also thought that we would take this opportunity to
break our journey and accept a long-standing invitation to visit Milan and
Shusma Adhikari of the Annandit Church in Kathmandu, Nepal. Many of you
will recall that Milan has visited Ardingly a couple of times over the years and on
each occasion has stayed in the village and addressed the congregation at St.
Peter's, telling us of the ongoing work of their church throughout Nepal.
'Annandit' means 'rejoicing' in Nepalese although
over the years there has been precious little to
rejoice about, given the political upheavals, the
lack of decent road access to this land-locked
country, the harsh climate, severe pollution in the
capital and surrounding areas and poor economy.
And worst of all, the earthquake in 2015 killed at
least 9000 people and injured a further 22000 and
has left many buildings still in a state of total
collapse (many of which must still contain the
remains of fatalities) or at best propped up by
timbers or adjacent buildings.
A real cause for rejoicing, however, is that Nepal
has finally accepted the right of its people to
exercise religious freedom and, as a result, Christian organisations like Annandit
have not only been formed but are growing exponentially throughout the
country. We visited one such offshoot of Aanandit Church on our way towards
the Himalayas, where we met, had lunch and had a time of prayer with the local
Minister and his family. Annandit Church has formed the Aanandit Charity
Centre (www.accnepal.org) from the vision of Aanandit Church to bring the love
of Christ to people through Charitable works. Current projects, aside from the
orphanage, include Scholarships, Micro Business support and Day Care.
Our hosts made us very welcome, meeting us at the airport (and providing us
with face-masks against the polluted air!) and taking us to the Christian Guest
House they run which was to be our home for four nights. They had planned
several outings for us, in an around Kathmandu, including the famous 'Monkey
Temple' (a Buddhist Temple which is home to numerous monkeys) but also up to
Nagarkot (to view the distant Himalayas) and Bhaktapur - an ancient city where
life continues much as it did before the arrival of the modern world.
The highlight of our visit was to be attending their church (they celebrate on
Saturdays), followed by a visit to the orphanage they run. Milan had invited Pat
to address their congregation. Pat had intended to intersperse her testimony with
some worship songs with me accompanying but, sadly, their keyboard is no
longer working so we had hastily to instruct a guitarist with the chords required
so that he could play as backing to Pat and I singing each song as a duet to a
bemused congregation! With any luck, our renditions will not appear on
YouTube!
As the vast majority of the congregation speak no, or very little English, Pat's
address had to be simultaneously translated by Milan. It was very well received
and we enjoyed some time of prayer
afterwards both as a whole
congregation and individually with
some who come up to share their own
personal challenges.
After the service and refreshments we
spent time in Milan's house before
travelling the short distance to the
orphanage they run. Housing some
10 girls, aged between 8 and 14, this
house provides welcome shelter
although, not even having hot water
or heating (essential during the Winter months) it is in need of some
refurbishment. We had taken some clothing, blankets and sweets with us to
distribute and they treated us to a few songs, in
English, by several of the girls.
We were very impressed by Milan's memory of the
people of Ardingly that he had met, mentioning you
all by name and asking after your health and well-
being. Some of you have, in the past, or still do
support the work of Aanandit with giving or simply
in your prayers, and this is much appreciated.
Milan thinks that he may well visit the U.K. this
year in which case we shall certainly have an
opportunity to meet with him and hear again of the
fine work that he and his team are doing there.
Bishop Martin's letter to parishes February 2018 There are two major Christian festivals in March. They celebrate people whose response to God was tentative, but consistent. The first commemorates Joseph of Nazareth, the husband of Mary. The second festival celebrates Mary’s experience of the annunciation of the birth of Jesus. Christians of earlier generations found benefit in presenting the story of Easter as the culmination of Christmas when Joseph and Mary were so prominent. They did this through a cycle of mystery plays, the most famous of which are still performed in York, telling the Christian story from creation to judgement at the end of time. These plays were a bridge between ordinary daily life and the drama of heaven come to earth in the Church’s liturgical worship. This year, an early Easter places Holy Week between the festivals of Joseph and of the annunciation. It is one of those periodic occurrences when dates and timing become symbolic. Mary and Joseph are two ordinary people, from the same working town, who fall in love and get married. In the middle of all that something incredible happens, that transforms their lives. They become players in the divine drama of salvation. Their festivals stand on either side of Holy Week and they, as it were, invite us to connect with that drama through our experience today of God’s call and God’s power. In this Year of Prayer, my hope is that the drama of Holy Week will assume greater importance in your Christian life, and in your diary. I hope that you, like Joseph and Mary, will allow the call of God to draw you into the drama of salvation: not as a spectator, but as a player, or agent, who will attract others to its reality, as you renew your commitment to know, love, follow Jesus. +Martin
Bishop of Chichester
Jesus said, “Whatever you do for one of
these, you do for me”
A very big 'Thank you' to everyone who contributed to the Winter
appeal for Samara's Aid (www.samarasaidappeal.org) with
donations or knitted items. We had a
wonderful response and managed to fill an
amazing 110 banana boxes with clothes,
footwear, hygiene items and bedding. We also
had an assortment of duvets, walking aids and
other items.
These were all
delivered to Worthing
on 27th January to join
a great stack of boxes
in the warehouse. The container arrived
that afternoon and it was a pity that it was
raining, but with careful teamwork each box
and bag was squeezed onto the container.
It left that afternoon to begin its journey to
Deir Ez-zor in Eastern Syria and another
container was due to load up and depart on the following
Wednesday. Please pray that the containers will arrive safely and
that the aid will reach those who truly need it.
During December 2017 Samara’s Aid
distributed 138 tonnes of aid in Syria, in and
around Deir Ez-zor, which was recently freed
from ISIS. Local sources estimated that during
that time there was an influx of around 50,000
people to that area. Almost everyone in the
area is in great need, whether they are newly
displaced from other areas or whether they are
displaced people returning to their homes. No-
one returning home will find anything left in
their home - if they even have a home to
return to. Many homes have been destroyed, and those that
haven’t will almost certainly have been completely looted.
Sometimes it is easy to look at the problems and feel overwhelmed,
but the aid we have collected may change the world for someone.
Ardingly Parish Council
Parish Councillor News
I am sure many of you will already be aware that Ken Monk has recently retired from the Parish Council after 35 years of service. The Parish Council will miss his knowledge, enthusiasm and experience; but we know he will be able to enjoy lots more time in his beautiful garden and I am sure he is looking forward to the arrival of Spring and warmer weather! Ken was also
Chairman of the Hapstead Hall Management Committee and has also stepped down from this role. Rob Lawson has taken on the role of
Chairman for this Committee. The Parish Council welcome James Horsman who was co-opted onto the Council at the February Parish Council meeting.
INVITATION TO ALL ARDINGLY RESIDENTS TO CELEBRATE COMMONWEALTH DAY
MONDAY, 12TH MARCH 2018 AT 10AM Come and join the Parish Council and members of the community including children from the
local schools to celebrate this great family of nations, its diverse cultures and communities and raise the flag with us!!
A small ceremony will be held outside Hapstead Hall followed by
refreshments in the hall. Everyone welcome, please do come along and join in.
For further information please contact the Parish Clerk on 01444
226209
Annual Parish Meeting – Tuesday, 24th April 2018 from 7.30pm Residents are invited to the Annual Parish Meeting to be held in Hapstead
Hall on the 24th April 2018 from 7.30pm. The meeting gives residents the opportunity to meet Councillors and ask questions, in addition the Council have invited two speakers to attend who will be talking about topics of local interest. Refreshments will be provided, and we look forward to seeing you there.
Ardingly Films – 8th March 2018 from 7pm Ardingly Films next showings will be on the 8th March and 12th April 2018. Doors open at 7pm and the film starts at 7.30pm. Tickets are available at Fellows Bakery and Ardingly Post Office at £6 each. Film title’s to be announced soon, look out for information on the noticeboards in the village.
Waste Freighter Visits – dates for your diary 2018 The Council have confirmed two visits for the waste freighter this year being the 22nd April and the 7th October from 10am to 12 noon in Street Lane Car
Park. Please note some of the bays in the car park area may be cordoned off the day before to assist with the parking of the waste trucks. A garden and rubbish unit will be available on both visits.
Forthcoming meetings held at Hapstead Hall, Ardingly:- Planning Committee Meeting – Tuesday, 6th March 2018 at 7.00pm Parish Council Meeting – Tuesday, 6th March 2018 at 7.30pm Planning Committee Meeting – Tuesday, 10th April 2018 at 7.00pm
Parish Council Meeting – Tuesday, 10th April 2018 at 7.30pm
Annual Parish Meeting – Tuesday 24th April 2018 at 7.30pm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“…. Whoever believes in him shall not perish
but have eternal life.”
John 3:16
Organ repair / refurbishment
The organ at St. Peter’s Church plays a central
part in Sunday worship, weddings and funerals,
not forgetting the amazing carol service, which was led by an
augmented choir. The sound was really great, both organ and
choir. Many thanks to all those who helped us out.
The organ was built and installed by Paul Rayner –Brown
FISOB FIMIT back in 1971, and he still tunes and maintains it
on a regular basis. Responding to reports of problems with
some of the base notes, in the form of a “clonking noise”, Paul
discovered that many of the damping felts were worn and/or
had become displaced, allowing metal to metal contact -
hence the noise. Several other issues of wear and tear were
also discovered. This meant that the organ needed to be
partially dismantled, and some parts then taken to Paul’s
workshop.
As you can imagine, this specialised work does not come
cheaply. However it needed to be done so we can all have the
benefit of its rather special sound, in the months and years to
come. We are anxious to avoid more serious issues
developing, by putting right what we can now.
Thanks go to Paul for his continuing care and expert help.
Deb Ruse
FLETCHING SINGERS On Palm Sunday, 25th March at 7.00pm, The Fletching Singers are combining forces with East Sussex Bach Choir to sing the English translation of Bach’s St Matthew Passion in All Saints Church, Hove, BN3 3QE under the direction of John Hancorn. This monumental piece, composed in 1727, is hailed as the greatest setting of the Passion story in western music.
The work comprises two choruses, two orchestras (instrumentalists from The Baroque Collective, led by Julia Bishop) and a group of soloists
(Evangelist, Nick Pritchard; Jesus, Bradley Travis; Soprano, Helen-Jane Howells; Alto, Rebecca Leggett; Tenor, Paul Austin Kelly; Bass, Stephen Charlesworth). The concert will be dedicated to the memory of Nick Milner-Gulland, The Fletching Singers’ former music director, who initiated this joint performance before he passed away in November. Tickets priced at £25, £20 and £15 (under 16s free) online on www.fletchingsingers.co.uk, or www.eastsussexbachchoir.org, or ring 01825 712462
Not too seriously!
Swiss man, looking for directions, pulls up at a bus stop where two Americans are waiting. "Entschuldigung, koennen Sie Deutsch sprechen?" he asks.
The two Americans just stare at him. "Excusez-moi, parlez vous Francais?" he tries. The two continue to stare. "Parlare Italiano?" No response. "Hablan ustedes Espanol?" Still nothing. The Swiss man drives off, very fed up. The first American turns to the second and says, "Y'know, maybe we should learn a foreign language." "Why?" says the other. "That guy knew four languages, and it didn't do him any good."
ROUND THE VILLAGE
EDITOR: Everyone will be sorry to hear, I’m sure, that Michael
Denman has been in hospital with a chest infection. Happily he is
now back home and on the mend. Get well soon, Michael!
NATURE: In last month’s magazine Chris Sutton mentioned that he
had seen a Hawfinch in the hedge near the Showground. I was
thrilled one Saturday morning recently to see an equally lovely sight
as I drove to Haywards Heath. As I approached the turning to the
Reservoir, up close against the wood on the left were 2
magnificent Stag deer facing each other and lit by the
morning sun! There was no time to take a photo but it’s a
mental picture that will stay with me for a long time!
The new Ardingly Community Choir “Sing for Fun”, led
by Tammy Nelson, has now met twice. It was well
attended and everyone had a fun and enjoyable time,
singing a wide variety of songs, including parts and
rounds. The next gathering will be on 24th March at
2.00pm. More participants will be very welcome to join.
SPEED MONITORS – It’s good to see that the speed monitors are
all working again and doing a good job in making the village a safer
place. Thank you to those who look after them.
Sue Laker (deputising for Michael temporarily)
TRIP TO CHICHESTER CATHEDRAL
As some may know, every parish in the diocese is included in the
Cathedral intercessions once a year and church members are invited
to join the Cathedral for evensong and tea is included! In February
it was St Peter's turn so Judith and I trotted off to Chichester, a bit
of a hike but richly rewarded by the lovely evening service. We were
greeted by a couple from Emmsworth, Pam and Steve, who are
“friends” of the Cathedral and we were entertained over a cup of tea
and huge piece of cake! As we chatted they told us of their
volunteer roles: Pam sits on the information desk and Steve
conducts tours of the Cathedral. We then attended the service and
listened to the beautiful singing of six adult choristers (it was the
children's night off). St Peter's church and school were prayed for,
several people by name including our priest John and also Jamie
Savage the head teacher of our school. The following day was
Balcombe’s turn!
It was a good trip and maybe next year you may like to join in? I
feel another trip coming on soon (!) as we were reminded of the
upcoming flower festival on 31st May - 2nd June (only run every
other year) Perhaps some of us could get together and go as a
group? From past experience it's a spectacular show and always
worth the effort of going the distance! Definitely a date for my diary
and maybe yours too?!
ADELE COLLINS
Parish Register for February 2018
There are no entries in the Parish Register for the past month
A LENTEN PRAYER
Lord, grant us simplicity of faith
and a generosity of service
that gives without counting cost.
A life overflowing with Grace
poured out from the One who gave everything ,
that we might show the power of love to a broken
world,
and share the truth from a living Word.
Lord, grant us simplicity of faith,
and a yearning to share it.
Amen.
Flower Rota for March 2018
2nd March Pat Wilson (Lent)
31st March All flower arrangers please
Brass Cleaning
11th March Adele Collins and June Howell
General Information
BELL RINGING: Practices on Thursdays at 8.00pm. New recruits please contact Lynn Wilson (892113). BIBLE READING NOTES: Regular reading helps us to grow as Christians. Bible Reading Fellowship notes are available from Margaret Dale (892252). BOOKS: On loan and for sale at back of church or can be ordered specially. Contact Anne Kelly (892540). BRASS CLEANING: If you wish to join the team, contact Pam Dennis (892692) BRASS RUBBING: Appointments may be made via Churchwardens. Fee £10.00. CHOIR: The choir, who practise on Wednesdays from 7.15pm to 8.00pm, always welcome new members. Please contact Jill Clark 892755 CHURCH CENTRE: Hire of Centre, crockery, cutlery and chairs: contact Carol Grossman 416707 FLOWERS: Belinda Maclean (892368) is always glad to hear from anyone who would like to arrange / give flowers for the decoration of the church. GIVING: Special weekly or monthly envelopes or bankers’ order forms are available from Jean Jeffery (440979). Anyone paying income tax or capital gains tax is encouraged to sign a Gift Aid declaration which would enable the church to claim tax (currently 25 %) on all their giving. HOME GROUPS meet for bible study, prayer and fellowship on various nights of the week in homes. MAGAZINE: Annual Subscription £3.00. Can be delivered or posted (Post extra). . MAGAZINE EDITOR: Michael Denman Rye Cottage, 35 High Street. Ardingly RH17 6TB Tel. (892344). Items for inclusion must be submitted to the editor by noon on the Saturday before the penultimate Sunday in the month. Email: [email protected] TRANSPORT: If you require transport to church or to Meeting Point, or if you could provide it for others, please contact Jeannie Leadsom (892571). YOUTH: Crèche and Children’s activities - Contact Anne Kelly 892540 ANGELS & URCHINS: Thursdays 9-11.30 Contact Jill Clark 892755
PRAYER DIARY FOR MARCH 2018
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies
never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is
Your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3v22-23)
1 John and Sally Crutchley and their family
2 Women’s World Day of Prayer – the theme is “God’s Creation”
3 Chris Sutton and his family; his interim ministry in Sussex
4 Pray God’s blessing on our Café and ‘Open to God’ services today
5 Meeting Point; blessing for all who help and attend
6 Our emergency services and their hard-working staff
7 Pray for our Theological Munches during Lent
8 Pray for all who are on the margins of society
9 CMS: Heather Johnstone and the Rehema Project in Tanzania
10 Our Lay Readers and Wardens: Phil, John and Nigel
11 Mothering Sunday: pray for all mothers around the world
12 Our justice system; our police force and others in authority
13 Pray for all the organisations and clubs in Ardingly
14 All who make our church and Centre beautiful and clean
15 Encouragement and hope for all who are depressed or struggling
16 Pray for all who work in Social Services
17 Caite Bonds & Marcus Hards getting married today at St Peter’s
18 Our Bishops and clergy and all who lead worship today
19 People in 3rd world countries – for health and education
20 The NHS: pray for our local hospitals, doctors and nurses
21 Theresa May and her government; Brexit negotiations
22 Milan, Shusma and their family; the Anaandit church in Nepal
23 Pray for all who have suffered abuse of any kind
24 Praise God for new life in all its forms
25 Palm Sunday and the start of Holy Week
26 The Prison Fellowship; all who live and work in prisons
27 Pray for all who live with a long term health problem
28 Old Jeshwang; for all who direct it and work in it
29 Maunday Thursday: may faith grow in England this Easter
30 Good Friday: pray for our services and Messy Church today
31 Praise God for sending Jesus to die for us
Very last copy date for the APRIL edition is noon on
Saturday 17th March
Printed for St. Peter’s by Ardingly College