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: michaeldenman@tiscali.co.uk 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