Welcome

St John’s ChurchFelbridge

I think it’s true for most of us that we like being part of something bigger than just our own individual lives.

I’ve been struck by this over the last few months. Celebrating 150 years as a church has been a real landmark, and has brought home to me how much we are part of something far bigger than just us here at this time: huge numbers of people whose lives have been touched by the message of life, hope and freedom in Jesus Christ since this church was built. And of course even bigger still, what we are part of here goes back far beyond 1865 to when Jesus laid the foundations of the worldwide Christian church in his life, death and resurrection.

I have also been struck by this thought as the content for this issue of our magazine has come together. You will notice inside the focus on mission, locally and globally. Life is not just about us here in this place, but as we partner with people and organisations across our community and across the globe we can be part of something that reaches out to every life on the planet: God’s unstoppable mission! In the book of Acts in the Bible, Jesus says to his very first followers,

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses…to the ends of the earth.”

Jesus calls us to be part of this too!

MARK FRANCIS (vicar)

ST. CATHERINE’S HOSPICE

Jenny Young is the St. John’s rep. for St. Catherine’s Hospice, one of our mission partners.We caught up with Jenny to ask her a few questions:

CAN YOU TELL US A BIT ABOUT WHY YOU ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT ST CATHERINE’S HOSPICE?

When my brother-in-law, Stephen, was terminally ill at the age of 35, we were desperate to get him out of hospital. In an answer to prayer, I remembered a talk I had heard about hospices at the St. John’s Group for Young Wives (this was a long time ago!) and we made some enquiries about hospices near to us. This was 30 years ago now, but I was able to arrange for him to be cared for by St. Barnabas Hospice in Worthing. They were so amazing in helping Stephen, his wife and all his family and friends. They made what was a terrible experience bearable.The second time I have had personal experience of a hospice was when my mother had cancer at the age of 66. I was trying to be with her and care for her in Cambridge. This was not easy as I had children at home at the time. My sister and I did our best and it was a very sad time for us all, and eventually Mum went into a hospice in Cambridge where she eventually died. Mum was really scared and cross with us all for letting her go there, but thanks to this hospice in Cambridge she had a peaceful death with her children by her side. They were so caring for us all and we have never forgotten that.These experiences were where my passion for the Hospice Movement began.Since those times in my life, I have had friends with personal experience of our local hospice here, St. Catherine’s in Crawley. So when they became one of our mission partners I agreed to be the St. John’s rep. Over

time I have become more involved with the hospice and was really glad to be able to help when we were asked if we could hold a Tree of Light Service at St. John’s for people who had lost loved ones. And since I have been retired, I have become a regular volunteer at St. Catherine’s.

HAVE THERE BEEN ANY STORIES THAT HAVE REALLY ENCOURAGED YOU OVER THE LAST YEAR OR SO?

Well, I went to a lunch for volunteers a while ago and one of the speakers was a nurse on the In- patient unit. She spoke very movingly about one patient in particular. This was a young married man aged 34 and with two children. He had motor neurone disease and eventually could only communicate by blinking his eyes – once for yes, twice for no. The nurse told us how they had been able to talk to him and his family before he had reached that stage about what his wishes were for his end of life care. This of course involved so many staff – not just the nursing staff, but many people including the catering team, spiritual care team and various therapists. His wish was to live long enough to celebrate his little girl’s 6th birthday… and he did just that. He was there when she blew her candles out in the day room at St. Catherine’s. The catering staff had made a birthday cake for her. He then quietly indicated that he wanted to go back to his room on his own. He wanted the family to stay with his daughter so as not to spoil her party. He died with one of the nurses holding his hand shortly after.It was so inspiring to hear how all those people at the hospice did so much to help this one family. It made me realise just how much our help means to them.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST IMPRESSED WITH ABOUT ST. CATHERINE’S?What impresses me most is how much the staff and volunteers really do care. It is far more than just a job for them, they are passionate about what they do. That goes for all the staff, not just the people who work with the patients, but everyone. And they have to work so hard to raise sufficient funds to provide the care that they provide. I know they are so grateful for the help we give them.

BIBLE BY THE BEACH CONFERENCE – WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT?

Brilliant fellowship: a great weekend to enjoy being together as nearly 50 of our church family came along. There was actually the time to finish conversations with people as we got to know each other a little better! It was also hugely encouraging to meet with hundreds of other Christians from all over the South East as we joined together in the meetings, chatted over coffee and sang praises to our Heavenly Father!

Bible, Bible, Bible: Richard Pratt took us on an overview of ‘God’s unstoppable mission’ in the main Bible reading sessions. It was amazing to be so challenged once again to live my life according to God’s original plans: made in His image, made for relationship with Him, fully forgiven and called to share in His mission of introducing people to Jesus so they can see for themselves what he has done for everyone who chooses to put their trust in him. There were also seminars on a range of topics that you could choose from. The children and young people had a lot of fun learning songs, games, Bible stories, puppets and chatting with their friends in their various groups as they embarked on their “Space Mission” adventures for the weekend! We’ve even brought some of the songs back with us from the beach…’Shine, whoooo…from the inside out!!’

Time to return home: Having had the luxury of time to feast on God’s word, enjoy time with each other and have fun on the beach, it was time to think about how this would impact

my life when I returned home to ‘normal’ routines! Well one way in which I have been encouraged is to have seen the unstoppable mission of God in our Sunday morning teaching series on Acts back at St. John’s. Having been challenged on how I will put God first in the decisions I make and how I will stand for the gospel despite worldly pressures, it has been hugely encouraging to see how some of the first disciples stood firm and served Christ as the church was being established and beginning to grow, even when it was tough for them to do so. And so, it is the same God today that gives me the strength to stand firm for Him in all that I do, no matter what may come my way in life – not easy to do at times but what a great ‘rock’ to stand firm on when life is tough!

BBtB 2016: I am looking forward to the next Bible by the Beach, to enjoy fun times together and to be challenged and encouraged more to live my life distinctively for Christ in the circumstances that God has planned for my life, and not just for the Bible by the Beach weekend but for the rest of the year too!

Tree of Light ServiceIf you have been bereaved or experienced loss, our Tree of Light Service for remembering loved ones will be held at 6pm on Sunday 6th December at St. John’s. All are very welcome.St. Catherine’s Hospice is one of the organisations that we partner with at St. John’s – turn the page to find out a bit more about the others…

Photo courtesy of Bible by the BeachPhoto courtesy of Bible by the Beach

Tearfund’s call is to follow Jesus where the need is greatest. Working with committed Christians in more than 50 countries has enabled Tearfund to understand the needs of the world’s poorest people. In the last 10 years, more than 25 million people have benefitted from Tearfund

projects. Through local churches and inspiring partners, they have been helped to improve their health, education or food security, or to gain land rights. Work creation schemes, improved agricultural methods and microfinance projects have given them hope for the future. Other projects have helped communities recover from and be better prepared for natural disasters.

Brenda Wilkinson writes: “Gordon and I have supported Tearfund for over 30 years and visited projects in Honduras, Colombia, Sri Lanka, India and Thailand. It has been truly humbling to meet the inspirational people running these projects - to see their commitment, witness their faith that God will always provide and appreciate how wisely they use the money we donate. We have been continually challenged to do more to support Tearfund and reassured that the money raised really does go to where the need is greatest.”

Church Army trains and sends evangelists to work in Anglican churches and in projects with children, homeless people and the elderly. We have had visits from Mark and Heather Dadds who work with the Marylebone Project in London for women in housing need, and with ''The Bridge'', helping disadvantaged people return to useful lives in the community. Di Giles, who is a Church Army Sister, is our rep. “We support the Marylebone Project in London, run by women for women in housing need. It provides accommodation for vulnerable women and runs a day centre supporting over 5,000 women every year, offering crucial advice and practical assistance.”

Welcare is the practical expression of the concern of churches of Southwark Diocese for families and children.

Based locally in Redhill, the charity work with families in need through poverty, isolation, family breakdown or homelessness. The aim is to help families with problems before they reach the stage of requiring Local Authority intervention. Welcare provides practical support, such as toys, clothing and counselling, through volunteers and social workers.

Andrew and Maria Leake are working with the Church Mission Society (CMS) in Argentina.

Barbara Cottier writes: “The Leakes are engaged in the long-running campaign to support the rights of local indigenous people whose homelands and natural resources are threatened by widespread commercial deforestation and agriculture. I love seeing their passion to serve poor and marginalised people in these difficult situations. Their work is not easy, but demonstrates humility and obedience to God’s call to use their education

and experience in serving others for God’s glory.

They have been involved in the development of the mission of the church locally and globally through family life courses and with the Anglican Communion Creation Care initiatives and consultations. Andrew attended with his Bishop the Anglican Communion Environmental Network (ACEN) conference in Cape Town in February to discuss experiences and responses to global climate change.

I’m impressed by their ability to keep focussed on the job they have been called to do despite many setbacks and disappointments. They have ‘stickability’ when there are probably many other job opportunities for people with their language skills and a PhD in environmental studies!”

ST. JOHN’S MISSION PARTNERS

Glen Jones writes: “CPAS helps local churches to be more effective where they are. They have a particular focus on young people – it is from our young people that God will raise up future leaders within the church and outside it. CPAS provides support and encouragement to people

considering Christian leadership and to existing leaders.

I remember reading about a coach that broke down bringing young people back from a CPAS holiday. The driver and the leaders got out to look at what the problem might be. When they returned not having found anything obvious, one of the leaders asked the young people what they were doing. They replied, ‘We are praying for God to fix the coach – you have been teaching us all week about the power of prayer, so that’s what we are doing!’ The coach started and was able to return home without any further problems.”

Natasha Rayan grew up at St. John’s here in Felbridge and had never lived in London prior to working with UCCF. She has grown to love this amazing city and as she works among students she is passionate about reaching the world on our doorstep with the gospel. Did you know that London has more international students than any other city in the world?

Suzy Callaway writes: “Natasha and her team are helping to take the gospel message to students and reach the world through international students studying here. It has been particularly amazing to hear about the success of Uncover (for people to meet Jesus as they read the book of Luke with friends) among students in London and the stories of people coming to know Jesus.”

NATASHA RAYAN

Kathryn and Gift Asiku are working with Wycliffe as Bible Translators in Uganda.

Lindsey Saunders writes: “Kathryn and Gift Asiku are dear friends of ours – I have known Kathryn since I was 22 and living in Aberystwyth when we were prayer partners. It has been wonderful to see how Kathryn and Gift's work is helping to change people’s lives through reading the Bible in their own language. I have been so impressed with Kathryn and Gift's faith that God will provide what they need, Gift's patience to wait until the time is right in every stage of his translation work, and Kathryn's adaptability to life in a very different country. They are amazing witnesses of God's love for all.”

KATHRYN AND GIFT ASIKU

WORLD MISSION GIFT DAY AT ST. JOHN’SSunday 11 October, 10am & 6pm (with church lunch)Visiting speaker: David Greenwood from MAF (Mission Aviation Fellowship)

Our Mission Partners are making a difference locally and globally. Here’s how...

ANDREW & MARIA LEAKE

What happened 150 years ago in 1865?Victoria was Queen of England and Empress of India.There were about 30 million people living in the UK, less than half today’s total.A new speed limit for horse-drawn carriages was introduced of 2mph in towns and cities. Charles Dickens was a survivor of a major rail crash at Staplehurst in Kent – 10 people were killed and 49 injured – he writes about the disaster at the end of his book Our Mutual Friend. Lewis Carroll published Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.Elizabeth Garrett Anderson graduated as Britain’s first woman doctor (today, about half of GPs in the UK are women).American President, Abraham Lincoln, was assassinated while at the theatre in Washington D.C.Concerned with the plight of the poor, William and Catherine Booth founded The Christian Mission, later renamed The Salvation Army. Hudson Taylor founded the China Inland Mission, now OMF International, which resulted in hundreds of missionaries going to remote areas of China. St. John’s Church was built in Felbridge.

Cupcakes, cupcakes and cupcakes!

“The best bit of the weekend was the wide open doors with so many guests joining us.”

“The All Souls Choir and Orchestra was amazing!”The youngest person on the bike ride was 7…

and the oldest was 91!

As you come to him, the Living Stone…you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house (1 Peter 2:4-5).

Enjoying the Felbridge walk…

The rain stopped just in time to form an orderly queue for the hog roast.

150TH BIRTHDAY WEEKEND

Since then, things have been changing to more accurately reflect the demographic of this area, and we want this to continue so that as a church we are thriving for every age group.Did you know that 45% of people in Britain now describe themselves as having “No Religion”? And the number who describe themselves as “Christian” has been falling rapidly. How can we widen our impact as a church, reaching out to all people whatever they believe?So now here’s a summary of our 2020 vision, and some steps we might take (in God’s strength) to get there:

20/20 VISIONThe message of Christianity, God’s love for his world shown to us in Jesus, is exciting and life-changing, and we hope for that to be increasingly reflected in our Sunday services as we meet together, full and vibrant at our two main Sunday services.

Our age profile as a church at the end of 2013 looked like this:

With the year 2020 now five years away, it seemed too good an opportunity to miss not to have a “2020 Vision”. So what’s our 5-year plan? Or more importantly, where does God want us to be as a church by the year 2020?After much prayer, discussion and consultation, we have developed the following vision statement:

We believe Jesus is calling us (in the power of the Spirit) to be a church that is...

• full and vibrant at our 2 main Sunday services• thriving for every age group• widening our impact, reaching out to all people whatever they believe

Youth Group for 14-18s meets every other Friday evening for food, Bible discussions and prayer.Email office@stjohnsfelbridge.com for more details.

01342 314027office@stjohnsfelbridge.comwww.stjohnsfelbridge.com