march 2011 magazine

Shepherd’s Watch The magazine for and by the people of the Good Shepherd

March 2011

60p

� Lent

� Easter

� Palestinian News

The Good Shepherd Magazine Mar 2011

Churchwardens Ian Hill 77 Hove Park Road Hove BN3 6LL. Tel (01273 888607) David Nissen 1 Shirley Road Hove BN3 6NN Tel (01273) 554183

Stewardship Secretary

David Nissen 1 Shirley Road Hove BN3 6NN Tel (01273) 554183

Meets on second Thursday afternoon and fourth Thursday evening of the month. Please contact Christine James telephone(01273) 724802

Parish Office The Parish Office is open on Wednesday and Friday mornings from 9.30 to 10.30. The Parish Office telephone number is (01273) 553747

Tea Club Meets on the first Monday of the month at 1.30pm. We welcome all who are 50 years plus, who are free and would like some company. Just come along.

The Clergy Vicar

Fr. Felix Mascarenhas The Vicarage 272 Dyke Road Brighton BN1 5AE Tel (01273) 882987 [email protected]

Reader

Michael Miller 68 Ainsworth Avenue Ovingdean Brighton BN2 7BG Tel (01273) 240287


The Spring is … with guns!

Spring’s here and the early birds have already been its heralds. The season of planting brings radiant hope and exultation. All around there’s new life; and that’s Easter! But how to come at that Easter joy? We are both helpless servants on this planet in things we cannot change, but also, in others, God’s co-operators where we have to innovate responsibly. As I write this, revolts in Libya are in course . These far away upheavals can divert our attention as to how and why dictatorships should fall. “Metanoia” (conversion of heart) would therefore be both good and necessary for all during this Lent. If not, how could we rise, without dying? What to kill and where to mature is this season’s journey. I believe, just as every drop of water adds up to make an ocean, each one of us has a responsibility to make this world a better place. To reap in joy, it will depend how disciplined you and I are in this Lent. If not, what should evolve freely and dawn naturally, can all of a sudden, spring up forcefully upon us and even with guns.

Fr Felix

Having a hard time? Struggling with illness? Burdened by problems that seem too great to bear? Wondering how to get through the days? We as the family of Christ are to bear one another’s burdens to lighten the load. There are many physical and social ways we can help; and also

Would you like us to pray for you?

At the Church of the Good Shepherd, we have a Prayer Chain. This is a small group of members who agree to pray specifically for those who ask for prayer at difficult times, in confidence. Confidential requests for prayer can be made by phoning Meriel on 558714 or 07961 858544 or by emailing [email protected] Please contact Fr Felix on 882987 or email:[email protected] regarding other help we may be able to give you.


A Word From Palestine James Agha was a boyfriend of Dominique Coleman, daughter of Peter Coleman. He lives in Kensington and his father is Jordanian and his mother Scottish. When the war blew up between Israel and Lebanon the other year James decided he wanted to be a human rights monitor and applied to the World Council of Churches for permission. James had to obtain various references from different people to support his application including one from a vicar/priest. James met Father Felix at a family birthday celebration who kindly agreed to provide James a reference. With the reference in hand, James applied to the WCC and was ac-cepted. Report to UN OCHA – 13th February 2011 This report is submitted by Nidal Agha from the EAPPI, World Council of Churches, following the demolition of „Outpost 86‟/ Mitzpei Avihai settlement by Israeli Security Forces on February 9th 2011 and the subsequent settler activity. Background: The settler outpost of Mitzpei Avihai / „Outpost 86‟ (and sometimes referred to in the media as hill 18) lies adjacent to Harsina Settlement, not far from Kirya Arba and overlooks the Palestinian community of Al Bowereh. Comprising a few wooden shacks, it has been deemed illegal under Is-raeli Law and has been subject to a number of removals/demolitions by the Israeli Security Forces, the most recent being June 2009 and August 2010. On each of these occasions the wooden structures were immediately rebuilt the following day. These actions are also accompa-nied by acts of violence towards the Palestinians living in Al Bowereh. The most significant being in August 2010 when settlers attacked Pal-estinian homes with stones, released farm animals, uprooted 100 grape vines and set fire to property. Two ISM Observers (International Solidarity Movement) were also attacked and hospitalized. The settlers also clashed with Israeli Border police in which a vehicle was set alight, the remnants of which can seen in the picture above. Four settlers were arrested but released soon afterwards. At the time, right wing activist Itamar Ben-Gvir publicly admitted to the Israeli press (Ynet News, Jerusalem Post) that arson was part of the “price tag” policy under which settlers attack Palestinians and their property in retaliation for housing demolitions. He also said “I wouldn't


be surprised if someone tried to harm area mosques as a result”. The Palestinian community in Al Bowereh is also subject to intermit-tent attacks throughout the year, irrespective of political decisions that are made (see previous report dated 9th January 2011). Settlement Outpost Demolished: At 3am on 9th February 2011, Israeli Security Forces (Border Police and Police) demolished the wooden structures that comprise the settler outpost of Mitzpei Avihai / „Outpost 86‟. The settlers were not re-moved and there were no reports of violence between settlers and security forces. Response: (Wednesday 9th February) At 8.20am the EAPPI Office was informed by a local contact that the telephone cables servicing the Palestinian Community of Al Bowereh had been cut and a large number of settlers had gathered on the hill above. The Palestinian residents were fearful of further vandalism and possible attack, so five Ecumenical Accompaniers (EAs) were dis-patched immediately to observe, document and provide a protective presence. The first EAs arrived on the scene at 8.40am. A police jeep and army/border police jeep were posted outside the gate, at the back entrance to the Harsina settlement. Further down the road on the Palestinian side, 8 Israeli border policemen were standing and, at first, restricting access through. A number of settlers (20 or so) were gathered on the hilltop. The Border Police were all of Arab decent (some Druze, some Palestin-ian Muslim and some Palestinian Christian) and were under orders to protect the Palestinian community from any settler attack by prevent-ing them from coming over the wall which separates the Palestinians from the „buffer zone‟. There was also a jeep positioned at the bottom of the hilltop. The local Palestinians seemed both relieved and com-forted by their presence as they conversed in Arabic and assured the residents that nothing would happen with them there. They stood watch on the roof of one of the Palestinian houses (Zai‟tari family) closest to the outpost. However there was still a very strong feeling of impending violence. Telecom engineers began work on repairing the severed cables at


around 10am. There were no witnesses to confirm who was responsible for this vandalism; only rumours suggested that it was settlers. Rebuilding: By 4pm of the same day, all the Border Police of Arab descent had left, and from 5pm the settlers walked in pairs bringing in long pieces of timber up to the hilltop from the Harsina settlement. (Although the EA on the ground recognised one of the settlers from the Beit Hadassah settlement in Hebron). This went on continuously throughout the evening and they were let in through the gate and watched by the Border Police still positioned there. At the top end where the Arab border police had been, there were now only three Israeli (Jewish) Border Police who were lying down relaxed at the foot of the hilltop smoking cigarettes, chatting and surrounded by settlers. It was clear the dynamic between the Border Police and settlers had changed. The settlers worked throughout the night rebuilding the structures Reduction of Israeli Security Presence & Trespass: The following day, Thursday 10th February there was now only one jeep (border police) at the top and one at the bottom. Settlers were still walking around, but were not massed in large groups. On Friday 11th February at 2pm, five settlers crossed over from the hilltop to the Palestinian side through a side gate, which is normally locked. They walked right up the Palestinian road, and then, using a ladder they started attaching a wire to Palestinian telecom poles. They were totally ignored by the Border Police, while Palestinians were becoming panicked and worried. Only after an EA intervened did the border police speak to the settlers. It had no effect. The border police returned and spoke to the EA saying “don't stay here – they hit you” (referring to the settlers) and “I protect you but you need to go”. When asked to call his commander regarding the trespass he said “they can do it, we call, and they can do it”, and also that “my commander knows... don't worry”. (The whole conversation has been captured on film). The settlers left after one hour, having made death threats to the EA and one other international observer. On Saturday 12th the jeeps left, leaving no protective security presence at all.


Conclusion: The fear amongst the community in Al Bowereh is palpable, especially since there is no protective presence and the settlers are able to act with such impunity. Although there is no proof that settlers severed the telephone cables on the 9th February, the acts of attaching new wires to the telecom poles two days later, adds to the psychological aspect of the harassment and intimidation. Within three days the structures have been totally rebuilt to the way they were before. No attempts were made to prevent settlers from accessing this outpost or stopping them from bringing through build-ing materials. The most straightforward measure to employ would be to lock the gate at the back of the Harsina settlement and prevent access from that point. Moreover the area between the security fence of Harsina settlement and the Palestinian side should be maintained as a “buffer zone‟. At the moment settlers are free to cross over to the Palestinian side with ease. The same argument could be applied in other direction. As of the 13th February 2011, no violence has been reported. However, this issue should be looked into urgently, as the community of Al Bow-ereh feel that it is only a matter time before something serious does occur.

James Nidal Agha


Chichester Diocese Family Social Work: Changing Lives Leafy green Sussex hides its many families facing hardship; increasing unemployment brings budgetary challenges and families facing poverty. Nobody admits to being poor: families try to hide their situa-tion isolating themselves from friends and neighbours. ‘Cooped up’, isolated families have little escape for their feelings. Domestic violence and depression are common, and children respond with challenging behaviour, feeling fearful, but also needing attention. Family Support Work – (FSW) genuinely supports these families. They listen to the children and families’ individual needs. FSW focuses on today’s problem in order to get to tomorrow. FSW works across Sussex. The Community workers support children and families who face multiple complex social and emotional problems leading to stress, depression, separation, loneliness, eating or sleeping problems. These issues create difficulties with children’s education, behaviour and health. As well as working across the diocese FSW also own Knowles Tooth Children’s Centre which offers families a much needed break away from their daily stresses. Director of FSW Maggie Simons said: “We all assume that ‘someone’ will help these families; the Benefit System, Social Services etc. Benefits do not immediately follow unemployment, how do you cope with the 2 month gap ? The mortgage needs paying, the bills don’t stop, the family needs food and there is a birthday soon. What would you do? “We have been offering practical help for Sussex families for over a century. Since 1890, when FSW was founded, then known as the League of Purity(!) then ‘Moral Welfare’, members of the Diocese have cared about those families in less fortunate circumstances than themselves, and found ways to help and support them. “120 years later we are still here helping and supporting because there is still a need. “However, like the families it supports, the economic situation is


severely affecting FSW’s income. We need £1,500 per day to support families in the Community and support Knowles Tooth. Fund raising is ongoing but obviously has to increase if we are to remain effective in changing lives at difficult times. “A difficult time for many families is Christmas and we ensure that every FSW family with whom we work receives gifts at Christmas, maintaining normality to prevent depression and despair. We can only do this through our fantastic network of volunteers. Volunteering with FSW has proved to be a life changing experience for some and I hope through reading this article you will be inspired to help either through a donation or volunteering.” FSW is effective and achieves ! Our work results in changed lives: Families more able to recognize their strengths become more independent Greater inner strength and improved coping skills creates positive mental health gains. Confidence underpins improving parenting skills and capacities. Parents engaging with children; children receive attention and feel valued Children are able to enjoy home life and achieve in school. If interested in helping, please contact Lisa Williamson Diocesan Communications Officer Tel: 01273 425791 Mob: 07775022461 [email protected] www.diochi.org.uk During Lent this year, we at the Good Shepherd are collecting toys for these families who are unable to afford gifts for their children, and for Knowles Tooth Family Centre. There will be a box in the church porch for unwanted toys in good condition. Please join us in helping those in need. Enquiries to Paul & Julia Chantry via Fr Felix, [email protected] or 882987


Christian Aid Week 15–21 May 2011 This year the challenge facing us is to extend our Christian Aid collec-tion to the larger population that Ian Hill describes elsewhere in the magazine. So if you haven’t collected before do think about doing so. Although at first sight it can seem daunting, it is an immensely re-warding task. Why not talk to someone who has done it before? Of course, if you have collected in other years it is even more important that you do so this year. The following article from Christian Aid tells how you can be part of the story of transformation which is unfolding right now in Nicaragua. For the people of Jinotega, Nicaragua, coffee isn’t just a caffeine kick – it’s a means of transforming the lives of entire communities. By getting involved in Christian Aid Week, you can help to make this transforma-tion possible. Five years ago, Eladio Simeón Pineda’s community was a group of poor farm labourers. Then Christian Aid partner Soppexcca (pronounced so-pecks-ka) offered them credit to establish themselves as coffee farmers and supported them to work together as a cooperative. Eladio and the other members of the La Paz del Tuma cooperative now hope that together they will transform their own community. Even though the coffee farmers of La Paz del Tuma have only been working with Soppexcca for a short time, their lives are already changing for the better. The credit which Soppexcca gave to Eladio and the other farmers has been vital in getting them started. The coopera-tive has a community fund that will be used to achieve the dreams which Eladio and his fellow farmers once thought were out of their reach. ‘I hope one day we will have a school on this land, clean water and latrines,’ says Eladio. Eladio knows that transformation is possible. He is driven by the example of a nearby community, where Gustavo Adolfo Talavera and the members of the Los Alpes cooperative have been supported by Soppexcca for 12 years. In that time, they have successfully worked to establish a school and a health centre for their community. The hopes of the people of La Paz del Tuma are hopes held for the


whole community. Eladio works every day towards his dream of a purpose-built school, clean water and latrines for all the farming families of La Paz del Tuma. Soppexcca’s support for coffee cooperatives like La Paz del Tuma and Los Alpes allows communities to see a bigger picture, full of possibilities for the future. Remember Christian Aid helps people in poverty out of poverty • £14 could buy enough coffee seeds to plant a 0.7 hectare plot of coffee and start one farmer on the path out of poverty. • £2,170 could pay for a processing plant, allowing farmers to process the coffee they have grown and then sell it for a better price. By getting involved in Christian Aid Week in your own community, you can help to turn the hopes of communities all around the world into realities. You can be part of a movement which is transforming lives.

Peter Rose

Grub Club

On a wet evening in January we had our annual fish and chip supper – then were transported to the sunshine in Goa by Pauline and Liz who showed us some lovely photos and told us a bit about the holiday there. Hopefully on a brighter day, we’re about to lunch at the Dyke Pub and Kitchen which is, I believe, the only pub in the parish – so it had better be good! On Monday 21 March, we’ll have an afternoon playing whist at Daisy’s – accompanied by a cup of tea and a slice of cake. Don’t worry if you’re not a card player – we’ll play strictly for fun – but I’m sure there will be someone to tell you what to do if you need advice. And I think we can run to a prize or two for those with the highest scores. On 11 April (not the 3rd Monday of the month because that falls in Holy Week), we’ve changed the venue for lunch to the White Horse at


Then maybe membership of the Prayer Chain is for you

The Prayer Chain at the Church of the Good Shepherd is a small group who agree to pray for those who ask for prayer in times of crisis: be it ill-health, bereavement, loss of other kinds, particular challenges to be faced. It is vital that these prayer requests remain confidential but the Chain have the encouragement of knowing that they are all praying for the same people and situations. Requests for prayer are passed round the Chain by email or telephone.

If interested, please see Meriel or ring her on 558714 or 07961 858544

Rottingdean. That’s easy to get to by bus but has plenty of car parking if that’s your preferred mode of transport. The food is good too! Then on Monday 16 May we’ll go to a garden centre for tea and a chance to buy your plants for the summer. This will probably be Rushfields, just north of the Downs. They now run their own cafe and have recently opened a farm shop too. June is the GS Festival so we won’t have a meeting that month and hope everyone will enjoy the festival events. All the Grub Club meetings will be advertised with more details in the weekly service sheets.

Pat and Daisy


Taxing Matters

Currently HMRC are paying a 2.8% supplement on all gift aid claims. This ‘extra’ finishes on the 5th April 2011. The supplement was intended to ease the pain for charities of the re-duction in base rate of income tax from 22% to 20% which took place in 2008. It was a fixed scheme for three years only. It was hoped that by the end of this time other reforms to gift aid would have come in to mitigate this, such as allowing higher rate relief to be given back to charities rather than donors - but this has not happened. Example: If £1000 is given, under gift aid, up to 5.4.2011 the Charity reclaims 25% of the net gift (£250) and automatically receives a 2.8% gift aid supplement (£28), so the total received by the charity is £1278. If £1000 is given, under gift aid, after 6.4.2011 then the Charity re-claims 25% of the net gift £250, so the total received by charity is £1250. Thus the Charity receives £28 (2%) less in income tax refund on the donation made. May I ask that If any member of the congregation would like to bring forward their donation to before that date (so that the church can benefit from the higher refund) they talk to David Nissen, Ian Hill or myself. On a separate but related subject were you aware that if you are due a tax refund that you have a choice – take the money yourself or donate it to a charity of your choice. The Church of the Good Shepherd is reg-istered as a potential recipient with HMRC. If you would like to know more than please feel free to talk to either David Nissen or myself.

Dick Aynsley-Smith


What’s on at Time for God?

March - May 2011

Sunday 6 Mar 9.45 Breakfast+Breakout Sunday 13 Mar 10.15 Time for God Ash Sunday Sunday 20 Mar 10.15 Family Eucharist Sunday 27 Mar 10.15 Time for God Sunday 3 Apr 10.15 Family Eucharist Mothering Sunday Sunday 10 Apr 10.15 Time for God Sunday 17 Apr 10.15 Palm Sunday with donkey, we hope! Time for God in Hall Friday 22 Apr 10.00 Good Friday Family Service Sunday 24 Apr 10.15 Easter Day All in church Sunday 1 May 10.15 Breakfast+Breakout Sunday 8 May 10.15 Time for God Sunday 15 May 10.15 Family Eucharist Sunday 22 May 10.15 Time for God Sunday 29 May 10.15 Time for God

Please do join us

Meriel Vincent


DAVID FORGHAM ACCOUNTANCY SERVICES

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All Age Worship at the

Church of the Good Shepherd

Time for God Most Sunday mornings at 10.15am in the church hall 40 min-utes of informal worship for all ages together

T4G + Breakout

First Sundays of the month at 10.15am: children age 3-7 in the Green Room. Time for God in Hall for everyone else. Discussion for teens & adults. Stories and craft for children.

Family Eucharist

Usually the third Sundays of the month: except Mothering Sun-day 3 April. Everyone in church at 10.15

For more information please contact

Meriel Vincent 558714 07961 858544

[email protected]


GAS ELECTRICITY TELEPHONE AND OTHER SERVICES Are the prices you are paying fair and reasonable? Probably not-the truth is that most of us simply don’t know. My partners and I may be able to help. We give good honest advice and we may be able to reduce your bills with our direct access to energy brokers and utility suppliers Victor was pleased when he used our service Just ring Tim Parker on Brighton 500048

Tim Parker


Pat and Daisy


Family Fun Day The first signs of spring are in the air, although I often forget this when turning up at work, with frost all around, cold and wet. Despite being only early March, work is already being done on organizing this year’s Family Fun Day - Sat June 11th which will throw open the week long GS Festival to close on Sunday 19th. We hope to build on the success of the previous Fun Days; the event is the biggest of the many things we organize to involve the local community and is a bedrock in the success of the whole week. So, you’re probably already suspicious about my motives for writing this… Correct!

1) We are planning a raffle with a few high value prizes. In particu-lar we were thinking about vouchers/ gifts from businesses in the area, so if anybody has any contacts or ideas (of any sort) then please approach me. 2) As ever, volunteers to help out on the day. Even if it’s only for half an hour, every little helps and is very much appreciated. Again, please talk to me, Fr Felix or Hannah Beattie to get involved.

James Baxter


KNOTS IN PRAYER

I have KNOT got time I do KNOT think it makes a difference

God may KNOT hear me Friends may KNOT like me to say I pray for them

I might KNOT pray for the right thing

BUT

If I do KNOT pray how will I get to know God ? If I do KNOT pray I might forget to help

Most of all

Dear God

I ask that you remove from my mind, My heart and my life all of the KNOTS That have allowed me to hold back

Especially the thought that

I am not good enough.

Daisy Walpole

Mission Action Plan

Does anyone have plans for 2014? Well, the Church will soon be making some. We have a Mission Action Plan which is stuck up on the West wall – I hope that you are all familiar with it! The PCC, and other committees, use it to direct our focus throughout the year when planning services, events, charitable donations and many other aspects of the Church’s life. It guides our work three years ahead, and it is nearly time to roll it on by a year (for 2013-14) and set ourselves some new goals (or indeed re-visit some from the past if necessary). The PCC Away Day is being held in May; one of the aims of this meeting is evaluate the MAP and our future direction. I’m writing this because the MAP should be, and is, open for anyone to suggest ideas on, so if you think the Church could be stronger in an area please do put your ideas for the MAP across to anyone on the PCC so that we can discuss them at the Away.

James Baxter


Mothers' Union Spring Calendar

Saturday 5th March 9.00am Corporate Communion in the Lady Chapel. Thursday 10th March 12.30pm Talk Time at the home of Carole Briggs 57 Tamworth Road, Hove with Lent lunch £2 per head Friday 18th March 8.00am to 9.00am Wave of Prayer. Please pray at home during this time. Leaflets will be available soon. Saturday 2nd April 9.00am Corporate Communion in the Lady Chapel Thursday 14th April 2.45pm Talk Time led by Jean Ashmall. Venue to be arranged Thursday 28th April 7.30pm The Green Room 'Time to Talk' session 1 Saturday 7th May 9.00am Corporate Communion in the Lady Chapel Thursday 12th May 12.30pm Talk Time at the home of Marguerite Harland 7 The Paddock, Hove followed by snack lunch £2 per head Thursday 26th May 7.30pm 'Time to Talk' session 2 led by Jacky Clark (Mothers' Union speaker)

Christine James


FIRST HOLY COMMUNION with CHRISTINGLE

January 16th, 2011 was a very special day with the 10.15am liturgy celebrating two important but interconnected events of First Holy Communion and Christingle. Six youngsters were formally welcomed to the table of the Lord. Caroline R. Banerjee, Jack R. Cheesman, Lucy A. Hotchkiss, Sarah E. Banerjee, Stephen J.P. Laurent and William B. T. Morfitt received the communion for the first time. Together with their parents and friends the whole congregation thanked the Lord for the great day. Preaching on the occasion, Revd. Fr. Richard Harrison, the chaplain at the Lancing College, urged the children to grow into adults becoming the true lights of Christ in this world. During the previous two months, the six youngsters had attended a course to prepare themselves for the great day: to understand and appreciate the significance of Holy Communion in the life of a Christian. I was very impressed and moved by the commitment and dignity of our six young people making their First Communion at the Christingle service as were many people around me. We congratulate them, and hope, at a later age they will go ahead to receive the sacrament of confirmation. How lucky we are to have so many wonderful people in our congrega-tion from the very young to those of more mature years. The young families try hard in their outreach work and arrange several services and events to show the people of the parish just who we are and what we do. During that same service, Ellen Brown was given a special thanks. She has been a marvellous example to us all, supplying and decorating hundreds of oranges and raising lots of money for the Children's Society for the last twenty-five years and organising their collection boxes which many of us have in our homes. It was interesting to note how the whole congregation left the church fired with enthusiasm; with the message of the day to be the light of Christ to others.

Marguerite Harland


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COGS Charitable Giving A cheque for £300 from the Good Shepherd has been sent to the Children’s Society. The collection at the Christingle Service raised just over £200. To this was added a generous do-nation of £50 from a member of our congregation and the balance came from the Churches Outside Giving Fund. Grateful thanks to Ellen Brown and the congregation who con-tinue to support the Charity and its work.

Dick Aynsley-Smith


Activities for Children and Young People

The Little Lambs

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NORTH BRIGHTON GROUP MINISTRY Recently there has been some significant progress in bringing parishes together. The wardens have been holding meetings and are working well together. Just recently St Luke’s has indicated that it would like to join us, St John’s, St Matthias and All Saints. With All Saints having the Ascension as its daughter church this will result in our being 6 churches with 6 stipendiary priests. The challenge for the diocese and the Church of England is to ensure that there are sufficient clergy spread across the whole country and to that end the diocese is trying to staff itself in accordance with the nationally agreed Sheffield formula. The result of this is that the diocese needs to reduce stipendiary clergy numbers by approximately a third. Much of this will happen with normal retirements given the age profile of the clergy but retirements will not always happen in the right place at the right time. For us in our group it probably means the loss of 2 clergy posts over the next 5 years and the remaining clergy being far more flexible and mobile. This also highlights the need for greater lay participation, be it as readers, or in other roles. We seem to have far more lay ministers of -communion than our neighbours but St Luke’s has 4 readers, St Mat-


thias and St John’s like ourselves each has 1 and All Saint’s none. As we get to know each other better and identify our group needs I believe that numerous opportunities for lay involvement will occur; do not hesitate to take “one step forward”!

Ian Hill

Lent study for 2011

We will be running two different week-day or evening courses here this Lent. 1. ‘To Seek Christ’ - “Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ” Wouldn’t it have been wonderful to have met Christ? To have listened to him speak; to have watched him heal people and even to have been touched and healed by him ourselves? We don’t have that privilege, but we do have the accounts of his first followers to read in our own language: in the Bible. This Lent, we will be running a course to do just that: ‘To Seek Christ’. This course was put together by experts in the Church of England and Roman Catholic churches here in the south of England. Joining the course will provide an opportunity to be inspired by Christ’s words and actions and to be encouraged in our spiritual journey with Christ. If you would like to join this six week course, please sign the sheet at the back of the church. 2. The other course will be held on Tuesday evenings, 1 March – 12 April at 7.45pm at Daisy Walpole’s home, 21 Hazeldene Meads. This course has two components: The first three evenings from 1st March are entitled ‘Science & Faith – Poles Apart? Professor Richard Vincent will explore current issues, giving plenty of opportunity for questions. Then there will be four evenings entitled ‘Fertilising our faith’ when we will look at prayer and other means of growing in our walk with Christ. If you are interested in joining us for either or both parts of

this course, please sign the appropriate list at the back of the church.

Meriel Vincent


Sweet smell of success at the cookery class

I left home early for my cooking class with Victoria Sweet; Constance

wished me luck and gave me a kiss. Victoria uses a classroom at the Oakmeads Community College in Bur-gess Hill. The town – it’s no longer a village – has grown out of all recogni-tion these past few years. New housing estates, extended industrial areas, new roads, one way systems: I began to panic. I was lost. And then in front of me, a sign: Oakmeads Community College. I was not sure about Victoria Sweet. She greeted me with a kiss

and then an all-enveloping hug; she is a large woman. “I just love Constance,” she said. “You and I are going to get on really well.” Two of the girls in the class giggled. Then it was down to business. “This is your work station, Victor. You are going to make a chilli con carne.” She then spoke to her class. She made them laugh and despite her size she was quick on her feet, almost dancing from one student to another. “Come on, John Duffy. You won’t win a girlfriend with that. Nigel, when will you learn to stop overcooking your chicken dishes? Your ef-fort won’t impress the bank manager.” “But I am the bank manager,” said Nigel.

“Really, dear? But you’re so young. I am sorry, I’m getting old.” Despite misgivings, I began to warm to Victoria. She is of the

Nigella Lawson school of cooking – not afraid to use all her fingers. I set to work, fried the mince. A dish of kidney beans had al-

ready been provided, but I chopped the onions, crushed the garlic, skinned the tomatoes and prepared the peppers.

Victoria looked over my shoulder. “You don’t have to boil those


beans so they jump out of the saucepan. Use a larger pan to sauté your onions!” I burnt my fingers and dropped the tomatoes.

Two hours sped by and it was all over. We cleared up, washed

the dishes, and I was given my dish to take home. I was really proud. “Will I see you next week?” asked Victoria. “Yes indeed, thank you.” “You are a real natural, Victor.” Again, one of the girls giggled. Once more, on leaving the college, I lost my way. “B____ Hill,” I

said to myself. But to be fair it’s a lively, busy place with a good com-munity spirit.

As soon as I was at home I insisted Constance taste my chilli

con carne. “Not bad, Victor,” she said. “By the way Constance, how well do you know Victoria Sweet?” “Oh, we used to go dancing. I thought she would liven you up.” Last Sunday we went to church. It was good to see so many

people there and I wondered where they’d come from. There was talk about Anglican Bishops joining the Catholic faith. Well, it’s not all one-way traffic – we’ve got Father Felix.

Tim Parker

Christian Aid Week 2011

Christian Aid week this year runs from 15th to 21st May. We will be doing our usual house-to-house collection around the parish and will need lots of help with this so please put the date in your diary and keep some time free during that week for delivering and collecting envelopes.

John and Christine James


OUR REGULAR SUNDAY SERVICES:

8am, Holy Communion 10.15am, Parish Eucharist 10.15am, “Time for God”, informal worship for all ages, in the Church

Hall; On the third Sunday of each month there is a single Family Eucharist in Church at 10.15

6.30pm, Choral Evensong on third Sunday of each month and Eve-ning Worship on other Sundays. (Eucharist on Thursday at 10.30am followed by Coffee and on Saturday at 9am)

March 2011 9th : ASH WEDNESDAY, Eucharist with ashes at 7.30pm 26th: SPRING GARDENING, 2.30 to 4.30pm, Volunteers please! Followed by Tea & Cakes 27th: A P C M after the Eucharist of 10.15am April 2011 3rd : Mothering Sunday (10.15am) 17—24th HOLY WEEK & EASTER The details are given below. May 2011 15th : Christian Aid Week begins 21st : PCC Away day 22nd : Christian Aid Service at St Mathias’, 6pm Holy week: Service Details FR GRAHAM LOW, WILL BE OUR PREACHER FOR THE TRIDUUM Palm Sunday,8 am: Eucharist 10.15am: Procession of Palms from Hall (with Donkey), Dramatised Passion Gospel & Sung Eucharist with a short sermon leading into the Holy Week. We take part in the Dramatised Passion taking us back to the first Holy Week. ‘ Time for God’ continues in the Hall after the Procession. (Time for God is an alternate service for children/ families.) 6.30pm: Evening Service


Mon. Tue. & Wed., 8pm: Eucharist with reflections (We have the opportunity to reflect quietly on different aspects of Jesus’ passion. Thursday, 8pm: Eucharist/ Last Supper with Washing of Feet followed by Watch until Midnight. Our Church becomes the Upper Room; we recall the Last Supper, welcoming Christ in Communion. Our Lady Chapel then becomes our Gethsemane; we keep vigil there and respond to Christ’s call: “Watch and pray with me!” Friday,10am: Family Service followed by Hot Cross Buns Our young people will explore Jesus’ journey on Good Friday and build a garden to await his Resurrection. 1pm: An Hour Before the Cross: Reflection and Hymns 2pm: The Liturgy of Good Friday with the Proclamation of the Cross and Holy Communion. We discover the Cross in Words (the Passion Gospel), the Cross in Wood (as the Cross is carried into Church as a focus of our devotions) and the Cross in Bread (as we share in the Sacrament). Saturday, 8pm: Easter Vigil and Lighting of the Easter Candle We light the new fire and the Easter candle symbolizing Christ, the light of the world, risen from the darkness of the grave. We process joyfully into Church and sing the Easter Song of Praise. We celebrate The Ministry of the Word including The Vigil Readings with watching and waiting as we prepare for The Easter Eucharist on Sun. morning. Sunday, 8am: Eucharist 10.15am: Easter Eucharist We celebrate the Easter Eucharist as we welcome the Risen Lord into our lives. For Christians, it is the holiest and most important Sunday of the year . We bring flowers as darkness becomes light. The children will symbolically transform the Good Friday Hill into an Easter Garden.


Grub Club Meets on third Monday of the month. All welcome. Please contact Daisy Walpole at (508600) and Pat Hunter at (555954)

Choir Choir practice every Friday evening in the church. New singers are always welcome. Please contact: Derek Froud (681007)

Hall To book the hall please contact Margaret Bell (505763)

Keep Fit With Yoga Classes are held on Tuesday mornings – 10:15am to 11:15am. All ages welcome. Please contact Joanne Cassidy (508010)

Flowers If you would like to donate an arrangement in memory of someone or help with the flower arranging, please contact Gloria Cruttenden (505225).

Bell Ringing Ringing practice every Tuesday evening in the Tower. New ringers are always welcome. Please contact either Pat

Hunter (555954) or Margaret Bell.

Notice-boards Information (lists and posters) for the notice boards may be placed in the tray in the church porch windowsill or contact Gloria Cruttenden (505225).

Magazine Contributions to the magazine are welcome. Please leave copy at the back of Church by 15th of every February, May, August and November or e-mail [email protected] or [email protected] by these dates.

The Church of the Good Shepherd Service Times

Sunday Worship 8am Holy Communion 10:15 Sung Eucharist* 10:15 Time for God**

6.30 Evensong

*On one Sunday each month this will be a Family Eucharist to which children are particularly welcome. ** Time for God Services are held in the Church Hall.

Weekday Eucharists Tuesday 8:30am

Thursday 10:30am

Saturday 9am

Morning Prayer Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8.30am

Evening Prayer

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 5.30pm

march 2011 magazine

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