q1-2012-magazine (2)

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

www.goodshepherdbrighton.org.uk

March 2012

60p

Lent & Holy Week

The spring’s here

GS Festival 2012

The Good Shepherd Magazine Mar 2012

Associate Curate Revd Christyan James

14 St Mary‘s Square Brighton BN2 1FZ Tel 07595910443; 241753 [email protected]

Churchwardens

Ian Hill

77 Hove Park Road

Hove BN3 6LL.

Tel (01273 888607)

James Baxter 14 Radinden Manor Road

Hove, BN3 6NH

Tel.07595831508

Stewardship Secretary

David Nissen 1 Shirley Road

Hove BN3 6NN

Tel (01273) 554183

Vicar

Revd. 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

Parish Office

The Parish Office is open on

Wednesday and Friday mornings

from 9.30 to 10.30. Telephone num-

b e r i s ( 0 1 2 7 3 ) 5 5 3 7 4 7 .

www.goodshepherdbrighton.org.uk

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.


Spring is here, really and truly!

Spring is here, really and

truly here at last. I adore

breathing the damp,

misty early morning air at this time of year and

taking in the scent of

earth, of small green

things springing into the

light, of early buds and

blooms. I like the first bursts of birdsong in the

morning, when every sin-

gle little winged thing is

pouring its heart into an

outburst of joy and gladness. These past days I am woken up by a blackbird singing. He sits on a branch in the garden trilling his rich,

flute-like song. Blackbirds only sing with such gusto when Spring is in

motion.

Sometimes I wonder if what bothers me about winter isn‘t the visual

aspect – the leafless trees; the browns and greys that predominate in-stead of the greens of spring and summer; the weak, watery sunlight –

but rather the ebb of the life force in the earth around me. Because for

some reason, my mood starts to lift even before the colours change; it‘s

as if I can feel the life force rising in everything around me, and my

spirit responds. Maybe it‘s more prosaic than that – probably it is. Probably it is my neuro-chemical reaction to the strengthening

sunlight and longer hours of daylight. Probably it is purely scientific in

nature and nothing to get excited about. But it doesn‘t feel that way, it

doesn‘t seem that way. I like this feeling, the notion that I am a part of

the network of life and energy around me and I respond to it as it re-

sponds to me. I like being alive and energized and awake and in touch, connected to everything out there.

Spring is truly a magnificent time of the year. Some praise spring be-

cause the gloomy days of winter have come to an end. Others delight in

spring because it is a time of renewal and beauty and light, providing us with opportunities to move beyond the shackles of our past and into

new, refreshing and enlivening experiences and ways of being. This

transition occurs every year but we‘re still awed when it happens


when our Creator renews the Earth again.

In each of our lives come ―wintry‖ periods—times when life gets to be

too much for us. It can be precipitated by a prolonged illness, the death of a loved one, economic woes, a spiritually dry period in our

lives, or a host of other things. It happens to all of us. Followers of Je-

sus, however, believe that wintry periods will not last forever. They will

be always followed by spring. It is this hope which sustains us.

Just recently, I came across a hymn I had not seen before. It is called “Returning Spring.” Here are a few of its verses:

The voice of the returning spring

Bids nature wake and rise,

And put her best new garments on,

For she has fresh supplies.

How wondrous are the ways of God!

How bountiful his hand!

We see his love in every tree,

And broadcast o‘er the land.

Then why should we, whose

lines have fallen

In such a pleasant place,

Be backward in the praise of Him,

Or e‘re be short of grace.

We ought to leap, and shout, and sing,

Till all the mountains round

Reverberate the joyful news

To earth‘s remotest bound.

I find these words most inspirational. Here we are reminded that God‘s

hand can be found throughout his Creation. We are also challenged to

sing God‘s praises for the bounty he has bestowed on us in na-

ture. Something tells me that if we really paid attention to the glory of

spring that we, too, would ―leap, and shout, and sing.‖ Look around. Can you find anything worth singing about? I bet you can and hope

you will!

Rev’d Christyan


Tribute to Liz Alcock

I could talk for hours and hours about my Mum, … she would be amazed at how many lives she touched looking at the number of cards,

letters, wishes and flowers that we have received.

Mum was born (in West Ham) in London in 1936. She was the only

child of Alfred and Betty. She grew up in London and went to school

there. After her early schooling she was educated at Woodford Green High School ―for girls‖ (as she always added). Mum still has friends

from those days. … Whether it was coffee and crossword or a meal out

or a glass of wine or sitting in her favourite red chair (known by the

family as her throne) or watching an episode of her favourite TV show

or just a bit of banter (including in recent years by text message), Mum was an absolute master of enjoying the little things. Mum was simply

always interested – little or big.

After leaving school, off mum went into the world of work. At the Bank

of England, Mum found both employment, as a shorthand typist, and

also she found love. It was at the Bank of England, where she met a kind and handsome young chap from Haywards Heath. He was called

Michael (or Dad as I know him).

Liz and Michael were married in 1963 and soon enough they both be-

came South Coasters. The first house that they bought together was 32 Rectory Road in Shoreham. This is where they lived when Julia was

born in 1967. By the time I made my entrance they had moved to their

second home at 50 Woodruff Avenue in Hove. If home is where the

heart is then Mum‘s heart was well and truly at 50 Woodruff Ave-

nue. She never wanted to move. She was always happy there.

Mum was always happy with what she had. That was her great gift. She was even happy with the ―motley selection of family dogs‖

that we had when Julia and I grew up. Toby was a short haired tan

miniature dachshund (her ―first born‖ as she described him) and Her-

bie was a wire haired brindle miniature dachshund. They were both

memorable and full of character but, goodness, they were grumpy with it…

Mum was always a good all round sportswoman. This was both when

she was growing up and then also into her adult life. She loved hockey


(proudly representing the Bank of England for whom Dad played foot-

ball – so that was Saturdays arranged for a good few years). She en-

joyed athletics (and represented the Essex Ladies). She enjoyed gym-

nastics until her late teens. She enjoyed tennis and squash. The list goes on. She also enjoyed watching and following sports. Mum and

Dad introduced me and Julia to many sports. I remember the many

summer days that we spent at Haywards Heath Cricket Club when I

was growing up, Dad playing and Mum chatting (either side of butter-

ing a sandwich)...

When we were at school Mum would always be encouraging us to do

our schoolwork. She and Dad were also loyal watchers from the touch-

line. From our schooldays Mum got to know many of the other Mums

(and Dads). Many of whom have become lifelong friends. One particu-

lar group of fellow Mums must get special mention. They have met up for lunch, once a week, for the last 30 years or so (in recent years on

Mondays). They even met up for lunch all the way through Mum‘s ill-

ness (until 2 days before she went into hospital in the middle of Janu-

ary this year). This merry group was known (to us at least) as the (so

called) ―Hove Ladies Luncheon Club‖. They are loyal friends indeed to

Mum and have even insisted on doing the refreshments in the Church Hall afterwards.

Mum was one of busiest people around... always very warm to people,

and that includes many friends of Julia‘s and mine. Many of our

friends in fact got to know Mum very well down the years. She wel-comed my wife Catherine into the family many years ago and in the

last five years or so she has done the same to Julia‘s fiancée Sean. I

know how Mum was looking forward to Julia‘s wedding day.

The Church of the Good Shepherd has generally been Mum‘s Church

in Hove I always thought but rather (having googled it for the postcode) ―Brighton actually‖. Mum has made some great friends here both

clergy and congregation alike. I even learnt a new nickname given to

her here by someone here at the church, namely ―the whirlwind‖. As

the years have gone by, She became more and more involved in many

different things in her life, including here at the Good Shepherd. As well as being an active member of the congregation for many years: she

became church warden; she became treasurer to the Mother‘s union

(no doubt with a hefty white wine budget); she ran the Tea Club for


nearly 10 years (which, for those of you who don‘t know, is a monthly

social outing for the more senior members of the local community).

I spoke to Father Felix in recent days. He remarked how Mum always

used to do her things in the background, getting it done but not seek-

ing to publicise the fact that it was her doing it. I thought of this on

Tuesday when the funeral announcement went in the Argus. As I read

it I could just hear Mum saying that she wouldn‘t want ―to put anyone

to any trouble to come‖ (particularly in this cold weather). That really was Mum all over. She used to love a party but wouldn‘t want people

to have to go out of their way to come to one of hers.

Dad, Julia and I are really touched by all the help and support that we

have received from so many of those connected to the church.

Most days I would speak to Mum on the phone. Most of the time, I am

not too sure what we really talked about. It just seemed to flow with

Mum. She normally liked to say the last goodbye in a phone call. This

became one of the favourite impressions by the grandchildren. When

they used to finish telephone calls with Grandma they would say ―bye bye bye bysey bye bye bye bysey bye bye bye‖ ....and so on....head get-

ting ever nearer the receiver.

I will always remember the moment however that Mum received the

news of her bleak diagnosis and prognosis last October. This was to-tally out of the blue. It was indeed a terrible moment. I had always

known that she was mentally and physically strong. In hindsight I had

had no idea how strong Mum in fact was, until I spent all that time

with her in the months that followed. She showed unbelievable cour-

age after her diagnosis. What an example of how to live life she re-

mained. Even when she felt below par, even when she had a bad che-motherapy day ...... she would do her best to enjoy life. In truth (aside

from a few days here and there when Mum was unwell since October),

she enjoyed her time undiminished until she went into hospital in the

middle of January. Mum wanted to live life to the full and she did so

on her terms. Whilst in hospital, she continued to show her true col-ours. She was surrounded by family for the three weeks that she

spent there ....and she had regular messages, pictures and stories from

her grandchildren. She was peaceful. She was well looked after. As I

have said to Madeleine and Genevieve, no one deserves a nice rest

more than Grandma.


The Grub Club

The Grub Club‘s February meeting was a fish and chip supper at Daisy‘s. Everyone was asked to bring a favourite piece of poetry to read

(or recite) afterwards.

On 19 March, we‘ll be going to Hangleton Manor for lunch – you may

need to choose your meal in advance, so be sure to sign the sheet at the

back of church in good time.

Due to holidays, the April meeting will be on the last Monday of the

month (29th) when we‘ll be visiting a local garden centre including a

cream tea.

The May meeting will be on Monday 21 May and there will not be an

event in June because of the GS Festival.

Do come to the events and maybe bring a friend – there‘s no formal

membership and everyone is welcome.

Pat and Daisy

I will always remember Mum saying to me (on one of her last days), ―If

you‘ve got your health, then just do it‖! What great advice that is. ―Enjoying the little things‖ was a maxim which served Mum well

throughout her life. It may well be that this was what helped keep her

so ―young at heart‖. Mum was a young 75 year old if ever there was

one! …

Even on the Saturday afternoon a few days before her death when she wasn‘t well, she still wanted to know the Brighton score.

One cannot do Mum justice in a speech. We all know that. I know we

will all continue to talk about her and laugh with her. I hope we can

smile as we think of her and (as Madeleine and Genevieve have said to me on a number of occasions since Mum died last week) ―Grandma

will‖.

Peter Alcock


Bellringers’ AGM

The Bellringers‘ AGM was held on Tuesday 14 February attended by 5 ringers and Fr Felix.

At the meeting Pat Hunter was re-elected as Tower Captain; Jennie

Lawes was re-elected as Treasurer and Ann Majic was elected as Tower

Correspondent. The position of Steeplekeeper was left open but main-

tenance of the bells is being covered by a member of the county asso-ciation of change ringers (SCACR) for the time being.

The Treasurer reported a drop in income for the year 2011 with fewer

weddings and visiting bands. Three lots of visitors had cancelled at the

last minute due to poor numbers.

It was agreed that we should open the tower for the Fun Day on 16

June 2012 – hopefully we might attract some more people from the lo-

cal community who would like to learn to ring the bells. We will also

ring a quarter peal on Friday 22 June to celebrate the Queen‘s Dia-

mond Jubilee and as part of the GS Festival. It was further agreed that the tower would be open at 8am on Friday 27 July when bells will

ring out across the land for 3 minutes for the start of the Olympic

Games.

At the end of the meeting, Progress Certificates were presented to Ann Majic, Daphne Pacey and Charlotte Pacey.

Pat Hunter

Lent Groups

Do join a group, even if you cannot attend every session. Sign up, turn up speak up and contribute.

I got hold of the booklet this morning and even after a quick flick

through I am amazed at the questions covered. Superstition, toleration,

spirituality, fear of death, reverence and other faiths and much more

were touched on in a quick flip through.

There are so many things we think of and question but do not get

round to asking about. This is your chance. Come and share your

ideas.

Mouse


Bouncy

Castle

Live

Music

Local

Produce

Stalls

Books

Free

Tea &

Cakes

Plant

Stalls

Tombola

Food

Stalls

PET OLYMPICS

( main attraction of the day)

Does your dog have any tricks to perform on the stage?

Bring it and win a prize!

Different categories

to participate in!

Coconut

Shy

Games and

Competitions

Face

Painting

Craft

Stalls

Bric a

Brac Stalls

Foods

Grand

Raffle

Good Shepherd Festival 2012

FAMILY FUN DAY… 2-5pm Saturday 16th June

Admission Free


G S FESTIVAL 16TH – 23RD JUNE 2012 REACHING OUT TO ALL

THROUGH LITURGY, ART AND CULTURE

N.B.: An Art Exhibition of art works by school children

will be open in the church during the above events.

DAY EVENTS

June 16th

SAT.

2-5pm

PET OLYMPICS with a Tea Party for neighbours with Stalls,

Attractions, Plant Sale, Bouncy Castle, Live Music, Raffle,

Tombola, Brass Bands from the schools, Treasure Hunt for

children, Face painting etc. etc. etc.

June 17th

SUN.

10.15am

6pm

Solemn Eucharist

Preacher: The Revd Richard Montague Stevens Eyre,

former vicar 1973-1975 Evening: (Said Evening Prayer)

June 19th

TUE.

2 – 3.30 pm

6.30pm

Variety Programme from the local schools Tug of War, Brownies Show, and Shared Picnic

June 21st

THUR.

10.30am

Eucharist and Coffee

June 22nd

FRI.

7.30pm

Variety Programme by Drama Queens

June 23rd

SAT. 9am

Eucharist

June24th

SUN.

10.15am

6.30pm

Worship with Families and Children with Ali Campbell.

Choral Evensong


World News

Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed by the bad news that comes to us daily on our TV screens? So much so that switching off seems to be the

only option to preserving some semblance of peace. Then one is left

with a hollow feeling of powerlessness to alter the awfulness of vio-

lence, corruption, economic crises and natural disasters.

But as people of faith, there are positive things we can do. We can pray...and we must pray. How to pray, though.? That is the ques-

tion. Sometimes having a prayer guide can focus our intercessions ,

and I would like to recommend two such guides that I have found both

informative and relevant.

The first is WORLD PRAYER NEWS, which offers a daily choice of a

country in special need and those people who are actively involved in

bringing positive changes to that situation.

For example did you know that Romania has the largest percentage of

gypsies, Roma people, in Europe? It is estimated that there are over 2 million of them. Many live in abject poverty, but Operation Mobiliza-

tion is doing an effective work in providing aid and establishing

churches for these people. Prayer is needed for that ongoing work.

Again, did you know that the Islamic revolution has driven 4 million

Iranians abroad , where more than any other group of immigrants from the Middle East, they are turning to Christ ? Within Iran , millions

more are wanting to read the Bible, and every effort is being made by

several Christian ministries to meet the needs of these people. Much

prayer is sought for these Ministries as they serve in the Middle East.

WORLD PRAYER NEWS is brief and relevant. It is published six times a year. for £4.Phone 01926 487755 or visit www.worldprayermap.co.uk

The second excellent resource is a free daily prayer guide, focused

mainly on the United Kingdom and published by CARE (Christian Ac-

tion, Research and Education) Each issue is organized by themed weeks, such as Green Issues, Ethics in Science and Medicine, Older

People, Sexual Exploitation, Family life, to name a few. Each day, one

aspect of the theme of the week is suggested as an item of prayer. For

example, recently one week was devoted to economic pressures. Daily

prayer items included leaders in the Treasury and other government

bodies who have responsibility for decision making regarding cuts in

http://www.worldprayermap.co.uk/


services, the unemployed, and charities suffering because of reduction

in donations.

The focus for another week was Hospice and Palliative Care, with daily

suggestions relating to all aspects of this important topic. For more in-

formation about the CARE guide, go to www.care.org.uk/resources/

stay-informed or phone 0207 233 0455

So, no need to despair or give way to gloom about our wonderful world! We can all play a vital part, through prayer, in bringing about

God's Kingdom here and now.

Margy Weir

The Welcome Team

(Sidesmen ?)

I picked this up from a weekly sheet in South Australia and remem-

bered it when a committee was discussing the way we welcome people.

―When we moved into the area we decided that we would join the

church which gave us a warm welcome.

Having found a friendly church and become part of it I remembered

how awkward I had been.

Even then my memory had been far from perfect and I introduced peo-

ple to the Vicar and was told, Thank you. You introduced us last time we came! After this happened a few times I began to feel foolish. I

wondered why they had not greeted me first if I had spoken to them

before. I felt a bit sulky.

Soon afterwards I found myself in a queue waiting to speak to the Pas-

tor and I felt that I should speak to the woman behind me – but I hesi-tated. She might rebuff me. I took a deep breath and turned to her say-

ing, ‖I don‘t think I know you. My name is...‖ . She burst into tears and

said, ―I decided that if one person beside the Pastor spoke to me today I

would know I had come to the right place.‖

Now I don‘t worry about possible rebuffs.

Friendly Kangaroo

http://www.care.org.uk/resources/stay-informed

http://www.care.org.uk/resources/stay-informed


Changes

As time goes on we find ourselves saying to friends, ‖Do you remem-ber….?‖ Sometimes this brings a startled response on the lines of ―No.

I wasn‘t born then!‖

Things sometimes change and we don‘t even notice and at other times

the changes shock us. We see a friend after a long period and the

friend has aged considerably. We do not notice the gradual change in our mirror.

Some considerable time ago (about 23 years ago) a friend startled me

by saying, ―I think you are very brave, dear.‖ I was non-plussed and

asked why. The answer came ―Well, serving tea and coffee to visitors in mugs!‖ Last week I welcomed a new neighbour and some others to tea

and carefully produced cups and saucers. This brought forth a de-

lighted, ―Oh! Cups and saucers. How nice!‖ I remembered the changes

in the after church coffee time.

The children trip into church now with bears and dolls and books and I remember my own Young Family days when the children were rest-

less and fidgety and I was struggling to entertain them silently.

Perhaps more of mine would have stayed if………..

We said the Lord‘s Prayer automatically and then we sang it for years and now we say it. All this is good as it makes us think about it. I was

once upset when I was going through a bad time and the tune of the

Gloria was changed. We bought and worked on expensive kneelers or

hassocks and now many of us cannot kneel- or at least need help in

rising afterwards.

I was once in my teens refused entry to a church wedding because I

was not wearing a hat. I put a rain hood on and was allowed in. Years

back our Curate‘s wife was severely criticised for turning up at even-

song wearing trousers.

Jesus preached on the beach and mountainside.

Proper respectability needs to be recognised but we must be prepared

for change. Most – perhaps ALL living things go through changes or

die.

Church Mouse


Free Estimates Free Estimates

R. LANCASTER

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

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(01273) 419914

Interior & Exterior Painting

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Roof Repairs – Bitumastic Roof Repairs

Fencing Supplied & Fitted

Guttering & Facias Repared / Fitted

Glazing – Carpentry

Locks Fitted – Drains Cleaned – Carpet Clean-

ing

Plastic & Wood Windows Supplied & Fitted


Pastoral Care Group

Pastoral care needs to be at the heart of any community of faith. For many years Church of the Good Shepherd has had such a group, who

feel called to serve those who find themselves vulnerable and unable to

attend church services and activities for a variety of reasons .Often a

sense of isolation and loneliness becomes a debilitating part of their

lives. They may even feel forgotten. It is to address this situation that

the current pastoral group ,working closely with our vicar, visits church members in Care Homes, hospital, at home, writes cards to the

housebound, bereaved or ill, and generally seeks to extend the hand of

friendship and the love of Christ to those needing extra support and

encouragement.. Always our initiatives are grounded in prayerfulness

and a dependence on God to guide and strengthen us in what we do.

More needs to be done to develop this ministry within the life of the

church, but we progress one step at a time. We meet five times a year,

prayerfully considering our concerns and priorities.

Anyone interested in finding out more should contact our vicar, or Margy Weir, co-ordinator, whose email address is marga-

[email protected]

Margy Weir

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


Various Events in/around the church Christmastide : events recur every year; but the very good mixture of

all ages we have in our community makes them always interesting and

worth participating. Young and old look eagerly for Christmas! This

holy season was well attended. The Advent carol Service -which this year was held in the second week, was a quiet and a joyful entry into

the holy season when we wait for the birth of the Lord.

Carol Concerts: from various schools took place in the church before

Christmas holidays. These celebrations and concerts created a sacred

atmosphere around, adding true joy and holy excitement that always precedes Christmas. The children are always perfect in their celebra-

tions of their carol services.

Our children’s annual Christmas Party: was brilliantly organised on

11th December. It has now become a tradition. The young and the old together, had great fun. The father Christmas was very generous in

distributing gifts to all, but very stingy as far as revealing his identity!

A couple of children did have their own doubts however, and thus won-

dered where the father Christmas really came from … It‘s always a

tricky business, even for the grans!

The Carol Service: as usual, on the last Sunday of Advent, was a per-

fect execution with carols for all and some classical pieces, the choir

had prepared for the occasion. Some of our children read adequate po-

ems as interludes. It was a wonderful occasion, which was well at-

tended by a great number of people of all ages and we had an aug-

mented choir after a few rehearsals. How could it end without the tra-ditional mulled wine and minced pies? All enjoyed them to weather the

cold and have a chat after the joyful service.

Crib Service: on the eve of Christmas, had a large crowd which we

can hardly accommodate in the church. It is not a surprise that so

many attend this service. One big surprise this year was that we had more adults than children who attended and we discussed what mes-

sage it conveyed to us. All agree however, that our leaders and the chil-

dren who take part in the Crib Service, have become great experts for

the event. As a token, the preacher gave the children a star to take

home and put it on their Christmas tree. It would also remind them, it is hoped, of the next Crib Service, when they open their decorations in

next year. Well done, all!


Carols at the Pub: at the Preston Park station was a new feature.

Warmly welcomed by the pub-lady, we sang some jolly carols to those

present, who to their great surprise, also received from us some snacks to go with their drinks. The church and the pub, very traditional!

Christmas Services: at Midnight and on Christmas day were cele-

brated with due pomp and solemnity. Keeping the tradition, during

the morning Eucharist, all children present, took part in the ―ex tem-

pore‖ drama of the enactment of the gospel of Luke, -the appearing of the angel to the shepherds, announcing the birth of Jesus. It looks as

if the children are born to act; after all they are like angels!

Recently Baptised children: were invited and at least nine families

made it a point to come and celebrate. After the Eucharist on Sunday 11th January, they all had a shared lunch which helped them to so-

cialize with one another. We grow together!

Candlemas & Christingle: were celebrated on 29th January on the

feast of Presentation of the Lord in the temple. This year, Ellen Brown

had the help from children and their mums to prepare the Christin-gles. Donations of £300.00 were sent for ―Children‘s Society‖. We also

sent another £860.00, collected through Christmas greetings in the

church, to the Diocesan Family Support Work (at Knowles Tooth).

First Aid & Parenting Courses: Please see on page 29

Family Games Evening: gave a respite and relax to many who at-

tended it on 20th January with games and a shared supper!

Any Questions: on the theme ―Healing and Faith‖ was held on 5th

February. Dr. Brian Baker and Dr Jos Lewes facilitated the discussion and a follow-up of the same has been requested. We enjoyed bacon

breakfast before the event, thanks to Margaret Rose!

Brownies’ Sunday: saw a good number of Brownies helping at the

Sunday Family service on 19th February under the leadership of Tessa and Jenny. Though for the first time, they earned all their brownie

points!

Lent courses: ―Handing on the Torch‖ which have just begun, together

with all our Lenten exercises will lead us through the season, hopefully

to bring us to the great day of Easter.


Tributes to Liz from the Mothers’ Union

The Mothers‘ Union ‗Talk Time‘ in February was dedicated to the memory

of Elizabeth Alcock who had been a member for many years.

Tributes were given by the leader of the meeting, the branch leader and a

close friend, interspersed with prayers for Liz and for her family. Every-one at the meeting had some special memory which they were able to

share on the day before her funeral:

―Liz used to stretch time – not always late but almost always last‖; ―she

loved to carry the MU banner and became known as ‗Anna with the ban-

ner‘‖; ―she was a very private person‖; ―she was always there to help you‖; ―the sort of friend everyone dreams of‖ – were some of the memories

voiced.

The poem ‗She is gone‘ was read before further prayers and the afternoon

ended with tea and cake.

Pat Hunter

Prayers From Care Prayer Diary For Refugees…..

Remember the millions of refugees and internally displaced people who

have left their homes because of political or military unrest, or natural

disasters. Pray for those who have nowhere safe to go, or are living in camps.

For Education…..

Ask God to inspire and strengthen teachers in the poorest areas of the

world. Pray for more schools to be built, giving children greater learn-

ing opportunities.

For Those Living in Water Poverty….

Lord, we pray for the millions of people who live with ‗water poverty‘,

some having to drink from infected sources, and lacking basic sanita-

tion. Thank You for projects that provide clean water, bringing new hope and better health. Amen.


CHRISTIAN AID WEEK

13th -19th May

We will be doing our usual house-to- house collection around the par-

ish during Christian Aid Week. Please check the weekly sheet for fur-

ther details.

Christine James

Tea Club

Sadly our January Meeting had to be cancelled because of severe weather conditions. We had enjoyed a delightful meeting in December

when Lancing College Prep pupils had entertained us.

Our next meeting is to be on Monday, March 5th at 1.30 until 3.15.

Please come and meet old friends and bring others if you can. We should love to see you.

This will be the first of the meetings led by Marguerite Harland.

Do come.

Church Mouse

To Lesson Readers

Many thanks to all Lesson Readers for your help, support and friendship over the last twelve years.

The time has come to put away my pen and the anxious look around the

church just in case.......

at the lectern! (did not happen very often thanks to you!)

Many thanks also to Gerry Hemmings for all his help in printing the rota,

Now I will join those who listen!

Doreen Hyde

THANK YOU DOREEN

We feel it as our duty to thank Doreen Hyde for the wonderful and dili-

gent job done by Doreen for the smooth running of our Liturgy. Doreen

would choose very carefully various readers for various occasions in the

church. God bless you and Dennis for your great help!

We now welcome Judy Snell to take over as coordinator of the readers!


Meets on second Thursday afternoon and fourth Thursday evening of

the month. Please contact Christine James telephone (01273) 724802

Mothers' Union Spring Calendar

Saturday 3rd March 9.00am Corporate Communion in the Holy

Redeemer Chapel

Thursday 8th March 12.30pm Talk Time led by Carole Briggs at

Tamworth Road, Hove with snack lunch

Sunday 18th March 10.00am-11.00am Wave of Prayer

Thursday 12th April 2.45pm Talk Time led by Jean Ashmall.

Please check weekly sheet for venue.

Thursday 26th April 730pm in the Green Room. An evening

with Christyan James

Saturday 5th May 9.00am Corporate Communion in the

Lady Chapel

Thursday 10th May 12.30pm Talk Time led by Marguerite

Harland at 7 The Paddock with snack

lunch

Saturday 12th May 10.00am -3pm Diocesan Council at

Haywards Heath Methodist Church


DAVID FORGHAM ACCOUNTANCY SERVICES

I am a qualified accountant

providing a professional service to meet individual client needs

Sole traders/partnership accounts

Personal tax returns

Limited company accounts

Bookkeeping/Vat Returns

Management accounts

Reasonable rates, no vat charged

For details please contact David Forgham

on 07887 902963 or [email protected]


ANDREW NICHOLS INTERIORS

THE KITCHEN SPECIALISTS

OUR EXCLUSIVE HAND PAINTED KITCHENS ARE NOW

COMPLEMENTED BY AN EXTENSIVE RANGE OF OVER 40

DOOR STYLES TO SUIT ALL BUDGETS.

FREE COMPUTER PLANNING AND DESIGN SERVICE.

HONEST AND HELPFUL ADVICE FROM A FAMILY FIRM EST 1980

TEL: 01273 779780 FAX. 01273 727281; [email protected]

www.paintedkitchenssussex.co.uk


Activities for Children and Young People

The Little Lambs

(Parents and Toddler Group) Mee ts on Wednesday afternoon in the Church Hall.

Brownies

7-10 years

Meet on Tuesday evening in the Church Hall. Please contact Tessa Pacey (01273) 551298

N Battrick

Painter and Decorator

Property Maintenance and all Exterior and Interior

Work

RELIABILITY and

QUALITY GUARANTEED Your Local Tradesman

Estimates Free

01435 831645 [home] 07765 641289 [mobile]

Brighton City Mission

Thank you all for the way you have been filling the basket in the porch with groceries for the City Mission to distribute to people in need.

Please do not be put off because it is sometime empty – this is because

Colin and Janet Annis empty it regularly and take the contents along

to the City Mission with the offerings from St. Luke‘s.

I am trying to remember to choose something for the basket when I

shop rather than just popping in something from the cupboard. I no-

ticed today that the list includes soap and shampoo, etc.. Do look at

the list in the porch.

Mouse


Jo Halling

Operations Director

9, Aymer Road, Hove, East Sussex BN3 4GB

Tel: 01273 385577

[email protected] www.hopscotch.uk.com


VICTOR: A WORD FROM COLONEL HENRY ASTLE

You will be surprised to hear from me, but I am standing in for Victor this month. Victor is my son in law. As usual, he is very busy with his cooking classes with Victoria Sweet, his writing, the Citizens‘ Advice Bureau and now golf. Still, to be fair, he has also been driving my Marjorie to and from hospital. She is get-ting better, thank God, but she is still very weak.

Anyway, yesterday evening Victor and I went badger watching. We didn‘t see any though.

Perhaps with this cold snap they have gone back to sleep. Suddenly Victor remembered his regular article for the Church. I will do it for you Victor,' I told him. And here it is. I trust it will do.

I was born in 1918, a few days before Armistice Day. My father was in the Indian Army, an officer in the Bengal Lancers, a crack regiment. He was a superb horseman, a polo player and a cricketer. There were plenty of opportunities for sport in the Indian Army. He and my mother had an extraordinarily comfortable life – servants, a splendid house, receptions, clubs and holidays in the hills. My father rarely read a book but in one particular matter he was exceptional. He loved India, its country and its people and took a keen interest in its future. He spoke Hindi and several other dialects.

My father and his regiment had been posted to France in 1914. How terrible it must have been for the Indian soldiers. Cold in the winter, wet, enormous guns – a type of warfare they could never have imag-ined. The Indian regiments did exceedingly well and later many had a connection to Brighton - the Royal Pavilion was made into a hospital.

My mother set up house in Maresfield where I was born. After the War my parents moved back to India and I spent much of my childhood at English boarding schools. I was a timid boy and found life difficult. However, after school I joined the Territorial Army. I hoped that this move would please my father and he would allow me to Art school. No such luck; he was always stiff and formal with me.

In 1938 I met Marjorie. We were married and had a daughter, Con-stance. Then came the Second World War and my unit was sent to In-dia. I didn‘t see Marjorie and Constance for the next four and a half years.


Much to my surprise, I made a rather good soldier. On my first proper leave I went to see my parents in New Delhi. They were by then very elderly but I could see that they were proud of me in my Captain‘s uni-form. But then I was posted to Burma to fight the Japanese. I never saw them again.

Marjorie has been a marvelous wife but she is rather bossy and it‘s a pity that she gets on so badly with my son in law, Victor. Victor is not a bad man, in fact I am beginning to rather like him. On Friday he‘s go-ing to take me to Brighton Pavilion, I haven‘t been there many years. However, I‘m going to tell Victor to stop writing about Marjorie, he can be rather unkind. As for me, I am not altogether the idiot he describes.

Colonel Henry Astle.

Various Events in the church… continued

First aid course: The first aid course was provided by Heart-

guard, who are a Sussex based Charity concerned with the health

and happiness of your heart and was especially aimed at parents.

The people attending the course were either part of the congrega-

tion or from outside the church of the Good Shepherd. The atten-

dees were taught how to recognize that a person had a heart attack and how to resuscitate him/her. Special emphasis was also given

on how to treat children in conditions were the heart has stopped

beating. Chocking and other concern raised by participants were

also covered.

Parenting Support group: The Mother‘s Union is teaching a

session of six courses aimed at parents to enable them to bring up

their children to become responsible adults, aimed at children be-tween 5-12 years old. The course is very much based on discus-

sions between the members on challenges that parents may face

when bringing up children. Each parent is given a book to accom-

pany the learning. The parents attending the course are half from

the congregation of the Good Shepherd and half from outside the

church.


OUR REGULAR SERVICES: Please see on the last page

Other forthcoming events:

March 2012 1st :Eucharist followed by PCC meet. at 7.15pm 17th, Concert, Brighton Chamber Choir, 7.00pm 18th : MOTHERING SUNDAY, 10.15am

24th:SPRING GARDENING, Volunteers please! Followed by lunch 25th : Passion Sunday 10.15am, and APCM 11.15am. April 2012 1st to 8th HOLY WEEK & EASTER Please see details on the next page.

8th :Easter Treasure Hunt for children after the 10.15am service. 16th to 23rd: Parish Trip to Italy May 2012 8th : Eucharist followed by PCC meet at 7.15pm 12th: Decoration of the Church Hall 13th: Christian Aid Week begins

19th: PCC Away-day

20th: Family Eucharist, 10.15am

CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD, BRIGHTON

HOLY WEEK PROGRAMME – 2012

Our Holy Week preacher this year is John Ashwin who will be with us on Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Day. John was Head of Bishop Luffa Church of England School, Chichester for 19 years, is a Reader at St Paul‘s Chichester, Lay Chair of Chichester Deanery Synod and a member of the Diocesan Board of Education and the General Synod. Please note the later time this year for the Good Friday after-

noon services. The Easter Vigil ceremonies will be included as

part of the Easter Sunday 10.15am Eucharist.


Day Time Service Details

8am Eucharist

10.15am

Procession of Palms from Hall (with Donkey), Dramatised Passion Gospel &

Sung Eucharist with a short sermon leading into Holy Week We take part in the Dramatised Passion taking us back to the first Holy Week. „Time for God‟ (an informal service for all ages) continues in the Hall after the Procession and returns to Church for Communion.

Palm

Sunday,

1st April

6.30pm Evening Prayer

Mon,Tues

& Weds

2nd, 3rd & 4th April

8pm Eucharist and address at the Good Shepherd (Monday), St John’s, Preston

Road (Tues) and St Matthias’, Ditchling Road (Weds) We have the opportunity to reflect quietly on different aspects of Jesus‟ passion.

Maundy Thursday

5th April

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!”

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.

2pm

(Note

time)

An Hour Before the Cross: Reflection and Hymns

Good

Friday

6th April

3pm

(Note time)

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).

8am Eucharist

10.15am Easter Eucharist 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 Easter Eucharist of the Resurrection as we welcome him into our lives.

Easter Day

8th April

6.30pm Evening Prayer


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 call on 882987 or email: [email protected]

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)

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 the third of 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

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

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