Shepherd's Watch 2017 autumn

Shepherd’s Watch The magazine for and by the people of the Good Shepherd www.goodshepherdbrighton.org.uk

SEPTEMBER 2017

The Great Storm of 1987 pg 4 Safeguarding in our diocese and in our parish pg 8 Matters Financial, Some ‘jottings’ on our current financial activities. pg 11 Friends of Chagall pg 18 Mothers’ Union Autumn Calendar, pg 20 Our Regular Sunday Services, pg 21 A Review of Social Activities pg 22

60p

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The Good Shepherd Magazine September 2017

Vicar

Revd. Felix Mascarenhas The Vicarage, 272 Dyke Road Brighton BN1 5AE Tel (01273) 882987 vicar@goodshepherdbrighton.org.uk

Deacon

Reader

Helen Rawlings 6 Beacon Hill Ovingdean, Brighton BN2 7BN Tel 07967695753 hrawlings@sky.com

Michael Miller 68 Ainsworth Avenue, Ovingdean, Brighton BN2 7BG Tel (01273) 240287 michael.miller@tiscali.co.uk

Churchwardens David Stevens: 2 Shirley Road, Hove, BN3 6NN, Tel (01273) 555197; desandpms@yahoo.com Christine James: 22 Ranelagh Villas, Hove BN3 6HE Tel 01273.724802, cpjh22@googlemail.com

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

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Safeguarding lives amidst the storms of life, mindful of God’s economy of salvation!

Storms, great or small, material or spiritual are part of human life. As they say, “To the living, anything can happen, not to the dead”! And such things happen in no particular season or order. But we can lean from our past, and be prepared for the future.

Autumn, is here! A time not only of the falling of the leaves, and when, unlike spring, the shadows begin to lengthen, but also with its challenges. This could be a temptation to rest longer than we have to.

With shorter days, and less outdoor activity, we can dedicate more time for gifts spiritual and of mind.

To many, who witnessed the Great storm of 1987 the memories are still very fresh. They generate fear and trepidation within us. In this issue we are reminded of the storm that hit us in this part of our country. Both here and in various parts of the world, floods continue and not without the danger of even worse consequences.

Mention of floods and storms abound in the Bible. God has his own economy of salvation in which we are called to be his co-operators.

And to be aware of that calling is elevates us and empowers us even more. Learning from the past, helps us to be geared up for the future. I hope we shall be always prepared to fight against the evil forces with hope and trust in God. We are also reminded, in another article, that it is our duty to protect and safeguard lives and particularly of those who are vulnerable. And with some snippets on economy, hope it will all inspire us towards a better and more responsible way of living.

At times it looks as if we are fighting a loosing battle; but we do what we can and inspire others to do the same; and not without hope that God saves us in Christ and has his own economy of salvation.

Fr Felix

While every effort is made to ensure all information in Shepherd’s Watch is correct, neither the Parochial Church Council nor the individual contributors can be held responsible or accept liability for any errors and/or omissions. The PCC does not endorse the writers’ views nor companies, products and services that appear in Shepherd’s Watch. Responsibility for any loss, damage or distress resulting from the use of or reliance on any information in Shepherd’s Watch, however caused, is disclaimed by the Parochial Church Council.

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The Good Shepherd Magazine September 2017 The Great Storm of 1987 Nature repairs her ravages – repairs them with sunshine and with human labour. George Eliot.

This year will be the thirtieth anniversary of the Great Storm of 1987, an event that remains one of my lifetime memories.

I do not recall at what time I was woken by the screeching and gusting wind but before long I became aware of noises coming from the sun room. I went to investigate accompanied by my wife, which was fortunate, because while I was closing a fanlight window and wrestling with the tangled blinds she warned me that the fence alongside the sun room was being blown towards the house. In the event I got out of the room just in time as the fence came crashing through a large window sending shards of glass in every direction.

As there was nothing that we could do, with pieces of glass continuing to be blown into the room – we had a cup of tea (of course!) – and went back to bed. But that wasn’t the end of our experience for not long after, we heard some tiles crashing down the side of the house and thereafter listened to the ominous sound of the roof tiles being lifted and dislodged by the gusts of wind.

Come daylight, the wind had subsided and through bleary eyes we surveyed the damage in the garden.

As we live at the top of Tredcroft Road, we are able to look across Hove Park, from our rear bedroom, towards the greyhound stadium and engineerium. Initially it did not occur to us – but then the penny dropped – we had a clear view of the offices which were normally screened by trees.

But this was only the beginning of my experiences in relation to the

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devastation caused by the ‘Great Storm’ of 15/16 October 1987.

Incidents of this magnitude create claims – claims generate work for the Loss Adjusting profession.

Suffice to say, following implementation of the company’s emergency procedures it was all hands to the pump. The expectancy of a high volume of claims became a reality within forty-eight hours by which time adjusters from all parts of our countrywide network were being seconded into the stricken areas. Twenty-four hour manning of telephones was arranged and the old adage ‘an office is judged by its telephonist’ became very pertinent. We received literally dozens of claims in short order – with every claim being important. Clearly it was not possible to visit all claimants at the same time but by establishing immediate contact, nerves were soothed, adjusters were able to assess the severity of damages and provide advice – which often necessitated authorisation of emergency repairs.

In spite of the surge in work for loss adjusters, insurers initially made few concessions in relation to reporting arrangements but they eventually agreed to modify procedures for losses of up to £10,000, and in some cases were persuaded to make interim payments on the basis of a telephone call, subject to a report being issued within forty-eight hours. Due to the volume of work there was a marked shortage of available contractors and it soon became apparent that the customary practice of obtaining competitive estimates was not an option – other than in exceptional circumstances.

There was the inevitable element of opportunists overcharging and ‘cowboy’ builders calling on properties to alert owners to real or (more likely) ‘imaginary’ damage, and thereafter providing botched repairs at extortionate prices. Adjusters and surveyors within the profession needed to be alert to this situation. The dictates of ‘supply and demand’, and the scarcity of building materials, resulted in increased costs.

The spirit of the blitz prevailed and recognition that loss adjusters, in particular, were doing everything possible to help. Fortunately the majority of claimants were patient.

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One of the most marked features was the number of trees uprooted. As many as 15 million were blown over, due to the fact that the trees, at that time of year, had not shed their leaves and presented resistance to the wind. This, together with the fact that the two or three days of torrential rainfall which had preceded the storm, had led to softening of the subsoil root-anchor which supports tree growth, resulting in many mature trees being uprooted with the entire root-ball.

The collapse of trees created widespread damage by falling across buildings and above-ground installations. At one country estate in West Sussex – as was the case in other areas – damage to walls by collapsing trees enabled deer and livestock to escape. On the same estate, the ferocity of the wind sheared-off all but the bottom three feet of a large plantation of immature willow trees – it was as if a massive scythe had been deliberately swept across the plantation; these trees had originally been destined to become cricket bats. In many instances, the uprooting of trees led to damage to underground services such as power cables and drains.

Massive insured losses resulted, inter alia, the power network for the Southern, South Eastern and Eastern Electricity Boards were affected; British Telecommunications suffered damage to its network. Cranes were blown into the sea off harbour walls, marinas destroyed and thousands of caravans on caravan sites were wrecked and aircraft were written off. Large pebbles that were lifted off the beach by gusting wind damaged many properties located along the coast road between Rottingdean and Newhaven. In reporting their harrowing experiences, residents likened the event to being machine gunned during enemy action. Skylines were changed.

The ‘Great Storm’ claimed eighteen lives and there were millions of pounds of uninsured damage to Council property. The overall cost of insured losses was estimated at £1.5bn in today’s money.

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But was the ‘Great Storm’, as it will always affectionately be known, a hurricane? The London Weather Centre was quoted as saying “no”! A hurricane is the name given to tropical cyclones in the Caribbean; the storm that hit Southern England on 16 October 1987 was not classified as a cyclone but a vigorous mid-latitude depression, which intensified abruptly somewhere near the Bay of Biscay! Whatever the position, I can vouch for the fact that the report of BBC meteorologist, Michael Fish, when he said: ‘Earlier on today, apparently, a woman rang the BBC and said she heard there was a hurricane on the way; well if you’re watching, don’t worry, there isn’t, but having said that, actually, the weather will become very windy, but most of the strong winds, incidentally, will be down over Spain and across into France.’ – was understated!

It was reported that Hove Park alone lost over 900 trees, many of which were sold Europe wide: some elms were used to make coffins in France.

And would you believe it? According to Ken Barrington – who was employed by Hove Borough Council at the time – he and the park supervisor were stopped by a member of the rugby club, on the morning following the storm, and asked if they could clear the pitch as he had a match during the afternoon! (Source: ‘My Brighton and Hove’ website).

In my view, my chosen quotation by George Eliot – the pen name for Mary Ann Evans – is apt. Today Hove Park has as much, if not more, to offer. There is an abundance of trees and flora. The children’s playground is an excellent addition. The café provides a meeting place for many people and the games facilities are to be envied – although I think they would be enhanced by resurrecting the bowling green. Then of course there is the little railway – which was formerly located at Withdean Zoo – which continues to enthuse young and old alike with its locomotives which are faithful replicas of their full sized ‘sisters’.

Neil Kelly, 30 July 2017

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Safeguarding in our diocese and in our parish May I take this opportunity to introduce myself to you. My name is Augustina Tetsola, and I was appointed our churches safeguarding officer several months ago. I am a mother of two teenage girls and worked as a criminal prosecutor for over twenty-three years until I took early retirement a few years ago. Consequently, being aware that promoting a healthy safeguarding culture is crucial to the work of our church I felt I could offer my services with safeguarding matters.

Our parish owes a deep debt of gratitude to Mrs Margaret Rose, who has been a safeguarding officer here for many years. She worked diligently and tirelessly to set up a First Class safeguarding framework which we now have. As I intend to use this column to keep you all updated on safeguarding matters regularly, I will keep this initial introduction as brief and interesting as I can.

Safeguarding within the church is considered to be a Gospel work: an expression of our love for God and each other, and in particular of our obedience to the command to "Act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly before our God." Fundamentally safeguarding is about the use and misuse of power and the exploitation or protection of the vulnerable.

A healthy church-life can be measured by the presence of a robust safeguarding culture with sound safeguarding practices. As Christians, we approach safeguarding with a determination to protect people from harm especially when they are particularly vulnerable and with a realistic view of what even apparently 'good' people are capable of.

Now that I have got through the small treatise on why safeguarding is so important, I would like to introduce you to the core safeguarding tool called Simple Quality Protects, here after known as SQP, which was launched on the 20th May 2017 by the Diocese of Chichester at Diocesan Synod. The new Diocesan safeguarding website was launched at the same time and the address is:

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safeguarding.chichester.anglican.org. This website contains a wealth of information on safeguarding matters and can be regarded as a one stop shop with a number of useful links.

SQP is important because the framework is the primary tool through which the Diocese will improve our local church safeguarding practice. SQP acts as a self audit tool which enables parishes to check that they have everything in place they need to practice safely.

As suggested by our diocese of Chichester, the four Themes around which the SQP programme is structured are as follows: Safe Activities: Ensuring that our basic day-to-day activities in church are safe. This Theme covers things like first-aid-kits, and riskassessment for activities. It is the most 'practical' of the themes.

Safe Practice: This Theme focuses on ensuring that churches operate as safely as possible in their interaction with children and adults. It covers things like codes of behaviour, and how to respond to concerns.

Safe Structures: This Theme looks at the policies adopted by the PCC, and also at how the incumbent and PCC monitor compliance with those policies. This Theme is primarily about the governance of the parish, and how that supports good safeguarding.

Safe People: This theme focuses on safer recruitment - making sure that the people who work or volunteer in our churches with children and adults are suitable people to do so. It covers DBS checks, and also references, induction, training, and the like.

Best practice in these four areas is expected to be delivered by the training outlined in levels one to three. Level one introduced all the areas necessary for churches to practice safely "changing practice" and "good practice." Levels two and three build on level one to move to "best practice." Level one is the foundation level which every church in the Diocese is expected to deliver by Easter 2018.

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On its first reading, I am aware that the above might, appear onerous; but rest assured, our church has formed a safeguarding subgroup whose role is to work on the implementation of these provisions, and we have already started this process.

I am pleased to report that due to the good practices put in place by Margaret Rose much of the requirements are already part of our safeguarding protocol. We will work to coordinate and assimilate existing practices so that we are SQP compliant as there is a level award system that will mean parishes will have to demonstrate they have met certain standards akin to "a safeguarding kitemark" scheme. This level of transparency and accountability demonstrates the high level of commitment and value being placed on the safety of each and every person and it is to be applauded.

Creating a robust and healthy safeguarding culture means good communication and access to the right information is readily available.

I would commend the safeguarding website I have referred to above for everyone who wants to know more.

As has been our practice, I will be contacting people individually in due course who are performing various roles which require safeguarding checks within our church . I can be contacted either in person at church to discuss any safeguarding related matters, or on my mobile 07974376643 or via my personal email atetsola1@hotmail.com. Please do not hesitate to contact me; if I'm unable to help, I can direct you to the right person, organisation or agency and don't forget the website.

Further news and updates on safeguarding will follow using this magazine and any other effective communication methods as we would like to keep the whole church community informed on important safeguarding matters. In the meantime I hope you all had a very happy and healthy summer and thus wish you a pleasant and renewed return to your work or daily routine.

Augustina Tetsola.

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Matters Financial Some ‘jottings’ on our current financial activities.

New Lights: The replacement of old halogen lights in the church with the LED lights have cost just short of £9,000. On behalf of Fr Felix and the PCC may I thank all those who contributed towards this cost; as of today (5th August) £,4,400 (including the income tax refund on some of them) have been donated by members of the congregation. At the risk of stating the obvious I would welcome more donations ! We had to replace them for many reasons: a number of them were burnt and obsolete; their consumption was high and consequently the payment of our electricity bills; and of course the LED lights are more environmentally friendly. The company that has worked with the lights have given us five year warranty.

Insurance: During this year the church has been reassessed by Ecclesiastical Insurance plc. who, again, at the risk of stating the obvious insure the buildings and contents. They have informed us that the rebuilding cost of the church – which is also a listed building – is now £7,500,000. This uplift in value will inevitably lead to a higher premium and is one of the costs that cannot be avoided.

Giving to the church: May I repeat myself by asking those members of the congregation who donate by cash and/or by standing order to consider changing to the Parish Giving Scheme. Gloucester Diocese runs this on behalf of the Church of England and thus no commercial organization is involved.

The scheme is simplicity itself – you complete a simple form and this is sent to Gloucester Diocese who then collect the money (by direct debit) monthly, quarterly or yearly.

It has two other great advantages – firstly the work/administration is undertaken, at no cost to this parish, by someone else and secondly they reclaim monthly any income tax refund (from HMRC) on our behalf.

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The Good Shepherd Magazine September 2017

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There is an alternative to using the Parish Giving Scheme - donating via the website. If you are on the Good Shepherd website there is a section allowing anyone to donate online. This is done on our behalf by btmydonate and yes, it is the BT who provide, telephone, broadband and TV etc. They charge the church only 15p per transaction, which is cheap, particularly when compared with organizations such as Virgin, Just Giving etc. who levy up to 3% of the total transaction. They also reclaim and pay to the parish any income tax refund if the donations have been gift aided. May I thank all who use this particular method of donating and if ever anyone asks how can I donate to the church this is one option – particularly suited to those who make only occasional contributions.

Bell ringing chamber: It is planned and hopefully before the weather turns to erect scaffolding on the bell tower and then tackle the problem of water ingress in the bell-ringing chamber. It will be expensive – the likely cost will be £10,000 plus but where the fabric of the church is at risk then you have no choice but to spend the money.

This will be funded from our Church Fabric Fund Reserves – money set-aside for a rainy day – no pun intended ! It will mean that these reserves will reduce by 50% but as I have already stated, we have no choice.

Gloria Cruttenden’s Easter Candles: At the same time a Candle Display Case is being manufactured so that Gloria Cruttenden’s Easter Candles will be on permanent display at the Church of the Good Shepherd. This is being funded by Martin and thus will not place any demand on the church’s finances.

The Good Shepherd does it best to reduce and/or contain costs; as an example we have fixed price contracts for both gas and electricity (for both the hall and church) for two years. I mention this as this is the week that Centrica announced that electricity prices will be going up by 12%.

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Did you know how much it costs to ‘run’ the church ? The answer is just short of £2,000 each and every week. Our income only covers 75% of this figure and thus we rely on the ‘surplus income’ from hall letting and the house in Reigate Road to fund this shortfall. This is not a ‘financially comfortable’ position to be in. Any surplus income should, in my view, be used to spread the message of Christianity where we live and if that we not enough there are many charities (other than ourselves) who we would, if we could, like to support.

Thank you all those who contribute/donate to our church - your continuing support is appreciated with much gratitude. However, and I’m afraid there is nearly always a ‘however’ , may I ask you please to review your giving to the church – both in money and non- monetary terms.

Dick Aynsley-Smith

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Friends of Chagall I’d not been to our Church for some weeks. Some say that absence makes the heart grow fonder and hopefully that applies to churches as well as to people. As it happened, Beth and my visit on Sunday gave me pleasure. It was a sunny day, as usual, there was a warm welcome, Pat Hunter was ringing her bells, and there was a good size choir, ten in number, or had I counted someone twice?

And there was another unexpected pleasure, our cheerful Lay Reader, Michael Miller, had a smile on his face. He told us that on his last visit to Chichester he had once again enjoyed its magnificent Chagall stained glass window. He told us that Chagall was a Belarusian Jew but that our Church was all –inclusive. More good news, I thought, and if it had been a public meeting, I’d have clapped. Interestingly, Chagall included his wife in nearly every painting he made. You can see her floating or joined to him, his other half.

Now, I’d like to break off and tell you about a recent visit that Beth and I paid to Chichester. It has a connection with what was going on in our Church on Sunday. It was a lovely summer's evening on Monday 10th July when Beth and I, together with our daughter Deborah and her husband Misha, went to see the opening night of a new Production of The Fiddler on the Roof. We arrived early, and sitting outside in the shade of the trees I found myself talking to a Mike Parkin, a member of the Orchestra.

“The music is something special and it’s a remarkable production” he told me.” "Where will you be going when you have finished here?” I asked “Pinocchio at the National Theatre.” Mike gets around; he comes from Rotherham and seemed delighted that I knew where his old north country stands.

Mike was quite right, the four of us found the play remarkable and very moving with marvellous singing and acting. So please go and see the production if you can. The play is not just a story of what happened in

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Russia at the turn of the century when it began persecuting minorities, but is the beginning of a horror story which swept through Europe to the very gates of our country. Sholem Aleichem’s stories today have lessons for all of us, but is anybody listening?

The Service continued in the way it had begun. I felt at home and happy. It was not one of those occasions when the darker side of our troubled world was even thought about. The flowers below the pulpit looked marvellous and then the choir sang Ave verum which brought tears to my eyes. So, my thanks to all of you at the Church, and for a good cup of coffee.

Tim Parker

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Mothers' Union Autumn calendar Sat 2nd Sept 9am :Corporate Communion in church.

Sat 9th Sept 9.30 am till: 12.00 Brighton District Quiet Morning at Holy Trinity Church, Hurstpierpoint. Further details or for a lift contact Christine James Thurs 14th Sept 12.30 : Talk Time hosted by Liz Hill at 9 Anscombe Close, Worthing. With snack lunch.

Thursday 28th Sept 7.30: pm Meeting TBA Sat 7th Oct 9am : Corporate Communion in church.

Thurs 12th Oct 12.30 : Talk Time hosted by Christine James at 22 Ranelagh Villas Hove. With snack lunch Sat 14th Oct 10am till 3pm: Autumn Diocesan members meeting at Bishop Hannington Church, Hove Sat 4th Nov 9am : Corporate Communion in church Thurs 9th Nov 12.30: Talk Time hosted by Pauline Nissen at 1 Shirley Road, Hove. With snack lunch. =================================================== A LEAF

by Aileen Fisher If I were a leaf (but I wouldn't be) I'd have to be tied to a tree, tree, tree.

I couldn't walk off (or skip or run) and my nose would get burned by the sun, sun, sun.

In summer I'd roast, (in winter I'd freeze) and all through October I'd sneeze, sneeze, sneeze.

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Our Regular Services: 8am, Holy Communion 10.15am, Parish Eucharist; 5pm, “Time for God @5 ” informal worship for all ages, etc. please look at the details on our website.

(Eucharist on Thursday at 10.30am followed by Coffee and on Saturday at 9am) September 2017 3rd: Trinity 12 4th: Lunch Club, 12.30 pm 10th: Trinity 13 ; 17th: Trinity 14 23rd- Autumn Gardening (10am - 1pm) 24th: Trinity 15 28th: Deanery Synod, at COGS, 7pm 30th: HARVEST SUPPER/DANCE, 7pm October 2017 1st: Harvest Festival, (Harvest of the seas!)

2nd: Tea Club, 1.30pm 4th: Lancing. Prep school Euch, 9.15am 8th: Trinity 17 ; 15th: Trinity 18 19th: Autumn H Groups: Relevant Topics of Today 22nd: Trinity 19 26th: Autumn H Groups: Relevant Topics of Today 29th: All Saints; Summer Time ends Clocks go backward November 2017 2nd: All Souls Requiem, 7.30pm 4th: Bonfire, Fireworks & Jacket potatoes, 6pm 5th: 4th BEFORE ADVENT 6th: TEA CLUB Outing, 1.30pm 9th: Autumn H Groups: Relevant Topics of Today 12th : Remembrance Sunday, Eucharist at 10am 16th: Autumn H Groups: Relevant Topics of Today 19th:2nd BEFORE ADVENT 23rd: Autumn H Groups: Relevant Topics of Today 26th : Christ the King, All Age Euch. with Lancing Prep School 30th: Autumn H Groups: Relevant Topics of Today December 2017 2nd: Christmas Fayre 11.00 - 2pm 3rd: ADVENT 1, Christmas Tree (Festival ) 5pm Advent Carol Service 6.30pm More Details in the next magazine i 4th: TEA CLUB, 1.30pm 10- ADVENT 2 ; Service, LIGHT UP A LIFE, 5pm

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A Review of Social Activities During the last year in our parish.

You have worked very hard!

"Concentrate on counting your blessings and you’ll have little time to count anything else" said Woodrow Kroll. It is indeed a pleasure to count such blessings showered upon us all, our parish.

That our regular liturgical services take place is a given. But we don't and cannot live only on Hail Marys. God's blessings have been poured upon us also through social and cultural events organized by parishioners.

A word of praise and thanks is the minimum we could offer to all those who help. To our Social Committee for its painstaking job; and with them so many other individuals and groups on innumerable occasions, week after week and month after month have worked very hard. Life would be less joyful for us without their efforts.

Looking back through the year September 2016 to August 2017, countless social gatherings offered us opportunities to in good company and fellowship. Harvest Supper is often the event that kick starts our social activities. The food and dance we had, helped all to celebrate the providence of God. Snacks and drinks were laid out after All Souls Service or at times the Requiem Eucharist. That certainly make us less tearful as we remember our loved ones who have returned to Father's House.

The Bonfire Party offered the opportunity to enjoy the bonfire in the vicarage garden without travelling all the way to Lewes. Planned and executed particularly by young couples, the young and the old attended the event. All contributed to buy the fire-works and then we moved to the hall to share the usual meal of Jacket potatoes and beans.

Christmas Fayre and Christmas Tree Festival though recently introduced in our church by Deacon Helen, are much loved and immensely enjoyed. With about 30 lighted Christmas trees, the church shines with splendour and beauty. A moment of coming together of our local people, communities, schools and care-homes.

All displayed their decorated Christmas Trees and then take them home after two Sundays. The Silent Auction - participants and

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contributors helped to raise a large amount of money for the charities besides generating opportunities for new contacts during lunches, meetings etc.

Carol Service and Mulled wine have been a long tradition here. Those attending our carol service know the quality of singing in the church as well as of the mulled wine served in the hall. The warm mulled wine dispels the cold and purifies the hardened souls! What better spiritual and cultural celebration could prepare us for that great feast of Christmas?

Crib service organisers and participants attracted the biggest crowd in the church on Christmas eve as usual. Both children and adults successfully conveyed the message of Christmas to those who attended.

A Pancake party dubbed as A Flippin Good Sing provided freshly made tasty pancakes and another wonderful occasion for socialization!

Saturday Morning Breakfast events took place during Lent for the Presentation and collection of funds for our Charities of the year.

Breakfast was served for those who attended and the Local, National and International Charities’ leaders spoke and answered questions regarding the works done by those charities. The celebration of Mothering Sunday followed by Simnel Cake and Flower Bouquets prepared by our flower girls and the liturgy actively participated by Lancing Prep school, as also on other occasions, have made the schools feel at home in this house of God. Maundy Thursday Last Supper could be regarded as an example par excellence where our sociocultural events meet the liturgical.

The Last Supper with the washing of the feet took place at the back of the church: a meal is shared where we also Break the Word of God (the Liturgy of the Word) before we moved for the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

Easter Egg Hunt was organized on church grounds for the young people. No sooner had the Easter service ended, than it seemed as if

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busy bees were fluttering and rushing out of the church in search of the Easter Eggs. Some bees have definitely been very busy. The eggs collected were too many to hold in their pouches!

Art exhibitions and Artists' Open House in May as part of Brighton Festival brought in many peoples in the church.

Corpus Christi Festival this year happened to be in the week of our parish festival and embellished our festival week when we celebrated Eucharist followed by strawberries and Champagne.

Family Fun Day is the great event on our calendar when we reach out around the neighbourhood. It was wonderful to see so many young families with their children come and attend the festival. With a great number of events organized, almost every member of the congregation was kept busy conducting something or other. It was wonderful to see people of other faiths or of none came and helped as usual. The Brownies organized games and party on the occasion as well as a Liturgy on a Sunday assigned to them. The Neighbouring Schools’ Concert forms part of the festival week. The schools participated and put up a free concert in the church. The young children’s talents were certainly appreciated by those present.

Hymns & Pimms’ is another great social event that has been enjoyed very much. We sang hymns -chosen by people-, with a glass of Pimms' followed by a delicious lunch.

The other events that are worth mentioning are: Snacks after the T4G@5 which are served once a month help our young members to socialize and relax. Tea/Coffee/biscuits are served every Sunday after the Eucharist every week provides welcome refreshments in the hall. The MU Gatherings, occasionally at members’ homes too have been a wonderful way to come together and socialize.

Gardening Events on Parish Grounds provide occasions for a holy penance. We had four events during the year clearing the church grounds and keeping the gardens in order.

Finally, but not the least, Lunch-Club in the Hall and Outings have been occasions that people looked for. Sheena's admirable efforts in this regard are much appreciated.

Church Mouse

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The Good Shepherd Magazine

September 2017

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The Good Shepherd Magazine September 2017

Our Service Times Sunday Worship 8am Holy Communion 10:15 Sung Eucharist 6.30pm: check on the web On the 1st Sunday of each month, at 5pm, there will be T4G@5 (TimeforGod@5) to which children are particularly welcome.

Weekday Eucharist Thursday:10:30am Saturday: 9am =====================

Magazine Contributions to the magazine are welcome. Please leave copy at the back of Church by 15th of every Feb., May, Aug. and Nov. or e-mail daisy.kendall21@gmail.comor to vicar@goodshepherdbrighton. org.uk —————————————Tea Club Meets on the first Monday of the month at 1.30pm. We welcome all who are 50 years plus, and would like some company. Just come along.

Tel. Sheena on 07932591172 or sheenarichardson7@icloud.co m

Hall Bookings: Tel. Sheena on 07932591172 or sheenarichardson7@icloud.com

Choir Choir practice: Sunday morning at 9. All are welcome. Please contact: Derek Froud (681007)

Flowers If you would like to donate an arrangement in memory of someone or help with the flower arranging, please contact church office 882987.

Stewardship Secretary David Nissen 1 Shirley Road, Hove, BN3 6NN Tel (01273) 554183 dnissen@btinternet.com

Bell Ringing Ringing practice every Tuesday evening in the Tower. New ringers are always welcome. Please contact 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 Martin Cruttenden (505225).