Missionary
One chosen for the propagation of religious or other moral work
WE HAD a sad time last month with the funerals of three members of our church, but it was also a time of joy as we listened to the stories of their lives in service to God.
Phyllis, in her dedication in promoting the gospel over many years. Amy, with her profound love of the children in South America and the many years she spent in that country.
Daisy witnessed to her love of Jesus with the patience she showed as she waited for the Lord to take her. Even though she was blind for the later years of her life she could still sing all verses of the hymns she knew well and could quote the Bible passages with ease, all Missionaries.
I believe that in our ministry here at St. John’s we also can be missionaries. Our outreach into Felbridge with Jaffa, the children’s Sunday service and our young children’s groups. Food for Thought on Tuesday in the town, the work of CARE, our connections with the schools, and our Home Groups are all opportunities to propagate our love for our Lord Jesus Christ.
Daphne Ayerst
In this section we look beyond St John's to our outreach with the local and worldwide community.
Many of the linkson the left hand menu are to partners we support.
Felbridge is right on the southern boundary of the County of Surrey and the Diocese of Southwark*. It has close links with East Grinstead and because many of the congregation of St John's come from outside the parish, it makes it possible to sustain a wide range of church activities for a small village of about 1000 inhabitants.
*The Parish of St. John the Divine Felbridge lies at the southern limit of the Godstone Deanery, the most rural of the deaneries of the Southwark Diocese click here for diocese website.
St John's supports ten different charities, both at home and abroad, three of which are overseas agencies with whom we have personal links. As a church, we aim to give away at least 10% of our income to Mission, most of which is given during the Mission Gift Day. Last year we were able to raise over £10,500; it would be so encouraging if, even in these days of economic recession, we could top that this year! The money is divided between all the Agencies, the larger proportion being given towards the support of our Mission Partners. Details of all those we support can be found overleaf.
LINK PARTNERS
UCCF (Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship)
Natasha Kasprowicz is known to many of us, as she grew up at St John's. Last year she had a major lifestyle change, moving from Russia where for six years she had been working with students in St Peterburg under the auspices of IFES, to London where she is now doing similar work with the 'parent' organisation, UCCF. She is based mainly at University College, but joins with colleagues to reach students in all London's Universities, and they are planning a London-wide Mission. She also has opportunities to return to Russia and Eastern Europe on outreach events from time to time. It was good to hear her news first-hand when she visited St John's at the end of May, and we look forward to having more visits now she's living in London! Dan and Suzy Callaway have just agreed to be the new church links for Natasha.
CMS (Church Mission Society)
Allan and Anne Lacey are our Link Missionaries, working in N.W. Uganda. They 'postponed' their retirement in order to use their combined experience overseas; Allan is teaching in a Theological College and trying to improve educational facilities and resources for the clergy and lay staff of the diocese, while Anne is based at the local mission hospital, helping to improve nurse education and community health. It has proved a challenging task for both of them, missing their family in UK and with plenty of ups and downs for both of them, but with the assurance that they're in the place of God's choosing for them. Our church rep is Barbara Cottier, who also worked with CMS in Uganda.
SAMS (South American Mission Society)
AMS has now been integrated with CMS and has ceased to exist as a separate Society. However, we are continuing to support Andrew and Maria Leake, who visited St John's recently while they were in UK for a Christmas break. They have lived and worked in Northern Argentina for many years , campaigning tirelessly for the local indigenous people in Salta Province whose right to land and natural resources has been eroded by the widespread scale of commercial de-forestation. Their eldest son, Tomas, is starting at Cordoba University, while Cecilia (14) and Carolina (11) are at local schools. Our church rep is now Silvina Granger.
FIRM FOUNDATIONS (Southeast Asia)
This residential Training Centre was set up in response to the un-addressed needs of disabled teenagers, offering training in life skills, personal and social development, literacy and numeracy, moral values and business skills which will eventually enable the students to live independent, fulfilling lives. After many crises along the way, including a major earthquake, the first four students have now set up their own business, selling fruit and veg in the local market, while still living at the Centre. Four new candidates have been selected and are starting the process - with the benefit of past experience! For further information and up-to-date news, contact Joan Bateman, or come to the monthly prayer group.
OTHER AGENCIES
CHURCH ARMY
The Church Army trains and sends evangelists to work in Anglican churches and in projects with children, homeless people and the elderly.
We have links with Mark and Heather Dadds who work with the Marylebone Project in London for vulnerable women with housing needs, and with 'The Bridge', helping disadvantaged people find homes and return to useful lives in the community. Di Giles, who worked with the Church Army, is our rep.
CPAS (Church Pastoral Aid Society)
CPAS aims to help local churches by training and advising leaders, and providing resources - spiritual, practical and sometimes financial - for the whole church, but especially for Youth Groups like Pathfinders and CYFA. They also organise activity holidays for young people during the summer. If you'd like to know more, or find out about the holiday camps, speak to our church rep, Glen Jones.
SCRIPTURE UNION
Scripture Union seeks to make God's good news known to children, adults, young people and families , and encourages people of all ages to meet with God daily through Bible reading and prayer. They publish a wide range of literature and have recently set up an interactive website - www.wordlive.org- as well as offering training, support, and a variety of holiday events. Bible Reading notes, in various formats and for all ages, are available from Gill Matson.
TEARFUND
Tearfund works through churches and Christian agencies to open up brighter futures for the world's poorest communities, and to see lives and situations transformed by God's love through the generosity of Christian people. It also campaigns for justice and human rights - this year the focus is on the provision of clean water and proper sanitation in areas where that is only a dream - as well as providing vital supplies of food, aid and medical equipment to disaster areas as speedily as possible.
Gordon and Brenda Wilkinson are the Southeast Reps, and also sell Tearcraft goods at local events - including their book, 'Recipes for Disaster', which makes an ideal gift in aid of Tearfund!
WELCARE
Welcare is a local charity, working with families in need through poverty, isolation, family breakdown or homelessness. Their aim is to help families before they reach the stage of requiring 'official' intervention. They provide practical support, such as toys, clothing, debt management and counselling, through volunteers and designated social workers. Last Christmas we had a very successful 'Toy Service' to provide some cheer for families who would otherwise have no cause for celebration, and hope to repeat it this year. Speak to Rona Bingham for more information.
ST CATHERINE'S HOSPICE
Many of us know of St Catherine's in Crawley, and have visited their Charity Shop in London Road! The Hospice is a Palliative Care Centre, offering people with progressive life-threatening illness the opportunity to live life as fully as possible, to die with dignity, and to provide support for those close to them. The Chaplain, Mike Neville, and the staff are trained to care for the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of each patient, their family and friends, whether in the Day Centre or as inpatients. Hospices are not funded by the NHS, so our support is vital. For the past two years, around Christmas-time, we have held a 'Tree of Light' service at St John's, in memory of loved ones who have died; and we hope to hold that again this year. Jenny Young has all the information.
BISHOP DANIEL YISA
lives with his wife and three children in Minna Diocese, Nigeria. We became involved in his missionary outreach when he visited St John's during a Mission Weekend a few years ago, and support them through our prayers.
Anne Butler (Mission Team Co-ordinator.)
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Beyond St John's
