June 2025 (taken from The Link Magazine)

Halfway through the year already! Well the past month has been busy, busy, busy starting off for me personally witnessing the marriage of my son Matthew to Jess and what joy when you see your son beaming and radiating happiness. As parents that is the height of delight. We had a lovely, lovely day with nothing but good memories.

Then hurley burley we were pitched into the Spring Festival the following weekend and weren’t we just blessed with lovely weather. A beautiful day with crowds of people with a Church run event that (like the Festival of Christmas Trees) shows Holy Cross at the centre of the community. Huge thanks to Daz, Simon and Elizabeth who all worked tirelessly at the BBQ, and for the amazing Chatty Team running the Tea and Cakes. Flippin’ hard graft we know, but we came through smiling. Eleighsia for running the metal hoop game, the Crafty Ladies with their swan song of lovely homemade crafts, to Lynne and Paul for running the PA. Lastly to Sarah whose organizational skills know no bounds!! (Who knew my daughter could run a Dog Show!!! Lol) The Junior and Youth Choirs did brilliantly and it was outreach all the way.

Then fast forward to the APCM last week (at time of writing) where it was clear how much the Rector appreciates all the hard work from everyone involved in the church and hopefully he also appreciates how much we think of him and his dedication to promoting the Christian faith in our community. Bad news: lol you are stuck with JP and myself as Churchwardens for another year!!!! But as I have said, serving you as Churchwarden is a privilege – but please, please, if you fancy taking on this role in future years – we would love to have you on board and build up a real team who can step up to the mark! Trust me I have no desire to hit 26 years as Churchwarden.

Meanwhile we are rejoicing in Simon Tuck taking on the website. That’s not to say we didn’t appreciate Sarah taking it over from JP – bless her, I think you will all agree that she actually has enough to do. Simon is going through it with a fine toothcomb and updating all aspects. It does take an inordinate amount of time. At time of writing he has just uploaded the Recipe book from what the 1980’s but finds there are pages missing from the copy I acquired from a Jumble Sale. Therefore do any of you still have a copy that he could borrow to fill in the missing pieces? Meanwhile also please take a moment to peruse through the website and if you think of anything that should be added or is wrong please let him know. Also many of you don’t know Simon so please touch base with him – he doesn’t bite.

Church communities do suffer a bit of making most things a rite of passage …. e.g. only take to someone once they have been coming to church for a lifetime….but lets cut that chain and embrace all he has to offer. Its lovely to see him in the Choir stalls supporting the choir. Well done Simon for stepping up to the mark and taking onboard all that he is doing for us.

Sadly Will is stepping back from his six months of Pastoral Assistant. Thank you Will for all you have done over the past 6 months – your Lent Course, your support in Chatty, and so many other little things. We wish you and Nellie all the best for the future and hope you keep in touch. Every blessing for your onward journey of faith.

In the past week we have lost 2 very valuable and long term members of the congregation in the form of Ian Boyes and our darling Jane Wright. Both been stalwarts of Holy Cross and will be deeply missed. In their own ways they have really enhanced our church worship and presence. God has received 2 blessings in them.

We also sadly say Adieu to Martha and it was a privilege to attend her farewell service at St Margaret's Isfield. A beautiful service in a beautiful venue and blessed with some joyful singing from Zinafe. We wish Martha and Constantine all the happiness as they take on St Anthony’s at Scaynes Hill. It does mean that where we have been fairly awash with clergy with 2 attending most main services, it will now be usually one cleric. David and Mike are hugely appreciated with all their hard work and devotion to us and we cant thank them enough.

Andrew from Ukraine Aid is just about to leave at time of writing for another trip to Ukraine loaded with nappies, some dressings and whatever else has been donated. I think our donations filled half the van and will be most welcome. Please continue to support with large size nappies if you can please. I know I am asking a lot but we are making a difference to those kiddies with huge problems. And of course your prayers for Andrews safe passage and the committed staff in the Orphanage.

That’s it for now. All my love, Dee xx

Ps a friend of mine does the most amazing mosaics with broken china …. so if you have a very pretty piece of China that is smashed….can you wrap it safely in newspaper and pop into my car on a Sunday morning…..just the pretty bits please.