When I was a boy a favourite lesson of mine was woodwork (although those of you who know how un-handy I am may find this incredible!). I enjoyed learning about different tools, which if used properly enabled the process of creating a desirable tea tray or toast-rack. I remember the first time we were instructed in the use of a plane. I was daunted because it looked heavy. Worse – I was aware of the ability to make a mistake and make a mess of the wood. On one occasion I found out what happens if you plane ‘against the grain’ – chewing up the wood. I recall that sense of ‘ouch – this doesn’t feel good’. It took a lot of smoothing out with the grain to make good the damage done. As we move into June I am reminded that it will be three years, on St Barnabas’ day (11^th June), since I was instituted as Rector of Havant. It is an appropriate moment to reflect upon a period of our lives that has been somewhat hectic, involving a certain amount of gradual change as we have felt called by God. There is a sense of optimism around St Faith’s. And I think this is based upon a confidence that we are beginning to reach out more effectively to those around us and that as we explore ways to further improve the missionary life of the church, we will do so well, with the full support of an ever active congregation in the love of Christ. There is the overwhelming sense that we are moving gradually forward ‘with the grain’. God is behind us, before us, with us and in us.

This is not to imply, however, that life is easy for us and there are no challenges left. Far from it – there is much we need to be busy with and significant challenges lie ahead. One of them is the Worship Group’s deliberation about the use of space in the Church. How can we utilise the space in such a way that we make the most of the architectural beauty of the building as an uplifting place of worship and at the same time enable a variety of uses for after-worship socials, concerts, Family worship, Sunday Club, etc? Those of you who attended the marvellous Confirmation service will know that although it was a great day it was not easy to see the Confirmations actually take place! The use of space asks such questions as how do we utilise the beautiful worship area to allow the greatest sense of participation? Liturgy only works when we all feel involved. If we can’t see the central action how can we be participants? So these deliberations and plans will complement the plans that Kairos call for – to hold an audit of our church’s internal needs and to conduct a community consultation to see how we can respond with God’s love to the real needs of those around us. With the information that these activities produce we will be able to make plans for the mission of our church and the use of the buildings into which to house these missionary activities. If, as we feel, God is with us and we are moving ‘with the grain’ of God’s will, then these daunting plans will come to fruition. May God’s blessings continue to go with you.

Fr. David

This time last year, I was reminiscing in "Faith Matters" about momentous events in June and Derek Bowley reminded me that I had missed the D-Day Landings, so let me make amends this year. In fact, this month is the 60th anniversary of the Landings and the Portsmouth Record Office is holding an exhibition to commemorate it. I was only 10 at the time but I do remember slogans painted on walls and bridges - "Start the Second Front Now!" The Russian leader, Joseph Stalin, was urging America and Britain to invade France to take German divisions away from the Eastern Front. The Communist Party in this country was very active and these were their slogans. Living in Eastney, Portsmouth, I did not see any build up of soldiers and military vehicles prior to D-Day because this was happening outside the city, as witnessed by Havant people. For example, Langstone foreshore was where the Mulberry Harbour was being built to float across to the D-Day beaches in Normandy.

One change brought about by the million or so American troops in this country for D-Day was that we were now receiving on our radios (called a wireless in those days!) the American Forces Network (AFN) broadcasts, which were considerably better for younger listeners than the rather staid BBC. To begin with, we children got to listen to the weekly Adventures of the Lone Ranger and Tonto! For the young people there were the stars they saw in the cinema like Bob Hope (with, John Bradey will remember, Les Brown and his Band of Renown!), Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Jack Benny, the Glenn Miller Band, etc. They had a glamour for wartime Britain, which was perhaps missing in the BBC, programmes like Workers Playtime (from a munitions factory somewhere in the Midlands!).

The first we heard of the landings was the morning BBC News, with a newsreader, in the rather unemotional flat tones of the day, reading a communiqué from Supreme Allied Headquarters saying that troops had landed in France and had already established a strong beach-head. Some two days later, I was approaching Fratton Bridge with my parents at about 10pm when we saw ahead of us military ambulances queued from the railway sidings in Goldsmith Avenue, where hospital trains were lined up to receive the wounded. The ambulances were all identical and literally bumper to bumper along Goldsmith Avenue, across Fratton Bridge, and along Canal Walk, parallel to the railway. They eventually disappeared from my view in a bend in the road but, apparently, the end of this awesome queue was in Portsmouth Dockyard. I have never forgotten that terrible sight. To me that was D-Day.

For someone else at St Faith's, D-Day was far more dangerous and vivid. He was in the Royal Navy throughout the war and actually took part in the D-Day Landings. Back in April, he celebrated his 90th birthday. He is of course Tom Gomersall..                                                                                       Roger Bryant

Miss Finedon did indeed live in a small flat in Whiteladies Close, having retired as a teacher from a school near Tower Bridge, London.

She loved children and every Sunday devoted her time to the Parish Breakfast. She always made sure that there were ample supplies of buns for the "starving" choirboys, which were always "on the house"! When the boys went on their annual singing tour holiday to Germany, she insisted on giving the pennies she had saved towards their expenses. Father Brown stopped paying the choirboys when he arrived in the parish because he believed that singing in the choir was an honour (the choir increased tremendously). The boys loved Miss Finedon for her kindness and each year clubbed together to buy her a present. Incidentally, the choir never cost the parish a penny.

Having been retired for some years, Miss Finedon's pension was pitiful but in spite of Father Brown's efforts, she refused, as she would say, to "go on the parish" (no Income Support in those days). As a consequence she lived on the "smell of an oilrag" and the only way Father Brown could get her to accept food was to lie and say he had bought too much and could not get rid of it!

When the Queen Alexandra Hospital telephoned Father Brown, who had given her the last Rites, to tell him of her death, it emerged that she had put him down as her next of kin (he held the key to her flat). Because of the emergency of her sudden death, Father Brown arranged for her body to be taken away but then her affairs had to be dealt with by the officially appointed solicitor. Father Brown went with him to her flat but no Will was found there; however, in a drawer, carefully wrapped, were all the presents the boys had brought her back from their overseas tours.

After many months of advertising, a relative was found in the USA. She died virtually penniless except for the small flat. Miss Finedon was a lovely Christian lady, the likes of whom are seldom seen these days. Even some of the "tough" choirboys were in tears when told of her death. St Faith's has much to thank her for and her guardian angel would have been proud of her.

Father Brown asks himself, "Will his guardian angel be proud of him when handing him over to the angel of death". (We are all sure the guardian angel will be - Editor).

Don’t forget, Sunday 4^th July at 4pm at 27 Bellair Road for the Strawberry Tea. It is also American Independence Day!

On the Friday of Holy Week four pilgrims from St Faith's went to the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham, the English Nazareth in a village midway between Norwich and King's Lynn, Walsingham. This was St Faith's first visit in connection with the Cell formed by our daughter church, St Albans, and Father Charles, Annie, his wife, Sandra, our Churchwarden and Sheilah, a simple parishioner, went with members of that church and others from St Claire's and St Francis: about forty six in total. Parishioners from St Albans first went in 1988 and many go each year. The youngest was in her twenties; the oldest was ninety-two.

The story began with a vision in 1061 in which a Saxon noblewoman, Richeldis de Faverches, was taken by the Virgin Mary to see the house in Nazareth where the angel Gabriel announced to Mary the news of Jesus' impending birth. In two more visions Richeldis was asked to build in Walsingham an exact replica of the house. This was done but it was all totally destroyed after a visit by Henry VIII. Even so pilgrims still came and continued to do so through the centuries until in 1897 there was a move by the Roman Catholics to rebuild and restore the 14th Century Slipper Chapel. Now there is an Anglican shrine a mile away built in 1922 and an Orthodox Shrine nearby. Pilgrims come again in their thousands. At the end of May the Archbishop of Canterbury will preach when there is a National Pilgrimage.

The accommodation was simple but comfortable with a pleasant lounge, a new refectory and cafe. The food was simple but good with special diets catered for and no problems for the disabled.

It was an intensive three days beginning with a Blessing for the journey at St Albans at 7.30a.m. on the Friday and after a couple of stops en route we held a service in the large and beautiful Lady Chapel of Ely Cathedral before having lunch and proceeding on to Walsingham and our first visit to Holy House to say thanks for our safe arrival. Then it was on to the Sue Ryder shop for a cream tea. After supper there were Shrine prayers where Father Mike said special prayers as asked for by members of the pilgrimage. The day ended with Compline in the Guild Chapel, near the Shrine Church -a simple service with relaxing electronic music.

On Saturday we followed the Stations of the Cross and then walked (or bussed) to the Slipper Chapel, a good mile away, where private prayers were said and we were able to have coffee in the warm sunshine. In the afternoon the coach, provided by Lucketts (driver, Ron, who has already "booked" to go again next year) took those who wanted to Wells or the Craft Centre in Hunstanton. We came back in time to attend the Mass of our Lady of Walsingham presided over by the Bishop of Beverley. Father Charles came in for special commendation for his part in the service, details of which he only received immediately beforehand. This was a high Anglo Catholic service. After supper there was an Address, Procession and Benediction in which we processed round the small but lovely gardens with lighted candles behind the banner of Our Lady.

By contrast on Sunday the St Albans cell held a Mass and Ministry of Healing in the simple, even austere. Barn Chapel – a service which had much in common with a Friends' Meeting (Quakers). Pilgrims spoke as the Spirit moved them and helped themselves to the Holy Sacrament. After lunch gifts were blessed and photos taken before the service of Sprinkling, Laying on of Hands and Anointing in the Shrine Church. This was, for me, a very moving service and tears arose, unbidden. Finally, after tea we had a Last Visit to Holy House before leaving about 5p.m. We arrived home in pouring rain after a purposeful but fun weekend. As I said to Father Mike after I had been asked to do this report, there were some things I would have to leave out. His reply was to leave out the worship! As one pilgrim said: "We pray hard and we play hard". However, that is another story.

I hope other members of St Faith's will be inspired to go on the next Pilgrimage to Walsingham. Like the Muslims' Hajj to Mecca, perhaps one should try and do it just once in one's lifetime.                              S.L.

On Sunday 16^th May 2004, the Bishop of Portsmouth, The Rt Revd Dr Kenneth Stevenson, confirmed Deborah Creasy, Ros Cleverley, Charlotte Edwards and June Poliszczuk from St. Faith’s, with 12 others from St Alban, West Leigh and St Cuthbert, Copnor, at St Faith’s Church. At the same Sung Eucharist with Confirmation, Martin Poliszczuk renewed his Baptismal vows. Congratulations to them all.

At the Parish Eucharist on 25 April, the Rector presented Alan Hakim, Bruce Strugnell, Mary Strugnell, Carmen Stuart and Colin Warlow with "Permission to Distribute the Holy Communion" given by the Bishop of Portsmouth, The Rt Revd Dr Kenneth Stevenson, for the next 5 years.

"Why couldn't Jesus just have had flu and died? Surely God could have arranged that." It was Easter Day and we were 'doing' the Resurrection when a thinking youngster came up with this question. As we are still new and inexperienced in Sunday Club ways we could sit tight, safe in the knowledge that we were not expected to come up with an answer. Instead we sat back and listened to the way one of the hierarchy ably fielded this question. It was clear to us that we would need to have our wits about us on the mornings we were doing our Sunday Club stints.

On this particular Sunday the plan was for a big picture to be made depicting new beginnings. In no time at all the children were all sitting down quietly, happily and very busily making all sorts of things to be stuck on the picture - coloured eggs, sheep with bits of wool on them, birds, flowers - they all found their place on the main picture which was finished off with blobs of cotton wool for the clouds. It was particularly interesting to see how creative all the children were in different ways. They all had their own ideas and needed no input from anyone else.

As usual the time flew by and before we realised it we had in our midst three taller youngsters from the congregation who arrived looking splendid in their lemon and lime road safety flak jackets. This was the cue for us all to fall in line behind them and we snaked our way through the streets of Havant to the Church where, if we'd got the timing right, we could neatly tag on to the end of the queue going up to the altar for communion.                                                                                                  Ann Buckley, Sara Freeston

A Property Development Committee (PDC) has been formed, the purpose of which is to oversee the production of a plan for the development of our properties in line with the aspirations and principals of our Vision and the Kairos process. In order to do this we will continue to ask for the Spirit's guidance to do God's will, conduct an internal audit of our church and congregational needs and then hold a community consultation to assess the community needs to which we will respond.

These factors will enable us to devise a strategy for the improvement of our Church and properties so that they are maintainable, sufficient for our needs and places fit for the worship of God and the mission of the Church in this area of Havant.

On the committee: Rector, Churchwardens, David Atcheson, Colin Carter, Simon Creasy, Colin Hedley, Barry Hudson, Sybel Laird, Martin Poliszczuk, Lisa Roonan, Richard Smith, Victoria Smith, Claire Toole.

Continuing with the interpretations of the Miracles of our Lord by Cosmo Gordon Lang we now consider perhaps, with "The Feeding of the Multitude", the best known of the Miracles - "Jesus Walking on the Sea". The Gospel accounts start with Jesus dismissing the crowds and telling the disciples to go out to sea (of Galilee) in order that He could have solitude. Fittingly, this is where Lang starts his consideration of the Miracle - in his words, "our Lord's retreat from the bustle of the world to the refreshing calm of the eternal." He likens this to God resting on the seventh day to behold His works. "We need to keep the Sabbath to view our own works from the standpoint of the eternal." Lang asserts that "solitude is necessary for communion with God."

We now find the boat in the midst of the sea, distressed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. Lang likens this to life itself. "In the days of youth - the days of our inspiring illusions - we bound along under the fair wind of hope and ambition. But by the time we reach the midst of the sea - that period of middle age when the illusions disappear and the grim realities of life take their place - most of us find that the wind is contrary and the waves distressing. We must then take to the heavy oars, thankful for any headway we may make."

The Gospels tell us, "Seeing them distressed in rowing, for the wind was contrary unto them, about the fourth watch of the night, Jesus cometh unto them, walking on the sea." Lang points out that Jesus, walking past them, on the very waves that distressed them, was demonstrating His divine supremacy; that "even the distressing waves of life might be the way along which the power and calm of His presence would come to them." When the disciples saw Jesus walking on the waters, they were frightened, thinking he was a spectre of a power alien. In life we should not be afraid because we should know that His supremacy and calmness are with us at times of distress.

Peter asked to walk on the waters to Him and Jesus said, "Come!" But Peter, fearful of the wind, turned his eyes from his Master and started to sink. Peter's eyes sought out Jesus again and he was saved. So it is in life because we must keep our eyes fixed steadily on Him. As Lang puts it, "The only hope is, if we have faith at all, to have faith entirely; we must keep the eyes of thought and imagination fixed resolutely on the presence of Christ." Amen.                                                                                 Roger Bryant

The sponsored bike ride and walk this year will be held on Saturday 11^th September from 10am-6pm. I expect to have sponsor forms and information during June – so hope some of you will partake again to help with our Restoration Fund.                                                                                                       Audrey Currie

Tom Gomersall, with Edna, being presented with a cheque for £205 and a bottle of rum by Fr. David and Colin Warlow on the occasion of his retirement as assistant care-taker for the Hall complex. Colin, also retired last month as Churchwarden after 18 years – is this a record?

You know those ideas that seem a good idea at the time and then as it gets closer you are not quite so sure, well I think that this is one of those, and I have to own up to it being one of mine. Let’s give you some details – it is on Saturday 26^th June at Millgate House, St. George’s Square in Old Portsmouth, the height, very high (220 feet) but we will have the Royal Marines to help us. We shall be a group doing this ‘very brave’ thing in aid of St. Faith’s Restoration Appeal, so if you feel you might like to sponsor one or other of us we would be delighted. Those whose arms have been twisted are: Simon Creasy, Kerry & Steven Fletcher (Vickie’s son & daughter), Fr David Gibbons, Francis Hakim, Barry Hudson, Francis Joyce, Clare Strugnell, Judith Williams and me.

Sandra Haggan

Plans are progressing well for the Town Fair. This is our major fund raising event and we hope to raise a substantial amount towards the cost of replacing the Church lighting. We have a number of new stalls this year and need more helpers on the day. If you would like to help, even for a short time, please contact Ann Buckley on 023 9245 2289. Draw tickets will be available soon.

Rosemary and Peter Thomas opened their garden on Sunday 2^nd May in aid of the Restoration Appeal Fund. Plants and paintings were on sale, and there was a raffle, on a beautiful sunny and warm afternoon that resulted in a good turn out. The total raised was £660, which included £217 from Rosemary’s paintings.

Our church needs a lot of prayer. Some of the believers and inquirers have intractable problems, which keep them away from church, and some others are growing cold. Our time here is coming to a close and we don't want to leave the church like this. We plan to leave Japan on 19 June, meet Andrew in Malaysia, have a holiday until Amy finishes her last exams and arrive in UK on 11 July. We aim to be in South Africa for 4 months in 2005. Frankly having spent 18 years here (Glenda 21 years) with less frequent furloughs than normal we find it rather daunting to set up temporary home in two countries. Japan feels more like home than anywhere else does. It seems like the Baptists want us to leave the church building next year August so they can sell it for more than we can afford.

Rod and GlendaThomas

Havant Remembered – 23-25 April 2004

Over 100 people attended the talk by local historian Ian Watson in the church on Friday 23^rd April. Cllr. Mrs June Fulcher opened the exhibition stressing how much St. Faith’s is at the very heart of Havant and congratulated the church on the restoration work already completed to the historic church. Following the preview hundreds of people attended the exhibition during the weekend. Over 300 photographs were displayed reflecting life in Havant over the last century. A fascinating range of material on local churches, education, industry, sport and voluntary organisations was displayed.

People were particularly interested in the photographs of the clergy which were displayed on the pulpit and the photographs of church activities in the past showing large numbers of young people - many of these activities had been recorded in the local press really illustrating how well attended the local churches were and how much they were providing community activities.

Many visitors commented how much they enjoyed the exhibition and one family were delighted to find a photograph of their great grandfather as they had never seen one before. All the photographs have been copied and we hope to have a selection on show again at the Town Fair.

The weather was wonderful and we completed our weekend by climbing the tower and looking down over Havant’s historic buildings and also noting some new ones.

The event raised over £1,000 towards the Restoration Appeal. Thank you to everyone who provided information and help in so many ways.