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As we begin the New Year, asking the Lord's blessing on each of us and on our community, we give thanks for all the blessings that we have received during the past year, both as individual and as a community. He is Our God, we are His people.

In reflecting on the past year, I would like to thank all those who one way or another have served the community through their ministry. Many of those ministries are visible - Welcomers, Readers, Eucharistic Ministers, Altar servers, Collectors, Choir, Sunday Club leaders for the children. We must also remember those who faithfully minister not only on Sundays, but during the week.

At the same time, there are so many who minister behind the scenes - those who clean the church week by week, make the brass shine, do the laundering of the altar linens, the decorations and flowers for the various seasons of the liturgical year. The church itself needs much in the way of maintenance - light bulbs do go out, locks don't work, tiles slip, the grounds are used as a dumping place for rubbish and need cleaning, the grass needs cutting and plants need tending, all these things happen and we expect them to happen, but many thanks to those who are behind- the- scene workers.

Two Committees that work hard during the year are the Parish Council and the Finance Committee. From the Parish Council flow the many other groups that serve the parish - Communications, Social Committee, and all those who help at the many functions we have. We thank those who help with the Justice and Peace concerns, along with the One World Group, CAFOD, APF, and the many other groups which extend beyond the parish. We also thank those who co-ordinate the Liturgy Group, the Youth Groups, our Ecumenical activities and serve as Catechists for the various Sacraments. We thank those who look after our finances - those who count the collections every week, those who prepare the Gift Aid Claims, those who keep the books and prepare them for the Diocese. We do not forget those who through their activities do so much to raise funds throughout the year. We also thank the Parish Secretary for her invaluable work.

We thank the SVP conference who spend so much time looking after those who are in need, and the ministers who take Eucharist to those who are sick, and keep them in touch with the Community. Also all who offer their services to the Care Line. Thanks to all who are part of the Prayer Circle.

We also thank those who are looking after the Health and Safety, the Hurst Green and Tatsfield communities. As a parish community we are truly grateful for all who minister and through their ministry strengthen our community.

Perhaps this is an opportunity for each and every one of us to reflect on the ministries, to reflect on the parable of the talents and to offer our service to the community. Our roots need to continue growing, so that the branches may continue to bear fruit in the wider community especially during 2006.

The revelation, from east of Limpsfield that the Christmas Bazaar would this year be replaced by an All Saints Pantomime was initially treated with incredulity: Like they need another excuse for cross-dressing on the Chart? Would it happen, and would anyone pay to see it? Well, they did, and the theatrical review follows. It would of course be invidious to single out individual performances ..... so here goes:

The Men at Arms/Ghost/Merrymen/Santa Support: excellently portrayed by children who performed faultlessly despite the obvious perils of acting with animals and adults.

Will Doo: Thoroughly well acted and uncannily accurate portrayal of a character we've never heard of. Wouldn't want to meet him on the train after a bad day in the Forest: far too cheerful; would even consider bailing out at Riddlesdown. Mind you, if you met that Nun whole trainloads would be evacuating the Uckfield service, and that doesn't stop. Its something of a mystery that a warning of "Look behind you!" wasn't made at her appearances such was the forcefulness of the stage presence. A powerful and compelling performance - which required an acoustic chamber for rehearsal under recent Safety legislation.

Robin Hood: Central Casting ensured that the actor selected was of sufficient altitude to double up as Little John just in case of last minute script changes, or accidents. There were: Little John made no appearance whatsoever and the epic struggle with Friar Tuck, over deep running water - so eagerly awaited by some attendees at 10:30 Mass sadly never occurred. Instead we had a bold confident Robin and, during an in-depth, frank interview conducted on the opening night by your critic, leant that this was the first ever performance by the up and coming star who has enjoyed the experience so much that she would consider further productions. One infers that her professional influences are less Gieldgud and Olivier - more Jeremy Clarkson.

The Evil Sheriff of Nottingham and Oxted: worryingly for a leading light in the Sunday Club, a role clearly relished by this actor who, during a ferocious light sabre duel with Robin, stepped out of the choreography on the first performance and destroyed the weapon of his opponent. Being a British Sheriff however he sportingly presented his mortal enemy with another sword before recommencing the struggle. Both actors rode this moment with consummate ease. What they were fighting for is less clear, since the reputation of Maid Marian was reinterpreted in this production - some would say trashed. Though confusingly for this theatre company, actually played by a woman, the kind hearted, reliable, noble heroine was replaced by a vision of binge drinking and none too posh totty brilliantly and amusingly portrayed (influences unknown).

Whilst Marian's reputation suffered, the Dames emerged considerably better than normal for the genre being portrayed as sympathetic kindly ladies. A highlight for many was the cookery demonstration where what seemed to me to be a perfectly sound selection of ingredients no doubt approved by the production's Catering Manger, were used to make a cake - with any left overs distributed, by air, to the audience.

Friar Tuck dressed in the hoody style reminiscent of Daarth Maul (Star Wars Ep. 1) - but with less make up, made a strong and much applauded appearance, as did Santa who made a special journey from Lapland, via Tandridge Golf Club, to appear.

What's this got to do with All Saints Church?
Financially this production made as much as a successful Bazaar. If the true economics of the Tombola are accounted for - considerably more. Possibly, this was financially the most successful All Saints event ever.

It took a lot of hard work by the cast and those who supported them esp. the Producer, Stage Manger, Artistic Director, painters, ticket and programme sales, and many more. Some of these helped, despite only a loose connection with the Church. I am particularly grateful to those who came and helped set-up, not once, but twice.

Pantos may not be everyone's cup of tea but most will recognise that pulling off this event took a lot of work, and courage - most or all of the cast had never acted before. There were nerves on the first night - not entirely attributable to Santa's announcement that he was going to ad-lib - but they never showed.

Both performances were packed: 160+ Saturday, 200+ Sunday. This attracted an audience of all ages; of people who would not necessarily describe themselves as church goers. Yet they came, they witnessed the support, the success, and the intangible benefits of a production that pulled in young people to a church which is seeking to reach out and to appeal - something that will be of lasting benefit. With All Saints now second only to The Barn in Oxted's theatreland we are moving closer to the day when Bluehouse Lane is referred to as the South Bank by the glitterati.

"The wind blasted in my face as the storm whipped up the waves all around me into a frenzy.

'Come! Get out of the safety of your boat and walk on the water to me!'

Faith agreed.

But the storm was very fierce and I couldn't ignore the waves. After a few steps I sank. My friends in the boat feared while some smirked. I was as a wave of the sea. Driven and tossed by the wind. With nothing firm to set my feet on, I was unstable in all my ways. In that condition, what help could I expect?

'Save me!' I cried.

Unexpectedly, a hand caught me, lifted me up and set my feet on solid ground.

Now I am back in the boat. If he calls again I may have to go for another walk. The likelihood is that I will sink as before, but I am not afraid. For now I know he'll never let me drown."

The concluding chapter of Justyn Rees' inspiring book "Honest Doubt Real Faith" A true story of lost faith recovered.

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