(Well, isn’t it always?) I must apologise for the mistakes in the Diary for September in the printed version of last month’s issue. I really got mixed up with the venues for the evening services, and which morning services were joint, didn’t I! However, nobody was sufficiently incensed as to want to wrest the job of Editor away from me – I’ll have to try harder.

Since the September NewsLetter we have had the sad death of Steve Keates. Our love and heartfelt sympathy we extend to Chris, Oliver and Alexandra in their loss of a beloved husband and father. May we uphold them with our love and prayers and support them as they adjust to their immeasurable loss..

We continue to remember Mary Hallifax in her weakness.

Marjorie Thomson celebrated her 89^th birthday on 15^th September, and was in church with Ann last Sunday. It was good to see them. And Ann has told us of the birth of Marjorie’s third great-grandchild, Poppy Elizabeth Crouchley. For those interested in genealogy, Poppy is the daughter of Alana (married to Simon), who is the daughter of Andrew (married to Janet), who is Marjorie’s elder son and brother to Ann and Robert.

Both Peggy Eldridge and Betty Hay have been able to attend worship recently after many months of immobility and pain. It was a delight to have them with us again and we sincerely hope that they will both continue to improve in health.

We continue to remember Eileen Horsler in our prayers and hope she may soon feel stronger and regain her confidence.

Photo: Clive Richardson
Joan Denman recently celebrated her
85th birthday with her family

And a message from Chris -

This is just a brief note to thank all those who have sent messages, offered support, made tea, poured tea and done so much more over the recent weeks since Steve died.  Life is difficult to focus on right now, but the love and help from those around us, including those from the Friday Zone, has made us aware of our blessings too.
 
These times remind you how important it is 'not to put off till tomorrow', and to run out there and embrace what life has to offer. I found myself hanging out of the roof window at midnight a few days ago, staring up at the constellations with Steve's binoculars.   Some of the most special things of life cannot be touched, or sometimes even seen, but you know they are there. 
 
Challenges jump out from behind corners each day at the moment,  but Oliver and Alexandra have ways of reminding me of the priorities .... them!
 
Chris

Here we are well into September and everything in the Church is in the process of re-starting. I hope that you all have a successful session.

I also hope the Harvest lunch will be an enjoyable time of fellowship with our friends from Ewell, and that we receive a good response to our Harvest project; to supply two Elephant Pumps for the people of Africa.  This is a very worthy project; we in this country are so fortunate, we do not have to think where the next drop of water is coming from!

The first meeting of the Elders’ Training Course was very successful; there were forty Elders attending from the Downlands Cluster, which  was an excellent response.  The next meeting is in November, and as the course progresses I am sure we shall share the content with you.

Plans are underway for a group of us to conduct the Morning Worship on 16th October.  We have had one very interesting meeting with Pat, who is helping us feel our way, and another is planned to finalise details.  Perhaps this might be the beginnings of a group to conduct Worship from time to time.  I am sure it will be a rewarding experience.  We know you will support us in this venture, and hope that the group will grow.  Do let me know if you are interested.

Put the date in your diary for our A.G.M., November 16th, in the Longhurst Room. Elections will take place as usual.  If you are asked to be an Elder, take over a task or serve on a Committee, please give it careful and prayerful thought.  Letters explaining all the procedures will be distributed mid-October as in previous years. 

(top)

As the Church works to implement "Catch the Vision", Commitment for Life encourages us to engage with issues of world poverty, and Injustice in Trade.

Thanks to the comparing efforts of thousands, the issues behind Poverty were raised at the G8 Summit and some significant steps were taken on Aid and Debt. The least progress has been made in TRADE INJUSTICE, where the G8 members failed to respond to the demands of MakePovertyHistory. Our own Prime Minister has recently returned to the trail. Pray for him: he has an uphill struggle.

23rd-30th October: One World Week. An opportunity to bring up Global Issues

2nd November:       MASS LOBBY OF PARLIAMENT    See Poster.

10th December:      White Band Day III to publicise the Global Campaign.

PRAY FOR THESE EVENTS AND FOR THE WHOLE CAMPAIGN

Make a promise to make a meaningful difference in your community by October 2006:

• Work across boundaries with new communities towards peace and justice, both locally and internationally.
  
  Be aware of your power to make a difference.
  
  Make a personal commitment to live more responsibly, mindful of others – and stick to it.

Forty Promises are advocated by One World Week. Here are a couple:-

Promise 1:    I promise to…

Why? Because it uses 85 per cent as much electricity to keep the little red light on as when watching TV – energy that is completely wasted.

Promise 2:    I promise to…

The Global Call to Action Against Poverty is coordinating Global White Band Days, to mark significant moments in 2005.

The first White Band Day, on 1 July, just before the G8 summit, saw actions, protests and demonstrations on four continents. Campaigners in England and Wales wrapped churches and landmarks, including St. Paul’s Cathedral, in white bands.

White Band Day II, on 10 September, took place just before the UN World Summit, at which politicians were due to review progress on the Millennium Development Goals.

White Band Day III, on 10 December, takes place in the crucial last days of negotiations before the World Trade Organisation ministerial meeting.

(top)

On Wednesday, 7^th October, about thirty-five people were eating their lunch in the church while listening to an organ recital given by John Mansfield.

John is organist at Farnham URC and had come to know Pat during her time in that church. Pat gave John a warm welcome to Epsom and introduced John to the audience.

John gave his own introductions to the groups of pieces, which were from the 19^th and 20^th centuries, by such well-known composers as Mendelssohn, Parry and Vaughan Williams, and others lesser known.

One section of the thoughtfully chosen programme was made up of four chorale preludes based on well-known hymn tunes. It was intriguing to hear the tunes ‘dressed up’ for the occasion, rather different from the versions we hear on Sundays.

John Mansfield at the console with his wife,
supporting John as page-turner.

My personal favourite was John’s own arrangement for organ of the Jewish ‘Kiddush’ by Kurt Weill, of ‘The Three-penny Opera’ fame. The original was a Sabbath prayer, for baritone, choir and organ, and in this arrangement I particularly liked the bass lines, and the influence of blues on the melody mixing well with the chanting accompaniment.

£30 was collected from those who wished to make a donation. This was given to the WCC for their Coffee Morning collection for the Epsom RDA.

At Church Meeting it was obviously considered a very successful venture, and one that should be continued. It was felt that the venue, and the format of lunchtime concerts could well be opened to other combinations of instruments. We are grateful to John Mansfield for being the trailblazer, and we hope that we can get others following in his footsteps.

And while we are talking about organ concerts, may I tell you about a concert at St. Mary the Virgin, Ewell Parish Church, on their 1889 Father Willis organ, by Timothy Burke, BA, ARCO, Co-Director of Music at Kingston Parish Church.

The Concert is entitled ‘The King of Instruments’, and will be held on 15^th October, starting at 19:30. Tickets cost £6 on the door. Refreshments will be available at the interval.

Programme:

Juan Cabanilles: Passacalles del primer tono
Johann Sebastian Bach: Prelude and Fugue in B minor, BWV 544
Marcel Dupré: Cortège et Litanie, Op 19/2
Johann Kaspar Kerll: Toccata quarta Cromatica con durezze, e ligature
Max Reger: Sonata in F sharp minor, Op 33

Further details: 020 8393 2643 / stmarysewell@btopenworld.com

2^nd October      David Mackie

9^th October      Ron Perkins

16^th October    Sheila Carpenter

23^rd October    Sheila Carpenter

30^th October    Charles Senior.

(top)

A new version of the Bible which its author says can be read in less than two hours has been launched. The 100-Minute Bible, written as a page-turner for those who do not have the time to read the full version, was unveiled at Canterbury Cathedral. Its author, ex-headteacher the Rev Michael Hinton said: "We have majored on Jesus, because he is the central figure in the Bible."

Bishop of Jarrow, the Rt Rev John Pritchard was a consultant on the book. "I don't think most people know the Bible very well," he said. "This is an attempt to say, 'Look, there's a great story here - let's get into it and let's not get put off by the things that are going to be the sub-plot. Let's give you the big plot'."

More than 11,000 copies of the 100-Minute Bible, which is roughly the size of a notebook, have been printed, for distribution to churches and schools.

It took Mr Hinton more than two years to cut down the 66 books of the Bible into a version that could be read in 1hr 40min. He said readers would find all the familiar Bible stories.

"We majored on the ones that have entered the common consciousness, like Noah's Ark, Jonah and so on."

The publishers of the book say that, just like the original, the 100-minute version should be a bestseller. Len Budd, proprietor of the 100-Minute Press, said: "This is a book for adults and has been written in a style to encourage readers to keep turning the pages, but without resorting to any literary gimmicks."

With acknowledgements to the BBC News On-Line

(top)

'The Burning Bush'

by Sheila Stredwick
(Better in colour, isn't it?)

(top)

Calling all children aged between 5 and 10 years

Come to the

at

Unity Hall

from 6p.m. until 7p.m.

Games and Activities every Monday Evening

Six of the 12^th Epsom Brownies went on Pack Holiday with Jill Popham’s Pack to Holmbury St. Mary at the end of August, and they all had a great time. Anne and I went to spend the Tuesday with them. It was a very hot day and they spent the morning doing craft work and after their dinner and rest period, they were allowed to have a water relay which ended in a water fight that was great fun, and helped to cool them down. Jill told us that our six brownies were all very well behaved and they had enjoyed having them.

  
The Brownies enjoying themselves at their Pack Holiday

Our new term began on Wednesday, 14^th September, when each girl was given a tube of Smarties, which they covered in plain paper. They were told that they could eat the contents and then try to fill the tube with money for ‘Pump Aid’ and bring it back to our meeting before the Harvest Festival.

Our second meeting of the term fell on the Day for International Peace, and so we decided to commemorate it by making things associated with peace, the Brownies each made a peace lantern, a dove, a friendship bracelet and a paper ring of friendship. At the end of the evening we lit a candle for peace and sang a song of peace.

Celebration of the International Day of Peace

The Brownies will be organising the coffee morning in Unity Hall on Saturday, 15^th October, from 11 a.m. until 12.30 p.m. Once again they will be raising funds for the Harvest Charity ‘Pump Aid’. Please put a special note in your diaries to attend. We hope to serve some real treats made by the girls!

The antique clock, which has been in the Longhurst Room for many years, is in need of repair and refurbishment; I do not believe it has been working for some time. An expert has advised that the cost of a complete strip down of both the working parts and the case (which is damaged) would cost about £545.

The expert believes it was made between 1863-1881 and that, when new, it would have been moderately expensive for that period. The working parts are of quite good quality and with proper service and cleaning it would last another hundred years! There appears to have been some sort of plaque on the case below the clock face that has been removed and the two circular holes (rather badly) filled in. At auction the clock would have little monetary value although if repaired its value would increase, probably not by enough to cover the repair costs.

The real questions are how did it come to be given (?) to the church and by whom, when and for what reason. Does anyone have any information or background knowledge that would be interesting to hear about and would help us decide if it is worth repairing? Please let Alan Wood know if you can help.

(top)

Do YOU know where the First Aid Boxes are? If not, perhaps you should make it your business to find out – you never know when you might need one.

This startling opening is also to attract your attention to the fact that the First Aid Boxes have recently been checked and the contents are up-to-date. You should also know that each box contains an Accident Report Book, which is to be filled in by the injured person or somebody acting on their behalf, for each and every accident.

For those that remember the old Accident Book, there are some changes: the new book now has perforated pages, and each report, when completed, is to be removed from the book and passed on to Tom Lockett, who will store these for the statutory time. In this way the confidentiality of the reports will be preserved.

Plans are proceeding apace for Wednesday, 26^th October. Volunteers are being lined up, the children’s application forms are being returned and it looks like it’s going to be a great day.

Some materials are required, and if you are able to help, this would be appreciated. For her project, Pat would like yoghourt pots (clean!) and also the cardboard tubes from your kitchen rolls. Thank you.

May we also point out that on that the day the church car park is likely to be full of volunteers’ cars, and space for casual parking by others will be severely limited. Thanks.

Monday Evening House Group
Sheila and George Smith

It has been decided to re-start the Monday Evening House Group which meets at the home of Sheila and George Smith.   This group takes the form of a lively discussion group covering everyday topics relating to the Bible rather than following the more conventional form of House Group.

An initial meeting will be held on Monday Evening 31st October, (7.30 for 8.00 p.m.) at 2, Harkness Close , Epsom Downs, KT17 3PG.   At this first meeting a list of meeting dates and a syllabus will be agreed by all concerned.

All are welcome

Well, it’s been done – not without some troubles along the way! – but now the floor is restored to its original condition, and I trust everybody realises what it has taken to get it that way, and will do their best to maintain it so.

Unfortunately, it is already showing signs of bad treatment. From the marks on the floor, some people are not wearing non-marking shoes; sand was found on the floor last Wednesday, and on Thursday there were paint smears and other general dirt. Worst of all, it appears that something hard has landed on the floor with some force, knocking a chip out of the flooring (see the photograph, with a teaspoon to give the scale). 

I can only urge all users of Unity Hall to do nothing which may damage the floor any more – otherwise it won’t last until next summer, when it is intended that the whole floor gets another going-over by the professionals.

Afternoon Fellowship 
Daphne Dawe

The new session began last Thursday, when Rev. Robert Blows conducted a Communion Service, it being our practice so to begin each September meeting.

Our president, Barbara Wood, warmly welcomed two new members, Joan Davies and Bettie Forster. If there are any friends able to join us for one Thursday of the month, please accept the invitation.

The October meeting is on Thursday, 20^th, at 2.30 p.m. We are to have a visit from dennis Sexton, talking and demonstrating "A Fanfare of Trumpets". The programme for the session is now available.

(top)

The new session starts on Monday, 3^rd October, with a talk by Mrs Joyce Saunders on "The Quakers". We now look forward to varied and interesting evenings in the coming months.

As a result of the September Coffee Morning, we were able to send £120 to the Epsom branch of the Riding for the Disabled Association. Thank you to all who gave their support.

The next Coffee morning is on Tuesday, 11^th October. Each year, this month’s effort is to assist us, the Women’s Church Council, as we try to raise the cash to ensure that we can remember all our friends, both near and far, at Christmastide. We look forward to meeting you in the Longhurst room between 10:30 and 12:00.

(top)

Sheila is now taking orders for the 2006 diaries. If you would like one, please contact Sheila fairly soon.

(top)

It was with much regret that Pauline and I decided that there is not a need for an Anchor Boys group in our Church and our last meeting was in July. We would like to thank everyone for their support over the last three years. We would also like to thank Tuck Poon for his help each week, and wish him well for the future. He is hoping sometime to help with another Boys’ Brigade Company, probably in the Sutton area.

The small amount of equipment that belonged to the Anchor Boys will be passed to the Monday Club and eventually all B.B. funds should be returned to the Church. The Boys’ Brigade copies of the Good News Bible have been put in the bookcase in the Longhurst Room.

Two of the boys who regularly came to Anchor Boys have joined the new Monday Club, but two of them have joined other clubs elsewhere.

Since the BB lost the storage cabin behind the Rovacabin which preceded Unity Hall, the marquee canvas, tents and other items have been stored, first in a garage, and then in Unity Hall, taking up valuable space.

Recently, we received a request from Gina Kitchener, founder and leader of our Anchor Boys, for canvas for the Pony Club with which she is involved, for their annual camps. We could not envisage any circumstances in which we would require this equipment again, so this has now been given to the Pony Club, for a donation to the BB funds.

It is great to know that the equipment will again be used for youth work. It is an apt home, as Phil and Gina have been storing the marquee poles for all this time, and Gina was a hard-working member of the fund-raising team for the BB for many years.

(top)

Copy for the next issue should be with the Editor by 23rd October for publication on 30th October 2005.  

(top)