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United Reformed ChurchNewsletter for February 2006 |
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Alan Wood ‘Del’ Lewis The end of a chapter? Or the end of an era? Which ever way you put it, the passing of Del is a milestone in the lives of all of us. We have all got our favourite stories to tell, and the pages of the NewsLetter are open and available to any who, like Sheila, Valerie and Gordon in this issue, would like to share them with us all. What an inspired, and inspiring, Service was held in Del’s memory! Readings from Ben and Daniel, an address from Revd. Nigel Uden which really did Del justice, and singing—especially of ‘Cwm Rhondda’—that would have gladdened Del’s heart, all helped to make it a day to remember. Readers may be pleased to know that Michael and I made recordings of the entire Service of Thanksgiving, and this will be available soon on CD. NewsLetter Production: I am indebted to Valerie and Michael this month for their help in the production of this NewsLetter. Unfortunately I lost a couple of days while I was a guest of the NHS at Epsom General Hospital for a little investigation. So I am grateful for the assistance they gave in typing up the articles that I had been sent. Never mind, I had a lovely view of the Grandstand and Woodcote Green, and I recalled the many happy days I spent as a boy playing on the Green, and collecting leaves from the mulberry trees to feed my silkworms. I think I also made out the back of the house we lived in in Digdens Rise. We were very sorry to learn of the death of our own dear Del Lewis. Many friends gathered together in the church on Friday, 27th January for his memorial service. To Lynne, Ceri, John and the family, we extend our sympathy and love. Edna Gessey, a member of the Epsom URC, who has not been able to attend church for several years, died in Epsom Hospital earlier in the month. The service took place last Wednesday, 25th January at Randall’s Park at 11 a.m. Mary Hallifax is in hospital and remains very weak in her frailty. Betty Hay is making good progress and as well as getting to church, managed her first outing into the town, for many months. Daphne’s daughter, Pamela, has been in hospital in Nottingham since the beginning of the year. She is marginally improved in health, but has some way to go. Daphne went to Nottingham and returned on 5th February. We have now learned that Pamela is back home and still very frail but improving. We are sorry to have to report the recent death of Frank Reed, younger brother of Sybil. We send our love and sympathy to his wife, Lorna, and son Gareth. To all who are ‘under the weather’ or feeling in need of support, we remember you in our prayers, with our love and good wishes.
Musings from the
Minister Dear Friends; I have a friend in Canada, who used to write interesting quotes on pieces of paper and put them up in significant spots in the house, so that she could be inspired by them many times throughout her day. I was reminded of her recently when I came across a quote on the Ship of Fools website: “Where you are now does not have to determine where you will be for the rest of your life.” And I thought of this in connection with the reading from Mark, Chapter 1, about the healing of the man with an unclean spirit. Neither the man nor the people who were there had any idea that something like that would happen. They would not have expected change at all, most likely, let alone change like that. And probably they didn't want change either. We often don't, even when it is good change. But they got it, didn't they? They got change big time. It was a way for Jesus to say that where the man was, need not determine the rest of his life. His present situation need not control the rest of his life. It isn't, of course, just about physical location, is it? It is about a way of thinking that was associated with illness, it is about being trapped by the present. Does it bring any sense of hope to you to hear the words "Where you are now does not have to determine where you will be for the rest of your life"? Can you think for a moment about your own life? How might these words apply to you? Often we take our situation and accept it, without thinking too much about how we might change it, don't we? Especially if that means some sort of major decision. We so much need someone to encourage us to take the next step, to take a step out of the circle or box, to take a decision that will set us free in some way, either large or small. Jesus seemed to have given people options. He helped people to get to a point where they had a choice. Recently Nigel Uden, Moderator of Southern Synod, spoke to the Elders and ministers of Wimbledon District about the United Reformed Church and some of the issues that have beset us in recent years. These are things that need to be shared with congregations, so you can expect to hear more about the meeting. One of the things that Nigel spoke about was change, and of how there is ‘changing with the times’ and ‘changing for the times’. Changing with the times is a dangerous path, meaning that we try to adapt ourselves to whatever comes along. Changing for the times is another matter, meaning trying to understand our age, and setting alongside it the promise of the gospel. We can change for the times. How we do this requires care and thought and prayer. "Where we are now does not have to determine where we will be for the rest of our life". Maybe we should write that out and put copies up in our churches! Peace Pat Secretary’s
Letter January has been a strange month, full of mixed emotions. Lots of different meetings, arranging Worship Services, Church Meetings, the Burns’ Night Supper, quite a few visitors at home on the personal side, and the passing of a very dear friend. The Special District Council meeting which most of the Serving Elders from the district attended (all of ours) was very interesting and challenging. The Moderator, Rev. Nigel Uden, gave the presentation; it was quite a long meeting, but very well presented. The subject was ‘Membership, Money and Modernity’. We now have the details of the presentation and the Elders will arrange a special meeting to which all members and friends will be invited to share the information. Much of the subject matter is about looking forward and not remaining static. What we did yesterday is not for today, and although we may feel comfortable with what we have now, we must think about the Church of tomorrow. Food for thought! Many of these thoughts tie up with the ongoing Elders’ Course that we are attending along with other Elders in our Cluster of five Churches in the District. I am sure you would agree with me that the “Burns’ Supper” was a great success, due to a lot of hard work by a few people. As I write I have heard that a profit of £530. 42p was raised. The Shooting Star Hospice will be very pleased with this total and it makes all the hard work worthwhile. The Worship Team arranged and conducted the Service last Sunday, and many people have said how much they appreciated and enjoyed the service. It is good to receive feedback – good or not so good, it proves you are listening!! Please come and join the group, the more folk the more talents. One thought, perhaps the Worship Team could help to plan the “All-Age Services” that are planned for the third Sunday of the month? I am sure there will be lots written about the passing of Rev. Del Lewis, but here is a little piece of history. When we moved to Epsom some 35 years ago it was Del who came to our door and said, “You two used to run a Boys’ Brigade Company in Ealing didn’t you? How about starting one in Epsom?” That began our association with Epsom U.R.C. and with Del and Lynne. Many years after, when Del and Lynne had retired and moved back to Wales, George’s job took us to Wales and we found ourselves living about twenty minutes drive away from them. We spent quite a lot of time together, (we all missed friends in Epsom) there were many wonderful lunches cooked by Lynne and lots of stories and yarns told by Del. We spent a couple of Christmases together and sometimes attended the Church in Porthcawl with them where they were keen members. George retired, the job in Wales completed, and due to family circumstances we moved back to Epsom. It was then that Del and Lynne felt they would also like to come back and once again we were together again. What will I remember about Del, a sympathetic ear, a kind word, a word of encouragement. Someone who you could confide in and who had a wealth of the knowledge of life, and not forgetting a wicked sense of humour! He will be missed. It is two years since Pat was inducted – where has the time gone? They say time passes quickly when you are enjoying yourself, so that speaks for itself. Don’t forget the Joint Service and Lunch at Ewell on 12th February; there is a notice in the Foyer, please sign up and make it well attended.
Some names cannot seemingly be separated. Like bucket and spade, or horse and cart. How about Del and Lynne? For those of us that knew them in their prime they were a team, inseparable, and a strength to each other. When I attended the church for Del’s Thanksgiving on Friday, 27th January, it was for me like going to a family reunion. People came from near and far, many, like myself, returning after years of absence. Greetings were exchanged, genuine pleasure was obvious as people renewed their memories of ‘the church’. If there is a heaven, this is how I imagine it will be – a meeting of old friends. What was it that brought these people together again? It was the memory of Del and the Gospel he not only taught but lived. Photo: John Crocker 2002
When the service had finished we were invited into Unity Hall for refreshments. I found myself at the back of the queue. It seemed an age before I actually reached the door, and I was puzzled as to why it was taking so long. Finally—there she was—Lynne—standing at the door doing the welcoming bit! “Oh”, I said, “It’s you that’s holding up the queue!” She smiled, gave me her trade-mark kiss, and proceeded to enquire about not only myself but all my family, which she named, including my grand-children! How does she do it?
During my time at the church the Boys’ Brigade company had just short of 100 boys in its ranks. I can say in all honesty that Del knew at least 60% by name and all of them by sight. What a team! The following story well illustrates what an understanding man Del was. When he married Ceri and Sue, Ceri was just starting out in the ministry and Sue was to start being a minister’s wife. Del was only too aware of the pressures that came with the vocation. This is the advice he gave them: “One day a week, write in your diary ‘FMS’. People will assume that you are probably going to do something about the Foreign Missionary Society, and will not expect you to be available. But you will know that it stands for ‘For Me and Sue’. Cherish each other,” he said, “and to do this you need time.” That sentiment could apply to Del himself – he cherished everyone and somehow found the time to do it. When the refreshments were over, another queue formed. This time Lynne was saying goodbye to everyone!
The man who sat next to me during the service was not a church member, he was (now) a successful business man. What was his connection with Del? He was the small boy who lived next door to him in West Hill. How many years ago?! But he loved the man and all that he stood for. How appropriate was the reading from Philippians: ‘The lessons I taught you, the tradition I passed on, all that you heard me say and saw me do, put into practice.’ Amen to that. 'Del’ We were all very sorry to learn that Del had died, and it was with sadness that we gathered at Epsom URC for his memorial service on Friday, 27th January. But it was also a time of great joy as so many old friends joined with the family to remember Del, a dear friend, family member and past Minister. When Del arrived it was not the easiest of times for a Minister as we were in the process of rebuilding the church after a fire had destroyed the previous structure. Our weekly services were being held in Upper High Street at the ‘Lecture Hall’. With Del at the head the church seemed to thrive and expand and many new members were welcomed into our community, everyone remembered by name by Lynne. The Youth Club increased and very soon many young people were encouraged by Del to make the commitment to become members of the Church. When George Smith resurrected the 5th Mid Surrey Boys’ Brigade, it was Del that suggested that I might like to become a leader in the organisation. Thus began 30 years of very happy service in the Boys’ Brigade. It was during Del’s ministry that this church encouraged a close association with the Methodist church, with us sharing many services. At this time many new friendships were forged and have lasted through the years. Del was always a very caring man and was always ready to offer his support in times of trouble or stress. He was wonderful in his support and help to Edith Wood and the rest of her family when she lost Geoff so tragically, and it was an equally tough time for Del having to officiate at the funeral service of someone in the prime of his life. Del was always proud of the number of people he ‘had married’. When he was the Minister there were many weddings in the church. Alan and I were (I think!) the last couple to be married in our church before Del’s first official retirement in 1977. Although he spent most of his life living in England, Del never forgot his welsh roots, if he ever called you on the telephone he would begin his call with ‘Hello, it’s the Welsh Embassy here’, and he would always be happy and smiling at the Sunday service if the Welsh team had won the rugby match in the Five Nations Championship on the previous day, especially if it was against England. We were all very sorry when Del and Lynne moved to Cardiff, though we did manage to keep in touch with them, and we were extremely happy to welcome them when they returned to Epsom to live. For the past few years Del’s health has deteriorated, but he never lost his sense of humour or his dignity. He had a very special smile that could put everyone at their ease and make you feel important to him. Del may have passed on but the spirit that was Del is still alive at Epsom URC. (top) Edna Gessey Edna was born Edna Beatrice Richards at Bexley in Kent, the youngest of three daughters. In 1938 she married Len Gessey, who then spent several years of the war in the Middle East. Their son, Richard, was born during the war, and with Edna, was evacuated to Southport in Lancashire. Following the war they moved to Sutton and their daughter Jane was born. Edna was an active member of the Sutton Congregational Church, working with the Scouts and in the Women’s Fellowship. In 1975, Edna and Len moved to Ewell, when Len’s job moved. Edna and Len were members of Westmead Social Club and Highfield Club, where they especially enjoyed dancing. It was at the Westmead Social Club that Jane and Richard both met their partners. Edna had many interests in life, besides dancing. She was an excellent painter, and many examples of her work were displayed around her house. She attended the Epsom URC with Len, and she came to the art group started by Allan Butler that meets in the Longhurst Room on Friday mornings. She and Len enjoyed many wonderful holidays at their caravan at Barton on Sea. Edna was, in the words of her family, a crossword fanatic. She enjoyed watching television, particularly the programme ‘Countdown’. She was a good correspondent, keeping in touch by letter with relatives in Canada and Australia. After Len died in 1993, Edna carried on living in Ewell, and served on the management committee of Larch Crescent. Edna was very fond of her grandchildren, and loved being a grandmother to them, possibly even spoiling them a little, a privilege that belongs to grandmothers. She enjoyed talking about her grandchildren Christopher and Daniel, and Sarah and William. Edna was a little coy about her age, and with good reason. Even when she was ill in the hospital, she did not look her years. She was a strong-willed person, to the very end of her long life. We thank Richard Gessey for the photograph of Edna on her 90th birthday. Lent House Groups 2006. House Groups this year will run for five weeks during the whole of February and the first week in March. The topic for this year is the BEATITUDES, which will be studied from both personal and global points of view. For more information, please see the article below. It is hoped that our members will support the house groups. We will be offering the Longhurst Room as one of the venues. Application Forms will be found in the vestibule or from Phyl Cary, and even in this NewsLetter, if you can bear to tear it! Please return these to Phyl Cary by 19th February. The Beatitudes Jesus lived out the Beatitudes in his earthly
life This Lent the House Groups will be involved in a
five-week course The implications are both personal and global, Groups of 8-10 people will meet for 5 weekly
sessions Each session will last about an hour and a half A sign-up form is available to indicate your
preferred choice The form needs to be returned by Sunday 19th February 2006. Christian Aid Campaign Christian Aid is currently running a campaign to raise money for simple mosquito nets. These cost a mere £2.25, but can make all the difference. Consider these monstrous facts:
If you think that's monstrous, take action. Your gift can save them. CHURCHES TOGETHER IN EPSOM - A.G.M. January 23rdPhyl Cary This lively meeting was held on our own premises. The first half hour was a short service in the Church. Apart from some lusty singing, and a short address from Pat, an important item was the Act of Commitment between the churches to Churches Together in Epsom, which was signed by the participating churches. After this we exchanged the Peace and went upstairs to coffee singing “Bind us together, Lord”. The main meeting, apart from a number of important discussions, included a re-appraisal of the major activities of the past year by the retiring Chairman, the Rev. Canon Adrian Esdaile. We were reminded particularly of the 24/7 Week of Prayer at St. Barnabas and the various appearances of the CTE Tent in the Market Place, for Make Poverty History Week and for Christmas, definitely items to repeat. This was followed by the new Chairman, Councillor Brian Angus, who first invited us to list all the items we would like considered by CTE and then to ask each of us to star the three we were most interested in, a revealing process which gave rise to much discussion and interest. The launching of the 2006 Lent House Groups was made, with the course topic of the Beatitudes. This course begins on Monday March 6 and lasts until April 6th. It is hoped that there will be a good response from each of the Churches. Other items included the Christmas and Easter Press copy, Christian Aid week and the Good Friday Witness. The COTE Carol Concert is in need of a new organiser. It was a lively meeting of promise. It is a pity that the members of Epsom URC make so little effort to support what they are trying to do. Burns' Supper 2006 What were you doing on January 28th? Over thirty of us were enjoying ourselves at Unity Hall at the Burns’ Supper. Phemie had created a wonderful meal with vegetable soup as starter. The haggis was then paraded round the hall and suitably addressed by Archie Swan in the correct manner.
The main course of beef bourguignon, sprouts, neeps and tatties with haggis on the side was served. By the time everyone had eaten this course most of us were full, so there was a short break in the proceedings for Archie Paterson to give the toast to ‘The Immortal Memory’ and to explain ‘Tam O’Shanter’ before the next course of sweets off the trolley was offered.
For those who had any room left there was a choice of three Scottish cheeses with biscuits. The meal was completed with a cup of tea or coffee and a chocolate mint. After all that there was more entertainment with John Wood singing a comical song about an egg. Once again Peter Dickinson had the honour of running the auction of the wonderful lots mostly of bottles of wine and boxes of chocolate, which managed to raise an additional £63 for the Shooting Star Hospice. It was decided that there wasn’t really any time left for dancing and so we all joined in a circle to sing together the traditional ‘Auld Lang Syne’, with thanks to all those who helped in the evening. Burns’ Supper I feel very embarrassed that people should thank me for the various catering events in the church. It is of course impossible for me to do this alone. Thanks must go to Valerie and Alan, Archie Paterson, Doris Swann, Bettie Forster, Peggy Wilson, Sheila Smith and many more who give help so willingly, and, of course, thanks to all who come or give support. Coffee Morning in Unity Hall Saturday, 11th February, at 11:00 Supporting The Rainbow Trust Come and meet your friends there. Hosted by the Finance and General Purposes Committee Women’s World Day of Prayer This Annual Event will take place this year on Friday, 3rd March. The Service has been arranged by Christian women from South Africa and the theme is ‘Signs of the Times’. Services are to be held as follows: 10:30 Epsom Methodist Church. Speaker: Rev. Louise Vincer 20:00 Epsom Baptist Church. Speaker: Mrs Wendy Meech The Service will be followed by refreshments, and all, adults and young people, are welcome. The Children’s Christian Book Table opened on the first Sunday in Advent, then again on the second Sunday in Advent, 2005. It will open once a month on the third Sunday, after the morning service. (15th January, 19th February, 19th March.) The table carries interesting books for sale. It is intended that this should be available in the Children’s Corner when it is established. In the meantime it will be in the church foyer.
Women’s Church Council Although somewhat ‘thin on the ground’, the Coffee Morning in January for the ‘Lifeboats’ resulted in a cheque for £100 being sent.
Our February date is Tuesday 14th from 10.30 – 12 noon, when all proceeds will be given to "Hearing Dogs for Deaf People". Do endeavour to join us that morning.
Evening Church Fellowship The Beetle Drive on January 9th started the New Year on a noisy happy note with the usual gifts of sweets and savouries much appreciated. We will be welcoming WPC Jane Bellingham for an evening about the Neighbourhood Watch on February 6th, which should prove very informative. The Drama Group The Drama Group will meet on Thursday, February 23rd, at 7.30 p.m. in the Longhurst Room. Monday Club Our three members have been very busy for the last month as you can see from the photographs. After Christmas it was Pantomime time and taking that as our theme, the children each made a set of Snow White and the seven dwarfs and the Prince out of cardboard. As there were so many characters this took two weeks to complete.
For a complete change after that at our next meeting they decorated gingerbread biscuits and made paper doilies. For the last meeting in January they celebrated Chinese New Year. For this they made themselves a red envelope with ‘Happy New Year’ in Chinese on it, a Dragon mask and a Chinese lantern. Before they went home they were given their envelopes back, now containing a couple of chocolate miniatures. 12th Epsom Brownie Guide Pack The Brownies began their new term with a themed evening of Pantomimes and they played several games and relays and completed a word search and a quiz. As 23rd to 27th January was food allergy week, we took this opportunity to discuss food allergies and healthy eating with the girls. They were given some breakfast cereals and some organic bread to try. They were very reluctant to taste the bread but once one girl had tried some and wanted more, it was only a very few who didn’t then have any.
With Chinese New Year on 29th January, at our meeting on 25th the Brownies made several Chinese New Year crafts; these included a year of the dog bookmark, a Chinese lantern and a banner in Chinese. The girls also made red envelopes for a miniature chocolate. Some of the Brownies assisted Tawny Owl in replenishing the troughs at the side of the church. For our first meeting in February, the girls started their preparation for their Home Safety badge. Organists’ Rota for
February 5th Charles Senior Church Flowers 5th TBA The Retreats Fellowship of the Southern Province Have you heard about this organisation? Geoffrey Dunstan is the Secretary and I am sure will give you all the information you need. So if you want to ‘get away from it all’ here are some events to go to: Residential Retreat at The Emmaus Centre, West Wickham, 21-23
March. Quiet Day at the Priory of Our Lady, Sayers Common, Quiet Day at The Sisters of St Andrews, Edenbridge, Please send your name to Beryl Chatfield by the end of
February, 2006, with cheque made payable to 'Retreats Fellowship, SPURC' . How to Survive a Heart Attack Alone From Health Cares. Rochester General Hospital via Chapter 240's newsletter AND THE BEAT GOES ON ... (reprint from The Mended Hearts, Inc. publication. Heart Response) This came to me from ‘Catalyst’, the magazine of the Hayes Free Church (URC). Read on:If everyone who reads this sends it to 10 people, you can be sure that we'll save at least one life: Let's say it's 6:15 p.m. and you're driving home alone after an unusually hard day on the job. You're really tired, upset and frustrated. Suddenly you start experiencing severe pain in your chest that starts to radiate out into your arm and up into your jaw. You are only about five miles from the hospital nearest your home; unfortunately you don't know if you'll be able to make it that far. What can you do? You've been trained in CPR but the guy that taught the course neglected to tell you how to perform it on yourself. Since many people are alone when they suffer a heart attack; this article seemed to be in order. Without help, the person whose heart stops beating properly and who begins to feel faint, has only about 10 seconds left before losing consciousness. However, these victims can help themselves by coughing repeatedly and very vigorously. A deep breath should be taken before each cough. The cough must be deep and prolonged, as when producing sputum from deep inside the chest. And a cough must be repeated about every 2 seconds without let up until help arrives, or until the heart is felt to be beating normally again. Deep breaths get oxygen into the lungs and coughing movements squeeze the heart and keep the blood circulating. The squeezing pressure on the heart also helps it regain its normal rhythm. In this way, heart attack victims can get to a hospital. Tell as many other people as possible about this; it could save their lives! Have you booked your holiday for this year yet? Places are still available on the Epsom Methodist Church’s trip to TURKEY In The Steps of St John & St Paul With Rev. David Winwood
Why not join the Tour, open to all Christian Pilgrimages -Inclusive Tour Cost £997 on Half-Board Basis More details may be obtained from the tour website: The church telephone no. is 01372-728535 JAZZ NIGHT AT THE METHODIST CHURCH Epsom Methodist Church are presenting The Minister’s Great Jazz Nite (!) Saturday 4th March at 7:30 p.m. DAN SHACKELL – Sax Refreshments Tickets £5—For the Building Development Fund (top) Copy for the next issue should be with the Editor by 19th February for publication on 26th February 2006. And Finally . . . I know a teen-age girl who has been trying to run away from home for a year, but every time she gets to the front door the phone rings. Two choir members recently got
married. They met by chants. |
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