Phyl Cary has been in hospital for two weeks; she is now progressingand we hear that she returned home on Friday. In addition to several church friends visiting, some of her neighbours have also been most supportive.

The news of Peggy Smith is that she was able to return to her residential home on Tuesday. Happily the problem has responded to treatment; we trust she will soon be feeling stronger.

Evelyn Beer had a fall in her home last week; some days later it was found that she had cracked a bone, necessitating surgery which she had on Wednesday at St Helier Hospital. It is anticipated that she will be home very soon.

Lynne Lewis had to have her ankle in plaster following another fall at home. It has been a very difficult time for Lynne, but with help from carers, family and friends we hope she is progressing.

How unfortunate that Sheila Smith returned from France so battered and bruised, following a particularly nasty fall in a car park. Despite the obvious pain and discomfort she still remains cheerful and may she soon feel more comfortable.

Both Valerie and Alan have been under the weather for a few weeks, but they are both well on the mend.

Marjorie, Sonia, Mary, Dorothy and Frank, we think of constantly, and also Lily Moody, who is still experiencing health problems.

We have heard that Phil Castle, following his heart surgery, has been admitted to hospital a second time, this time because of a lung infection. This has responded to treatment and he is doing well and is now back home. We send our best wishes to Phil and Sue.

And this month's general photos:

Removal of the scaffolding following repairs to the church roof

Stowage for the boxes in the Children's Corner

Fitting the blinds to the windows on the South side of the church

Here are my Ash Wednesday reflections:

The Biblical writers did not look favourably on people whose religion was a show. Prophets such as Isaiah were critical of those who made a show of their religious practices while at the same time neglecting the needs of the poor. Jesus was particularly critical of those very religious folks whose treatment of other people lacked respect and compassion.

While we would not likely disagree with this, I am not sure that ostentatious religious behaviour is the biggest problem that you and I have today, at least amongst the people that I know. In fact, I would hazard a guess that our problem lies more with how to live our faith more openly then it does with overblown shows of religiosity.

I am sometimes reluctant to tell people, when I am asked, what I do. I know that I shouldn’t be, but I am, because sometimes their response makes me feel that I need to apologise for it. Perhaps even more of an issue is that we have come to regard our faith as somehow private. Sometimes we hide behind Martha, the woman who was too caught up in doing things.

Could it be that our faith is too timid? As one writer puts it, the same Jesus who warned us about showy displays of religion, also commanded us to ‘Let your light so shine before other people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.’ How do we let our light shine, without seeming to be rude or pushy with our religion?

Now, to change the subject, the evening service of 11^th March (at Epsom URC) will be a healing service, following some of the Iona worship resources.

Pat

However, there were concerns raised last week about whether flowers and greenery used for decorating the home, and, by extension, the church, count as garden waste. On Thursday morning I rang the Town Hall and spoke to a lady who introduced herself as Caroline, and she informed me that ‘garden waste’ refers to waste directly from the garden. Flowers and greenery used for decoration of the home or church counts as domestic waste, not as garden waste, and there should therefore be no problem in getting these materials collected. I’m sure that Peggy Wilson and her stalwart helpers will be pleased at this news.

Please note that the last service to be held in Unity Hall for the time being will be on 4^th March, and will include the Special Church Meeting. So as from 11^th March we will be meeting for morning services in the church.

I know that there have been a few people who were not happy with this temporary move, and converting Unity Hall for use as a church, including setting up the keyboard, and then restoring everything back to normal for Kindergarten on the Monday, has taken more work. Maybe the only thing that was easier was the serving of tea and coffee from the kitchen after the service!

Easter Monday Stroll 

This is to give you advance notice that all at Epsom and Ewell churches are invited to our next Easter Monday Walk. This will be the fourth walk that we have enjoyed together, after the Hogsmill, Ashtead Common, and Banstead Heath, where we counted the Coal Tax posts.

This last walk was organised by Ewell, so I suppose it’s our turn again. If anybody has a favourite walk, then please contact me with your ideas. Ideally a walk should start and finish at the same place, be around five miles long, and should have some hostelry or some such halfway round where we can stop and eat our lunches. But don’t worry – the Hogsmill Walk was none of these!

I look forward to hearing any of your suggestions.

Do come to the Act of Witness on Good Friday – witnessing to our faith in the Cross of Christ and showing to the Epsom community our unity together.

We form up in the car park near the Fire Station at 10 am. Prayers and announcements will be made at 10.10 am and the procession will start at 10.15 am.

The service will be on the Market Place opposite the Assembly Rooms. Those who do not wish to join in the Procession of Witness are welcome to join us there.

The more people who come and join in the better our witness will be!

Churches Together In Epsom are holding House Groups throughout Lent. A service will be held at the Baptist Church in Church Street at 6.30 p.m. on Sunday, 15^th April, to hear what the groups have been doing and some of the particular insights that they have had during their work.

All are very welcome to the service. The ideas and the reports in recent years have been very lively!