The trouble is that it is often the same few people arranging and supporting these events. So if you want to have a different event, please suggest it or even organise it – I’m sure you’ll get lots of help.

We really need to have events that will bring non-church-goers in, then at least we are tapping a new source of finance! Ideas, please?

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In the March NewsLetter it was reported that the Coffee Morning in Unity Hall on 18^th February had raised over £45, which got the fund-raising off to a good start.

The splendid breakfast, at ‘Phemie’s Diner’ on 25^th March raised over £50, despite there not being many people there. Tom Rhind-Tutt, who was conducting our Family Worship that morning, wished that he had known about the breakfast, as he had just taken an 8 a.m. service, and a breakfast would have nicely filled the time – and his stomach!

The recent Supper and Concert on 21^st April raised well over £300. So all in all, although I don’t have the accurate figures, we must be well on our way to £500. ‘Well Done, and Thank You’ to those people that have supported these efforts.

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There was a programme on the radio recently when people were talking about the pumps. One person was extolling the value of its simple construction, and said the advantage of this was that it could be maintained by the local handyman, and also said that there were too many machines which had been provided in Zimbabwe, which were too sophisticated to be repaired locally, in the event of their breaking down.

He also told about one school where a pump had been installed in the grounds for the school's needs. This was one of the type where the drive was provided by adaptation to an old bicycle, and pupils who arrived early got to ride on this to provide enough water for that day. However, large numbers of pupils began to arrive early, in order to get a turn on having a ride, causing water to be pumped up well in excess of requirements. A decision was then made to install a large tank, where the surplus water could be contained, and thus be available for the local villagers’ needs.

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Mary Hallifax and Sonia Bentzon are both in St Helier Hospital; both are in need of our love and prayers.

It was good to welcome Lynne in church on 15^th April, after being confined to home for so long.

We hope Lily Moody is getting a little stronger. She is at home now.

Marjorie was in church with Ann recently. To Marjorie, and to Dorothy and Frank go our continuing love and prayerful concern.

Daphne was able to visit Peggy Smith recently, as Pat was visiting and invited Daphne along. Peggy was in good form and had received cards from Sheila and George. How quickly the time has passed: in little more than a week George and Sheila will be back home, with so much to tell us.

Friends will be pleased to know that little Sophie and her adoptive parents and sister are settling very happily together as a family. This was good timing really, as we hear that Pamela has broken a bone in her foot, which is rather cramping her style. Get well soon, Pamela.

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On Saturday, 21^st April, a number of us joined together in Unity Hall for a Supper to celebrate St. George’s Day, in aid of Christian Aid. The hall was decorated with England flags, and the tables were set in blue and white with red carnations in white vases to give the finishing touch.

The meal, cooked by Phemie in her usual capable manner, was steak pie or vegetable lasagne served with potatoes, peas and carrots, followed by fresh fruit salad or raspberry mousse, all rounded off with tea or coffee. Thank you, Phemie and your helpers Joan, Bettie and Val, for a lovely meal.

The meal was followed by a delightful concert given by Rebecca at the piano and her sister Lydia who sang some songs to Rebecca’s accompaniments. Rebecca played a very mixed choice of pieces, including some Chopin preludes, the first movement from Beethoven’s ‘Moonlight’ Sonata, and the ‘Golliwog’s Cakewalk’ by Debussy. It was a lovely concert from two very talented young ladies, which brought the evening to a very pleasant close.

One new feature, much appreciated, was being able to see Rebecca’s hands on the keyboard, by means of a suitably positioned camcorder, the data projector and screen. This gave added pleasure to many of those that attended.

An added bonus for Joseph and I was that we were given the rest of the lasagne and mousse to bring home – these were much enjoyed!

Fifteen years ago Alaya lived in a hut and, as a woman, considered to have little worth beyond doing the housework. Today Alaya is a very different person.

“I joined the literacy classes of the CCDB (the Christian Commission in Bangladesh,” she says “and now I can read and write.” I always wanted to send my children to school, because if they are educated they will understand the world. My first aim was to be able to educate my children”.

Not only can Alaya now read and write, she has also trained as a traditional birth attendant, set up a social organisation against child marriages and become an HIV and Aids trainer. This has all been made possible through the Christian Commission in Bangladesh’s Participatory Rural Department Programme, which Commitment for Life supports. Alaya has even set up a successful agriculture and transport business with the help of CCDB loans.

“Fifteen years ago I ate rice once a day. Now I eat it three times a day. I could not afford fish or chicken before. Now I can”.

Now, sitting in her mango and coconut orchard, surrounded by her large and healthy family, Alaya says that the thing she is most grateful for is for her children to be educated well. And they have been. The youngest has just achieved a Master’s Degree in political science.

Today, Alaya runs a successful farm and a transport business thanks to help and training she had received from the CCDB.

Events for the Easter Period

The Good Friday Procession of Witness, and Service in the High Street

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EMC are also advertising the Summer Holiday Week for children, entitled SWAP (Summer Worship and Praise) to be held on 20^th-24^th August at St Barnabas Church (due to rebuilding works at EMC). If anybody wants further details, these are available on the EMC website at http://swap.emc.org.uk, or contact Alan Wood.       

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12^th Epsom Brownie Guide Pack 
Valerie Wood

At our last meeting before Easter, the Brownies made Easter cards and chocolate nests containing mini eggs, painted plastic eggs and made cardboard baskets in which to put everything. It was ‘Something on a Stick Day’ and so each Brownie made either a rabbit or chick puppet on a stick.

During the Easter break several of our Brownies attended the Easter Extravaganza organised by Spring Downs District.

Our first meeting after Easter was on Pet owners’ Day, and the Brownies brought in pictures of their pets and told us about them. They then made a collage of their pet or an animal they would like to have as a pet.

Several of our girls were away on a school residential trip on 25^th April, but we still had plenty of girls there as we held a ‘bring a friend’ evening. We had five visitors and the evening was spent doing puzzles in pairs, having refreshments and making friendship bracelets for each other.

The number of girls in our Pack has gone down just lately and we are hoping that the ‘bring a friend’ idea will lead to a few more girls joining the Brownies.

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Evening Fellowship
Daphne Dawe

In April the Drama Group entertained with a play reading of ‘Mother’s Day’, by JB Priestley.  It was very well received and enjoyed by those able to be present.  At some future date, if possible, we would like the Drama Group to repeat their performance, and thank you to Gwyneth and all involved.

For our next meeting, on 14^th May at 8 p.m., Rev. Robert Blows will be with us, presenting ‘More of My Music’. It is always a delightful occasion.

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Copy for the next issue should be with the Editor by 20th May for publication on 27th May 2007.  

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