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Epsom United Reformed ChurchNewsletter for June 2007 |
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Alan Wood Well, what can I say? That was a 70th
Birthday Party to remember! And my thanks to all the members and adherents who donated so generously for the Homebase gift vouchers, so useful at this time now that my old cordless drill has just failed after ten years’ use. How clever of you to think of it! Also my thanks to the army of workers that got the hall ready, provided food and drink, prepared the slide-show and the video clip, complete with ‘Happy Birthday’! It was a wonderful effort by everybody concerned, and I am truly grateful for the day and the memories, which will be reinforced by the photographs taken by Clive and Peter. And thanks, too, of course, to Val for organising this so efficiently. She had said some months ago to keep that Saturday free, so I had duly noted it in my diary. Now, the last time I had been told to keep a particular day free, we finished up seeing ‘The Lion King’ live in London – so I was wondering what show it would be this time. But no; John said we’d go to the Rubbing House for a meal, but we’d have to pick up Val who was doing a little bit of work (!) at the church. Yeah, right! I won’t be able to trust anybody ever again! We have a new venture this month – well, it’s not been tried for a long time – and that’s the Barbecue on 9th June. Perhaps, with all her recent experience, we should ask Sheila Smith how it’s done! Anyway, post the posters, distribute the flyers, and sell the tickets (available from Phemie), and let’s have a great time. Then there is the regular WCC Tuesday morning Coffee Morning on 12th June on behalf of ‘Debra’, and of course, our trip to ‘Hessle Top’ for Family Day on 17th, coinciding once again with Father’s Day, followed on 30th by another of our occasional Coffee Mornings in the wheelchair-friendly Unity Hall. This will be organised by the Church Life Committee, and proceeds will be donated to SightSavers. Let’s see you there! Sonia Bentzon has now left hospital but as she requires more nursing care is in "Parkside" nursing home in Banstead. Similarly, Mary Hallifax has left "Holmlea" for "The Red House" in Ashtead, as she, too, is in need of more care. Lily Moody has recently moved into her new flat and she seems to be very pleased with her accommodation. We hope her health will improve. Both Phyllis's (Cary and Thurston) have been unwell but we hope they are feeling somewhat better. Pamela is hoping to lose her "boot" shortly and then there will be no holding her! We wish Sheila (Smith) every blessing as she undergoes her hip replacement operation. Latest news from George (Friday evening) is that Sheila had her op. on Friday morning, George spoke to her on Friday evening, all OK, and she hopes to be home on Tuesday. To Marjorie, Dorothy and Frank and Lynne our continuing love and prayers. (top) 'Age Concern' Party in Unity
Hall There was a large party held recently in Unity Hall. Although it was only a 'Tea Party' it was good to see how Unity Hall, with all the staff, coped with the very large numbers present.
The times they are a-changing! As you may already know, the District structure of the United Reformed Church is coming to an end. The last Wimbledon District Meeting takes place Wednesday 27 June at Richmond Green URC That doesn’t mean, however, that all the things District did will end. Other ways of doing them will have to be found. This is what is being proposed, as of 1 September 2007: The churches presently in Wimbledon District will continue to relate to each other and regard themselves as falling within the Wimbledon Area of the Southern Synod. An Area Co-ordination Team (ACT) is to be formed to act as a link, where appropriate, between the local churches and Synod committees/personnel. The three main areas of concern for the ACT are: 1. To maintain the functions of the former Pastoral Committee and liaise with the Synod Pastoral Committee. 2. To encourage fellowship and support among the churches of the area and facilitate mission. 3. To advise the Synod Finance and Property Committees about applications in our area. This is only a very basic description of what is being put into place. If you want a more detailed account, please ask Sheila or myself. It can be unsettling when we are in the midst of changes, and when we don’t really know the shape of things to come. But perhaps we can become too used to things, too, and cling on to them even when they no longer fulfil the functions for which they were set up. In the Bible, God’s people are frequently portrayed as ‘on the move’, in one sense or another. Let us pray for our denomination at this time, for the congregations and the Moderators and Synod staff, as we move into this new territory. Pat Secretary’s Travelogue! I can’t believe its time for News Letter again, but that is probably due to the fact that George and I were away in Australia for the whole of April – and what an April it was: full of new experiences and lots of time with the family which was very special. The whole family were at Perth airport to meet us waving their welcome flags that the children had made. We did not expect to see them all as it was 00.30 in the morning when we arrived. Back at the house, which is beautiful, we were given a whistle stop tour and at 2a.m. we were all drinking tea and eating biscuits before going to a very welcome bed. After what seemed like a very short night we were awakened by a small voice at 7.30a.m. "Grandma, are you awake, can you read me a story?" Nothing changes, even on the other side of the World! During our stay we visited numerous beaches, all full of golden sand and the sea stretching as far as the eye could see and clear and so blue it was dazzling, we collected colourful shells, consumed many barbecues: the best, I have to say, was bacon, sausages and egg cooked on the many barbecues provided completely free by the state along by the beach. The smell of bacon cooking in the open air I shall remember always. We ate fish and chips in the "Squid Shack" which was literally a tent with benches and cooking facilities, but the fish was to die for! We cruised on the Swan river from Fremantle to Perth, toured the Jail at Fremantle (now closed), had an evening barbecue with all the Australian relations overlooking the Swan River and watched the sunset and then the lights come on in Perth. The sky at night is quite beautiful, the stars so bright, we saw a shooting star one evening, and one day a complete rainbow, but didn’t find the pot of gold!! We all went on holiday and drove south for five hours to Albany where we stayed in a wooden chalet near the beach. We visited the valley of the giant trees and walked on metal walkways that pass right through the tops of the trees, and then through the forest where the giant Tingle trees have grown hollow over many years and make wonderful pretend houses for the children. We found a beach called Frenchman Bay, which was right out of the picture books with grass and peppermint trees that met with the silver sand on the beach. The sea was clear and blue and the edge of the sea glistened with the smallest perfect shells I have ever seen. We explored the first ship that arrived in Albany with the first settlers and the gaol they used, we toured the last operating Whaling Station, that was closed in the sixties. Along the coast during the month of July the whales can be seen making their journey to the place where their young are born, quite a sight, I should imagine. After ten wonderful days away we drove in convoy in their two large cars back to Perth, as Abbie had to return to school after the Easter holidays. George and I were up early during our last week and took Abbie to school, accompanied by Joel, of course. Abbie complete with scooter – it seems this is the recognised form of transport, and Joel on bike complete with sunroof. The school is a new building with extensive grounds. The day before we returned home I went to help the class with their reading. This was great fun and then Abbie and I walked home together on our own which she thought was our special time. When we arrived home food had been packed and we drove to the National Park and had our last barbecue beside the lake with the kangaroos watching nearby and the ducks at our feet and watched the sun go down. We were so pleased to see how well they have all settled down, I can even boast that I have ironed an Australian Policeman’s shirt and ridden in an Australian Police car. They all look so well and are enjoying the life out there. Our journey home was a bit tiring, but Singapore Airport where we broke our journey for a few hours is a wonderful place, full of orchids, beautiful shops and calm music. Suzanne was at Heathrow to meet us at 6a.m. and we came home to breakfast and a rest as we had been invited to a Party in the evening. At 7.30 p.m. we proceeded to Unity Hall and arrived just in time to sing "Happy Birthday" to Alan on the occasion of his 70th Birthday. It was great to have something to come back to and to meet up with folk we had not seen for a long time. The food was great – thanks to all who provided it (saved me having to cook!!) and so was the atmosphere, we almost forgot about the "jet lag". I bet there are not many who can boast travelling so far to go to a party!!! (top)Geoffrey Dunstan's Article Patriotism and Thankfulness It was perhaps fitting that Tony Blair concluded his resignation speech at Sedgefield last month with an audacious fib. His contention that Britain ‘is the greatest nation on earth’ was startling even by his own standards of hogwash. For British people don't say things like that any more, not since we stopped ruling the world. This isn't false modesty but reluctant realism. A nation may be great in lots of ways, but as to our being the greatest nation in the world, isn't so. Britain's not great any longer because America rules the waves. And, sooner or later, the USA will be usurped. Already the US is full of reports counting down the years before China overtakes them, and a note of self-doubt is beginning to creep in. The urge to love one's country is, doubtless, instinctive. It's possible to be patriotic without jingoism. As one writer put it, ‘What is patriotism but the love of the food one ate as a child?’ The national idiosyncrasies that make our hearts swell these days can't exactly be described as symptoms of greatness. For myself, I like lollipop ladies who shepherd children across our roads, the friendly Pakistani who runs the local delicatessen, and rainy days. I like the multicultural amorphousness of our national identity. Unlike our prime minister, we're not a boastful nation; and that, at least, is something to be proud of.And with it comes thankfulness, thankfulness for new experiences, delights and opportunities, not living our lives with resentment and bitterness. This thankfulness is the path to faith, for it implies that life is good. Anything can be an occasion for gratitude. As G.K. Chesterton once put it in his rumbustious way: ‘You say grace before
meals all right. And grace before the concert and the pantomime, And grace before I open a book, And grace before sketching, painting, Swimming, fencing, boxing, walking, playing, dancing, And grace before I dip pen in the ink.’ This prayer is a simple ‘thank you’, like patriotism, for the gift of life and faith itself. (top)Alan’s 70th Birthday Alan Wood was seventy years of age on 3rd May 2007 but whatever celebrations occurred within the family on that day, the real surprise for Alan took place in Unity Hall on the evening of Saturday 5th May 2007. Valerie had arranged a surprise Birthday Party with the help of Diana, Peter, Michael and Terry and over one hundred guests were waiting in the hall when Alan arrived. He was brought to the hall by John and Barbara on the pretext that Valerie was to be picked up after a Brownie function and they were to go out for a meal together.
The look on Alan’s face as he entered the hall left no doubt that the "Surprise" has been a well and truly kept secret! After a rendering of "Happy Birthday" it did not take Alan long to regain his composure and he was soon greeting all the guests with pleasure and his usual enthusiasm. The guests included some from the Church, both past and present members, as well as family and friends, including many children, from all aspects of Alan’s life.
The hall was nicely decorated and a huge selection of food was displayed on the tables all down one side. ‘Phemie and her helpers, together with Valerie, had done another splendid job and continued to provide refreshments throughout the evening.
In one corner a ‘photo show was running continuously showing family life in the Wood household down the years with many pictures of Alan in his younger days.
John Wood proposed a birthday toast and a glass of wine was raised to drink his health. Tom Lockett presented Alan with a gift from Church members of a "bit" for his broken drill and some gift vouchers with which to buy a new one! His son Michael then introduced a tribute video from the Kingston Youth Band in which Alan has been involved for many years and they expressed their appreciation for his contribution and finished with their own version of "Happy Birthday". The party was a great success and thoroughly enjoyed by all those present, including Alan. It was a fitting tribute to his seventy years and his commitment to family, Church and all other aspects of his life. Alan’s Party I was very impressed with all the organisation which had gone into arranging the SURPRISE PARTY for Alan's Seventieth Birthday! Invitations to friends old and new, masses of delicious food, photographic displays - Valerie and her helpers had thought of everything. The result was a resounding success. I was delighted to be present and to see again so many friends. When Alan's brother John started to speak about him and said that he had known him longer than anyone else in the room, I nearly jumped up and said, “I've known him the next longest.” Gwyneth could make a similar claim as she and I both remember Alan as a baby. I was pleased to see him looking so well and to join in wishing him a Very Happy Birthday with love and good wishes for the future.
I would like to add a further note of appreciation for the kind welcome I was given at the Sunday services and at the Tuesday Coffee Morning by Pat and members of the congregation. It was the first time I had been away from home since losing my dear Maurice and I was grateful for all the kindness I received. I shall come again! (top)“THANK YOU”
· Together re-cycling vital books for the benefit of Christians world-wide News from Epsom Methodist Church A week of Summer Worship And Praise (SWAP) is being organised for children for mornings from 20th-24th August. It looks very exciting! If you know any likely children, check out the website http://swap.emc.org.uk , ring 01372 728535 or visit the church for more information. Please note that places are limited, and children need to be registered by 1st August. Also the new Dovecote Christian Bookshop will be opened in its new premises in EMC, currently undergoing re-building, sometime this month. The actual date has not been decided, but I will try and keep you informed by notices when I hear. African Children’s Choir From Epsom Methodist Church, with thanks Straight from their performance at the Princess Diana concert at the new Wembley Stadium on 1st July 2007, the highly acclaimed African Children's Choir will be coming to Leatherhead on Wednesday 4th July and Epsom on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th July. The Choir features children aged 7 - 11, many of whom have lost one or both parents through the devastation of war, famine and disease. The programme is: Wed'day 4th July 2007, 6:30pm Leatherhead Theatre : 01372 365141Friday 6th July 2007, 6:30pm St Christopher's Church (Hinchley Wood)020 83989095 Saturday 7thJuly, 2007, 7.30pm The King’s Centre, Coppard Gardens, Chessington, KT9 2GZ 020 83915522 Sunday
July 8, 2007
5.30pm St
Martins of Tours, Church Street, Ticket prices vary please phone the venue stated above. The last two performances in 2005 and 2006 in Claygate were sell-out successes. Audiences started smiling the moment the choir burst onto the stage. They wore tribal paint and colourful costumes, ululating with childish enthusiasm and natural expertise. Their performances were a celebration - full of joy, movement and song. The children were natural performers with rhythmic percussion and authentic dance moves, singing hymns to nature, to God and their homeland. Yet, these talented children hadn't been over drilled - they had retained their raw charm. Their sincere testimony combined with their unfettered effervescence packed quite an emotional punch. The choir information in summary: The African Children’s Choir was started 22 years ago by Ray Barnett and is run by the charity "Music For Life". With the funds raised by Music For Life, over 6,700 children in Africa are supported. Music For Life’s relief and development programmes are carried out in Uganda, Sudan, Kenya, Rwanda, Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa. They have built, maintain and run training academies, primary schools, secondary schools, teacher training colleges and health clinics. They run seminars, leadership training and Music For Life camps as well as providing relief and counselling. They also sponsor children in primary and secondary schools as well as in orphanages. It is a highly effective charity. The African Children’s Choir is not only a lifeline to the choir children, but Music For Life and Ray Barnett have high ambitions. They do not just want these children to be clothed, educated and fed both physically and spiritually - they provide these children with the tools they need to become future leaders in Africa. These children represent more than 13 million children in sub-Saharan Africa that have been orphaned by AIDS. This year, the choir is from Uganda. There are 26 children all of whom have lost one or both of their parents to AIDS or poverty. In 2005 and 2006, demand for tickets has far exceeded supply, so get your tickets early And two items of Phemie’s that I omitted last month—sorry, Phemie! St George’s Day Supper and Concert On Saturday 21st April a supper was held in Unity Hall in support of Christian Aid, followed by a concert in the Church performed by our organist Rebecca Drake and her sister Lydia. I have heard very positive reviews from those who were at the concert, so well done Rebecca – and she was in the midst of her exams! Thanks are also due to all the willing helpers who always give so freely of their time. I do, however, have to single out Valerie and Alan Wood for special thanks because they both did so much, Valerie missing the concert while helping to clear up. My wish is that future events would be better attended. ‘Mother’s Day’ On Monday 2nd April the Evening Fellowship programme was advertised as a play reading. Well, it was much more: the small audience were entertained to a really good performance by the actors and actresses. The play was ‘Mothers Day’ by J.B. Priestley and it contained many home truths how women felt about life in the ’40s and ’50s. The cast was Barbara and John Wood, Valerie and Terry Wood and Kathleen Hodgson. It was ably produced by Gwyneth Smith. I know people have many demands on time but it is a pity so few people were able to be there. The Web Site There will be some changes very soon with the website that I have been running, as I have now used up all the space that Cable and Wireless/NTL/VirginMedia allow me to have. Looking back, I see that the Website first went live on 8th August, 2001, with its first NersLetter, under Win’s editorship, was September, 2001. Win had to give up editorship after the March 2002 NewsLetter, and my first NewsLetter was that April. Since then, all NewsLetters have been uploaded, available for anyone to consult. But as I said, all the NewsLetters, and particularly the photographs, have filled up all the available space. I even had to delete some early photographs to make space for last month’s NewsLetter! There will no doubt be a delay while I decide the best way forward – possibly delete a few years of old NewsLetters together with their photographs? While at CRE a couple of weeks ago I spoke to a couple of exhibitors who hosted websites, and had very easy interfaces which greatly facilitated the uploading of the pages. I will be giving these trials to see whether they make my job easier. In the meantime, on-line viewers will, I’m afraid, have to wait for this NewsLetter – and its photographs. I will put up a notice explaining the delay – so, watch this space! We are sorry to inform you that the District Rainbow Guides, who have been using Unity Hall early on Tuesday evenings, has closed. We will be keeping our ears to the ground, and as soon as we hear any more information, we will let you know. FORTHCOMING DATES #1 Saturday, 9th June BARBECUE In Unity Hall and Garden Don’t forget the
Barbecue on 9th June in Unity Hall and Garden. Please get
selling these tickets to all your friends—
FORTHCOMING DATES #2 * * * "FAMILY DAY" 17TH JUNE * * * We are all invited to ‘Hessle Top’, the home
of The afternoon
contains a short epilogue, and there will be the
FORTHCOMING DATES #3 Coffee Morning—Unity Hall 11:00 on 30th June
Come and meet your friends at the next Unity Hall Coffee Morning, Organised by the Church Life Committee, in aid of ‘SightSavers’.
FORTHCOMING DATES # 4Saturday, 14th JulyCREAM TEA In Church Foyer and Forecourt
Book this date - more details later Flowers for June 3rd June Phemie Young 12th Epsom Brownie Guide
Pack The Brownies celebrated National Postcard week at their meeting on 2nd May by making their own postcards. As the first newspaper cartoon was published in the U.S.A. on 9th May 1754, we decided to celebrate the anniversary and all the Brownies made up their own comic strip: all the Brownies enjoyed doing this and some of them wanted to do more than just one. Some of them came up with some really good ideas. We recognised National Flower month at our next meeting and each girl framed a picture of her favourite pop star, group etc. on a flower background. Mia, one of the Brownies, went on Pack Holiday with another Pack in the District last weekend, and had a wonderful time.
You may have noticed that the flower troughs were looking a lot tidier; this is because Anne Richardson came to our meeting on 23rd May with lots of new plants for the Brownies to put in them. Anne very kindly cleared out the troughs and put in more soil earlier in the day so it was ready for the girls in the evening. We are very grateful to Anne for taking charge of this. It was also ‘Lucky Penny Day’ on Wednesday and so each Brownie made herself a ‘Lucky Penny’ badge.
With our numbers diminishing recently, it was nice to be able to enrol Marie Beall as a Brownie on Wednesday. We hope she will enjoy her time at Brownies; she has already brought a friend along with her who now wishes to join the Pack. Monday Club Nobody came to our meeting on 30th April and we have since learned that they just forgot. There was no meeting on the following week as this was a Bank Holiday. On 14th May the children designed and made their own postcards and stamps to celebrate the anniversary of the first stamp collection, which had been on 7th May, and National Postcard week, which had been observed during the first week of May.
The following Monday our theme was ‘flight’ and the children completed dot-to-dot pictures of three different birds, made fluttering butterflies and paper aeroplanes. If you know of any children between the ages of five and ten, who love doing craft work, please put them in contact with us. We have sent publicity to St. Christopher’s School but as yet have had no response. (top)Afternoon Fellowship By the time you read this, the A.G.M. of the Afternoon Fellowship will have taken place a few days' ago. A fuller report will be available next month. The summer break now follows until we start our next session in September Evening Fellowship The meeting on the June 4th will be the A.G.M. followed by light refreshments to close the session.
Women’s Church Council The next Coffee Morning will be on Tuesday 12th June 10.30-12.00. Please make a note of the time and the date and come and support our chosen charity which is “Debra". This charity supports those suffering Epidermolysis Bullosa, which means the proteins that normally hold the skin together do not function. “Debra” funds vital research into this distressing condition, supports families living with ‘EB’ and funds specialist teams of nurses. May we make the June Coffee Morning something special! Copy for the next issue should be with the Editor by 17th June for publication on 24th June, 2007 And Finally . . . A little boy was
attending his first wedding. After the service, his cousin asked him,
"How many women can a man marry?" Acupuncture is a jab well done. |
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