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Epsom United Reformed ChurchNewsletter for July 2007 |
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Alan Wood As you will see from the photographs, there have been a number of events worthy of recording in the pages. The loss of the Bible from the Bible Case, the Barbecue, two new members, and even Family Day, have all happened since the last NewsLetter, but no-one has put pen to paper to record their thoughts to share with readers of this paper. I even put out an appeal at Family Day for articles – and the result? Nothing!
I am very grateful to my regular contributors, Pat, Sheila Smith, Daphne, Geoffrey and Valerie, and my few occasional writers; but if I am to put out an interesting magazine there must be a variety of interests and tastes within its pages. So I am particularly pleased to welcome Sonia Bentzon to this second list. Pat and Phyl visit Sonia regularly, and recently Sonia showed them some poems she had written. I am delighted to include one of these poems this month. So you see how to do it! Get an idea, or an event to describe, and commit your thoughts to paper. Then perhaps we can produce a magazine with twenty-four or twenty-eight pages, as we used to. Here’s an idea for you: when you are away on holiday, do you visit other churches? If so, why not tell us about them, with a photograph. It will be something to do on that rainy day! The August/September Issue I have realised that my diary in August for holidays, etc., means that I shall not be able to put out an issue for September. The September issue is the one that normally looks forward to the re-starting of all the groups after the traditional holiday month of August. I therefore intend to issue a NewsLetter covering the two months of August and September, and I would ask all secretaries, etc., to provide their copy for September in time for the joint edition to be published on 29th July. Thank you for your co-operation. As a special bonus, Valerie has volunteered to write a News Sheet for September, to include the September Diary, News of the Family, and similar information. She insists that it will not be a NewsLetter, and will not contain any photographs, but it should contain anything important which was not known at the end of July, and sufficient information to keep you going until the October NewsLetter comes out. Thank you, Valerie. Sheila (Smith) is making good progress following her hip replacement operation and it was good to have Sheila, George and Peggy join us for Family Day.Pamela is re-adjusting, having been relieved of her ‘boot’ but is suffering some discomfort. Hopefully this situation will improve with exercises, etc. Sonia Bentzon and Mary Hallifax are both in need of our love and prayers - Mary is extremely frail and Sonia has very limited vision and hearing. Lily Moody is enjoying her new flat and remains so very cheerful despite health problems. Marjorie, Dorothy and Frank and Lynne we remember with love. It may be possible, perhaps, for some to join us for the Cream Tea on 14th July? Our congratulations and good wishes to Kim and Charlie Menagh who celebrated their 25th Wedding Anniversary on 19th June.
Did Jesus always make things better for people? Well, it is true that for some, he was indeed good news. Take the wedding feast where Jesus changed the water into wine – or the centurion’s servant whom Jesus healed – or the woman who was made to stand straight – or the foreign woman whose daughter he healed. Jesus was good news for them. But what about the story Luke tells of the demoniac whose demons Jesus sent into a herd of pigs, leaving the man healthy and well? (Luke 8:26-39) That must have been good news, surely? Well, not everyone thought so, for Luke tells us that when the people saw the man clothed and in his right mind, they were afraid. The truth is, they had become accustomed to having a mad man living on the edge of town, and they weren’t sure they wanted things to change, even if it was for the better of the man. Have you noticed that there are a lot more 30 miles per hour zones then there used to be? And have you noticed how irate some people get when you observe the speed limits? Something that is there for the good of all, seems to be such a source of irritation for others. Climate change is causing people all over the world to think about how we use our resources, but it isn’t very comfortable or easy to actually make the changes, is it? We can become accustomed to an unhealthy way of life and resent any attempt to improve our lifestyle by exercising more or eating less. We can get used to all kinds of madness in our lives, if we put our minds to it. Sometimes we need to be moved out of our comfort zones, and to feel uneasy about such things as our life style, in order for meaningful change to take place. Jesus was good at moving people out of their comfort zones. Are there any comfort zones out of which you/we need to move? PatSecretary’s Letter Firstly my thanks to you all for the cards, flowers, good wishes and ’phone calls during my recent stay in hospital, they were very much appreciated. The hip is doing quite well and I am trying to be good and doing all my exercises regularly. Sometimes it is an effort, but then I think of the saying “No pain, no gain!” I haven’t put my name down for next year’s marathon yet!! I am sorry I missed the Barbecue, but I gather it was good fun, and the weather was kind. Thanks to Phemie and all those who helped. I am looking forward to the Cream Tea in July.
I did make the picnic for Family Day and although a bit low on numbers, due to other commitments, we all had a lovely time at ‘Hessle Top’ and, as usual, were made very welcome by Jock, Evelyn, Phyllis and of course Morgan. The sun shone and it was good to chat with friends in such a lovely garden.
This month sees the last meeting of the Wimbledon District Council. You will have read in last month’s Newsletter Pat’s explanation of what is being proposed for our District at present until a decision is made about a London Synod. The following is the District Closure Resolution: “Wimbledon District Council resolves that from 1st September 2007, all District powers and responsibilities be devolved to the Southern Synod or to its committees and that the Synod meeting or duly authorised committees thereof will, until further determination of General Assembly, act as Wimbledon District Council.” This is obviously the closing of a chapter in our district, but who knows what the future holds, we must be patient and have faith. I have received a very interesting little book called “For Creed and Creation” a simple guidebook for running a greener Church. The foreword is by the Bishop of London and it has the support of the London Church Leaders, which includes our own Moderator. It is really taking a look at our own Church and discovering anything that we can do, however small, to help save our Planet. It quotes from Psalms: “The Heavens are the Heavens of the Lord, but the earth he has entrusted to his children.” Pat and I will study this book and perhaps come up with a few ideas of things we could do at Epsom. If you have any ideas please let us know. Did you know “one 100-watt light bulb left switched on for just 30mins creates enough carbon-dioxide to fill a party balloon” and “an external door with a 3mm gap allows in as much cold air as a hole in the wall the size of a brick.” Food for thought, indeed!
Lastly, welcome to Rosemary Holmes and Sandra Dunstan who were received into Church Membership recently by transfer of faith from other churches. I know they have both been worshipping with us for some time and it already feels they are part of our family, but it is good to make it official. God’s blessing upon them and all that they do. (top)Geoffrey Dunstan's Article VIRTUAL HEAVEN! It's amazing what the telephone can provide these days. I'm informed that by telephoning your minister, you can now get God direct. Here's what it has to offer: “Thank you for calling the Almighty. If you have a touch-tone telephone, please press the Star button now. “Thank you. “Now press 1 for requests; Press 2 for thanksgivings; Press 3 for complaints; Press 4 for all other enquiries. “I am sorry, but at present all our angels are busy helping other sinners. However, your prayers are important to us and you will be answered in the order they are received. So please stay on line. You are number 29 in the queue. “If you would like to address the Almighty, press 1; For Jesus Christ, press 2; For the Holy Spirit, press 3; If, however, you would like to hear King David sing a psalm, press 4; “To find out if a loved one has been assigned to heaven, press 5, and when requested, enter his/her National Insurance Number. Then press the hash key. “For answers to nagging questions about dinosaurs, the age of the earth or where Noah's Ark is placed, please wait until you arrive here. “Our computers show that you have already prayed once today, so please hang up and try again tomorrow. “The office is closed for the weekend in order to observe either a religious holiday or Sunday services. “Please pray again on Monday after 9.30 a.m. “If you require emergency assistance when this office is closed, contact one of your local ministers. “Thank you for calling.” The kingdom of the clouds has
rule today, Gardens of rootless flowers and arching trees
Sonia Bentzon.
Church Barbecue About thirty friends from the Epsom and Ewell congregations, including a few children, were very pleased to attend the Church barbecue held at Unity Hall on Saturday, 9th June. The weather had been a bit doubtful during the day, but the barbecues were lit and the chefs, Peter, Alan and Alfred, began to cook the numerous sausages, pieces of chicken and pork before it began to rain. Despite the rain, the meat was beautifully cooked, for which we thank the chefs. Most people ate their meal in Unity Hall where there was plenty of delicious salad to eat. There was fruit salad and a variety of cheesecakes for dessert.
Our thanks to Phemie, who was in charge in the kitchen, and to Bettie, especially for her fruit salad, and Joan for the lovely flowers. Thanks also to Daphne who took charge of selling the raffle tickets, and to Pat and Peter for the conduct of the Raffle.
The evening was very successful and raised £240 for the future development of the Church. !Garden Party with Live Music! 21 July 2-4 pm at the Manse.All proceeds to go to Moorfields Eye Hospital. There will be a ‘Fairly-traded and Green products’ Tombola for which we would appreciate donations, everything on it to be either fairly traded or organic or environmentally safe, i.e., fairly-traded chocolate bars or kitchen roll, or orange juice cartons, or Ecover washing-up soap or toilet bowl cleaner, for example. No fresh foods. If you can contribute to the Tombola, please bring your donation in advance and leave it in the church vestry. There will also be a used book table from which you may buy your summer reading! We look forward to seeing you here! Peter and Pat Please note that Unity Hall will be out of bounds from Saturday 21st July until 29th July inclusive. This is to allow for essential maintenance work to be carried out on the floor, and to give time for the treatment to harden off properly. Thank you. WORSHIP GROUP A meeting has been arranged for Wednesday 11th July at 10a.m. at 2, Harkness Close, for all those who are interested in arranging or taking part in Worship Services. These are always very interesting meetings so do come along if you possibly can.One in four of us will be affected by mental illness at some stage in our lives. It can be a challenging and isolating time, both for those who are ill and for those who love and care for them. Rev Sue Bull, Epsom Mental Health Chaplain, is hosting a social meeting for some good food and companionship. If you have or have had a mental illness or have cared for someone, then you are very warmly invited to a BBQ at St Barnabas Church, Temple Road, Epsom on Wednesday 11th July at 8 p.m. RSVP to Sue on 01372 742703, or you can email rev@suebull.freeserve.co.uk from whom further information may be obtained. SURREY CHURCHES
BIKE RIDE - 8th SEPTEMBER 2007 We have been reminded that the date of the Surrey Churches’ Bike Ride is fast approaching, and that people should start planning their participation. You will remember that last year I cycled twenty-five miles and I am not able to participate this year owing to a prior engagement. However, Pat will be getting the details, and will be able to get you going. If you don’t want to cycle, why not organize a walk round the Epsom churches for a group of you? There should be more information next month. Watch this space, and start training!
Saturday, 14th July from 3 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.CREAM TEA In Church Foyer and Forecourt
Adults £3.50 ***Raffle*** Flowers for July TBA 12th Epsom Brownie Guide
Pack The Brownies have been working for their World Traveller’s badges and for this they have made their own passports, played ‘Kim’s Game’ with their souvenirs, and each girl dressed four cardboard dolls one each to suit very hot, very cold, very wet and very dry climates. During half-term three of our Brownies, Mia, Jessica and Olivia, enjoyed a Pack Holiday at Walton Firs, Cobham, with another Pack in the District.
The Brownies made cards for Father’s Day and each designed a handkerchief for their father using special fabric pens. Our numbers have continued to drop and for the last two weeks only ten Brownies have attended. Monday Club We have continued to meet with our family of three children who really enjoy coming. 4th June was Aesop’s birthday and we heard the tales of ‘The Hare and The Tortoise’ and ‘The Boy Who Cried Wolf.’ The children had great fun making wooden animals and painting them.
They each made a Father’s Day card that contained a teabag and a coaster, and they designed a handkerchief using special fabric pens. Last week they each made a skeleton held together by split pins, read a story about Funny Bones and then made up some plays using their skeletons. Afternoon Fellowship The AGM of the Fellowship took place on Thursday 24th May. Due to unforeseen circumstances the secretary was unable to be present. The treasurer was also absent on holiday. I would, however, thank our Chairman and Bettie Forster who kindly stepped in as secretary for successfully seeing the proceedings through. Barbara Wood, Daphne Dawe and David Philip were all re-elected as Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer, respectively. Tea was served to close the proceedings. We begin the Autumn session on Thursday, 27th September. Evening Fellowship We re-assemble for the 2007/08 session on Monday 1st October. It is hoped to arrange an outing on Thursday, 26th July. Further details will be given when available.
Women’s Church Council After a slow start to the Coffee Morning in June, the final amount raised for "Debra" was very encouraging. We were delighted to welcome Sheila and George following Sheila's recent operation. Other regulars like Evelyn, Phyllis, Jock and Morgan were unable to be with us but they kindly gave their generous support. The next Coffee Morning on 10th July will be for the Butterfly Cancer Appeal at Epsom Hospital. As most of you know, instead of a Spring Effort and Plant Sale, we are arranging one or two different events this year. The Barbecue on 9th June was most enjoyable but we would have wished for more people. However, £240 was raised for the Church Development Fund On Saturday 14th July, between 3.00 and 5.30 p.m. the W.C.C. will be serving Cream Teas in the Church Foyer and Forecourt. The cost will be £3.50, or £1 for children under 12. There will also be a “Cake and Preserve” stall and a Raffle. Make it a date - we look forward to your company. Copy for the next issue should be with the Editor by 22nd July for publication on 29th July, 2007 And Finally . . . Customer: “I’ve been ringing 0700-2300 for two days and can’t get through to Enquiries. Can you help?”Operator: “Where did you get that number from, sir?” Customer: “It was on the door to the Travel Centre.” Operator: “Sir, they are the opening hours.” * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Then there was the caller who asked for a knitwear company in Woven.Operator: “Woven? Are you sure?” Caller: “Yes, that’s what it says on the label—Woven in Scotland.” * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin, five, and
Ryan, three. The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake. Their
mother saw the chance for a moral lesson. "If Jesus were sitting here, he
would say, 'Let my brother have the first pancake, I can wait.' |
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