Letter from The Elders

As you know, the Elders are taking it in turn to write a letter to you all, each month.  Pamela last month, Gwyneth next month so I have my turn now.

We have heard that Sheila and George are settling in and a letter from them appears elsewhere in this newsletter.  Their step-grandson Ben is delighted to have them in Stone and is waiting patiently, or perhaps not so patiently, for the day when ‘his’ George unpacks the railway.  Those of us who had a model railway, or a brother or someone else who did, can almost feel his excitement.   Come on, George, don’t keep him waiting any longer!

This month has been busy for us all.  We are all trying to keep the church ‘going’ just the way it always has been.  I am reminded of when I started my last job.  My predecessor was a tiny giant of a woman, much loved and respected by everyone who knew her.  She had championed disabled people and given them a new hope at a time when they hadn’t much going for them.  I had to ‘follow that’ as the saying goes!!   I remember saying ‘I can’t possibly try and emulate Phyl; I’m not the same as her. But, I promise you one thing, I’ll be different!’  They encouraged me and let me be different and all these years later I am still grateful to them for that.

Perhaps that is my message for all of us, this month.  We, Epsom URC and its people, are not the same as when we had a Minister and a Church Secretary, a full complement of Elders and lots of members and we were all younger and fitter.  Perhaps we have to dare to be different, us now, and not try to imitate the past.

Let some things go and seek God’s will about the rest.

We ask for your continuing prayers.

With love.