Letter from the Elders
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It is great to be writing to you this month. We have good news ...... we are delighted to be passing it on! We are having a new Minister, Oh, Thank you, Lord. Since our last Newsletter, so much has happened. It all started on 17th May when Peter Flint our Interim Moderator, wrote to the Vacancy Committee telling us that someone was interested in our churches, no name, no paperwork, just a small stirring of hope. We had a prayerful meeting on 2nd June as we 'met' Heather Cadoux on paper. We liked what we read and we all wanted to meet her in person. That evening, Peter invited her to come and meet the elders of all the churches for the day and attend an interview… It culminated on last Sunday evening, but let us tell you a little about events in between. Visiting the churches Heather had a packed day, starting at Epsom and meeting John and me and seeing round the church (Heather is very observant, she remembered so much about our premises) She then had the 'tour' of Epsom, over the Downs, shops, hospital developments, drive past the Manse, point out Ewell church, to help her see the bigger picture, and on to Tolworth to meet their elders and have lunch, then a look at their church premises and another 'tour' of the area. Then on to Ewell to meet Viv and John Wright and a look at their premises and yet another 'tour'. Heather, apparently, had done her homework about the history of Nonsuch! Then it was on to the Manse, with Viv and our John, to see what might become her home. As if that wasn't enough, she then had supper in the Longhurst Room with the elders of Epsom and Ewell before the arrival of the Tolworth contingent. Then followed a formal interview. Imagine this.....a room in which six elders fire searching questions at you, with another 18 looking and listening, plus Peter. Heather stood up to it well despite a gruelling schedule that day. She doesn't field questions, she answers them in an honest and sincere way. We liked and respected that about her. We all wanted her back and Peter invited her to spend a weekend with us and ‘preach with a view’ on the Sunday afternoon. She accepted our invitation! When? – and where? ‘When’ was 9/10th July, last weekend! ‘Where’ was at a garden party on Saturday. Gwyneth writes... This was the second year that Dennis (Ewell's trumpeter) and his wife Ann had invited Ewell and Epsom to their home for a Garden Party, The difference this year was that they had included Tolworth because Heather and her husband Roy Cadoux were to be there. It was an ideal setting for people to meet and chat informally with Heather and it was a very happy occasion. The one heavy shower did not dampen spirits! Live music provided by Dennis and Malcolm (keyboard), the delicious cream teas and other refreshments, a gift stall with pictures, woodwork and bric-a-brac, and garden games all added to the fun. A warm 'Thank you' to our hosts and their delightfully efficient young helpers. ‘Where’ was at Tolworth on Saturday evening. Pamela writes… Saturday evening saw people coming to Tolworth to meet Heather and Roy, where Heather gave us a PowerPoint presentation. She was excellent. She spoke for 50 minutes, telling us about her family, her life experiences and her road to Ministry. We learnt about her involvement in the URC and the people who had been important in her church life, her work within different churches, her decision to train for the Ministry and highlights from her training. She told us about her interests and hobbies as well. Heather was very well received – she had been very interesting. Afterwards she answered questions readily. .... one table was heard to ask " When can you start!" Tolworth folk provided lovely refreshments during which both Heather and Roy circulated, meeting people and chatting to them. We had a very good evening. In the words of one ten year old, 'It was nice Heather introduced her family, they'll be important. If I could, I'd vote for her.' Out of the mouths.....etc. Heather, Roy and their daughter Sarah worshipped at Tolworth on Sunday morning, and then after lunch… ‘Where’ was at Epsom on Sunday afternoon. Rosemary writes… On Sunday afternoon, Heather's family were with her to support her as she came to Epsom to 'preach with a view'. Her theme was 'Pass It On" ....and she did! She inspired us with the Word of God, with music and prayers, her words and her mirrorboard, a brilliant invention of hers. Jesus is the light of the world. Other candles represented significant people in all our faith journeys and their lights reflected in the mirrors, all coming from Jesus at the centre. Oh yes, we were delighted and inspired by her worship, a strong, clear message. After tea in Unity Hall, kindly provided by Ewell folk, we said goodbye to Heather, Roy and Sarah, and set about having a joint church meeting ably led by Lesley Charlton, Tolworth's Interim Moderator, and then individual ones with our own churches where members were invited to vote. There was some talk of percentages and majorities but we needn't have worried. Everybody voted in favour of Heather becoming our minister. and we are delighted that she has accepted our 100% call and will be coming to us in the near future. I invited Heather to write a piece for our Newsletter… This message comes from Heather ............. It was a joy and a pleasure to meet with so many people from Epsom, Ewell and Tolworth over the weekend of the 9th/10th July. Right from the moment I arrived to meet with members of the call group and the elders a few weeks previously I have been made to feel welcome and very much supported through the call process by encouraging emails, ’phone calls and the knowledge that there were people praying for the process. My husband Roy and my daughter Sarah also felt very welcome as they shared in all or part of the weekend events. From the comments I received on the Saturday, those who were there appreciated the PowerPoint presentation which I hope gave you a flavour of who I am. On Sunday afternoon it was wonderful to see so many come to hear me ‘preach with a view’; the theme for the sermon was “Pass it on”, and after the service as I met with you, the comment I received over and over again was "inspiring". When Lesley, the Interim Moderator from Tolworth, rang me to tell me the news that all three churches had voted 100% to call me as your next minister I was amazed and very pleased to accept the call. I look forward to getting to know all of you and pray that together we can seek God to find ways we can pass on the love of God, that we know in our hearts, to the people of Epsom (and Ewell, and Tolworth.) Love Heather" ‘When’ was on Monday, Rosemary writes… On Monday morning, still inspired by Sunday afternoon, I went to Church Life Committee. There was laughter and praise and a profound knowledge that God is good. Gwyneth had written this prayer which seems a fitting end to our letter:
‘Loving God Many people, and groups of people, have prayed for us over the weeks, that we should hear the Holy Spirit speaking to us and be led by Him Thank you to those people. You have all been enormously supportive to us. Great news, blessings indeed.............pass them on! God bless. Rosemary, Pamela and Gwyneth.
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