WORLD PARTY @ Epsom Methodist Church 2010

---

Autumn Fair on Saturday October 10^th

Report and Pictures.......here

---

17 th OCTOBER 2009 - TEA DANCE

 

Report and Pictures.......here

---

 

 

All proceeds will go to Action for Children and Epsom Methodist Church Youth Hall

 

FRIDAY & SATURDAY 30-31 OCTOBER 2009 – Quilters Exhibition

This group was formed in 1985 by the then Minister’s wife and several friends, taking Susannah Wesley (John’s mother) as our namesake; We have made and sold many items for various charities, but this will been our second show – and we have all been much encouraged by the positive response from all who have seen our work, so please make this a date in your diary.

To see some of our previous show visit this page

Report and Pictures.......here

---

 

2009 World's Greatest Coffee Morning

 

Friday 4 th September 2009 - 10.30 to 12.30

Thank you for the support for 2009, the weather at last was kind to us and was dry with sunny periods although the wind tended to be on the cool side.

 

But about 80 from the Epsom Methodist Church with a goodly percentage from the Probus Club of Ewell attended and most sat outside or viewed the garden as the photos below show.

 

There was an abundance of freshly grown vegetables of courgettes, runner beans, carrots, tomatoes, apples and plums for purchase and these were gratefully purchased at the Bring and Buy Stall.

 

Many who could not make the occasion kindly swelled the total with their kind contributions, again many thanks.

To date the sum is approaching £950 for the Macmillan Trust and this will be augmented

 

 

 by over £100 via the Gift Aid Scheme.

 

So A BIG THANKYOU

some photographs with thanks to Brother Tan.............here

---

 

9 May 2009 - Community Day. - Below are feedbacks from the day, send your thoughts to the webmaster, please.

Celebrating EMC Community

“I didn’t really want to go, but I’m so glad I did – it was a wonderful morning!”  That sentiment has been echoed by many who joined, with over ninety other representatives of different areas of service, in the EMC Community Consultation on 9^th May 2009. In a warm and friendly atmosphere we were able to meet some people we didn’t know and to get down to brass tacks in groups discussing our purposes, our distinctive contributions and the strengths and weaknesses of being part of a big community.

On Sunday we shared a joyful celebration of EMC Community life – getting tied up in God’s chords of love, scrabbling on the floor to make a giant jigsaw, together with acting, singing, dancing and praying to be God’s holy elephant in Epsom!

Thank you for taking part.

 David Winwood

Epsom Methodist Church community weekend- what a learning journey!

Wow! Who would have thought all those people would manage to turn up at the same time to talk about....themselves! What an experience, the chance to hear all about what the Epsom Methodist Church community is made up of; and there are so many different parts of it, getting nearly all of them in one place was a great achievement. Well done David Winwood, and all the people involved in the, what must have been huge, organisation of this weekend.

As I’m sure you already know, the purpose of the Saturday was to try to understand (or even find out) what all the different groups associated with Epsom Methodist Church do, looking at their point of view, the aims and objectives for their group, their aspirations for the future, as well as bringing everyone together to meet and get to know each other. I certainly didn’t know what all those people did in Epsom Methodist Church, and it was great putting some more names to faces and jobs.

 

‘Understanding, not solutions’ was my catch phrase for the day ...we couldn’t possibly find solutions to all our differences and difficulties in just one day, but we could certainly do our best to listen and understand where we were all coming from and try to appreciate why it matters when the floor isn’t swept by the previous group, or the room is occupied when it was already booked, or you get blocked in the car park during Scout pick up....yes we even dared to touch on that one! There was a lot of sharing thoughts and ideas going on and certainly in the first group I was in there was real effort to understand what is happening with young people in Epsom Methodist Church and why, as well as what responsibility we as adults and leaders should take. All very positive!

 

However, in the second session, which brought together people from all areas of Epsom Methodist Church, I was really saddened to hear one person remark ‘Well, I do admire what you do, but I’m not really interested in knowing more about it. And I haven’t got any time to be involved. Anyway I don’t really get on with young people’. In fact I was not only saddened, but disappointed, and shocked, and angry, and disheartened, and resentful, and frustrated, well anyway, I was not happy! The only thing that stopped me from launching in and saying so was that this was said by one of the kindest, most caring, understanding, supportive, friendliest people I know in Epsom Methodist Church! So I’m sure not one word was said maliciously or even unkindly, but merely a statement of truth, simple honesty, with no hidden agenda at all.

 

Of course we don’t have time to be actively involved in everything that goes on (and that person is involved in more than a fair share of helping, believe me!), and we all have specific talents and enthusiasm which we should harness, rather than spread ourselves too thinly; but what that person said highlighted to me that what we say has a huge impact. And showing support goes a long way....a word of encouragement, a pleasant enquiry, an acknowledgement of success, just some small indication that you ARE interested, even if you don’t really want to know the details. And don’t worry, I’m very well aware that I am as guilty as anyone of not quite remembering to say something I probably thought at the time....’well done’, ‘that was great’, ‘brilliant news’, ‘thank you’, ‘I’m pleased for you’, ‘you must be very proud’ and all those other lovely things I know we all think when we hear about other people, their groups, and their achievements. I certainly haven’t always let people know I’ve been thinking of them, or what they’ve been doing, and I’m sorry about that and plan to put it right!

 

So, what that comment  did was remind me again how desperately important it is that we all try to swallow our own pre-conceptions, open our ears, as well as our hearts, to what other people are doing, and PRETEND to be interested even when we’re not really! That’s what families are all about, supporting each other on a daily basis (and we at Epsom Methodist Church are meant to be one very big family, aren’t we?). If we are a family we should try to support each other in everything we do, without having to be there every step of the way. And support is much simpler, and far less time-consuming, than actually being involved. I can’t possibly be there doing everything all my family members do; four children and a husband would mean I’d never have a moment for myself, my work, my hobbies, if I had to be always there doing everything with them (although I have to say sometimes it feels like I’m there doing everything with them!!). But I do make absolutely sure that I am always interested. I ask how it went, I give time for them to talk things through, I go along whenever I can, I find out all about it, I act as if I’m interested even when it is the last thing I actually want to spend time on right at that moment. For us to be a family, they need me to be interested, in fact we all need each other to be interested in each of us. No one ever said we have to always REALLY be interested. Pretending is fine, as long as it’s genuine pretending! (Read right to the end before you tell me off for encouraging us all to pretend!) And when we find we don’t have time to be interested, or we don’t have the energy to make the effort to pretend to be interested, that’s when we need to realise the balance is wrong and make more effort to be interested, and supportive of the most precious thing, our family. 

 

Family is the most important thing in anyone’s life, the church being the biggest family of all, and we have a responsibility to be interested enough in our family members to not only hold it together, but help it grow and develop and reach its full potential.  Only by supporting each other, voicing our encouragement, being at least a tiny bit interested, will we continue to grow as a family and develop as family members.

So I say a huge thank you to that person who made me angry (and all those other horrible things I started to feel!) because what it really did was make me realise how important it is to pretend sometimes; to say the right things, to stop to listen, to try to understand, to show we care. We won’t always agree, or have time to help, or want to get involved, but we can always be INTERESTED, even if it takes a little bit of pretending.....we are a family, and it’s our job to be interested in each other.

 

And it became very clear to me during that community day (here’s the bit I wanted you to read on to!) that even if we start off having to pretend we’re interested, the more we learn about each other and the things we are doing, the more we will find that we are interested, genuinely interested; because actually we are all really interesting people, doing lots of interesting things, as part of a very interesting family, but all in our own unique ways. But that’s ok because that’s how we were designed, to be unique.....and I thank God, my heavenly Father, for making us all so different, because that’s the only way we’re ever going to get all the jobs done!

 

Thank you for the Epsom Methodist Church community weekend, I learnt a lot.

Lynn Mee

 

Community Day some limited thoughts.

The structure of the community day did not afford general presentations for some of the topics which extended beyond the grouping arranged such as the website, but limited feedback gained by the webmaster indicated that some folk who have internet access do not view the monthly updates, or have never viewed the website, either too busy or are aware of all the multi functions of the church at Epsom, this in my outlook is rather disappointing even for a community who are very busy in all aspects of life.

 

So the following are notes based on why we started the website ten years ago and whether the objectives have been achieved or whether it is time to abandon the EMC web site and revert to the paper only systems we know? So even if you are not a worldwide web guru or indeed may not even have a computer, please read on and see if your view agrees or not, please take time to reply by any method, but e-mail is great!!

In 1998, it was proposed that EMC should seek to use all means of communication with the present membership and at the same time offer a welcome to all via the Internet. However, perhaps we need to look again at the aims we envisaged at that time.

The purpose of starting a web site for EMC may be summarised as follows:-

To ensure that a wider sector of the population is invited into our fellowship, both in a spiritual context and in a leisure activities sense, naturally with a view to enhancing the first via the second medium.

 

To make a welcome for visitor, especially from other countries who may choose EMC as their place of worship whilst in the London zone.

 

As all the schools are promised a link to the Internet, then our young people will expect EMC to be there with our web pages, even with a special slot for various age groups.

 

To ensure a wider presentation of the material published in Focus and other Christian literature.

 

To promote the fellowship in the wider range of activities available at EMC

 

The list is endless only limited by our vision

Taking the first point, whilst we have not seen a great influx of visitors via the web, (but we have had some) it is interesting to note that on average every day we have about 15 visitors to the site. These visitors to the site come from a wide range of countries. Whilst we do not expect many of these to arrive at EMC, there is a vast amount of information available to spread the message that Jesus is Lord.

For example the Prayer Needs written each quarter by Malcolm Boyd, and the monthly messages from the Leadership team, printed in Focus but having a much wider circulation, etc.

The second aim, to make a welcome for visitor, especially from other countries who may choose EMC as their place of worship whilst in the London zone. We can be found in Ashley Road, the map shows a street location of EMC with parking details; it is worth noting if you have speakers coming to any meeting to mention this. The Worship, Leadership etc. can be found from the main menu.

We have a current membership of about 450 with another 450 in youth organisations, we rank in the top six for the largest Methodist Church in the UK, but we can always find room and a welcome for visitors. To meet people the 10.30 service is followed by coffee and this give a good opportunity to meet, mix and chat."

As all the schools are promised a link to the Internet, then our young people will expect EMC to be there with our web pages, even with a special slot for various age groups. This was and still remains our third aim on introducing the EMC website, there is a whole section devoted and called All Age Youth covering Pulse (Formerly Junior Church), Guides, Scouts, PAG, the Very Young (Nursery, etc.) Youngsters, indeed some info on The Group with No Name!

If you come into contact as a parent, teacher, class leader, grandparent etc then please make sure the youth of our Church are not only aware but have your full support.

Another of our website aims was: -To ensure a wider presentation of the material published in Focus Magazine and other Christian literature. The grand efforts of the Focus team are further transmitted via the website, this means that folk who have moved away from EMC, USA, Moscow, China, Saudi Arabia spring to mind these folk are able to keep in contact with EMC. The Dovecote Christian Book Shop and Churches Together in Epsom, Chinese and Brazil congregations have direct links.

Our policy is not to publish any telephone numbers apart from the Church Office and e-mails go via the web master, who redirects them to a limited number of members. All the activities have some information as to their functions and times, but we do not give a programme for those that make such arrangements. However, reports are published if printed in the Focus Magazine, sometimes supported by photographs if available, for example the Cricket Team or Drama Club which have their own sub-sites.

From time to time we get various requests for help because of the details published or indeed we are in Epsom, these are always responded to the best of our ability or passed onwards to a more authoritative source.

Cliff Douthwaite your webmaster, what are your views, please give them some thought and reply, please

 

---

Anglicans and Methodists in Epsom - Service of Confirmation

Sunday 17^th May 2009 - 6pm

Epsom Methodist Church

Please book this in your diary and keep the date as a priority.

Remember those preparing for Confirmation in your prayers.

 report to come from June FOCUS

---

Gangshow 2009 Pictures.................here

 

The 4-7-11 Epsom Gang Show 2009

Epsom Methodist Guides, Brownies, Scouts, Cubs, Beavers and Explorers have been rehearsing for the last 6 months to produce the 4-7-11 Epsom Gang Show 2009. With songs, dancing and drama from  '42nd Street ', 'Alice in Wonderland',  'Robin Hood' and many other wonderful favourites this show promises to be another fabulous, entertaining Gang Show !

The 4-7-11 Epsom Gang Show is taking place at :

The Epsom Playhouse on Thursday 19th February and Friday 20th February 2009 at 7.30pm

and Saturday 21st February at 3.00pm and 7.00pm.

Tickets are available from :

The 4-7-11 Gang Show Box Office -- 01372 728812 or http://www.4-7-11.org

 

 

 

 

---

Book 

Epsom Book Fair 2009 has Started

Annual Giant Charity Sale of Second-hand Books, DVDs

 and Music (including CDs and LPs , No Cassettes)

At Epsom Methodist Church, Ashley Road

To Date the amount raised is in excess of £21,000

This FAIR is to support the Action for Children and the New Youth Hall to be used by youngsters from a wide area of the Epsom community, such as Scouts, Guides, Beavers, Brownies, Rainbows, Performing Arts Group (PAG), Chinese Youth and many others.

Action for Children is committed to helping the most vulnerable children and young people in the UK break through injustice, deprivation and inequality, so they can achieve their full potential. A proud heritage, we have been working with the UK’s most vulnerable children since 1869. We were originally called the National Children’s Home, or NCH, until September 2008 when we changed our name to one that better describes what we do and what we value – Action for Children.

 

2009 Pictures are ............here

2009 Report is..................here

---

Ridge Avenue United Methodist Church - Music Ministry – Mission Choir

At Epsom Methodist Church - 10.30am Sunday 23 November

 

Ridge Avenue United Methodist Church from Philadelphia, USA has a rich tradition of music. For more that 158 years, the church’s music ministry has enhanced the worship, nurtured the God-given talents of its volunteer singers and has provided for the expression of faith through music.

Scott Santo, Director of Music, blends contemporary anthems with traditional choral masters. He favours exciting arrangements of familiar hymns as well as fresh, contemporary melodies.

This Mission Choir’s members range in age from 19 to almost 80. The Choir has sung in both Vienna and Prague, in the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in the centre of Berlin and in Stowe and Burlington Vermont. A highlight was singing at the historic Trappe Family Lodge when visiting Salzburg.

They are looking forward to walking in the footsteps of the Wesley's, offering fellowship concerts in Methodist churches and touring England and Ireland … and we look forward to welcoming the choir to EMC.

The Mission Choir’s members range in age from 19 to almost 80.

2008 TOUR Details

Round trip flight from Philadelphia (British Air or USAir, Evening departure-Afternoon return)

Four nights in England including London, Bristol & Oxford

Three nights in Dublin, Ireland

Four sacred concerts:

Concert in Christchurch College Cathedral at Oxford University

Worship, Church Service with Epsom Methodist Church in Surrey, England and Benefit Concert

Fellowship Concert in a Bristol church

Fellowship Concert in Dublin, Ireland

Guided tours, by local guides, of:

Tour of London including Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament

Tour of Wesley's Chapel and House, Museum of Methodism, Wesley's Tomb,

the Mother Church of World Methodism

Tours of Oxford Castle, Lincoln College, Christchurch Cathedral, Cotswolds Village

Guided tour of Bristol including John Wesley's Chapel and Wesley College

Panoramic Coach Tour of Dublin, Ireland and tours of Trinity College, Books of Kells and

Jameson Distillery or Guinness Brewery

Two dinners (Welcome Dinner in Putney and Festive Irish Farewell Dinner)

Breakfast every morning in our hotels

Ridge Avenue United Methodist Church from Philadelphia, USA website is....................here

---

The Methodist Youth Brass Band  - 12-14 September 2008

 

The Methodist Youth Brass Band was formed in April 1987 when 20 enthusiastic young brass players responded to an advert in the Methodist Recorder and got together at Surbiton Hill Methodist Church. After just two lengthy and concentrated rehearsals they gave a creditable first concert and then on the Sunday participated in morning worship by playing the voluntaries and accompanying all the hymns. The National Methodist Youth Brass Band had been born. It was evident from that first weekend that there was potential and promise for such a band and that God's Spirit was urging it on.

But how can you run a band on a national basis? How can they get together to practise and perform? What about the cost of travel and accommodation? The answer is 'weekends'. The band meets four or five times a year from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon. The players sleep on the floor in church halls and are fed by local congregations. They give a Saturday night concert and lead Sunday morning worship - a pattern set by that first weekend in Surbiton.

Brilliant Brass!

“What a wonderful weekend!”  - I hear so many people saying, as they praise the music, fun, witness and quality of the National Methodist Youth Brass Band.  The concert on 13 September 2008 and the Sunday morning services were joyful and inspiring.  What a great bunch of young people!

I must say that I am proud to have been on the scene during the early consultations about setting up the band, when Norman Every came to see me at the Division of Education and Youth in 1986.  I’m glad that Norman and Sandra were with us at EMC on Saturday and Sunday, as he was the founder whose commitment brought the band into being.  I was also very sorry that, when I was on sick leave two years ago, it was necessary to give up being on the Chaplaincy team for the band, but I am still a great fan and supporter – and I’m sure you understand why!

I am equally proud and thankful for the warmth and care with which the young people were welcomed to EMC.  The members were especially grateful for the hospitality, for the full and responsive audience at the concert and for the worship on Sunday.  Thank you for sharing the weekend with them and helping to raise £2,190 towards the Youth Hall.

We are grateful to Carol Thorley for all her hard work in coordinating the weekend, to those who kindly prepared delicious meals, to Bob Allen, Tom Cox and Paul Lovett for installing the lighting (and working until 4am to replace an unsuitable cable!) and to those who provided beds, to Paul Briggs for his extra work and to all who helped to make the weekend a happy and enriching time – To God be the glory!

David Winwood

 

Saturday Evening Concert

Sunday Morning 9.00 Service

Sunday Morning 10.30 Parade Service