Parish of Esher's Newsletter: Edition 15 -
Autumn 2019
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From the Editor
Whilst traditionally January 1st is the start of the New Year, I always feel that the real new year comes with the return to schools in September and the end of the summer. This is often a time of change, upheaval and new beginnings for so many families, with tension in the air and the hope that everything will work out well.
We pray that this can be viewed as an opportunity by everyone involved and that the dust has now settled and life can move forward.
This could be seen as a metaphor for the stage that we in the Parish are at in our search for a new Rector to lead us forward on a new path to our spiritual future. The Rev. Andrew Cowie has given a full update on where we are and what happens next (see below) and we must all continue to pray for a suitable applicant to come forward.
In the meantime we welcome, and thank, the Rev. Sarb Klair for giving time to Christ Church and St George's and look forward to worshipping with him in the future.
The next issue will, gulp, be the Christmas one and we look forward to positive news to take us into that joyous period.
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Interregnum update
A quick interregnum update: when the shortlisting panel (made up of the Bishop, Archdeacon, Area Dean and the two parish representatives, Sandra Argent and Helen Coulson) met in July to review the candidates who had applied for the post of Rector of Esher, it was felt that we didn’t have sufficient quality of candidates to warrant progressing to the interview stage.
Whilst that obviously came as a disappointment to many, it is important that we only interview and ultimately appoint someone who is considered to be the right person to take the parish forward. Difficult though it may be in the short term, it is far better that we don’t make a hasty decision, but wait for the right candidate who can achieve the vision for the parish as set out in the parish profile.
Following the summer break, we will re-advertise the post in the Church Times in October, and all being well, we will interview on 19th & 20th November. There have already been a couple of expressions of interest in the post, but do please continue to pray that the right person will respond to the advert, and discern God’s calling to the parish.
There will be the opportunity to come together to pray for the parish and the appointment over the coming months, and I urge you to attend these meetings if you are able.
In the meantime, the PCC have been working well together, and dealing with the business of the parish. The Bishop and Archdeacon, together with the PCC, have also given their approval for Rev. Sarb Klair, who is the curate at St. Nicholas’ Thames Ditton, to come and take a number of the Sunday services at Esher in this interim period. This will be a good opportunity for Sarb to take on this responsibility, and also provide some continuity of ministry for the congregations at St. George’s, West End and Christ Church, Esher. Do please introduce yourself to Sarb, and make him feel welcome.
Rev. Andrew Cowie
Emly Area Dean
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Stewardship Appeal
from Jane Tyrrell
We have an urgent need for your support so that we can continue to work for the benefit of all in our Parish. To plan more effectively for this work and make better use of our resources, it is very important that we increase our regular income.
Current Parish Funding
It is several years since we last reviewed our Stewardship and during this time our income has been dropping and we have lost a number of committed, regular givers. The stark reality is that we are now struggling to meet our monthly outgoings.
Currently we are running at a deficit of £3,500 per month!
This is not sustainable for more than a few months. We all have a collective responsibility to share in the work of our church and the costs of running our Parish and contributing to the Diocese. So we invite you to join us in supporting our work here in the Parish. If you are already supporting us, for which we are extremely grateful, we ask that you consider if you are able to help by increasing your regular giving.
How to Give:
Regular Giving
If you wish to become a Regular Giver or wish to amend your Regular Giving you will need to set up or amend a standing order. To do this, please complete the Standing Order Form available from the Parish Office so we can present it to your bank.
Alternatively you can, of course, set up or amend your own standing order either via your bank or online using the details in the Standing Order Form. However if you set up or amend your own standing order, please return the Standing Order Form and Gift Aid Declaration completed to the office - so we have a record.
The standing order requires a payment reference - please use your surname and initials. This is necessary so that we can recognise your payments.
Donation
If you would like to make a donation other than by standing order, please speak to a member of the Stewardship team - Helen Coulson or Jane Tyrrell.
Please also contact them, or the Parish Office, for further information.
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Beverley Remembered
As a congregation the pain over the loss of our Churchwarden Beverley Eastwood-Taylor is still strongly felt and it has, therefore, been decided that a good way to celebrate her life would be to hold a Macmillan Coffee morning in remembrance of her short time with us.
It will be held after the service on Sunday 13th October and all are welcome (see full details below).
Beverley was a force for good not just within the Christ Church community. At her funeral Geoffrey Walker told how she worked tirelessly for the Esher branch of the Royal British Legion, making his workload as chairman of the branch significantly lighter due to her enthusiasm and talent.
He said: "It was not just her contribution to the organising of branch events - it was a lot more than that. She showed great courage by continuing to work for the church and Legion all through her illness, despite the adverse effect the treatment for her medical condition had on her. Beverley was a people's person, like the good samaritan she would cross the road to help anyone if she thought they were in trouble and I feel honoured and privileged to be able to read psalm 23 as a tribute to a dear friend and colleague."
Fellow Churchwarden Sandra Argent read a poem by David Harkins:
You can shed tears that she is gone
or you can smile because she has lived.
You can close your eyes and pray that she'll come back
or you can open your eyes and see all she's left.
You heart can be empty because you can't see her
or you can be full of the love you shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can remember her and only that she's gone
or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
or you can do what she'd want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.
Please join us to raise money in Beverley's memory for this very worthy cause.
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Harvest
An all-parish service was held in Christ Church on Sunday 29th September with our two church communities coming together to celebrate and give thanks for the abundance of food available to us, and to think of those less fortunate than we are.
The church decorations were a joy to behold and a big 'thank you' goes to Carol Calvert and her team for putting on such a brilliant show. Thank you too to Waitrose who supplied some of the produce on display.
A request went out before the service for donations of tinned and packet goods for the Elmbridge Foodbank and the congregation rose the occasion - especially responding to the request for dog food!
The needs of the Foodbank are ongoing and all contributions are always welcome. They are especially looking for: ·
· Tinned vegetables
· Pasta/ rice
· Tinned custard / rice pudding
· Pet food
· Jam
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News from West End
We have enjoyed a very hot summer here in Esher – and it was only due to the diligence of our gardening team that the plants and garden survived. The beautiful new Azaleas in the back garden nearly popped their clogs – but thanks to a heavy dose of last minute watering – they have revived and will still be there hopefully to bloom again next year.
Once again we were blessed with amazing weather for the West End Village Show. It can make such a huge difference to the success of the day. We are delighted to report that the bread, cake stall and raffle in St George’s Church on the day raised just over £1250 – which goes solely to the upkeep, repairs and renovations of our little church. Thank you all for your purchases – we really do value your support.
Whilst we were busy in the church – our wonderful team of ladies and gentlemen from Christ Church were also rushed off their feet selling cream teas, cakes and tea in the Village Hall. That too was a great success – and they managed to raise £750 towards the funds at Christ Church. Money is always needed to maintain both our churches – even more so when lead thieves have managed to steal from the roof at Christ Church. Thank you from all of us at both churches.
We have been very lucky to receive donated paintings recently – and have, since the last newsletter, received two more – we now have a little gallery! One was donated by Peter Bedford – a painting of “West End, Esher” by the artist Susie West, who also had a stall at the Flower Show. The other has been donated by Juliet Philip. It’s a painting also of West End by an Australian artist Carole King – who lived in Esher for a few years in the 1980’s.
Andrea Lindow and Bridget Williams
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The choir at Southwark Cathedral
This year, All Souls Day (2 nd November) falls on a Saturday, and Christ Church Choir will have the privilege of providing the music at Southwark Cathedral for the cathedral's main annual act of commemoration to remember the dead. This will take the form of a Requiem Mass, with selected movements of the Fauré Requiem being sung liturgically at different points of the service.
Stuart Whatton, our Parish Director of Music, comments: "It should be a very moving occasion, and all are welcome to attend - indeed we will be delighted to see some familiar faces in the congregation if you can come and support us! The service is at 4 pm and should last a little over an hour."
The choir will then perform the whole of Fauré 's much-loved Requiem setting at our own parish commemoration of All Souls; this will take place at Christ Church exactly 24 hours later, at 4 pm on Sunday 3 rd November.
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Music on the Green Weekend concert - postponed
In addition to its regular programme of lunchtime concerts on the third Wednesday of each month, Music on the Green also hosts a weekend concert two or three times a year - sometimes on a Saturday evening, sometimes Sunday teatime - in order to allow an opportunity for visiting musicians to offer a more ambitious programme than is possible in a lunchtime slot.
We were looking forward to welcoming the Boyce Camerata to Christ Church on the evening of Saturday 19 October to give us a superb programme of Bach, Boyce and Tchaikovsky, but unfortunately this concert has had to be postponed. We will fix a fresh date for it at the earliest opportunity - please keep your eyes peeled!
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The annual Pet Service
Our Vicar of Dibley style Pet Service was held at St George’s West End on Sunday 22nd September. We were yet again lucky with the weather and by 4 o’clock the rain had stopped and the clouds dispersed. The popularity of this Service increases year on year as word spreads - and this, our 12th one - was no exception.
It was delightful watching the dogs assembling on the Village green before the Service, and witnessing their enthusiasm as they dragged their owners inside the church! This year we had 14 dogs of various sizes, shapes and colours, ranging in age from 5 months to 14 years, plus two lovely guinea pigs - all of whom behaved impeccably. With over thirty owners, friends and families (who l am glad to say also behaved!) we had a lovely full house.
We were delighted to welcome back the Rev Helen Kempster to conduct the Service, and to have Keith Howell-Jones play the organ.
Sincere thanks to both of them for making the Service so enjoyable.
Helen’s chosen charity was Cats Protection, Woking Branch, with whom she has had personal contact and our retiring collection has raised an impressive £104.50 for this very worthwhile cause. Thank you everyone for your generosity.
There is something unique about a Pet Service, and there is a wonderful atmosphere of great fun and happiness as we sing the hymns, bless the animals and pray for all creatures created by God. I think all of us feel uplifted after this happy Service, and leave with a smile on our faces.
Long may this very special event continue to thrive and be enjoyed by us all.
Andrea Lindow
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A new year for our young parishioners
The beginning of a new term is always an exciting one when working with young people and in schools.
During the first week in September we were able to welcome the entire High School into Christ Church for their welcome services where we looked at the theme of asking God to guide us on the right path.
Over the coming weeks I will be teaching Year 8 on the topic of “Religion: What’s the point?” which always lead to some good discussions. We also have a new team of volunteers coming into school this year to help run our Wednesday lunch club and be involved as guest presenters in some assemblies.
I took the harvest assemblies at the High School this year and also went into Esher Church School to take a special assembly during harvest week.
In terms of the youth work at Christ Church, this year I am expanding the age range of the younger group to be from school years 3-6, so all junior school children can attend. We have a number of families in church with children in year 3 so it will certainly swell the numbers.
For the older group, we will be joining the youth alpha course run by St. Mary’s church in Molesey. This will be a great opportunity for the young people who weren’t old enough to do youth alpha last to complete the course and also meet other local young people of a similar age. This will run Sunday evening up to Christmas.
Please do be praying for all these things and I will give you a more detailed update in the next Inspire so watch this space!
Thank you!
Dave Whymark
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Desert Island Hymns
Our stranded parishioner this month is Andrea Lindow, Deputy Church Warden of St George's West End.
Since moving to Esher as a family in 1970, the Church has been an integral part of our lives and St George’s has become especially important to us in recent years. Following in my husband Peter’s footsteps, l became Deputy Church Warden of St George’s in 2017 - one of the many people who happily look after our little Church.
The idea of being stranded on a Desert Island is a bit of a worry as l wasn’t a girl guide and l anticipate problems starting a fire. However, l think l could construct a very basic shelter and, as l love hot weather and enjoy dining alfresco, perhaps this could be fun!
My first choice of hymn is “The day thou gavest Lord is ended” as this transports me back to my childhood, and evensong, with my Mother and godmother at the historic Church of St Marys, Harrow-on-the Hill, where l was confirmed. When l hear this hymn l recall views from the churchyard, the iconic spire, stained glass windows, ancient stone and a sense of peace.
My second choice is “Lord of all hopefulness”, a wonderful hymn, which l simply love. This hymn has given huge comfort at times of great sadness, it is joyfully sung at weddings and the verses are uplifting and full of hope every day of the year. With its thoughtful words and gentle melody this really is a “feel good” hymn for all seasons.
My final hymn has to be “Jerusalem”. We sang this with great enthusiasm at Peterborough & St Margaret’s High School for Girls, Harrow and it perfectly reflects the deep pride l feel for my Country and the love l feel for the church. l never cease to be moved by the words of William Blake and the incomparable music of Sir Hubert Parry, which blend together so wonderfully. To me “Jerusalem” is everything a Hymn should be.
Apart from the Bible, may l exchange Shakespeare for the complete works of Dickens please? l will have plenty of time on my hands and - assuming l have managed to get a fire going - l can read in the evenings, sipping a coconut cocktail, and get to grips with the author’s huge cast of characters.
For my luxury item, may l have a lifetime supply of spider repellent to spray around my shelter please? Esher spiders are just about manageable - but l have a nasty feeling that Desert Island ones will be a whole different ball game!
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London to Brighton by bike!
On Sunday 15th Sept, Stuart Whatton, our Parish Director of Music, vacated his organ bench to undertake the famous London-Brighton Bike Ride. He rode as part of Team LCC, raising money for the London Cycling Campaign's work to promote cycling and sustainable transport in the capital.
Stuart said: "This iconic ride had been on my bucket list for a long time but I finally felt moved to do it now, as this year was the 50th anniversary of my family moving house to Brighton, which was my childhood
home from 1969-79. I used my trusty everyday bike, which was given a good once-over by my local cycle shop in Kennington including fitting some natty red handlebar tape! I was one of around 4000 riders and we were fortunate to have perfect weather for the event. It was lovely breezing through picturesque Sussex villages such as Ardingly and Lindfield; Ditchling Beacon was the big test, but the final spectacular descent towards Brighton seafront made it all worthwhile.
"The whole 55-mile route took me around eight hours (including a splendid organised lunch stop and a couple of navigational hiccups!) but my actual self-clocked time in the saddle was 4 hrs 48 mins, averaging out at around five minutes a mile, which I was very pleased with. I was even more pleased not to be aching too much the following day!
"I'm really grateful to everyone in the parish who kindly sponsored me in this memorable venture."
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5.30pm 
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