Dear Friends,

What brings people together, especially children?   For me it is love and acceptance.   One afternoon as I sat down in the hospital waiting room, my eyes caught a fascinating action between to sets of children who were playing.  I realised that one had a toy gun as he came in while the other children who were there already had a toy which made them play gently together in turns with their mum.

One thing that made me happy and got drawn into their play was when the one with the toy gun dropped it down and went to play with the others without invitation.   I think he longed for the peace and joy that the very young gentle players had and so joined them.   He was accepted and was allowed to have a go also.

Their action reminded me of the Psalm ‘How nice it is for brothers to live together in peace.’

I believe that as adults, if we adopt a childlike attitude like those sweet innocent children, our approach to each other will bring peace and love within a family, community and nation.   Can we adults like the two gentle children let go of differences that create barriers, for others to feel at ease in our company?

It is my prayer that as children of God our Father, we will all make the effort to welcome one another just like the sweet little children who felt at peace and played warmly together even with a stranger.   Their acceptance of the other encouraged the stranger to forget his toy gun, and he felt at peace playing as well.

I believe that is what God our Father wants from all his creation, that we bury our differences of resentment and learn to live with one another in harmony.   To look and see the good in each other and play on our strengths to build upon the Kingdom that Christ Our Saviour brought down to earth especially on the day of His resurrection for all.  

It is for this love that Christ sacrificed His life for all humankind in order for us to live together in peace to the glory of God our Father.

May the Christ of Peace fill our hearts with love and peace this Eastertide.   Happy Easter to all.

  Elizabeth

BEWTEEN FRIENDS

CONGRATULATIONS to Andrea Will*ams on the birth of Nora Patricia (6lbs 1oz) on 1^st March, a niece for Rachel and a granddaughter for Pat and Alan Williams.

Congratulations too, to Sangwoo Seo who has been unanimously accepted by the Connexional Candidates Committee for training as a Methodist minister from September.

The sudden death of Jack Harvey on 14 March came as a shock to us all.   Although his failing eyesight hampered him, he maintained an active life, and was a faithful member of our Church from its earliest days in 1948.   He served us as a Sunday School Teacher and Leader, Church Steward (twice), Choir master, Guild Leader, Circuit Steward, Class Leader and organist.   We shall miss his presence with us.   Many friends came to join Barbara, Jane, Brenda, John and their familes in a Thanksgiving Service on 26 March and we assure them of our continuing support, love and prayers at this time.

Arthur Evans, who had been in Kingston hospital following a fall, passed away on 16 March.   We offer our condolences to his family, and our thoughts and prayers at this sad time.

Barbara Har*ey has now moved into a nursing home in Berrylands, and Roy Mo*re who came out of hospital in early March, is back in again following a fall at home.  Dorothy Whit*way has been moved to Tolworth and Barrie Th*mas is able to get about more now his treatment is going well.  Phyllis Giemb*cz has had a spell in Kingston, but is now home.  We assure these and all other friends who are unwell at this time, of our continuing concern, thoughts and prayers. 

 During Holy Week, the Church will be open from 10.00am to 1.00pm for quiet contemplation.

Contemporary Style Worship

This will take place on April 1, at 4.00pm and May 6 at 4.00pm.   Our regular 6.30pm service will continue on the other Sundays during April and May.  

April 10  Easter Evening; 
April 24  Members Evening

April 18 – AGM with Rev Elizabeth Osei; 
May 16  – Sangwoo Seo

DIARY DATES

       April  5    7.30pm  Maundy Thursday Service at Chessington Methodist Church
       April   6         9.30am  Good Friday Service at St Paul’s, followed by a walk of witness to St Catherine’s.
       April   8    8.00am  Easter Day Holy Communion and Breakfast 

                       10.00am  Family Service – Easter Eggs for the Royal Marsden

                             There will be no evening service on Easter Day

        April   19   Messy Church

        May 2 – Annual Church Meeting at 8.00pm – Everybody welcome

The next Newsletter is the May one.  Copy date – 19 April.  Material to the Editor, Pat Watson, by this date please, to ensure publication on 28 April.   Please forward Diary Dates for 2012 as soon as possible to ensure maximum publicity.  Thank you.