THE GRAPEVINE – SEPTEMBER 2024

The Grapevine – September 2024

The autumn smells and colours beckon, the leaves begin to fall and the nights are drawing in. September is a month to love.  This autumnal issue features a nostalgic pastoral letter from our minister, Michael, telling of his fond memories of ‘The Wind in the Willows’ and how they have stayed with him and affected him 60 years on.  We write about a moving lunchtime concert given by what we are coming to regard as our resident Trio, Stratus.  There was a Festival of Flowers held in the church over an August weekend and you can see some of the beautiful arrangements by amazingly talented members of the Walton & Weybridge Flower Club in a double-page spread.  Contributions were encouraged from members of the congregation, and those arrangements were also much admired.  The Mayor of Elmbridge and his wife spent over an hour enjoying browsing amongst the flowers.  There was musical accompaniment courtesy of our minister, Michael, and a great rendering of ‘In an English Country Garden’ on two pianos at the Sunday service when one of our organists, Teresa, joined him for the closing voluntary.  We get to know one member of the congregation, recently ordained as an Elder, who has long-held links to the church.   We keep in touch with ECO matters with an article about plastic-free July.  We were absolutely delighted to welcome back to the church Evelyn McCrorie,  widow of a former minister, Bill, who now lives in Spain, with one of her two daughters, Pauline.    All this with a bit of light relief thrown in and our monthly reports on activities with our local Elmbridge MENCAP, Messy Church and ArtPeace in Zimbabwe.  Please read and enjoy!