September and our thoughts here at church turn to Harvest. Both of our churches will be holding special Harvest services. St Margaret’s traditionally hold theirs at the end of September and then St John the Baptist follow at Capel the following week, the first Sunday in October. It is a wonderful time of the year isn’t it and our churches certainly always look splendid festooned with harvest flowers and of course the harvest gifts so generously donated by many of you. We also have another one of our very popular murder mystery plays and suppers returning to both Ockley and to Capel this year. Following a break of at least a couple of years we have a stellar cast for you and the drama this year is set in the world of fashion. ‘Murder on the Catwalk’ written by Janet Smith will once again be a murder mystery to be solved by our audiences and I understand that there will be a sense of secrecy as in that long running play ‘The Mousetrap’ as to who did it!! An excellent two course supper will be included in your ticket so do book early as places are limited. Details for booking are elsewhere in this magazine but I can tell you performances are on Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th September.

For those who would prefer a slightly more genteel approach to Harvest we are looking forward to a ploughman’s harvest lunch at St Margaret’s on Sunday 25th September. The traditional Harvest teas will then be at Capel on Sunday 2nd October. We will once again be looking to collect donations of appropriate foodstuffs for Dorking Foodbank and Leatherhead Start so if you would like to contribute please leave your donations inside church clearly marked that it is for Harvest. We will also be taking a monetary collection at both Harvest services to assist those in need at home or abroad. More details will be available shortly.

September is one of those times of new beginnings isn’t it. Lots of young people will be making new starts as they return to or start new schools or colleges and many leaving home to continue their education. We will be praying for them and also for others we know who are moving away to other parts of the country. Someone who we have had to say farewell to is one of our wonderful Treasurers, Debbie von Bergen, as she and Hugh move westwards. Debbie took on the role of Hon Treasurer a few years ago which is a big enough job for anyone these days but has also given her commitment and dedication to everything that we as a parish have been involved in in recent years. As someone noted recently ‘not many people are irreplaceable but Debbie is a pretty good contender on that one’! I personally shall miss them both and thank them both for their presence and wisdom in all they have been involved with, in and for our church and community. We send them off with all God’s blessings as they begin this new chapter in their lives.

With all love and prayers

Revd Liz