I believe in the sun even when it’s not shining
I believe in love when I feel it not
I believe in God even when he is silent

These words above are based on some lines which were found written on the wall in a cellar in Cologne after World War II. At the recent Annual Service of Comfort for the Bereaved held in our church at the end of last month, the choir sung a setting of these beautiful words set to music by Norwegian composer Kim Andre Arnesen. The original lines are these:
I believe in the sun, though it be dark;
I believe in God though He be silent;
I believe in neighbourly love, though it be unable to reveal itself.

At the time these words were written, some underground passages beneath old buildings were being used as refuges for people hiding from the Gestapo. At one point, nine Jewish fugitives hid there for four months without ever being caught. The emergency housing was fully equipped with kitchen, bedroom, living room, radio, a small library and oil lamps. Meals could only be prepared at night so any smoke or smell wouldn’t attract the Gestapo’s attention. Food had to be supplied by friends who willingly gave up a portion of their rations to help those people living for weeks in utter darkness. The inscription itself is written on the wall of one of these underground rooms.

This month of course is the time when we remember all those who died in the World Wars and of course sadly more recent conflicts. Thankfully we are not living in such conditions ourselves but Ukraine remains very much on our hearts and minds I am sure. I think these beautiful words above speak to us of a great hope which we all need to hang on to in difficult times. A hope that despite what we may be experiencing or facing in the future, the sun is still shining, God is there, as is love. It’s like flying in a plane high above the clouds, the sky is blue and the sun is shining, even though the weather below is grey and raining. In those weather conditions, it doesn’t mean the sun has gone away, it’s still there somewhere. The author of these words cannot see the sun and he can’t hear Gods voice. Yet he still hangs onto these items of faith, perhaps because of his trust in the love and compassion being shown to him in secret.

So as winter begins in earnest, I pray these words may give you comfort, as we all face the cost of living rises and of course higher energy bills. Neighbourly love is something our community does very well, but we need to know which of our neighbours needs a helping hand. I don’t know whether we are planning any warm spaces in the village, but I am pretty sure as the colder weather bites if there’s a need we will find a solution in Capel! In the meantime, you are assured of a very warm welcome at one of our heated church services or events so come and join us soon!
With my love and prayers

Revd Liz

Dear frieds,

Once again my apologies for being late publishing the notes.
This week was particularly unnecessary as the notes were ready and printed on Thursday! I have now created an entry in my diary to remind me every week. The lesson: never expect a different outcome when doing the same thing over and over again.

The picture attached was taken two weeks ago in our field. It was a real surprise to suddenly see eight youngstock grazing where I expected one horse. It made for a pretty picture though and the situation was soon rectified by the farmer next door.

God bless,

Dineke

20221016.pdf
Readings-16-October.pdf

Dear friends,

Better late than never: I nearly forgot to send the weekly email to you this week. I will never become a person of habit!
We have a very good year for mushrooms in all shapes and sizes. What an abundance and what great weather we have again.

Please consider the plea for helpers and don’t hesitate to ask around what is involved in the roles we are seeking to fill before you decide. It’ll be lovely to see some new faces busying themselves in church on a Sunday.
God bless,

Dineke

20221009.pdf
Readings-9-October.pdf

Dear friends,

Things are decidedly autumnal as I write but there is some more late-summer weather in the offing. I hope you have time to enjoy the outdoors whilst the weather is good.

For those who have to miss the Harvest Festival service in Capel on Sunday there is opportunity aplenty to donate non-perishable food and household items for our distribution to Leatherhead START and the Dorking Foodbank. These support services are now more needed than ever and the church is open from 9 – 4 today so you can drop off your gifts for us to pass on. Tins of food and dried pasta, grains and pulses are always welcome but also items like toothpaste and deodorant. I will try to publish a list soon with urgent requirements as this is very much an ongoing project.

The 4th of October is St Francis Day, which marks the end of Creation tide in our churches. Below, you will find a prayer from his namesake, Pope Francis. In the Netherlands the 4th of October has a long tradition of children being allowed to bring their pets to school. I can’t remember what the rules were about bringing cats but I remember bringing my pet rabbit, successive guinea pigs and several hamsters. Unfortunately the latter never lived long because they were escape artists and our cat was fast. In school the day was all about the natural world and the joy of creation.

Whilst we celebrate harvest and alleviate poverty by donating food locally and money to East Africa (see inside notes) we mustn’t forget the devastation caused by manmade climate change in Pakistan. I recommend you look at the Christian Aid campaign for climate justice this week.

I hope you all have a good week,

Dineke van den Bogerd

A prayer for the Earth

All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe
and in the smallest of your creatures.
You embrace with your tenderness all that exists.
Pour out upon us the power of your love,
that we may protect life and beauty.
Fill us with peace, that we may live
as brothers and sisters, harming no one.
O God of the poor,
help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth,
so precious in your eyes.
Bring healing to our lives,
that we may protect the world and not prey on it,
that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction.
Touch the hearts
of those who look only for gain
at the expense of the poor and the earth.
Teach us to discover the worth of each thing,
to be filled with awe and contemplation,
to recognise that we are profoundly united
with every creature
as we journey towards your infinite light.
We thank you for being with us each day.
Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle
for justice, love and peace.

Amen

(Prayer by Pope Francis; from ‘Laudato sí’)

Given the success of last weekend’s murder mystery evenings I had hoped for some pictures but alas: all avenues came to a dead end in that respect. Instead, I give you a picture I made last weekend of one of 53 dolmen (prehistoric burial places) in the east of the Netherlands.

20221002.pdf
Readings-2-October.pdf
harvest-Capel-2022.docx

As our nation mourns the loss of our beloved Queen Elizabeth II the outpouring of tributes and thanksgiving for such a much loved and respected monarch has been phenomenal. Our late Sovereign Lady has been referred to as Elizabeth the Great, which would be a very fitting title in time considering the length and distinctiveness of her long reign.
A clergy colleague of mine commented after having queued early on to view the Queen lying in state, as he walked past her Majesty’s coffin and out into the morning sunrise, he felt as if he was literally walking out of the second Elizabethan age…

The news of her death shocked us all didn’t it and even though Her Majesty looked extremely frail in her final public photographs, it was hard to believe after seeing her brilliant beautiful smile of welcome to our new prime minister Liz Truss, that shortly afterwards her life would draw to a close. Yet among the obvious sadness that follows such a loss of someone who has been a constant in all our lives, there has been a wonderful atmosphere of warmth and thankfulness throughout. From the incredible detail of the ceremonial and formal, yet intimate too, as the Royal family have led us through those amazing first ten days of national mourning and invited us to mourn and give thanks with them. And the nation has responded. Whether with the somewhat pilgrimage nature of the queue for Westminster Hall as thousands queued overnight and more to pay their respects to the Queen lying in state or as many more thousands travelled from all over the nation and beyond to visit the capital and lay flowers at Green Park, and outside other royal residences, the mood has been one of gratefulness, kindness, support and a deep respect and love for our late Queen.

As we lay flowers in Green Park I was struck not only by the amount of flowers and the messages of appreciation but at how beautiful London looked in the late September sunshine, the leaves still green, dappled in the sunshine. The flags lining The Mall, the uniqueness of being able to walk over Westminster Bridge in the middle of the road – all traffic suspended for the time being. Truly remarkable times….

Autumn sets in now as we continue with our Harvest Festival in church followed by harvest teas. We will be donating foodstuff to Dorking Foodbank and taking up a monetary collection to send to Christian Aid for the East Africa Hunger Crisis. After the worst drought in 40 years people there are facing the threat of famine and harvests have failed, livestock has died and there are water shortages. Please do contribute if you can. You can donate online at canid.org.uk/hungercrisis <canid.org.uk/hungercrisis> or call 08080 004 004.

At the end of the month we approach the season of All Saints and All Souls and the latter gives us an opportunity to gather to remember our loved ones no longer here. A special service of comfort for all those who have been bereaved will be held at Capel Church on Sunday 30th October, followed by teas. Lists for the name of loved ones will be in church leading up to the service. With the Queen’s passing we are all reminded of our loved ones and of loss past and present. All are welcome to the service however long ago your loss occurred. We will remember them together.

Finally, a thought…. the Queen was quoted as having said “I have to be seen to be believed”. Many have been fortunate to have met or seen Her Late Majesty, and many would have liked to have been able to have visited her Lying in State. St Paul speaks of faith as being not looking at what can be seen, but looking at what cannot be seen. For he says, what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal. Amen to that!
God save the King.

With my love and prayers
Rev Liz

Dear friends,

Thank you, Liz, for doing the honours and writing the weekly notes. It’s not as you haven’t got enough on your plate this week!
Once again, the readings this week are special and we don’t follow the blue sheets tomorrow. I draw your attention to the national commemoration tomorrow at 20:00. For those who seek comfort in company there will be a short ceremony around the flag pole in Capel.

I have just come back from a few lovely days in the west: Cheddar gorge and Llanthony Priory, Wales. My phone would not charge and it gave me a most wonderful sense of detachment from our fast-moving world, dictated by technology. The connection with nature was all the more deeply felt. It was bliss for a few days but I am also relieved that the phone did charge overnight after our return and I don’t have to spend lots of time trying to retrieve contact details for the people in my life!
Having no phone has meant that I have no pictures to show so I have another week to work that one out.

May I draw you attention to the Murder Mystery evenings next weekend? Today is the last day of sales and there are still some seats left both in Ockley and in Capel so please contact Corinne for your booking:

07718 346294 or capeleditor@gmail.com

Have a good week all,

Dineke

Notes-for-newsheet-18th-September.pdf
newsheet-readings-and-prayers-2.pdf