Epsom & Utica News

by Faye Ashton

I hope your gardens received some much-needed rain, which fell first on Thursday and again on Sunday. This farm was working into the night on Saturday to get the cut hay baled and wrapped, and the haylage into the silo before the predicted rain on Sunday. So is the life of all farm families because the weather plays such an important role in our livelihood.

As we look back 50 years on June 13th, we think of the tremendous help we received when lightning hit our barn and killed many animals. The bang was so loud,our neighbours were here immediately to get as many animals from the barn as possible, and the fire department was working so hard to save the steel quonset. With the help of many neighbours, plumbers, and electricians, we were able to milk the remaining herd by 9 o’clock the next morning. Fifty years seems like yesterday when looking back, but what we remember most is all the help we received from those we knew and strangers, too. We will never forget. When it came to rebuild our neighbours were here with a helping hand. That’s community.

A beautifully decorated church at Utica welcomed all who attended the decoration service on Sunday, led by Rev. David Clinker and musically led by Linda Hunter. Many years back, when Linda lived in the Epsom community, and we were putting on a social event, she was our choir pianist, and I think she was newly married. Linda, I adore your beautiful talent on the piano and all the ways you have contributed to this community. Looking back and remembering all the changes which have occurred within this church community. Back in the 1800s, it was Greenbank, Epsom, and Utica; then it became a 3-point charge of Bethesda, Epsom, and Utica, and in 1955, Bethesda closed. In 1966, Epsom and Utica became one congregation sharing the churches every other Sunday. Shortly after we joined with Goodwood, and then in the 70s became the BUGLE charge (Ballentrae, Utica, Goodwood, Lemonville, and Epsom), remaining that way for several years, then back to Epsom, Utica, and Goodwood. In 2016, we stood alone again as Epsom-Utica churches. As you can see, so many changes took place in the United Church for us. As we celebrate Epsom’s 150 years and Utica’s 155 years, I’m sure many of you in this community have stories to tell of your times in Sunday School and church worship. Let’s hear your stories. My father, Don Asling, helped compose three booklets on Epsom church and school, the centennial year, as the date on Epsom school is 1876, too. Now closed since June 2017, but bought and beautifully revitalized within the community. A huge community party was held to celebrate the 100th anniversary of both the church and the school, leaving lasting memories.

Happy Father’s Day to all our fathers, stepfathers and to-be fathers for a celebration lasting well beyond this special day.

Worship on Sunday at Epsom United with communion celebrated at 10:30 a.m. All are welcome.