PENTREF BAPTIST CHAPEL The Chapel at the Heart of Newbridge The Newsletter Of Newbridge-On-Wye Baptist Church November 2018
FROM THE MINISTER Over the past few weeks and the coming two weeks I have led and will be leading a few of the many Harvest Thanksgiving Services that have been and are going on around the area. Harvest Thanksgiving services are a time when we thank God, who is the Giver of All for the greatness of his provision for us. Over this Harvest time I have been thinking about what it means to be thankful. The words thank you just seem to trip of the tongue as a mark of politeness with our dealing with others. But do we ever really stop and think about what it is we are really saying? At the service at Pentref we explored that question a little. Some of the ideas that came out from that service were about expressing with our lips a deep down feeling of gratitude and appreciation not just to God but to all who take part in the process of food getting from the farm (the place where it grows) to the plate (the place where it is consumed). In the spirit of those thoughts here is a thank you to The farmers who grow the food The transport workers who get the food from the farm through the warehouses and into the shops. The warehouse workers The shop workers The cooks and the chefs. Not just words but a real heartfelt thank you for all that you do. Steve
COFFEE MORNING First Wednesday of the month 10:30 12ish The next Coffee Morning is on Wednesday November 7 th We will supply the coffee and tea the cakes and biscuits and you can come along to supply the good-humoured company. No charge but donations gratefully received in aid of: The Local Branch of Cancer Research Bible Study On Tuesday mornings a group of us get together to look at a particular part of the Bible. This is an informal gathering where all are encouraged to take part. We are not a bunch of academics debating the finer points of a text, but a group of people who want to hear what God has got to say to us through His word. In November we will be continuing to look at the gospel of John. If you would like to come along we will be meeting on Tuesday 13 th & 27 th November at 10:30am, in the Baptist Church hall. A few of us go to lunch in Rhayader after the meeting. You would be more than welcome to join us. (2 courses for only 5.50)
Thursday Afternoons 2:00pm 4:00pm Do you, paint, draw, sculpt, knit, crochet, do macramē, or anything else creative? If you do, you would be more than welcome to come along and join the group. Come along to share your skills in a group where we learn from each other. Refreshments provided. More Info: Vanessa 01597 860185 Fancy a sing along to some of the old favourite hymns and the opportunity to learn some of the newer Christian songs then come along to Cartref on Tuesday 27 th November at 7:00pm where some of us from the chapel will be gathering to practice some of the songs we will be using in future services.
PENTREF MEN'S MEETING OCTOBER 2018 (Clive Barrett) The opening devotions were given by Clive Barrett, who spoke about Psalm 46, and some of the main points of Christian interest within the verses. The Psalm is often headed either Immanuel God is with us or God is our refuge and strength and a great help in times of trouble. The speaker for the morning was Catherine Rees, the Senior Environmental Health Officer (Commercial) for Powys County Council. She spoke about the history of environmental health from the early years of the 1800's, with Dr. John Snow and his work on contaminated water courses. Matters are completely different in the modern world, the aim now being to protect public health and prevent people becoming ill. Food safety is an important part of the work of environmental health officers. Catherine then mentioned hepatitis and E.coli. The latter is easily transmitted, and it does not respond well to antibiotics. She mentioned the Lanarkshire outbreak of 1996, and that of 2005 in South Wales. The speaker talked about Food Safety Officers and the legal requirement of scores of hygiene of 0-5 to be displayed outside eating establishments (this official requirement very surprisingly doesn't apply in England). A score of 3 or below wouldn't recommend eating here, whilst a score of 0 attracts legal proceedings. The dangers of catching diseases from animals was also mentioned, and outbreaks associated with local events such as agricultural shows. Catherine completed her lecture by speaking about the Health and Safety at Work Act. She concluded by noting that her department's ultimate aim was to protect the health of residents within our communities, and this includes visitors to Powys. The latter being especially important because we need to attract more holiday makers to help improve the economy of Mid Wales. The speaker was thanked by member Mr. John Lloyd of Newbridge on Wye. The Men s Fellowship The next meeting will be held in the Baptist Chapel hall at 10:30am Tuesday November 20 th Speaker Steve Wallis Hymns: Good and Bad or Good or Bad
THE MONTH AT PENTREF Clive Barrett Monthly activities commenced at Pentref on Wednesday October 3 rd, with the charity Coffee Morning. During the morning Tessa Bradley of the Llandrindod Wells Foodbank was presented with 100, the donations from recent coffee mornings, by Rev Steve Wallis. Tessa also took the opportunity of briefly explaining about her organisations' current work, which now consists of much more than just collecting and distributing food. On the first Sunday of the month at the morning communion service, Rev Steve in his sermon continued with his studies in the Book of Colossians. Although Rev Steve hosted the evening service, the sermon slot was taken by Peter Gladwin, who had talked about his life experiences at the Albert Hall Theatre, Llandrindod Wells, the previous evening. On the second Sunday Rev Steve continued in Colossians, but also featured a wider view of the Christian work in the world with a missionary focus. This consisted of a different type of service, with two short sermons separated by a short BMS film, which explained the difficulties of childbirth in some of the remote villages of Afghanistan, and the work done by the BMS there. Steve's theme in Colossians concentrated firstly on the word justification, which as well as being a finished work, means God sees us through Jesus as if we are perfect. The second is sanctification, which transforms our lives by the power of Christ at work in us making us to be more like him.
HARVEST THANKSGIVING WEEKEND. On the Saturday evening a very successful Harvest Supper was held in the Hall at Pentref, when members and friends from the village greatly enjoyed a ploughman's type meal, and a social evening. At the following morning service, Rev Steve led a Harvest Thanksgiving, with the congregation participating in individual and collective readings and prayers. His sermon concentrated on two things about God. Firstly, he created it all, so it belongs to him. Secondly, because for example he wills the grass to grow, he hasn't abandoned the world he created. Steve went on to say that there are two things about us: one, we are the stewards of his creation, and two, we are partners of God in his creation, for example in producing the harvest. Various processes have to occur in order to change grapes into wine, olives into oil, and wheat into bread. Steve also gave thanks for this gathering time, including all those involved in bringing crops etc from the field to the plate, and challenged us to consider What part do we all have to play in God s work, not just at Harvest, but the whole year around? In the evening a joint Harvest Service with Howey and Franksbridge Chapels took place at Pentref, with the Rev Steve Wallis leading again. He spoke about what it meant to give thanks. Occupying the pulpit on the last Sunday morning of the month was Rev Paul Tarling of Llandrindod Wells. The evening Communion service was taken by Rev Andrew Wyton of Nantmel (the Superintendent of the Montgomeryshire and Radnorshire Baptist Association).
SERVICES AT PENTREF Sunday 4 th November 10:30am Rev Steve Wallis (Communion) (Studies in the Book of Colossians) 5:00pm Rev Steve Wallis (Pictures of the Church) Sunday 11 th November 10:45am Remembrance Day Service Joint with All Saints At All Saints 5:00pm Sunday 18 th November 10:30am 5:00pm Sunday 25 th November 10:30am 5:00pm Rev Steve Wallis (Pictures of the Church) Rev Steve Wallis (Studies in the Book of Colossians) Rev Steve Wallis (Communion) (Pictures of the Church) Rev Paul Tarling Rev Aled Thomas
NOVEMBER AT ALL SAINTS Sunday 4 th November (No Service at All saints) Sunday 11 th November 10:45am Remembrance Service Joint with Pentref At All Saints Sunday 18 th November (No Service at All saints) Sunday 25 th November 11:00am Holy Communion Midweek Communion every Wednesday at 10:00am.
BAKE OFF Vanessa Wallis of Cartref was declared the winner of the village bake off for her White Chocolate Cheesecake. Vanessa pictured receiving her prize from Debbie the Landlady of the New Inn who kindly hosted the event. The trophy was made and donated by Dai Leeton wood-turner of the village. In all the event raised 700 for Macmillan Cancer Support
MY LIFE AS A LARGE BLACK My name is Delilah. I am a Large Black sow and I went to the Royal Welsh this year with my babies and stayed on the pig breeders stand. It was really great, we enjoyed meeting all you members and the general public. The Furber family put us to bed each night and brought us back in the morning. They did complain a little bit as my babies grew so much in the four days - what started out as 2 trips in boxes by the 4 th day they had to do 4 trips as they would not all fit in the box. This did make me laugh! I would like to thank them for looking after us so well. This was the start of a good showing season for Dave and Debbie my owners, they took me and my family to Burwarton and I won the sow and litter class. My January daughter and her stepsister and brother also came to the show and won prizes. Next show was Anglesey for 2 days, then the Flint and Denbigh for one day. I didn t go to Flint as there wasn t enough room in the trailer for all of us, so my best friend Regina went with my January daughter & step sisters and brother. They did really well between them, winning reserve champion and lots of firsts. They came back really so excited that they wanted to go to another show straight away, luckily Dave was going to Bedwellty at the weekend, so he took me and my babies and January daughter and stepsister and brother. I won Champion pig of the show, and the best sow and litter cup. We came back with lots of rosettes and two trophies. In all we have had a good showing season. Now it s time to have a rest before my babies leave me and I am put back out with my boyfriend Angus, to start the whole process again next year. Dave is keeping two of my daughters for next year s shows, along with my next litter in January 19. So look out for my family and me, maybe I will be at the Royal Welsh again next summer with my new family. Bye for now, Delilah and family You can see from the photo all the prizes that I and my friends and family have won for Debbie and Dave.
NEWS FROM THE VILLAGE SCHOOL Newbridge Primary School run Young Promoters Scheme! " We are putting on a play!" The Award winning Half A String Theatre are bringing their production of "A Heart at Sea to Newbridge Village Hall for ONE NIGHT ONLY!! 6pm on Friday 23rd November 2018. (ages 6-106). We would like to invite Newbridge Villagers to buy tickets from Alex Allpress Ceramics on Mondays and Tuesdays between 9am and Noon. Adults: 4 Children 2.50. Tickets will be for sale on the night, but watch out if we are SOLD OUT!..so get your tickets early! To raise money for the pupils of Newbridge School please bring pennies to buy refreshments and programmes from the box office and stands. Thank You! See you There! Young Promoters - Year 5/6 Newbridge on Wye CiW Primary School Night Out Scheme - Arts Council Wales."
November Open Doors Prayer Afternoon Tuesday Nov 27 th 2.30-4 pm St Francis Centre, Holy Trinity Church Please come along if you can to this the last prayer afternoon of 2018. All are most welcome. There is always plenty of news to impart about our persecuted church family, so that we can pray on the day, (though no obligation to pray out loud) and at home with more knowledge and familiarity. There will be several short films and also the opportunity to make cards for sending encouragement to persecuted brothers and sisters around the world. Refreshments will be served. Good news received via the Open Doors website: Turkey: The release on 12 th October of Pastor Andrew Brunsen, who has been held in prison, and recently under house arrest, for two years. He was in court with the possibility of serving up to 35 years in prison but given a three year sentence, which, wonderfully was then released immediately because of time already served. Damascus, Syria: Thirteen years ago, the ministry 'Speaking Hands' was born out of a vision inspired by Isaiah 29:18,'In that day, the deaf will hear the words of the scroll'. Ministry for those who are deaf is particularly needed in a country where the deaf have been seen as having a learning disability. A new centre dedicated to this ministry was opened a year ago, so this wonderful work can gather momentum, with a warm welcome extended to any who are deaf. God's word is learnt about and celebrated, as this picture shows.
The Baptist Women s world day of prayer. At Bethania Baptist Chapel Elan Valley On Monday 5 th November At 2:30 PM Cytûn (Llandrindod Wells & District Churches Together) Advent Service The Catholic Church, Victoria Road, Llandrindod Wells Friday 30 th November 7:00pm You are welcome to join us as we sing some well known carols and tell the Christmas story once more
A sad farewell to Dave and Debbie, who have kept the New Inn for the last thirteen years. After many years serving the people of Newbridge with food and beverages, and supporting many of the community activities that have gone on in the village over that time (the Christmas lights on the green, the Parkinson s Pool Competition Fundraiser, Macmillan Coffee Morning, to name but a few,) Dave and Debbie have decided to retire from the pub trade. They will be greatly missed by lots of people in the village, and many will want to join me in saying thank you to them for the warm welcome that they have received at the New Inn. Dave and Debbie pulling pints on their last night as the keepers of the New Inn. You will still see Dave and Debbie around in the village, as the furniture showroom will remain open on Thursdays & Fridays 10:00am 4:00pm. News of the Butchers Shop in a future newsletter.
Siân and Nigel Siân and Nigel have just taken over as the keepers of the New Inn. They Say: We would like to say a big hello to our new neighbours at Newbridge-On-Wye, and to thank everyone we ve met so far for being so welcoming. We come from Cardiff, our names are Siân and Nigel (although he is more likely to answer you if you call him ferret of fer ). Nigel is an auto-electrician and Siân was a manager in BT for 21 years. We have four daughters, eight grandchildren and a golden Labrador. We are really excited to be taking over the New Inn and are looking forward to meeting you all.