Events

Ladies’ Evening, Friday 8th December 2006

I had a very stressful week in my salon, the top stylist was away sick and my partner was recovering after an operation, so I was very tired. Christmas was getting closer, lots of presents to buy and cards to write, so when Friday night came I got into the bath and there I wanted to stay. But, I arrived at Bethel, bang on 7.30, which was a miracle as I am always late!

I walked into church which was empty, but I felt the most wonderful feeling of warmth and calmness with the overhead screen on and music playing. I felt safe, safe from all the stress which comes from nothing our heavenly Father gives us, but the worldly things that we get tied up in.

So, the feeling of God’s safe, calm and warm feeling carried on as Pastor Jill started a lovely service. We sang carols, had prayers and readings, we reflected upon Mary and motherhood. In a prayer from Glenda, she mentioned that we are all sisters. That felt good. This experience I was feeling was so much better than the stress I had just left behind.

After the service we moved into the extension for food, wine and soft drinks (Guinness). It was good to have fellowship, as we don’t always have time on Sundays. Jacqui Davies had the giggles just eating truffles—I had one with no effect but she did have quite a few.

Later on in the evening Helen gave us all a red rose and it read “You are a special lady of God”, and I was touched very much.

Some of us ladies slowly went home, but there was a table of ladies who I thought may have still been there until Sunday morning!

This has been a very special time for which I pray stays with me every time I get that feeling of stress. I thank God for you Helen, and for all your hard work.

Also, I thank God for all of the special ladies in my life.

I must mention the two men that evening, Mark, who helped with the food, and Steve for washing up.

Thank you and God bless.

Sue Sturdy

Harvest Supper and Barndance, Wassell Grove,

Friday 29^th September 2006

A feast awaited us, laid out in the most professional and appetizing way. But first came ‘Strictly Barndancing!’

The callers, Eve and John Evans, soon got the floor full, with a variety of dances such as ‘Pat-a-cake-Polka’, ‘Farmer’s Jig’, ‘Two Meet Ewe’, ‘Bridge of Athlone’ and ‘Holmfirth Square’.

Adults and children alike soon learned the steps and were whirling and jigging the night away.

When the signal was given, a long queue formed for their first plateful ( we won’t mention anyone who jumped the queue for third and fourth helpings). We all gratefully tucked into a spread of cheeses, breads, nuts, grains, fruit, olives and lots more. In fact when the dancing restarted the tempo may have been a little slower!

Thanks to Helen Baynham, and all others such as Olive, Sally, Tricia, Chris and Jean, who helped in the organization and production of this lovely event, for which over 100 tickets were sold.

Harvest Festival, Sunday 1st

October 2006

The church was packed and swelled with mums and dads of ‘Little Lambs’ invited with their children. The displays around the church looked spectacular with some of the produce grown in our own allotment, and arranged by Jean Harris, Beryl Hill and Wendy Weston.

The first hymn was ‘How Great Thou Art’, and this set the theme for the service thanking God for all His provision.

The children placed gifts of food at the front to be distributed to needy people in the area.

After a talk by Jill the Pathfinder and Little Lambs sang a song called ‘Big Red Combine Harvester’.

Phil Whitehouse gave the message pointing out that just as lots of car parts contribute to the final motor car, so once we have planted seeds in the ground we have to wait for results. He quoted Galatians Ch.5, v22, about the fruits of the Spirit, Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self Control which he asked us to exercise, and input into our own and other people’s lives, which will produce a harvest later on.

The service was rounded off with us putting gifts of money on the Gift Tree of Life for the people we are supporting within our own community, to allow us to make gifts to them when helping them to settle into new accommodation, and to meet other needs.

Margaret Betts