A BIG THANK YOU!
Thank you so much to everyone who had a hand in the success of our contribution to Porth Carnival Day yesterday. See the pictures on the "Social activities and events" page. It was only possible by working as a team – sponsoring and preparing the fabulous flower arrangements, in the kitchen and serving in the vestry, welcoming at the front door, chatting to visitors, working behind the scenes and simply being here! So, in whatever way YOU helped, thank you. And thank you to those who were unable to be with us in person, but who supported the event financially and in prayer – your contribution was especially valuable.
We had many appreciative comments from our visitors. Amongst those overheard were:
Absolutely beautiful
Very moving – there were tears in my eyes
They touched my heart
This was Christian hospitality at its best, and was a valuable contribution to the Carnival day.
Request for volunteers
Each year we raise money for the church by selling raffle tickets in the foyer of Porth Co-op. The elders wish to hold a raffle again this year, but could do with one or more volunteers to help with the adminstration of the distribution of the tickets, collecting money, organising volunteers to sell tickets in the Co-op (October 9th, 10th and 11th) and organising the prize draw at the Christmas coffee morning (Saturday 15th November). If you think you could help in this way, please let us know. We will be asking for donations towards the financial prizes and a small number of other prizes nearer the time.
Easter 2008 - New Life, New Hope
Over the Easter weekend, following the theme New Life,
New Hope, the congregation at Porth United Reformed Church again celebrated the depth of God’s love as shown on the cross and the height of God’s power as shown on Easter morning. As usual, the services were beautifully illustrated by the changing decoration of the Easter garden in the church – the crown of thorns and the suffering of Christ forming the backdrop on Good Friday, the empty tomb and spring flowers showed the new life that is found in the risen Christ.
Harvest Thanksgiving - Be Part of a Miracle
In our Harvest services on 16th and 17th September, we heard from Christians in Malawi about how we can be part of a miracle, in praying and working for a world in which the harvest is shared between all people. A pastor from Malawi told us on film how Africa is a fruitful continent, but they cannot get a fair price for their foods. This is why Porth United Reformed Church is a Fairtrade church, a small step in ensuring a fairer deal for Third World producers of our harvest.
Our pictures show the harvest display of products from around the world available in our shops and some of the beautiful floral displays on the windows prepared by George and Marion Sparrow.
Standing Up Against Poverty
Members and friends of Porth United Reformed Church and the 1st Porth (URC) Guides and Brownies took part in breaking a Guinness World Record on Sunday 15th October 2006 – and showed their determination to help eradicate world poverty. In a special service at Porth United Reformed Church, all 75 people present – aged from a few weeks to 95 years! – stood up to show their solidarity with the 800 million people around the world who do not have adequate food, and the many who lack proper education or health care facilities. The call was to our own government and others to remember the promises made at the Millennium to halve global poverty by the year 2015.
23 and a half million other people in more than 100 countries around the world also took part. Cricket fans in India; school children in Gaza and the West Bank; crowds at a concert in a slum in Zimbabwe and in Times Square in New York all joined for the world record attempt on 15-16 October co-ordinated by the Global Call to Action against Poverty and the UN Millennium Campaign. People stood together at the foot of tallest hotel in the world in Dubai; in football stadiums across Spain and Mexico; in churches throughout Africa and schools all over the world including China.
Christians and others around the world have stood up to demand action against poverty, for equality and to meet and exceed the Millennium Development Goals, which our government and world leaders have set for themseles and the world. The people’s voices are growing louder; governments can and must do more. We will not rest until poverty has ended.
New elders
Porth United Reformed Church elected three new elders in March 2006, and they were ordained and inducted by the Revd Gethin Rhys at the communion service in May 2006. See the Contact us page for details of the Elders' responsibilities.
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Pictured (left to right): Mrs Gwenllian Thomas, Mrs Janice Healy, Mrs Kay Evans.
Long service
In March 2006, we were delighted to be able to give certificates to 15 members who have been part of the church for 50 years or more – some for as long as 65 years!
Our picture shows: (standing): Mrs Mary Robbins, Mrs Brenda & Mr John Attwood, Mrs Nancy Greenfield, Mrs Edith Thomas, Mr Ken Hopkins, Revd Gethin Rhys (minister – who was not born when the others in the picture first became members!), Mrs Pat Carpenter; (seated): Mr Haydn Jones, Mrs Gwyneth Williams, Mrs Margaret Hopkins.
Mrs Eira Griffiths and Mr Eric & Mrs Moira Bowden were also presented with certificates, but missed the picture. Mrs Nancy Jones and Mrs Nan Kelland received certificates in their own homes. We regret to report the death of Mrs Nancy Jones in November 2006.