The Link is Porth United Reformed Church's quarterly newsletter. Much of the content is available on other pages of this website. On this page we publish online the articles and news which are not already elsewhere on the website.
This edition was published in June 2008. Look out for the next edition in September 2008.
Minister's letter
Dear friends,
Since the last edition of The Link was published, our feet have hardly touched the ground!
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We have celebrated Easter and Ascension and Pentecost together, this great season of the Christian year when we are reminded of the new life which God alone can offer.
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We have shared with our neighbouring churches in raising money and awareness as part of Christian Aid Week.
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We have been busy as a church with a whole host of other activities, including Vision4Life – about which more on a later page of The Link.
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We have as a church been praying for, visiting and supporting an unusually large number of members and others who have been ill, at home or in hospital.
If we are honest, we would all admit that there are times when it all seems like a lot of hard work, and perhaps even rather dispiriting, to tell the truth. When the burden of organising activities falls on fewer people, the strain is bound to tell.
But I have felt also over the past quarter a real renewal of our spirit. People have rallied round to make sure that no events have been cancelled, although we did have to postpone our Welsh Night twice due to clashing commitments. It ended up as a most enjoyable spring social in May, with some lovely songs from Margaret Bevan (Millington) to round off a wonderful evening.
“Many hands make light work” and sharing work with others is enjoyable in any case. When it is in the name, and empowered by the Spirit of God, it is more than enjoyable – it is truly uplifting.
Sometimes we want to have a bit of time to ourselves, to “look after number one”. But the truth is that what really gives us zest for life and new energy is not doing things for ourselves, but sharing with other people. There is no better tonic.
It is in that spirit that we are committed as a church to participating more fully than ever in the Porth Carnival on the weekend 12th-13th July
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On Saturday 12th July, the church will be open from 11am until 3pm. Marion & George Sparrow, with some helpers from within and outside the church, are setting up a dozen flower arrangements to beautify the church and to attract visitors in. We will also be serving refreshments in the vestry at the same time. We do need helpers, both to help with the making and serving of refreshments, the washing up and stewarding the church itself. There will be lists up in the vestry for you to sign, and the Elders will be approaching individuals to ask for your support. I do hope you will be able to give a little of your time to this effort. It is a real opportunity to remind the town that we exist and to show the church – building and people – at our best.
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On Sunday 13th July, Mr Kenneth Martin will be leading our morning worship in the midst of the flowers, still in place from the previous day. Then at 3.30pm we will be joining with other local churches for Rhondda Praise, an outdoor service of hymn-singing in Porth Square (by the Cenotaph), led by Beverley Humphreys and accompanied by the Lewis Merthyr Brass Band. This is a new venture for us as churches – come along, and bring your friends and neighbours.
More hard work! But I believe that God, through his Spirit, will give us the strength and the resources not only to do this, but to enjoy it and be invigorated by it. It is when we set out to serve the community that we are truly church, and the Spirit is truly amongst us.
Gethin
Thank You
… to Mr Harold Tewkesbury for the seasonal displays of flowers in the tubs by the church. They beautify the street scene and welcome all those who visit our buildings.
Church News
It is with deep regret we record the passing of Mr. Alex Neilands. Our sympathy goes out to his family at this sad time.
As we go to print we learn of the passing of Mrs. Brenda Attwood. Our condolences go to John and the family.
A State of Mind
If you think you are beaten, you are. If you think you dare not, you don’t.
If you’d like to win, but you think you can’t, Its almost a cinch you won’t.
If you think you’ll lose, you’ve lost. For out of the world you find
Success begins with a fellow’s will; it’s all in the state of mind.
Megan Isaacs
The Weaver
My life is but a weaving between the Lord and me:
I cannot choose the colours He worketh steadily.
Oftentimes He weaveth sorrow and I, in foolish pride,
Forget that He sees the upper, and I the under side.
Not till the loom is silent and the shuttle cease to fly,
Shall God unroll the canvas and explain the reason why.
The dark threads are as needful in the weaver’s skilful hand,
As the threads of gold and silver in the pattern He has planned.
Megan Isaacs
Quote of the Quarter
The family is more sacred than the state. Pope Pius XI
More Editorial Material
You may have noticed from this and the March edition, I have almost exhausted my stock of material held on file for The Link. I am very grateful to contributors of items suitable for insertion in the magazine, for without you it would become Gethin’s Link and he would be the first to agree, he would not want that. He does however; supply a huge amount of information for every magazine, as well as his letter. Thank you Gethin for your assistance.
If anyone has observations, thoughts or suggestions they want to share with us, short stories, poems etc., anything that may be included in The Link, please let me have them as an ongoing project.
Many thanks in anticipation.
Graham