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THE MAGAZINE United Reformed Church Colwyn Avenue, Rhos-on-Sea, LL28 4RA

October/November 2019 2

Letter from the Minister

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;

for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters. Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord?

Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart,

who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. (Psalm 24:1-4)

Dear Friends, These words acknowledge that our faithful God is the creator of all that is; and that the world’s oceans are key in the world’s stability. They challenge us to get our priorities right within a society obsessed with obtaining better possessions and experiences. We put our ‘trust in an idol’ rather than respecting and treasuring God’s self-expression in the world he has made. So we find ourselves on a roller-coaster toward environmental disaster. From the scientists at the UN summit speaking of the ‘destruction of the seas and polar caps’, to Swedish teenager Greta Thunberg, the message remains the same. She states: ‘People are dying. Entire ecosystems are collapsing … and all you can talk about is money, and fairy tales of eternal economic growth.’…’with today’s emissions levels, the remaining CO2 budget will be entirely gone within less than 8½ years.’ A report of Ellen MacArthur Foundation, calls us instead to a ‘circular economy’ focussed on the use of steel, plastic, aluminium, cement, and food. Here products, components, and materials are kept circu-lating through designing for durability, reuse, remanufacturing, and recycling. (Remember the old slogan: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) It should not surprise us that churches today see their mission as in-cluding: ‘Mission as restoring creation’. Let’s prayerfully reflect on what steps we can take to avoid wasting food and replacing personal products. For starters we can change our shopping habits. Take your own containers along to TwentyFifty on Abergele Road in Old Colwyn and fill up on anything from fruit and pasta to washing up detergent. Lets keep reading, talking and praying, and up our action! Every blessing,

Rev Julia Bartholomew

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The Opening Ceremony of our long-awaited new Co-op took place at 10.00am on Friday 27th September. Offi-ciating, were the son and daughter of Mr and Mrs Nap-per who, for many years, ran the Youth Club and were Caretakers of the old building, the Community Hall of our very own United Reformed Church. There is a commemorative plaque installed at the front of the building. The transformation from the dilapidated, vermin-ridden build-ing to the beautiful, cathedral-like building we see today, was ex-pertly overseen and co-ordinated, first by Jimmy Flowers and then by Andrew Parry. It was carefully designed by the Co-op architects to be in keeping with the old building. The new building sits on 45 stilts of concrete and steel which reach down 16 metres below the ground to the bedrock. We have watched, with interest, the differ-ent teams of specialists come and go, to work from the foundations to the roof. Outside, there is a small garden which complements the ma-ture trees. There is parking space for 15 cars and a loading bay for deliveries of stock. The building is situated above street level; a mandatory requirement because of the flood risk in Penrhyn Ave-nue. However we customers need not be concerned; there is a ramp with a gentle slope leading to the front entrance. The sales floor in the interior of the building is the same size as the old Co-op, though it looks more spacious because of the high roof. The stock of goods is basically the same but with a wider range of, for example, ‘free-from’ and health foods – and a Costa coffee machine! You will be pleased to hear that the Co-op Staff Members we have come to know and love, headed by Manager Gwyn Williams, are there, eager to meet and serve us.

The Co-op that Jimmy and Andrew Built

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Church Family News

September is a time of transition for all in education, with, at one end, Delyth’s grandson William setting off eagerly for his first half day at school. And at the other Caity Matthews heading off to New-castle University to study Biomedical Science. Congratulations to all the other young people in our congregation and clubs who made such a great stab at GCSE and A’ levels. These

include, Abby Matthews, Rhi Huws, Susie Eastwell, Gethin Coleman, Iestyn Wotherspoon, Llewelyn Lewis, Elizabeth McQueen and Dan Hughes. Elizabeth Harding has moved to a care home where she can receive a little more support. Our prayers are with Dorothy Houlton, following death of husband Arthur following an extended period of illness. Kath Cook is stable follow-ing a stroke and it is great to see Dai Rees-Davies back at Home. Dai, a former leader of the church run Youth Group can be seen below, along with Freda Pearce, celebrating the opening of the new Co-op.

Marion Coats’ son Gavin writes: ‘Dad has been successfully moved from Deganwy to a lovely room at Plas Isaf on Llanerch Road West. He has set-tled in well and is content watching the sports channels in his room. The staff are lovely, the food wholesome and best of all he is just down the road so we can visit frequently. All in all he is quite happy but still misses mum (Marion) as we all do.

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Finding God in Everyday Objects

1). At Harvest Time This is the first in a series of five looking at famil-iar household objects which can remind us that the Holy Spirit is with us everywhere and at all times. At Harvest Time let us look at that tall, white cup-board in your kitchen which may be buzzing quiet-ly:- Your Fridge Freezer. Deuteronomy 24: 19 “When you harvest your crop in your field and you overlook a sheaf, don’t go back to get it. Leave it for the foreigner, the orphan and the widow, so that the Lord may bless you in all the work of your hands.” My fridge-freezer has a large freezer compartment, so I only need to do a big shop once a month. Our fridge-freezers extend the life of our food, so there is no need nowadays for frequent shopping. Refrigeration has helped to reduce number of the World’s undernour-ished from 28% (1970) to11% (2015). The World actually has an over abundance of food, but its distribution is still far from even. We are all born in the image of God and therefore we all have the right to enough food. Refrigeration delays, but does not prevent, decay. Nothing lasts forever even if our food, or indeed our own lives, can be prolonged for a while thanks to science and technology. Let our fridge-freezers remind to use our resources wisely, and remind us too, that God’s love does last forever.

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Reporting Back

There is no question, it has been another busy summer. July kicked off with a concert in church by Amici del Canto. On Sat 13th, elders gathered in Holywell for a meeting with General Assembly Moderator Nigel Uden. It was a great chance to ex-plore a little more deeply feedback from the churches concern-ing the Maximising Ministry for Mission initiative. This was backed up by a visit to Rhos by Synod moderator Si-mon Walkling. It appears that church-es in North Wales are drawn towards a ‘Settled +’ model of ministry where ministers will be located in a specific church whilst also providing support to other local churches. Behind this came a vision for closer teamwork be-tween the churches supported by a regional church office. It is exciting to hear how God is calling each one of us to respond to his mission using our gifts in build-ing the church in North Wales. On Sun 28th a dozen young peo-ple and leaders Ellis, Ceri and Julia headed back to Middle Park Adventure Camp for a week of camping, outdoor activities and Bible teaching. And they had a ball; growing in friendships, out-door experience and understanding of what it means to walk with Jesus. We pray that their faith will continue to grow in the months ahead. On 4th July it was the turn of Family Camp members to get together for a BBQ and games before heading off the following week to Harlech for a wild week of family fun, games and teaching. The food was delicious and the setting stunning, and the leadership team including Carolyn, Ceri and son Hari, Anna and Julia worked hard to make sure that every-one had an action packed and thought provoking week. Whilst Soup and Soul and homegroups had a summer break, Olive Branch Lunch Club has been going strong, with Howard and team serving great home-cooked meals to a growing bunch of hungry folk. Spiritual nourishment comes too from a time of worship.

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On the final weekend in August the Musalaha reconciliation group met to reflect on their both inspiring and challenging experiences in the Holy Land last March. This was shared in Sunday worship when the congregation had an opportunity to visit a range of pray-er stations focussed on responding to injustices across the world. A group of us made our way up to Llyn Geirionydd above Tre-friw on Sun 8th to celebrate the Baptism of three young people in our congregation: Gethin Coleman, Caity Matthews, and Andrew Ridding. It was awe inspiring to witness their personal commit-ment to following Jesus. Just a week later these three, accompa-nied by Maureen Evans, Alison Kelly, Caity Matthews, Divya Mat-thews, John Matthews, David Reed, Dai Rees-Davies, Gill Rees-Davies, Ann Turton and Margaret Wilde were welcomed as mem-bers of our congregation. Let’s continue to pray that these folk continue to grow as disciples of Jesus.

September has also seen the re-starting of all our groups and chil-dren’s clubs, with 30 eager in-fant’s children are gobbling How-ard’s delicious tea every Friday. Check out the diary if you are in-terested in getting involved. Stepwise has got off to a great start with an eager group of ten people exploring what a ‘faith-filled life’ might look like. With group meetings and on-line resources they are considering God’s calling for us to grow as a church in our sense of mission.

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THE AUCTION

So far the auction had gone well. The first item, the Planet Mercury, had sold for 3 mil-lion Universals. Mars had gone for five. Then Venus for six. ‘Now we come to a special number,’ said The Auctioneer. ‘A very desir-able property this. Nothing else like it in the Solar System. The third planet out from Sol – Planet Earth. What am I bid for this? Various bids were made and then came a voice from the back of the room. ‘100 million Universals.’ Applause filled the room and people craned round to who this mysterious bidder was. ‘Can I ask your name, sir,’ said the Auc-tioneer. ‘Lux,’ was the reply. ‘Lex? Lex Luthor, of Gotham City?’ queried the Auctioneer. ‘No Sir - Lux. Lux Lucifer.’ A gasp was audible in the room. ‘And your address, Sir?’ ‘Hades.’ Not a gasp this time, but cries and shouts of disbelief. People jumped up or turned around to look at the bidder. There was a pause as the Auctioneer seemed to gather his thoughts. At last he spoke again. ‘May I enquire, sir – I know this is highly unusual pro-cedure – but what are your intentions with this property? What do you intend to do with it?’ ‘Demolition, Sir,’ said Lucifer. ‘Total demolition and destruction. Annihilation.’ There was uproar in the room. Then another voice was heard. A very quiet voice, but full of au-thority. ‘I will bid higher,’ it said. ‘What? Higher than a 100 mil-lion universals?’ said the Auctioneer. ‘What is your price?’ ‘I’ll pay the ultimate price. I’ll give my life for it.’ And you are …..?’ The Auctioneer’s voice trailed away. ‘I AM.’ ‘I mean your name, sir,’ said the auctioneer. ‘That is my name. I AM. I am the Lord of the universe. I am the immortal, invisible, God only wise.’ ‘And you say you’ll give your life in exchange for Planet Earth?’ ‘I will indeed. I am prepared to die for it.’ said I AM. ‘You will give up Eternity and Almightiness and Immortality and Divine Power in exchange for Planet Earth?’ queried The Auc-tioneer. ‘I will do that,’ said The Almighty. ‘I will die for the sake of hu-manity. I will sacrifice myself to save the world.’

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The Bible in Miniature (author unknown)

John 3: 16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” These words can be broken down as follows:- God – the greatest lover so loved – the greatest degree the world – the greatest company that he gave – the greatest act his only son – the greatest gift that whoever believes – the greatest simplicity in him – the greatest person shall not perish – the greatest promise but - the greatest difference have – the greatest certainty everlasting life – the greatest possession

(Shared by JIA)

Spoilt 4 Choice (or S4C) – Carpets, Flooring and Rugs Right now, S4C is proudly celebrating its 10

th Anniversary in

business. It was started in Penrhyn Avenue (opposite the Post Office) in September 2009 by owner Steve. Assisted by Paul and Nathan, Steve sells and fits a wide variety of flooring including carpets, rugs, vinyl, laminate flooring, Karndean flooring (luxury vinyl tiles), wood floors and artificial grass. As part of the fitting process, if required, they are willing to move furniture and take away the old flooring for disposal – this is a service not offered by the big shops. Steve says that most of his trade is with local people who have become repeat customers and friends. Sometimes holiday visitors will pop in to buy small rugs, some of which have found their way to fara-way places such as Yorkshire, Germany and Canada. Some holiday home owners have even asked him, as well carpeting their holiday homes, to carpet their permanent homes in Wigan, Newmarket and London. In addition to providing a friendly and useful service, S4C also supports a local Charity. Every fitted order customer is given a lottery ticket for St David’s Hospice with a chance to win £1,000 or 81 other prizes! (JIA)

Around the Village

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Making a difference

The Kind Bay Initiative Community Interest Company has received £100 from our Coffee Fund. They write... Our ethos here is to work from a place of kindness, acceptance and love, and our aim is not to 'fix' anyone, rather to just accept them and to help them to see that they, and their lives matter. Our hope is that they will then see the possibilities change can bring, and a reason to make those changes. We have found that by taking this ap-proach and just listening and accepting whoever comes through our door we are now building great relationships with those that sleep rough, those that feel lonely and isolated and the community as well. This is allowing trust to develop and with that we are then able to signpost and help where we can. It means so much to us that your-selves and others have helped us with some funding to help us pay the rent to the church for the room and also towards the food that we cook because without that we would struggle to continue. Kind regards, Helen Robinson (Chair/Director, Kind Bay Initiative)

As a church we love to support the charity Operation Christmas Child in particular, as this offers children an invitation to hear mes-sages of hope in Jesus along with their Christmas gifts. Why not start collecting items for a box to send this autumn, in memory of a loved one. Pre printed boxes available for 50p at the back of church or use your own covered box. There is also a plastic tub for any spare items that can be used to make a shared box.

Latest collection is November 3rd No TOOTHPASTE and SWEETS

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Our dear friends the Huws Family are running the Bangor 10k to raise money for TEAR-FUND. Please help them exceed their £2,000 target. Details on the link below. https://www.justgiving.com/annasbangor10k

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Thank you from The Leprosy Mission to Rhos-on-Sea URC “Thank you for donating your stamps. Your support goes towards the cure from leprosy to children, men and women, stopping the disease in its tracks. People suffering from the effects of leprosy needed your help and you were there for them. Thank you again for your kindness, Sandra Holden ( LTM Stamps Co-ordinator).”

The Embroiderer’s Guild Host their 2019 Exhibition—’Creative Textiles’

at Rhos URC on Friday 1st 10:30-5pm and

Sat 2nd November 10:30-4pm. Entrance £2. Demonstrations, Sales Table, Refreshments.

All welcome

A Tantalising Preview of Rhos URC’s Christmas Events!

Sat 9th Nov 10-12 Coffee Morning with Christmas Stalls. Sat 30th Nov 2-4pm Christmas Tea at Church in the Park, Old Colwyn Thurs 12th Dec 12 noon Soup and Soul Christmas Lunch at Craigside. Sun 15th Dec 10:30 Service of Readings and Carols at Rhos URC Tues 17th Dec 10:30 Carols and Readings at Adlington House 12:30 Church Christmas Lunch at Rhos URC Sun 22nd Dec 10:30 Joint Pastorate Service at Church in the Park, Old Colwyn with Musical ‘Stargazers’ Tues 24th Dec 5:30‘Carols and Communion in the Stable’ Rhos URC Wed 25th Dec 11am Family Worship for Christmas Day Rhos URC

Pantomime Trip—date still to be confirmed. Do join the choir on at Rhos URC on Sunday nights at 7pm if you would like to sing in Roger Jones musical ‘Stargazers’. No experience needed.

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Growing in Faith

The fortnightly Monday Fellowship Meetings start at 2.00pm from September 23rd through to April. Var-ied speakers; New mem-bers welcome; enjoy a

chat and cup of tea.

Bible Unzipped Saturday 19th October and Saturday 4th November 9:30-12:00 at Rhos URC Church, Colwyn Avenue, Rhos on Sea. Seminars with a break for chat, fresh coffee and cookies. In October we will be looking at the Psalms: Revd Dr Rob Beamish: Stairway to Heaven? An opportunity to ex-plore the pilgrim psalms, the psalms or songs of ascent which were used on the path to Jerusalem. These psalms 120-134 are beautiful in their own right and take us on a journey through life and faith. This session will give an overview and will encourage us to engage both in the session and afterwards with the actual texts themselves allowing them to help us on our own journey. Dr. Jon Stammers: "Singing from the Shadow of God's Wings." How do you write a Hebrew Psalm? The Hebrew poetry of Psalm 63 and how it communicates with us. Bible Unzipped is free and open to everyone. It aims to go deeper than you would find in a normal church service, and operates pret-ty much on the level of a Bible College without the formality, and no exams.

Fancy a chance to get ’in the zone’ before Sunday Worship? Come along to Soup and Soul at 12 noon any Thursday and after a delicious bowl of home cooked soup, chat around the ideas in the Bible passage and share a time of prayer.

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Many thanks to all who serve on a Sunday on the different rotas. However, with so much happening at our Sunday worship we really do need everyone who is able to play a part. Please see Keith Harri-son if you are able to help. People for the ‘sound desk’, PowerPoint and welcome are urgently needed. Training and support provided and it’s a great way to feel you are a part of the congregation. ELDERS

Vestry Door October - Pam October Rachel Barbara November - Carolyn November Kate Angela

Communion October - Karen, Delyth, Fiona, Pam

Sunday Rotas

SUNDAY flowers coffee COFFEE TEAMS

Oct-06 team 2 Team 1 Team 2

Oct-13 Sue W team 3 Karen Hughes Sue Williams

Oct-20 team 4 Angela Middleton Fiona Coleman

Oct-27 Merall team 5 David Middleton Anna Coleman

Nov-03 Anne H team 1

Nov-10 POPPIES team 2 Team 3 Team 4

Nov-17 team 3 Freda Pearce Barbara Newman

Nov-24 Maureen R team 4 Angela Clayton Gill Rees Davies

Howard Clayton Joan Armstrong

Team 5

Pam Harrison

Delyth Beecroft

*NB* If you cannot be here on a Sunday when you are

on duty, please swap with someone else

Please use the brown envelopes to make a donation towards church flowers. Envelopes can be put in the Sunday offering.

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Novem-ber - Kate, Sue, Dei, Carolyn

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October Diary

Weekly Kids’ Clubs—all term time only Monday 9.30-11.15am Carers and Toddlers (pre-school) Friday 3:45-5:15pm Flying Foxes Club (schoolyears 1-4) 5:15-6:45pm M&Ms (school years 5-8) 7-9pm RYC (school years 9-13)

Sat 5th Sat 5th Oct NO Howard’s Hamper (see diary in future) 7pm Cruse Concert. Tickets £6. Sun 6th 10.30 Worship & Communion led by Rev Julia B Followed by harvest lunch Mon 7th 12-1 Easy level Tai Chi 2pm Fellowship Group—Ukulele Band Tues 8th 2-4pm Mix and Mingle dementia friendly group Wed 9th 7:30pm Homegroups Thurs 10th 12-1:30pm Soup and Soul Fri 11th 10-12 Country Market with Community Fair Sun 13th 10.30 Worship led by Ceri Gardner Mon 14th 12-1 Easy level Tai Chi Tues 15th 12:30-2 Olive Branch lunch club Wed 16th 7:30pm Homegroups Thurs 17th 12-1:30pm Soup and Soul Fri 18th 10-12 Country Market Sat 19th 9:30am Bible Unzipped Sun 20th 10.30 Worship led by Pete Fawcett Mon 21st 12-1 Easy level Tai Chi 2pm Fellowship Group—Blood Banks 6-7.30 Cruse Bereaved children’s group 7:30pm Pastoral Care meeting Wed 23rd 7:30pm Homegroups Thurs 24th12.30-2pm Soup and Soul Fri 25th 10-12 Country Market Sun 27th 10.30 worship led by Rev Julia Bartholomew Mon 28th 12-1 Easy level Tai Chi 7pm Elders’ meeting Wed 30th 7:30pm Homegroups Thurs 31st –Sat 2nd Embroiderer’s Guild no Soup and Soul

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November Diary

Weekly Kids’ Clubs—all term time only Monday 9.30-11.15am Carers and Toddlers (pre-school) Friday 3:45-5:15pm Flying Foxes Club (schoolyears 1-4) 5:15-6:45pm M&Ms (school years 5-8) 7-9pm RYC (school years 9-13)

Fri 1st 10-12 Country Market Sun 3rd 10.30 Worship & Communion led by Rev Julia B Mon 4th 12-1 Easy level Tai Chi 2-4pm Fellowship Group—Peter Fawcett Tues 5th 12.30—2 Olive Branch lunch club Wed 6th 7:30pm Homegroups Thurs 7th 9:30am-4pm Nodfa Wholeness Day, sign up in church Fri 8th 10-12 Country Market Sat 9th 10-12 noon Winter Coffee Morning & Christmas stalls Sun 10th 10.30 Remembrance Worship led by Julia and Ceri Mon 11th 12-1 Easy level Tai Chi Tues 12th 2-4pm Mix and Mingle dementia friendly group Wed 13th 7:30pm Homegroups Thurs 14th 12noon Soup and Soul Fri 15th 10-12 Country Market Sat 16th 9:30am Bible Unzipped Sun 17th 10.30 Worship led by Ceri Gardner Mon 18th 12-1 Easy level Tai Chi 2-4pm Fellowship Group—Card Bingo and Quiz 6-7.30 Cruse Bereaved children’s group Tues 19th 12.30—2 Olive Branch lunch club Wed 20th 7:30pm Homegroups Thurs 21st 12noon Soup and Soul Fri 22nd 10-12 Country Market Sun 24th 10.30 Worship led by South Rhos Homegroup Mon 25th 12-1 Easy level Tai Chi Wed 27th 7:30pm Homegroups Thurs 28th 12noon Soup and Soul Fri 29th 10-12 Country Market

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Sunday 10.30 am Morning Worship with activities for young people.

Holy Communion usually on the first Sunday of the month.

Monday 9.30-11.15 am Carers and Toddlers (during term time).

Monday 2pm Fellowship Group (alternate weeks, Sept to April)

Tuesdays 10:30-11:30 Worship and teaching at Adlington House.

Tuesday 12.30—2pm Olive Branch lunch club (1st and 3rd weeks)

Tuesday 7.45 Homegroup (see diary for term dates)

Wednesdays—7:30pm Homegroups (see diary)

Thursday 12-2 pm Soup and Soul

Friday 10-12 noon Country Market

3.45-5.15pm Flying Foxes Club for pupils in school years 1-4 (term time)

5:15-6:45 pm M&M’s Mad Monkey Club for pupils in school years 4-8

7-9 pm RYC for school years 9 –13

WOW! (see diary) occasional meals & events for women of working age

Weekly / Monthly Activities

Contacts

Minister: Rev Julia Bartholomew, Hillside, Gannock Park, Deganwy, LL31 9PZ

juliawave@icloud.com 07852 281006

Church Leader: Keith Harrison, keithnpam@talktalk.net 07587 698165

Treasurer: Delyth Beecroft, delyth.beecroft@gmail.com 547 859

Administrator, Hall bookings and Church office: rhoschurch.admin@talktalk.net Church Office 203 091 (Wed and Fri)

Caretaker/Catering/Olive Branch: Howard Clayton 541 986

Carers and Toddlers/Flower rota: Pam Harrison 338 817

Coffee Fund: Sue Williams 07500 362415

Fellowship Group: Maureen Roberts 540371

Gift Aid: Brian Lewis 515 068

Homegroups: Alastair Bartholomew 07967 326049

Journal: Joan Armstrong 546 208

Gill Davies: 330 193 reefdavies@tiscali.co.uk

Sunday Club, Tai Chi & Craft Group: Carolyn Ridding 07425 157360

Soup and Soul: Kate Lane 546 030

URC regional group: Keith Harrison and Fiona Coleman 07551 544318

Website: https://rhoschurch.com

WOW! Rev Julia Bartholomew

Youth Groups: Ellis Morey 07761 085863/ Ceri Gardner 07704 406108

Items for the December edition of the Journal to be given to

Gill Rees Davies or Joan Armstrong by Sunday 24th November

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