GLANRHYD BAPTIST CHURCH
This Sunday, the communion service at 2 pm will be conducted by Rev. Hywel Brown, of Molleston.
Bethesda Baptist Chapel
Services at Bethesda Baptist Chapel, Narberth, in the week beginning Sunday, February 1, are as follows:
Sunday School starts at 10.15 am. Morning service takes place at 10.30 am and the evening service, followed by communion, at 6 pm. Both services will be taken by Rev. Chris Rees, minister of Bethesda Chapel.
The Bible study and prayer meeting takes place on Tuesday at 7.15 pm.
All are very welcome to these meetings.
Cricket Club
Winners of the National Lottery bonus ball draw organised by the ladies committee of Narberth Cricket Club this week were: Group A - Danny Duckfield; Group B - no winner.
There will be a meeting on Monday, February 9, while the annual general meeting takes place on Monday, March 9. Both meetings take place at 7.30 pm at the rugby club.
Swim sponsorship
Ceri Barnes would like to thank everyone who sponsored her for Tenby's Boxing Day Swim, as a result of which she raised £136 for the British Heart Foundation, and for Saundersfoot's New Year's Day Swim, where together with Spencer Rourke, she raised £540 for the Paul Sartori Foundation.
New venue for Landsker Quilters
As from Monday, February 2, Landsker Quilters will be meeting in the Jackson Room, at Bloomfield Community Centre, at 7 pm.
They are a group of patchworkers and quilters who meet every Monday evening for chat, support and help; also workshops.
For further information, see Margaret at Inhouse Quilting, Narberth.
GLIMPSES OF GLORY
If in some way we believe that God is responsible for the world's existence, we shouldn't be surprised if we run into God in His world all the time.
There's a story about a man confined to a prison cell whose only view of the world was through a small window. To begin with he hated his confinement, but time passed, and that little window became his friend, offering him tiny morsels of life - a wisp of cloud, a free-flying bird, a passing plane, a falling leaf. It forced him to concentrate on the particular.
At times the window opened on to a blue and empty sky, giving access to infinity, and he felt awakening within transcendent spiritual feelings he never knew were there. The little window offered glimpses of heaven.
When, eventually, the man was released, he found himself seeing everything in general and nothing in particular. Paradoxically, it seems that the sense of the spiritual is linked to an appreciation and focus on the particular.
Sadly, few of us see it that way. We look out on misty mornings and see drizzle; we watch the news and see more burned-out buses, terrorist attacks, recession and decline and we drudge our way through yet another daily round Yet the windows on the transcendent are still there, if only we can lift our eyes to see them. As Psalm 21 says:
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills
From whence cometh my help.
My help cometh from the Lord,
Which made heaven and earth.
NBF meet 6.30 pm every Sunday in the chapel at Pant-y-Gorphwys Farmhouse on the main A478 road from Penblewin and Narberth. Buffet supper provided.
Narberth U3A
Wherever you go in the UK, you come across evidence of the Civil War (writes Dave Dando). Many an innocent field covers grisly deeds and hundreds of roads bear the name Cromwell, whose bodily remains are shared between Marble Arch and Cambridge.
Since moving to West Wales, I soon became aware that Pembrokeshire was divided in its loyalties, with Pembroke Castle at the heart of the action.
This week, Phil Mahiques took the history group on a whistlestop tour of Civil War battles and next month will look at Cromwell himself.
The garden group has been looking at cottage gardens and in their next session will watch a film about 'The Lost Gardens of Heligan'. This is one of the treasures of Cornwall which again tell a story of conflict.
Here, on the eve of war in August 1914, members of staff scribbled their names on a wall. Sixteen of the 22 gardeners who worked at Heligan that summer were killed in the fields of Flanders and after a few years, bramble and ivy drew a green veil over this 'Sleeping Beauty'. It lay hidden until the 1990s when a group of enthusiasts decided to restore the garden to its former glory.
The walking group tackled 'The Knights Way', the name of which evokes memories of even earlier war-like activities.
If you are interested in any of the 14 U3A groups, ring (01834) 862964 or (01834) 860512.
Rugby Fixtures
Tomorrow (Saturday), Narberth are home to Maesteg in Division One West of the SWALEC Welsh National League. Kick-off will be at 2.30 pm and there will be free ground admission for children under 16.
The Folly Farm Balcony Suite match sponsors are Young Bros. The match ball sponsors are HSBC, St. Clears Running and Orienteering Club, Ian and Cynthia Evans together with Penry Harries, Woody and Wendy of the Angel Inn, Narberth and the Narberth Former Players Association.
Further details of sponsorship can be obtained from sponsorship officer Brian Murray on (01834) 891534 or club secretary Mark Rhys-Owens on (01834) 861928.
Hot drinks and light refreshments, including delicious home made soup, burgers and hot dogs, will be available from the Food Hut in the car park and a full range of club clothing, personalised gifts and other merchandise can be obtained from the well stocked club shop. Supporters are advised to park cars in parking areas outside the ground and to avoid obstructing exit from and entry to the fire station.
The popular 'Open the Box Draw' will take place after the post match presentation ceremonies. The winner of the initial draw for £25 will have the opportunity to choose a key to open the box for the jackpot prize.
On the same day, Narberth Athletic are to Mumbles in the Carmarthen Tyre Services Championship West Wales Premier League and the Youth team are away to Cardigan.
On Sunday, Narberth Under 15s are home to Crymych. Kick-off is at 11 am.
Collection of Rugby International Tickets
Tickets for the two of the Six Nations Championship Rugby International matches are now available for collection from the Narberth RFC clubhouse, by vice-presidents, members and supporters.
The matches are Scotland v Wales at Murrayfield Stadium on Sunday, February 8, and Wales v England at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, on Saturday, February 14.
Everyone who applied for tickets for the Scotland match at Murrayfield Stadium has been allocated a ticket. Demand exceeded supply for the England match at the Millennium Stadium Cardiff, so it is advisable to check with the club steward Anne Lonsdale if a ticket has been allocated for that match.
Enquiries about collection can be made by contacting Anne Lonsdale, at the clubhouse on (01834) 860462.
Narberth RFC
100 Plus Club
The winners of the January draw were: 1. £30 - Karen and Kath, Lampeter; 2. £20 - Eric Bates, Templeton; 3. £10 - Simon Griffiths, Narberth.
Anyone wishing to be a member can still join. Annual membership is £10 which is for the 2008/09 season. Enquiries should be addressed to the club steward Anne Lonsdale at the clubhouse on (01834) 860462.
CHURCH services
Sunday: St. Andrew's, Narberth - 10 am Sung Eucharist. Holy Cross, Robeston Wathen -11.30 am Holy Eucharist.
Wednesday: St. Andrew's - 10 am Holy Eucharist; 4.15 pm Club X.
Christian Community Church
This Sunday's service will be in Bloomfield House Seminar Room at 10 am. The speaker will be Steve Blunt from Maenclochog. There will be a prayer meeting on Tuesday at 3.30 pm, while house groups meet on Thursday at 7.30 pm. A warm welcome to all.
Narberth RFC
100 Plus Club
The winners of the January draw were: 1. £30 - Karen and Kath, Lampeter; 2. £20 - Eric Bates, Templeton; 3. £10 - Simon Griffiths, Narberth.
Anyone wishing to be a member can still join. Annual membership is £10 which is for the 2008/09 season. Enquiries should be addressed to the club steward Anne Lonsdale at the clubhouse on (01834) 860462.
Meat Draw
Winners of the Narberth RFC Supporters' Club meat draw this week are as follows: beef - Patrick Jones; lamb - John Hodgeon; pork - Arwyn Bowen. The supporters' club raises money each week on behalf of the rugby club through the meat draw. Supporters interested in having a ticket at £1 per ticket with three chances to win a joint of meat for the weekend, should contact Shelley Morris on (01834) 861897 or any member of the supporters' committee. The draw takes place every Friday evening.
Grace Church
What are you doing on Sunday? You can find all kinds of things to do, I'm sure you don't need anyone to suggest a few. However, first things first. We guarantee that if you give a Sunday morning to come to our 10.30 am morning service you will be pleasantly surprised. You will find people of all ages, different backgrounds and nationalities meeting as one family.
We will do our best to make it well worth getting up for, to enjoy serious fun, to hear a talk that challenges and is applicable to life today, good music and find new friends. You will be greeted and served by some of the amazing people who are part of Grace.
We would love to see you this Sunday. Come on your own, with friend or family, you are most welcome. Grace meet every Sunday at 10.30 am at the Queen's Hall, Narberth. Coffee is served from 10 am. There is an active programme for children and a crèche when the speaker commences.
Grace have their offices at the Court House, Market Square, Narberth, which also houses the Liberty café.
Templeton and Reynalton United Reformed Churches
The united service on Sunday, February 1, will be held at Reynalton URC at 11 am and will be led by Mr. Gareth John.
Narberth Ladies Probus Group
The annual general meeting of the Narberth Ladies Probus Group was held at Plas Hyfryd Country Hotel recently.
President Helene Davies gave her report on the year's activities. It had been a busy and with several new interesting speakers, the group's third birthday party had been held earlier in the year and there had been a very enjoyable visit to Aberglasney. The group had also welcomed several new members.
Voting took place to elect the committee for 2009. Helene Davies retired as president and Margot Parker was elected as the new president with Linda Parker (no relation!) as vice-president.
Ann Green continues as secretary, Connie Bate as treasurer, and Joyce Hall as the social secretary to be assisted by Christine Abignall.
The group looks forward to another happy and successful year during which it is hoped to welcome more members. An extensive list of speakers and events is in the pipeline.
The group meets monthly at Plas Hyfryd Country Hotel at 12 noon on the first Friday of the month.
Ladies who are interested in obtaining further information about meetings, talks, social outings and membership can telephone Margot Parker on (01834) 891471 or Ann Green on 01437 711107.