NARBERTH BAPTIST FELLOWHIP

Few people avoid thinking about death. Such was the case with a rich young man in the Bible (Matthew 19). He was morally respectable - a good example in the community. Yet, he knew something was wrong inwardly and could not put his finger on the problem. He hoped that Jesus could shed the light needed to remove the doubts and the gnawing consciousness of something so wrong, that his eternal destiny was in question.

The question the young man asked Christ was "Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?" Many today find themselves in the same position, giving large sums of money for good causes, volunteering for service in the church, taking vows of poverty, forswearing different vices - all with the expectation that this is the 'good thing' necessary to 'obtain eternal life'. This man thought that eternal life was something that he could 'obtain' by performing particularly good deeds.

He looked at eternal life as though it was a business deal - a religious one, mind you, but a business deal. He knew nothing of the spirit of the law - the intention that Jesus explained in the Sermon on the Mount that must own the mind and heart as well as the outward actions. Righteousness is not outward conformity to a set of rules; it is a completely different disposition of heart and life, a change in attitude, a relationship of love and adoration of Almighty God and to care for our neighbour as ourself.

NBF meets 6.30 - 7.45 pm Sundays in the chapel at Pant-y-Gorphwys Farmhouse and afterwards a buffet meal for all who can stay. Do visit - phone us on 01834 861391 or just turn up.

Cricket Club

Winners of the National Lottery bonus ball draw organised by the ladies committee of Narberth Cricket Club this week were: Group A - Peter Hughes; Group B - Michael James.

The club's annual general meeting takes place on Monday, March 9, at the rugby club at 7.30 pm.

Indoor winter nets start on Tuesday, March 3, 6-8 pm, at Crymych Leisure Centre.

Bethesda Baptist Chapel

Services at Bethesda Baptist Chapel, Narberth, in the week beginning Sunday, February 22, are as follows:

Sunday School starts at 10.15 am. Morning service takes place at 10.30 am and the evening service at 6 pm.

The Bible study and prayer meeting takes place on Tuesday at 7.15 pm.

The Ladies Fellowship meeting is on Wednesday afternoon at 2 pm in the schoolroom, when the speaker will be Pauline Paul.

A Christian bookstall will be held in the Country Market in Narberth's Queen's Hall on Thursday between 9 am and 12 noon.

All are very welcome to these meetings.

NARBERTH U3A

There was a large turnout for the discussion group which tackled the topic of whether kindness had gone out of fashion (writes Dave Dando). Initial instincts lead to comments that people were not so kind today, but on reflection it was decided that we were influenced by our constant diet of bad news.

How often is the positive story left to the end of a news item as if it were just a little human interest? Politicians are trying to outdo each other in the bad news stakes, describing the current recession as being the worst for any date from the 1930s to the plague.

We have all been recipients of kindness, but tend to blank it. We remember the car that cut us up, rather than the motorist who graciously gave way. Schools are attempting to teach citizenship and there are constant attempts to promote that elusive thing 'community', but can we really legislate for people to care for others? Are we reluctant to be kind because we fear others will suspect us of ulterior motives?

In that case, should we take a chance and be kind anyway. It is one of those areas where we need to take a risk. Boats that remain in harbour are safe, but that is not what a boat is supposed to do. We cannot eliminate all risk from social relationships, even if the current cry is to remove it from banking.

The monthly meeting on Saturday was packed and there are now 16 interest groups. Single topic sessions are also to be introduced each month as part of the general meeting. Initial subjects will include art deco and art nouveau; safari experiences from recently returned intrepid members; speed record attempts at Pendine and the histories of Milford Haven and Carew Castle.

Anyone now retired and with time to pursue other interests can find out about Narberth U3A by ringing 862964 or 860152.

Narberth Branch RNLI

At a recent meeting of the Narberth branch of RNLI, held at Plas Hyfryd Country Hotel, Narberth, chairman David Gibbs, reporting on behalf of the treasurer, John Davies, said that the fun quiz at Narberth Rugby Club had raised £440 to date for the special SOS Appeal for the RNLI.

Committee members agreed that a donation of £50 should be made to Narberth Civic Week.

It was decided to hold the annual luncheon at Plas Hyfryd Country Hotel on Sunday, May 17, and a musical evening featuring the Tempus Vocal Group at Narberth Rugby Club on Friday, September 11. Further details of the arrangements for both events will be announced nearer the dates.

A bucket collection will be made during the half-time interval of the Narberth rugby match against Whitland on Easter Saturday, April 11.

RNLI lottery tickets will be sold at Narberth Carnival in July and during a half-day session at the Pembrokeshire County Show in Haverfordwest in August.

Provisional arrangements were made to hold a supper sometime in October or November and the secretary, Mrs. Barbara Wilson, will report back at the next meeting after holding talks with the caterer.

Vice-chairman Graham Searle emphasised the urgent need to attract new members onto the committee. Members agreed to help with the search for new members or people interested in assisting the committee in other ways.

Anyone interested in helping the Narberth branch of RNLI in any way can contact the chairman, David Gibbs, on 860535, the secretary, Mrs. Barbara Wilson, on 860880, vice-chairman, Graham Searle, on 01437 541284, or any member of the committee.

The next meeting of the committee will be held at Plas Hyfryd on Monday, March 23, at 7.30 pm.

Rugby Fixtures

Tomorrow (Saturday), Narberth do not have a fixture in Division One West of the Swalec Welsh National League.

However, Narberth Athletic are away to Llandovery Athletic in the Carmarthen Tyre Services Championship West Wales Premier League and the Youth team are away to Pembroke Dock Quins. Both matches kick-off at 2.30 pm.

Templeton and Reynalton United Reformed Churches

The united service on Sunday, February 22, will be held at Templeton URC at 6 pm and will be led by Mr. Mervyn Strand.

CHURCH services

Sunday: St. Andrew's, Narberth - 10 am Sung Eucharist. Ash Wednesday - 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 Martin Dudgeon who works for Asia Link to help the unreached people of Asia. There will be a prayer meeting on Tuesday at 3.30 pm and house groups on Thursday at 7.30 pm. For further information, contact Allan Tyler on 860767. A warm welcome to all.

GLANRHYD BAPTIST CHURCH

This Sunday, the service at 10.30 am will be conducted by Rev. Dr. David Pusey, of Broad Haven.

Meat Draw

Winners of the Narberth RFC Supporters' Club meat draw this week are as follows: beef - Ian; lamb - Hughie John; pork - Joyce John.

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.

Narberth Ladies Probus Group

The weathermen excelled themselves on Friday, February 6. Most of the members were able to attend the monthly meeting at Plas Hyfryd Country Hotel in Narberth as the appalling weather conditions of the earlier part of the week abated. The meeting was largely successful and thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Guest speaker, Rev. Jeffrey Morris, regaled the group with a seemingly never ending collection of crime tales of long ago which took place in Pembrokeshire.

There was hushed and intense interest as his gruesome stories of murder, drunken pub brawls and other misdemeanours unfolded. Members were left in no doubt that even long ago rural life here was not without high drama.

Lunch followed and after thanking Rev. Morris for being such an entertaining guest, the meeting closed.

The next meeting will be on Friday, March 6, at Plas Hyfryd Country Hotel as usual, but at the changed meeting time of 11.45 am.

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 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 891471 or Ann Green on 01437 711107.

Rugby Club

Tomorrow (Saturday), Whitland 1st XV are home to Dunvant in Swalec League Division One West, while the 2nd XV are away to Mumbles 2nd XV in the Carmarthen Tyre Services League. Whitland Youth are home to Pembroke Youth in the RAF Careers League. All games kick-off at 2.30 pm.

Next Friday night, February 27, there will be an 'Allo Allo' fancy dress night to coincide with the France v Wales Six Nations game. A £25 meal voucher will be on offer for the best couple and a bottle of whisky for best solo. There will also be free food for all from 7 pm, as well as beer promotions, and don't forget, you can see the game live on the big screen, kick-off 8 pm.

Before all that, though, there will be bingo at the clubhouse tonight (Friday) at 8 pm.