Horeb

Horeb United Reformed Church - Eglwys Unedig Diwygiedig Horeb

An update from Allan Morgan

The continuing story of how Horeb has moved 'back to normal' - albeit a 'New Normal' and slightly different.

Son of Food Co-op - Well the 'Usual Suspects' continue to turn up - so we must be doing something right.

I must remind readers again that this is not in any way a 'closed shop' - it is open to all on Wednesdays (10.00 to 12.00. Tea / coffee / biscuits / cakes (occasionally) are provided; the cost being covered by donation.

A relaxing time in good company with tea/coffee made to order and if it doesn't suit you - we'll show you where the Lincat is.

Community Lunches (Second Tuesday of the Month from 12.30 p.m.)

Three months in - still up and running although the cooker problems are still in the process of being resolved. However, the wiring for the new appliance was installed yesterday So we now await the cooker which is being held at the suppliers and hopefully a few days after its arrival we will be up and running. You will hear the sigh of relief as this saga ends.

Our thanks go to the Community Council for their patience and support during this frustrating time.

Time to Celebrate A couple of weeks or so ago, two of our members celebrated birthdays within a day of each other, and as the total number of years involved was significant we held a 'Big Bash' Birthday Celebration of Colin Richards and Liz Prichard's birthdays (93 and 94 respectively) alongside the Coffee morning on a Wednesday.

We had a fair crowd, some 30+ folk made up of both Horeb members and those who attend the weekly 'Son of Food Co-op' and had attended 'Food Co-op' when Colin and Elizabeth had rune this prior to the arrival of Covid when the Food Co-p, along with the rest of the U.K. ground to a halt. Present also were Liz's daughter, Colin's daughter and her husband doing grandparent duty with their granddaughter and Colin's great-granddaughter; and, also on one of her first trips out after being rather poorly - Colin's wife Elizabeth.

There were cakes, biscuits and savoury bites galore; cards and candles (which seemed more like not so small incendiary devices) - not forgetting some pots of Snowdrops from Dave Wilson garden; 'Happy Birthday' was sung and from the noise of the chatter and laughter from everyone a good time was had by all.

Cakes and Savouries were very generously supplied by those attending and the 'guests' 'paid' for their refreshments by donating to Christian Aid - raising a total of some £80 (£30.00 for snowdrops)

So what is back to Normal Yes, Horeb is returning to near normal - so to repeat -

• We hold Services every week [Sundays (10.30 to 11.30)] and enjoy social time with tea/coffee and biscuits afterwards.

• The weekly Service is available 'live' to all on Zoom on a Sunday morning and available on Facebook from Sunday afternoon.

DETAILS Join us - live on zoom (meeting id 923 732 5176 password 3fHEG9)

- on Facebook (Horeb United Reformed Church Zoom Services, Dyserth) at any time

• We are continuing, for our members who are still unable to attend for Sunday Worship or manage Zoom, to send by e-mail, CONTACT. Issued every week (currently No 92), this is a brief Service in print produced by Rev. Colin Richards whose 'thoughts' are well worth a read. In addition to CONTACT, recipients are kept up to date by a copy of the notices which are later read out at the start of the Service on Sunday Morning.

Ongoing 'still missing'

The Village quiz - is now on my list of things to get on with. Details will be published on the Dyserth Times Facebook page within a few weeks. I know I said this in the last issue - my apologies - it will happen!

But Something 'Not Missing'

It's taken a while - but to paraphrase Mr Schwarzenegger 'It's back!' Yes the Swinging Horeb Sign at the front of the Church has returned. Many thanks are needed for those who carried this out:

The Wilson family who did much of the heavy lifting in taking the sign down for repair; Trefor Suddick who organised its repair and to our friend Paul Rad who did a grand job refreshing the paintwork and then helping Dave Wilson with the re-hanging.

Ongoing issues

Building Maintenance Refurbishing the porch Stage 1 - the repair of the failed pointing has been completed - the porch is now weatherproof. Stage 2 - the repair and re-plastering of the porch interior began yesterday, is being worked on as I write this and should be completed by the end of the day.

Finances These are, I'm afraid always going to be a problem. The Hiring of Paterson Hall and other space in Horeb is a major source of income which has still to return to a pre-Covid level and with the increase in fuel costs it is increasingly difficult to balance what hirers can afford to pay and what we need to charge to cover our costs - let alone gain some 'income'.

BUT - if anyone needs to hire some space for a club or event The Paterson Hall is still available for Hiring for several hours during the week. Indeed if anyone reading has a need or knows anyone who wishes to Hire a space, they should contact Barbara Tebbutt on 01745 570793 or me on 01745 570364.

Aware that we, in many ways, are battling for the survival of Horeb, the Elders and Members, remain determined to continue to work hard and to do our best to keep Horeb Chapel alive and well.

Finally, as usual, you know where we are, you know we will be open for worship at 10.30 a.m. every Sunday.

So, I'll sign off wishing all a happy Easter and, if you are thinking about joining us for worship one Sunday, You will be very welcome.

Allan Morgan (Horeb Elder)