Horeb United Reformed Church

An update 2025.7

The continuing story of what goes on at Horeb Chapel, and how we are doing our best to move forward and ‘do our bit’ as life goes on in these increasingly challenging times.

I’ve written regularly about the way my mind wanders when I begin to write this bimonthly piece; thinking back etc. etc but not this time, we have had visitors this last week. Our visitors were friends from my previous Church who live near to where we lived in Rayleigh in Essex. The result, lots of catching up; talks of times gone by , old mutual friends etc. and now I need to get back to the present.

Two things have occupied my time over the last few weeks and unfortunately the first is …

First - Yet another very sad Event

As I wrote last time, I hope that this is not going to become a regular feature of my update but...

We at Horeb were lucky to have a neighbour like Danny Letham; he was not a member of the Church but if we or he needed help of any sort it would happen. I have become aware that Danny helped many folk in the local community quietly, making no fuss and expecting no recognition. A very, very good man.

Over the last several weeks Danny has been helping us at Horeb to re-establish our Website. This was lost shortly after the departure of David Salsbury (who knew what he was doing) leaving yours truly to look after it. All was well for a time, but those hosting changed things, my abilities were proved to be much less than adequate and all was lost.

Danny had the ability to help us and we worked together to design and set up a new / simpler / easily manageable website.

The new Website exists https://horebchapelurc.org.uk/

Unfortunately, Danny passed away before the needs of controlling and managing the site had been finalised.

Currently, I’m in touch with Heart Internet who are hosting the site and going through the various hoops needed to complete what Danny and we set out to do.

Please try the site using the link above; look for us online i.e. search for Horeb Chapel URC Dyserth to find us.

Second involving a family connection.

Background Barbara and Bing Jones have been members of Horeb for 50 years or so and Barbara only recently resigned as our Church treasurer, again after many years. Gaynor is their daughter.

The Shu’fat refugee camp is located just north of the Old City of Jerusalem and is part of the Jerusalem Governorate adjacent to the Palestinian neighbourhood of Shuafat. The camp is enclosed by the West Bank Barrier and is considered to be in the "West Bank side" of the barrier, despite being under the effective control of the Jerusalem municipality. It was set up in 1948 and is guarded 24/7 by armed Israeli soldiers.

There are now 4 generations of families in the camp. Dr Salim was born in the camp and he raised his family there; his wife was a teacher and one of his 4 children is now a doctor too. The camp has 50,000 people living on 1 square km of land, It has one boys school, one girls school a small health unit which was run by Dr Salim and a small unit for children and adults with disabilities.

13 years ago Gaynor visited Palestine and Israel as part of her job.

The following year she took part of her leave and went to the Shu’fat camp at her own expense and stayed with Dr Salim's family helping at the different units. She became like part of the family and has been back a number of times since, including for two family weddings. She has daily contact where possible with Dr Salim and some of the teachers. Her group of friends in Orkney where Gaynor’s work is based, have supported them for many years.

Since this war started following the Hamas raid and hostage taking on Oct 7th – probably in the last 6 months, the Israelis have closed down all these facilities at Shu’fat. The children are highly traumatised. Gaza, where there is complete devastation and which we hear about a lot in The News, is on the west coast of Palestine.

I’ve tried to avoid any reference to the political situation – no doubt we all have our views of the rights and wrongs – but one thing stands out – the folk at Shu’fat could do with some help.

As a result the Horeb Elders decided to hold a ‘Strawberry Tea’ as a fundraiser for Dr. Salim and the staff of the Disabled Children’s Unit at Shu’fat.

The Strawberry Tea

Went amazingly well; we had a good turnout with folk both from Horeb, non-members from the village and further afield having heard about the event via our posters and our contacting other local Churches. Lots of discussion and sharing of views whilst tackling the mountain of food provided by the Elders and friends of Horeb.

There was also information from Shu’fat i.e. words from those working out there read out, and a video presentation including some thoughts from Dr Salim.

As a result, and helped by donation from The Rhyl Ladies Inner Wheel. We were able to send £850.00 to Shu’fat.

I’m aware that I have written a great deal about this but will finish with the response from Gaynor and some words from Dr Salim –

Hi Allan, It’s Gaynor here,

Just ahead of the church notices, I wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone involved in making the recent afternoon tea fundraiser for Shu’fat Refugee Camp in Palestine, such a huge success. It was an incredible amount raised, £850, and I am truly appreciative. This will be a big help in supporting the activities of the disabled children centre.

A message this week from Salim (doctor in the Camp), gives a sense of the current situation:

Life has come to a standstill. Movement is prohibited. Schools are closed, places of worship are closed, transportation is not working, people are not going to work, institutions are in a state of shock and astonishment with their work being suspended. Inflation is outrageous and purchasing power does not meet the needs of families. Terror has crept into people's hearts. Nervousness has increased and psychological problems have worsened. We are human beings, but the world does not look at us and does not care about our feelings or needs. We are deprived of expressing our feelings, even in writing. Night is a nightmare for everyone, and terror and fear are increasing. How can we live in such circumstances?

Thank you all and best wishes - Gaynor

**************

So now back to normal - What’s Going On! – much trimmed as I am filling a lot of space.

Food Co-op is no longer, but the group of people (now friends) who met at Horeb when enjoying a cuppa back in the Food Co-op days are still meeting every week as ‘Son of Food Co-op’ – Our Wednesday ‘Coffee Morning‘

Food Co-op is no longer, but the group of people (now friends) who met at Horeb when enjoying a cuppa back in the Food Co-op days are still meeting every week as ‘Son of Food Co-op’ – Our Wednesday ‘Coffee Morning‘

Numbers attending fluctuate but we’re NOT FULL so – PLEASE JOIN US! 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 whatever you feel like putting in the pot; … and if there is anything at all that warrants celebration invariably we will arrange something special – perhaps a Bacon Butty or Sausage Bap.

A relaxing time in good company with tea/coffee made to order and if it doesn't suit - we'll show you how the Lincat (Water Heater) works; where the tea/ coffee/crockery is kept provide a bit of training and you can make your own just as you like it.

Community Lunches - still up and running at Horeb on the second Tuesday of the month from 12.30 – all are welcome.

No need to book – (unless you’re bringing a coachful) - and, if you’re running late, don’t worry you will be fed.

The menu for our lunches continues to be one that the small team of folk from Horeb (Some of the Elders plus a few friends / family) can manage i.e. a bowl of soup (a choice from 2 or three) with a bread roll and butter followed by pudding and a cup of tea/coffee or a soft drink - all for £4,00

As Head of washing up, (I seem to have been promoted) I can truthfully report that at every lunch thus far, all the dishes have been returned empty – and there have been no complaints either about the quantity of food or the choice of soups or puddings so again we must be doing something right. BUT we’re not full – so if you’re free… join us on September 9th . (no Community Lunch in August)

So, what is now considered ‘Normal’ - I will repeat –

• Morning Worship: [Sundays (10.30 - 11.30)] and a social time with tea/coffee and biscuits afterwards.

• The service is available 'live' to all on Zoom on the Sunday morning

DETAILS Zoom (meeting id 923 732 5176 password 3fHEG9)

Weekly, a summary of ‘What’s on at Horeb’ is circulated online to keep folk in touch with hard copies available at the Sunday morning Service for those without printers.

If anyone reading this update would like to receive ‘What’s On at Horeb’ - mail me on allandavidmorgan@gmail.com and I’ll willingly add you to my list.

Horeb trying to be useful

a) Horeb’s link with Pengwern College in Rhuddlan – involved in some maintenance of Horeb ‘ground- works’ seem to have stalled as we have still been unable make contact – we’ll keep trying.

b) Tŷ Golau For many years now, Horeb has supported ‘The Night Shelter for the homeless in Rhyl’.

• Our members, when they do their weekly shopping purchase a few extra items, put them in a box in Horeb and they are delivered to Tŷ Golau every few weeks.

• The staff are grateful for the gifts and the support and the fact that we appreciate what the staff do for folk who are simply less fortunate than we – we will continue to ‘do our bit’.

c) We will continue our support of Christian Aid, The Leprosy Mission and North Wales Superkids

On the Horizon :

Harvest Sunday - Sun. Oct. 5th

• Morning Worship led by Jennifer Jones at 10.30 a.m.

• Harvest Sunday Service followed by Harvest Lunch (A Hot Pot).

• Donation of goods to Tŷ Golau

Back to Church Sunday - Sun. Sept. 14th

• Morning Worship led by Rev. Sally Thomas

• Folk who haven’t been seen for some time invited to attend and possibly transported…to encourage re-engagement.

Finances - (unfortunately, always on our minds)

The Hiring of Paterson Hall and other space in Horeb

This 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'.

It is our hope that the return of the Web Site might be a help BUT – in the meantime if anyone reading this needs or knows anyone who needs to hire some space for a club or event The Paterson Hall, The Henry Gordon Room and the Sanctuary itself are 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 Allan Morgan on 01745 570364. - and leave a message if there is no response. 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, and if you are thinking about joining us for worship one Sunday, you will be very welcome.

So, I'll sign off wishing all peace, health and fulfilment as Summer continues; hoping that the weather remains good for enjoying the outdoors and that we get a little rain.

Allan Morgan (Horeb Elder)