Horeb United Reformed Church

An Update 2025.09

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.

First an apology.And an opportunity to make some positive comments about Glan Clwyd Hospital. A few weeks ago I began to feel a little odd in the ‘tummy area’; this led to lack of sleep periods of acute tiredness and a complete lack of energy. Eventually , I succumbed to pressure and called the Surgery and spoke to a Practice Nurse. This resulted in an instruction to get to get myself to A & E. So, triage, a wait of 5 hours or so, meeting with a doctor X-Ray, CT scan, and I was in a side ward with two surgeons starting treatment for some form of blockage in my alimentary canal.

As I understood it, this involved the insertion of a tube via my nose and throat to clear some of the blocked content of my stomach, in preparation for surgery. Anyway, THIS HURT MORE THAN A LITTLE. After a while, the Surgeons left with the procedure ’not completed ‘and shortly afterwards I found myself in a meeting including some more elderly / senior medical personnel who were unhappy with what was being done to me, removed the tube (HUGE RELIEF) and so began a 5 day stay in Glan Clwyd and a hope a that a non-surgical means of clearing the blockage could be found. They did – it’s shifted – I’m out and home but still very tired.

Thoughts

• The majority of the Nursing staff seemed to be of foreign extraction – what would the N.H.S. do without them.

• The staff, nurses and all the ancillary staff who cared for me were wonderful; seemed to be on the go non-stop, but always with a laugh and a smile to spare.

• The Doctors, after a few hiccups obviously got it right and for this and everything else done for me during my stay at Glan Clwyd (except the tube up my nose ), I’m extremely grateful – thankyou.

So – please accept a somewhat cut-down piece this time and any Grammatical, errors that sneak through

Secondly - 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 …

Trefor Suddick one of our Elders and a pillar if the Church here at Horeb, died early morning of Sept 2nd

We at Horeb have all followed Trefor’s journey over the past months; his diagnosis of Sarcoma, the operation to remove a goodly piece of his leg and then the fitting of his prosthetic, coming to terms with its use. Dealing with all of this with his usual mixture of stubbornness and humour and, finally having him back preaching at Horeb and joining us in person for our Elders’ meetings.

Then, unexpectedly and suddenly he’s unwell with some sort of infection; is back in hospital … and has died.

What can one say?

Firstly, our thoughts and prayers are with Trefor’s partner. Cindy who must have been devastated by this turn of events.

To say that we as elders will miss Trefor is a complete understatement. There are too few ‘good-guys’ in the world and when one as ‘good’ as Trefor is lost the gaping hole that is left which is near impossible to fill.

Support for The staff at Shu’fat camp

Since or focus on the situation at Shu’fat leading to out ‘Strawberry Tea ‘ fundraiser, I think that many of us have followed the troubles in the Middle East with increasing apprehension as the death toll mounts.

Although we have yet to plan a major event in support, there is a pot labelled Shu’fat in Horeb’s Paterson Hall into which folk attending our various Church events are invited to deposit any loose change or whatever they wish – and this will find its was to Dr. Salim and his staff.

So if you are at a Community Lunch or Wednesday Coffee Morning....

Back to Church Sunday - Held on 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.

A congregation of 26 attended this and the catch-up session in Paterson Hall afterwards – we hope that they will return.

So now back to normal - What’s Going On! – much trimmed.

‘Son of Food Co-op’ – Our Wednesday ‘Coffee Morning‘

Numbers – well we had17/18 and two dogs this week – lots of laughter and catching up. Attendance fluctuates but we’re NEVER FULL so – PLEASE JOIN US! It is not in any way a 'closed shop' but open to all on Wednesdays (10.00 to 12.00. Tea / coffee / biscuits / cakes (occasionally) are provided; the cost being covered by 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 point you in the direction of the kitchen 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 October 14th .

Coming Soon

Harvest Sunday Sun. Oct. 5th Morning Worship led by Jennifer Jones at 10.30 a.m.

The Sunday Service is followed by Harvest Lunch (A choice of meat Hot Pots and a veggie option).

All goods donated will be taken to Tŷ Golau

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 year 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’. Goods collected from donations at Harvest Time also go to Tŷ Golau

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

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.

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 but not too much rain .

Allan Morgan (Horeb Elder)