BEULAH CROSSROADS BEULAH CROSSROADS BEULAH CROSSROADS BEULAH CROSSROADS BEULAH CROSSROADS BEULAH CROSSROADS BEULAH CROSSROADS BEULAH CROSSROADS BEULAH CROSSROADS BEULAH CROSSROADS BEULAH CROSSROADS BEULAH CROSSROADS BEULAH CROSSROA “For unto us a child is born” Isaiah 9, 6 BEULAH CROSSROADS BEULAH CROSSROADS BEU If I ask the question “what is Handel, a regular church the musical work that every attender, knew his Bible. So professional singer has in their when his friend Charles repertoire” the answer would Jennens, suggested an come back loud and clear - oratorio based on the subject Handel’s “Messiah.” Christmas of the Messiah, Handel now approaches and it is became very enthusiastic. For “Messiah” time again – Beulah the “Messiah” libretto Jennens has just had its own - and the juxtaposed the Old and the copies come off the New Testament using King BEULAH CROSSROADS BEULAH CROSSROADS bookshelves and “Every valley James Bible and Psalms from shall be exalted!” the Common Book of Prayer. For instance “I know that my German born Handel has to be Redeemer Liveth” takes text one of the most respected and from the book of Job and 1 famous of all immigrants to the Corinthians. UK - settling in London in 1712 and becoming a citizen in Handel unbelievably wrote the 1727. At that time the London score of “Messiah” in less than audience were very keen on a month! It was as if all his Italian style opera and Handel, previous compositions were BEULAH CROSSROADS BEULAH CROSSROADS with his musical/theatrical leading towards this great genius plus a capacity for hard masterpiece. work, actually composed 42 such operas for this market! Wary of giving “Messiah” its first outing in London, Handel Eventually opera started to seized the opportunity that an become less popular and invitation to Dublin gave him to Handel found himself losing take the oratorio there for its BEULAH money. This situation made first very successful CROSSROADS him look at, and develop a new performance in April 1742. art form - the oratorio - a December sacred drama but in a concert “Messiah” is in three distinct BEULAH CROSSROADS BEULAH CROSSROADS version. There were no grand parts. 2018 theatrical gestures, no set or Part One focuses on the costumes. The story itself coming of the Messiah. The Monthly would be sufficient. There were “Behold, a virgin shall Newsletter usually four soloists – standing conceive, and bear a son, and of still - plus a chorus who were shall call his name Emmanuel, Beulah given a more substantial role GOD WITH US!” and that Mary United Reformed than in his operas and a small should “Rejoice greatly, O Church orchestra. daughter of Zion.” The chorus (Continued on page 3) B E UL AH CROSSROADS B E UL AH CROSSROADS B E UL AH CROSSROADS B E UL AH CROSSROADS B E UL AH CROSSROADS BEULAH CROSSROADS BEULAH CROSSROAD BEULAH CROSSROADS BEULAH CROSSROADS BEULAH CROSSROADS BEULAH CROSSROADS BEULAH CROSSROADS BEULAH CROSSROADS CHURCH NOTES As we approach the busiest time in December – and we particularly the death of Chris’s mother in the church calendar, I hope that we thank the Revd. Gethin Rhys who November. will be able to find time to slow down has led preparation sessions for all and reflect a little on what the these people. Several members and friends have season of Advent means to us. A needed treatment in recent weeks, small group looked at different ways We recently held our nomination and we hope they will soon be on of taking us through Advent, and a process to call new elders for 2019. the road to recovery. These include theme has emerged from the I would like to offer sincere thanks to Rachel Brewer, Pat Cazenave and discussions; this will be our retiring elders: Anne Wilkes, Rubina Lewis – we send them, and ‘Conversations’ and each Sunday of Marianne and Nigel Barwise and all who are experiencing difficulties, Advent will explore a different set of Mary Edwards. They have been our good wishes. Others have conversations between various unstinting in both their pastoral work received better news and we send characters. Alongside this, some and contributions to meetings and them all our best wishes too. It is Advent art by Jo Jones will appear duties through what has been a good to see Kevin Williams out and on Canolfan wall and we look challenging time over the past few about again, and also to know that forward to the enrichment to our years as we grapple with new ways Ron Leech is recovering well from Advent journeys that this will no of being church together – they his surgery. doubt bring. deserve a little rest now! As an eldership we are delighted that Ruth We are also pleased to hear of the On Advent Sunday we will light the Williams has accepted the births of two babies to families first of our Advent candles, in a nomination, and will be inducted on connected with us: we send many service led by three members of this January 13. As we were unable to congratulations to Elin and Martin small group, and the evening service fill all the vacancies this time, elders James whose daughter, Angharad will be a reflective communion and the Pastoral Committee are has given birth to a baby son, Caleb service with music and readings, considering ways to ensure that the Gwyn. Donna and James Nunn have where we will be joined not just by pastoral wok of the church is still also had a baby boy and we are friends from Bethany and All Saints, covered effectively. delighted that all is well for Donna but also by local Methodist friends. and baby Ethan James. We look forward to many Special wishes are sent to Alys opportunities to think and reflect, as James on her 18th birthday, which well as to sing and rejoice at Christ’s she celebrated recently. birth, including our Light for our Loss service on December 9th, a church And – congratulations to David family baptism, mid night Newington whose indie-pop band, communion, and of course, the Boy Azooga, has been awarded The services led by children and young Welsh Music Prize, 2018, for their people, before the celebration of album ‘1, 2, Kung Fu’. Christmas Day itself. We are grateful to all those who will make all these Finally, we send Christmas greetings services possible, many of whom to all members and friends, hoping are from within the congregation. FAMILY NEWS that all may know something of the It is with sadness that we learned of joy and peace that the coming of the It is good to acknowledge some the death of Mr Gwynfor Hughes this Christ child brings to the world. important signs that affirm the light month. Together with his late wife, and life of Beulah. It was a delight to Ann, Gwynfor was a faithful member Every blessing, welcome the family and friends of of Beulah for many decades, and we Louise little Amelia Cottrell for her baptism send our condolences to Tessa, at the end of October – and we have Rhys and all the family at this sad at least two more baptisms and a time. Church Secretary: blessing in the coming months. On Mrs. Louise Morgan, November 18 it was a great joy to Our deepest sympathies are also welcome four people into with Grace Weaver, whose younger membership of the church, all of daughter, Moira, has recently died. Church Treasurer: whom are already active and We remember Grace and all her Mrs. Barbara Rhys, committed in our congregation: family in prayer. Karen Sampson, Richard Sweetnam and Naomi and Martin Williams. We Our thoughts and prayers are also will also have the privilege of with the Coleman family following welcoming another three in 2 “For unto us a child is born” Isaiah 9, 6 Concerts at the Crossroads (Continued from front page) finally tells us “His yoke is easy Lunchtime Recital and his burthen is light” th Part Two has a striking change Wednesday 30 January 2019 at 1.05pm of mood as we meditate on Christ’s Passion, Resurrection A group of opera students from the RWCMD and Ascension. The music is with Nicola Rose – piano more jagged, sombre and intense. “He was despised and rejected of men.” But it is the Songs and Arias triumphant Hallelujah chorus which finishes Part Two. This concert has now become an annual event and has Part Three opens with a proved most popular. Four opera students from the personal declaration of faith, “I RWCMD plus their accompanist Nicola Rose will come and know that my Redeemer perform a programme of songs and arias. This is a Liveth”. However for the wonderful opportunity to hear the upcoming opera believer, sin and death are conquered with a Hymn of singers of the future. It is so rewarding to hear that some Thanksgiving “Worthy is the of the singers from previous years have gone on to sing in Lamb that was slain and has major opera houses and have significant careers. redeemed us to God by His blood.” Tickets £5 on the door This work, which since its composition has occupied an Another date for your diary unrivalled place in the hearts th and minds of Christians Wednesday 27 February at 1.05pm everywhere, concludes with Tomos Xerri – harp and Claire Wickes - flute the affirmative statement Amen. So be it! Trix Pryce Simon and George’s Winter Warmer! A date for your diary! Following the morning service on Sunday, 3rd February, 2019, please come and join us for Thank You a delicious soup and sandwich lunch in the Canolfan.