BERRIEW NEWSLETTER A photograph of Megan Evans,with her class in April 1976. Children pictured starting back row L-R: Marylyn Jones, Lindy Davies Tony Evans, Michael Bowen Ann Davies, Beverley Williams Paul Phillips, Guy Jones Andrew Powell, Robert Hall Dorian Jones, Emrys Price Hayley Jacques, Ruth Lloyd Jacqui Woodcock, Ruth Powell Sent to us by Eileen Price. NUMBER 389 FEBRUARY 2021 BERRIEW DEFIBRILLATORS PLEASE REMEMBER DEFIBRILLATORS (AED’s) ARE LOCATED IN THE VILLAGE AT: 1. THE FRONT ENTRANCE TO THE COMMUNITY CENTRE. ACCESS CODE: 1111 2. BERRIEW RECREATION FIELD. INSIDE TENNIS COURTS ON LEFT HANDSIDE IN A CABINET. ACCESS CODE: 1111 DO YOU NEED HELP TO GET TO YOUR VACCINATION APPOINTMENT? North Montgomeryshire Volunteer Centre is organising transport for elderly and vulnerable people to attend their vaccination appointments. Drivers will be vetted, vaccinated, will wear masks and carry ID. Unless you cannot wear a mask for health reasons you'll need to wear one too, and you'll be asked to sit in the back. Please be absolutely certain who you're getting in a car with! The same driver will drive you home and stay with you if needed at the vaccination centre. To ask for transport help, please contact Sharon or Mel on 01938 554484. Phone lines are open Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 09:30am-1:30pm. At other times please either leave a message with your name, phone number and the date, time and location of your appointment. You can also email [email protected] Berriew Community Volunteer Support Group The Berriew Community Volunteer Support Group set up at the beginning of the pandemic is still available if anyone needs help with anything. Please ask through the Berriew Community Facebook Page or ask a neighbour or relative to post for you https://www.facebook.com/groups/BerriewCommunityGroup St. Beuno’s Church, Berriew. I doubt if I’m the only one who is finding that rules, and therefore events and calendars, are changing too quickly to keep up with. At the request of the bishop we have stopped holding services in church until the end of January. It is possible that we will resume holding services on Sundays during February, however, at the time I am writing, (18th Jan) I think it extremely unlikely that services will resume before March or April, especially as cases are still rising locally. In the meantime our online services on YouTube and Zoom are continuing to draw worshippers, some of whom rarely get to physical services. If you would like the login details for the Zoom service give me a call 01938 554245 or email [email protected]. We will also be offering online lent bible study groups- full details have yet to be arranged. More happily it’s been lovely to talk to some prospective brides and grooms to book weddings. If you are hoping to get married at St Beuno’s do get in touch- it’s never too early to book the date you want, and if you need to change it for any reason we can easily do so. Rev Caroline Rhodes Vicar of Berriew, Buttington, Fron, Guilsfield, and Pantyffridd. [email protected] Refail Presbyterian Chapel 2021 Services every Sunday at 10.0 am unless otherwise stated. The Chapel closed for services during January and due to the continuing situation with Covid 19 will remain closed for services during February. A service is on Zoom every Sunday at 11.30am. To access this the login details are: Meeting ID 470 632 6978. Pass code gS1DjK To join the meeting by telephone Dial UK telephone number 0203 481 5237, or 0203 481 5240.0r 0203 901 7895 Meeting ID 470 632 6978, pass code 244410 The Chapel will resume services again in March unless instructed otherwise by the Presbytery. March 7th Communion service 14th Dr. E. Jobling 21st Pastor J.Smith 28th TBA. April 4th Easter Sunday. Please note the programme may change due to circumstances. PENTRE LLIFIOR METHODIST CHAPEL, BERRIEW. SY21 8QJ ALL DETAILS SUBJECT TO CHANGE as the Covid-19 situation demands. Like our Facebook - Pentre Llifior Methodist Chapel - page to be kept up-to-date. As I write for this February issue (in mid-January) we have, unfortunately, been instructed by our Circuit Leadership Team (CLT) that the Chapel has to temporarily close due to the escalating Covid -19 situation. Whilst this is once again disheartening, we fully understand the reasoning behind the decision. The position will be reviewed on a monthly basis and our Facebook page will be updated as soon as information is available so please do keep an eye on that. In the meantime our Home Worship Sheets are continuing to be prepared by ministers and lay preachers and for that we are very thankful. These free sheets are available for anyone to use. Just visit our Circuit website at the address below and follow the link "Latest News" to access each week's study. www.wbhmethodists.org.uk Technical notes to help you get the most out of using the sheets are as follows:- Press Shift and Ctrl together (bottom left of keyboard) and (left) click on the link. You can then click back on the worship sheet once it starts to follow the hymn or reading. Unfortunately, there may be some advertising initially on the songs, I’m afraid our tech chap can’t stop happening. NB: Don't forget to close the new tab after the audio has finished and of course, you can sing without restriction in your own homes - so go for it! January, of course, heralds a new year and with that, the Methodist's annual "Covenant" service. The word covenant, as most of you probably know, means agreement. There were various covenants made between God and his people throughout the bible. In the Old Testament there was Noah (Genesis ch.9 v11-17), Abraham (Genesis ch.17 v1-14) and the Israelites(Exodus ch.19 v3-8). But the New Testament saw the creation of a New Covenant between God and all his people (Hebrews ch.9 explains the difference between the two). Our current day service provides a platform for members to reflect and reaffirm their commitment to the life of the church and the New Covenant written about in Hebrews. There are four main aspects of being a member of the Methodist Church. Worship; Learning & Caring; Service and Evangelism. Our intention, as Christians, is to show compassion and empathy; to serve the community and our neighbours (whether we actually like/agree with them or not) and to let God's love for everyone shine through us. Of course, words are easy, sometimes actions no so! But the Bible doesn't promise an "easy ride", quite the opposite in fact most of the time (e.g. ActsCh.14 v22 -The Message: "Anyone signing up for the kingdom of God has to go through plenty of hard times"). Many years ago I was told that to get the best out of anything, you have to work at putting something into it. Church membership might possibly be viewed in a similar way. To be a Christian you have to "work at it" and put something into it. For me personally, the rewards are slim if faith is treated poorly and with no effort. Attending services and mouthing the words of the hymns and prayers without putting anything else into the life of the church has no depth. Worship, whilst important, is only part of Christian life. It's the service towards others, in whatever capacity is required, and the exploration of the bible that furthers the deepening of my faith (as well as serving the chapel on practical issues - being washer-upper, cleaner, gardener, treasurer etc ). Our reaffirmation of membership of the Methodist church during our Covenant service allows us all time to reflect on what has passed and prepares us to look forward to new challenges, supported by God, through faith. Until next time, please keep safe and well all. Mandy Thought for the month: "Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car!" Contacts: Andrew Mathieson tel: 01938 555376 or Mandy email: [email protected] St John’s Church. Fron As this is the first Berriew Newsletter of 2021 may I, on behalf of everyone at Fron Church wish you all a Very Happy and Healthy New Year 2021 and may it be the beginning of the end of this dreadful pandemic. There have been no services at Fron since the beginning of the first lockdown although, along with other churches, one was scheduled for 20th December. 15 members had booked their place for that service but, due to the sudden lockdown the evening before, in consultation with Rev Caroline, it was decided to cancel the service for safety sake. There are no services scheduled in the whole of the Mission Area until the end of January with the likelihood that will be extended until March. No Church news then but I have been going through old photographs, as you do at times like this, and I found this one that David Hughes, Pennant gave me not long ago. It is taken outside the front door of Fron Church with Ven Owen Thomas standing in the background and from left Cath Owen, Mrs May Hughes, Emrys Davies, Ursula Davies, June Powell, Olwen Davies and Betty Watkin. I’m not sure of the occasion but think it might be after the service to dedicate the new carpet in the chancel given by Ursula or the farewell service to Ursula and Emrys who were leaving the Fron area.