December 2007 Newsletter
No 32
Minister:- Rev Vivienne Smith
New telephone number 703820
Hi Everyone,
How many shopping days left? Not many! What are you going to buy for loved ones?
Some years ago a friend of ours bought Vanessa the first Ice age movie for Christmas. With eager anticipation we sat around the TV and pressed the play button! What a film! Fantastic! We were introduced to a number of characters, Sid a fast talking and comical sloth, Manfred, a moody woolly mammoth, and Diego, a sinister saber-toothed tiger. Ordinarily the three would never have been friends. Sid drove the other two mad and Diego had to constantly fight the desire not to eat Sid and Manfred! As you can probably tell, they really were the most unlikely trio. And yet together they would face boiling larva pits, treacherous ice tunnels and a prehistoric squirrel rat named Scrat.
So what happened to bring these characters together? One little person, a tiny human baby. Because of him they put differences aside, worked together to return him to his father, and in fact, became great friends.
This year as we gather once again around the manger, as we focus our attention on the Christ child, let us remember that it is he who unites us. It’s because of him that we come together to worship, and this despite our differences. Let’s give thanks this Christmas for the precious gift of friendship and fellowship.
Have a wonderful Christmas and all the very best for the New Year.
God Bless
Viv
Rev John Staton has accepted an invitation from the Circuit Stewards to become the new Superintendent when Rev Terry Porter retires next year.
John has been in the Ministry for twenty five years, and at the moment is the Superintendent of the Denby Dale and Clayton West Circuit. John’s wife, Rev Ann Staton, has recently taken early retirement from the Ministry
We send our sympathy to Joanne and Louise the daughter’s of Peter Harrison who died 19th Sept. Peter and his late wife, Shirley were very involved at Portobello in the past and are remembered with great affection.
Gladys Slater died on 15th Oct. aged 91. Before moving to the Albemarle Home in Hedon Gladys was a keen member of Gateway where she was an active member of the ‘tea committee’ and is fondly remembered. Sympathy to her son and daughter and all family members.
Sympathy also to Sylvia Brewer who lost a dearly loved sister, Doris, recently
Phyllis Mower who has been ill at Castle Hill Hospital ever since her heart operation, has moved to West Park Nursing Home, 1/5 Selby Street, Kingston upon Hull, HU3 6AB where she is being well cared for and seems to have settled.
Jack Goodrum was taken into hospital twice within a month and spent a couple of weeks at HRI. He is home again now and doing well.
Joan Keays has also spent time in hospital and is recuperating at home.
Vera Hatfield and Iris Brattan have both been confined to home for many weeks and we are hoping to hear they are feeling much better very soon. Arthur Owst is still waiting for his flood damaged home to be ready again and has unfortunately also broken his foot. Sympathy to him and all other friends who have been affected by the flooding.
Alan Lumb has had to miss an occasional service due to ill health and is much missed on every occasion.
Horace Wright, Brenda Harper, Joan Clarke and Doreen Woods are unable to meet but are remembered in our prayers.
Stop Press As we go to print we hear that Mary Hutchinson has been awarded a special gold badge by the P.D.S.A for 50 years voluntary work for them. This is a fantastic achievement and we look forward to hearing all about it.. Mary is a young 90 year old and I dare say will still be working for them in another 10 years!! Many Congratulations.
Four people tied for winning the Plant Quiz sheet so to make it fair they each recieved £10. They were Joan Bruce, Valerie Pauling, Margaret Williams and Geoff Walker Well done to them all, and many thanks to Gladys and Pat for arranging it.
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Congratulations too to Aileen and Allan Binns who celebrated their Ruby Wedding on 14th Oct and to Helen and David Banks on the birth another little grand daughter, Ruby Elizabeth, third daughter for Jo and Richard |
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On a Malet Lambert School trip Rebecca Thompson and Emma Lazell were taken to see the war graves in France & Belgium.
They rushed directly from another trip to join us in church on Remembrance Day to tell the congregation their feelings on seeing “all the graves where it just said ‘a soldier of the great war known unto God’ because no one knows who they are.
The most memorable grave was one that belonged to a 13½ year old boy. The favourite part was the Menin Gate because we presented a wreath on behalf of Malet Lambert. It was amazing to see all the people that were there even though the ceremony happens every night.
We can’t say it was a fun visit because it wasn’t, it was really very shocking, but for the 4 days we were there we remembered every single person who died in the World Wars”.
Abigail Thompson then joined them and the three of them sang a very moving song ‘No war will stop us singing’
Abigail has also won a Blue Peter badge for a poem on Autumn which she sent in. Well done to them all.
Congratulations to Rev Wesley Lutton who was 90 on Oct. He was delighted with the birthday card from everyone at Portobello and said it gave him great joy to read all the names. A copy of his letter is on the notice board |
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Flowers for the sanctuary during the last quarter have been in memory of Bob Jewitt, Nancy Rhodes, Mr & Mrs Spaven and Emily Barker. Anyone wishing to donate flowers please speak to Cath Woods. Tel 814317
Jacobs Well have written to thank us for the many packets of Weetabix and other Harvest produce which we delivered to them (letters on notice board). These will now be taken out to the various Eastern European countries where they have clinics and orphanages and handed out to help children in the greatest need.
They have recently told us that some countries have relaxed the ‘new shoes only’ regulation and now they can accept any shoes which are in good condition. There is a great need for these items so it is a good time to part with all those pinching shoes which you thought you might break in ‘one day’! Instead bring them to us to take, or, if you can, deliver them direct to the Jacobs Well Warehouse which is now open 5 days a week and can be found at the back of Just Right Cars on Swinemoor Lane, Beverley.
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From the beginning of December some of the screens at the back of the church will display the Christmas Cards you all wish to send to send to friends at church. You will remember that we invite you to use one card to everyone instead of buying lots, but hope that you will donate the money saved to this years Senior Steward’s special charity ‘Heart Link’ which is an East Midlands Children’s Heart Care Ass. for babies and children with severe problems. |
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Many thanks to everyone who helped in any way with the Shoe Boxes. We have sent off 66 in total. Any donated items, which were too big to go in a box, have been gladly received by Dr Beynon for Romania. The surplus cash is being used to ‘buy’ gifts such as water filters and seeds. Watch for further details later. Special thanks to Gladys and Sylvia who covered a lot of the shoe boxes for us and to Pavers for providing them. Again thanks for your generosity. |
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Our Cinema Club commenced on Sept 21st with a ‘trial’ run of our new equipment and a showing of Wallace and Gromet’s The Curse of the Were Rabbit (Just down my street!!) Our next night was the Oct showing of Monsters Inc when we had everything (even pop corn cooked by Abigail and Rebecca’s Mum!!) and the November one will be coming soon when we hope some of the Scouts will join us to see Johnnie English. |
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Money still goes annually to Parakkanvalai in India where we have contributed for nearly 15 years to a scheme of the Rural Development Movement which helps to build houses in a very undeveloped area. Marjorie Smith recently received this touching letter of thanks which we reproduce exactly:-
“Dear Smith,
We are fine. We hope You the Same. We received your DD of rupees 38,117 and 7 paisa with thanks. Your helping and good feeling on this Plantation is very much inspiration to us and our people.
We expect Your more Kinds. Please Continue Your Touch with R.D.M. Thanking You. Your Sincere and Love S E Jebasingh”
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Any items for the next Newsletter |
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The new chairs which we are all able to enjoy on a Sunday are one of the suggestions from the day at Garton which we have been able to implement. There are other ideas that we hope will follow. The beautiful blue padded chairs have been partially provided for with a generous bequest from Horace and Jean in memory of Mollie Wright.
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Items for the weekly Notices |
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If you have not received one of this year's new church booklets then please collect one from the book table. They contain details of all our services and activities, and all the telephone numbers you might need. Carry one with you and pass on to anyone wanting to know anything about Portobello. Replacements are always available on the table.
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Our Christmas Quiznight is Thursday Dec 6th 7.30 to 9pm. Round up 3 friends and make your own team, or come and join with another group, everyone is most welcome and it is all just a bit of fun – maybe that is why the prizewinners always laugh when they see their prizes!!!! |
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Coffee Morning continues practically without break every Thursday morning but will be closed on Thur Dec 27th The more people that drop in for a coffee or tea and toast the better. Christmas cards are on sale there at the moment and we hope that on Dec 20th the men will once again don their aprons and serve us warm mincepies. Do join us. 9.30 to 11.30am
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Gateway breaks on 12th Dec with a Christmas party and restarts on Wednesday Jan 9th at 2pm with Heather Ball and friends. |
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Leisure Day breaks for Christmas with it’s Open Afternoon on 3rd Dec from 2to 4pm Work done will be on display that day, the Singing for Pleasure Group will sing and there will be a guest speaker. £1 admission which will go to charity. It opens again on 7th Jan with a talk from the Fire Service. A new venture for Leisure Day will also commence on Jan 7th when we hope to have activities in the rear hall from 1.30pm in the afternoon. We plan to have snooker, draughts and various other games (suggestions welcome!) which we hope will appeal to the men folk, although, of course, men and women are both welcome. Do come along and give it a try during these winter months.
Our Christmas Services for 2007
Christmas is coming fast:- Presents, turkey, the Queens speech and an old Two Ronnies show on T.V. - that sounds like a Christmas most of us will recognise but don’t let’s forget the special Advent services we have planned. From 2nd Dec they each begin with lighting the Advent Candle, one for each week. That makes Four Candles. Yes I did say Four Candles – our theme for this Advent. Four Candles - join us as we light them
2nd December - First Sunday in Advent. - Rev Vivienne Smith
A Candle of Hope
9th December - Second Sunday in Advent. - Dorothy Kitching.
A Candle of Light
16th December - Third Sunday in Advent - Rev Vivienne Smith
- A Candle of Peace Junior Church Nativity
23rd December - Fourth Sunday in Advent. - Steve Clayton.
A candle of Love
24th December - 6.30p.m. - Christmas Eve Service of Carols, Candles and Communion for all the Family. Rev Vivienne Smith.
25th December - 10.30a.m. - Christmas Morning Service - Rev Vivienne Smith.
30th Please note from the Plan that there will be no morning service at Portobello on Sunday 30th Dec but there is a UNITED SERVICE for us at Holderness Road Methodist Church where Deacon Peter Ogle will be the preacher, and Jan 6th will be our annual Covenant Service with Rev Vivienne Smith.