Welcome and Induction Service: Saturday 2nd, 2.30
It is a joy to welcome Richard and Annmarie Miles to the Fellowship. The Induction Service to formally begin the new pastorate will be on Saturday 2nd at 2.30 - to be followed by light refreshments n the School Room after the service. We invite all our friends to join us for the occasion so that they can meet with Richard and Annmarie.
And, of course, Sunday 3rd will be Richard's first service as our new pastor. We look forward to your ministry with us.

Remembrance Day - Monday 11th at 11
As is our practice, we will meet at the Memorial Gates by the football pitch to remember those who have fallen in war. This will be particularly poignant given the situation in Ukraine and the Middle East. Please come and join us (we begin at 10.50)

The Leprosy Mission Update on Anandaban Hospital
The recent devastating floods in the Kathmandu valley in Nepal resulted in severe damage to the hospital at Anandaban. Although evacuation has not proved necessary, for some while communications with the hospital were patchy, and the only way in or out was with the help of the army. For now, patients have been moved to parts of the campus that are still useable, and running repairs have been made to water and electrical supplies. Emergency food supplies have also reached the hospital - but there is still much to be done to enable the hospital to resume its normal service. For decades Anandaban has been a beacon of hope to so many patients affected by leprosy. For many it is only the only place they are loved, accepted and cared for free of charge. The area surrounding the hospital is very poor. Anandaban Hospital is the nearest place for thousands of people to access affordable medical care. Can you imagine not having a doctors' surgery or being able to go to an A&E department? We give thanks for the staff who continue to work tirelessly to provide such medical care as they can in the circumstances. Please pray for the hospital, staff and patients in these very difficult times, and if you can, please send and offering to enable to hospital to get back to doing its vital lifesaving work as soon as possible. Visit the Leprosy Mission website to make a donation.

Gardener's Corner

November here at last. Sadly long dark evenings, but lots to look forward too. Lots of tidying up to do in your gardens, generally cutting back dead growth and enjoying any winter colour - michaelmas daisies, kafir lilies, alstromerias to name a few that will go on until the first frosts. Any border work can also include planning for next year's borders remember. A good time to repair fences, walls and paths that have cracked or are falling to pieces. Prune and retrain plants as required, checking that climbing plants are on secure pergolas or fences. In the greenhouse you can propagate, from seed or cuttings, as much as you like - melons, tomatoes, grapes or aubergines, also houseplants. As winter approaches the berry crop reaches its climax, supplying berries for hungry birds and squirrels. Cotoneaster particularly good for this and for adding colour in wintertime.. Also good for Christmas decoration if berries survive. A good month to plant bare root roses, ensure you buy bushy plants and not pot-bound. Add bonemeal to bottom of pot to encourage growth. 30% of top growth can be cut away as well. Any bulbs planted in tubs/pots should be brought into the warmth now through the colder weather.. It is not too late to sow broad beans for an early crop next year, but watch for slugs. Any herbs can be potted up and brought into the kitchen for easy access. Enjoy!

Minister's Musings

Marian's Musings Back in September I travelled to Birmingham by train to attend a conference and a training day for Move it or Lose it (the fitness classes that I run). The hotel was booked, the course paid for and the train tickets purchased. Two days before I was due to travel I caught a cold and felt awful. Could I travel? I decided that with everything paid for (and not refundable) I would go ahead with my plans. The first train from Abergavenny was cancelled. The second train from Hereford was also cancelled. There was an hour in between trains at Worcester. Still feeling not exactly great and finally arriving over two hours late I strangely found myself singing "Count your blessings, name them one by one." I began thinking about the significance of singing hymns. I have always loved singing, and hymns and Sunday School songs like "Jesus bids us shine" were probably the first songs that I learned. As a child my Mum used to tell me that she remembered her grandmother frequently singing "What a friend we have in Jesus." My auntie bought me The Methodist Hymn Book for Christmas when I was five! A strange Christmas present for a five year old but the only present that is still in my possession. In 1738, on the day of his conversion, Charles Wesley opened the Bible for a word from God and put his finger on the text "He hath put a new song in my mouth……." Psalm 40 v 3. Thousands of "new songs" were written by this great hymn writer, a favourite of mine. One of the major ways that Christians have actively participated in worship throughout history has been through the singing of hymns. Hymns and choruses teach us theology, unite us with Christians from the past and help us to refocus our thoughts away from ourselves as other things call for our praise, attention and affection. Hymns are like mini, portable sermons that articulate biblical truths; they use poetry to teach us about the word of God. They remind us that we are called not only to learn about God but also to know, serve and worship Him. They reinforce the Bible's teaching on God's love for us. Martin Luther apparently commented frequently on the importance of music and hymn singing for Christian worship and wrote that "Next to the word of God, music deserves the highest praise." I believe there is no question about the place of hymns and songs in worship. After all the Bible says "Sing to the Lord all the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day". 1 Chronicles 16: 23 "Sing to God, sing in praise of His name, extol him who rides on the clouds; rejoice before him- his name is the Lord." Psalm 68 v 4