Page 10 - Moravian Messenger May 2020

Wellhouse
Since we last wrote we have had a busy Autumn of 2019. We hosted the Katie Philpot School of Dance Presentation Service led by Sr Jane in September. There was a full Church with families of the young people receiving their trophies, plus the final trophy to be presented was the Wellhouse Cup to the most improved dancer of the year.
In November we commenced with a very successful Bonfire and Fireworks night, with all the usual bonfire fare, hotdogs, burgers, pie and peas, parkin, toffee etc. and an attendance of some 300 local people made it a real community occasion. Later in the month on the 16th we
held our Annual Christmas Fair. Again, a very successful day, with a variety of goods on sale. We think the attendance was a bit down, but the turkey casserole in a Yorkshire Pudding with roast potatoes and rounded off with a cup of tea and a chocolate biscuit was enjoyed by everyone.
In December we enjoyed the
Christmas Supper with entertainment
by Re-workz, organised by the brethren
and assisted by the sisters - a rousing evening was enjoyed by all. On the 23rd we said goodbye to a loyal serving and dedicated past member Sr Freda Micklethwaite who, after a short illness passed away on the 5th December. Freda was a past correspondent to the Messenger. At our Christingle service led by Sr Jane we enjoyed a demonstration of dance by young people from Katie's dance school, and a narrated Nativity play with the young people dressing up and coming in, almost on time, which added to the story. Everyone received a Christingle, along with a knitted angel from the Churches Together in Mirfield.
For the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in January, Wellhouse hosted the United Service for the Churches Together in Mirfield. Sr Jane led that service and a speaker from Torch Trust spoke about the work they do to help the visually impaired, particularly within a church environment.
After the devastating news that all Church activities must cease, including worship, the letters W.W.J.D. came to mind: What Would Jesus Do in this situation? He would minister to those who needed his help and support. So to that end Sr Jane put together a Church Newsletter with the aim of Celebrating Mothering Sunday even though we couldn't meet together; a message of hope and encouragement for
© Br Kenneth Evans
the congregation with prayer to comfort and uplift everyone, even those who because of age and/or vulnerability may feel isolated. Sr Jane is planning to do something similar over the coming weeks/months.
Potted plants had been ordered for Mothering Sunday to be distributed in Church and so instead of cancelling the order two of our isolated vulnerable members took it upon themselves, with Sr Jane's blessing, to deliver these potted plants to the doorsteps of all the sisters and friends
of the congregation along with a small ticket of greeting and an invitation to Light a Candle of Hope and join in a National Call to Prayer and action on Mothering Sunday. I think that is W.J.W.D. to uplift the spirits and add some cheer and some joy into the lives of those isolated and feeling vulnerable. Since the plants were distributed and the invitation to light a candle was issued, we have received a number of messages of thanks and the assurance that a candle was lit as a visible sign of the light of Christ's love shining throughout the world.
Br Kenneth Evans
70 CONGREGATION NEWS
PYCC Challenge 2020
Following the success of the campers article about Summer Camp in last September’s Messenger, PYCC are challenging every congregation to send an article produced by a child or young person to the Messenger (editorialteam@moravian.org.uk) in 2020. This is an opportunity for the wider church to hear what the younger members think about the church and society. The article can be words or
pictures, about anything. Suggestions are views about baptism, weddings or funerals, events at Easter, Christmas or other festivals, communion, all age services, Sunday School, youth groups, outings, reflections on wider issues such as climate change, poverty in society, education, housing etc. The experience of children and young people on their faith journey is also of interest.
Please encourage involvement in this. PYCC would love to see what our children and young people think. Articles can be sent to the Messenger editors but please also copy Joy Raynor in (youth@moravian.org.uk) so she can share with other PYCC members.
PS This is not an exercise in grammar or spelling, these can easily be corrected if need be.