NARBERTH BAPTIST FELLOWSHIP

Former Stanford University psychologist Leon Festinger put forward his theory of cognitive dissonance which is the distressing mental state we feel when we do things we wouldn't normally do, or feel we have to agree with opinions that don't go along with opinions we already hold. Festinger claimed that people avoid information that is likely to increase dissonance. We tend to 'stick to our own kind' by hanging out with people that are like us, and we select things to read and watch on TV that are consistent with what we believe.

In the Bible, a prominent Jew, Saul of Tarsus, set out to destroy the early Christians, as can be seen by his involvement in Stephen's death. In his day he had celebrity status. Then, one day, on the road to Damascus, he had an almighty experience of hearing the voice of Jesus which disabled him. Paul must have been devastated to realise he had been wrong, but even though the events had been dramatic, he could have ignored his experience, and stuck to his own point of view. He didn't. Instead he allowed his life to be turned around and also changed his way of thinking.

When anyone becomes a Christian, they have to change their way of thinking and allow God to influence their life. If you have heard God speaking to you through the years and seeking you out, the choice has to be made - stick where you are comfortable ruling yourself or enter the Kingdom of God under his authority.

NBF meet 6.30 pm Sundays in the chapel at Pant-y-Gorphwys farmhouse on the main A478 from Penblewin to Narberth. Phone 01834 861391 or just arrive!

Narberth U3A

Qualifications have been a recent feature at Narberth U3A (writes Dave Dando of the group).

The discussion group recently considered the relationship between qualifications and success.

The mantra of 'education, education, education' has led to a growth of qualifications to prove we are a more knowledgeable and successful people.

But reservations were expressed at both ends of the spectrum.

Once you were a cleaner and your job was cleaning the floor. Now NVQs have been designed, you do not just clean the floor, you also keep a log showing how you have cleaned it.

The supervisor does not just check the floor, they also tick boxes to prove the floor has been cleaned.

The cleaner gets an NVQ that shows they can clean a floor and Ministers can say the workforce is better qualified.

Universities were attended by a small percentage of students, but expansion, although welcome, may have devalued the gold standard of 'A levels'.

Hard work and achievement must be applauded, but it is odd that such a majority achieve grade A.

Some remembered wistfully when three 'C's' at A level were good results.

The increase of curious undergraduate courses also leaves us wondering whether a degree is the consistent measure that it used to be.

Are we a more successful nation, and are the floors any cleaner?

Narberth U3A held their annual general meeting and chairman Peter Hughes commented on an excellent year, with 17 groups now learning from each other, irrespective of qualifications.

A big thank you was given to Brian Harvey, Phil Mahiques, and Jo Thomas for their contributions to the committee, and a welcome addition as vice-chairman is Jean Goodeve, until recently the U3A national president.

If you are retired from full-time employment, and now have time to develop your interest in art, music, bridge, history, poetry, novels, tai chi, walking, natural history, gardening, geology, lunch club, mah-jong, or topical discussion, then telephone 01834 862964 or 01834 861019 for more information.

ARTHRITIS RESEARCH CAMPAIGN

The Narberth branch of the Arthritis Research Council recently held a very successful Sunday Luncheon at the Plas Hyfryd Country Hotel.

Approximately 60 members and friends enjoyed a delicious meal in the fine function room at the hotel, together with the Mayor of Narberth, Clr. Mrs. Ruth Platt, and her consort, Mr. Michael Platt.

Chairwoman Mrs. Ann Morris, in her address, welcomed everyone and conveyed the apologies received from Mr. Fred Johnston, ARC's area organising secretary for Wales, and Dr. Anwen Williams, who were unable to attend the function.

Ann spoke about the events which had been organised by the committee over the last year, including coffee mornings, collections at Tesco stores at Haverfordwest and Pembroke Dock, plus a generous donation received from the Pembrokeshire Classic Car Club.

Committee member Mrs. Ruth Barnes's daughter Ceri has very bravely offered to enter the New Year's Day Swim at Saundersfoot in aid of ARC in January, 2010. Ceri was thanked for this generous offer.

Ann reminded everyone that ARC receives no government assistance and relies solely on fund-raising, and thanked the committee for their hard work.

A raffle was held and the winners were: Mrs. G. Brown, Mrs. B. Scarr, Mrs. Sarah Lewis, Mrs. E. Morris, Mrs. Julia Phillips, Mr. G. Phillips and Mrs. M. Hughes.

Ann concluded the afternoon by thanking everyone for their continued support and the staff of the Plas Hyfryd Hotel for the excellent meal.

She announced the next event would be the Christmas coffee morning on November 7, at the RAOB Club, Narberth, with a warm welcome extended to everyone.

GLANRHYD BAPTIST CHURCH

This Sunday, the communion service at 2 pm will be conducted by Rev. Hugh Michael, Pembroke Dock.

Templeton and Reynalton United Reformed Churches

The united service on Sunday will be held at Reynalton United Reformed Church at 9.30 am and will be led by Rev. Norman Gilbert, of Cosheston.

Meat Draw

Winners of the Narberth RFC Supporters' Club meat draw this week are as follows: beef - John Owen; lamb - Peter Daye; pork - M. Owen.

The Supporters' Club raises money each week on behalf of the Rugby Club through the meat draw. Supporters interested in having a ticket at £1 per ticket with three chances to win a joint of meat for the weekend, should contact the club steward, Anne Lonsdale, on (01834) 860462, or any member of the supporters' committee.

The draw takes place every Friday evening.

International Tickets

Tickets for the autumn rugby international matches, when Wales play New Zealand, Argentina and Australia, at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, are now available for collection from the Narberth RFC clubhouse, by patrons, vice-presidents, members and supporters.

Enquiries about collection can be made by contacting the club steward, Anne Lonsdale, at the clubhouse, on (01834) 860462.

Enquiries about the availability of spare tickets can be made through Freeman Brawn, Ticket Administration, Narberth RFC, Crinow Croft, Narberth, telephone (01834) 860346, email: [email protected]">[email protected]

RNLI BUCKET COLLECTioN

The RNLI bucket collection at Narberth Rugby Club during Saturday's Division One West local derby between Narberth and Whitland raised £322.01 for RNLI funds.

Branch vice-chairman Graham Searle, who organised the collection, said: "The committee of the Narberth branch would like to thank officials of Narberth Rugby Club for permitting the collection, all supporters of both clubs for their generosity and all volunteers who helped committee members with the collection, which has made a significant contribution to RNLI funds."

Rugby Fixtures

Tomorrow (Saturday), Narberth are away to Bridgend Athletic in Division One West of the SWALEC Welsh National League. The supporters' bus will leave the clubhouse at 12.15 pm.

Bus tickets priced £7 can be obtained from the club steward, Anne Lonsdale, by telephoning (01834) 860462, or from Geoff Morgan on (01834) 860742.

Narberth Athletic are home to Ammanford in the Carmarthen Tyre Services Championship West Wales Premier League and the Youth team are away to Aberystwyth.

Kick-off for all matches is at 2.30 pm.

Youth Alpha Course

Are you coming to Youth Alpha? Every Sunday, 6.15 for 6.30 pm, at the Liberty Cafe, Court House, Market Square. A meal is served followed by a short talk and discussion. There is no financial charge for the evening. Youth Alpha commences on Sunday, November 1.

Over 11-million people worldwide have now attended an Alpha course, an opportunity to explore the meaning of life, running in tens of thousands of churches of all denominations, and at universities, in prisons and on military bases across the world. It is low-key, friendly and fun - and is supported by all the main Christian denominations.

The Alpha course is designed primarily for people who aren't churchgoers, though those that do can bring their friends. Most courses attract a diverse range of guests of different ages and backgrounds, holding many different viewpoints.

Over 7,000 courses are currently running across the UK in rural and urban settings, including every major UK city. Guests attend for a wide variety of reasons - some want to investigate whether God exists; others are concerned about what happens after death. Some people have particular questions that they would like to discuss; others want to understand other peoples' beliefs or would like to explore what the purpose of life is.

Many guests have never been to church, others may have attended church occasionally, but feel they have never really understood the basics of the Christian faith. If you would like to attend, you are most welcome.

Narberth

WOMEN's INSTITUTE

President Meg Turner welcomed members to the October meeting. A visitor, Judy Macdonald, was cordially greeted.

Val Winter was congratulated on winning the Pudding Competition at the recent Food Festival. Three members retiring from the committee were warmly thanked for many years of sterling service. The president reported that plans were underway for Narberth WI's 90th birthday celebrations next year.

Following the discussion of the county letter and forthcoming events, members welcomed Lynn Crompton, curator of the Queen's Hall Gallery. The WI has enjoyed many visits from Lynn and this 'teach in' on water colour painting was no exception. The hands-on experience was greatly enjoyed by members, some of whom showed previously undiscovered talent!

Lynn was thanked by Rosemary Landragin for what had been a relaxing and therapeutic session.

Tea was served by Sylvia Rossiter and her team. The raffle was won by Janet Smith. The table-top sale, manned by Josie Sexton and Janet Gant, was a great success, with Pat Davies's hand-knitted woolly hats and berets selling like hot cakes.

The next meeting will be the AGM and will be held in the Rugby Club on Thursday, November 5, at 2 pm. There will be a cake sale (would members please price any cakes given for the sale).

Grace Church

Are you drifting? Similar to a leaf on a river, just floating by whilst a boat passes upstream. One always drifts downstream, never upstream. It is possible to drift in life, to lack purpose and direction. To drift in one's faith, to be blown this way and that way by every strange wind.

Yet, you can lose your friends and still be blessed. You can lose your possessions and still be rich. You can even lose your health and still be fruitful. But if you lose your relationship with Jesus, if you forfeit your communion with Him, all the friends in the world, all the possessions in the world, all the health in the world won't buy true satisfaction. You end up drifting by.

What are you doing on Sunday? You can find all kinds of things to do, I'm sure you don't need anyone to suggest a few. However, first things first. We guarantee that if you give a Sunday morning to come to our 10.30 am morning service you will be pleasantly surprised. You will find people of all ages, different backgrounds and nationalities meeting as one family.

We will do our best to make it well worth getting up for, to enjoy serious fun, to hear a talk that is Biblical, challenges and is applicable to life today, good music and find new friends. You will be greeted and served by some of the amazing people who are part of Grace.

Come on your own, with friend or family, you are most welcome. There is an active programme for children and a crèche when the speaker commences.

Grace have their offices at the Grace Court House, Market Square, Narberth, which also houses the Liberty café.

Grace church meet on Sundays in the main hall of Queen's Hall, Narberth, with coffee served from 10 am.

CHURCH services

Sunday: St. Andrew's, Narberth - 10 am Sung Eucharist; Holy Cross, Robeston Wathen - 11.30 am Holy Eucharist.

Wednesday: St. Andrew's - 10 am Holy Eucharist.

Bethesda Baptist Chapel

Services at Bethesda Baptist Chapel, Narberth, in the week beginning Sunday, October 18, are as follows:

Sunday School starts at 10.15 am. The morning service takes place at 10.30 am and the evening service at 6 pm. Both services will be taken by the Rev. Chris Rees, minister of Bethesda Chapel.

The Bible study and prayer meeting is on Tuesday at 7.15 pm.

The Ladies Fellowship meeting is on Wednesday afternoon at 2 pm in the schoolroom.

A Christian bookstall will be held in the Country Market in Narberth's Queen's Hall on Thursday between 9 am and 12 noon.

You will have a warm welcome when you go along to these meetings.

Narberth AFC

Last Monday, the Envelope Lotto draw provided the numbers 3, 15 and 23. There was no winner, so the rollover for October 26 stands at £1,530.

National Lottery bonus ball winners this week, with number 34, were Mrs. Rona Jones and Andrew Graham.

Tomorrow (Saturday), Narberth Seconds are home to Solva, with the match ball being sponsored by Simple Gardens, Mr. Chris Viggers, while the 1st team are away to Pennar Robins.

Charity coffee morning

A coffee morning in aid of the Asia - Pacific Disaster Appeal will be held at Bethesda Baptist Chapel, Narberth, tomorrow (Saturday), from 10 am - 12.30 pm.

Further details of the coffee morning and this very worthwhile cause can be obtained from Mrs. Olive Morgan on (01834) 860742.

Cricket Club

Winners of the National Lottery bonus ball draw organised by the ladies committee of Narberth Cricket Club this week were: Group A - Charlie Meredith; Group B - Jackie Davis.

A meeting will be held at the Rugby Club on Monday evening at 6.15 pm.