Newsletter Oct-09

MINISTER’S LETTER

Dear Friends

Members of the congregation have been sent a letter from the Trustees with the information that I shall turn 65 this month and that I am now on the path to retirement. The Trustees have begun the process of finding a successor, and I shall continue in post while that process takes place. When an appointment is made, I shall start to serve out the necessary period of notice. At the earliest, it is likely to take well into next year, and the congregation will be kept informed about progress.

I have no direct part in the process. I hope that people will see the rest of my time here not as an end, but as simply one more stage in the long and continuing life of this Chapel. It would be a grave disservice both to the congregation and to me if people were to see my retirement as the end. Things will change, just as many things have changed since I began my ministry here in 1991.

Please do not assume or expect that my successor will be just like me. Do not assume that my successor will replicate my style, my interests, what I have done, or the way in which I have done it. I hope that over the years we have had enough guest preachers for you to appreciate that ministers are not all the same; that we are different, and that we approach ministry differently. You may even be aware that an inability to sing in tune is not an essential qualification for the ministry! I look forward to the time ahead with interest and hope.

Geoffrey R Usher

SERVICE NOTES

We shall hold our Harvest Festival on Sunday 4 October. There will be a morning service only; it will be followed by the auction of the harvest produce, and then lunch in the Hollis Room. Please bring your own lunch, so that we can eat together after this special service.

On 18 October Geoff Usher will be leading worship at Underbank Chapel, Stannington, in the morning; and Old Meeting House, Mansfield, in the evening, when he will be exchanging pulpits with Rev Patrick Timperley. Our morning service that day will be led by Stephanie Cage. We look forward to welcoming both Stephanie and Patrick back to Upper Chapel.

There will be no evening service on 25 October, because of the Fright Night events in the city centre.

Services October

WOMEN’S LEAGUE

We have had a busy, but enjoyable summer. Visiting Old Chapel, Great Hucklow on Friday 14 August for one of their Wakes Weeks coffee mornings, buying treasures from their bric-a-brac stall, marvelling at their excellent exhibition of Toys through the Ages, admiring the village well dressings and decorated gardens. It was a special day celebrating Rachael Gill’s 85th birthday.

The chapel provided a delicious lunch, Rachael blew out the candles on her cake and received gifts, flowers and cards from her Women’s League friends. Unfortunately Nelly Hall had a tumble in the chapel, but thankfully only suffered painful bruising and shock and is now quite recovered.

In September an adventurous quartet of members had a trip on the Sheffield Wheel, gasped in delight at the views across the tops of city centre buildings and its hills, managed to calm nerves as the glass pod rotated to its full height of 60 metres, and bought souvenir photos of their experience.

Our next meeting on Monday 5 October is back at the chapel in the Hollis Room when Alan Walker will display his skills as a chef demonstrating “fish and pudding” dishes. Our meetings are open to everyone and at this meeting there will be tasty dishes for you to sample.

MUSIC TOGETHER DATES TO END OF YEAR

Wednesday 14 October Video - Matt Monro, The Man with the Golden Voice

Wednesday 28 October Bill’s Peace Music

Wednesday 11 November 78rpm records (If you have an old 78 which you would like to hear again - bring it along)

THURSDAY 26th November PARTY WITH PHIL AND PATRICK

DIARY DATES