Condolences

We offer our condolences to the family of Grenville Edwin Charles D’Silva, who died on December 2nd aged   67.  June Pettitt conducted the funeral at Grenoside Crematorium on December 22nd.

Also we offer our condolences to the family of Flora Comley, who died on December 16th aged 94. The funeral took place at Underbank Chapel on January 2nd. June Pettitt conducted the service and spoke on behalf of the family. We thank Helen Jackson for her tribute to Flora and thanks, too, to Dorothy Hampson who provided the music. The service was followed by the interment in Underbank Chapel’s graveyard. The family invited those attending for refreshments and a sharing of memories in the Underbank Schoolroom.

Flora Comley had been a Parish Councillor. Stannington was always very important to her and she will be remembered particularly for her work as a Stannington teacher. Her great grandfather was George Revitt, who was the Unitarian schoolteacher at Underbank School from 1844-1875. Flora’s teaching career spanned at least four decades, that is, into the 1970s. Her work for the community has not been forgotten.

Christening:  February 8th

There will be a Christening in the service on Feb. 8th.

The Service on February 15th           from June

Susan Kelly will be taking the service on February 15th. This will be the first service she had taken at Underbank, and so I invited her to write a couple of sentences about herself.  Susan says,

‘I'm a lifelong Unitarian - my father Kenneth Twinn was a minister, and I was born while he was minister at Knutsford, subsequently growing up at Mansfield and Chowbent Chapel, Atherton.  I married Peter Short, who was minister of Old Chapel Dukinfield from 1965 until his death in 1975. We used to visit his great aunt Ada who lived in Sheffield and there may be other local connections here with the Short family, of whose several branches there were other ministers.  Peter's father was Rev Graham Short, who was at Great Hucklow for several years while the family was young, and his uncle was Rev Basil Short’.  

Living by Heart by Laurel Hallman    from June

Some of you may remember that I spoke about ‘Living by Heart’ in one of my services. It is a course about spiritual practice/meditation, with a particular focus on lines of poetry or words of wisdom. It is also much more than that. I now have the DVD for it, and it is possible to run an introductory session, showing the DVD.   Attending an introduction does not mean you have made any commitment to continuing.  Please let June know if you are interested. 

Charles Darwin  1809 – 1882.  from June

You may see some mention in the media about the 200th Anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin.  Darwin’s mother was Unitarian and as a boy he was taken to our Shrewsbury Church, where there is now a memorial plaque. Darwin wondered about the world about him, asked questions, and ultimately thought for himself in spite of the difficult answers. I have more information about Darwin’s Unitarian connections if you are interested.


Shrewsbury Unitarian Church Darwin Memorial Plaque

Looking Ahead:  Dates for your diary

Sunday March 22nd:  a special service for Mothering Sunday, taken by June Pettitt.  All ages welcome.

Saturday April 4th:  Table Top Sale 10.00am to noon in the Underbank Schoolroom

Saturday April 25th at 3.00pm. The President of the Unitarian and Free Christian Churches will be visiting Underbank. Rev Bob Wightman will be installed as President at the General Assembly Meetings at Chester earlier in April and will be speaking at a District gathering at Underbank on April 25th. Everyone welcome.

Rev Bob Wightman will be taking the service at Underbank Chapel on April 26th.

Friends and Families

As a community we wish to send our very best wishes to the many friends of Chapel who have suffered stressful or seasonal illnesses over recent weeks.  May the near future see you bouncing back to happy, healthful days.

Bank for Underbank Jars

These are very small jars for collecting small change: 1p, 2p, 5p pieces, etc.  They are doing a good job in helping with chapel maintenance.  We’re off to a good start for 2009.  Jars available from any chapel member. 


Thank you to those of you who have sent donations for our newsletter.  It is nice to know that they are appreciated.

Trustee Report

The plans for the proposed toilet for the chapel were drawn up and paid for some time ago.  This involved considerable expense and advice was taken as to the most suitable and least expensive place to site the toilet, also remembering that we are a listed building and would not be able to extend the chapel.  The plans are at present in the hands of Eyres, the builders, who have done the development at the chapel at Great Hucklow.  Everyone is delighted with this work.  When we have their quotation we will be asking Ernest Betts, who is well known to the Fulwood congregation, to give us another quote.  When both quotations have been received we will be able to convene a meeting for the Flush Fund Committee and start our fund-raising in earnest.  Money already donated to this fund has been invested.

Ladies’ Group

A Happy New Year to you all!

On December 10th, 22 of us enjoyed our visit to the Plough at Bradfield for a very nice Christmas Lunch.

At our meeting on January 14th we welcomed Mr Keith Walker, a miniaturist, who showed slides and sets of many of the beautiful miniature furniture and houses he has made.  Included were many lovely cross stitch items made by his wife, Lillian.  A very interesting and pleasant afternoon.

Our next meeting is on 14th February (St Valentine’s Day!), when you are asked to bring a favourite item.

Don’t forget we always meet on the second Wednesday of the month at 1.30 pm.

Edie

Sheffield District Women’s League

Earlier in the year both Marion Baker and Rev Penny Johnson spoke to us about the National Women’s League Project for 2008/2009, to support the charity ‘Sight Savers’, whose aim is to save the sight of so many people worldwide by very simple means.  The Sheffield Women’s League Group just announced that they are to contribute £1000 to the cause.  Could it be that we could add a small amount to this wonderful project?  Let us know your views please.

Our wish for you: -

Tranquillity of mind and spirit, happiness and health.