Bell Ringers

St Michael’s has an enthusiastic and dedicated team of bell ringers who practice on Monday evenings from 7.00 – 8.30 pm and ring for the main 11 am Sunday morning service as well as for weddings and on other special occasions.

Anyone interested in learning to ring bells can contact the Tower Captain via out e-mail address.

Visiting ringers are welcome – again please email the Tower Captain.

Bible Study Group 2008

The Bible Study Group meets in St Michael’s Parish Church. This year we are having short weekly study sessions, associated with special seasons. The first one was during Lent when we used the USPG booklet on exploring relationships through the Gospel of Matthew and the Church of Bangladesh.

The Revision Common Lectionary provides us with a three year programme of Sunday readings. This year, Year A, the readings are mainly from Matthew's Gospel, next year Year B, they will be from St Mark's Gospel and the following year, Year C, from St Luke's Gospel and so on in a continuous cycle. Interspersed with the gospel for each particular year come readings from St John's Gospel. Often these readings are at important times of the Christian year.

St Michael’s Church Choir

The St Michael’s Church Choir is a robed choir with ladies, gentlemen and children. Members sing at the 11.00am Sunday Services and attend weekly rehearsals on Thursday evenings at 6.15pm. Hymns are taken from Ancient and Modern New Standard and from Complete Anglican Hymns Old and New whilst Eucharist settings include old favourites such as Handel's ‘Maccabaeus’, Schubert's ‘Deutsche Messe’, Appleford's Mass, music from the Taizé community and folk song; so there is a good mixture of music for all tastes.

Junior members of the choir have the opportunity of following the Royal School of Church Music's ‘Voice for Life’ training scheme for choristers. It gives basic vocal and choral training and challenges the children to develop musically as individuals as well as a singing group. Through it they are gaining knowledge, confidence and a sense of achievement and fulfilment whilst giving pleasure to those who hear them. The scheme has the support of a leader who trains the children. The ‘Voice for Life’ training scheme is available for all ages, including teenagers and adults.

Extra experience is gained from attending RSCM workshops, running our own workshops in St Michael’s Church and singing in local Choral Festivals. Outings are part of the social scene for both adults and children.

Mother’s Union

The Abergele branch of the Mothers’ Union meets monthly from September to June in Church House, Groes Lwyd. The meeting takes place on the 2nd Tuesday of the month, starting at 2.30pm.

Most months an invited speaker gives a presentation to members. Topics have included the air ambulance service, weaving, cake icing and diabetes.

In December members visit local care homes to sing Christmas Carols to residents and in Lent the meeting includes a Lenten meditation.

Members regularly take part in deanery and diocesan events.

The Mothers' Union stand at a recent Love & Marriage Festival.

The Mothers' Union Programme is below

2. 30pm Tuesday 8 September 2009 Subject: Church Needlework Speaker: The Revd Shirley Griffiths (in St Michael’s)

2.00pm Tuesday 13 October 2009 Join Abergele Handicapped Club for a Harvest Service St Michael’s Parish Church

2.30pm Tuesday 10 November 2009 Subject: A new look at a well known local service Speaker: Bernice Jouhatte

2.30pm Thursday 3 December 2009 Deanery Advent Service: St George’s Church, Rhos on Sea

1.00pm Tuesday 8 December 2009 Luncheon Party: Mystery Venue

6.00pm Tuesday 15 December 2009 Carol Singing Awel-y-Môr, Coed Môr & Llys Onnen

2.30pm Tuesday 12 January 2010 Annual General Meeting

1.00pm Tuesday 19 January 2010 Festive Lunch: Kinmel Manor Hotel, Abergele

2.30pm Tuesday 9 February 2010 Subject: Archbishop’s Trust Speaker: Mrs Sylvia Harris

2.30pm Tuesday 9 March 2010 Subject: Welsh Women’s Spirituality Speaker: Revd Manon Parry

2.30pm Tuesday 13 April 2010 Subject: Voluntary Services Overseas Speaker: Mrs E Beattie

2.30pm Tuesday 4 May 2010 Deanery Festival St John’s Church, Old Colwyn

2.30pm Tuesday 11 May 2010 Subject: My Journey of Faith Speaker: Mrs Gwenda Cooper

Tuesday 8 June 2010 St Hilary’s Church Llanrhos followed by afternoon tea at Bodysgallen Hall

7.00pm Tuesday 13 July 2010 Evensong: Llanelian Church followed by a meal at The White Lion

Calling all Children aged 4—11 years

Come to St Michael’s Afterschool Club

Thursdays during term time 3.30pm—5.00pm at St Michael’s Church

Autumn 2009 Programme

October 1— Come and enrol and enjoy harvest music and art.

October 8— Today we shall be trying out some Harvest Crafts.

October 15— We shall be making our harvest bread.

October 22— Find out how to make paper.

November 5— There will be poppies galore as we get ready for Remembrance Sunday.

November 12— Not long until Christmas and so we will be starting to prepare music and drama for the Crib Service.

November 19— Do you like painting? Then come and help make the scenery for the Christmas Crib Service.

November 26— We shall be getting the Advent Candlesready.

December 3, 10 & 17— We shall be rehearsing our play for the Crib Service

Sunday December 20, 12.30pm—2.30pm Dress Rehearsal for the Crib Service.

The T Group

Through Tears to Tranquillity

The parish offers support to local people who have been recently bereaved. This support includes the T Group. The T Group meets on the second Wednesday of the month in St Michael’s Parish Church from 3.00pm – 4.00pm. The T Group meetings are organised by those who themselves have suffered a bereavement. They provide an opportunity of sharing experiences, happy or sad, in an informal atmosphere over a cup of tea and biscuits.