Category: St Mary’s Parish Church News

Blwyddyn Newydd Dda. A Happy New Year

Blwyddyn Newydd Dda. A Happy New Year  

Blwyddyn Newydd Dda. A Happy New Year to all our readers.

It is a tradition at this time of the year to look back into the previous year, recalling events that were good and perhaps those which were not so good. We do this in our work life and in our family and social life. For the past year at St. Mary’s it has been a bit of a mixed bag. We have been able to maintain a regular Sunday morning service at 9.30am albeit with a slightly reduced congregation, which is also live streamed for those who cannot make it to church. We have welcomed some new faces to our congregation, which is very good indeed, and there is always a warm welcome and a place for anyone who wishes to worship in our traditional way.

We have maintained a connection with the community at large with the many, many donations we have received during the year for the Food Bank at Barry. The past year has seen a greater demand from those who are unable to place food on the table due to the high cost of living, maybe for those who are unwell and cannot work, so the Food Bank for them is a lifeline for their families. To all who have donated food items or a cash donation we say thank you, and we will need your help during 2025 as the demands on the Food Bank will be greater than ever. Your donations can be left in the church porch where there are large boxes provided, and which are cleared daily and taken into Barry during the week

Our plans to create a St. Mary’s Church Centre, on the north side of the church, which would replace the present Church Hall are subject to stagnation at present. This is a great disappointment, considering the cost we have laid out to have plans drawn up for submission to the various authorities. The Diocese Advisory Committee gave an outline blessing, but the Vale of Glamorgan Local Authority said the scheme was too large, and their refusal really means it is not going to happen. The present church hall needs a major update in the kitchen and toilet facilities; the ingress of damp in places will again need some additional fund raising and grant applications. Watch this space.

On a more positive note our Harvest Celebration was a very happy event apart from the appalling weather which meant our Picnic in the Grounds had to be brought into the church. The Remembrance Sunday service attracted a good congregation, with the Scouts and Beavers and Cubs bringing their banners into church, Gwenfo School also took part with the Head Girl and Boy taking part in the prayers. The service continued at the Village War Memorial for the Silence and Laying of Wreaths, where a much larger number of people had been awaiting, while the Vale of Glamorgan Brass Band played suitable solemn music. The number of wreaths laid was greater than previous years from the many organisations in the village. Thank you to all who devised and printed the special order of service, the choir who attended and to all who still wish to be at the remembrance due to those who have fallen in the two World Wars and wars since.

It was good to see the response to the Light Up Your Windows in the village, bringing light to the world and our streets at this very dark time of year. The final event in the churchyard on Christmas Eve was followed by Carols and Readings of the Christmas Story in the church. A collection taken for Ty Hafan this Christmas, once again helped to support this facility for the mums and dads whose child is a patient there.

On New Year’s Day there will be the usual short mid-week Eucharist at St. Mary’s followed by refreshments and you are all welcome to bring in the New year with thanksgiving for all the previous years and looking forward to what 2025 may have in store for you.

So to all our readers, thank you for taking the trouble and time to read about what’s happened in St. Mary’s during the past year, and look forward for more exciting news items in the year to come.

Parry

 

Advent In St. Mary’s Church

CONSIDERING OTHERS DURING ADVENT 

This year during Advent we are considering others in need both locally and farther afield

Each Sunday throughout Advent we will remember those locally who are struggling financially and those farther afield who may have lost everything they own and are displaced away from their homes.

Locally we already donate goods each week to the Vale Foodbank. The goods are taken to the warehouse in Barry, which services 8 contact centres around the Vale. The Foodbank is affiliated to the Trussel Trust, whose philosophy is: “We don’t think anyone in our community should have to face going hungry”.

To access help individuals or families need a referral from someone in the caring services for 3 days emergency food. Two examples of those who have needed help include:

Holly who is a single parent with a daughter. She lived in a poor area with drug taking and trading all around, sometimes outside her door. She moved to a better area to be near her parents, however her rent doubled. She had never claimed benefits and remained independent setting up a small business selling second hand clothes. She did this from her home until she gained a space in a local shop to increase her sales. All was going well until her daughter became ill culminating in her needing a stay in hospital for 3 weeks. When she came home soon their cupboards were bare, bills were rising, and debts seemed inevitable. After seeking help at a Citizen Advice Bureau she was referred to her local Foodbank

Richard had been in the police force for 6 years followed by 12 years in the military. He was fit and did not foresee any problems. However, he then had a chest infection followed by two major strokes, 19 mini strokes, and was deemed unfit to work. He needs constant medication and found the cost of transport to get his prescription expensive, and so he found he had to choose between his prescription and buying food. He like Holly was referred to the Foodbank by Citizens Advice.

Both Holly and Richard saw the Foodbank as a lifeline, where they were made to feel welcome and cared for. Indeed, it was the way help was given that gave them encouragement and took away fears about seeking help

Current information of the Vale: During October there were 680 referrals, of which 438 were adults and 242 Children (of those 88 were new referrals). Stock was low during the summer months due to increased referrals, however many donations from Harvest celebrations have made improvements. These should help until January, however this prediction is causing concern as in previous years these Harvest collections should last through to the spring.

Looking further afield Christian Aid helps us to identify communities and individuals who also need our actions. Not all places in crisis reach our TVs or newspapers, or the media soon loses their interest.

“No Room for Comfort and Joy”

The Republic of Sudan has been at war between factions within the military since 2023. 15 thousand have lost their lives and 9 million have been displaced. There is evidence of killings, looting and sexual violence. Many of those fleeing for their lives have made their way to South Sudan, where the UN has declared the situation as the world’s worst hunger crisis. It is there we find Christian Aid taking action.

Here in South Sudan we meet Sheda who is married with 3 children. The youngest is 6 and the eldest also has a 6 year old. Previously she lived in the Republic of Sudan, where she farmed her food organically and though poor the family were able to care for themselves. Looking back to March 2023 Sheda describes: “Fighting broke out and homes were bombed, food was no longer available. The situation was dire. Conditions were very bad for us”.

Sheda’s brothers were killed and she decided to travel with her daughters and granddaughter to South Sudan, her husband stayed and she has not heard from him since. They had no belongings, just the clothes on them.

At the settlement Sheda who previously grew her own food now relies on food and cash supplied from Christian Aid and their partners.

Our role this Advent:

Vale Foodbank: We will be concentrating on collecting food, both festive foods and staple items, to replenish food stocks. Suggested foods for Christmas parcels include, Tinned ham and salmon, Christmas or sponge puddings, Christmas biscuits, Selection boxes, Custard, Savoury snacks, Christmas cake or mince pies.

If you would like to contribute there are collection boxes in the church porch which are emptied regularly.

Sudan Crisis: A Retiring collection for the settlements in South Sudan, will be taken each Sunday in Advent. envelopes will be made available for gift aid.

For further information please contact Jude Billingham on 01756112897

 

October Report

OCTOBER REPORT

We have an important message from Vicar Lyndon to share with you.

Dear Friends of St Lythans Church,

After the service this Sunday, 20th October at 8:30 am, we will be suspending regular services at St Bleiddian’s, for now. The next service after this will be the Remembrance Service at 8:30 am on 10th November. All are welcome, of course, to attend Sunday services in Wenvoe at 9:30 am or Sully at 11.00 am. If you, or anyone you know, is in need of pastoral care please let me know or pass on my contact information.

After more than 1000 years it is sad to find ourselves with insufficient numbers to continue with weekly services. However, we will continue to offer special seasonal services and be available for baptisms, weddings, and funerals. We certainly give thanks for the willing volunteers who have kept, and continue to keep, the church building in working order ready to serve.

May God guide us as we seek to continue to serve in this holy place as part of the Church in Wales.

This decision has not been taken lightly with the existing small congregation taking part in the decision-making process. It is indeed sad as Lyndon has pointed out that regular worship has been suspended, but it will remain a sacred space, kept in readiness for the special services at festival times in the church’s calendar. We thank the “friends” of St. Lythan’s in raising funds to keep the church fit for purpose and in as good repair as is possible with a mediaeval church with a II* grading.

The recent Harvest festival was well attended, and the “friends” held a very successful Cheese and Wine fund raising quiz, following the service. Thank you for all you do to fundraise and bring people together from the communities of Dyffryn, St. Lythan’s and Twyn yr Odin.

On Sunday 13th October we suffered a power failure in St. Mary’s which made us decamp to the Church Hall for the morning Eucharist. It was really good and many remarked what a change it was to have the opportunity to worship together in different surroundings. Many thanks to all who helped in transferring the liturgical items from the church and setting up the hall and for clearing up afterwards. Power is now restored and hopefully this will not happen again.

Special order of service booklets have been prepared for Remembrance Sunday and for the Community Christmas Carol service. Members of the community have been approached to take part in the readings and all are welcomed to be present at these annual community events running up to the celebration of Christmas.

Here are some dates to place in your calendar to remind you of what’s happening at St. Mary’s and St. Lythan’s

Upcoming Services and Events

2nd November at 7.00pm – Wenvoe – All Souls Commemoration of the Faithful Departed

10th November Remembrance Sunday – 8.30 at St Lythans and 10.00am in Wenvoe

Tuesdays 3rd, 10th & 17th December at 7.00pm – St Lythans – Advent meditation with harp.

Christmas Eve:

Wenvoe at 5.00pm – All Ages Christmas Service

Wenvoe at 11.00pm – Christmas Eve Eucharist

Christmas Day:

St Lythans at 9:30am – Christmas Day Eucharist

Names of the faithful departed for the All Souls service can be added to the list being prepared in church in good time for the service on Nov 2nd.

Christian Aid, Christmas Appeals and Food Bank See message from Jude on page 8.

The Result of the Wenvoe Gift Appeal

There is never a right time to appeal for funds especially this year when the cost of living, heating or eating, is a choice many are having to make in their daily lives. We are so grateful that those who donated to the appeal thought that the appeal was justified and that St. Mary’s church in Wenvoe needed their support. The amount raised was £1,483 and a big thank you for your contribution, which will be used to maintain the church building, to keep the heating on at a low level to protect the fabric from damp. St. Mary’s is a Grade II* listed building, and we are bound to hand the church on for future generations yet to be born, so that worship will continue to be offered, and the church available for family events, both joyful and sad.

November is a month when we remember many things. From the faithful departed on November 2nd, to the event when Guy Fawkes and his fellow conspirators tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament on November 5th, To Remembrance Sunday on November 10th when we will gather in St. Mary’s for our annual commemoration of those lads from the village who gave their lives in World War I and World War II so that we may now enjoy the peace as a result of their sacrifice, and later at the War memorial for the Silence and laying of wreaths. As usual we shall be making a collection for the Royal British Legion to continue their work with survivors of the other wars that have taken place in recent years. We look forward to seeing you in church and at the newly cleaned War Memorial with recently installed handrail, arranged by the Wenvoe Community Council. Diolch yn fawr.

“We will not forget them”

Light refreshments of coffee, tea and soft drinks will be provided in the Church Hall following the commemoration. All are welcome.

Thank you for reading the church news.

Parry Edwards

 

September Report

SEPTEMBER REPORT

At a recent meeting of the joint church council, it was decided to press ahead with the removal of a dead limb on the large yew tree, adjacent to the entrance into the churchyard extension, together with the removal of minor growth of self-seeded vegetation near to the Jenner graves. The dead limb needs to be removed on health and safety concerns and the tidying up of the other work will it is hoped satisfy the concerns of the representative of the Jenner family that the family graves are being overgrown with decolourisation of the white marble stonework. The cost will be covered from church funds once the necessary permissions are granted by the Vale of Glamorgan council.

We are entering a very busy period during the coming months running up to Christmas. By the time you read this we will have already celebrated the celebration of Harvest at St. Mary’s, together with the picnic and Gift Day on Sunday the 22nd September.

Harvest Celebrations continue at St. John’s Church in Sully on October 6th and at St Bleddian’s church on October 13th. The service at St Lythan’s begins at 3.00pm followed by a Cheese and Wine arranged by the Friends of St. Lythan’s at a small charge.

Remembrance Sunday service on November 10thwill be at St. Mary’s at 10.00 am, led by Mr. Parry Edwards and following the service at the village War Memorial for the silence and the laying of wreaths. We must thank the Wenvoe Community council for arranging to have the War Memorial cleaned, though the provision of a hand rail on the steps is needed on Health and Safety grounds

During December at St. Bleddian’s, on Tuesday evenings the 3rd, 10th, and 17th we will have a short time of quiet meditation, together with a Harpist playing. This was very popular last year and it is good to set aside a time of contemplation in the hectic days before Christmas.

The Community Carol Service will be held on Wednesday the 18th December at St. Mary’s at 7.00 pm followed by seasonal refreshments. The collection will be given to local charities. All are welcome for this is the community coming together to hear the story of the Birth of our Lord and to sing the well-known carols.

The theme of the Christian Aid Christmas appeal this year is “No room for Comfort and Joy” and it has been decided that due to the enormous increase in demand to help families in need, that we forgo the usual collection of toys etc and concentrate on increasing the donations of food items during the four weeks of the season of Advent, that begins on December 1st. An alternative way to support the Food Bank is to give a donation in cash or cheque to enable the organisers in Barry to purchase items that are in short supply. This has been used in recent months as an alternative to carrying heavy items to the collecting point in the church porch. Please support this appeal as best you can to enable as many families to enjoy the Christmas festivities, your donations can be placed in the secure post boxes in the church porch and the church hall. Thank you.

This year we are being encouraged to light up our windows at any time in the run up to Christmas, culminating with the Family Carol Service in the churchyard and church at 5.00 pm on Christmas Eve, followed by the First Eucharist of Christmas at St. Mary’s at 11.00pm. On Christmas Day the Eucharist will be celebrated at St. Bleddian’s at 9.30am. Sunday the 29th is the 5th Sunday of the month; the only service will be a celebration of the Eucharist at St. John’s in Sully at 11.00 a.m.

We have moved the announcements of the week, and any forthcoming event from the time when the priest is carrying out the ablutions at the altar to the short time before the service begins. It is thought that the present timing is too disruptive to the flow of the service, so there will be a welcome to those present and to those who are watching from home, also highlighting any forthcoming event which needs to be brought to the attention of the congregation

More dates for your diaries on forthcoming services at St. Mary’s… 2 nd Nov at 7pm – All Souls Service 10th Nov at 10am – Remembrance service 3rd, 10th & 17th Dec at 7pm at St Lythans – Advent Meditations with harp.

Thank you for reading the news from St. Mary’s. You are all welcome to call in and see for yourselves the heritage we have from the past, to inspire today’s generation and for the generations yet to come.

Parry Edwards

August Report

AUGUST REPORT

 

From time to time the church Treasurer has to review the present level of church finances against the church budget set at the beginning of the year. At the present moment we are looking at a shortfall of £5,000 at the current year end and the Church Council has agreed that a Gift Day be arranged at the time of our Harvest Festival on 22nd September. There will be a warm welcome to you all at a bring your own picnic in the church grounds from 1.00pm-4.00pm with activities for the children which will include a colouring competition, a treasure hunt and other entertainments.

Here is the Treasurer’s Letter of Appeal.

 

Dear Friends,

We are always grateful for the generosity of our local community towards St Mary’s Church here in Wenvoe. We have decided to hold a Gift Day this year to invite local people, regular worshippers and non-worshippers alike, to make donations to ensure that our historic church can remain open to serve the whole community. It is thanks to your support that we have been able to continue to maintain St Mary’s as a centre for worship and a place where everyone in the community can celebrate important occasions. We are a charity and depend entirely on the direct giving of our congregation and fundraising to meet the costs of running the church.

Maintenance and day-to-day running costs for St Mary’s averages £45,000 every year and this year, with shrinking reserves, we are facing a likely deficit of £5,000. We are aware that not everyone is in a financial position to give as they would wish, but we ask for whatever support you can give. If you are already someone who gives regularly and do not feel able to do more, please accept our grateful thanks for what you are doing, and do not feel any further obligation.

 

Our Gift Day will be held on Sunday 22nd of September, which is also our Harvest Festival, when from 1.00pm to 4.00pm we will be holding a Family Picnic in the church grounds. Prior to Sunday, the church will be open from 2.00pm to 4.00pm on Saturday 21st when you are cordially invited to visit St Mary’s to view the Harvest decorations and, if you wish, bring your Gift Day gift in person. We look forward to seeing you.

Gift Day envelopes will be available from September 7th in the church, the Library, village shop and Wenvoe School. Cheques should be made payable to MADM St Mary. If you would like to contribute electronically:

 

Text STMARY to 70970 to give £5

Text STMARY to 70191 to give £10

Web easydonate.org/

 

We can provide further details about tax-efficient ways of giving, and how you might make a regular gift to the Church, perhaps to celebrate an anniversary or other special occasion. You might even want to make a smaller weekly or monthly donation. However you choose to give, we will be very grateful for your support.

 

Matronal Festival of Mary the Mother of God

On August the 18th, at our Eucharist we celebrated the feast of our patron saint Mary, the Mother of Jesus, with the church decorated in gold and white to honour her name and her role in the story of redemption. Mary has been known as far back as the 14th century as the “god bearer” when her role as mother of Jesus was fully recognised by the early church at Ephesus, and when the Normans invaded in 1066 they built many churches all dedicated to Mary, hence the dedication here in Wenvoe with our church. Wales at that time was a mix of Welsh principalities, constantly at war with each other in the north of the country, while here in the south the imposition of Norman Rule under William I, known as the Conqueror, with supporters loyal to the English crown, made way for a settled time of relative peace. St. Mary’s Church founded in the 12th century is of that time. Much has changed. The original stone church was enlarged and there followed years of deprivation and neglect. However, we have a church worthy of being dedicated to Mary, recognising her role in the life of Jesus and the early church. Jesus entrusted his mother into the care of St. John when dying on the cross and it is thought that she eventually died at Ephesus. In church there are a number of images of Mary in stained glass and statuary on the Reredos at the altar, over the South Porch and on the Rood Screen at the entry to the chancel. The service, with the booklet prepared for the congregation to follow, was well attended, allowing that many people are away in August on holiday.

During August we continued with our Open Church on Saturday afternoons, we had a wedding, and three baptisms, plus a midweek celebration of the Eucharist on Wednesday. The Chattery met on the second Thursday of the month, when friends caught up with each other with coffee etc. and great fellowship. It may be holiday time when many are away but St. Mary’s is always available for those family occasions to mark different stages in our lives, time to celebrate, time to grieve the loss of loved ones and time to welcome new members to Christ’s family. Remember the work of the church in your prayers, and we always welcome newcomers to our services.

Thank you for reading this,

Parry Edwards

July Report

JULY REPORT

Last month’s news ended with an account of the picnic held in the church grounds at St. Bleddian’s which was highly successful and appreciated by the local families enjoying themselves. At the end of June, on the last Sunday of the month a joint celebration of the Eucharist took place between the congregations of St. John’s in Sully, and Wenvoe plus St. Bleddians with a full church and with Gareth at the piano the air was filled with lusty singing. The St. Bleddian’s communion cup of 1575 was in use and the St. Lythan’s silver Altar Cross was also on display. It was heartening to see the church actively worshipping in a way so different from the normal said communion service. The refreshments following the service were also appreciated and thanks to all who made the service so enjoyable. In passing it was pleasing to see the village pump, adjacent to the church entrance has been cleaned and tidied up once again many thanks to those who wish to see these items from the past kept in good condition.

As part of the repairs needed to keep the church in good condition, repairs to the East window in the Button chapel have been carried out as some of the glass needed re-leading and the holding bars strengthened. The Button chapel is a 17th century extension to the church with access from the chancel by an arcade of large pillars with shallow arches. There are no memorials to any members of the Button Family but there could well be interments under the flagstone floor. It is unique in a number of ways, there is no altar so is best called a mortuary chapel intended for the burial of members of the Button family who lived at Worlton where the present Dyffryn House and gardens are situated. St Bleddian’s with its almost circular boundary is thought to be an early sacred pre Christian site long before the coming of St. Bleddian in the 6th century. A celebration of the Harvest is scheduled for October 13th, more information nearer the time.

Bishop Mary gives us each week her view on what is happening here at home and elsewhere in the world, in the “LLANDAFF MATTERS” newsletter each Tuesday afternoon, and this week was no exception, following the attempt on the life of the Republican Candidate across the pond

Bishop’s Prayer for the Week From Bishop of Llandaff, Mary Stallard

The shocking shooting that happened at the Pennsylvania election rally at the weekend has rightly brought immediate condemnation from many world leaders.

They have condemned the violence in rhetoric as well as in action that has come to be an expected part of politics in too many places. While some are using this tragic event to call for a more peaceful form of political engagement, others no doubt will try to make political capital out of it. For me the most moving response that I have heard, comes from the family of the man amongst the crowds who was shot and killed in this terrible event..

The sister of this man – who was a volunteer fire-chief and a father, called Corey Compertore – commented that, “hatred has taken the life of the man we loved the most”.

She said, “hatred has no limits”, but “love has no bounds” and she asked people to pray for her family in their grief. The contrast she draws between the terrible price of hatred and the enduring bond of love is a compelling one. I find it so moving that a call to prayer after such a sad event comes so swiftly from someone who has been bereaved.

All of this offers a stark reminder to all of us who belong to faith communities of our particular calling to embody and model a loving response in all our engagements. This has to be visible in our relationships with those we like, and with those with whom we may profoundly disagree. We know that we are often challenged to do this well, even within our most local church communities, as well as in our Ministry Areas and as a diocese. But this is our work and it’s at the heart of so much that Jesus teaches us.

Christ our teacher, you call us to lives marked by love. In times of shock and turmoil be our strong hope and our help. We ask for your comfort and care for all whose lives are shaken by tragedy and pain. Guide us in all our choices, that we may be signs of your compassion and hope, and play our part in bringing healing and reconciliation. Amen.”

Our support for the Vale Food Bank. Week by week we are able to support the food Bank with regular donations kindly left in the porch for onward transit to the food warehouse, thanks to Jude and her helpers.

On August 18th we shall be celebrating the feast of St. Mary, the Mother of our Lord at the morning Eucharist. The central figure on our beautiful Reredos at the Altar, depicts Mary as Queen of Heaven, complete with Crown and Sceptre holding the baby Jesus who in turn is holding a dove. It is rare to see such a portrayal of Mary in Anglican churches, but was in line with the Oxford Movement prevalent at the time it was installed in 1900.

A full account of what is happening in church during September will be in the August edition of “What’s On”. In the meantime if you have a holiday planned, may you have good weather and a safe return.

Thank you for reading this news, it is always a pleasure to keep you up to date with what is planned in the life of St.Mary’s and St. bleddian’s.

God Bless Parry

 

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