Category: St Mary’s Parish Church News

June Church News

June Church News

Greetings from the congregation at St. Mary’s to the wider community of Wenvoe and St. Lythan’s. We invite you to join us online at ipcamlive.com/stmarywenvoe

By the time you are reading the church news, let us hope that Summer may have finally decided to stay with us and the cold winds of the Spring have moved away.

The month of May has been a busy time for the church in Wenvoe. On Sunday May 3rd a Confirmation Service was held when candidates from Wenvoe and Dinas Powys were presented to Bishop Mary. It was a lovely service filled with love and friendship, and we congratulate Maddie, Rebecca, George, Ada, Pheobe and Helledd in making their commitment to Christ with all the family around them. The service was followed with a reception in the church hall, kindly provided by their families. Well done everyone who helped to make this an occasion they will remember for years to come.

The Quiz Night was a sell-out on the evening of May 9th. The evening was entertaining and thought provoking and was enjoyed by all. The event was hugely successful thanks to the organiser Ray Harris who was ably assisted by Alun Jones as scorer. Thanks to all who arranged and to those who supported the quiz which raised the grand total of £515.00. This is earmarked for new chairs for use in the hall.

Rogation Sunday on the 10th May saw the congregation in procession around the centre of the village, when the water in the stream was blessed together with the plants and flowers in the garden. Rogation means “to ask” and so on this occasion a blessing is asked for a good harvest in the fields, sustainable fishing in the seas, looking after the good earth not exploiting the riches, and a fairer sharing of the world’s resources.

Christian Aid Appeal 10th-16th May: This year the appeal was centred around the situation in Nairobi. We were introduced to Fridah, a hard-working mother and grandmother, deeply committed to her family and her faith. Intense urban poverty in Nairobi is challenging her ability to provide for her family. But, with her unstoppable resolve plus skills training from CA’s partner Beacon of Hope, Fridah is growing vegetables in space saving vertical containers. Now, she can put healthy food on the table and sell her excess produce to cover school costs for her children and grandson.

Our team of volunteers to aid the appeal, led by Jude Billingham, ensured that every household in the village had the opportunity to support the fund raising. This will be put together with the amount raised at the Agape Supper earlier in the year, the Gwenfo School’s fundraising and the Cake, Cake

and more Cake coffee morning in the church hall on the 16th of May. Collating all these different streams of fundraising including the contribution from St. John’s in Sully can be quite a task and Jude is to be thanked for the encouragement she is able to pass on to all who expressed their wish to be involved. The total amount including Gift Aid will not be known for several weeks, but we hope that the community of Wenvoe and Sully will have been as generous as the results from last year’s appeal.

The Chattery continues to meet in the church hall on the second Thursday morning of the month at 10.30. The drawing of the FREE raffle is always a time of great hilarity. The wide variety of prizes are all donated, often very varied and the winners take their time in choosing their unexpected good luck. All this for the modest sum of £2.00 …. a real bargain for an opportunity to meet up with old friends and catch up with all their family news. The money raised is allocated to the Church Building Fund. There have been many comments recently about the fresh appearance and pleasant atmosphere following the refurbishment of the church hall last year.

The Food Bank: Due to the high cost of fuel to transport the items to the warehouse in Barry, the deliveries are now made twice monthly. The contributions we receive are most welcome and the donations are so generous and needed by families not as fortunate as we are. Last month 304 vouchers were fulfilled, there was an increase of 15% of those seeking help; 406 adults were fed, 206 children were fed; and 70 new recipients were helped. The most requested items this month include Tuna, peanut butter, jam, UHT milk, tinned meat for hot meals and cold meats. Many thanks for all your recent donations. They are gratefully received

Ministry Area Annual Vestry Meeting took place at St. Peter’s in Dinas Powys on Wednesday 13th May at 7.00pm.

Looking ahead…

Ordination of our Curate and Deacon: The Ordination of David, to the Priesthood will take place at Llandaff Cathedral on June 20th at 11.00am. A coach has been booked to convey members of our combined congregations to support David. The service will be reported in the July issue of ‘What’s On’.

Feast Days to come include Pentecost – the birthday of the church. Followed by the season of Trinity and lastly on May 31st a joint Eucharist service for our three churches at 10.00 am.

All are welcome to our services; you are assured of a very warm welcome.

Blessings to you all who read all about the activities at St. Mary’s Church.

Parry

May Church News

May Church News

Greetings from the congregation at St. Mary’s to the wider community of Wenvoe and St. Lythans. Join us online at ipcamlive.com/stmarywenvoe

It is official, we are now in British Summer Time; the dark days of winter are over and the delights of spring are with us. The lighter evenings really do compensate for the darker mornings, and the gardens are awake to the strengthening warmth of the sun.

By the time you read the Church News we shall be approaching the first of the Bank Holidays, a time for relaxation and a chance to enjoy the delights of the countryside. We notice again how well kept our church grounds are and how the paths are always swept in readiness for the Sunday service. Thank you Mike, for all your hard work here and for all you do in the village.

David, our new curate, is settling into our routine and has been persuaded to share his background with us.

‘David trained for ministry in London at St Augustine’s College of Theology. At the end of training, he moved to Llandaff, where his wife Kate is now Canon Precentor of the Cathedral. In February, David was ordained Deacon by Bishop Mary at the Church of St Mary the Virgin, Wenvoe. He is greatly enjoying serving his Curacy with us and at St John the Baptist, Sully. David will be ordained Priest at Llandaff Cathedral in June.

Originally from Stoke-on-Trent, David has spent most of his working life in Lo ndon and Southeast England. David’s background is in managing technology initiatives for defence and public sector organisations, but he is now passing on his knowledge, working as a teacher of Computer Science and Mathematics in Caerphilly. He is a keen cook, loves theatre, and occasionally dabbles in drawing and painting. He and Kate have three grown-up children, and one small ill-disciplined dog.’

Thank you, David. We look forward to your ordination in June at Llandaff Cathedral.

We remain in the great 50 days of Easter and will soon be celebrating the feast of Pentecost, often known as the birthday of the Christian Church, when the Holy Spirit came as flames of fire on the disciples’ heads and they were able to hear everyone speaking in their own language. The power of the Holy Spirit is not to be underestimated in the life of a Christian man, woman or child. The darker days are made lighter, despair can be turned into hope, and loneliness into companionship. There is a welcome for all at our services, and we look forward to welcoming you.

SAFE CHURCH: The Church in Wales is committed to fostering an environment where everyone is able to worship and participate in the life of the church in safety. SAFEGUARDING is everyone’s responsibility and is part of our core faith and an integral feature of Christian life in our churches. A healthy Christian community is one which ensures and nurtures the wellbeing of all. Safeguarding needs to be embedded in all aspects of the life and ministry of the Church and safeguarding training is available at the Church in Wales for all members who have the care and protection of children, young people and adults at risk in a practical and informed manner.

A Prayer for all who Safeguard others

Lord God, you have called us to be a part of the family of your church and to use our gifts to encourage and build one another up in love. Help each one of us to play our part in creating a safe and caring church where every one of your children, from the youngest to the oldest, may flourish as they are respected and valued. Keep us ever watchful, so that we may continually build a holy fellowship in the image of your son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

St. Mary’s in Wenvoe is such a place where all are welcomed into a safe and caring community. If it is not SAFE, then it is NOT church.

QUIZ NIGHT: Following the success of the October Quiz Night, the JCC discussed holding a fundraising event in the spring. There will be a Spring Quiz Night on Saturday the 9th of May at 7.30pm. Planning is well advanced. Alun Jones has agreed to be the scorer. Jude Billingham is organising the raffle, so please put the word out and email Jude if you wish to donate a prize. Tickets are on sale (£5), at Sunday morning services during the month. Tickets are limited due to the size of the Church Hall, and last year the demand was great – so book early for a very enjoyable evening.

FOOD BANK: Many thanks for the many Easter eggs donated to the Foodbank. In February 248 vouchers were processed, which included feeding 423 adults and 108 children. This is a rise of 26%. Some of the reasons for this include benefits for the unemployed especially for those with children, falling behind the rise of the cost of living, delays in receiving benefits, and, although the cost of living on some items has slowed down, the cost of food remains high. The standout group of those coming for help are families with 3 or more children. The most needed items this month include, cereals, jam, coffee, tinned potatoes and carrots, microwaveable pasta, squash and meat products.

Please continue to support the Food Bank. Donations can be left in the boxes in the church porch, which are regularly emptied. Alternatively you can leave a cash donation in the secure post box in the porch and also at the church hall. Thank you.

CHRISTIAN AID 2026: Please see page 9.

Looking back, the glorious celebration of Holy Week and Easter day was a thoughtful and inspiring week of prayer and remembrance of Jesus’s last days on earth, leading to His glorious resurrection. Every blessing to you in this post-Easter times.

Parry

Christian Aid Week 2026

CHRISTIAN AID WEEK 2026

Where Hardship means Hunger….Urban Farmers can Grow Hope.

 

Christian Aid is an international charity, founded by churches in Britain and Ireland more than 80 years ago. We work in partnership with a network of churches, organisations and people of all faiths and none. Together, we deliver vital programmes of work and raise awareness and funds to help drive lasting change.

Christian Aid week comes around annually; it is our opportunity to make a change for others within 7 days. In 2025 we raised the fantastic sum of £3,775.26 locally (including Gift Aid), which went towards the total for the UK of £4.5 million.

This year the focus is Kenya and in particular Nairobi. The city has an estimated population of 5.3 million of which 7 out of 10 live in debt, and 60% live in settlements. The housing in the settlements is basic, often one room with few services and little space between them. It is in one such settlement we find ‘Beacon of Hope’.

Beacon of Hope was established in 2022 to provide health services especially for those with HIV and Aids. Since then, they have provided Day Care for children, schools and help for young people seeking employment. The main concern has always been the level of poverty with poor health and high levels of malnourishment. The response has been the creation of the project ‘urban farmers can grow hope’. This project experimented and created methods of growing food in any small piece of land available, including growing in containers, horizontal screening with hanging pots, planting on roofs etc. Costs are kept low by making organic fertilisers from what is available, collecting water, using weather resistant seeds and quick growing food items. From providing food and, where possible, selling any excess, life has improved for many.

In one such settlement we find Fridah; her husband died suddenly and she found herself without support and unable to feed her family. From the centre she gained support and care, gained skills in growing her own food and eventually selling her own produce and those of others. She learnt to take on the responsibilities her husband had previously and is now more able to care for her children and looking to the future with confidence.

We have 7 days this year from 10th – 16th May to raise funds to support such groups as Beacon of Hope and the partners they work with throughout the world.

In Wenvoe we plan to:

  • Distribute donation envelopes throughout the village, with information on how you can donate
  • Hold the coffee morning event ‘Cake, Cake and More Cake’ on 16th May from 10.00am – 12.30pm, in the Church Hall (see advert)
  • Hold an assembly in Gwenfo CiW Primary School and a ‘Silent Disco!’ on 15th May (see advert)

If you have any questions, please get in touch on 07516112897, or email judebillingham@ ya-hoo.co.uk.
Many thanks,
Jude Billingham

April Church News

April Church News

Lenten greetings from the members of the congregation at St. Mary’s to the wider community of Wenvoe and St. Lythans. If you cannot make it to church, follow and join in our service on a Sunday morning by logging on to www.ipcamlive.com/stmarywenvoe.

As I write, we are mid-way through the season of Lent. We celebrated Mothering Sunday on 15th March. This day is also known in the church calendar as Refreshment Sunday. It is a little pause in the solemnity of Lent, when we honour our Mother Church in the cathedral at Llandaff, give praise and prayer for our Bishop Mary Stallard and of course our own mother, grandmother, God mother and anyone who cared for us during our formative years. The congregation was presented with daffodils during the singing of the last hymn to give thanks to the people assembled; it was a very joyful occasion.

Our Curate, Rev. David is getting to know us. He preached his first sermon at the Mothering Sunday service, and this was well received. David is a part time priest with us and his day job is teaching; somehow, he is able to combine his care for his students and care for his worshipping community. We pray that he will find his time with us to be an enriching experience with very happy memories.

By the time you are reading the church news we shall be in that period know as Passiontide, when we hear of the suffering that Jesus underwent as He approached the final days of his ministry, leading up to his crucifixion on Good Friday.

On Maundy Thursday we will take part in the Agape Supper. This is to remember the events when Jesus, at supper with his disciples, having washed their feet before the meal, took bread and wine, and instituted the service we know as Holy Communion or the Mass at the Last Supper. We recall at this time our vocation to serve through the recollection of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet. This is a profound opportunity to reflect on our call to love one another as Christ mandated. You are welcome to join us at 7.00pm in the Church Hall, providing seats are available, followed by the Watch Service in the church.

Good Friday, 3rd April 2pm – Walking the Way of the Cross – All are invited to gather at St Bleiddian’s, St Lythans to walk down the hill to St Mary’s, Wenvoe OR to gather at St Mary’s for a reading of the Way of the Cross concurrently while awaiting the arrival of the pilgrims from St Lythans at about 3pm for the conclusion of the Way of the Cross and Solemn Liturgy of Penitence. This is the day that we remember the crucifixion of Christ; we acknowledge brokenness in the world; and we confess our part in that brokenness. While this day is a solemn recognition of darkness, our profound hope in the Resurrection underlies our observance of Good Friday.

Holy Week and Easter

Palm Sunday, 29th March 9:30am – Eucharist and Palm Procession – Church yard, Wenvoe The Holy Journey through the Cross to the Resurrection begins with the Palm Procession recalling Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Holy Week Daily Eucharist 6.00pm – Monday in Holy Week, 30th March – St Bleiddian’s, St Lythans 6.00pm –Wednesday in Holy Week, 1st April – St Mary’s, Wenvoe Holy Week & Easter continues with the Triduum, which consists of the greatest three days of the Christian year.

Easter Sunday – Day of Resurrection, 5th April 7.00am – St Bleiddian’s, St Lythans – Sunrise Lighting of the Easter Fire & Holy Eucharist with Renewal of Baptismal Vows 9:30am – St Mary’s, Wenvoe – Lighting of the Easter Candle & Holy Eucharist with Renewal of Baptismal Vows This is the biggest Sunday of the year! In the earliest days, Easter was the only Christian festival: an annual celebration, in one act of Christ’s life, death, resurrection, ascension, and the sending of the Holy Spirit. The celebration began on Easter day and lasted fifty days in one continuous festival of joy and thanksgiving, ending on the Feast of Pentecost. Our celebration of the Holy Eucharist on Easter Day, is marked by joy with the lighting of the Holy Fire and Paschal Candle followed by the Renewal of Baptismal Vows. There is an absence of all things penitential so that the Great Fifty Days of Easter outweigh the Forty Days of Lent. We celebrate that we are a Resurrection People filled with the New Life of Christ!

Easter Lilies: As in previous years, we will be collecting towards Easter lilies and flowers to decorate the church in memory of loved ones. Please print the names clearly on your envelope with your donation by Palm Sunday. All names will be published on Easter Day. There is a suggested donation of £3 per stem, please. Church decorating will take place on Saturday 4th April at 10.00am. All are welcome.

Food Bank: All contributions are gratefully received, including Easter Eggs. Please leave in the containers in the Church Porch.

Advance notice for your diary: A pilgrimage to Brecon Cathedral has been arranged for October 24th. The Cathedral has recently been awarded a lottery grant of £3m for repairs to the roof, reordering the interior and the building of a West Door and outdoor piazza, to enhance the setting of the West end of the priory church. More details to follow in the Autumn.

Thank you for reading all that is happening at St. Mary’s. You are welcome to join us at any of our services.

Every blessing to you all at this Eastertide.

Parry

March Church News

March Church News

Greetings from the Congregation at St. Mary’s church to the wider community of Wenvoe. If you cannot make it to church, follow our Sunday service online at www.ipcamlive.com/stmarywenvoe.

We thank all who regularly continue to support the Food Bank in Barry with their weekly gifts of dry goods, tinned meats and vegetables and much more. Your gifts can be left in the church porch ready to be taken to warehouse in Barry by Jude and Nigel. Please keep them coming as the need is greater than ever. Diolch.

We have a new curate appointed to the Ministry Area of De Morgannwg with responsibilities for Sully, Wenvoe and St. Lythan’s. Mr David Harrision was ordained Deacon and licenced by Bishop Mary Stallard at Wenvoe during February and has now taken up his duties with Vicar Lyndon as his mentor for the next year. Rev. David is part time and a Non Stipendiary Minister as his day job is teaching. We welcome him as we walk with him on this stage of his journey in ministry in the church. It was a pleasure to meet his wife Kate, who holds the position of Canon Chancellor at the cathedral.

Shrove Tuesday, also known as “Pancake Day” Pancake Day was well marked on Shrove Tuesday with a De Morgannwg Ministry Area event at the Old School in Sully. 50 or more participants from the nine churches within the ministry area, including St Mary’s Wenvoe, gathered for fresh pancakes hot off the grill under the skilful hand of the Revd Denise Maud.

After enjoying their pancakes with either sweet or savoury toppings and lots of conversation, there was a time of competitive dice throwing and mad drawing for the Beetle Drive. In four rounds of play, we saw completed beetles from Sue M, Bodhi J, Mavis H, and a very tall Mahoney grandson! However, when the final numbers were tallied and verified it was the young Tallulah J who had the highest score. The extra prize for the prettiest beetle went to Linda from Rhoose.

In the pancake toss, we had widespread participation from clergy and lay people from Sully, Dinas Powys, Rhoose, and Wenvoe. The clergy contenders (David Harrison, Denise Maud, Andrew Maud, and Lyndon H-H) gave a good show with the Revd Denise coming out on top with a remarkable 27 flips in 20 seconds.

However, it was our young “front-of-house” volunteer, E.M. from Rhoose who took the cup with 28 flips. The evening ended with the draw for a pleasant array of prizes in the raffle raising £100 for Marie Curie. Proceeds from the door were split between The Amelia Trust Farm and De Morgannwg Ministry Area.

Acknowledgement to Chris H.H. for kindly writing the “Pancake” report.

LENT 2026 at St. Mary’s

Lent is a significant season in the year for Christians – a time of solemnity and self-reflection where they confess their failings and resolve to live a more godly life based on the teachings of Jesus Christ. It lasts for just over six weeks leading up to Easter.

Traditionally it was a time of fasting from certain foods such as eggs, meat, fish and fats. Nowadays people might give up a luxury food – such as chocolate. They may also give up an activity such as using social media or drinking alcohol. It is called Lent in English because it is the time of the year when days are lengthening in the northern hemisphere. Like Easter, Lent falls on different dates each year. Christians in different church traditions around the world celebrate slightly different periods of Lent. Some church buildings are made to look plainer during Lent with flowers and other decorations removed.

In most churches, the first day of Lent is Ash Wednesday. Many Christians go to church that day to seek forgiveness from God for what they have done wrong. In some churches, the priest will take some ash and use it to mark a cross sign on the forehead of each person. It is a symbol of their remorse. The ash is traditionally made from burning palm crosses which were distributed on Palm Sunday the year before). During Lent, many Christians use special studies to guide their times of personal prayer and reflection.

Acknowledgment to Google… thank you.

Our Programme for all the Lent services and observances were printed in last months “What’s On” but here is a reminder.

Monday evenings at St Mary’s 4.30 – 5.00pm Meditation and prayer. Usual Eucharist on March 1st (St. David’s Day) and the 18th at 10.00am. Mothering Sunday March 15th Eucharist, PALM Sunday March 29th procession and Eucharist at 9.30am. MONDAY in Holy Week, March 30th Eucharist at 6.00pm in St Bleddian’s. Wednesday in Holy Week Eucharist at St. Mary’s at 10.00am.

MAUNDY THURSDAY 2nd April AGAPE SUPPER incorporating the Eucharist 7.00pm. (Please book your place on the list in church)

The services on GOOD FRIDAY AND EASTER DAY will be in next month’s “What’s On” and also on the church notice board in the porch.

There will an opportunity to contribute to the Easter flowers in church. See notices in Newsletter. Thank you.

Church decorating will be at 10.00am on Saturday April 4th.

Thank you for reading the Church News and every blessing in your Lenten journey.

Parry

 

Church Services Schedule

Church Services For Lent, Holy Week And Easter

Lent

Ash Wednesday – 18th February

10.00am at St Mary’s, Wenvoe.

Holy Eucharist & Imposition of Ashes

On this day we begin our penitential season of Lent

Lenten Weekday Eucharist

Wednesdays at 10.00am. 1st and 3rd Wednesday at St Mary’s, Wenvoe

Lenten Meditation

Mondays 4:30-5.00pm at St Mary’s, Wenvoe

23 Feb, 2, 9, 16 & 23 March

Thursdays (only 4) 4:30-5.00pm at St Bleiddian’s Church, St Lythans. 19 February, 5, 12, & 26 March (Not 26 Feb, nor 19 Mar)

An opportunity to deepen our inner life – 20 minutes of silence bracketed with prayers & a Taize Chant. Please note rotating locations. Come to some or all. Please carefully note dates listed.

Holy Week and Easter

Palm Sunday – 29th March

9:30am – Eucharist and Palm Procession at Church yard, Wenvoe.

The Holy Journey through the Cross to the Resurrection begins with the Palm Procession recalling Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem.

Holy Week Daily Eucharist

6.00pm – Monday in Holy Week, 30th March at St Bleiddian’s, St Lythans.

10.00am – Wednesday in Holy Week, 1st April at St Mary’s, Wenvoe.

Maundy Thursday – 2nd April

Agape Supper incorporating the Holy Eucharist concluding with a Watch Service in the church.

7.00pm at Wenvoe Church Hall

This is the day we remember the institution of the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper, and we recall our vocation to serve one another through the recollection of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet.

Good Friday – 3rd April

2.00pm – Walking the Way of the Cross

All are invited to gather at St Bleiddian’s, St Lythans to walk down the hill to Wenvoe Church or to gather at St Mary the Virgin, Wenvoe for a reading of the Way of the Cross concurrently while awaiting the arrival of the pilgrims from St Lythans at about 3pm for the conclusion of the Way of the Cross and Solemn Liturgy of Penitence

This is the day that we remember the crucifixion of Christ; we acknowledge brokenness in the world; and we confess our part in that brokenness. While this day is a solemn recognition of darkness, our profound hope in the Resurrection underlies our observance of Good Friday.

 

Easter Sunday – Day of Resurrection – 5th April

7.00am – St Bleiddian’s, St Lythans – Sunrise Lighting of the Easter Fire & Holy Eucharist with Renewal of Baptismal Vows.

9:30am – St Mary’s, Wenvoe – Lighting of the Easter Candle & Holy Eucharist with Renewal of Baptismal Vows.

This is the biggest Sunday of the year! Our celebration of the Holy Eucharist on Easter Day is marked by joy with the lighting of the Holy Fire and Paschal Candle followed by the Renewal of Baptismal Vows. The Season of Easter lasts for 50 days up to the Day of Pentecost

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