Category: St Mary’s Parish Church News

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

January Church News

January Church News

If you cannot make it to church, please join us online at www.ipcamlive.com/stmarywenvoe

Greetings to all readers from the faithful congregation at St. Mary’s.

The results are in for the fund-raising during Advent and the pre-Christmas period. The collection at the Community carol service raised £300 for Ty Hafan. The amount sent to the Medical Missionaries of Mary came to £250, as a donation for the repair of the “Christ” figure on the Rood Screen. And a message from Jude Billingham gives the results of the Christian Aid Advent Appeal.

The Advent Appeal results: Thank you so much for your generous donations for the Advent Appeal; this has now been counted:

Christian Aid: The joint appeal including Wenvoe and Sully raised £351 with an addition of £64.50 for Gift Aid, bringing the total to £415.50.

Vale Foodbank: Wenvoe sent weekly carloads of Christmas Food and Goodies to the warehouse for distribution. The amount was very impressive, and the volunteers were pleased that the suggestions for donations had been taken into consideration. In addition, £265 was given. We now revert to the Thursday deliveries when the current requirements include meat products, soup, tinned spaghetti, milk, fruit juice, tinned vegetables and potatoes, and dried foods that take little cooking.

Thank you, Jude

Looking at these results, a great deal of thanks is given to those who gave so generously and to those who gave of their time to organise these events. Well done all.

Last month the St. Mary’s 200 Club was featured as a major fund raiser for the church building fund. This fund is held quite apart from the general fund from which the running costs for the church is funded. Recently the 200 club was able to pay into the church account a sum of £1,700 as a result of the renewals of shares. So once again many thanks to the organisers and to those who renewed their shareholdings.

These are days of high living costs, and the church is no exception; the cost of keeping the church in good condition is high. Old buildings need a lot of TLC and your church here in Wenvoe is as well-kept as can be. Our faithful members always rise to the occasion when a need arises, apart from the normal giving each week or month, and over the past year or so have been encouraged to use the Church in Wales Direct Giving Scheme. This giving plan makes the Treasurer’s work much easier, and the donor does not have to worry about carrying cash to church, so no counting week by week, no paying into the bank and the cash flow is maintained as the payments come in each month without fail. We are told “God loves a generous giver” “and it is better to give than to receive”. So once again a thank you to all who support the work of the church in Wenvoe. Thank you for reading this news of St. Mary’s and for all the support you have given throughout the years.

God Bless and Peace be with you all.

Parry

Advent 2025

ADVENT 2025

Following last year’s success, our Advent appeal will help others both locally and further afield through Christian Aid and the Vale Foodbank.

Christian Aid’s appeal for Christmas 2025 is for those living in crisis situations where they need emergency help urgently where they live or where they are fleeing from violence. Chance, a mother in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, gave birth to her child as bombs were dropping in her village. She survived, but lost her home and all her possessions. In crisis she gained support from Christian Aid for shelter, clothing and food. In this way Chance and her child regained their lives and hope for the future.

A collection box will be available in the Church each Sunday in Advent for donations to the appeal. Envelopes are available for gift aid donations. Sealed envelopes with donations can also be given via the locked mailbox in the Church porch.

The Vale Foodbank supports local families in crisis and campaigns for change. Currently they are calling for an end to GP fees for letters that disabled people need to access appropriate housing. The campaign was sparked by a local man who had to live in his car for over a year. He was unable to work and to apply for suitable housing he needed a letter from his GP confirming his medical condition. However, the surgery demanded £40 for the letter – money he simply didn’t have.

During the Christmas period the Foodbank will continue to provide emergency food and Christmas parcels to help to bring festive cheer to people. Suggestions include tinned ham and salmon, Pringles, mince pies, sponge puddings, selection boxes and treats, fizzy pop, crisps and custard.

Jude Billingham

 

07516 112897 (for any enquiries)

December Church News

December Church News

Nadolig Llawen. A Happy Christmas to all readers from the congregation at St. Mary’s.

If you cannot make it to church, join us online …www.ipcamlive.com/stmarywenvoe.

A message from our treasurer Ray Harris:

“The 27th of September was a disastrous day for St. Mary’s, when the figure of Christ on the Rood screen was dislodged when the cross was being dusted; likely that the glue holding the figure in place had dried out. The wood carving, which is some 150 years old, crashed to the floor and was damaged and feared to be beyond repair.

Our church architect suggested we consult Steve Shackell, a retired French polisher and furniture restorer to seek his advice regarding a possible repair. Steve, took the figure, not only damaged by the fall but severely weakened internally by a historic wood worm infestation, to his workshop, saying it would be a “labour of love ”to repair and restore the carving.

The figure was returned to the church on Tuesday the 28th October fully repaired and restored. Steve’s report read “Every worm hole was injected with a solution of polish and thinners to consolidate the internal powdery, woodworm eaten timber enabling the repair. The arms and lower legs were glued to the main body. Two coats of woodworm killer were applied. Damaged areas were filled, and missing pieces were modelled in wax and coloured. Finally, the completed carving was waxed and polished.

What was Steve’s fee? Nothing. Steve has asked that we make a donation to the Medical Missionaries of Mary, an order of nuns who provide worldwide medical care. To get an overview of their dedicated work see the magazine placed at the font.

Members of the congregation have been making donations in thanks to Steve and to support the work of the Missionaries of Mary. For friends and those who are not regular attendees at our Sunday worship, donations can be made in cash or cheques (payable to MADM St Mary) via our secure post boxes at the church hall or church porch or to make a card donation use the card machine by the Font when in church.

The repair and restoration of the figure is truly amazing. It is darker than before due to the waxes used, so we thank Steve and his colleague for a church treasure now restored to its rightful place at the entrance to the chancel.

We also thank Ray for the speed in which he ensured a repair was possible.

There were a number of special services during the month of November. All Saints and All Souls on Sunday November 1st were joyful and uplifting and the remembrance of those loved ones we see no longer but remember with love; their names were read out during the Sunday afternoon service. May they rest in peace and rise in glory.

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY: For the first time the attendance in church was lower than in previous years, yet at the War Memorial the numbers, huddled under their umbrellas, was larger than last year. We were remembering those whose names are carved in stone at the War Memorial and 12 wreaths were laid in tribute. We thank the Vale of Glamorgan Brass Band for providing the music, and the bugler sounded the start and ending of the two minutes silence. A collection taken in church amounted to £300 and this has been forwarded to the Royal British Legion to aid them in their work with veterans of WWII. We also thank Mr Ray Harris for compiling the service booklets and for choosing the hymns sung during the service and the readers for reading with such clarity. The Head Girl and Boy from Gwenfo School offered the prayers with such confidence, despite their young age; it is to their generation to carry forward the message of Remembrance that Prince William spoke of when he delivered a video message to all schools on Armistice Day.

The Armistice was remembered when Vicar Lyndon and the Reader Emeritus met with pupils from Year 6 at Gwenfo School at the War Memorial, the Roll of Honour of names carved on the War Memorial was read out and two minutes silence was kept, as the Nation at large paused in tribute to remember the fallen.

Those who laid down their lives in all wars, are not forgotten and they will be remembered by few or by many in the years ahead – “At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them”

Fifty Years and Counting: During the morning service on Sunday 16th November Parry Edwards was congratulated on completing fifty years since his licencing in 1975. Archdeacon Mark of Margam was present to celebrate the Eucharist. This was a happy occasion with Parry’s family present with the congregation to pay tribute to his years of service to St. Mary’s. Parry spoke of how the church membership had changed during his readership in Wenvoe; there were few present who could have been in church when he preached his first sermon. The service followed with hospitality and friendship in the refurbished Church Hall. As Vicar Lyndon has written “50 years and counting…” who knows! My thanks to all who made it a memorable time which I will treasure.

God bless,

Parry

November Church News

November Church News

Greetings to you all from the congregation at St. Mary’s Church. Join us for our Sunday service at www.ipcamlive.com/stmarywenvoe at 9.30am.

Our joyful celebration of the harvest was also the occasion when we formally said farewell to Alyson Price as she has now embarked on her final two-year preparation for the full-time ministry. Alyson has been a stalwart member of our congregation and for many years was the leader in our Pebbles Group of young children. She has been a teacher for 32 years and she has opened a new chapter in her life. We wish her well and at a presentation in the newly refurbished church hall Alyson was presented with a card of good wishes, flowers and a gift of an All Seasons Stole for the day of her ordination.

Harvest is always a special time, and the church was filled with the largest congregation of the year so far. The Vale Foodbank received the tinned goods, fresh vegetables and cash offerings to help fill the gap for an ever-increasing need for their services. It is our duty as Christians to share the bounty of the earth with those who are not as fortunate as we are. Thank you to those who helped prepare the church for harvest, to those who brought an abundance of foods and other items, and to Jude and Nigel for their weekly delivery to the food bank in Barry.

Our Harvest Thanksgiving continued on Sunday October 12th at St.Bleddian’s Church at 3.00pm. It is good to see the church prepared and cleaned ready when it is not in regular use. So, a big THANK YOU to the faithful for such a special effort to present the church as we have always known it.

During the process of cleaning, the Rood Screen at St Mary’s, the central figure of Christ became dislodged and fell to the floor in pieces. It was devastating to see such a beloved artefact, which had been hanging there for over 150 years shattered. Upon examination it was thought to be repairable, and on the advice of our church architect, a retired French polisher and joiner agreed to undertake the restoration. We await the results. The figure of limewood and its attendant figures of St. Mary and St. John are full of historic wood worm which had been treated and will be subject to remedial action to ensure they are preserved for the future.

The Refurbishment of the Church Hall: The hall has been transformed with new LED strip lighting, a complete repainting, together with the kitchen and toilets and all thanks to the donations received to make the hall fit for purpose. The provision of new curtains at the windows and acoustic panels on the walls is to be welcomed to lower the noise levels. The contractor has been working on the church hall floor and the results are more than we expected. The floor has been sanded and sealed with three coats of sealant and looks amazing. We can now be proud and pleased to able to present the hall to prospective hirers as a very pleasant venue. There will be a new Hiring Agreement and NEW rates of hiring; this will come into force in the New Year.

Quiz Night at the Church Hall: On Saturday 11th October Wenvoe church hall was full of people in teams ready to compete in a fiendish quiz. Ray Harris was armed with taxing questions and Alun Jones updated a screen displaying the scores after each round. Fortunately, the new acoustic boards worked well and the sound system meant that everyone could hear. At the end there was a fun round based on Who Wants to be a Millionaire. This most enjoyable evening raised £545 towards the refurbishment of the church hall. Grateful thanks to everyone who organised or supported the quiz night’

Remembrance Sunday, November 9th will follow the successful pattern of previous years with a community service at 10.00am with the commemoration at the Village War Memorial at 11.00 am for the reading of the Roll of Honour, the two minute silence, and the laying of wreaths. This year Vicar Lyndon will be presiding over the proceedings and as usual we welcome the Vale Brass Band to provide the music, and also welcome the Scouts and their leaders, bringing their banners into church. Remembrance is a time of recalling the sacrifices made by the young men of our village and all over the country to defeat the enemy, so that we can live the life we do today. WE WILL NOT FORGET THEM. Do join us in church or at the War Memorial. The collection in church will be donated to the ROYAL BRITISH LEGION for their work in rehabilitating the veterans who through age are getting fewer each year. There will be refreshments in the church hall to follow and an opportunity to meet up with friends not often seen.

On Remembrance Day 11th November at 11.00am there will a service at the War Memorial with Year 6 pupils from Wenvoe School. You are welcome to join us.

Service of Thanksgiving: Sunday 16th November will be a special thanksgiving for the 50 years that our Reader Emeritus has served in St. Mary’s and elsewhere following his licencing by Bishop John Poole Hughes in 1975. Join us with Archdeacon Mark of Margam as we give thanks for half a century of faithful service. WELL DONE THOU GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT.

Church Clock: The church clock that has ticked the hours, the months and the years away since it was installed in 1880 seems to have a life of its own. Recently for no apparent reason it stopped. The engineer who looks after it on behalf of the original maker Smiths of Derby, could find no reason other than wear and tear and managed to get the clock working. There is a cost for this and as the clock is a public amenity for the community the Wenvoe Community council was informally approached for help in maintaining it. So far there has been no response from them and the invoice has been paid from our meagre church funds.

It is always a joy and a privilege to share news of St. Mary’s with you all.

God bless,

Parry.

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