Category: St Mary’s Parish Church News
August Church News
August Church News
Greetings from the congregation of St. Mary’s to the wider community of Wenvoe and St. Lythan’s. We invite you to join us online at ipcamlive.com/stmarywenvoe
The Church Clock
You may have noticed that time is standing still in the centre of Wenvoe with the church clock being silent. The clock installed in the tower of the church was gifted in memory of Capt. Robert Francis Lascelles Jenner who died on 8th May 1882. As an expression of the great esteem in which he was held by the parishioners it was decided that a clock was to be provided in his memory. A public subscription raised the money necessary, and the well-known public clock maker Smith of Derby was duly instructed with the order to proceed. The clock winding gear was installed within the tower on the first level, then the movement was arranged with cogs, gears and couplings to the second level, through the wall to connect with the hands on the face of the clock. It sounds simple but you can be assured that it is complicated and needs attention in addition to the annual service by an engineer from the original company who installed it in the mid-1880s. The problem in recent years is due in part to climate change, and the heat waves we have been experiencing. To put it mildly the mechanism is old and does not like the heat when the metal expands and so is ‘out of gear’. This is the present situation we find ourselves in.
The annual service was undertaken earlier this year, and all was well, but now the clock is far from being well. Church finances do not allow for expensive callouts, and the clock will remain silent for the time being. Unless a donor would come forward to cover the costs in memory of a loved one, or even a few donors to spread the costs. The church management team with Vicar Lyndon are willing to discuss any interest shown in this appeal to get the clock ticking away and the bell striking the hours. There is a well-known saying ‘If you don’t ask you don’t get’. We need help to get the clock going. Are YOU the person who will help us to get things all tickety-boo?
Christian Aid Venezuela Appeal
We have all seen the harrowing destruction as the result of the earthquakes in Venezuela, where many lives, homes and communities have been destroyed. A collection was arranged with Christian Aid in both our churches during the month. The amount raised will be known at the end of the month. Once again, we must thank Jude Billingham for organising this at short notice in supporting the provision of aid to those stricken by the disaster.
Hospitality in the Christian church.
Every week ‘LLANDAFF MATTERS’ is published online and reports on events and happenings within the diocese. Bishop Mary takes great care in relating her experience as a Christian pilgrim as she visits events within the diocese and elsewhere within the church in Wales. This week her theme was that of
the hospitality she experienced in North Wales whilst on a pilgrimage exploring the writings of Ann Griffiths nee Thomas 1776 – 1805. Ann was a Welsh poet and writer of Methodist Christian hymns in the Welsh language. Her poetry reflects her fervent Christian faith and thorough scriptural knowledge. Following the death of both her parents, she married Thomas Griffiths a farmer from the parish of Meifod and an elder of the Calvanistic Methodist church. However, she died in childbirth in August 1805 at the age of 29 and was buried at St. Michael’s church in Llanfihangel-yng-Ngwynfga.
The Ann Griffiths Memorial Chapel in Dolanog, Powys, is named after her and has a carved corbel head based on contemporary descriptions of her. Bishop Mary visited the chapel, and a photograph of the carved corbel was included in the account. It was here that Ann Griffiths lived and composed her poetry that we now sing as hymns.
It was a result of a day spent visiting the chapel that Bishop Mary commented on the hospitality of tea and abundance of cakes in the community hall. She was astonished to receive messages of thanks from those who had welcomed them, their hosts expressed their gratitude that they had been to visit them. Mary the Christian pilgrim returned home with a stronger understanding of Christian hospitality, faithful prayer and generous service.
Welcoming God, thank you for everyone who shows us your way of love. When we have an opportunity to welcome others fill our hearts with gratitude for the gift of friendships. Help us to be attentive to opportunities to serve you in small acts of generous kindness and care. Help us to find our place in your Kingdom of love, In the name of Christ our friend. Amen.
Here at St. Mary’s our small, dedicated catering team provide such hospitality at the bimonthly Eucharist service on a Wednesday morning, the monthly Chattery on the second Thursday of the month and following the morning service on the fourth Sunday of the month. Also following the Joint Eucharist on the fifth Sunday of a month.
Looking ahead in August we will be honouring the Blessed Virgin Mary at our Matronal festival service on the 16th August at 9.30 am. All are welcome.
Thank you for reading the news.
Parry
May 2026 200 Club Winners
July Church News
July Church News
Greetings from the congregation of St. Mary’s to the wider community of Wenvoe and St. Lythan’s. We invite you to join us online at ipcamlive.com/stmarywenvoe
The world in which we live, has during the month of June been taken up with all the trials and tribulations of the FIFA World Cup taking place across the pond, in the USA, Mexico and Canada. Who will win the Cup remains to be seen and President Donald J. Trump will exploit the occasion to the full.
The main event in the church was the occasion of the Ordination of the Revd. David Harrison to the priesthood, at Llandaff Cathedral on 20th June. David and other Deacons were blessed by Bishop Mary in a service that was both solemn and joyful. We wish David and all the other candidates every blessing on their ministries ahead of them. A coach conveyed congregations from Wenvoe and Sully to the Cathedral to support David and his family at this important stage in his life. We look forward to his first celebration of the Eucharist on June 21st.
Christian Aid: Jude Billingham has issued a preliminary report on the fund raising activities (page 5). Jude and her dedicated team are to be congratulated on the result. Fund raising is never easy these days when the cost of living is high. So thank you to all who have helped in any way to and of course thank you to all who donated so willingly to help those who are not as well of as we are. The final amount raised came to £2,840.29 including Gift Aid. Well done and thank you.
The month of June, we are told, has been one of the wettest of times with gales and strong winds causing many problems. There was some damage to the laurel trees in the churchyard. Thankfully Mike Tucker was able to clear up the damaged branches and create a semblance of order in this hallowed ground. During the month, as part of the Valeways programme, we had a number of parties of walkers asking to visit the church and grounds. They are always very impressed with how well kept the church and her surroundings are. We are fortunate that we have a small band of volunteers, including Mike, who work so hard to give that good impression of St. Mary’s that visitors leave with.
Food Bank: A steady flow of donations to the Food Bank continues to be received in the collecting boxes within the church porch. The food warehouse in Barry readily acknowledges that the St. Mary’s collection point is one of the most regular contributors to their stock and always greatly appreciated. It is a sad reflection of the times we are living through that things like the Food Bank have become a necessity for so many families so that they can put food on the table. We thank all donors for the items they bring each week; please consider donation of money or cheque which can be safely deposited in the secure post boxes in the porch and church hall to save you the time and effort in bringing your gifts to the church
Chattery: On the second Thursday of every month at 10.30 am, the Chattery meets in the church hall for coffee and a chat. This is arranged by church volunteers to offer a safe space to meet and catch up. All are welcome whether you come to church or not. The free raffle is a riot of humour and hilarity.
This is not the only opportunity in Wenvoe for older folk to join in with others for a time of fellowship and company. In the Hub during opening hours, a Welsh group meets in two sessions on a Monday morning. A men’s group meets on Tuesday morning, On Wednesday afternoon the Golden Girls get together, often with cakes and tea or coffee and attempt to put the world to right. On Friday morning, out of hours, the Silver Foxes come out of their dens for a time of natter about any subject under the sun. We meet as friends and leave as friends even though we do not always agree with the topic under discussion. We know that this is a privilege given to this group and so we always make a donation to the running costs of the Library.
Liturgical Colours: What are these you may well ask? The answer lies with the history of our earlier Jenner rectors who were greatly influenced by the Oxford Movement in the 19th century. Wenvoe to this day has always been a church with colour in the vestments worn by the priest, the frontal at the altar and the Pulpit and Lectern falls. The rotation of which colour is in use is governed by the Lectionary the church produces year by year to set out the readings and any commemoration of the saints.
At present we are in green; the season is Trinity. The colour green is in line with growth in the natural world, and in the church is associated with the growth of the early Christian church following the Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus and how Saint Peter was the rock on which the church was founded. So which colour the priest wears is not at the whim of him or her but set down universally in all Anglican churches. The other colours are white/gold, red and violet. We also possess a throw over Laudian Frontal called “All Seasons” which has all the four colours incorporated into the design of the brocade fabric. So there you have it. When you see a change of colour that should alert you to the fact that something has changed since the previous week.
The holiday season is upon us. Let us hope for fair weather. Wherever you travel, keep safe and God Bless.
Parry
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
April 2026 200 Club Winners
March 2026 200 Club Winners
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
