Category: St Mary’s Parish Church News

February Parish Report

 

The solemn season of Lent is now with us, and you will notice that many of the ornaments in the Chancel and Sanctuary have been removed and replaced with more simple items, in line with the church’s teaching of self-denying during this period running up to Easter.

The services during Lent are simpler, with less singing and with more emphasis on hearing the Word of God in the Readings and Gospel narratives. Mothering Sunday is on March 11th when the children from “Pebbles” will be encouraged to bring the daffodils they have grown from the bulbs given to them last Harvest Celebrations, to decorate the church and to present their Mum’s with a gift of flowers,

The meeting to discuss the sale of the Church Hall took place on Thursday 8th February with a good crowd of people in the Community Centre Hall. This meeting called and hosted by Wenvoe Community Council to measure the public reaction of the Community Council purchasing the Church Hall. Jon, our Parish Priest was keen to impart the vision of St Mary’s looking forward to how the Church wishes to develop both the building and the congregation in the 21st century. The present hall was not seen as being part of that vision and was becoming a burden on the church as expenses are exceeding income. In addition, the hall need to be updated with improved kitchen and toilet facilities. By building a hall/meeting room facilities on to the North Side of the church that will enable the church to extend its role of hospitality both to the congregation and community. St Mary’s Church Council has worked very hard over the years to keep the church building in good order, with money raised from the Church Appeal and generous donations and grants, plus the income from our very successful “200” club. We are not state aided or supported by the Representative Body of the Church in Wales in any way, and we have to thank the generations that have gone before for what we enjoy today, and it is our responsibility to hand on to the generations yet to be born, a church building worthy of the 21st century.

An interesting debate was held about what the Community Council would do with the hall should they purchase it. This was the real purpose of the meeting to allow the council to gather a feel of the public opinion The Council will do doubt discuss their findings in due course. The alternative is to place the Hall on the open market, once we have the design of the church extension agreed by the many parties involved. Watch this space!

The Parochial Church Council met recently and was pleased to accept the Quinquenial Report from Mr Richard Dean, of Page and Dean Consulting Ltd. It is a very thorough report on the church fabric with items needing investigation. The council decided to appoint Richard as our Church Architect, which he has pleasure in accepting. The immediate work on

the drainage on the South Side of the church has been delayed as we have decided to include additional drainage on the East Wall which was not included in the Faculty. This will save us money in the long run, with the Archaeological surveys which have to be taken when any work is carried out in the churchyard. The churchyard is looking very pristine due to the work by Mike, the village gardener. He is keeping an eye out for any work that is needed during the months/seasons.

The Treasurer reported that our finances are in a healthy position, and recommended that we create a separate account, within the general account for money’s specifically given for the Building Fund. This would mean that money in the building fund would be “ring fenced” and could only be used for the repair and maintenance of the building fabric. The Christmas Collections from our three churches for the Ty Hafan Children’s hospice came to £1404.26 which is a wonderful result. Thank you to all who donated to this worthy cause. We have also received a donation of £103 from the Wenvoe Craft Workshop Christmas Fair for the Building Fund. Many thanks to Mr and Mrs Tucker. The “200” club had also made a payment of £1800 in December, once again many thanks to all are shareholders, in helping to support the building work necessary to keep on top of repairs and maintenance.

Events coming up in March. Mothering Sunday on March 11th. Special Service on Palm Sunday 25th March. Agape supper in the Church hall March 29th. Good Friday March 30th March and Easter Day on April 1st. All are welcome to these services, keep an eye on the notice boards in the Church Porch.

Blessings to all our readers.

Parry Edwards

 

 

Community Centre Meeting

 

Thursday 8th February – 7.00pm

An Open Meeting is to be held at the Community Centre on 8 February at 7 pm. The meeting will be hosted by St Mary’s Church and Wenvoe Community Council.

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the future of the Church Hall. Some residents may already be aware that St Mary’s is considering building an extension to the church in order to rehouse activities currently undertaken in the Church Hall. The Church has determined that the Hall is no longer suitable for their needs and that maintenance costs make the building unsustainable.

As a consequence the Church are considering selling the Hall. This could either be for redevelopment or possible purchase by the Community Council

The purpose of the meeting is, therefore, to further explain the options and to gauge the views of residents.

We hope that as many residents as possible will be able to attend the meeting. For:those who are unable to be there we would welcome your views if you would care to email the Council at. wenvoecc@googlemail.com

Colin Thomas . Chairman

 

 

Winter Activities

 

Following on from all the activity in church over the celebration of Christmas, the month of January has seen the church settle in to a quieter time as we bring ourselves into the New year of 2018, and the plans we are making for the year ahead. 2017 was a continuing year of progress in the life of the church, and we intend to make 2018 another year we can be pleased, to look back on.

At a recent meeting of the Parochial Church Council (PCC), Vicar Jon gave a summary of his welcoming to the parish of Bishop June, who visited as part of her progress around the diocese, getting to know the different parishes of her diocese. This was very informal and the day ended with the Bishop meeting all the churchwardens of our six churches, where the discussion was how she saw the way forward and equally how the wardens saw their roles in supporting the clergy in making the church more proactive in the years ahead.

The other main item under discussion was the receiving of the Quinquennial Inspection (QI) report. This report is a very thorough statement of work needed to be carried out over the next five years. The PCC resolved to appoint the inspector Richard Dean as our church architect to oversee the works he has highlighted as most urgent. We will shortly see work beginning to remove the concrete channelling on the south side of the nave and chancel, to be replaced with a “French drain” to cure the dampness which is spreading up at the base of the walls. Other immediate work will be on the roof of the tower, dealing with slipping slates, drainage problems and vegetation infestation. This work will amount to some £12,000 pounds which will be met from the Building Fund.

Plans for the annual Christian Aid Appeal are well in hand and will be launched in the parish with a “Big Breakfast” in the community centre on the morning of Saturday 12th May 2018, more details to follow later.. The usual house to house collections will take place during the following week.

Announced at the meeting was the plan to change our present Ministry Area status to that of a Rectorial Benefice. Apparently as a Ministry Area we are not a legal entity recognised by the Church in Wales, so we cannot apply for any loans we might need, however as a Rectorial Benefice we have that legal status restored and parish are now working to adopt that model as in Barry and Penarth, In essence we would carry on much as we do at present, keeping our own church council, our own bank account, and will give us the flexibility to adapt and develop things as we may need to in the future. All PCC’s have to approve these plans once they have been formulated, with the new status coming into effect in early 2019.

As already announced, a Public Meeting hosted by the Wenvoe Community Council and St. Mary’s Church will be held in the Community Centre on February 8th 2018 at 7.pm. to discuss the possibility of the Community Council purchasing the Church Hall. Full details of the reasons why we need to sell the Church Hall…can be found in the January edition of “What’s On”.

Looking ahead in these dark days of Winter. February is the month for birthdays in our house. The next Faith in Film night at the Rectory is on 3rd February at 7.30 pm. Remember the public meeting in the Community Centre on the 8th February at 7 pm.. The Chattery meets in the church Hall at 10.30 am on the 8th February. Do you look forward to the postman dropping a card through your door on the 14th St. Valentines Day. Pancake Day on the 13th followed by Ash Wednesday on the 14th. (The beginning of the season of Lent) then the Quiz in the Community Centre on the 17th at 7.30pm.

The season of Lent is often called the “spring cleaning of the soul in readiness for Easter” there are opportunities hear and take part in discussions on the Lenten theme.. see the notice board in church and also the weekly newsletter and “Connections” parish magazine.

Thank you for taking your time to read about what’s happening and the plans for the month ahead…every one is welcome to St Mary’s at the times of services and also when Jon has his “Open Door” in church.

Parry Edwards

Future Plans for the Church

 

According to our current lectionary the Sunday before Advent is now known as “Christ the King”, but Jon took us back into the old Green Book Service Book and kept the 9.30am Eucharist as “Stir Up Sunday”. The day when according to tradition the Christmas puddings were made. The wording comes from the Collect for that day “ Stir up the wills of thy faithful people; that they bringing forth the fruit of good works may be plenteously rewarded”. The congregation was given a cookery demonstration when all the ingredients were brought to Jon by our “Pebbles “ children and later every member of the congregation had an opportunity to stir the mix as they left the church. Later that week the Rectory must have been full of steam as the mini puddings were steamed and then brought back into church the following Sunday to be distributed to all the families present. This was a reminder that Christians everywhere need to be alert and active in the Season of Advent as we prepare for the coming of the Saviour as a babe in a manger. St Mary’s is stirred and alive in so many ways, from supporting the Food Bank, the Shoe Box appeal, Toy Sunday and the various fund raising event for many charities not forgetting the wonderful response to the Christian Aid House to House appeal in May of this year. Thanks to Jon we have responded so well in supporting local and national requests for funds to help others not as fortunate as we are.

A Public Meeting, hosted by The Wenvoe Community Council and St Mary’s Church will be held in the Community Centre on February 8th 2018 at 7pm. To discuss the possibility of the Community Council purchasing the Church Hall.

Reason for selling the Church Hall

The hall began life as “The Reading Rooms” provided for the villagers by Mrs Laura Jenner in 1894. The site occupies cottages which were burnt down and a hall erected as a free reading room, with desks and tables including a fine bagatelle table and other games. Popular newspapers and magazines are supplied and is well patronised. (Report from the Barry and District News of 28th September 1894).

In recent years the Hall was gifted to St Mary’s Church by the Wenvoe Estate and was in 1982/3 extended for a new kitchen and toilet facility . Again in 2003 the hall was altered with a new entrance and a disabled toilet installed with the help of a £20,000 grant from the Welsh Assembly. It is now is dire need of more money to be spent on redecoration, a new kitchen and to upgrade the toilet facilities. The rentals we receive from the various lettings do not cover the outgoing costs of Insurance, Heat and Light, Cleaning and Maintenance. When the Church Council was presented with these facts the decision was taken to place the Hall on the market, and the money raised from the sale to be applied to an extension on the North side of the church, to replicate the facilities we have enjoyed in the Church Hall.

Reason for extending the Church.

St Mary’s is a fine church listed Grade II* in 1968 being of significant historic and architectural interest. The church over many years has been altered and improved i.e.. the Tower was removed and rebuilt in its present position in 1699. A new roof in the 1880’s, the heating system renewed a number of times, electricity installed in 1935. A gallery built and then removed during the Victorian restoration, the transept and larger vestry built in 1991. A sound system was installed and recently added to. All these alterations were needful for a growing church and the church is still growing today and in many ways is simply not fit for the 21st century.

Our vision for the future is to make St Mary’s continue as the worshipping centre of the community, with facilities such as toilet and kitchen together with a suitable extension to replicate the space we have in the Church Hall. There is no space in order to do special events or to entertain after services, both the usual Sunday Services – but to also to be able to offer facility such as Baptism Tea – all under one roof.. The church is very cluttered at the present time as we do not have space to store decorations, equipment, service books, liturgical items and registers. Our Sunday School “Pebbles” do not meet under the same roof as the rest of the worshipping community on a Sunday. This means a walk to cross the road in all weathers. The concept of a Sunday school is that they are part of a congregation, part of the church, not people who go to a different building. A living church is responsible for all its members from the youngest to the eldest. Hence the need to make our successful and growing Sunday School to be a full part of the congregation where we all gather together to be the Church.

The church has always had to look forward and embrace the new. Very few of us would want to attend the cold, dark, draughty church of the 12th century, if a church does not look forward to the future it will stand still and not have anything to offer future generations. Re-developments of St. Mary’s will help us to embrace the future whilst respecting the past and traditions of the church. It will also help us to use the church building more during the week for other activities and it will provide a new facility and meeting room to the village.

We commend our plans and aspirations to the community at large and we wish all readers a Very happy New Year.

. Parry Edwards

 

 

The Late Dennis Moran

 

The St Mary's 200 Club was started in 2004 by the late Dennis Moran, as a means of raising money to help with building maintenance of the church. For each £1 share bought, 50p goes to the building fund, and 50p is returned as prizes. The Club operates under the regulations of the Lotteries and Amusement Act, and is registered with the Vale of Glamorgan Council.

Dennis Moran worked tirelessly to build up the membership, until his sad death in 2015. His efforts will be remembered and appreciated for a long time. By the end of 2017, the Club will have contributed almost £20,000 to the building fund and helped to maintain our lovely church, thanks to the fantastic generosity of the people of Wenvoe.

The prize draw is carried out each month, generally on the fourth Sunday, in the church hall after the morning service.The "random number indicator machine" which selects the share numbers for prizes was built by John Custance, and the children of the congregation have fun pressing the buttons each month to see who has won. In the last few days, the 300th share has been bought, which would surely have made Dennis very proud. We shall soon have to make a decision on whether to change the name of the club to the "300 Club"!

If anyone would like to join the Club, please contact Dickon Oliver on 02920 679108. Who knows, one day we may have a 400 Club!

 

 

November Events

November is always a time for remembrance, beginning with the Commemoration of All Souls which was held at St. Mary’s on November 5th at 6.00 pm. This coincided with that other celebration of remembrance, the fireworks for the unfortunate Guy Fawkes, and the church felt it was under siege, as the night sky was brilliantly illuminated with the aerial display of rockets and maroons.

The following Sunday the traditional service for REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY was held, beginning at 10.00 am in church. As in previous years the church was full, and with the Scouts and their banners being paraded, it was once again a opportunity to pay our respects and to honour those who lost their lives in the two world wars and other conflicts since the ending of WWII. This year the emphasis was on the Battle of Passchendaele which is described as the bloodiest and muddiest of battles and “Eternal Rain, everlasting mud. Hell on earth” is how it is remembered, by those who were fortunate to have survived and came home to tell the tale. This was a community service with representatives of organisations in the village taking part. The loose money on the collection plates amounted to £211 and will be donated to the work of the Royal British Legion in supporting the Armed Forces Community, including serving men and women, veterans and their families. Following on from the service the congregation headed by the choir assembled at the War Memorial in good time for the two minute silence and laying of the wreaths on behalf of the church, the Community Council, the Tuesday group, The Scouts and Wenvoe School. The Roll of Honour was read by the Chairman of the Wenvoe Community Council and The Vale of Glamorgan Brass band was in attendance. As on previous years the loud speakers provided by the Community Council was a great help with the proceedings. A big thank you to all who ensured with the smooth running of the arrangements in church and at the War Memorial, not forgetting the tea and coffee that was available in the Church Hall following the services.

The Christmas Chattery – Held in the Church Hall on Thursday November 9th attracted a good crowd of people all enjoying the opportunity to meet up for a “catch up” on things, which all meant that the financial result was a whopping £301.35 for the church building fund. Photographs of the proceedings will be published in the December issue of “Connections” the joint parish magazine, available in church on the first Sunday of December. Congratulations to the Social Committee for a great result.

The Parish Songs of Praise featuring the top six hymns as voted by congregations of the Ministry Area took place in St John the Baptist church in Sully on Sunday October 29th and the top six hymns were…..Love Divine, How Great thou Art, Cwm Phondda, Dear Lord and Saviour of Mankind, I the Lord of Sea and Sky, Eternal Father Strong to save which shared sixth place with Thine be the Glory.

Christmas Cards giving all the details of the Christmas Services will delivered to all homes in the early weeks of December. A reminder that the Community Carol Service will be at 7.00pm on Wednesday the 13th December in St. Mary’s Church followed by mulled wine and mince pies in the Community Centre.

Christmas Greetings and Blessings to all readers

Parry Edwards

 

 

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