Category: St Mary’s Parish Church News

October Report

OCTOBER REPORT

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

Dear Friends of St Lythans Church,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Upcoming Services and Events

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

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

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

Christmas Eve:

Wenvoe at 5.00pm – All Ages Christmas Service

Wenvoe at 11.00pm – Christmas Eve Eucharist

Christmas Day:

St Lythans at 9:30am – Christmas Day Eucharist

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

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

The Result of the Wenvoe Gift Appeal

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

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

“We will not forget them”

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

Thank you for reading the church news.

Parry Edwards

 

September Report

SEPTEMBER REPORT

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Parry Edwards

August Report

AUGUST REPORT

 

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

Here is the Treasurer’s Letter of Appeal.

 

Dear Friends,

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

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

 

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

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

 

Text STMARY to 70970 to give £5

Text STMARY to 70191 to give £10

Web easydonate.org/

 

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

 

Matronal Festival of Mary the Mother of God

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

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

Thank you for reading this,

Parry Edwards

July Report

JULY REPORT

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

God Bless Parry

 

June Report

JUNE REPORT

 

At the recent Church Council (JCC) the Treasurer pointed out the current state of the church’s finances which is giving cause for some alarm. Expenses have increased for us in our homes and lives, and the church is no exception to inflationary hikes in utility bills.

One possible reason for this is that many of the congregation’s offerings have been converted into the Church in Wales Gift Direct scheme, which we have written about in previous newsletters. This results in no offering being made on the collection plate when it goes around, and it can give the impression to any visiting or casual member of the congregation that the collection plate can be passed by without any contribution made. It was the practice by the C in W Office to issue Stewardship Cards when the individual’s amount per month was set up, but because in so many churches now a collection is not made, the cards have not been made available. However we have arranged for a supply to be available in church, which can be taken to place on the collection plate to show to others that they are supporting the church in its mission to the world. It is the money given on the collection plate that helps to fund the contribution we have to make towards the Fair Share to the expenses of financing the Diocese. This fair share is under consideration for a change to what will be called the Common Fund and we being a ‘wealthy’ church will no doubt see an increase. So please, it is up to all who have an allegiance to St. Mary’s to review the amount we are now offering.

It is not easy to ask our people for extra cash week by week, but we have to face the fact that your church needs funding if we are to keep the building fit for purpose, in good repair, warm and welcoming. A Gift Day is planned to coincide with our Harvest Celebration in September.

On a lighter note, resulting from the council meeting we are opening the church on Saturday afternoons 2.00pm-4.00pm in July and August. A list has been provided for volunteers to offer their time during those hours, with others to show our lovely church. As a result of the Oxford Movement in the late 19th century we have a unique interior in this part of the diocese. Do please join us and encourage your friends and visitors to make a visit when we are open.

Bishop Mary’s report extracted from Llandaff Matters.

I had the privilege to spend last week in Richmond, Virginia at the first part of a training course for new Bishops called “Living our Vows”. I was with recently elected bishops from a range of churches including America, Mexico, Canada, and the UK. We spent the week praying, learning, and sharing together supported by some senior bishops, and by lay Christians with helpful experience in leadership, people-skills, and communications. The whole training focused upon the promises that bishops make at ordination, and there were frequent references made to the promises that all Christians make at our Baptism. At its heart the learning was all about how together we seek to realise our call to be Christ’s body here on earth, and about faithful leadership.

I was struck by the dedication, openness, and sense of mutual support that came from a group who were dedicated to mutual ongoing learning. I also received a

great welcome and much kindness, including from one of the bishops who kept supplying me with tea bags that she had brought from home to help me feel welcome!

The training was bilingual supporting the ministries of both English and Spanish-speaking bishops. The two-language dimension was helpful, mirroring for me something of our own bilingual culture. Working in more than one language is a great reminder of the gift of diversity. It also enables conversations, to be at a slightly slower pace, which can help everyone to be a little more reflective and perhaps to listen with greater care.

I will continue to meet with the same group of bishops over the next three years. Many of our meetings will be online, but it was great to have the opportunity to meet face-to-face last week.

The whole experience was a wonderful reminder of our connection with Christians across the world. I have come back encouraged in prayer and learning, and with a renewed sense of gratitude for the many gifts God has given to the Church in every place.

God who calls, thank you for the gifts of faith: For friends who pray for us, and with us, and who encourage us. Thank you for those who show us the variety of your gifts, those who speak to us in ways that are unfamiliar and new, as well as those who are easy for us to understand. Help us to be faithful to our calling, to keep on learning about your love and grace. Help us to support and encourage others so that your church may grow in love and service after the pattern of Jesus our guide. Amen

News from the Diocese is published online in Llandaff Matters every Tuesday afternoon. Please contact the Communications Team if you would like something included in a future edition: Nicola Bennet and Mary Mann (nicolabennett@cinw.org.uk and marymann@ cinw.org.uk).

Congratulations to Jude Billingham and her team for all their hard work with the Christian Aid Appeal and to those who gave so generously. (See page 4)

At the picnic by the Friends of St. Bleddian’s on Sunday June 9th, the breezy conditions brought families together in church for a short account of the church’s features which portray the changes made through the centuries. Lots of lovely cake and an excellent raffle brought the proceedings to a close. Well done and may we have more in the future.

Parry

 

May Report

MAY REPORT

The major event in the calendar this month has been the feast of PENTECOST celebrated May 19th. This event is more commonly known as the birthday of the church, as it was the coming of the Holy Spirit on the disciples in the form of a rushing violent wind and of flames of fire that rested on each of them and they were filled with the Holy spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit gave them utterance. You can read all about it in the Book of Acts chapter 2 verses 1-21. It is the custom of the church for the priests to wear red vestments to compliment the red at the altar and this year the flowers were matched to represent the flaming tongues of fire. Pentecost brings the season of Easter to a close and we now embark on the season of Trinity where the liturgical colour is Green, to represent the growth of the church in the Biblical days and also the growth of the church in our own day and age.

During the month we marked the Feast day of Rogation in a way we have not marked before, with a section of the morning service outdoors to ask for God’s blessing on the stream in Venwood Close, the land and the fields on the village green, the care of the earth, whilst thinking of climate change and the way we tend to abuse our surroundings with litter and how we are polluting the seas and rivers.

The Chattery continues to be very popular, with much chat and friendly conversation. We meet in the Church Hall on the second Thursday morning at 10.30, for coffee/tea and posh biscuits and a FREE raffle for a very modest contribution to the church funds.

The CHRISTIAN AID APPEAL

This was a very busy week for Jude Billingham and her team of helpers, as they organised themselves in delivering appeal envelopes to homes in Wenvoe. The school had a special assembly and a no uniform day, and all culminated in a Cake, Cake and more Cake coffee morning in the church Hall on Saturday 18th May. The flags and the bunting for Christian Aid in the church grounds and church hall made sure that the event was well advertised and was consequently well supported. The total raised for the appeal will not be known for some time, awaiting the collection and verifying of the moneys donated. A big THANK YOU to Jude and her team, and also to those who donated the lovely delicious cakes and to those who made the coffee/tea and cleaned up afterwards. To those who supported the various events and purchased the cakes, every year there is always a good response in Wenvoe to this appeal, Thank you again Da Iawn .

The Friends of St Bleddian’s church at St. Lythan’s are holding an afternoon bring your own picnic on Sunday 9th June and all are welcome. The community are really coming together to ensure that this most historic church, considered to be one of the oldest in the diocese, dating from around the 6th century has a future in the 21st century. The worshipping community remains small but the interest shewn by the wider community of Dyffryn,

St Lythan’s or LLwynelidon (as the road sign says) together with Twyn yr Odyn does mean that this little church is not forgotten and really needs to be kept at the heart of events in this little and remote settlement. So thank you for all that the organisers are doing to promote an interest in seeing that the building will be maintained so that it is fit for the next century. At the end of June on the 5th Sunday of the month the three churches in our little group will be celebrating the Eucharist at 10.00am. Look forward to seeing you there. The latest edition of the Ministry Area Magazine “CONNECTIONS” is now available, please collect your copy from the church porch. Copies of the recent diocesan magazine “CROESO” featuring Vicar Lyndon on the front cover are also available in the porch Let us hope the wet Spring is now behind us and Summer will make her presence known with lovely sunny warm weather. If you have holidays planned, have a safe journey and return refreshed, If you cannot get to church, join us online www.ipcamlive.com/stmarywenvoe

Every Blessing                     

                   Parry

 

Christian Aid Week in Wenvoe – 12-18 May 2024

Christian Aid Week

 

Sometimes the simplest things can make a world of difference: every year, people in Wales and all around the UK come up with all kinds of fundraising activities to support Christian Aid. The appeal gives us seven days to make a difference to people in the most vul-nerable countries around the world.

Our global neighbours are also amazing at transform-ing their lives. This is Aline’s story. Aline Nibogora is 35 and lives in Burundi. She was married young and when she was 14, she gave birth to the first of her six children. Her husband was violent and beat her regularly – one day it got so bad, she fled.

“He would often jeer that he would kill me and bury me without anyone knowing,” Aline said.

Forced to leave her children behind, Aline wandered the streets trying to stay close by, asking anyone for a place to sleep.

“Those who showed me kindness would let me stay for two or three days, but it was difficult,” she ex-plained. “People would insult me and treat me with contempt. They forgot I was a human being. It filled me with sorrow.”

In a patriarchal society where men dominate in al-most every aspect, life is particularly challenging for women. They’ve been conditioned to be dependent on and dominated by men. But Aline found the strength and determination to push back against the injustices she was facing. Every gift, every action helps transforms lives; sometimes the simplest things can make a world of difference. Aline went to a three-day community workshop where Christian Aid-funded trainers taught people about village savings and loans associations.

“I came out of it with amazing knowledge and skills. During the training, I stayed focussed and was deter-mined to not miss out on anything at all. I really liked the teachers’ methodology; they restored in me a sense of hope and energy to take on initiatives. From then on, I started working hard, so I would not be dependent on anyone.”

With a small start-up loan, Aline began trading avo-cados and peanuts locally; then used her profits to buy a bicycle to transport greater quantities of goods to markets further afield. She is now a grocery whole-saler; she’s been reunited with three of her sons and lives on her own plot of land in a village in Kayogo-ro, in Makamba Province. She is planning to expand the business and is building a home for her family – she hopes she’ll one day have all her children with her.

“I bought some solar panels,” Aline added. “We now have electricity and the children are able to see to do their homework in the evenings. It’s true there’s a shortage of food at the moment, so there’s no lack of problems, but I’m doing what I can to get by, before we are able to harvest. I enjoy spending time with my children, who are my favourite people in the world”.

Aline is also now the chairperson of her own village savings and loan association and has helped 25 other families. She finds it important to be able to give

back and train others for the further development of the community as well as her country. Aline says the support of Christian Aid has made the whole commu-nity feel comforted and empowered. They feel they are not alone in their initiatives. Without your support we could not go further,

“You empowered us by changing our living condi-tions. Before, we couldn’t see opportunities around us. Now we can see positive and significant changes in our lives”.

This Christian Aid Week in Wenvoe

This year in Wenvoe we are busy planning money raising activities to continue to support the work of Christian Aid. We invite you to take part and to en-joy the week with us.

Our activities include:

  • Distributing ‘Delivery Only envelopes’ throughout the village giving details of how you can contribute to the appeal
  • On Wednesday 15th Assembly at Gwenfo school
  • On Wednesday 15th a ‘Clothes Swap’ (girls and women only) from 7pm at Alison’s home at 52 Wal-ston Road, where you can take pre loved items of clothing to donate or swap with others. No charge, but donations welcomed! Fizz and nibbles included!
  • On Friday 17th Big Brekkie and non-uniform Day at Gwenfo school
  • On Saturday 18th ‘Cake, Cake and More Cake’: in the Church Hall, Port Road from 10 – 12 30. No charge for refreshments, but donations welcomed, and, there will be a cake stall for take aways from one slice to whole cakes!

 

We look forward to seeing you during the week.

Jude Billingham:

 

Christian Aid Week in Wenvoe – 12-18 May 2024.

 

April Report

APRIL REPORT

 

A church for the future

Surprisingly few Christians include their church in their wills. This means that many committed Christians miss a tremendous opportunity to make a real impact on God’s work on earth. St. Mary’s has good reason to be thankful to the generations who have gone before. Through their good Christian stewardship and generous legacies they have provided for the mission and ministry of the Church over many centuries, the fruits of which we continue to enjoy today.

Imagine a situation where your gift could make a real and lasting difference to the work of the church. To extend a church to provide a meeting place for new church groups, to be a place where community groups could meet or perhaps to repair a church building, so that it can continue to be a place of worship and witness for centuries to come. Whether you give £200, £2000 or £20,000, your gift counts.

Interestingly, reliable research shows that people who make a will live longer than those who die intestate and further, that people who leave a gift to charity live an extra two years longer. Perhaps the act of giving provides a liberating and rewarding experience that makes such individuals happier and healthier. As Jesus said “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Luke.6.38)

A church for the present

The congregation has recently been asked to consider switching their monthly contribution away from direct debit (DB) to that of The Church in Wales “Gift Direct” (GD) means of giving. There are advantages in this, as it greatly reduces the workload on the treasurer in the reclaiming of Income Tax when the gift is Gift Aided. With “GD” the tax element is refunded within days of the money being released from your bank account into the church account. We are grateful for any gift given towards the running of the church, and we thank all who support us in maintaining the work and mission of God’s church here in Wenvoe and St. Lythan’s.

We are now well into the season of Lent and when you read this we shall be celebrating the Festival of Easter. This year we have continued with our appeal for donations in memory of loved ones to provide lilies to decorate the church, and we invite you all to visit the church on Holy Saturday afternoon from 2.00 – 4.00 pm to view our beautiful church made even more splendid with flowers in memory of those who have gone before us. Do please come. A warm welcome awaits you.

The Barry Food Bank has been through a critical time with increased demand for their help whilst at the same time contributions of food etc has dropped, leaving them with a short fall. An appeal for cash donations has been well responded to, which

 

 

 

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