Category: St Mary’s Parish Church News

 

CHRISTIAN AID

What a great time we had this Christian Aid Week 2023.
The final total of £3048.46 (including Gift Aid) was a magnificent achievement and the best that has been achieved by Wenvoe so far!!!!. Everyone involved was enthusiastic and spread the information throughout the village, so that people knew what was happening and what the red flags around the church and balloons on the Church Hall represented.
The activities started with three intrepid walkers counting their steps throughout the month and gaining sponsorship for their efforts. Steve managed 411,272 Judith 331,416 and Cath 364,455 steps!
We explored the origins and current work of Christian Aid at a morning service prior to Christian Aid Week, including, the current situation in Malawi where new farming methods and the new crop of Pigeon peas have been introduced. Here villagers developed their skills, and working together within communities gained ownership of their achievements. This story was shared with Gwenfo School in their assembly. Here the children eagerly joined in volunteering to act out the strength of the Pigeon pea crops, and tasting a curry made with the peas.
Throughout the week volunteers delivered all houses with donation envelopes (delivery only). This gave information about Christian Aid, the current appeal, places where they could take donations, and an invitation to our “Cakes, Cakes, and, more Cakes”.
Our “Cakes, Cake, and more Cakes” event of complimentary Cakes and Coffee proved local people really like cake! They gave generous donations and also bought more cakes from our Take Away Cake stall. There was also an opportunity to taste Pigeon peas in a Dhal.
A Church collection was taken in St. John’s Church in Sully which added to the money raised.

The week concluded with the visit of Rev. Andrew Sully who is the Interim Head for Christian Aid Cymru. He told us of a recent cyclone in Malawi since we had started our appeal. However he joined with us in ‘Hope’ for what we can achieve together when we work in partnership.
Our thanks go to all of you who gave most generously and all who helped, in whatever part you played.
Jude Billingham

 

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ST. MARY’S CHURCH NEWS

 

The Penrhys Pilrimage was for those who took part a very humbling and rewarding experience. Over three days the pilgrims set out from Llandaff Cathedral and walked the Pilgrimage Way in searing heat with some of the hottest temperatures we have seen so far this year. The final stretch of the way was on the last day with steep climbs, when finally reaching the site of the shrine to The Blessed Virgin Mary, they were greeted by others who had made their way to the hill top in Rhondda Cynon Taff. After visiting the Holy Well a short form of the Eucharist was celebrated and the pilgrims duly returned to their homes, tired but blessed by the experience of the fellowship enjoyed with each other. Thank you David and Helen and Lyndon and Chris for organising the arrangements. Well done.
Lyndon and Chris have been on holiday during the month, when they returned to Canada for family reunions and many catch ups with their children and others. We look forward to seeing them refreshed and full of “ where do we go from here”. In Lyndon’s absence Services have been held by our long time friend John Oeppen who also celebrated his birthday in church on “Father’s Day” being given a lighted candle and we all sang Happy Birthday.
WENVOE OPEN GARDENS
On a sultry Saturday afternoon, 12 gardens were opened for visiting in aid of the Church Building fund from 12.00 noon to 5 .00 pm. All the gardens were different, some large some small and others in between. The one thing they all had in common was how the gardens are an extension of how we live our lives and that the garden is an extension of the home itself. There was a tremendous response and many of the gardens were visited by 80 or more during the opening time and many made use of the refreshments provided in the church grounds. Following many weeks of hot dry weather most gardens welcomed the rain in the early hours of the day, and there were many fevered checks on the weather forecasts, but the day was humid and hot but at least we did not suffer any health problems by our most welcome visitors.
The problem most gardeners have in their gardens is the presence of weeds, and how to keep them in check. We are told that a weed is simply a plant growing in the wrong place and are good for the natural world, and it so happened the next day, that we sang a hymn that contained the following words. “ but oh what tares (weeds) the evil one hath in his garden sown” which made me think that the morning rain had caused the many weeds to grow during the day. Oh well a gardener’s lot is not a happy one.
The financial result stands at a whopping £1000.00 including the amount raised by the surplus cake sales in the church porch after the morning service. A splendid result and thanks go to all who opened their gardens, made the cakes, sold the cakes and made the Tea/Coffee in the church grounds, but above all a big THANK YOU to all our visitors who
bought the tickets, gave donations for the refreshments and the sale of greeting cards, without you there would be no report to share in the success of the day. So thank you Glenys and Mike for all your work in pulling all the arrangements together and we look forward to 2025 for the next OPEN GARDENS.
During the month we were saddened to hear of the passing of two residents who had in different ways helped the church in the recent past. Trevor Case who had lived in Walston Road and worked with the Environment Group and church grounds, and Mike Flynn of Springfield Close who audited the church accounts for a number of years. We hold their families in our prayers at their loss. Well done thou good and faithful servants.
Thank you for reading the church news, We may be a small church but we have a large heart for all in the community. Contact Lyndon on Tel 029 2280 6018 (confidential phone) in times of need or fjust advice or even just to say hello.
See you in church, its FREE and you will get a good welcome

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FEBRUARY REPORT

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Dear Readers, Welcome to this month’s report on the GOOD NEWS to be given to the faithful worshippers in St. Mary’s every Sunday at 9.30am.

By the time you are reading this page, we will have been in the solemn season of Lent since Ash Wednesday on the 22nd February when the traditional ceremony of “ashing” was carried out during the Holy Eucharist service at 10.00am. Perhaps an explanation will help those who are not regular churchgoers. ASH WEDNESDAY is called because on that day Christians in church will be marked with a cross on their foreheads with ash, derived from the burning of last year’s palm crosses, with the words “Dust thou art and unto dust will you return”. It is a reminder of our origin and our mortality, and is a sign of penance for the starting of our Lenten observance. Church teaching during Lent was for us to give something up, that has changed now to doing something extra, to help your neighbour with a task if they are unable to do it themselves. To greet a perfect stranger with a smile. To go out of your way when you come across a need that needs to be addressed. The first Wednesday in Lent is also St David’s Day, Dydd Gwyl Dewi Sant and David is remembered for his teaching to his followers “TO DO THE LITTLE THINGS AS YOU HAVE SEEN ME DO” that still holds good today, and echoes the message of Lent to do something extra. Following the service, there will be an opportunity for some hospitality in the Church Hall with coffee/tea and Welsh cakes. During Lent there will be a service in church each Wednesday morning at 10.00 am and all are welcome to join the faithful who will appreciate the additional service in mid week, which is normally a more quieter service than that on a Sunday morning.

The other piece of GOOD NEWS is the publication of the latest edition of “CONNECTIONS” our quarterly Ministry Area Magazine, which is full of the activities in the nine churches since Advent of last year, together with all the arrangements for observing the period of Lent, to Holy Week and the major church festival of Easter itself. Copies are available in all our churches, and are FREE but donations towards the cost of printing are always welcome, and a copy is always placed in the library at the Hub in Wenvoe, where you can read it, but why not have a copy at home to keep all the events at your fingertips. We also provide a digital copy if that is more convenient or you can forward it to a friend who has a former connection with Wenvoe.

Last month we reported how the church was facing up to the increased cost of maintaining the church as a warm comforting place during these Winter months. We are not alone with this, as many other churches are facing the same additional costs, just as we are in our own homes. That message is worth repeating again this month..

We all know only too well how our household bills have risen as a result of the war in Ukraine and the cutting off of the supplies of gas from Russia has

increased the cost of heating our homes. The church is not immune from this and the rising cost of other bills to keep the church functioning is a real worry for church officers trying to balance the books at the year end. The church survives solely on the income that comes from the offerings on the collection plate, the scheme of Giving Direct via our bank accounts, donations, fund raising and our precious reserves. Our largest outlay is the monthly payment to the PARISH SHARE to the Diocese, to cover the salary of the incumbent and other expenses in the financing of the diocesan policies, so the question we need to ask ourselves is this….When did you last review your weekly giving to the work of the church? Since COVID and the lockdowns we are seeing fewer people at our worship, yet the bills keep rising for a church that is in every sense a church for the community at large. The church door is open to all, at most times and Vicar Lyndon welcomes enquiries about donations, large or small, to help today’s generation to hand the building on to the future generations yet to be born. As a Church we have good reason to be thankful to the many generations who have gone before us. 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. So another question we can ask ourselves is Have I made provision in my will to help foster the work of the church after my days. Congregations in every church are commended to remember their spiritual home to help the work of mission and ministry by leaving a legacy which can make a vital difference in maintaining a church that can be used by the whole community when the needs arise. Thank you for reading this and if you are able to donate a gift, however small, it will be gratefully received.

Mothering Sunday on March 19th. There will be an opportunity to join with our Ministry Area of De Morgannwg to attend the service of Choral Evensong at the Cathedral. This is very appropriate to be at the mother church of the diocese on this day, and expressions of interest will be sought with a view to providing transport to and from our churches nearer the time. The morning services will be at the usual time and maybe there will be flowers to give Mums and others to mark the specialness of the day.

Thank you for reading the church news. We launched the CHRISTIAN AID appeal for the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria, donations can still be made via our secure letter boxes at the Church Hall and Church Porch. There is always a welcome to join our services. The church door is not a barrier but a threshold to joining a warm loving community ready to greet you.

Every Blessing and Peace

Parry Edward

 

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JANUARY REPORT

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Welcome to this month’s report on the activities and events that have taken place in our churches during January. The first Sunday of the year just happened to be New Year’s Day, and the congregation in St. Mary’s were offered a musical treat following the service when Rob Lloyd our organist played J.S. Bach’s “New Year Chorale”. What an uplifting piece of music, composed to celebrate the arrival of a new year. To watch Rob’s hands, co-ordinating with his feet on the pedal board, was simply amazing and the resulting sounds were wonderful to hear and appreciate, resulting in a round of applause from all present.

The Feast of the Epiphany was kept to commemorate the visit of the three Magi, or Wise Men, to present their gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh to the infant Jesus. The crib will remain until the feast of Candlemas, which brings the Christmas season to an end for this year.

The Season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday February 22nd, with a Eucharist and Imposition of Ashes at 10.00am at St. Mary’s and also at St. John the Baptist in Sully at 7.00pm. It is during this service that the congregation are marked with a cross on their forehead with the words “from dust you came and to dust you will return”. It is a reminder that we are mortal and that our lives will end at a time chosen by Almighty God. During Lent we shall be discussing the words written in the Catechism, as a reminder to us all of our preparation for Confirmation, and the promises made so many years ago. Lyndon’s sermons will echo this theme and there will be an opportunity to discuss points raised after the service, should any of the congregation wish to stay behind. Lent can be used in many ways as not only an opportunity to give something up, but also take on aspects of our faith which we may not have given much thought to since the heady days of our own confirmation by the Bishop.

An evening informal Eucharist and discussion group will be meeting in Sully on Wednesdays at 7.00pm. Look out for details in the church newsletter.

On Mothering Sunday on March 19th there will be an opportunity to join with our Ministry Area of De Morgannwg to attend the service of Choral Evensong at the Cathedral. This is very appropriate to be at the mother church of the diocese on this day. Expressions of interest will be sought with a view to providing transport to and from our churches nearer the time. The morning services will be at the usual time and maybe there will be flowers, to give Mums and others, to mark the specialness of the day.

We all know only too well how our household bills have risen as a result of the war in Ukraine and the cutting off of the supplies of gas from Russia has increased the cost of heating our homes. The church is not immune from this and the rising cost of other bills to keep the church functioning is a real worry for church officers, trying to balance the books at the year end. The church survives solely on the income that comes from the offerings on the collection plate, the scheme of Giving Direct via our bank accounts, donations, fund raising and our precious reserves. Our largest outlay is the monthly payment to the PARISH SHARE to the Diocese, to cover the salary of the incumbent and other expenses in the financing of the diocesan policies. So the question we need to ask ourselves is this….When did you last review your weekly giving to the work of the church? Since COVID and the lockdowns we are seeing fewer people at our worship, yet the bills keep rising for a church that is in every sense a church for the community at large. The church door is open to all, at most times and Vicar Lyndon welcomes enquiries about donations, large or small, to help today’s generation to hand the building on to the future generations yet to be born. As a Church we have good reason to be thankful to the many generations who have gone before us. 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. So another question we can ask ourselves is Have I made provision in my will to help foster the work of the church after my days? Congregations in every church are commended to remember their spiritual home to help the work of mission and ministry by leaving a Legacy which can make a vital difference in maintaining a church that can be used by the whole community when the needs arise.

Looking ahead, the arrangements for Holy Week and Easter will be announced in next month’s What’s On. Following that we will have the celebrations for King Charles III’s coronation. In June we hope to run the OPEN GARDENS in WENVOE scheme which was so successful a few years ago prior to COVID. This will be a good fund raiser for church funds organised by Glenys and Mike Tucker.

Thank you as usual for reading the church news. There is always a welcome to join our services. The church door is not a barrier, it is the means of joining a warm loving community ready to greet you.

With every Blessing

Parry Edwards

 

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2022 REVIEW

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On behalf of Vicar Lyndon and the Wardens Carol and Sandra and the congregation we wish all readers of “What’s On” a very Happy New Year.

Looking back into 2022 we knew that the year was going to be a difficult one. The advertisement for a new priest was in the press and on-line and we were trying to build up the congregation after the lockdowns in the COVID pandemic. The good news is that we survived. We welcomed Vicar Lyndon and his wife Chris into our community and we continue to spread the Good News, bringing the love of Jesus to all in the Ministry Area of De Morgannwg.

There have been a number of changes within the church. We were formed into a Ministry Area, called De Morgannwg, which brought nine churches together; how this will work is still being worked out. Bishop June has retired and the Electoral College will shortly be meeting to elect her successor. They have a new Dean at Llandaff Cathedral, our old Area Deanery of Penarth and Barry has been combined with that of the East Vale Group of churches, and we will now be in the Archdeaconry of Margam with a new Archdeacon to work alongside. So 2023 is full of possibilities for growth in fellowship and growth in each congregation getting to know each for the better. Where there is a fifth Sunday in the month, St.Mary’s, St Bleddians and St. John’s will hold a combined Eucharist service at 10.00 am and the first of these will be hosted by St. John’s in Sully on January 29th.

The Season of Advent has been well attended, with the lighting of the Advent Candles, Sunday by Sunday to mark the progression towards Christmas. The Toy Sunday brought a huge range of toys for donation to the Barry Food Bank, together with lots of Christmas Goodies alongside the gifts of more basic items requested by the Food Bank as they try to relieve the many difficulties families are facing during this winter.

The Advent Light up Your windows has been another great success for the variety of themes chosen to bring light into our streets during these dark cold nights. Congratulations to the organisers and thanks go to those who have created some amazing displays, especially the Wenvoe Primary School for their illuminated gazebo and star plus the School Choir singing in the cold frosty air. The last “window” on Christmas Eve in the churchyard was followed by a short service in a warm church with yet more carols and readings enjoyed by children, their mums and dads and grandparents alike.

Our Christmas programme of Carol Services began on Sunday afternoon the 11th December at St. Bleddian’s church which despite the cold freezing weather, was a warm friendly event, so appreciated by those who came and the mulled wine and mince pies were very welcome following the service. The Community Carol Service at St. Mary’s on

Wednesday evening 14th December in candlelight and lower levels of our LED lighting system, brought the representatives of organisations in the village together for the Nine Lessons and Carols followed by mulled wine and mince pies courtesy of the Wenvoe Community Council. A collection was taken during the service for Ty Hafan, the children’s hospice at Sully which came to £425.25, a wonderful response for a very worthy cause. The First Eucharist of Christmas was celebrated at St. Mary’s at 7.00 pm with Vicar Lyndon presiding, and was well attended in candlelight and using one of the settings on our LED lighting system.

During December there has been a renewed interest in the Ancient Yew tree in the churchyard. It really is ancient in the number of years it has been growing and leaning towards the side of the road. Whilst it is difficult to assess the age by the normal methods used to age trees, the tree is thought to be in the range of 700-800 years old and, among the many treasures we have, this is our only living treasure, and could well pre-date the building of the first stone church. The first mention we have of the tree, is of a survey carried out in 1833 when it is recorded that it was leaning towards the road but surrounded by a low stone wall. It is a healthy tree bearing its red berries year by year and well deserves the respect which countless generations over the years have given it.

Looking ahead into 2023, the main event will be the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on the 6th May and St. Mary’s will play its part in the village celebrations on that Bank Holiday weekend. No plans being made at the moment, but watch this space.

The Chattery will be meeting on January 12th at 10.30 am in the Church Hall with coffee/tea, posh biscuits and a FREE raffle. A warm place to enjoy each other’s company and catch up on news for a modest £2.00. All welcome.

Looking back at our Remembrance Sunday service, the collection taken in church came to £353.57 which was donated to the work of the Royal British Legion for the relief of suffering for our armed services as a result of war injuries.

With every good wish for the year ahead from everyone at St. Mary’s

Parry Edwards

 

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November2022 News Update

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November is often said to be a solemn month. It is certainly a month we remember those who have died in the two world wars, as well as our loved ones who we see no more. So, yes, in so many ways, it is a solemn month, and this has been reflected in our services in church during the month.

Our service of Calm and Reflection on the evening of all Souls Day was a very emotional one for those who had lost a family member during the COVID pandemic, as well as other reasons. The church was in semi-darkness, using the varied settings of our new lighting system. Candles were lit in memory of those whose names had been submitted. These were duly called out. Readings, prayers and singing, accompanied by the skilful playing of our organist, provided a balm for any troubled soul.

Then came Bonfire Night, a noisy celebration of an event long remembered in our nation’s history with the old mantra “Remember, Remember the Fifth of November, Gunpowder Treason and Plot” as told on the front cover of last month’s edition of “What’s On”. This is not an event the church remembers, but during the 17th century the day was marked as a “Deliverance of The King’s Majesty from his enemies” in churches throughout the land.

Armistice Day on the 11th of the month, was marked at 11 o’clock with a short service at the War Memorial, with the top classes from Wenvoe School in attendance. The men from Wenvoe who served in WWI and did not return, were remembered by the names read from the carved inscription on the towering stone taken from the Alps Quarry over 100 years ago.

Remembrance Sunday, in line with similar ceremonies throughout the country, was marked with a service in church, after a break of three years due to COVID. The church was very full, and together with a large contingent of Scouts and Beavers, tributes were offered to all the members of the armed services who fell in battle during WWI and WWII. Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth was also in our thoughts for her sense of duty as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces for over 70 years, together with the thousands of civilian casualties who are so often overlooked in this national commemoration. A collection was taken to further the work of the Royal British Legion as they continue to look after the survivors of all the wars that have taken place over the years since.

Following the church service, the congregation led by the Choir and Scouts assembled at the Village War Memorial for the formal Act of Remembrance, the Silence and the Laying of Wreaths. Many more people were there and together the solemn nature echoed the ceremony which was taking place at Whitehall at the Cenotaph in the presence of King Charles and other members of the Royal Family. Refreshments served in the Church Hall after the dismissal were very welcome thanks to the ladies of the Social Committee.

At the end of the month a session of Messy Church was held in the Church Hall. It was good to see families getting together with craft work and activities based on the season of Advent; and yes, if they did get their hands dirty, it was all good fun. Vicar Lyndon held a short service in church and then they all had a tea party in the church hall. A good turn out and very happy faces as they returned home.

The November Chattery was noisy being full of chat, mince pies and mini stollen on offer plus of course the FREE raffle with excellent prizes. This monthly gathering is open to all for the low cost of £2.00 with plenty of coffee/tea refills if needed. The next date will be on the 8th December at 10.30am.

The Community Carol Service will be on December 14th at 7.00pm, when members of our local organisation have been invited to take part. The service will be following the Nine Lessons and Carols made popular by the TV broadcasts from Kings College in Cambridge. A collection will be taken to support the work of Ty Hafan hospice for children at Sully. Refreshments will be available afterwards in the Church Hall. The St. Lythan’s Carol Service will be on December 11th at 3.00pm.

The Advent Windows is set to go live on December 1st and windows will be lit up to bring light into the darkness at this time of the year. We are surrounded by much doom and gloom in the country as well as here in Wenvoe. There is much talk in the press and on TV that this year due to the high cost of energy, many will not be able to afford the running costs, and this includes the civic displays in many towns and cities. So, here we are showing to all that we will be seeing all manner of displays and ideas, that bring joy and happiness through the medium of light. So well done everyone for joining in and thanks to Jude Billingham for organising. The last “Window” will be at St. Mary’s Church at 5.00pm on Christmas Eve followed by an All Age Service in the church, which will be warm and full of light. See you there in great numbers. A collection will be taken for Ty Hafan, the children’s hospice in Sully.

As you will read elsewhere in What’s On, our Christmas Services are taking a different pattern to that of previous years. The midnight celebration of the Eucharist has been brought forward to 7.00pm so that the more elderly among us, can attend together with those who have felt in past years that the later timing is not for them. Please support us at this earlier time to hear and sing the True Story of the Saviour’s Birth at Bethlehem some 2,000 years ago. Unlike the baby Jesus whose parents Mary and Joseph could find no room at the Inn, there will be room for you in St. Mary’s. On Christmas Day the only service will be at St. Lythan’s Church at 9.30am with a celebration of the Eucharist with carols.

All that remains is to wish you all a Happy and Blessed Christmas.

Parry Edwards

 

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