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