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