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