Easter Celebration

 

What a joy it was to hear the church bells ring out on Easter morning announcing that the Lord has risen, and that it was time to celebrate this most wonderful event in the Christian Church worldwide. During the season of Lent the bells had been silent, in keeping with the church being stripped of all the decorations and shiny brass ornaments within the church. In Lent our services are much plainer, with only the Lenten Hymns being sung and the Eucharist service for the most part being said. Jon said that he is almost a Puritan during Lent, happy when the church is bare, but knowing that when the great day of Easter dawns, St. Mary’s will be ablaze with the Pascal Candle lit, the flowers decorating the church, the glorious Easter music, the uplifting Gospel readings and of course not forgetting the mini Easter Fair Trade Easter Eggs given to the congregation as they left church. A special thank you to all who came to decorate the church, to those who clean the church week by week, and to Jon who prepares the service leaflets.

The Easter Vestry met prior to Easter Day, when the Parish report was presented to the parishioners who remained after the 9.30 am morning service. The churchwardens remain in office for another year and the members of the P.C.C. were duly elected, with some new faces to welcome and to say a thank you for those who did not wish to serve any longer. The church’s financial affairs are in good order and once again a thank you to the Treasurer, Ray Harris, for all the work he does in keeping track of all the payments and receipts during the year.

The work in the churchyard is almost complete with the East Window having been cleaned and the new window guards fitted. The hawthorn trees along the path to the porch have been replaced, slightly shorter than the original trees that had died, but they will grow, all that remains is the replacing of the lime mortar on the boundary walls which failed during the frosts of last Winter.

Fair Trade and Traidcraft continue to be well supported week by week and the appeal for Easter Eggs for the food Bank brought in a large variety of chocolate eggs, for the children of needy families in Barry and the Vale.

The sad news of the resignation of the Assistant Bishop of Llandaff, the Rt Rev. David Wilborne was received before Easter and his final service in the Cathedral was on Easter Day. A presentation was made to him in appreciation of all the help and support he had given to the Diocese during the eight years since he was appointed. The Parish made a contribution of £100 towards his leaving in recognition of the support he gave in Wenvoe during the last vacancy, and also the support that Jon received from David during the early part of his ministry.

The East Africa Appeal at St Mary’s raised £400 with help from the congregation and church funds, and this has been forwarded to Christian Aid. We have a good record of raising money for worthy causes, and help is required in May for the annual Christian Aid Week street collections, see the lists in church in early May.

The magazine continues to be taken up slowly each month. On Easter Sunday we invited the congregation

to take a copy FREE of charge, and they disappeared like snow in summer. The May edition will be in church on the first Sunday of the month.

By the time you read this the Summer House Group at The Rectory will have already began meeting to re-visit the teaching of the Apostles and Nicene creeds. The other dates to meet are the 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th of May. The sessions take place between 7.30 – 9.00 pm.

The May screening of the film “A United Kingdom” takes place in The Rectory on Friday 5th May at 7.30 pm. The film is based on the true story of the heir to the throne of Bechuanaland. Seretse Khama who studies in London immediately after World War II meets Ruth Williams whom he eventually married, despite the protests of their families. They overcome the many difficulties they faced especially about relations with South Africa and the stability of the entire region of southern Africa.

Messy Church again met in the Wenvoe Community Centre on Saturday 8th April. Many craft activities, worship and a party tea was enjoyed by a goodly crowd of parents and children. The theme was on the events of the first Palm Sunday so long ago in Jerusalem. Future dates to meet are planned, so keep an eye on the church notice board.

Greeting to all our readers of “What’s On in Wenvoe”

Parry Edwards