Winter Activities

 

Following on from all the activity in church over the celebration of Christmas, the month of January has seen the church settle in to a quieter time as we bring ourselves into the New year of 2018, and the plans we are making for the year ahead. 2017 was a continuing year of progress in the life of the church, and we intend to make 2018 another year we can be pleased, to look back on.

At a recent meeting of the Parochial Church Council (PCC), Vicar Jon gave a summary of his welcoming to the parish of Bishop June, who visited as part of her progress around the diocese, getting to know the different parishes of her diocese. This was very informal and the day ended with the Bishop meeting all the churchwardens of our six churches, where the discussion was how she saw the way forward and equally how the wardens saw their roles in supporting the clergy in making the church more proactive in the years ahead.

The other main item under discussion was the receiving of the Quinquennial Inspection (QI) report. This report is a very thorough statement of work needed to be carried out over the next five years. The PCC resolved to appoint the inspector Richard Dean as our church architect to oversee the works he has highlighted as most urgent. We will shortly see work beginning to remove the concrete channelling on the south side of the nave and chancel, to be replaced with a “French drain” to cure the dampness which is spreading up at the base of the walls. Other immediate work will be on the roof of the tower, dealing with slipping slates, drainage problems and vegetation infestation. This work will amount to some £12,000 pounds which will be met from the Building Fund.

Plans for the annual Christian Aid Appeal are well in hand and will be launched in the parish with a “Big Breakfast” in the community centre on the morning of Saturday 12th May 2018, more details to follow later.. The usual house to house collections will take place during the following week.

Announced at the meeting was the plan to change our present Ministry Area status to that of a Rectorial Benefice. Apparently as a Ministry Area we are not a legal entity recognised by the Church in Wales, so we cannot apply for any loans we might need, however as a Rectorial Benefice we have that legal status restored and parish are now working to adopt that model as in Barry and Penarth, In essence we would carry on much as we do at present, keeping our own church council, our own bank account, and will give us the flexibility to adapt and develop things as we may need to in the future. All PCC’s have to approve these plans once they have been formulated, with the new status coming into effect in early 2019.

As already announced, a Public Meeting hosted by the Wenvoe Community Council and St. Mary’s Church will be held in the Community Centre on February 8th 2018 at 7.pm. to discuss the possibility of the Community Council purchasing the Church Hall. Full details of the reasons why we need to sell the Church Hall…can be found in the January edition of “What’s On”.

Looking ahead in these dark days of Winter. February is the month for birthdays in our house. The next Faith in Film night at the Rectory is on 3rd February at 7.30 pm. Remember the public meeting in the Community Centre on the 8th February at 7 pm.. The Chattery meets in the church Hall at 10.30 am on the 8th February. Do you look forward to the postman dropping a card through your door on the 14th St. Valentines Day. Pancake Day on the 13th followed by Ash Wednesday on the 14th. (The beginning of the season of Lent) then the Quiz in the Community Centre on the 17th at 7.30pm.

The season of Lent is often called the “spring cleaning of the soul in readiness for Easter” there are opportunities hear and take part in discussions on the Lenten theme.. see the notice board in church and also the weekly newsletter and “Connections” parish magazine.

Thank you for taking your time to read about what’s happening and the plans for the month ahead…every one is welcome to St Mary’s at the times of services and also when Jon has his “Open Door” in church.

Parry Edwards