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JUNE REPORT<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n At the recent Church Council (JCC) the Treasurer pointed out the current state of the church\u2019s finances which is giving cause for some alarm. Expenses have increased for us in our homes and lives, and the church is no exception to inflationary hikes in utility bills.<\/p>\n One possible reason for this is that many of the congregation\u2019s offerings have been converted into the Church in Wales Gift Direct <\/strong>scheme, which we have written about in previous newsletters. This results in no offering being made on the collection plate when it goes around, and it can give the impression to any visiting or casual member of the congregation that the collection plate can be passed by without any contribution made. It was the practice by the C in W Office to issue Stewardship Cards <\/strong>when the individual\u2019s amount per month was set up, but because in so many churches now a collection is not made, the cards have not been made available. However we have arranged for a supply to be available in church, which can be taken to place on the collection plate to show to others that they are supporting the church in its mission to the world. It is the money given on the collection plate that helps to fund the contribution we have to make towards the Fair Share <\/strong>to the expenses of financing the Diocese. This fair share is under consideration for a change to what will be called the Common Fund <\/strong>and we being a \u2018wealthy\u2019 church will no doubt see an increase. So please, it is up to all who have an allegiance to St. Mary\u2019s to review the amount we are now offering.<\/p>\n It is not easy to ask our people for extra cash week by week, but we have to face the fact that your church needs funding if we are to keep the building fit for purpose, in good repair, warm and welcoming. A Gift Day is planned to coincide with our Harvest Celebration in September.<\/p>\n On a lighter note, resulting from the council meeting we are opening the church on Saturday afternoons 2.00pm-4.00pm in July and August. A list has been provided for volunteers to offer their time during those hours, with others to show our lovely church. As a result of the Oxford Movement <\/strong>in the late 19th century we have a unique interior in this part of the diocese. Do please join us and encourage your friends and visitors to make a visit when we are open.<\/p>\n Bishop Mary\u2019s report extracted from Llandaff Matters.<\/p>\n I had the privilege to spend last week in Richmond, Virginia at the first part of a training course for new Bishops called \u201cLiving our Vows\u201d. I was with recently elected bishops from a range of churches including America, Mexico, Canada, and the UK. We spent the week praying, learning, and sharing together supported by some senior bishops, and by lay Christians with helpful experience in leadership, people-skills, and communications. The whole training focused upon the promises that bishops make at ordination, and there were frequent references made to the promises that all Christians make at our Baptism. At its heart the learning was all about how together we seek to realise our call to be Christ\u2019s body here on earth, and about faithful leadership. <\/em><\/p>\n I was struck by the dedication, openness, and sense of mutual support that came from a group who were dedicated to mutual ongoing learning. I also received a <\/em><\/p>\n great welcome and much kindness, including from one of the bishops who kept supplying me with tea bags that she had brought from home to help me feel welcome! <\/em><\/p>\n The training was bilingual supporting the ministries of both English and Spanish-speaking bishops. The two-language dimension was helpful, mirroring for me something of our own bilingual culture. Working in more than one language is a great reminder of the gift of diversity. It also enables conversations, to be at a slightly slower pace, which can help everyone to be a little more reflective and perhaps to listen with greater care. <\/em><\/p>\n I will continue to meet with the same group of bishops over the next three years. Many of our meetings will be online, but it was great to have the opportunity to meet face-to-face last week. <\/em><\/p>\n The whole experience was a wonderful reminder of our connection with Christians across the world. I have come back encouraged in prayer and learning, and with a renewed sense of gratitude for the many gifts God has given to the Church in every place. <\/em><\/p>\n God who calls, thank you for the gifts of faith: For friends who pray for us, and with us, and who encourage us. Thank you for those who show us the variety of your gifts, those who speak to us in ways that are unfamiliar and new, as well as those who are easy for us to understand. Help us to be faithful to our calling, to keep on learning about your love and grace. Help us to support and encourage others so that your church may grow in love and service after the pattern of Jesus our guide. Amen <\/em><\/p>\n News from the Diocese is published online in Llandaff Matters every Tuesday afternoon. Please contact the Communications Team if you would like something included in a future edition: Nicola Bennet and Mary Mann (nicolabennett@cinw.org.uk and marymann@ cinw.org.uk).<\/p>\n Congratulations to Jude Billingham and her team for all their hard work with the Christian Aid Appeal <\/strong>and to those who gave so generously. (See page 4)<\/p>\n At the picnic by the Friends of St. Bleddian\u2019s <\/strong>on Sunday June 9th, the breezy conditions brought families together in church for a short account of the church\u2019s features which portray the changes made through the centuries. Lots of lovely cake and an excellent raffle brought the proceedings to a close. Well done and may we have more in the future.<\/p>\n Parry<\/p>\n <\/p>\n JUNE REPORT At the recent Church Council (JCC) the Treasurer pointed out the current state of the church\u2019s finances which is giving cause for some alarm. Expenses have increased for us in our homes and lives, and the church is no exception to inflationary hikes in utility bills. One possible reason for this is that many of the congregation\u2019s […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p6cWjO-3KM","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":3446,"url":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=3446","url_meta":{"origin":14432,"position":0},"title":"June News Update","author":"Alan Williams","date":"3rd July 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 The fine spell of weather in June, has enabled our stone mason, Mike, to carry out the remedial work on the capping of the boundary walls along the southern edge of the churchyard. This means that all the work required to be carried out from the last quinquenial inspection\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "St Mary's Parish Church News"","block_context":{"text":"St Mary's Parish Church News","link":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?cat=3"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":14344,"url":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=14344","url_meta":{"origin":14432,"position":1},"title":"May Report","author":"Alan Williams","date":"4th June 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"MAY REPORT The major event in the calendar this month has been the feast of PENTECOST celebrated May 19th. This event is more commonly known as the birthday of the church, as it was the coming of the Holy Spirit on the disciples in the form of a rushing violent\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "St Mary's Parish Church News"","block_context":{"text":"St Mary's Parish Church News","link":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?cat=3"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":12892,"url":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=12892","url_meta":{"origin":14432,"position":2},"title":"January Report","author":"Alan Williams","date":"2nd February 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"JANUARY REPORT Welcome to this month\u2019s report on the activities and events that have taken place in our churches during January. The first Sunday of the year just happened to be New Year\u2019s Day, and the congregation in St. Mary\u2019s were offered a musical treat following the service when Rob\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "St Mary's Parish Church News"","block_context":{"text":"St Mary's Parish Church News","link":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?cat=3"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":4200,"url":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=4200","url_meta":{"origin":14432,"position":3},"title":"Winter Activities","author":"Alan Williams","date":"27th January 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 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\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "St Mary's Parish Church News"","block_context":{"text":"St Mary's Parish Church News","link":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?cat=3"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":3316,"url":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=3316","url_meta":{"origin":14432,"position":4},"title":"Looking Forward To June","author":"Alan Williams","date":"27th May 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Welcome to the merry month of June, called after the goddess Juno, and also the subject of the lyric \u201cJune in busting out all over, the meadow and the hill\u201d by Rogers and Hammerstein from the stage show \u201cCarousel\u201d in 1956. Sunday worship at St. Mary\u2019s is also \u201cbusting\u201d out\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "St Mary's Parish Church News"","block_context":{"text":"St Mary's Parish Church News","link":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?cat=3"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":11692,"url":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=11692","url_meta":{"origin":14432,"position":5},"title":"Jubilee Family Picnic","author":"Alan Williams","date":"4th June 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"PLATINUM JUBILEE FAMILY PICNIC IN ST MARY\u2019S CHURCH Friday 3rd June On Friday 3rd June at 2.00pm St Mary\u2019s Church will be holding a Jubilee Family Picnic. A short informal open air service of thanksgiving in the churchyard around the preaching cross will be followed by a bring your own\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Event Notices"","block_context":{"text":"Event Notices","link":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?cat=237"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14432"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=14432"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14432\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14435,"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14432\/revisions\/14435"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=14432"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=14432"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=14432"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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