{"id":7648,"date":"2020-06-05T08:35:54","date_gmt":"2020-06-05T07:35:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=7648"},"modified":"2020-06-05T08:36:01","modified_gmt":"2020-06-05T07:36:01","slug":"the-church-is-always-open","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=7648","title":{"rendered":"The Church is Always Open"},"content":{"rendered":"

ST. MARY\u2019S PARISH CHURCH NEWS<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The Church Is Always Open <\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Paradoxically the Church is always open <\/em><\/strong>even though the church buildings themselves are closed for the time being. The Church is supporting us all, as the COVID19 virus continues to affect the daily lives of people in Wales and the UK.<\/p>\n

Vicar Jon has encouraged the congregation to engage in the wonders of the digital age, by joining digital services <\/em>at 10.30am on Sunday mornings, from the dining room in the Rectory. These half hour acts of worship have been seen by many hundreds of worshippers and the comments received and \u2018likes\u2019 are very gratifying. Each week a group of church members join together for a \u2018Catchup\u2019 on ZOOM; the Parochial Church Council has also been meeting on ZOOM, to maintain the business side of church activities.<\/p>\n

When the lockdown occurred, our financial situation looked dire, with no income coming in from the weekly giving to meet our outgoings. Much immediate pruning of expenditure took place and church members were circulated to convert their agreed giving to Direct Giving, which the diocese had set up. Many arranged Standing Orders, many caught up with their weekly giving, generous donations were received, together with rebates from Gift Aid. As a result of these measures, our financial position is now much more secure, than we had ever thought possible. So a big thank you for all members and friends of St Mary\u2019s for helping us through this particularly worrying time and BLESS YOU ALL for your generosity.<\/p>\n

We are making plans for the time when we can once again open our churches for private prayer and meditation. We have to take into account the need for social distancing, for hand sanitising facilities and a one way system of entering and leaving the church building. We will dispense with both service booklets and hymn books and provide laminated service sheets, suitable for a modified form of service. The collection plate will not be used, as we would hope to rely on digital giving at the time. It is hoped that small funerals with a limited number of close family and friends will be able to take place in the church, observing social distancing at all times. Weddings and baptisms remain on the banned list for some time to come. Gradually things will get back to normal, and we will meet as a congregation to give thanks to Almighty God for a safe deliverance from the virus.<\/p>\n

The recent funeral of the late Mr Philip Moran was a humbling experience. Held in high esteem in the community, his friends and neighbours stood in the streets as the cortege drove slowly past. A memorial service will be arranged for him as soon as the situation improves and we are allowed to use our church buildings. It was a reminder that not many years ago this would have been a normal occurrence. As a funeral passed along, men removed their caps and hats as a mark of respect and houses nearby kept the blinds and curtains drawn on the day<\/p>\n

of the funeral. May he rest in peace and rise in Glory.<\/p>\n

CHRISTIAN AID <\/strong>House-to-house collections could not take place this year, with a devastating loss of fund raising for this charity. We hope to arrange an event later in the year, to help to make up for it.<\/p>\n

VE75 <\/strong>was marked with Vicar Jon using the churchyard cross as a pseudo \u2018Town Crier\u2019 and was transmitted on our face book page, followed by the ringing of the church bells. The flags and bunting for Christian Aid and VE75 brought a flash of colour in the warm Spring sunshine.<\/p>\n

The community is always in the prayers and thoughts of the church, Vicar Jon is there to help with any problem or concern you may wish to discuss with him over the telephone.<\/p>\n

Keep safe, stay indoors and wash your hands! <\/strong><\/p>\n

Parry Edwards<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

ST. MARY\u2019S PARISH CHURCH NEWS The Church Is Always Open Paradoxically the Church is always open even though the church buildings themselves are closed for the time being. The Church is supporting us all, as the COVID19 virus continues to affect the daily lives of people in Wales and the UK. Vicar Jon has encouraged the congregation to engage in […]<\/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":false,"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-1Zm","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":7998,"url":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=7998","url_meta":{"origin":7648,"position":0},"title":"St. Mary\u2019s Parish Church News","author":"Alan Williams","date":"11th August 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"MARY\u2019S PARISH CHURCH NEWS There is some \u2018good news\u2019 to bring to you since the last church report in \u2018What\u2019s On\u2019. Churches can now be opened for private prayer. This is subject to social distancing being observed and many other regulations being put in place to keep everyone as safe\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":9004,"url":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=9004","url_meta":{"origin":7648,"position":1},"title":"Greetings From a Beleaguered Parish Church","author":"Alan Williams","date":"31st January 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"MARY\u2019S PARISH CHURCH NEWS Greetings from a beleaguered Parish Church that remains closed and unable to offer worship and comfort to her congregation. If 2020 was the year when we were forced to lock the church door, let us hope and pray that 2021 will be the year in which\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":7648,"position":2},"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":[]},{"id":7990,"url":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=7990","url_meta":{"origin":7648,"position":3},"title":"St Mary’s Church Appeal","author":"Alan Williams","date":"11th August 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"St Mary's Church Appeal \u00a0 \u00a0","rel":"","context":"In "Miscellaneous"","block_context":{"text":"Miscellaneous","link":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?cat=127"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wenvoe.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/appeal.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wenvoe.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/appeal.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wenvoe.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/appeal.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wenvoe.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/appeal.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4185,"url":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=4185","url_meta":{"origin":7648,"position":4},"title":"Community Centre Meeting","author":"Alan Williams","date":"27th January 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 Thursday 8th February - 7.00pm An Open Meeting is to be held at the Community Centre on 8 February at 7 pm. The meeting will be hosted by St Mary\u2019s Church and Wenvoe Community Council. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the future of the Church Hall.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Community Council News"","block_context":{"text":"Community Council News","link":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?cat=12"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":10731,"url":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=10731","url_meta":{"origin":7648,"position":5},"title":"Church Christmas Services","author":"Alan Williams","date":"13th December 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Wednesday 15th December at 7.00pm Carol Service at St. Mary\u2019s Church. This to be an \u2018inhouse\u2019 service for all those who wish to attend, but we are NOT inviting participants from any organisations to take part. December 19th at 3.00pm Carol Service at St. Lythans Church. December 24th 5.00pm Lighting\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":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wenvoe.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/services-1024x319.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wenvoe.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/services-1024x319.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wenvoe.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/services-1024x319.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wenvoe.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/services-1024x319.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7648"}],"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=7648"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7648\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7651,"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7648\/revisions\/7651"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7648"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7648"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7648"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}