Category: St Mary’s Parish Church News

May Church News

Greetings from the congregation at St. Mary’s to the wider community of Wenvoe and St. Lythans. Join us online at ipcamlive.com/stmarywenvoe

It is official, we are now in British Summer Time; the dark days of winter are over and the delights of spring are with us. The lighter evenings really do compensate for the darker mornings, and the gardens are awake to the strengthening warmth of the sun.

By the time you read the Church News we shall be approaching the first of the Bank Holidays, a time for relaxation and a chance to enjoy the delights of the countryside. We notice again how well kept our church grounds are and how the paths are always swept in readiness for the Sunday service. Thank you Mike, for all your hard work here and for all you do in the village.

David, our new curate, is settling into our routine and has been persuaded to share his background with us.

‘David trained for ministry in London at St Augustine’s College of Theology. At the end of training, he moved to Llandaff, where his wife Kate is now Canon Precentor of the Cathedral. In February, David was ordained Deacon by Bishop Mary at the Church of St Mary the Virgin, Wenvoe. He is greatly enjoying serving his Curacy with us and at St John the Baptist, Sully. David will be ordained Priest at Llandaff Cathedral in June.

Originally from Stoke-on-Trent, David has spent most of his working life in Lo ndon and Southeast England. David’s background is in managing technology initiatives for defence and public sector organisations, but he is now passing on his knowledge, working as a teacher of Computer Science and Mathematics in Caerphilly. He is a keen cook, loves theatre, and occasionally dabbles in drawing and painting. He and Kate have three grown-up children, and one small ill-disciplined dog.’

Thank you, David. We look forward to your ordination in June at Llandaff Cathedral.

We remain in the great 50 days of Easter and will soon be celebrating the feast of Pentecost, often known as the birthday of the Christian Church, when the Holy Spirit came as flames of fire on the disciples’ heads and they were able to hear everyone speaking in their own language. The power of the Holy Spirit is not to be underestimated in the life of a Christian man, woman or child. The darker days are made lighter, despair can be turned into hope, and loneliness into companionship. There is a welcome for all at our services, and we look forward to welcoming you.

SAFE CHURCH: The Church in Wales is committed to fostering an environment where everyone is able to worship and participate in the life of the church in safety. SAFEGUARDING is everyone’s responsibility and is part of our core faith and an integral feature of Christian life in our churches. A healthy Christian community is one which ensures and nurtures the wellbeing of all. Safeguarding needs to be embedded in all aspects of the life and ministry of the Church and safeguarding training is available at the Church in Wales for all members who have the care and protection of children, young people and adults at risk in a practical and informed manner.

A Prayer for all who Safeguard others

Lord God, you have called us to be a part of the family of your church and to use our gifts to encourage and build one another up in love. Help each one of us to play our part in creating a safe and caring church where every one of your children, from the youngest to the oldest, may flourish as they are respected and valued. Keep us ever watchful, so that we may continually build a holy fellowship in the image of your son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

St. Mary’s in Wenvoe is such a place where all are welcomed into a safe and caring community. If it is not SAFE, then it is NOT church.

QUIZ NIGHT: Following the success of the October Quiz Night, the JCC discussed holding a fundraising event in the spring. There will be a Spring Quiz Night on Saturday the 9th of May at 7.30pm. Planning is well advanced. Alun Jones has agreed to be the scorer. Jude Billingham is organising the raffle, so please put the word out and email Jude if you wish to donate a prize. Tickets are on sale (£5), at Sunday morning services during the month. Tickets are limited due to the size of the Church Hall, and last year the demand was great – so book early for a very enjoyable evening.

FOOD BANK: Many thanks for the many Easter eggs donated to the Foodbank. In February 248 vouchers were processed, which included feeding 423 adults and 108 children. This is a rise of 26%. Some of the reasons for this include benefits for the unemployed especially for those with children, falling behind the rise of the cost of living, delays in receiving benefits, and, although the cost of living on some items has slowed down, the cost of food remains high. The standout group of those coming for help are families with 3 or more children. The most needed items this month include, cereals, jam, coffee, tinned potatoes and carrots, microwaveable pasta, squash and meat products.

Please continue to support the Food Bank. Donations can be left in the boxes in the church porch, which are regularly emptied. Alternatively you can leave a cash donation in the secure post box in the porch and also at the church hall. Thank you.

CHRISTIAN AID 2026: Please see page 9.

Looking back, the glorious celebration of Holy Week and Easter day was a thoughtful and inspiring week of prayer and remembrance of Jesus’s last days on earth, leading to His glorious resurrection. Every blessing to you in this post-Easter times.

Parry

CHRISTIAN AID WEEK 2026

Where Hardship means Hunger….Urban Farmers can Grow Hope.

Christian Aid is an international charity, founded by churches in Britain and Ireland more than 80 years ago. We work in partnership with a network of churches, organisations and people of all faiths and none. Together, we deliver vital programmes of work and raise awareness and funds to help drive lasting change.

Christian Aid week comes around annually; it is our opportunity to make a change for others within 7 days. In 2025 we raised the fantastic sum of £3,775.26 locally (including Gift Aid), which went towards the total for the UK of £4.5 million.

This year the focus is Kenya and in particular Nairobi. The city has an estimated population of 5.3 million of which 7 out of 10 live in debt, and 60% live in settlements. The housing in the settlements is basic, often one room with few services and little space between them. It is in one such settlement we find ‘Beacon of Hope’.

Beacon of Hope was established in 2022 to provide health services especially for those with HIV and Aids. Since then, they have provided Day Care for children, schools and help for young people seeking employment. The main concern has always been the level of poverty with poor health and high levels of malnourishment. The response has been the creation of the project ‘urban farmers can grow hope’. This project experimented and created methods of growing food in any small piece of land available, including growing in containers, horizontal screening with hanging pots, planting on roofs etc. Costs are kept low by making organic fertilisers from what is available, collecting water, using weather resistant seeds and quick growing food items. From providing food and, where possible, selling any excess, life has improved for many.

In one such settlement we find Fridah; her husband died suddenly and she found herself without support and unable to feed her family. From the centre she gained support and care, gained skills in growing her own food and eventually selling her own produce and those of others. She learnt to take on the responsibilities her husband had previously and is now more able to care for her children and looking to the future with confidence.

We have 7 days this year from 10th – 16th May to raise funds to support such groups as Beacon of Hope and the partners they work with throughout the world.

In Wenvoe we plan to:

• Distribute donation envelopes throughout the village, with information on how you can donate
• Hold the coffee morning event ‘Cake, Cake and More Cake’ on 16th May from 10.00am – 12.30pm, in the Church Hall (see advert)
• Hold an assembly in Gwenfo CiW Primary School and a ‘Silent Disco!’ on 15th May (see advert)

If you have any questions, please get in touch on 07516112897, or email judebillingham@ ya-hoo.co.uk.
Many thanks,
Jude Billingham