SIGNPOSTS ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Magazine for the Irfon and Wye Valley Churches
Issue No 121 March 2010
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Fasting in the Bible by Revd. Humphrey Fisher
The February Signposts opened with a sensitive
discussion of our modern-day Lent – bearing
witness in an often hostile world, study groups
to strengthen our confidence, overseas aid built
upon ‘hunger’ or ‘charity’ but
always tasty lunches. The word ‘fasting’ occurs
only once, safely tucked away in the past – ‘traditionally
Lent was…’ I volunteered to write more
specifically about fasting in our March issue, my
editorial deadline two days before Ash Wednesday.
My original intention was to explore Biblical fasting,
and Muslim. Too much for one short essay: so the
Bible today, Islam (maybe or the Bible part two
next year)
There are over sixty fasting references in the Bible (surprisingly?) some third
of these in the New Testament. (Do you have a Biblical concordance at home?
If not do get one, you can then look up fasting and a hundred other themes
(or hundreds) for yourself)
Fasting in itself is, or can be, a religious exercise, often coupled with prayer.
Nehemiah the prophet, receiving sad news of the destruction of Jerusalem sat
down and wept, and mourned certain days and fasted, and prayed before the God
of heaven (1.4) Anna the prophetess who confirmed Jesus’ unique status
when his parents brought him to Jerusalem as a baby, was a very old widow ‘who
departed not from the Temple but served God with fastings and prayers night
and day’ (Luke 2.37) Paul and Barnabus on one of their missionary journeys
ordained elders in every church and prayed with fasting, and commended them
to the Lord. (Acts 4.23) Paul wrote to the Corinthians ‘ye may give yourselves
to fasting and prayer’ (1 Corinthians 7.5 – a very interesting
passage about equality in marriage)
Daniel, exposed to some danger during the Babylonian exile of the Israelites
sought God’s help through prayer and fasting (Daniel 9.3) The King of
Babylon, tricked by unscrupulous, jealous, civil servants into casting Daniel
into the lion’s den, passed his night in remorseful fasting (Daniel 6.18 – not
being a Jew the King could not properly be said to have prayed also) – and
Daniel, as we all know was saved. Another example of a penitential fasting
(but non-Jewish ruler) was the King of Nineveh: terrified by Jonah’s
threats of imminent divine retribution, the king proclaimed a fast, not only
for every person but for every animal also. And God granted a reprieve. ‘God
saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and repented of the
evil that he said he would do unto them, and he did not’ (Jonah 3.10)
- much to Jonah’s chagrin
This pair of rulers, not Jews, but clearly fasting in a way acceptable to Hebrew
chroniclers, illustrate a kind of religious osmosis or mingling, despite barriers.
(A little more of which, perhaps, we and President Obama might do well with
today in Palestine?)
Biblical fasting is often a token of sorrow. Daniel coupled his fasting with
sackcloth and ashes. Jesus himself, when asked why his disciples did not fast,
replied that they would do so, would mourn and fast after the bridegroom, Jesus
himself, had been taken away (Matthew 9.14-15, Mark 2.18-20, Luke 5.33-35)
But fasting may also sometimes divinely cure the cause of that sorrow. Very
early on the Israelites had been doing badly in a war against their kinsmen
the tribe of Benjamin (40,000 Israelite soldiers killed in two days, out of
a total of 400,000, by only 26,700 Benjaminites, all highly improbable figures)
On the third day the Israelites gathered before the house of God, and sat there
weeping, fasting all day, and offering burnt and peace offerings. And God,
presumably moved in part by the fasting, advised the Israelites to make yet
another attempt on the fourth day, and promised to deliver the Benjaminites
into Israelite hands. And so it happened leading to a remarkably (or typically?)
gruesome conclusion (Judges 20.14 – end: an arresting passage, touching
in a rather ghastly manner on homosexuality)
Prayer and fasting. Prayer against someone (or to put it more bluntly, cursing)
occurs throughout the Bible. Indeed there are more than twice as many ‘prayers
against’ as there are ‘fastings’. (Was I too ready to urge
a concordance on you?) The idea survives in our worship: for example in the
1662 Communion service held on the first Sunday in the month at Newchurch,
we pray that our Queen ‘may vanquish and overcome all her enemies’
But ‘fasting against’ is an idea new to me: and how often as one
goes back even to so familiar book as the Bible one discovers something unnoticed
before. So many of the fasting references do involve conflict and victory for
those who fast. We have seen examples above. Think again of Daniel: the King
of Babylon fasted whilst Daniel was in the lion’s den, and Daniel was
saved: but Daniel’s accusers and their wives and children were then themselves
cast to the lions with a different result.
Were such examples of ‘fasting against’ someone rare one-offs?
What persuades me that such a practice was widespread is Isaiah’s blistering
condemnation of it (Isaiah 58)
‘ Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have
we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your
fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours. Behold, ye fast for strife
and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye
do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high. Is it such a fast that I
have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head
as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this
a fast, and an acceptable day to the Lord? Is not this the fast that I have chosen?
to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed
go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry,
and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest
the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own
flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning’
I think Isaiah would appreciate our last Signposts. But he would wish us to
do far, far more of the same
DEANERY NEWS
APPOINTMENT
It is with great pleasure that the appointment is announced of the Revd.Marian
Morgan as Priest-in-charge of the Erwood and Painscastle Group of Parishes.
She will be licensed by the Bishop in a service of Holy Communion on Tuesday
March 2nd at 7pm in St.Cewydd’s Church, Aberedw.
Marian and Leslie came to Aberedw following Marian’s retirement from
the New Radnor Group of Parishes where she had been Priest-in-Charge for five
years. Since coming to live in the Deanery she has played an active part in
Church life.
CHILD PROTECTION AWARENESS EVENING
A meeting for Parish Child Protection Officers will be held on Friday March
12th at 7pm in Holy Trinity Church, Llandrindod Wells. The meeting will be
addressed by Dr.Gill Todd the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer.
The purpose of the meeting is to raise awareness on child protection issues
and to assist the parish child protection officer in his/her role. The meeting
is therefore open to everyone and all who have an interest in this important
area of concern are warmly invited to attend.
Tea/Coffee will be available before the start of the meeting
AREA DEANERY CONFERENCE
A meeting of the Area Deanery Conference will be held on Thursday March 18th
at 7pm in St.Mary’s Church Hall, Builth Wells.
The subject on the agenda for consideration will be the theme of last year’s
Diocesan Conference ‘A Child of God’ The Bishop has asked for a
follow-up discussion and a report back on the issues raised.
WOMENS’ WORLD DAY OF PRAYER
Friday March 5th Services will be held as follows:
10.30am St James, Llanwrtyd Wells
2.0pm Christ the King, Builth Wells
2.0pm St. Llyr's, Llanyre
2.30pm St.Michael’s Clyro
CHURCH CALENDAR
PALM SUNDAY MARCH 28th
Palm Sunday is the first day of Holy Week when
we celebrate the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.
The disciples and the crowd that accompanied them
sang ‘Hosanna to the Son of David, hosanna
in the highest’ - words echoed in our Palm
Sunday hymns.
Palm Sunday is a day of celebration – but also an anticipation of what
is to follow. As a reminder of this the palm leaves distributed on Palm Sunday
are in the shape of the Good Friday cross.
CHRISM EUCHARIST
at Brecon Cathedral
Tuesday in Holy Week, March 30th, 12 noon
celebrant and preacher: Bishop John Davies
a service for priests and people
BUILTH WELLS GROUP OF PARISHES
WOMEN'S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER
Friday March 5th 2pm
Christ the King Catholic Church
WEDNESDAYS IN LENT, 7pm
Builth Cytun presents an EVENING SERVICE WITH GUEST
SPEAKER
Feb.24th Alpha Chapel, speaker Mr.Gordon A’Court
March 3rd at Wesley Chapel speaker: Mr.Derek Long
March 10th at St.Mary’s, speaker: Mrs.Janet
Day
March 17th at Christ the King speaker:Mr.J.Carruthers
March 24th at Horeb Chapel, speaker: TBA
MAUNDY THURSDAY Thursday April 1st
Solemn Eucharist for Builth Covenanted Churches
7.30pm St.Mary’s Church, preacher: Revd.B.Reardon
GOOD FRIDAY Friday April 2nd
11am Devotional Service at St.Mary’s
12 noon Stations of the Cross at Christ the King
2pm Devotional Service at Alpha Chapel
EASTER DAY Sunday April 4th
9.30am Holy Communion at St.Mary’s
11.0am Holy Communion at Alltmawr
11.0am Holy Communion at Maesmynis
3.0pm Holy Communion at Llanddewi’r Cwm
Builth Wells with Llanddewi’r Cwm & Llangynog
w. Maesmynis & Llanynis w.Alltmawr
Canon Nigel Hall, The Vicarage, 1 North Road,
Builth Wells, LD2 3BT Tel: 01982 552355
St.Mary’s, Builth Wells Bells Appeal
Teddy Bear Parachute Drop
Monday 5th April 2010 (Easter Monday)
Calling all brave teddies, cuddly toys action
men etc
By popular request we will be holding another Teddy
Bear Parachute drop. Teddies need to bring their
own parachutes, safety equipment and a £1
donation for the bell fund.
The tower will be open again for people to visit the bells and we will be selling
refreshments for a teddy bear's picnic in the churchyard (weather permitting).
There will also be a Easter Egg raffle (donation welcome) and Teddy bear quiz
sheet.
The tower is open from 3pm and the brave teddies begin their descent at about
4pm.
Come along and help us raise the final £4,500
for the bell repairs.
The Colwyn Group of Parishes
Dear Friends,
“It can’t be that bad, surely...let’s just keep going”
By the time you read this we shall be well into the season of Lent. Are we
struggling with what we are giving up for Lent? Lent sometimes instils a sense
of panic into some folk. What can we give up? What can we really give up that
is worthwhile? What will cause us the least angst? What about the issue of
chocolate or something else we really like? What can we do or give up that
no-one else will notice, then if we fail we won’t make a fool of ourselves?
But can it be that bad, surely? ‘We’ll never do it’, I hear
you say. On a lighter note, I’m waiting for someone to suggest that I
give up eating liver for Lent! (I really can’t stand the stuff, without
giving it up for Lent)!
On the other hand we could do something extra – something that may well
be of service to someone else. This is my favoured method of Lent ‘hardship’.
How about doing some gardening for someone who is housebound or making an effort
to visit someone or do their shopping? You may be surprised and like it so
much you may wish to carry on with it when Lent is over
Whatever we do we know that this is a time of preparation. It is a time to
prepare inwardly for that glorious Easter morn when Our Lord destroys the power
of death for all of us. A morning when Christ, as the light of the world shone
out into the darkness.
I wish you well with your endeavours over the Lent period and as always you
will be in my prayers – it can’t be that bad surely...let’s
just keep going!
Richard
Lent Course
This year we shall be exploring St. Mark’s Gospel and Meriel Oliver has
kindly agreed to lead us. The first meeting will be on Wednesday 24th February
and every Wednesday thereafter. For details of the Course and where we are
meeting please contact Meriel on 01982 570771 or the Rectory & keep an
eye on the pew sheet.
Soup Lunches start Wednesday 24th February, 12.15pm – 1.30pm
at the Rectory and again every Wednesday throughout
Lent. The donations received will be split between
the Bishop’s Lent Appeal – USPG ‘Healthcare
for all’ in Bangladesh, the Haiti Disaster
Committee and the Benefice. Please come and bring
your friends.
Llanelwedd Sunday Club
To use the old cliché, ‘by popular
demand’, we have decided to open a Sunday
Club at Llanelwedd. We were approached by several
families to do this. It will be aimed at a younger
age range of children. The Club will run in conjunction
with the fortnightly service at St. Matthew’s
Church. The Club will start at 11.00am at The Rectory
and will begin on Easter Sunday - a perfect day
for new birth!! The Service of Holy Eucharist commences
at 11.15am. The Club will have activities, stories,
craft work and refreshment and be into Church for
around 11.50am, where the young folk will tell the
congregation what they have done in the Club and
remain for the rest of the Service and be collected
from Church or go with their parents who have been
in the Service at around 12.15pm. For more details,
or if your child wishes to join us, please contact
the Rectory – 01982 551288.
Palm Sunday Procession
The year Palm Sunday is 28th March. We have been
blessed with a real donkey to lead us in procession,
courtesy of the Langford family at Brynglas, Hundred
House. Would those who wish to walk a short walk,
meet outside Jewson’s at 10.45am where we
will walk down to St. Matthew’s Church in
Llanelwedd for our Service. Please bring suitable
branches or ‘palms’ to wave. All welcome,
especially children!
‘Frocks & Flowers’
The Benefice is planning a Flower Festival on a wedding theme. This will be
held on 26th and 27th June in Llanfaredd Church. Liz would like to hear from
anyone who has a wedding gown or other significant memorabilia that they
would like us to exhibit. We also need a photograph as large as possible.
Our flower arrangers will endeavour to reproduce the flowers, perhaps not
exactly but keeping the feel of the original. Perhaps you would like to sponsor
a floral arrangement. Helpers are needed for the Festival, not only for flower
arranging but also for stewarding and serving teas. It is hoped to finish
the weekend with a short evening service to celebrate marriage followed by
tea and ‘wedding cake’.
There will be a planning meeting at the Rectory on Monday 1st March at 2.00pm.
Anyone who is interested would be very welcome.
Liz is also planning an Afternoon Tea at The Rectory shortly after Easter to
raise funds which will go towards the cost of flowers. For more information,
please contact Liz at The Rectory – 01982 551288.
Services for March 2010
7th March Lent 3
Llanfaredd 9.30 ET
Llansantffraed 9.30 RK
Glascwm 11.15 RK
Glascwm 7.00 (The Village Service) JO/MO
14th March Mothering Sunday
Bettws 9.30 (Holy Eucharist) JO
Rhulen 9.30 Worship for All EK/RK
21st March Lent 5 Passion Sunday
Llanfaredd 9.30 RK
Llansantffraed 9.30 JO
Glascwm 11.15 MO
28th March Palm Sunday
Rhulen 9.30 MO
Cregrina 9.30 RK
Bettws 9.30 ET
Llanelwedd 11.15 Palm Sunday Procession & Holy
Eucharist RK
Glascwm Church Draw
The Village Service on 7th February took place in
St David's Church Glascwm, with soup served afterwards.
1st Prize £50 Ken, The Old Post Office, Glascwm,
pulled out no. 12 Ann Tyler, Coedspoil
2nd Prize £30 Amy Hammonds, Ty Gwyn, Glascwm pulled out no. 41 David & Kate
Court Cottage Glascwm
3rd Prize £20 Jack Hammonds, Ty Gwyn, Glascwm (the youngest there!) pulled
out no. 26 Glascwm Church's own number which will be put towards a new Hoover
which is needed.
Holiday Club
We are having a morning of children’s activities
on an Easter theme at Hundred House hall on Monday
29th March beginning at 10.00am. Details from the
Rectory or Marilyn Jarvis (01982 570313) or just
come along on the day. All welcome.
Mothering Sunday
A Worship for All Service will be held on Mothering
Sunday, 14th March at 9.30 at Rhulen. We believe
it to be a few years since there was such a Service
held at that Church. Traditional posies will be
given out to mums and as usual there will be an
opportunity to share in refreshments and fellowship
after the Service. All are welcome, so please come
and bring your mum!
In Memoriam
No doubt many in the Benefice will remember John Hackley of Llanelwedd who
sadly passed away on 15th January. John was involved in so many groups within
the Llanelwedd area, from School Governor to Community Council Member and
member of the Jubilee Hall Committee to name but a few. He will also be remembered
as being a very successful farmer. He will be sorely missed. Following a
wonderful Service of Thanksgiving at St. Matthew’s Church, Llanelwedd,
we laid John to rest in the churchyard on 23rd January. We remember him,
Olwen, the family and their friends in our prayers.
We also remember Charles Evans of Cregrina who passed away recently at the
age of 102. He was for many years the blacksmith in Builth Wells. He was also
very much connected with the Free Mission in Cregrina where he exercised a
wonderful ministry over many, many years. He was laid to rest in Cregrina Churchyard
on 29th January. We remember in our prayers Olwen, his wife and their daughter
Beryl.
May they both Rest in Peace and Rise in Glory!
Llanelwedd with Llanfaredd, Llansantffraed-in-Elwell,
Bettws Disserth, Cregrina, Rhulen and Glascwm
Priest in Charge, Revd Richard Kirlew, The Rectory
Llanelwedd, Builth Wells, LD2 3TY tel.01982 551288
THE PARISHES OF THE IRFON VALLEY & BLAENAU
IRFON
Bible Study Group The Bible Study group at Afan
Lodge meets on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm.
This group is open to everyone and all are welcome
to come along!
Mothers’ Union Lady Day: Thursday March 25th
Holy Eucharist 6pm St James Church. There will be
enrolment of new members to Llanwrtyd and Beulah
MU For further details of Mothers’ Union meetings,
contact Ann Stocker on 01591 610231.
St. James’ Coffee Morning
For a good cup of tea or coffee and some welcoming company, come along to St.
James’ church on the 1st Saturday in each month from 10.30am onwards.
As well as tea, coffee and refreshments, there will be fair trade goods on
sale.
If there are any difficulties with transport please contact Ann Stocker 01591
610 231
Women's World Day of Prayer
The Women's World Day of Prayer Service written by the ladies of Cameroon will
be held on March 5th at St James, Llanwrtyd Wells, at 10.30am. Further information
from Ann Stocker 01591 610231
IN MEMORIAM Enid Woodroffe aged 95 years
Moyna Lydon aged 64 years
Jim Horton aged 80 years
Llangammarch Walking/Running Club re-starts on
Tuesday 30th March at 7pm at the Alexandra Hall.
All abilities welcome. Re-registration fee £2,
weekly cost £1. Any queries contact Shelley
tel.620628
Service Times
Lent 3: 7th March
9.30am – Holy Eucharist – Eglwys Oen
Duw JB
11.00am – Holy Eucharist – St. James’ JS
11.15am – Morning Prayer – Llanlleonfel
PL
11.15am – Holy Eucharist - Llanganten JB
4.00pm - Holy Eucharist – Tirabad JS
Lent 4: 14th March, Mothering Sunday
9.30am – Holy Eucharist – Llangammarch
JS
9.30am – Morning Prayer – Eglwys Oen
Duw YP
11.00am – Family Service – St James
NC
11.15am – Holy Eucharist – Llanfechan
JB
Lent 5: 21st March
9.30am - Holy Eucharist - Eglwys Oen Duw JB
9.30am – Family Service - St Cadmarch’s
GM
11.00am - Llanwrtyd United Service-St.James JS
11.15am - Holy Eucharist – Llanlleonfel JB
11.15am - Morning Service – Llanganten WT
4.00pm - Evening Prayer – Tirabad NC
Lent 6: 28th March, Palm Sunday
9.30am – Family Service - Eglwys Oen Duw YP
9.30am – Holy Eucharist – St Cadmarch’s
JB
11.00am – Holy Eucharist – St James’ JS
11.15am – Morning Prayer – Llanfechan
PL
Wednesday 31st March
7.30pm A performance of Pergolesi’s Stabat
Mater
at St.Cadmarch’s, ending with Sung Compline
soloists Sally Bramhall and Melodie Moisson
accompanied by a string quartet led by Trudie Jordan
Maundy Thursday 1st April
7.0pm - Holy Eucharist - Eglwys Oen Duw JB
7.0pm - Holy Eucharist - St.Cadmarch’s NH
Good Friday 2nd April
10.0am – Family Service St.Cadmarch’s
GM
2.0pm – Liturgy of the Day St.James JB
Easter Day 4th April
9.30am – Holy Eucharist – Eglwys Oen
Duw JB
9.30am – Holy Eucharist– St Cadmarch’s
NH
11.15am – Holy Eucharist – St. James’ JB
3.0pm – Holy Eucharist - Llanganten CH
Holy Eucharist:Wednesdays 10am St James’,
Llanwrtyd
JB Revd.J.Billam, JS Revd.J.Stocker,
CH Revd.C.Hall, NH Canon N Hall, PL Mrs.P.Lowe,
YP Mrs.Y.Parker, GM Mr.G.Marshall
NC Mr.N.Carter, WT Worship Team
Sunday Schools Our Sunday Schools meet as follows:
4th Sunday in month at 10am in St. Cadmarch’s Church, Llangammarch Wells.
For further details, contact Mrs. Michelle Davies on 01591 620730.
1st Sunday in month at St James’ at 11am. For further details, contact
Mrs. Virginia Evans on 01591 610578.
Most Sundays at Eglwys Oen Duw at 9.30am. For further details, either Patrick
Bourdillon on 01591 620564 or George Johnson on 01591 610229.
Children aged 4-11 years especially welcome!
Lent Course continues on Wednesdays at 7.00pm in
Garth Hall based on Gordon Giles’ book ‘The
Harmony of Heaven’, a musical meditation for
Lent and Easter
You are warmly invited to join this musical pilgrimage through Lent towards
the cross and beyond into the realm of Easter joy and light. Further details
from John Billam, 01591 620493
St. James’ Community Lunch
The March Community Lunch will be held on Thursday 25th March at 12 noon for
12.30pm.
Everyone is welcome. No age limits. Come along to St.James’ Church and
enjoy a good two course meal, tea and/or coffee for the bargain price of £4.00.
For further information contact Ann Stocker 01591 610231
St.Cadmarch’s, Llangammarch Wells; The Parish Church, Llanlleonfel, Garth;
St.Afan’s, Llanfechan; St.Cannen’s,
Llanganten, Cilmery; St.James’, Llanwrtyd Wells; St.David’s, Llanwrtyd;
St.David’s Tir Abad; Eglwys Oen Duw, Beulah;
Vicar: Revd.C.M.Haynes, The Rectory, Maes Glas, Llangammarch Wells, Powys,
LD4 4EE
For the time being in the case of pastoral need, including arrangements for
funerals, baptisms and weddings,
contact: Revd.Canon Nigel Hall, The Vicarage, 1 North Road, Builth Wells, LD2
3BT Tel:01982 552355
The Erwood & Painscastle Group of Parishes
Dear Friends
It is with a huge sense of privilege, and not a little awe, that I take up
my appointment as Priest-in-Charge of the Erwood & Painscastle Group
of Parishes. I shall, of course, need to rely heavily on the strength of
God, the support of the PCC officers, the members of the churches and the
co-operation of the clergy also working in these parishes if, together, we
are to continue to nurture the faith of the people, to bring the love and
word of God to others and to grow God’s Kingdom in this complex group
and beautiful place.
We are all, here, blessed with such a wonderful inheritance; in rural areas
more so than in cities, the links between local people and ‘their’ church
can be very strong and it is so good, also, to see ‘incomers’ to
our villages and hamlets becoming involved in the life of the church and making
such a positive contribution to our worship.
I pray that we shall all be blessed with the recognition of the traditions
of the past, the energy, courage and wisdom to address the many challenges
of the present and a clear vision for the future enriched by the, as yet, unexplored
ministry of the people.
As we step forward together in faith, joy and confidence I wish you all a most
blessed Lent.
Yours in Christ, Revd. Marian Morgan
Licensing of the Revd.Marian Morgan
as Priest-in-Charge of the Erwood
&
Painscastle Group of Churches
by the Bishop of Swansea & Brecon
Tuesday March 2nd, 7pm
St.Cewydd’s Church, Aberedw
WOMEN'S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER
An invitation is extended to attend the Hay-on-Wye
and District service on Friday March 5th at 2.30pm
in St.Michael’s Clyro, speaker, Revd.Rana
Davies-James.
SERVICES IN MARCH
Sunday 7th March – Lent 3
09.00 Holy Eucharist (1662 Short) Newchurch (HJF)
09.30 Holy Eucharist Llanbadarn-y-Garreg (PJM)
09.30 Holy Eucharist Gwenddwr (MM)
10.30 Morning Prayer (1662 Full) Newchurch (MO)
Followed by refreshments at Rose Cottage All Welcome
11.00 Holy Eucharist Llandeilo Graban (PJM)
Wednesday 10th March
11.30 Group Eucharist Aberedw Followed byLunch
Sunday 14th March – Lent 4 (Mothering Sunday)
10.30 Holy Eucharist Gwendwr (MM)
11.00 Holy Eucharist Aberedw (PJM)
14.30 Family Worship Bryngwyn (MM)
Wednesday 17th March
11.30 Group Eucharist Aberedw Followed by Lunch
Sunday 21st March – Lent 5
09.30 Holy Eucharist Llandeilo Graban (MM)
09.30 Holy Eucharist Llanbedr (PJM)
11.00 Holy Eucharist Gwenddwr (PJM)
14.30 All Age Eucharist Bryngwyn (MM)
Wednesday 24th March
11.30 Group Eucharist Aberedw Followed by Lunch
Sunday 28th March – Palm Sunday
09.30 Holy Eucharist Aberedw (MM)
11.00 Holy Eucharist Crickadarn (PJM)
15.00 Holy Eucharist Llandewi Fach (HJF)
Monday 29th March – Monday of Holy Week
19.00 Compline Newchurch
19.00 Compline Llandeilo Graban
Tuesday 30th March – Tuesday of Holy Week
19.00 Compline Crickadarn
19.00 Compline Llanbedr
Wednesday 31st March
11.30 Group Eucharist Aberedw Followed by Lunch
19.00 Joint Service Painscastle Chapel
Thursday 1st April – Maundy Thursday
19.00 Stripping of the Altar Aberedw (PJM)
19.30 Seder Meal – The Last Supper –
Trefechan Aberedw- please let Leslie or Revd Marian
know you are coming – 01982 560702
Friday 2nd April – Good Friday
11.00 Meditation Crickadarn (MM)
14.00 Meditation Llanbadarn-y-Garreg (PJM)
18.30 Readings & Music of the Passion Aberedw
(MM)
Sunday 4th April – Easter Day
09.00 Holy Eucharist Bryngwyn (MM)
09.00 Holy Eucharist Llanbadarn-y-Garreg (PJM)
09.30 Holy Eucharist Newchurch (HJF)
10.00 Holy Eucharist Crickadarn (PJM)
10.15 Holy Eucharist Llandeilo Graban (MM)
11.00 Holy Eucharist Llanbedr (Res.Sac) (MO)
11.15 Holy Eucharist Gwendwr (PJM)
11.15 Holy Eucharist Aberedw (MM)
15.00. Holy Eucharist Llandewi Fach (HJF)
Aberedw Sunday School
Aberedw Sunday School meets during School term time on Tuesdays at 3pm in Aberedw
Church Hall.
Mothers’ Union
Painscastle Branch meet on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm in Painscastle
Village Hall.
Erwood Branch meet on the 1st Wednesday of the month at 2pm in Erwood Market
Hall.
In Memoriam Ivor Evan Lloyd aged 81 years
Philip Joseph Butcher aged 55 years
Aberedw w.Llandeilo Graban w.Llanbadarn-y-Garreg w.Crickadarn w.Gwenddwr & Bryngwyn
w.Newchurch w.Llanbedr Painscastle w.Llanddewi Fach Priest-in-Charge: Revd.Marian
Morgan,
Trefechan, Aberedw, Llandrindod Wells, LD2 3UW, tel.01982 560702, E-mail mkemorgan@btinternet.com
THE UPPER WYE GROUP OF PARISHES
A Letter from our Vicar
Dear Friends,
Looking Forwards
As I write, it is Candlemas Day, the day on which we’re reminded of the
moment when the infant Christ was presented in the Temple, the conclusion of
our Christmas celebration and also the day on which we hear again those words
of Simeon we know as The Nunc Dimittis “Lord, now latest thou thy servant
depart in peace”. And yet, as much as Simeon recognised that in the infant
Christ, God’s promise to him was fulfilled, he also realised that the
baby in his arms would be opposed and that the salvation for which he had waited
for so long was to be achieved through suffering. So, it seems to me, that
Candlemas marks a pivotal moment in the Christian year. Ever since Advent Sunday,
we’ve been looking forward to and then celebrating the fulfillment of
God’s gracious promise to send the world the Saviour. From Candlemas
onwards, our minds and our worship prepare us for the long weeks of Lent leading
up to Holy Week and Christ’s passion and death, yet with the promise
of the resurrection. How appropriate it is, that the English word we use for
this season recalls the lengthening of daytime which accompanies us on our
journey. The signs of springtime with their promise of new and abundant life
help to lift us from the darkness of Good Friday to the warmth and brightness
of our Easter joy. Something to look forward to indeed.
Welcome and Thank-you
And yet, even in the darkness and cold of midwinter, it’s especially
gratifying to witness those signs of new life in the Church as much as in the
natural world around us. By the time you read this, we’ll have entered
the period when we hold our Annual Vestry Meeting, a great opportunity to look
backwards to where God has lead us in the past year and forward to where he
will be leading us in the future. I am delighted and enormously grateful that
Marian Thackwray has been willing to succeed Taff Walters-Morgan as Churchwarden
at Newbridge and that Janet Ingrams has agreed to fulfil the vacant churchwardenship
at Llanfihangel Helygen. I know that the enthusiasm, dedication and counsel
of both of them will be a tremendous asset to our benefice in the future. Barbara
Fraser-Duthie has also agreed to become the new Treasurer at Llanfihangel Helygen
in succession to Margaret Jones and Robert Hillier who’ve been doing
that so well for so long. Our heartfelt thanks to them. And please do pray
for Marion, Janet and Barbara in their new roles.
Preparation and Celebration
One of the highlights of our Easter celebration this year will be a Benefice
Eucharist at Llanyre on Sunday, April 11th at 10.30am, when Bp. John will
confirm candidates from our Benefice. Please do pray for them as they prepare
for this important moment in their Christian journey. Their confirmation
preparation will take the form of our Lent Course being held on Wednesday
evenings during Lent here at The Vicarage. Everyone is welcome, so if you
haven’t joined us yet, please do come along.
Dydd Gwyl Ddewi: St. David’s Day, we’ll be celebrating the feast
of our Patron Saint with a Bilingual Eucharist at All Saints’ Newbridge
on March 1st at 7.00pm, this will be followed by refreshments.
Sunday, March 14th is Mothering Sunday and there will be family Eucharists
at both Llanyre and Newbridge, during both services flowers will be presented.
This does mean that the morning Eucharist at Llanfihangel Brynpabuan will be
on the 21st March. Please see details of our other Lent and Easter services
in the rest of this article.
I’d like to close by wishing you all a happy, holy and blessed Lent.
With my love and prayers at this holy season and always Ben
CALENDAR OF SERVICES FOR MARCH /APRIL
Monday March 1st Dydd Gwyl Ddewi: St David's Day
7.00pm: Bilingual Eucharist (1984) All Saints Newbridge
Wednesday March 3rd
10.00am: Eucharist : Newbridge
7.30pm: Lent Course at The Vicarage
Thursday March 4th
10.30am Eucharist: Llanyre:
followed by Lent Lunch at The Vicarage
Friday March 5th
2.00pm: Women's World Day of Prayer* Llanyre, Preacher:
Rev'd Ben Griffith
7.30pm: Compline: Llanyre
Sunday March 7th, 3rd Sunday in Lent
9.30am: Eucharist : Llanyre
11.00am: Eucharist: Cwmbach
11.00am: Mattins: Newbridge
3.00pm: Eucharist for Lambing Time: Llanfihangel
Helygen
Wednesday March 10th
10.00am: Eucharist: Newbridge:
7.30pm: Lent Course at The Vicarage
Thursday March 11th
10.30am: Eucharist : Llanyre,
followed by Lent Lunch at The Vicarage
Friday March 12th
7.30pm: Compline: Newbridge
Sunday March 14th: Mothering Sunday
9.30am: Family Eucharist: Llanyre
11.00am : Family Eucharist: Newbridge
3.00pm: Holy Eucharist: Cwmbach
Wednesday March 17th
10.00am: Eucharist: Newbridge
7.30pm: Lent Course at The Vicarage
Thursday 18th March
10.30am: Eucharist: Llanyre,
followed by Lent Lunch at The Vicarage
Friday 19th March
7.30pm: Compline: Cwmbach
Sunday March 21st : Lent 5 :Passion Sunday
9.30am: Morning Praise: Llanyre
9.30am: Holy Eucharist: Llanfihangel Brynpabuan
11.00ame: Holy Eucharist: Newbridge
3.00pm: Holy Eucharist: Llanafan
Wednesday March 25th
10.00am: Eucharist: Newbridge
7.30pm : Lent Course at The Vicarage
Thursday March 25th
10.30am: Eucharist : Llanyre,
followed by Lent Lunch at The Vicarage
Friday March 26th
7.30pm: Compline: Llanafan
With signs of new life all around us in nature,
we come at Easter to celebrate the new life which
is at the heart of our faith. Please share with
us the joy and hope of Easter as we celebrate :
Sunday March 28th Palm Sunday
10.30am: Newbridge: Benefice Eucharist & Procession
Meet at Newbridge Village Green at 10.30am to process
to Church - with donkey DW (Donkey Willing!)
Wednesday March 31st
10.00am : Eucharist : Newbridge
7.30pm : Lent Course at The Vicarage
Thursday April 1st Maundy Thursday
7.30pm: Benefice Eucharist: Llanafan
(Please note: no 10.30am Eucharist at Llanyre)
Friday April 2nd: Good Friday
9.00am : Morning Prayer and The Litany: Llanyre
10.30am: Joint Act of Witness with Pentref Chapel
in Newbridge
2.00pm: The Last Hour: Cwmbach
Saturday April 3rd : Easter Eve
9.00pm: The Easter Vigil and First Eucharist of
Easter: Llanyre (followed by drinks at The Vicarage)
Sunday April 4th: Easter Day
9.30am : Easter Eucharist: Llanfihangel Brynpabuan
9.30am : Easter Communion: Cwmbach
10.30am: Easter Eucharist: Llanyre
11.00am: Easter Eucharist: Newbridge
3.00pm : Easter Eucharist: Llanfihangel Helygen
Sunday April 11th: The 2nd Sunday of Easter
10.30am: Benefice Eucharist & Confirmations
at Llanyre
Lent Course 2010: Why be a Christian?
Below is a brief outline of our Lent course for
this year. This is a course designed by the Vicar
some years ago as a Confirmation Preparation, and
anyone, whether confirmed or not, is more than welcome
to join us for it. It is hoped that those of us
who are already confirmed will find it a helpful
opportunity to reassess some of the fundamentals
of what Christian belief and practice are; if you
haven’t been confirmed than this is your preparation
for it.
Each session will be at The Vicarage on Wednesday evenings during Lent at 7.30pm.
beginning on Wednesday 24th February. If you have one, please bring a Bible
with you.
Session 1: Wednesday 24th February “Introduction: Who Says there’s
a God?” In the beginning…Genesis or Science? How/What do we know
about God?
Session 2: Wednesday 3rd March “Finding out about God: The Bible, just
a book of old stories?” What does The Bible tell us about God, ourselves?
Session 3: Wednesday 10th March “Jesus: God/Man or Fraud?” The
evidence for Jesus, Mr. Nobody from Nowhere or….Can we accept that Jesus
was only a great moral teacher?
Session 4: Wednesday March 17th “Holy Smoke or Holy Spirit?” Evidence
from The Bible, evidence from the Church, evidence from our own experience.
Session 5: Wednesday March 24th “Sacraments: strange, quaint practices
or something to say to Me?” What are they? What do they mean? Why do
we use them?
Session 6: Wednesday March 31st “So what’s all this about Prayer?
Confirmation and Beyond?” What is prayer? Why should I pray? How should
I pray?
**
Definite Date.
For those being confirmed, our Confirmation this year will be at 10.30am on
Sunday April 11th at St. Llyr’sChurch Llanyre. Please do make a note
of this in your diaries now!
Congregational meeting - Annual Vestry meeting.
The annual meeting for St. Llyr's Church will be held on Sunday March 28th
at 6pm in the Church Hall. There will be a Bring and Share Tea first and
this will be followed by the Annual Meeting.
CYTUN - Churches Together in Llandrindod & District
Christians from all denominations will gather at The Bandstand in Llandrindod
on Good Friday at 10.00am to join in a WALK OF WITNESS through the town stopping
in appropriate places for Easter Readings. Please come and help us to witness
to others on this special day.
NEWS FROM AROUND THE BENEFICE
Llanyre Llamas After a couple of weeks in January
when, as the Vicar put it - 'there was no water
for llamas' - owing to the freezing weather, the
group have been able to meet since and enjoy an
hour and a half together each Tuesday afternoon
from 1.30pm - 3pm, with a brief act of worship,
refreshments, including a welcome cup of tea for
parents and carers, and plenty of toys for the children.
Other pre-school children and their parents or carers
are very welcome to join us.
The Benefice Choir Those people who braved the
cold and snow on January 31st to attend the first
of the United Evensong services at Llanyre were
rewarded by the contribution of the Benefice Choir
to the service. Thank you to all in the choir! They
would love to have more members join them so if
you fall able to help please do contact the Vicar.
Wedding Congratulations - to Teresa Evans and Andrew
Bowen, who were married in Llanyre on January 29th.
We send our love and prayers for many happy years
ahead of them .
Mothers' Union Llanyre Branch will not meet at
their usual time this month but instead will be
joining in the Evensong for Lady Day on March 25th
at 6.00pm in Llanyre. They invite everyone to join
them.
The Newbridge & Cwmbach Branch will meet in the Iron Room in Cwmbach at
2pm on Tuesday March 9th for an afternoon of Easter Poems, Readings and Prayers.
Anyone interested in joining them will be very welcome.
Women's World Day of Prayer 2010
The Service this year, on Friday March 5th at 2pm in Llanyre, involves many
of the churches in Llandrindod and District. Several members of our Benefice
will be taking part in the service and the address is being given by our
vicar, Rev'd Ben Griffith.
Each year the service, which is always held on the first Friday in March, worldwide,
is prepared by Christian Women from different countries. Christian women from
Cameroon, a country on the west coast of Africa, have compiled the service
this year, based on their chosen theme; 'Let everything that has breath praise
God'. Men and women are invited - do come!
Rest in Peace Family and friends gathered in Llanafan
on Tuesday January 19th, for the funeral of John
Alfred Williams, of Penlan, a beloved husband, father
and grandfather and a much respected member of the
community. John was for many years a Churchwarden
at St. Afan's Church. To all his family and friends
we send our love and sympathy and prayers.
DATES FOR THE FUTURE
100 - not out!- On Wednesday June 9th the Llanyre
Branch of the Mothers Union will celebrate the centenary
of their founding! A Celebration Eucharist will
take place in Llanyre Church at 11am on June 9th
Rev'd Kay Warrington will be the preacher and Mothers
Union Groups from the Builth and Maelienydd Deaneries
will be joining them for the celebration. June seems
a long way off - but we all know how quickly the
months fly by so please make a note on calendars
and in diaries now, so that you are able to be there!
'THE JOURNEY' Friday July 2nd
Churches in Llandrindod and District are working together to bring the 'Teen
Challenge' musical presentation 'The Journey' to The Pavilion, Llandrindod
Wells on July 2nd.
The Journey is the story of a young drug addict's desperate search for freedom
from the living nightmare of addiction. It has a powerful story to tell and
will entertain, inform, inspire and challenge and is suitable for an all age
audience. Please book the date now, look out for posters around the town giving
booking details etc and pass the details on to friends and families, especially
those you know you may be experiencing some of these difficult problems.
Can you help please?
Members of Llanyre Church are holding a fund raising sale in Pritchard's garage
for the week beginning Mon. April 12th. They are in need of goods to sell
which are in good condition and they would appreciate any contributions you
have to make.
Goods can be brought to the garage between 9.30am - 4pm each day of that week
or if they are too bulky for you to deliver then a phone call to Jeanne Hughes
on 01597 823917 requesting that they are collected would be very helpful.
Thank you!
Please send items for inclusion in the April issue
of Signposts to Joan Leach (01597 825761) by Thurs.March11th
Llanyre, Newbridge-on-Wye, Cwmbach Lechryd, Llanfihangel
Helygen, Llanafan Fawr & Llanfihangel Brynpabuan
Revd.Ben Grifith, 2 Highbury Fields, Llanyre,
LD1 6NF, tel.01957 823321 email:rev.ben.griffith@btinternet.com
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