Magazine for the Irfon and Wye Valley
Churches
Issue No 139 December 2011/January 2012
Christmas legends around the world
Many countries around the world have stories about Christmas. They reflect the
culture of the lands where the stories are told. Although legends, they have
their own truths to tell about the birth of the Christ child.
The story of Baboushka originated in Russia; the story of Giovanni, although
set in Italy, originated in France.
Baboushka
In the heart of ancient Russia stood a small mud cottage. Before its door during
the long winter slept a frozen stream. Its one window commanded a wide view
of the snow covered plains. Its one inhabitant was an old woman, Baboushka.
One evening Baboushka was busy at her tasks. Suddenly,
from the distant hills she heard a sound of sleigh
bells. Soon there appeared a procession of horses
pulling sleighs in which were seated travelers clothed in finery like kings.
Baboushka hid herself away. But the procession stopped at her door and the
first of the travelers called out her name. He was young and of fine appearance. “Baboushka,
come with us! We are on our way to find the Christ-Child.” But the flame-coloured
tunic of his attire frightened the old woman.
“
I will come, but not now,” she pleaded, stretching up her hands. “I
have my house to set in order; when this is done I will follow you.”
The second traveler in a cloak of bright colours stopped at her door. His
expression was fearsome to the old woman. “Baboushka! We are on our way to find
the Christ-Child. We have seen His star in the east. Come with us!”
But Baboushka trembled still more. “I will come, but not now.” she
replied. “I have my house to set in order. When this is done, I will
follow you.”
The third traveler stopped at her door. His robe of deep yellow, bordered
with white, azure, and green, shone in the light. He nodded wisely as he
spoke. “Baboushka,
come with us! We are on our way to find the Christ-Child. We have seen His
star in the east and go down to worship Him.”
But Baboushka quaked with fear. “I will come, but not now,” she
promised. “I have to set my house in order. When that is done, I will
follow you.”
The three kings left to continue their journey across the snow plains: the
beautiful one, the terrible one, and the wise one.
Baboushka set her house in order. She extinguished the fire, emptied the
samovar and took bread out of the oven. Then she went outside. Alas! the
three kings
had long gone. And in the darkened heavens the star no longer shone. Across
the wild steppes, Baboushka ran, but in the darkness she never found her
way to Bethlehem.
She still searches for the Christ-Child, and for his sake takes care of all
God’s children. On the eve of the Nativity she visits every house where
there are children and leaves a gift. In the morning children awake with the
cry, “Baboushka has come!” But though they find her gifts she has
already vanished.
In this way she searches for the Christ-Child whom once she neglected. In
each child whom she visits she hopes to find him.
Giovanni
In the city of Sorrento in Italy lived an orphan called Giovanni. In order
to earn money to buy food he would stand in front of the vegetable stall
on market days and juggle fruit and vegetables – apples, oranges and
lemons, courgettes. tomatoes and aubergines. He could juggle well, and the
storekeeper encouraged him him because it brought people to buy at his stall.
People enjoyed his juggling and gave him coins as a reward
One day a traveling circus came to town. Giovanni enjoyed it so much, he asked
if he could join the company. The circus owner agreed, although insisting at
first he wouldn’t receive payment, only food. and a bed to sleep on.
Later on, he gave him a costume and let him perform for the crowd. Giovanni
would juggle sticks, plates, clubs, rings, and burning torches. Then he taught
himself a new act with a red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet ball
representing the colours of the rainbow. When he got all the balls going at
a good pace, he would throw "the Sun in the Heavens" ball that was
gold. The crowds loved this act the best.
Over the years, Giovanni became famous and performed for dukes and princes.
One day he met two Brothers of the order of St.Francis. They asked him if he
would share his food with them. Remembering how he had once begged for money
by performing in the market place he willing gave them what he had. They thanked
him and told him that with his juggling he would give glory to God. Giovanni
didn’t believe them and laughed. He bade the Brothers farewell and went
on his way.
Years passed and Giovanni’s hands began to lose their grip. His fingers
were no longer nimble enough to keep seven balls in the air. The crowds who
came to see him jeered, ‘What’s the matter, Giovanni,’ they
cried, ‘Isn’t the sun coming out today?’
He decided to go back home to Sorrento. He had no money to pay for lodgings
and the weather was cold. He saw that the church was open and brightly lit
with candles and so he entered to keep warm. It was Christmas Eve and people
began to arrive for the Midnight service. Many brought gifts which they laid
before a statue of the Madonna and child.
When the service was over and the crowd had left
Giovanni approached the statue. Looking at the faces of Mary and her baby it
seemed to him their expressions were sad. He wondered what gift he had to offer
as others had done. Only one thing he had to give - a performance of his juggling
skills. He took out from his bag the seven coloured balls and began to throw
them up into the air: the red, the orange, the yellow, the green, the blue,
the violet. Although his grip was weak and his fingers stiff he made a supreme
effort to give a perfect performance. The six balls stayed in the air, then
the gold ball also suddenly appeared, ‘the sun in the heavens’.
He gave his last and greatest performance. Exhausted, he looked again at the
faces of Mary and her child and now they seemed to him to be smiling in grateful
appreciation.
In the morning when they came to open the church he was found before the statue,
cold and lifeless, but with a smile also on his face from the knowledge that
his gift had been accepted as the best that he could offer to the glory of
God.
DEANERY EVENTS
Social Evening
Members of the Area Deanery Conference are invited
with their spouses to a meal (provided by Deanery
Clergy)
in St.Mary’s Church Hall on
Wednesday December 6th, 7pm
Deanery Children’s Day
Jubilee Hall, Llanelwedd
Saturday January 21st
10.00am - 3.00pm
Great fun! Stories, Crafts, Games etc.
THE PARISHES OF THE IRFON VALLEY & BLAENAU IRFON
Dear Friends
It’s seems particularly poignant to be putting a few thoughts about the
Churches season of waiting in hope and expectation for the Holy One on whom ‘the
hopes and fears of all the years’ are fixed so soon after remembering
the sacrifice of those who have died in pursuit of justice and peace. It seems
striking that as we begin to live again the nativity of our faith story which
focuses on ‘The little town of Bethlehem’, we do so amid the back
drop of the recent uprisings in the middle east, with the knowledge that Bethlehem
is anything but a still and peaceful place, but one in which more than ever
the words of hopeful longing expressed in the hymn continue to resonate.
We also live in a time when ‘rumours of wars’ and the continued
news economic instability bring us very close to a sense of apocalypse. Fear
and anxiety are all too real for many and lurk just beneath the surface for
those of us whose lives are reasonably safe and comfortable. This is the context
in which we wait with hope and expectation for the birth of God within us and
among us. But how do we wait in hope in a context of fear and anxiety? Waiting
is hard enough at the best of times, with its skill at bringing to the fore
our least known doubts and neurosis, let alone all the publicised worries.
The paradox seems to be that it’s precisely these apparent wilderness
conditions where love and world harmony seem most out of reach, that create
both the ability to wait and the emergence of hope. In his book ‘Meditations
on the sand’, Alessandro Prozanto describes the lessons the desert has
to teach in regard to waiting. The word ‘wait’ he says is the word
you hear the most on the threshold of the desert. You can rush around trying
to make things happen, protesting at how long things take or why they’re
not happening, but you will be ignored. Here it is your ability to slow down,
to be as insignificant as the next person squeezed on a waiting bench that
is valued. ‘And unless you adapt yourself you run the risk of a nervous
breakdown. If on the other hand, you succeed in entering this new dimension
of time, you will experience an unexpected calm, a hitherto unknown sense of
freedom, and a surprising capacity for wonder’.
I think what he is describing is a prayerful awareness which allows us to become
deeply aware of the love of God that is both within us and around us. A place
where God is able to birth in us all those attributes we long for in our world
today: justice, peace, hope to name a few. We have to dare to believe that
love is stronger than death, our ultimate fear.
So as we wait this advent, as we relive the nativity of our faith, may we welcome
Christ anew at the hearth of our own hearts, that we may be what we desire,
people whose feet bring the good news of peace.
From all of us in Blaenau Irfon and Irfon Valley Parishes we wish you a blessed
Christmas and a heart open to welcome the New Year with hopeful joy.
Lucyann
OBITUARY REVD.JOHN BILLAM
It is with great sadness that news is given of the death of John Billam. Our
deep sympathy is given to Dorothy and family. His funeral will be held in Eglwys
Oen Duw on Monday November 28th at 11am
After retiring from the Probation Service John resumed parish ministry and
for many years gave invaluable service in Builth Deanery during vacancies in
the Llanelwedd and Irfon Valley and Blaenau Irfon Benefices. He faced illness
with fortitude, finding strength and comfort in his Christian faith. The following
tributes to his memory are given by Neil Carter, Norman Tyler and David White
John was both a challenging and caring Probation
Officer. Powys Probation Service has a most unusual
history in that over the years many Probation Officers
were also, like John, clergymen. John was probably
the last of that distinguished long running era. He
became an Assistant Chief Probation Officer, and as
such was much respected, giving excellent support
to his management colleagues. I knew John well from
his work as a priest in the parish and he retained
a strong interest in working with those who are marginalised
or find themselves on the edge of society. I heard
him speak of how having been ordained he felt his
calling was to work with offenders. N.C.
John took over Llanelwedd group of Parishes in September
2003 and cared for us until our long interregnum ended
with the appointment of Richard Kirlew in December
2008. During these five years John became a firm friend
of many of us and a great comfort to those in need
in our Parishes. He oversaw the development of our
Benefice, often in the face of concern and not a little
hesitancy from seven ancient and individual Parishes,
His tact, understanding, humour and firmness was invaluable
and is bearing fruit today. All his hard work and
care after retirement from a most taxing career is
a lesson for all of us and he will be remembered by
many of us with gratitude for many years to come.
N.T.
After the Llanelwedd group of parishes, John came on to us in the Blaenau and
Irfon Valley Parishes to help us at a difficult time. It was typical of the
man that he viewed what he did as service, humbly but generously helping wherever
he could, never pushing himself forward, always at our beck and call. We all
appreciated the quiet yet firm way he worked, his sense of humour often conveyed
by a twinkle in his eyes, graced everything he did. His vast life time experience
as a working priest and probation officer, even as a soldier, fed a deep and
questing mind, never too proud to learn (he joined the Irfon Singers for a
time and recently planned to start a course at Lampeter University) He was
a wise father confessor ( the present writer fully testifies to that) and well
in the vanguard of thinking about pastoral theology (the importance of the
priest being seen on his bicycle, not least). We were all unworthy recipients
of his saintly calling. and we remember him with deep affection. D.W.
SERVICES
Sunday 27th Nov
Advent Carol Service-St.Cadmarch's 7.30pm
Saturday 3rd Dec
Christmas Tree Festival begins at 10.30 ends at 5.30
with Carol Concert. St.James, Llanwrytd
Advent 2 4th Dec
Elgwys Oen Duw (EOD) 9.30am
St.James 11am
Llanlleonfel 11.15am
Llanganten 11.15am
Advent 3 11th Dec
EOD congregational 9.30am
St Cadmarch's 11am
St.James 11am
Advent 4 18th Dec
Blaenau Irfon Benefice EOD 11am Carols & Lessons
Llanfechan Morning Prayer 11.15am
Llanganten 11.15am Carols and Lessons
Monday 19th 7pm
Garth Hall Carol Singing around the village
Tuesday 20th 7pm
St.David's Tirabad Carol Singing around the village
Wednesday 22nd Dec 7pm
Llanlleonfel, Garth Christmas Concert
Saturday 24th Dec
Cilmery Prince Llewelyn 6.30pm Carol singing
Christmas Eve
Midnight Eucharist
Alexandra Hall, Llangammarch 11.30pm
Rev Lucyann Ashdown and Rev Brian Reardon
St.James, Llanwrtyd 11.30pm Rev Derek Bates
Christmas Day Morning
EOD 9.30 am Llanganten 10am
New Years Day Sun 1st Jan
Joint Benefice Service at St.James 11am
Epiphany 8th Jan
EOD 9.30
St.James 11
Llanlleonfel 11.15
Llanganten 11.15 Christingle Service
Epiphany 2 15th Jan
EOD Congregational 9.30
St.Cadmarch's 9.30
St.James 11am
Epiphany 3 22nd Jan
EOD 9.30
St.James. Morning Prayer 11am
Llanfechan 11.15
Llanganten MP 11.15
Epiphany 4 29th Jan
EOD 9.30
St.Cadmarch's 9.30
St.James 11am
Ysgol Dolafon School, Llanwrtyd Wells
Christmas Play
Thursday December 8th at 6.30 pm
in the Victoria Hall, Llanwrtyd Wells
Irfon Valley School, Garth
Christmas Play
Tuesday 13th and Thursday 15th December at 7pm. Dress
rehearsal open to all on Mon 12th at 1.30pm
MOTHERS’ UNION
The Annual Christmas Lunch will be held at The Drovers Friday 6th January 2012.
Please meet at 12 noon for a 12.30pm start.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
A big thank you to everyone who filled boxes this year, your efforts are very
much appreciated. We understand the boxes this year were sent to Belarus.
St James Church Community Lunch
January 26th 2012 from 12.00 noon
A freshly cooked
locally sourced two course lunch
£
4.00 incl. Tea or Coffee
? Everyone Welcome
Home delivery available please phone Ainsley on 610487
WOMEN’S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER
There will be a planning meeting at 1 Tai Cae Mawr on Friday 13th January 2012
starting at 2pm. Please make every effort to attend – everyone is welcome.
The service will take place at St James’ Church, Llanwrtyd at 10am on
2nd March 2012 and this year it has been prepared by women from Malaysia Please
contact Ann Stocker 01591 610231 for further details
Calling All Young Singers and Instrumentalists
(and grownups): join us on Sunday 18th December at
3.00 pm in Beulah Chapel for our Beulah Christmas
Festival of Readings, Carols and Music. A traditional
Christmas celebration with lots of contributions – carols,
songs & other music from young performers. If
you would like to read, sing or play (solo or in
a group) whether you are a seasoned performer or
a beginner you will be most welcome. The Beulah
Music Festival 01591 620205 hilary.cox@beulah.org.uk
Hilary Cox
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;
Revd.Lucyann Ashdown, The Rectory, Llangammarch Wells,
tel.01591 620244, email lucyann.ashdown@googlemail.com
BUILTH WELLS GROUP OF PARISHES
From the Acting Area Dean
This year has been another very difficult year for many families and for older
people. The economic pressures facing our country, and indeed much of the
world, seem to bite really hard in rural areas where the costs of living
and of transport seem very much higher than in urban areas. As the end of
the year approaches and we ‘take stock’ of what we have achieved
we could, perhaps, be forgiven for feeling that we have been ‘running
fast to stand still!’ The repair and maintenance of our buildings absorbs
a great deal of our time and resources as we look to the future to ensure
that they remain fit for worship for future generations. But this effort
generates a real sense of purpose and optimism; the challenge of fundraising
has brought a renewed sense of commitment and enthusiasm, the most encouraging
part of which has been the involvement of many people in those efforts who
are not, yet, regular members of our congregations.
I am immensely grateful to the Churchwardens and members of St Mary’s,
in particular, for the way in which they have risen to the challenge of coping
with not only more repairs but also the task of sustaining the liturgical and
spiritual life of the church during the interregnum, which we pray will come
to an end in the next few months; I am indebted to the Revd. Philip Morris
for his most generous support in helping to cover both groups of parishes.
In a world which is becoming increasingly secular and in which the maintenance
and growth of the visible Christian faith is vested, certainly in rural areas,
in a diminishing number of older people, it would be easy to become daunted
by the task and by the challenge of keeping alight the flame of faith and of
feeling able to pass it on to the following generation. But, if we look back
we can see that it has always been a struggle to sustain the local church both
financially and in terms of numbers; and yet, still it survives, as it will,
despite the perceived threats of other faiths or the real challenges of secularisation.
Jesus is Lord, never doubt that, and he will continue to add to our numbers
if we are open and welcoming, and if our worship is accessible to the ‘unchurched’ or
those on the margins. So many people believe in God and long to come to church
but are fearful that they will not be welcome and that they will not be able
to follow the service. We pray that the informal evening services planned for
Builth in the New Year will encourage them to join us and to feel the real
blessing which comes from loving Christian fellowship.
The ‘church’ does not exist in a vacuum; it has always been challenged
by the changing patterns of private and public behaviour and by attitudes which
stress the rights of the individual to do what they want to do with their free
time. That is perfectly reasonable. Most people have to work very hard to support
themselves and their families. Even those jobs in the public services, on which
our rural economy depends so heavily, are now subjected to financial stringencies
and the imposition of performance ‘targets’ with the consequent
undermining of that sense of security and stability on which all organisations
depend to ensure the loyalty and commitment of its employees. There is a hymn
which used to be very well known which contained the lines ‘everything
changes, but God changes not ….’ and it is that sense of continuity
and predictability which the church can provide both locally and nationally.
This is even more vital as social and technological changes impose such different
ways of doing things; changes which some of us find very tedious, sometimes
intimidating. The church must now find new ways of being ‘the church’,
without compromising its integrity or that continuity.
Christmas and the New Year offer us all a precious opportunity to grasp hold
of the lifeline of Christian faith which is anchored in history and which draws
us into eternity. The birth of a human baby more than 2000 years ago brought
the gifts of love, joy and peace, no-matter what is happening in our personal
lives or in the world. He, by his teaching, his example, his death and resurrection
gave those who are not afraid or ashamed to believe what they cannot prove,
the ability, the right, and the obligation to proclaim that, because Jesus
is Lord, the power of love will always, eventually, overcome the power of evil.
Believe it! It will make such a difference to your life as we face, together,
the unknown of a New Year. I pray that you will allow Jesus to bless you and
all those you love, to give you his peace and contentment now and throughout
the coming year, and that you may find the time to join us at one of our services
over Christmas. I wish you a most blessed Christmas and a happy, healthy and
peaceful New Year.
Revd. Marian Morgan
Builth CYTUN invite you to a service to celebrate
the beginning of Advent
Tuesday November 29th 7pm Alpha Chapel
(not Wednesday Nov.30th as given in November Signposts)
Services for December and January
Sun. December 4th Advent 2
9.30 St Mary’s Holy Communion (MM)
3.00 Llandewi’r Cwm Holy Communion (MM)
5.00 St Mary’s Christingle (PJM)
Thursday 8th December
7.00 St Mary’s Schools Carol Service (PJM)
Sun. December 11th Advent 3
9.30 St Mary’s Holy Communion (PJM)
11.00 Maesmynis NO SERVICE
Sun. 18th December Advent 4
11.00 Maesmynis Group Eucharist Bishop John Davies
followed by a ‘Bring and Share’ lunch
5.00 Alltmawr Carol Service (MM)
Monday 19th December
7.00 St Mary’s 9 Lessons & Carols with Irfon
Schola (MM)
Saturday 24th December Christmas Eve
5.00 St Mary’s Family Communion (MM)
7.00 Llandewi’r Cwm YFC Carol Service (PJM)
11.30 St Mary’s Midnight Eucharist (PJM)
Sun. 25th December Christmas Day
9.30 Alltmawr Holy Communion (PJM)
11.00 Maesmynis Holy Communion (GH)
Sun. January 1st Christmas 1
9.30 St Mary’s Holy Communion (PJM)
Llandewi’r Cwm – NO SERVICE
Sun. 8th January Epiphany 1
9.30 St Mary’s Holy Communion (GH)
11.00 Maesmynis Holy Communion (GH)
6.00 Let’s Celebrate: Service of Praise at St.Mary’s
Sun. 15th January Epiphany 2
9.30 St Mary’s Holy Communion (PJM)
11.00 Alltmawr Holy Communion (PJM)
Sun. 22nd January Epiphany 3
9.30 St Mary’s Holy Communion (PJM)
11.00 Maesmynis Holy Communion (PJM)
Sun. 29th January Epiphany 4 Homelessness Sunday
10.30 St Mary’s Group Eucharist (MM)
St.Mary’s Church Rotas
Flower Rota
Dec.24th Mrs.T.Skyrme & Mrs.Darlene Jones
Jan.15th Mrs.O.Jones & Mrs.C.Bass
Lectors
Dec 4th Mrs M Moisson
Dec 11th I Williams
Dec 18th Service at Maesmynis
Dec 24th tbc
Jan 1st D.Moisson
Jan 8th Officiating Clergy
Jan 15th D.Day
Jan 22nd I.Williams
Jan 29th Mrs M.Moisson
Feb 5th Rev.N.Bodicoat
Intercession
Dec 4th D.Moisson
Dec 11th M.Hulin- Taylor
Dec 18th Service at Maesmynis
Dec 24th tbc
Jan 1st Officiating Clergy
Jan 8th Rev N.Bodicoat
Jan 15th Mrs J.Day
Jan 22nd M.Hulin- Taylor
Jan 29th Mrs M.Moisson
Feb 5th Mrs J.Day
Chalice
December Mark Hulin- Taylor
January Elizabeth Owens
Sidespersons
Dec 4th I.Williams & D.Jones
Dec 11th C.Mainwaring & J.Bowen
Dec 18th Maesymnis
Dec 24th tbc
Jan 1st D.Wellstead & D.Moisson
Jan 8th C.Mainwaring & J.Bowen
Jan 15th Mrs O.Jones & Mrs G.Mainwaring
Jan 22nd D.Moisson & I.Williams
Jan 29th D.Day & M.Hulin- Taylor
Feb 5th D.Moisson & I.Williams
Coffee Rota
Feb 5th Mrs M Tonkin & Mrs M Moisson .
Christmas Coffee Morning
at the Park Hotel, Builth Wells
Saturday 26th November from 10am
in aid of St.Mary’s Church
kindly given by Mrs Esme Edwards & family
Builth Craft Market
Saturday December 3rd, 10am – 3pm
Refreshments provided by St.Mary’s Church Members
Workshop making Willow Christmas decorations given
by Mary Zammit
Father Christmas visits 11am - 12 noon
CHRISTINGLE SERVICE
Sunday December 4th
5pm St Mary's Church
Builth Wells
OTHER NOTICES
Mid - week Communion Service
It has been agreed that, with effect from December 1st, at least for the winter
, the Thursday Communion service will be held in homes throughout the parish
at 10am. The first service will be held at Judith Hurford's home, 3 Glandwr
Parc
Dates for your Diary
Nine Lessons & Carols
Monday December 19th 7 pm
St.Mary’s Church, Builth Wells
with choral items from
Schola Irfon
Traditional Refreshments will served after the service
SUNDAY January 8th at 6pm
St.Mary’s Church
Let' s Celebrate !
A Service of Praise for the Young and Young at Heart
LLANDDEWI’R CWM AND LLANGYNOG
CONGRATULATIONS and best wishes to Angharad and Wyn
Davies on the birth of their daughter, Teleri.
CHRISTMAS EVE We look forwad to welcoming the Young
Farmers to the Carol Service at 7pm
MAESMYNIS AND LLANYNIS
BISHOP’S VISIT We look forward to welcoming
Bishop John Davies who will celebrate a Group Eucharist
on December 18th at 11am. After the service there
will be a Bring and Share Lunch in the Church Hall
to which parishioners are invited to contribute.
BEST WISHES to Cerys Amber, daughter of Sally and
Kelvin Jones on the occasion of her recent baptism.
ALLTMAWR CHURCH
CAROL SERVICE December 18th 5pm. Music will be provided
by Ruth Watson and a children’s group.
Builth Wells w.Llanddewi’r Cwm & Llangynog
w. Maesmynis & Llanynis w.Alltmawr:
In the case of pastoral need, including funerals,
baptisms & weddings, contact: Revd.Marian Morgan,
Trefechan, Aberedw tel.01982 560359 & 560702
email mkemorgan@btinternet.com
The Erwood & Painscastle Group of Parishes
From Trefechan …….
What a year it has been! It seems that we have been confronted on our television
screens by the horror of one dreadful disaster after another. The immediacy
and the devastation of the wars in Afghanistan, the massacre in Norway, the
earthquake in Turkey and the effects of the floods in India pushed off our
screens the continuing and agonising hunger of those in Africa. The stark
differences between the catastrophes in the most wealthy countries and some
of the most remote and deprived was almost as if the elements were saying ‘a
plague on both your houses’ Countries which had developed suspicion
and even hatred of each other by virtue of the acts of a small number of
fanatics were forced to acknowledge the suffering of each other and to respond
to the desperate humanitarian need of the neighbours whom they did not know.
As we in the west begin to prepare for Christmas when billions of pounds/dollars
will be spent on buying fragile and sometimes ‘shoddy’ gifts which
people do not need or want, it would be wonderful if we spent less on our own
families and made a donation to one of the overseas relief agencies or one,
like the Salvation Army, which provides for homeless people in our own country:
their details may be found in the ‘phone book. Jesus and his family were ‘homeless
at Christmas’, and they very quickly became refugees, fleeing to Egypt
to avoid the slaughter of the Innocents. How, and why, could a regime so rich
and powerful be so afraid of a small child?
Most of us have a fear of something – rational or irrational. We may
fear being alone, being sick or injured; we may fear for our children or grandchildren
in this world full of dangerous temptations where there appear to be no boundaries
or no limits to the kind of potentially harmful lifestyles they may be persuaded
to adopt – to be in with the crowd. I suppose this is all part of the
Western problem. However ‘poor’ we may feel, especially at Christmastime,
we are all, in this area, blessed with enough to eat, a roof over our heads,
and family or neighbours to whom we can turn when in trouble. We are rich indeed!
But all this apparent affluence can sometimes give rise to the phenomenon of ‘when
you have all you ever wanted – and it still isn’t enough’.
It’s when we feel that restlessness that does not go away when we should
feel fulfilled by our work and our families, but we don’t.
For myself and for many people in our parishes this will be the first Christmas
without a loved one; for some it will be the first Christmas with a new baby;
for others it will be the first Christmas following a serious and life-threatening
illness all of them will have been sustained and upheld by a loving family,
good neighbours and by the love and prayers of the church community. We all
have so much to thank God for; so many blessings, even despite the day-to-day
problems which confront us all at this busy and expensive time of year.
It is not a sign of weakness or immaturity to acknowledge the benevolent influence
of a higher being. There are signs and wonders every day, if we look for them,
which demonstrate God’s love for all of us, whether we choose to believe
in him or not. He sent his Son as an innocent child to show how it is possible
for us all to live in harmony and thank-fulness; he cares about and guides
each one of us. Perhaps those Roman and Jewish authorities recognised the power
of love in that baby which was so great that it has lasted for more than 2000
years.
May you and all those you love feel the power of that love in your lives this
Christmas time and throughout the coming year; and if you would like to come
to give thanks and to share in the joy of his birth, we would be delighted
to welcome you to one – or more – of our Christmas services.
Wishing you every blessing and the true joy, peace and hope of Christmas and
the New Year.
Revd. Marian Morgan, your Parish Priest
Services for December and January
Sun. 4th Dec. Advent 2
9.00 Newchurch Holy Comm. (HJF) 1662 (Short)
Refreshments in Rose Cottage – All welcome
9.30 Llanbadarn-y-Garreg Readings & Carols (PJM)
10.30 Morning Prayer (MO) 1662
11.00 Llandeilo Graban Holy Comm. (PJM)
CAROLS IN THE BARN:
‘
Boatside’, Aberedw,
Thursday December 8th 6.30pm
by kind invitation of Mr & Mrs R. Owen
Come & join in some favourite carols
followed by soup
Sun. 11th Dec. Advent 3
9.30 Crickadarn Holy Comm. (CH)
11.00 Llanbedr Holy Comm. (CH)
11.00 Aberedw Holy Comm. (MM)
2.30 Llandeilo Graban Carol Service with Moriah Chapel
(MM)
6.00 Bryngwyn Christingle (PJM)
ABEREDW SUNDAY SCHOOL
Concert in the Hall
Saturday, 3rd December at 6.30
Tree Service
Tuesday Dec, 13th at 4.00
Do come along and support our children, all welcome
Sun. Dec. 18th Advent 4
11.00 Llandeilo Graban Holy Comm.(PJM)
6.00 Gwenddwr with Crickadarn Readings and Carols
with Erwod YFC (MM)
6.00 Llanbedr Readings and Carols
Sat. 24th Dec. Christmas Eve
7.00 Christingle & Family Communion (MM)
10.00 Bryngwyn Holy Communion (MM)
11.30 Crickadarn Holy Communion (CH)
11.30 Aberedw Holy Communion (MM)
Sun. 25th Dec. Christmas Day
9.30 Llandeilo Graban Holy Comm. (MM)
9.30 Newchurch Holy Comm. (HJF) 1662
9.30 Gwenddwr Holy Comm. (KE)
Sun. 1st Jan. Christmas 1
9.00 Newchurch NO SERVICE
9.30 Llanbadarn-y-Garreg Holy Comm. (MM)
10.30 Newchurch NO SERVICE
11.30 Llandeilo Graban Holy Comm. (MM)
Sun, 8th Jan. Epiphany 1 Baptism of Christ
9.30 Bryngwyn NO SERVICE
9.30 Crickadarn Holy Comm, (MM)
11.00 Llanbedr Holy Comm. (CH)
11.00 Aberedw Holy Comm. (MM)
Sun. 15th Jan. Epiphany 2
9.30 Llandeilo Graban (MM)
11.00 Gwenddwr Holy Comm. (MM)
Sun. 22nd Jan. Epiphany 3
9.30 Aberedw Holy Comm. (CH)
9.30 Llanbedr Holy Comm. (MM)
11.00 Bryngwyn Holy Comm.(MM)
11.00 Crickadarn Holy Comm. (CH)
Sun. 29th Jan. Epiphany 4 & Homelessness Sunday
10.30 Aberedw Group Eucharist (MM)
Aberedw w.Llandeilo Graban w.Llanbadarn-y-Garreg w.Crickadarn
w.Gwenddwr & Bryngwyn w.Newchurch, Llanbedr
Painscastle w.Llanddewi Fach Priest-in-Charge: Revd.Marian
Morgan, Trefechan, Aberedw,
Builth Wells, LD2 3UW tel.01982 560359 and 01982 560702
E-mail mkemorgan@btinternet.com
The Colwyn Group of Parishes
Dear Friends
Every year as I write this article for Signposts and I see in the shops that ‘Christmas’ has
already been on the shelves for at least two months, whether we as a society
have totally lost it! Yes, lost it – the true meaning of Christmas that
is. Who really wants to listen to a plastic Santa bawling out a seasonal ‘Ho,
ho, ho’ in the middle of September?
Before Christmas of course, comes Advent. By its
meaning it refers to the coming of Christ to us in
humility, as a baby – God’s gift to all
creation. But are we really ready to receive him in
humility? Can we say to ourselves that our hearts
are prepared to receive him? Never mind the gifts,
the tinsel, ordering the wine and the turkey – let
us prepare ourselves and be ready to receive him in
humility on that glorious Christmas morning - a gift
to end all gifts!
We look forward to welcoming you to one of our Services
over the Christmas season.
Liz joins me in wishing you all a very Happy Christmas
and Blessed New Year.
Vicar Richard
Services for December 2011
4th December Advent 2
Llanfaredd 9.30 ET Morning Prayer
Llansantffraed 10.00 RK/CW Eucharist
Glascwm 7.00 JO/MO Village Service
Welcome!! Today we welcome to Llansantffraed the Revd
Carol Wardman, Bishops’ Adviser on Church & Society
at the Church in Wales. Carol will preach & Celebrate
at the Eucharist.
11th December Advent 3
Rhulen 11.15 JO (Eucharist)
Cregrina 9.30 RK Eucharist
Bettws 9.30 MO Morning Prayer
Llanelwedd 11.15 RK Eucharist
Llanelwedd 6.00 RK/ET Christingle Service
18th December Advent 4
Llanfaredd 9.30 RK Eucharist
Llansantffraed 10.00 ET Morning Prayer
Glascwm 4.00 RK Group Carol Service
(Candlelit with Mulled Wine & Mince Pies)
23rd December
Rhulen 7.00 MO Carol Service
24th December
Glascwm 4.00 RK Crib Service
Llanelwedd 11.30 RK Midnight Mass
25th December – Christmas Day
Rhulen 8.00 RK
Cregrina 9.30 ET
Llanfaredd 9.30 JO
Bettws 10.00 RK
Llansantffraed 10.00 MO
Glascwm 11.15 JO
Services for January 2012
1st January Christmas 2
Llansantffraed 10.00 RK Eucharist
Glascwm 7.00 JO/MO Village Service
(In The Old Vicarage)
8th January Epiphany 1
Rhulen 11.15 ET Morning Prayer
Cregrina 9.30 RK Eucharist
Bettws 9.30 MO Morning Prayer
Llanelwedd 11.15 RK Eucharist
15th January Epiphany 2
Llanfaredd 9.30 RK Eucharist
Llansantffraed 10.00 LK Morning Prayer
Glascwm 11.15 RK Eucharist
22nd January 5th Sunday before Lent
Rhulen 11.15 RK Eucharist
Cregrina 9.30 JO Eucharist
Bettws 9.30 RK Eucharist
Llanelwedd 11.15 ET Morning Prayer
29th January 4th Sunday before Lent
JOINT SERVICE Hundred House Hall 10.00 RK
Eucharist Coffee & Cake to follow. Sunday Club
for our young folk
Joint Service – Hundred house Hall
Following the success of the first Joint Service in Hundred House Hall, where
almost thirty people plus children attended, we are holding a further one
in the Hall on Sunday 29th January 2012 at 10.00am. I have also had several
people asking if we are to have more!
The Sunday Club will be held so children are more than welcome to join us.
Afterwards there will be an opportunity to meet folk from the parishes over
a cup of coffee & piece of cake.
Please come and bring your friends and join us!
Llanelwedd with Llanfaredd, Llansantffraed-in-Elwell, Bettws Disserth, Cregrina,
Rhulen and Glascwm
Revd Richard Kirlew, The Rectory Llanelwedd, LD2 3TY tel.01982 551288, richard.kirlew@btinternet.com
THE UPPER WYE GROUP OF PARISHES
Dear Friends,
Challenging Times, Changing Times.
I am sure that many of you reading this will have heard by now about the '£2.00
Challenge', which we're running in the Upper Wye through November and into
December. The challenge is simply to find out what you can buy with £2.00 – it
could be less than £2.00, but it cannot be more. It isn't necessary to
spend the £2.00 just to find out what you could buy if you did. For example,
a certain national newspaper costs £1.00 per edition between Monday and
Friday and £1.90 on Saturday – so for £2.00, you could have
two copies of Monday to Friday's paper or one copy on Saturday.
At the conclusion of the challenge we'll compile a list and then... Well, you
didn't really expect me to tell you now, did you? I'll reveal the answer in
the next edition of Signposts.
On the subject of changing times, I've decided to continue the 9.30am/11.00am
4th Sunday service amendment at Newbridge and Llanyre up to and including January's
services, with a decision at the PCC meeting in December as to how we will
proceed from then onwards. Following last year's disruption through snowfall
throughout Advent, we've decided this year to have a contingency plan. If there
are disruptive snowfalls throughout December then on Sunday, 8th January, there
will be a group service for the four churches of what was the Newbridge Group
at 10.30am at Llanfihangel Brynpabuan Church. The pew sheets and Parish notes
as well as the website, of course, will contain up to date information.
Also starting later this year will be our New Year's Eve Party. This now traditional
event with the music of Siârion at its centre will begin at 8.00pm this
year on New Year's Eve at the Llanyre Church Hall. As last year, there will
be a bring and share supper and please bring your own drinks. Donations to
Llanyre Church will be welcomed.
With all this talk of New Year, we can't overlook that Christmas is always
upon us. Despite any cynicism about commercialisation we should surely be delighted
that for a whole season of the year the country is singing our tunes.
I do pray that among the bustle, the excitement
and the noise of your Christmas Festivities, you will
have the space and time to welcome the Christ Child
again into your lives and hearts, for that is the
true beauty of this lovely season.
With my love and prayers for a truly blessed Christmas & God's choicest
blessings upon you all throughout 2012
Ben
Calendar of Services & Events
December
Sunday 4th 2nd of Advent.
10.30am: Benefice Eucharist: Helygen.
Sunday 11th 3rd of Advent.
9.30am: Eucharist: Cwmbach.
9.30am: Morning Praise: Llanyre.
11.00am: Eucharist: Newbridge.
5.00pm: Christingle: Newbridge.
Sunday 18th 4th of Advent.
9,30am: Eucharist: Llanyre.
11.00am: Eucharist: Newbridge.
3.00pm: Family Carol Service: Llanafan.
6.00pm: Carol Singing around the tree: Llanyre.
Saturday 24th Christmas Eve.
4.00pm: Children's Carol Service: Llanyre.
8.00pm: Candlelit Eucharist: Helygen.
11.30pm: Eucharist: Newbridge.
Sunday 25th Christmas Day.
9.30am: Holy Communion: Cwmbach.
9.30am: Eucharist: Llanyre.
January 2012
Sunday 1st 1st after Christmas
10.30am: Benefice Eucharist: Cwmbach; followed by
a bring and share lunch.
Sunday 8th 1st after Epiphany.
9.30am: Eucharist: Llanyre.
11.00am: Morning Praise: Newbridge.
11.00am: Eucharist: Brynpabaun.
3.00pm: Eucharist: Helygen.
6.00pm: Carol Service at Llanyre with Siârion.
Sunday 15th 2nd after Epiphany.
9.30am: Morning Praise: Llanyre.
9.30am: Eucharist: Cwmbach.
11.00am: Eucharist: Newbridge.
Sunday 22nd 3rd after Epiphany.
9.30am: Family Eucharist: Llanyre.
11.00am: Eucharist: Newbridge.
3.00pm: Eucharist: Llanafan.
Sunday 29th 4th after Epiphany.
9.30am: Morning Praise: Cwmbach.
9.30am: Family Eucharist: Newbridge.
11.00am: Eucharist: Llanyre.
Midweek Services.
Tues/Thurs/Fri 8.30am: Llanyre – Morning Prayer.
Thurs 10.30am: Llanyre – Holy Eucharist.
Wed 8.30am: Newbridge – Morning Prayer.
Wed 10.00am: Newbridge – Holy Eucharist.
Sat 9.00am: Newbridge – Morning Prayer.
Diary of Regular Meetings.
Tuesday: 1.30 – 3.00pm: Llanyre Llamas meet
in the Llanyre Church Hall. This is a group for parents
and carers of pre-school children.
Friday: 6.00 – 8.00pm: Llanyre Youth Club meet
in the Llanyre Church Hall. This is a group for youngsters
of 10+.
Caerwnon Park 'Songs of Praise' – meet at 2.30pm
in the Social Club on the 2nd Wednesday of the month.
Further details from the Vicar or Chris Heath.
Prayer Groups:
Afternoon Gp.: 2nd & 4th Tuesday of the month
starting at 3.30pm.
Evening Gp.: On Thursday 1st and 3rd Thursday starting
at 7.30pm
All meetings to be held at the Vicarage.
Living Faith Course: This course continues at Gelli
Garn starting at 7.00pm with a bring and share meal.
Mothers' Union
Newbridge & Cwmbach – usually meet on the
3rd Wed of the month at 2.00pm in the Iron Room, Cwmbach.
Llanyre & Helygen MU - usually meet on the 1st
Wed of the month in the Church Hall in Llanyre.
Future Events
Fri 2nd Dec: Newbridge Community Christmas Fete:
Starting at 6.30pm.
Tues 6th Dec: 7.00pm: Deanery Social Evening at Builth
Wells Church Hall.
Wed 7th Dec: 2.30pm: Llanyre and Helygen MU Advent
Service in Llanyre Church.
Wed 7th Dec: 7.00pm: PCC Meeting at Llanyre.
Sun 11th Dec: Newbridge Children's Christmas Party:
6 – 8.30pm.
Mon/Tues 12/13th Dec: School Production Performance.
Wed 14th Dec: Llanyre & Helygen Mothers' Union:
Meal at the Gwystre at 7.30pm.
Thurs 15th Dec: Last Session before Christmas of
Living Faith at 7.00pm.
Monday 19th Dec: Carol Service at Brynpabuan at 6.00pm.
Tues 20th Dec: 2.15pm: School Carol Service.
Tues 20th Dec: Mid-Powys Youth Choir Concert – Llanyre
Church at 7.00pm.
Wed 21st Dec: Carol Singing around Llanyre village.
Thurs 22nd Dec: 1.30pm: Children's Christmas Party
in Llanyre Hall.
Thurs 22nd Dec: 6.30pm: Newbridge Carol Service with
Pentref Chapel.
Fri 23rd Dec: Brynpabaun Carol Service at 6.00pm.
Sat 31st Dec: New Years Eve Party at Llanyre Church
Hall starting at 8.00pm.
From the Registers
Baptisms.
We welcome into the Lord's family Joshua Thomas Williams
baptized at Newbridge on Sunday, 23rd October.
And also, Benedict Michael Hill, baptized at Llanyre
on Saturday, 29th October.
Wedding.
We send our love, prayers and heartfelt congratulations
to Michael Hill and Sophie Heath who were married
at Llanyre on Saturday, 29th October.
Mon 28th to Mon 5th Dec (incl): Vicar's Hols.
Items forFeb. issue of Signposts to Chris Heath please
(01982 551572) by Thursday January 5th
Llanyre, Newbridge-on-Wye, Cwmbach Lechryd, Llanfihangel
Helygen, Llanafan Fawr & Llanfihangel Brynpabuan
Revd.Ben Griffith, 2 Highbury Fields, Llanyre, LD1
6NF, tel.01597 823321 email: benedictgriffith@sky.com
Contributions for future issues are welcome and should
be sent to:
Canon Nigel Hall, Coedmor, Broadway, Llandrindod Wells,
LD1 5HT
Tel.01597 829637 email nigeldhall@hotmail.com
For advertising enquiries please contact the above
address
Deadline for next issue (February): Monday January
9th
|
