The Parish of

Pentyrch

and

Capel Llanilltern

St Catwg’s Church

St David’s Church

St Ellteyrn’s Church

April 2016 Price £1

2

THE PARISH OF PENTYRCH AND CAPEL LLANILLTERN

www.parishofpentyrch.org.uk

VICAR Revd Michael John 02921403854

vicar@parishofpentyrch.org.uk

SERVICES for APRIL

St. Catwg’s Church, Pentyrch

10th April 11 a.m. Holy Eucharist and Sunday Club

17th April 11.a.m. Holy Eucharist and Sunday Club

24th April 11 a.m. Holy Eucharist and Sunday Club

St. David’s Church, Groesfaen

10th April 9.30 a.m. Holy Eucharist

17th April 9.30 a.m. Holy Eucharist

24tyh April 9.30 a.m. Holy Eucharist

1st May 8.00 a.m. Holy Eucharist

St Ellteyrn’s Church, Capel Llanilltern

3rd April 8 00 a.m. Holy Eucharist 10th April 10.30 a.m. Holy Eucharist

17th April 9.30 a.m. Holy Eucharist

24th April 10.30 a.m. Holy Eucharist

Parish Hall, Creigiau.

3rd April 10.30 a.m. All Age Benefice Holy Eucharist

1st May 10.30 a.m. All Age Benefice Holy Eucharist

WEEKDAYS

St. Catwg’s Wednesday 10.00 a.m. Holy Eucharist

St. David’s Tuesday 10.00 a.m. Holy Eucharist

Other services as announced

For Baptism, Marriage, Reconciliation, Anointing of the sick,

or to receive the Blessed Sacrament at home

Contact Revd Michael John, details above

Because changes to services may have to be made after the publication of the

magazine, please check pew leaflet and the parish website.

Articles for the magazine can be E-mailed to: johngoughpentyrch@btinternet.com by the 10th of the month.

You can also contact me on: 029 20891721

3

“The Holy Ghost made an appearance the

other day” That was the comment someone

made a day or so after one of our Holy Week

services. When I heard this I momentarily

thought to myself “Well, I hope so”. How-

ever, I think the point that the person (a visi-

tor who is a regular at another church) was

making is that the word ‘ghost’ is a bit old

fashioned and perhaps inaccessible to mod-

ern ears. The debate about accessible and in-

clusive language in worship has raged for a

long time and there is still no consensus on

the matter. The “Holy Ghost” verses “Holy

Spirit” debate is an interesting one because

neither word is any less or more accessible,

modern or helpful than the other.

The service in question was the office of

Compline which we used a couple of times

in Holy Week. I have come across more

modern versions of this service which are

meaningful and helpful in their own right but

there are times when we clergy need to sim-

ply ‘make a call’ with the form of worship

for a parish or church. The solemnity of the

Holy Week theme made me decide that it

was appropriate to the more ancient office

which has been handed down over the centu-

ries was appropriate in this instance. I re-

member a remark which Archbishop Rowan

Williams once used when describing the use

of ancient language in worship, he said “It is

like stones which have been rubbed smooth

through centuries of use”. The beauty and

antiquity of the language along with the fact

that we are still in a sense, sharing it with our

forebears, should be an important element of

how we worship.

Having said all this there are times when it’s

appropriate to use more modern and inclu-

sive language and styles of worship.

It was lovely to share with our

neighbouring parishes very different

styles services during Holy Week:

Prayer Book Evening Prayer, and a

service created using sources from

other parts of the world wide church,

alongside the rhythmic traditional

Compline.

One of the big decisions that clergy

face especially when entering a new

parish is what style of worship and

language will be the most appropri-

ate to ensure the people of the Parish

draw close to God. We are part of a

wider communion and a Church

which stretches into the past and into

the future, and as such there are cer-

tain ‘givens’, the centrality of the

Eucharist and Scripture are two of

the most obvious examples. So, an

independent church might well em-

ploy a minister who will offer that

church the style of worship which its

members require and expect. Angli-

canism is driven by several different

criteria which make this a more com-

plicated business. We carry a rich

tradition which is part of our cultural

and religious heritage, our Prayer

Book is part of this but it is not the

whole story.

We also need to recognise that we

are called to reach out to a society

which needs to be given the opportu-

nity to understand and engage with

the worship we offer. So we must

also speak in ways that are inclusive

and accessible. The great problem is

that we all think we know what peo-

ple ‘out there’ want. On quite a few

occasions I have been very surprised

to learn what certain people respond

4

to and value in worship: Young people

are frequently more traditional in their

taste than we might expect and older

people likewise will readily respond to

modern styles of worship and language.

I suppose if I learned anything in the 27

years I have been ordained it is that one

cannot predict what works for people

based upon simple categorisation. I sup-

pose I should have realised this myself as

my tastes in worship regularly

change and fluctuate. Perhaps this is

why I am most comfortable and at

home in the Anglican church which

allows me access to such a variety of

styles without making me feeling

like I’ve ever left home.

Yours in the Risen Christ

Michael

A Smile

A smile is infectious, you catch it like the flu

When someone smiled at me today, I started smiling too

I passed around the corner and someone saw my grin

Hen he smiled I realised I’d passed it on to him.

I thought about that smile, then realised its worth

A single smile, just like mine, could pass around the earth.

So if you find a smile begin, don’t leave it undetected

Let’s start an epidemic quick and get the world infected.

From Coast and Combe Mission Community Magazine

5

Friends of the Church Hall

The coffee morning nibblers have settle well into the new year, and would welcome

new comers. What do you get for your £2? Good quality tea or coffee, a selection of

biscuits on the table, and good company to set you up well for the

day. You can even have “seconds” of tea and coffee if you wish,

after all, talking is thirsty work!

The coffee morning in April is on Saturday 16th from

10 a.m. to 11 45 a.m. in the Parish Hall in Creigiau. There

will be a stall selling cakes and another selling plants, some come armed

with money!

Throughout Lent, Frugal lunches were held every Wednesday lunch times in the

Church Room at St Catwg’s Church. The soup lunch was made

by different people every week and, without exception, enjoyed

by all. Two different soups were made, normally by different

people and this did mean that the frugality of the lunch was

spoiled as people were encouraged to have “seconds”! About

12-14 people attended each week from across the Parish and as

well as the healthy sounds of slurping soup, there was equally

healthy chatting across and along tables. Donations to charity

were invited and the total collected exceeded £300 which was given to the Wallich

Charity, a Cardiff Charity dealing with homelessness.

The “West Wing” Project: Work is to begin Yes, the long awaited (not that long really) work on the West Wing Project will be-

gin on Monday 4th April, and take approximately 10 weeks. During that time, the

church will be open for services, but not outside those times as it will be classed as

a “Building Site”.

To remind you:

The north west corner (the far left hand corner as you enter the church) will have a

fitted refreshment area enclosed within a wooden cupboard. This will give us in-

stant hot water and will support our using the area as a fellowship area, which will

be carpeted.

The mediaeval font will be positioned near the chancel steps and used for Bap-

tisms.

The Victorian Font will be relocated to the wall on the right of the main door.

Some of the memorial tablets at the back of the church will be restored and relo-

cated.

The interior main door will be replaced with a glass door.

The floor will be sanded and sealed.

The church will be redecorated.

All this should be completed by the middle of June.

6

As has been the custom for the last few years, we linked with our neighbouring par-

ishes to share some of the services during the early part of the week.

Let me firstly, though, mention the service in St Catwg’s on Palm Sunday when, as is

our custom, we started the service at the Lyche Gate with the collect and Gospel for

the day before processing into church led by the Sunday Club, singing a hymn and

waving very dusty pampas grasses and pretending they were palm leaves. (The

grasses were left at the church yard) Instead of the normal Gospel reading, a drama-

tised version of St Luke’s Gospel of the Passion of Christ was presented as it was in St

David’s. What amazed many of us, was that the congregation was

approximately 70 strong, which was, of course, very pleasing.

On Monday, the shared services started in St John’s Church in

Danes’ Court, part of the Parish of Radyr. This small very beauti-

ful church in an enclosed walled churchyard was a fitting setting

for the start of the preparations for Passiontide. The address was

given by the Vicar of Tongwynlais, Revd Zoe King. Tuesday’s

service was in St Michael and All Angels in Tongwynlais where

Michael preached. Wednesday saw St David’s Church hosting the

service as our parish representation in the week’s events. At this

service, the address was given by Canon Jenny Wigley and this

was followed by Compline. (For those of you who read in the last

magazine, the process on the dating of Easter, might want to note

that it was virtually a full moon that evening.)

Thursday saw the first of the Parish services with Eucharist and

the washing of feet and the stripping of the altar, followed by the

Watch of the Passion and Compline in St Catwg’s Church. It was not a large congre-

gation for this service, but a goodly number took part in the symbolic washing of feet.

Several stayed throughout the Watch of the Passion, while others stayed for a while

and returned for the ancient rite of Compline.

Services were held in the three churches on Good Friday, with the Passion in St

Catwg’s and St David’s and Compline during the early evening in Capel.

The Passion service, is, by its very nature a moving experience, and this was certainly

so in St Catwg’s, and, as the service in St David’s took the same format, then it would

have been in St David’s as well.

The tall wooden cross stood stark at the chancel steps and became the symbol of

Christ’s passion when the congregation reached the point of walking to the Taize

chant “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom”, up the aisle carrying

a small carnation to place at the base of the cross: the symbolism of the event was

moving in the extreme. At the end of the service, the congregation left in silence—an

unusual experience in itself, but in the context of the service a very necessary one. It

did mean, however, that one was not able to speak to those in the congregation who

were not St Catwg’s regulars.

The Cross in St Catwg’s

before the pews were

removed

7

Saturday of Holy Week, means the Easter Vigil. (To diverge, a moment: Thought

for the Day on BBC radio 4 on this day, largely featured the misconception that it is

Easter Saturday: this falls at the end of Easter week.)

The congregation entered the church for the 6.30 p.m. service armed with various

“musical” instruments: perhaps a more accurate description would be “noisy”

instruments which ranged from an ancient motor horn through a Swiss cow bell to a

plastic box and a spoon to whack it with.

The service started at the West door with the Paschal (Easter) candle being lit from

a small flame. I must admit here to a personal disappointment. Three years ago I

watched Glynis on her hands and knees almost prostrate on the floor blowing air

into an emerging flame hoping that it would light the tinder and serve its purpose.

As she changed colour, so the flame burst forth and the light of Easter emerged to

great rejoicing! This year it was much more sanitised, but the Paschal candle was lit

and paraded into church followed by the congregation who lit their candles as they

walked through the door. This ancient Christian tradition represents the Christian

hope of the Resurrection; the light represents Christ as the Light of the World; the

Font (from where part of the service was conducted) represents Baptism by which

each one is brought to share in this light; The Paschal or Easter Candle represents

the presence of the Risen Christ who appeared to His disciples during the great

forty days of Easter up to the Ascension, and the Candle will be lit for every service

until the Ascension; thereafter it is lit for Baptisms and Funerals.

After the Paschal Candle had been placed in its position, the Vicar sounded forth

with the Exultatet, the Easter Proclamation: “Rejoice, heavenly powers! Sing choirs

of angels!” The Exultatet is 70 lines long, and it was sung in plainchant by the

Vicar. I am going to embarrass him now. It is easy to “expect” a priest to do the

well the things that priests are expected to do, but Michael here took on the role of a

Precentor and sung unaccompanied the Exultatet very beautifully and, from what I

could judge, in tune. Priests are rarely praised or thanked for what they do (when

was the last time you thanked a priest for the sermon?) but from me, Michael, thank

you very much, you intoned Exultatet beautifully!

After the Biblical readings, Michael once again sang out, this time: “Gloria in Ex-

celsis Deo” and we all banged or blew our instruments and simply shouted, and I

was able for the only time in the year, to pull out all the stops on the organ and

make a merry noise! Thereafter, peacefully, we celebrated the first Eucharist of

Easter.

Easter Day, and services in all our churches: I was in St Catwg’s so I can only com-

ment on that service. Virtually every one of our new chairs (did you know that the

chairs celebrated their liturgical first birthday this week? They arrived on Wednes-

day of Holy Week last year) 90 were counted in the congregation, the choir mem-

bers made that number 100, there were 28 children in Sunday Club with at least

five helpers and they came into the service and shared their session with us. We

even had one young lad celebrating his first Easter Service with us. Noah was born

last week—we gave him a clap and he raised his hand in acknowledgement!

What a celebration of Holy Week and Easter Day! John Gough

8 o

On 22nd May, Dr John Sentamu, Archbishop

of York, will have completed a 6-month pil-

grimage in which he will have walked and

prayed the length and breadth of the Diocese

of York. He offers these tips…

Prayer walking is as simple as it sounds -

praying as you walk. When we prayer walk

we are stepping out as God’s children to

bless people and places in Jesus’ name.

The core of prayer walking is conversing

with God; ask Him to show you what He

sees; to know His heart for your community.

Agree a place and time to start prayer walk-

ing and talking to God together. Explain why

you’ve gathered to pray, and how you are go-

ing to do it. If splitting into smaller groups,

then agree a place and time to end together.

Jesus sent his disciples out in pairs. It’s not

as intimidating as a large group, and is safer

than people going on their own.

You can plan ahead to ensure that you pray

for specific places, or simply ask the Holy

Spirit to guide your time - just make sure you

don’t get lost! Know the places and people

that make up your local community. What

jobs do people do? Are there particular

needs?

As you prayer walk, be aware of your sur-

roundings: what you see, smell, hear and

touch. But also be aware of what God is say-

ing to you as you move around your commu-

nity; if any Bible verses pop into your head

or if you have any pictures, visions or words

of knowledge: turn these into prayer.

The point of prayer walking isn’t about being

seen praying; it’s about seeing and praying.

You can pray quietly together or in silence if

it makes you feel more comfortable.

As you prayer walk, the focus is on those

who are living in your community so be in-

tentional about praying for God’s blessings

in what you see and feel. Even in diffi-

cult areas, try to pray positively. Focus

on God’s plans and purposes for the

place and people that live there. “Your

Kingdom come, your will be done…” is

an excellent start.

If you’ve prayed in different places,

meet up at the end to share what you’ve

prayed and heard from God. Write

down what you share so that you can

keep track of how to pray for your area.

After your prayer walk, keep praying

for your community. You might like to

arrange specific prayer meetings or fur-

ther prayer walks for your area. As you

keep praying, continue to ask for God’s

blessing in your area; praying for God’s

kingdom to come and His Will to be

done in your area. If you feel that God

is highlighting specific needs or chal-

lenges, think about how to take action;

how could you and your Church be part

of God’s solution practically, as well as

prayerfully?

This is an abridged version of an arti-

cle on the Archbishop of Canterbury’s

website.

Prayer Walking around your community

9

The Bible in 50 words

God made

Adam bit

Noah arked

Abraham split

Joseph ruled

Jacob fooled

Bush talked

Moses balked

Pharaoh plagued

People walked

Sea divided

Tablets guided

Promise landed

Saul freaked

David peaked

Prophets warned

Jesus born

God walked

Love talked

Anger crucified

Hope died

Love rose

Spirit flamed

Word spread

God remained. - anon

A Seafarer's Prayer

Cast adrift on the seas of life

'Neath a sky so angry and grey,

My God, in You must I place my faith

That You will show me the way.

The clouds are dark and my little ship

Is ill-equipped for the storm.

Oh, how will I steer when my rudder is gone

And all of my sails are torn?

The seas are rough and the mountainous

waves

Have driven me far from the land -

Oh God, please give me the calm that I

crave,

And stretch out Your helping hand.

Life is a voyage of peaks and troughs

In a vessel that's ever fraught:

How I long for the sight of the harbour lights,

That I may be safely in port.

So, God, help me steer an even course

And send me a quiet sea:

For that do I pray at the start of each day –

My God, please answer my plea.

Let me not fear of the trials of life,

However deep they may be;

I travel in hope that You, my God

Will be here to look after me.

© Tony Finn, 2008

10

30th Annual

PENTYRCH HILL RACE Fell Race category: BM

Sponsors: “Up and Under Outdoor Gear Ltd”

Tuesday

26 APRIL 2016 at 7 p.m. Registration: Pentyrch Rugby Club by 6.30 p.m. Minimum age 18 years by 1st January 2016

FELL RACE GRADE: B(M) Total distance 7 Miles (11.02K)

of which 5 Miles (8K) is off-road

1,600 feet of climbing (488M)

ENTRIES (ON DAY ONLY) £5.00 all athletes

Enjoy a mixed terrain race set in beautiful countryside.

Well marshalled: no previous knowledge of the course needed.

Why train alone in midweek?

Enjoy the company of runners and enthusiastic

marshals around this one lap course.

3 miles from the M4 Junctions 32 and 34.

GR 100816 Post Code: CF15 9QJ

Details: John Gough

45 Maes-y-Sarn

Pentyrch

Cardiff

CF15 9QQ

Telephone: 029 20891721

Email: johngoughpentyrch@btinternet.com

www.parishofpentyrch.org.uk

www.pentyrch.org.uk

Organised by St Catwg’s Church Pentyrch

and supported by Les Croupiers Running Club

11

I’m sure that if you went to a landfill site, you would find (after you have adjusted to the

smell and the numerous sea birds, the odd fox, the cat and person scavenging amongst

the debris) something that would make you think, “Now why is that there?” What would

your reaction be if you were told that scavenging at one site started in 1897 (January

1897, in fact) and it is still going on today? This is no ordinary landfill site, it is, in fact,

a sand dune, some 130 miles south of Cairo at the ancient Egyptian City of

Oxyrhynchus.

When the archaeologists Bernard Grenfell and Arthur Hunt dug into the sand dune in

1897, they found a rubbish dump full of scraps of papyrus. Now when I say “full”, I

mean that they sent to the Sackler Library in Oxford, 500,000 fragments. With the help

of more than a few friends (scholars) they managed to transcribe 5,000 of these frag-

ments: now that is only a small percentage of the 500,000 they had originally collected

(I know, it is 0.001%). In 2014, people around the world, with even just a rudimentary

knowledge of the ancient Greek alphabet were asked to join in, so that now, the Oxford

dons have been able to transcribe almost 200,000 of the papyrus fragments and they re-

veal some astonishing stories.

The finds include an extract from Andromeda, a lost tragedy by Euripides, thought to

have been first produced in 417 BC; fragments of a long-lost rendition of the Book of

Exodus, written in the style of a Greek tragedy, by a little known author called Ezekiel

in the second century BC. “We had only known about it because it had been quoted by

the fourth century church father Eusebius,” said Professor Obbink. “We didn’t know for

certain that a text existed. Now we have a real copy, a long speech by Moses, in iambic

trimeters, telling the history of his life. It’s amazing what gets thrown out in the rub-

bish.”

Other accounts include a third century AD doctor’s report of the death by drowning of a

12 year old slave girl, caught in a sluice while swimming with her friends. But perhaps

this is the most interesting; it is part of the Ezekiel

tragedy referred to above:

(Moses is speaking) Then the princess with her

maid-servant came down to bathe. When she saw

me she took me up and recognised that I was a

Hebrew. My sister Miriam then ran up to her and

spoke: “Shall I get a nursemaid for this child from

the Hebrews?” The princess urged her on. Miriam

went to fetch our mother who presently appeared

and took me in her arms. The princess said to her:

“Woman nurse this child and I shall pay your

wages.” She then named me Moses because she

had taken me from the watery river-bank.

The finds were unveiled by Professor Obbink at the Royal Geographical Society early in

March.

The fragments date from 1BC to 7AD, when Egypt was occupied by Greeks and Ro-

mans. JG

A fragment of Papyrus. Papyrus is

made from a river-side sedge plant

12

The Queen is ‘very grateful’ for the nation’s prayers

In a strong statement of faith, the Queen has said that she is ‘very grateful’ to the na-

tion for its prayers for her and that she has felt God’s ‘faithfulness’ during 64 years

on the throne.

The comments – rare insights into the Queen’s personal thoughts and Christian faith

– came in the forward to a new book, The Servant Queen and the King She Serves,

published by Bible Society, HOPE and LICC.

Her Majesty said, ‘I have been – and remain – very grateful to you for your prayers

and to God for His steadfast love. I have indeed seen His faithfulness.’

The book was published to mark the Queen’s 90th birthday. In her comments, the

Queen referred to the changes she has seen in her life, which has made her the long-

est-reigning monarch in British history.

‘The extent and pace of change has been truly remarkable,’ she said. ‘We have wit-

nessed triumphs and tragedies.’ And she alluded to the current problems in the Mid-

dle East saying that the world is now experiencing ‘terrible suffering on an unprece-

dented scale’.

The Queen’s Christian faith is well-known. In recent years, Her Majesty has referred

to her beliefs in public statements, including Christmas broadcasts.

The Servant Queen and the King She Serves highlights the Queen’s faith and how it

has shaped her personal life and service to the nation. A 12-page schools version has

been published by Scripture Union.

Copies of The Servant Queen and the King She Serves are available in packs of 10 at

£1 a copy (plus p&p). Visit www.hopetogether.org.uk/thequeen to order copies and

for ideas on how to hold a street party and Thanksgiving service.

From the Parish Records

Funerals.

St David’s Church

7th March John Peter Marusza

22nd March John Stanford

A bank is a place that will lend you money if you can prove that you don't need it.

A healthy adult consumes each year one-and-one-half times his own weight in other

people's patience.

A pun is the lowest form of humour - unless you thought of it yourself.

13

How stupid can some bosses be? There are times when I, and I expect many

others, wonder what world they live in.

Saint banned from Rochester train station Britain's rail bosses have censored an image of a saint from a display of art inside a

railway station, saying it was 'overtly Christian and would offend multi-cultural val-

ues'. Network Rail, which is partly funded by the taxpayer, banned an image of

St John the Evangelist from Rochester station in Kent.

The image was inspired by Rochester's ancient cathedral and recognised the city's

heritage as one of the oldest Christian ecclesiastical cities in Britain. Its cathedral

was founded in 604 AD. A Network Rail spokesman said the company told the art-

ist to remove some of the planned images to 'create a balance.' Source: Daily Mail

One of my tasks when I was a Deputy Head in a Cardiff Inner City Comprehensive

School with a 40% ethnic intake and well over 30 different nationalities, was to go

through the admittance procedures with parents and their children when they pre-

sented themselves for admission other than at the beginning of year 7.

I always asked, “Are you happy for your child to attend school assemblies?”

I never had any who refused, and the answer I was normally given was: “There is

one God, Mr Gough, we just worship in different ways.” Most of the Christmas

cards I received from the pupils, came from the Muslim children.

I find it difficult to have patience with the people who make decisions such as the

one expressed above. John Gough

14

Prayer for every day after Easter

Living, Almighty God,

Thank you that by your Spirit living in me, made

possible by the life, death, resurrection and ascen-

sion of Jesus, you give me all I need.

Like Peter, you forgive and re-commission me.

Like Thomas, you meet me in ways tailor-made for

me.

Lord, thank you for the daily personal “nudges”

that assure me of your reality, your presence in my

life, just when I need so much to know you are

here.

Thank you that we are Easter People every day, be-

cause of Jesus, and in His name we pray.

Amen.

By Daphne Kitching

Jenny Dennis has been fighting serious ill-

ness. Out of the pain of that experience

comes this poem…

The Three of us in the Waiting Room

“Jennifer Dennis” my name is called.

I turn to him who waits.

A brief kiss, and then I walk away.

At the door I glance back.

His newspaper and crossword at his side,

he sits, taking comfort that our God waits

with him,

as our God moves silently with me to the

next scan.

By JDD Whether I wake or sleep,

Lord, I am thine. Secure

in Thy loving keeping

teach me to rest in thee,

whether I sleep or wake,

Amen

15

Spring is the time when people have tended to go on pilgrimage. El Camino is

the Spanish name for the mediaeval pilgrim routes from France and Italy to

Santiago de Compostella (St. James of the Field of Stars). The pilgrim’s symbol

is a seashell and these mark the main pathways leading to St Jean Pied de Port,

the last main stop in France, and on-

wards along El Camino de Frances

across northern Spain from Roncevalles

in the Pyrenees, through Pamplona,

Logroño, Burgos and Leon. The journey

takes about a month on foot.

The Pilgrim Road to El Camino

By many ways they travel down

Across the countryside

From Paris, Chartres and other towns

Where shells their pathway guide.

And in St Jean their trails all meet

Before the Pyrenees,

Then on and up with steady tread

Where buzzards take their ease.

Past Roncevalles where Roland fought

To where the bulls will run,

Then on into the Spanish plains,

Their long, last leg begun.

And day by day and week by week

Going where others strode,

Attending the ancient pathway

That is The Pilgrim Road.

By El Cid’s city and Leon,

On towards their goal,

Walking to the Field of Stars

In far-off Santiago.

Such may not be our choosing,

Each carries their own load,

But life’s journey we are making

Should be our Pilgrim Road.

By Allan Lewis

16

Easter Communion by Gerard Manley

Hopkins

Pure fasted faces draw unto this feast:

God comes all sweetness to your Lenten lips.

You striped in secret with breath-taking whips,

Those crooked rough-scored chequers may be

pieced

To crosses meant for Jesu's; you whom the

East

With draught of thin and pursuant cold so nips

Breathe Easter now; you serged fellowships,

You vigil-keepers with low flames decreased,

God shall o'er-brim the measures you have

spent

With oil of gladness, for sackcloth and frieze

And the ever-fretting shirt of punishment

Give myrrhy-threaded golden folds of ease.

Your scarce-sheathed bones are weary of being

bent:

Lo, God shall strengthen all the feeble knees

Easter Poetry

Easter by Edmund Spenser

MOST glorious Lord of Lyfe! that, on this day,

Didst make Thy triumph over death and sin;

And, having harrowd hell, didst bring away

Captivity thence captive, us to win:

This joyous day, deare Lord, with joy begin;

And grant that we, for whom thou diddest dye,

Being with Thy deare blood clene washt from

sin,

May live for ever in felicity!

And that Thy love we weighing worthily,

May likewise love Thee for the same againe;

And for Thy sake, that all lyke deare didst buy,

With love may one another entertayne!

So let us love, deare Love, lyke as we ought,

--Love is the lesson which the Lord us taught.

Easter Zunday by Ingeborg Bach-

mann

Last Easter Jim put on his blue

Frock cwoat, the vu'st time-vier new;

Wi' yollow buttons all o' brass,

That glitter'd in the zun lik' glass;

An' pok'd 'ithin the button-hole

A tutty he'd a-begg'd or stole.

A span-new wes-co't, too, he wore,

Wi' yellow stripes all down avore;

An' tied his breeches' lags below

The knee, wi' ribbon in a bow;

An' drow'd his kitty-boots azide,

An' put his laggens on, an' tied

His shoes wi' strings two vingers

wide,

Because 'twer Easter Zunday.

An' after mornen church wer out

He come back hwome, an' stroll'd

about

All down the vields, an' drough the

leane,

Wi' sister Kit an' cousin Jeane,

A-turnen proudly to their view

His yollow breast an' back o' blue.

The lambs did play, the grounds wer

green,

The trees did bud, the zun did sheen;

The lark did zing below the sky,

An' roads wer all a-blown so dry,

As if the zummer wer begun;

An' he had sich a bit o' fun!

He meade the maidens squeal an' run,

Because 'twer Easter Zunday.

17

St Catwg’s Visitors’ Book When you read the entries in the visitor’s book at the back of the church you begin

to realise how many people visit now that the church is open most days during day-

light hours.

In recent magazines I have referred to the person

from Southern Brittany, who obviously called in

because there is a print of a painting of St Catwg’s

Church in St Cado’s Church on the River Etel

near Belz in Morbihan: he referred to “Where

your St Catwg came”. Last month I wrote of our

church being used by Catrin Finch and her hus-

band Hwyl Wigley for a concert featuring the

music of Morten Laurisden.

I have since been back to the Visitors’ Book to look at their signatures and com-

ments, and they are very interesting.

The award winning American composer (possibly the best

American composer of choral music) wrote:

“Thank you for a wonderful experience recording my songs in

your chapel.” Marten Laurisden. (Los Angeles)

“Great experience to play in this beautiful place” Juan Galiarno

(Cadiz)

“ Wonderful venue, warm Welsh hospitality: nothing

better.” Paula Fan: Tucsan Arizona.

One from closer to home, Jeremy Huw Williams, Baritone. Jeremy rep-

resented Wales in the Cardiff Singer of the World some years ago and

has gone on to perform over 60 operatic roles at venues throughout the

world. He is particularly renown for presentations and recordings of

music by contemporary composers.

“Diolch am y pleser o gael canu yn eich

heglwys” Jeremy Huw Williams.

(Thank you for the pleasure of singing in your church.)

We also had a card from Catrin Finch and Hywel Wigley:

To St Catwg’s Church

Diolch yn fawr i awn! Thank you very much! Marten,

Jeremy and Paula loved the acoustic of your wonderful

church and Hywel and I are immensely grateful to you for your kindness and gener-

osity. All Best Wishes,

Catrin Finch, Hywel Wigley

xx

Ile Saint Cado

Catrin and Hywel at Acapela

Dr Paula Fan

Jeremy Huw

Williams

Catrin and harp

18

The Archbishop of Wales is calling for the new Welfare Secretary to

stop cuts in support for disabled and sick people.

Dr Barry Morgan has signed an open letter with other Christians from all walks of

life calling on the former Welsh Secretary Stephen Crabb to change the Govern-

ment’s course on welfare cuts and abolish the Bedroom Tax. It is published in the

Mirror.

The letter is also signed by Carmarthenshire vicar, Revd Dr John Gillibrand, a cam-

paigner for disability issues, as well as a range of people from all walks of life, in-

cluding film maker Frank Cottrell-Boyce and author David Lodge.

Specifically addressed to Mr Crabb, new UK Secretary of State for Work and Pen-

sions, as a Christian believer, the letter highlights the centrality of compassion and

social justice in the Christian tradition. It declares that “now is the time to take stock

and begin to adopt a different approach” from that of cuts to benefits and welfare

support for the most vulnerable.

The Archbishop says, “When he was Secretary of State for Wales Stephen Crabb

considered evidence against the proposed Wales Bill and was prepared to change his

mind about it. We hope he will be equally open-minded in his new role and will

drive through the crucial changes needed for meaningful welfare reform.”

Following Mr Crabb’s reversal of the cuts to Personal Independence Payments (PIP)

overseen by his predecessor, Iain Duncan Smith, the open letter calls for further

changes to PIP – including reverting to the previous mobility criterion, the ability to

walk no more than 50 metres, rather than the current test of being able to walk no

more than 20 metres.

Signatories also want the UK government to reverse the Employment and Support

Allowance (ESA) cut of £30 a week, to review the impact of benefit sanctions on

the health of sick and disabled people, and to abolish the Bedroom Tax (spare room

subsidy).

They further ask the new Secretary of State to “immediately examine the way your

department [the DWP] has in the past responded to letters from coroners regarding

the deaths of benefit claimants, particularly the Rule 43 ‘prevention of future deaths’

process.”

Virginia Moffatt from Ekklesia said, “After six years of devastating cuts to welfare

that have caused intolerable misery and harm to sick and disabled people and their

families, it is time for a new approach.

“The appointment of a new Secretary of State at the Department of Work and Pen-

sions provides a welcome opportunity to stop, reflect and find an alternative way of

working. We hope that Mr Crabb will respond positively to the issues we are raising

and agree to meet us and the sick and disabled people with whom we work.”

From the Church in Wales website.

19

Christian Aid Week 16th—21st May This is the week we love every neighbour. Jesus calls us to love our neighbour as ourselves, and

not just the ones next door or at the end of the street.

Christian Aid Week unites over 20,000 churches to put this love in to action. Together we’ll hold

church collections, host Big Brekkie fundraising breakfasts, and collect house-to-house. Join us.

We have a proud record of collecting in this Parish: mark the date in your diaries now and volun-

teer.

Morsheda is a young mother of four living in Bangladesh. She has no land, few as-

sets and no savings.

For Morsheda’s family living on low-lying islands in the Brahmaputra River, floods

are a terrifying part of everyday life. Morsheda can’t even count on having a safe

place to call home: the single-room, corrugated-iron house she shares with her chil-

dren has been flooded four times.

‘I feel very scared of the river. When I look at it I keep thinking “it is coming”.’

Dangers all around

One year, her humble house filled up to her knees with floodwater. To stay dry, and

keep away from the dangerous snakes that now swam through her home she raised

her bed up on bricks. But during the night she was woken by a loud splash. In the

pitch black, her baby son had fallen into the inky water. He could have drowned in

moments.

Race against time

In a bad year, huge waves crashed against her

house, giving her less than an hour to uproot

her home and scramble to safety. Racing

against time, she gathered her terrified chil-

dren together and hastily made a raft from a

banana tree.

At any moment, it could have tipped and

plunged them into the swirling waters, but it

was their only hope. She put her youngest

daughter in a cooking pot and clung to it as it

floated in the current.

‘My children were so scared. My sister was

holding them very tightly and we were panick-

ing because my neighbour’s child was washed away.’

The floods are coming

Morsheda and her children live a precarious life. They know that the floods will

come again, and soon. But we can lift our neighbours like Morsheda to safety.

Just £250 is enough for a Christian Aid Home Safety Package. It could flood-proof

Morsheda’s home, raising it eight foot on an earth plinth, so that she has a safe place

to rebuild, keep livestock and grow crops. It could also buy a goat, seeds and a

wormery to help produce compost – all of which will give her a long-term income

and a solid foundation for a new life.

‘If I could raise my house then I would feel much safer living here with my chil-

dren.’

Morsheda and her four children in

floods.

20

On the perils of small study groups

The Rectory

St. James the Least

My dear Nephew Darren

So, you are about to run an Alpha course in your parish; I am sure your bishop will

be delighted. I remember him from my Oxford days. He was just starting his course

as a gangly undergraduate when I was finishing my doctorate on Eusebius.

I recall him as a keen rugby player who took early morning dips in the Isis, who led

intense discussions on Saint Paul’s theology of “the body” over cups of cocoa in the

evenings in his rooms and who spent his holidays laying paths for the National Trust

in the Lake District while lodging in Youth Hostels. He’s exactly the sort of person

who will empathise with your ministry – hearty, enthusiastic and overflowing with

compassionate intensity. We were not close friends.

We tend not to go in for those sort of things here at St. James the Least of All, prefer-

ring matters a little more relaxed and understated. If we ever do hold discussion

groups (and they are a regrettable necessity during Lent), they always start with a

good lunch, finishing with coffee and one of Mrs French’s excellent Madeira cakes.

Once we have removed from the table, those who manage to stay awake will start to

tackle the chosen topic.

However, we always seem to veer off to discussing more interesting matters, such as

why Col. Chorley is never allowed to sing solos in the choir any more, or who moved

Mrs Cholmondeley’s flower arrangement from the font the previous week. Appar-

ently she has given notice that her weekly contributions on the plate will be much

reduced unless an appropriate apology is received.

These matters may not seem as important to you as deciding what the “white stone”

in Revelation 4 is all about, but let me assure you that to members of our congrega-

tion, knowing why the second verse of the National Anthem is no longer sung at our

Remembrance Services is of pivotal importance.

At 2 pm we wake up those who have enjoyed an hour’s slumber and totter off home,

knowing we have once again done our bit for faith in the parish.

I am sure your own group will also return home after your sessions - even if a diges-

tive biscuit and weak tea is all that has been offered – invigorated and braced to

tackle the heathen in the parish. We all take our pleasures in

different ways.

Your loving uncle,

Eustace

21

Help shape the future

Elections take place this year for three key diocesan bodies - Diocesan Conference, Diocesan

Standing Committee and Diocesan Board of Finance. This is a once in three years’ opportunity to

get the right people to represent you, with all posts running for three years.

What is the Diocesan Conference?

It has lay representatives from every parish and deanery plus all clerics who hold the Bishop’s li-

cence, and is a key way of sharing what’s going on in the Diocese. Meeting annually on the last

Saturday in September, it looks back over the previous year and forward to new and exciting ven-

tures. It approves key diocesan policies such as the new Fairer Share Scheme, and can influence

the whole Church in Wales – a 2013 motion on support for food banks went all the way to the

Governing Body! Diocesan Conference members also elect diocesan representatives on key com-

mittees such as the Electoral College, the Diocesan Board of Finance and the Governing Body of

the Church in Wales.

What’s expected of you?

An interest in what’s going on in the Diocese and the wider Church in Wales

Attendance at the annual conference

Feedback to your church, taking back key messages

Vote on diocesan business

How to join

Talk to the current reps from your parish and deanery

Check that you’re eligible – there’s a place for at least one lay person from each parish or Ministry

Area, but they have to be a communicant member of the Church in Wales.

Get yourself elected at your Annual Vestry Meeting or Deanery AGM

What is the Standing Committee?

The Standing Committee is elected by deaneries from members of the Diocesan Conference. It

works with the Archbishop to shape diocesan policy, to agree changes to parish boundaries – in-

cluding the creation of Ministry Areas - and to provide a diocesan response to key issues facing

the Church in Wales. It also appoints diocesan representatives to key committees such as the

Standing Committee of the Governing Body. The Standing Committee has one clerical rep and

one lay rep from each Deanery elected by the Deanery Conference.

What’s expected of you?

Attendance at three meetings a year plus Diocesan Conference

An understanding of how the diocese works or a willingness to learn

How to get elected

Talk to the current reps from your deanery

Get yourself elected to the Diocesan Conference

Ask your Area Dean how to stand for election at the Deanery Conference

What is the Diocesan Board of Finance?

The Diocesan Board of Finance looks after the financial resources of the Diocese to ensure that the

mission of the Church can be supported now and in the future. With an annual budget approach-

ing £5m, it needs members from each Archdeaconry with appropriate skills and experience. The

This document and the one on the next page came from the Llandaff Diocese: if

anyone is interested in applying please do..

22

Diocesan Conference elects members of the Diocesan Board of Finance, but you don’t nec-

essarily need to be a member of the Diocesan Conference to be elected to the Board.

What’s expected of you?

Attendance at four meetings a year

Experience or interest in financial or property matters

How to get elected

Talk to the current reps from your Archdeaconry

Check that you’re eligible – clerics have to be members of the Diocesan Conference, lay

members have to be on the electoral roll of any parish in the Diocese

Contact the Diocesan Secretary (rowenasmall@churchinwales.org.uk) for a nomination

form

The Diocesan Conference pages on the Diocesan website [http://

llandaff.churchinwales.org.uk/dio-inf/diocesan-conference/] have more information about

each of these bodies, who is eligible to join them and how to get nominated.

Think you could make a difference at Provincial level in the Church in Wales? We’ll also

be electing members to the Governing Body and the Electoral College this year. Look out

for more information coming to parishes in the summer.

Diocesan Message 2

Help shape the future

Elections take place this year for three key diocesan bodies - Diocesan Conference, Dioce-

san Standing Committee and Diocesan Board of Finance.

Diocesan Conference? It has lay representatives from every parish and meets annually to

share diocesan news.

Want to join? Get yourself elected at your Annual Vestry Meeting or Deanery AGM

Standing Committee? It’s elected from members of Conference and meets three times a

year to shape diocesan policy.

Want to join? Get elected to Diocesan Conference and then speak to your Area Dean

Diocesan Board of Finance? The Diocesan Board of Finance meets quarterly and looks

after the financial resources of the Diocese.

Want to join? Contact the Diocesan Secretary rowenasmall@churchinwales.org.uk for a

nomination form

For more information and to check your eligibility visit the Diocesan Conference pages of

the Diocesan website http://llandaff.churchinwales.org.uk/dio-inf/diocesan-conference/

Based on my calculations, I can retire five years after I die.

Birthday cake is the only food you can blow on and spit on and still everybody

rushes to get a piece.

Coffee: starter fluid for the morning impaired.

23

“I didn’t see you on the camouflage parade this morning, Jones.”

“Thank you, sir.”

Who is he?

A musical concert was about to be performed in a prison. The Governor was talking

to a titled lady guest, explaining that the orchestra was made up of murderers, em-

bezzlers and other hardened criminals. The lady then pointed to a man in the corner,

holding a trombone. ‘He looks a tough customer,’ she whispered. “Whatever has HE

done?’ The Governor paused and smiled. ‘Ah, actually, he is the chaplain.’

“ My friend took his pet zebra to the supermarket. It cost £385.78 to check him out!

Q: What was the first thing your husband said to you when he woke up that morning?

A: He said, "Where am I, Cathy?"

Q: And why did that upset you?

A: My name is Susan.

Q: Do you know if your daughter has ever been involved in voodoo or the occult?

A: We both do.

Q: Voodoo?

A: We do.

Q: You do?

A: Yes, voodoo.

Q: Can you describe the individual?

A: He was about medium height and had a beard.

Q: Was this a male, or a female?

Q: Is your appearance here this morning pursuant to a deposition notice which I sent to your at-

torney?

A: No, this is how I dress when I go to work.

Q: Doctor, how many autopsies have you performed on dead people?

A: All my autopsies are performed on dead people.

Q: All your responses must be oral, OK? What school did you go to?

A: Oral.

Q: Do you recall the time that you examined the body?

A: The autopsy started around 8:30 p.m.

Q: And Mr. Dennington was dead at the time?

A: No, he was sitting on the table wondering why I was doing an autopsy.

Q: Are you qualified to give a urine sample?

Q: Doctor, before you performed the autopsy, did you check for a pulse?

A: No.

Q: Did you check for blood pressure?

A: No.

Q: Did you check for breathing?

A: No.

Q: So, then it is possible that the patient was alive when you began the autopsy?

A: No.

Q: How can you be so sure, Doctor?

A: Because his brain was sitting on my desk in a jar.

Q: But could the patient have still been alive, nevertheless?

A: Yes, it is possible that he could have been alive and practising law somewhere .

24

Parish of Pentyrch and Capel Llanilltern

Vicar: Revd Michael John 21403854

Parochial Secretary Mr David Pendlebury

42, Maes-y-Sarn, Pentyrch 20892077

Parish Wardens Mr Andrew Dodd 20891736

Mrs Helen Davey 20891765

Parish Treasurer Geoff Moses

28 Pen y Groes, Groesfaen

Pontyclun CF72 8PA 20891061

Parish Hall Treasurer Mr T.I. Hall 20890087

Parish Hall Booking Secretary Mrs Mary Davies 07528565499

St Catwg’s Church, Pentyrch

Churchwarden Miss Jane Rees 20679970

Treasurer Mr Martin J Cragg 20890738

6 Cefn Bychan, Pentyrch

Organist and Choirmaster Mr John Gough 20891721

Sunday Club The Sunday Club for young people meets at

St Catwg’s Church Room at 11.00 a.m. every Sunday except the first in the month.

Contact: Mrs Sue Dodd 20891736

St David’s Church, Groesfaen

Churchwarden Mrs M. MacKay 20890827

Treasurer Mrs M MacKay 20890827

28 Parc-y-Coed, Creigiau

Organist Miss Jane Williams 20890805

St Ellteyrn’s Church Capel Llanilltern

Churchwarden

Mrs Linda Davies 20891239

Treasurer Mrs Sue Adams

Parish Magazine Organisers

Pentyrch Mrs Margaret Curran 20891693

Creigiau Mrs Gaynor Williams 20890657

Groesfaen Mrs Alison Woodley 20891800

Magazine Editor Mr John Gough 20891721

Follow us on: www.parishofpentyrch.org.uk