Issue No 175
Magazine for the Irfon and Wye Valley Churches September 2015 called upon to fight dragons, but we will have to overcome our own dragons of prejudice, of the fear of change, the fear of new things, different churches, and people. This should be seen as an exciting time starting on a new adventure, learning new ways of worship, meeting new people. Yes it will be a bit scary, those in the Lord of the Rings had doubts and fears but succeeded in their task by working together despite all the pitfalls and dangers. This fellowship of ours, through which the world will begin to glimpse what God is like, can tolerate weakness and failure; it can tolerate all the different personalities, our disagreements and pettiness, but what it cannot tolerate is lies. In the struggle to commit ourselves totally to God we have to really know our own and others strengths and weaknesses. Our commitment to God can be harmed if we are not truthful or try to hide things from God who is all knowing and all seeing. Very scary. God is love and gentleness. God is not interested in guilt, but in truthfulness which will build this vital fellowship. Despite the disciples abandoning Jesus at the crucifixion he did not condemn them. Instead a gentle “Shalom, peace be with you.” Shalom has a wider meaning than peace. In its Old Testament context it means wellbeing in its fullest sense, it gathers up all the blessings of the kingdom of God. The disciples did not try to justify their actions only responded with overwhelming joy. The only possible response to meeting Christ. He has not come to reassure them of his conquest over death. He has come to instruct and prepare them for the task ahead. It is an awesome task he sends them out to build a fellowship of believers. These men, deserted him at the cross, hid in fear of the authorities now have to go out and lead others to know and follow Christ. They lied about never leaving him but at the cross they did. This led to the disintegration of the fellowship, now it is being rebuilt and the message of Christ will be spread to all. The new fellowship must be different and not built on unrealistic ideals. The mission Jesus gave to his disciples is one he gives to us all. We have to become a strong fellowship of believers who care for each other; who are willing to go the extra mile. We have a wonderful opportunity to build this fellowship throughout our ministry area. The paradox of Christian ministry is that we find true freedom when we allow Search for God to enslave us. We magazine online or on bring life to others when Facebook we sacrifice our own.
A Deeper Fellowship By Gina Ayling, Licensed Lay Minister (Reader) The book “Lord of the Rings” features a fellowship which works together to rid the world of evil. By working together, using the strengths and weaknesses of each one they succeed in their task. The people who make up this fellowship are not natural allies. They have little in common, and join the fellowship with different personal priorities. But they are held together by the overwhelming need to save their countries from the menace of evil. They have to learn to trust one another, to rely on each other’s skills and judgement, and to allow for one another’s particular weaknesses. This sense of struggle and adventure is a useful way to look at our church fellowship. Fellowship is rather more than a passing emotion. Entering into fellowship with others is entering into the nature of God, and our failures in fellowship will obscure our witness to God. We read about this in the talks Jesus has with his disciples at the last supper (John 17) and also in the epistles of John. The life that pours out in fellowship with Jesus is the same vital source that gives life and breathe and being to all that is. The world starts with the fellowship of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Creation exists because God chose to share that fellowship. This fellowship of ours, through which the world will begin to glimpse what God is like, can tolerate weakness and failure. We are in fellowship with all humanity. No one should be excluded because of race, creed or religion. We are starting a new fellowship in our ministry areas, we will meet and share in worship and events with others who perhaps at present we don't know, but in time we will form a bond united in our love of Christ. As in the Lord of the Rings there will be times of uncertainty, times when things don't run smoothly; but because of our fellowship with God we can overcome these snags and grow together in faith. We will not be
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Ministry Area Notices .
Saturday September 12th 2015 *Music* *Praise* *Witness* *Fellowship*
Mission and Ministry Festival Brecon Cathedral
20th September 18.00 St. Mary’s Church, Builth Wells
13th September 18.00 Cwtch Café, Builth
All those who hold a Bishops Licence (Eucharistic Assistants, Worship Leaders, Pastoral Visitors) are encouraged to attend and renew their ministry as part of the 12.00 service.
Local
Ministry Area Service & Conversation
Christian Aid Youth Group
26 September at 2.30pm Brecon Cathedral
Wednesday Lunchtimes in C3
Monday 21st September 19.00 Eucharist for Matthew, Apostle followed by an open discussion about the future of the proposed united Ministry Area. Preacher – The Director of Ministry.
Preacher: The Rt Revd and Rt Hon The Lord Rowan Williams of Oystermouth
Contact: Ms Jones (History/Hanes) or Fr. Neil
All are encouraged to attend.
CHRISTIAN AID 70th ANNIVERSARY SERVICE th
Builth High School
Diocesan Vision Prayer Father, we hold before you our family in the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon and we open our hearts and minds to your Spirit: Bless us as we gather in your name; Guide us as we grow into the likeness of your Son; Lead us by your Spirit to go out and make disciples of others. God of our journeying, be our way and our truth and our life; our beginning and our end. We pray through Jesus our Lord. Amen. 3
The Deaneries of Maelienydd and Builth
Joint Deanery Festival 17th September St. Mary the Virgin, Builth Wells 14.30 All Welcome
Nata Village Paphos Cyprus
Rest for the Body Restoration of the Mind Refreshing of the Spirit For more information please visit
www.carobpaphos.com email: carobpaphos@hotmail.co.uk
or phone: 07590 409701
The Pilgrims Course
THE FOUNTAIN INN
A new Course - the Pilgrims Course will be running fortnightly from the Christian Centre for Rural Wales, located on the Royal Welsh Showground above the old food hall. The course is a journey to the heart of God and to a living, personal relationship with Jesus Christ within the household of his Church. With contributors including the Archbishops of Canterbury and York. In the first session we are looking at the attraction and the attractiveness of Jesus Christ. We start with a story about people finding Jesus and spending time with him, with pre-recorded reflections to ponder. Individual books cover the six sessions of the course. Meeting at 7pm for coffee and cake and finishing before 9pm. Each session stands on its own, so don’t worry if you cannot come to all of them. We are in this together: a journey together with God guiding and nurturing us all. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions beforehand or for more info go to www.pilgrimcourse.org. Pob bendith, every blessing
Builth Wells
(01982 553888)
Warm & Friendly Pub with open Fire Separate Café area Separate Function / Restaurant Room Home-cooked food served daily from 9am Choice of Real Ales, Ciders, Draught Beers and Lagers We specialise in Outside Bars for all occasions
Janet Day, Licensed Lay Minister (Reader)
The No.1 Ladies Walking Agency Thank you to all those who supported our 'Walk with Us' Charity Walk for St Michael's Hospice in Hereford. We raised in excess of £852!
Fine Arts, Cards, Gifts, Knitwear, Jewellery and Bags
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The Colwyn Group of Parishes
Services for September
Flower Festival
Sunday 30th August Trinity 13 (5th Sunday) 10.00am Holy Eucharist 100 House Hall
PJM
Sunday 6th September Trinity 14 10.00am Holy Eucharist Llansantffraed 6.00pm Village Service Glascwm
PJM DD
Sunday 13th September Trinity 15 9.30am Holy Eucharist Cregrina 11.15am Holy Eucharist Llanelwedd Sunday 20th September Trinity 16 9.30am Harvest Eucharist Llanfaredd 10.00am Morning Prayer Llansantffraed 11.15am Holy Eucharist Glascwm 11.15am Holy Eucharist Rhulen
St Matthew’s Church Llanelwedd’s Flower Festival and Songs of Praise was held on Saturday and Sunday the 4th and 5th July 2015.
“Fantastic!” “It has the “WOW” factor.” “Beautiful!” “Lovely!” “Inspirational!” “Uplifting!”
PJM N Hook
PJM MG JO BG
These are just some of the remarks and praise written in the event comments book.
THANK YOU
Friday 25th September Harvest Festival for Glascwm & Cregrina
Our grateful thanks go out to: The Flower Arrangers, who decorated the inside, the Porch and the entrance Gate to the Church so beautifully; The Bracken Trust Singers; Our Congregation; Our Archdeacon, who officially opened the Festival; Our Area Dean who encouraged those involved with the Festival, and officiated at the Songs of Praise Service; As well as all those who helped prior to, and over the weekend including our Flower Festival Sponsors, Donors and Raffle prize donors.
Sunday 27th September Trinity 17 9.15am Holy Eucharist Bettws PJM 9.30am Village Service Cregrina MJ 10.45am Harvest 4All Llanelwedd Worship Team (ET & MG) Sunday 4th October Trinity 18 10.00am Holy Eucharist Hundred House Hall JO 6.00pm Village Service Glascwm ET
Cregrina Church COFFEE EVENING
From your Church Wardens,
Mary & Eddie Thomas
Friday 11th September 2015 7.00pm Hundred House Village Hall
Bible Study Colwyn Benefice will be starting a monthly Bible Study Group on Tuesday 22nd September starting at 10am and finishing at 11am. The group will be using easy to understand 15minute DVD presentations on the book of Acts. The first meeting will be at Erw Lon, Cregrina LD1 5SF. Everyone is invited to join us. For more information contact Cherry on 01982 570 702.
Cakes, Plants, Produce, Toys, Books & Bottle Stalls, Chinese Auction & Raffle Admission £1 (including Coffee and Biscuits)
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CHIMNEY MAINTENANCE: REPAIRS TO REBUILDS SWEEPING – PAINTING For Friendly Advice & Free Quotations Please Contact Matthew Drew… 07525 437083 ~ 01874 712264
01982 560422 (Aberedw) or 07552 995881
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The Buallt Group of Parishes Worship
Regular Events
06 September (Nativity of BVM) 10.00 Family Eucharist at Builth 15.00 Said Eucharist at Llanddewi’r-Cwm 18.00 Festal Evensong in Builth
There is a Daily Prayer Service every weekday at 09.00 (Eucharist 10.00 Thursdays) in the Chapel of the Holy Name in St. Mary the Virgin, Builth Wells. Wednesday: Collective Youth Group, Lunchtime at Builth Wells High School in C3 term-time Thursday: Handbells 19.00 - St Mary’s Church Thursday: Bell-Ringers 19.45 - St. Mary’s Tower Friday: Choir Practice term time 18.00 - St. Mary’s
13 September (Holy Cross) 09.30 Choral Eucharist at Builth 11.00 Said Matins at Maesmynis 18.00 Café Church at The Cwtch Café, Builth
Charity Shop
20 September (Pentecost XVII) 09.30 Choral Eucharist at Builth 11.00 Said Eucharist at Alltmawr 18.00 Worship in Builth
The Buallt Group is again taking on the Charity Shop in Middleton St. Llandrindod between 12th Sept and 18th Sept we urgently need volunteers to man the shop in morning/afternoon shifts and donations of goods to sell in the shop. Please contact Audrey Price 553664 or Diana Samuel 553738 for more details.
27 September (Pentecost XVIII) 09.30 Harvest Matins at Builth 11.00 Said Eucharist at Llanynis 18.00 Solemn BCP 1662 Evensong at Builth
From the Vicarage Dear friends, St. Mary’s Builth celebrates the 140th Anniversary of its current building on the weekend of Sept 04th – 06th with a series of exciting events. A Friday night Garden Party at The Vicarage (19.00) is followed on Saturday 05th by a 10.30 Summer Fete, 14.30 Kids Fun Afternoon and 19.00 ‘Hymns & Pimms’ SingAlong Event. On Sunday 06th we are privileged to be joined by Bishop John for our closing Festal Eucharist. Please to join us as we celebrate this important milestone in the life of the church. Pob bendith
Pilgrim Course in CCRW Janet Day, our Reader, will be running the Pilgrims Course fortnightly from the Christian Centre for Rural Wales, located on the Royal Welsh Showground (above the old food hall). The Pilgrim Course is a journey to the heart of God and to a living, personal relationship with Jesus Christ within the household of his Church. Contributors to the course are the Archbishops of Canterbury and York. The course begins at 7pm on 10th September. More details from www.pilgrimcourse.org or from Janet Day 01982 553623
Father Neil Events in September
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Walsingham
01 Reserved Communion 11.00 in Brynhyfryd / Glan Irfon 02 Mothers Union Meeting in Glandwr Park 04 Garden Party at The Vicarage 19.00 05 Summer Fete in St. Mary’s 10.30 – 12.00 05 Kids Fun Afternoon in St. Mary’s 14.30-16.00 05 Hymns & Pimms in St. Mary’s 19.00 12-18 Charity Shop Fundraiser in Middleton St. L’dod 17 Mothers Union Joint Deanery Festival in St. Mary’s, Builth 14.30 21 Matthew Apostle & Evangelist Eucharist & Ministry Area Conversation in St. Mary’s 19.00
Please pray for those from the Ministry Area who are going on the Diocesan Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham in Norfolk with Bishop +John for Michaelmas.
Builth Wells with Llanddewi’r-Cwm & Llangynog with Maesmynis & Llanynis with Alltmawr Vicar: Revd Father Neil Hook, The Vicarage, 1 North Road, Builth Wells LD2 3BT, Tel: 01982 552355, Email: frhooky@gmail.com Licensed Lay Minister: Mrs Janet Day, 3 Daffodil Wood, Builth, LD2 3LE 01982 553623, Emil: djd@janetdaydesigns.co.uk 7
The Erwood & Painscastle Group of Parishes
Dear Friends,
passion and crucifixion of Christ we come face to face with a God who doesn’t sit remote and removed from his creation. In the incarnation he actually becomes part of it, he submits himself to the worst that human beings can be in order to bring them to the best that they can be. For me, the poet W. H. Auden expresses it better than any: “To guess from the insulted face Just what appearances he saves By suffering in a public place A death reserved for slaves.” There surely is both the paradox but also the wonderful reality that lies at the heart of Christianity, that God rather than being an impassive and remote deity is sufficiently concerned at the depths of human suffering that he becomes part of it to redeem it to better possibilities. So where is God in the face of human suffering? Right alongside the suffering, the marginalised and the dispossessed, just as the Gospels remind us Christ was during the years of his public ministry when he was criticised by the religious elite for consorting with “tax collectors and sinners.” Which leaves us with one question, what is our response to human misery? How do we react when we see those pitiful scenes in the Mediterranean and Calais? If we aim to be truly Christian, then surely our response is to reach out to the suffering, to offer whatever help we can and as we give thanks for the ending of conflicts of the past to redouble our efforts and our prayers to ensure that the scourge of war is finally eradicated from the face of the globe. With my love and prayers, as always
As you read this we’re drawing towards the end of a summer which has seen some significant military anniversaries commemorated, from the seventieth anniversary of the ending of the Second World War, through the centenary of the Gallipoli campaign back to the bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo and with it the conclusion of the Napoleonic Wars which had rocked Europe a century before the First World War. On such occasions it can be quite tempting to feel somewhat despondent about human history, after all in the midst of these commemorations and reminders of conflicts of the past we still live in a world where for too many of our fellow human beings violence and warfare remain an all too significant feature of their lives. We only have to consider the plight of those desperate men, women and children who’ve risked everything, even their very lives, to seek refuge in Europe from the conflicts of their own lands to realise quite how far the spectre of conflict stretches its tentacles across the globe today. Given that daily litany of almost unbelievable suffering, it’s hardly surprising that for many people the concept of a loving God becomes simply untenable. How is it possible, they argue for a Divine Creator who apparently loves each and every one of his creatures to remain indifferent in the face of human suffering? You can, of course, entirely understand the premise of the question, indeed I’m confident that most if not all of us have asked it ourselves on innumerable occasions. It seems to me that uniquely among the world’s belief systems Christianity does actually provide the only logical and coherent answer, apart from Buddhism which would argue that it is only when you’ve reached the state of perfection that everything will be wonderful. At the heart of all of our church buildings a large cross is displayed prominently. Not as in the temples of the Greek and Roman religions of old or indeed a Hindu temple a large gilded statue of a divinity. At the centre and focus of our worship is a representation of one of the most barbaric methods of torture humanity has ever devised. Not the ‘Madame Guillotine’ so beloved of the French Revolutionaries a quick and efficient method of dispatching those whom society had decided were undesirable. Crucifixion was specifically designed to be as humiliating, degrading and excruciating painful as possible. The cross is there to remind us of the extent to which God was willing to go to change the future for all of his creatures. In the
Ben
From the Registers Holy Baptism We welcome into the Lord’s Family, Lily Ferguson who was baptised at Crickadarn on 26th July and Erin Margaret Rogers who was baptised at Llanbedr on 2nd August.
Confirmation We send our love, prayers and warmest congratulations to Ella Davies and Julie and Aled Davies who were confirmed by Bp. John at Aberedw on 12th July.
Holy Matrimony We send heartfelt good wishes and prayers for a happy marriage to Lisa Powell and Ian Greenow who were married at Gwenddwr on 8th August.
R.I.P. We extend our deepest sympathies and prayers to the families of Duncan Cameron whose ashes were interred at Bryngwyn following his funeral there on 17th July and Margaret Powell who was buried at Crickadarn Chapel following her funeral at Gwenddwr on 24th July. May they and all the departed rest in peace and rise in glory.
Aberedw w Llandeilo Graban w Llanbadarn-y-Garreg w Crickadarn w Gwenddwr & Bryngwyn w Newchurch w Llanbedr Painscastle w Llanddewi Fach Revd Ben Griffith, The Rectory, Aberedw, Builth Wells LD2 3UH, Tel: 01982 560615, Email: benedictgriffith@sky.com 8
The Erwood & Painscastle Group of Parishes
September Services and Events
Sunday 20th September Trinity 16 /Pentecost 17 9.30am Holy Eucharist Llandeilo Graban 11.00am Morning Praise Gwenddwr 3.00pm Holy Eucharist Llandewi Fach 6.00pm HARVEST FESTIVAL Aberedw
Friday 4 September th
ITALIAN EVENING
Thursday 24th September 7.00pm
HARVEST FESTIVAL Llandeilo Graban Friday 25th September 7.00pm
HARVEST FESTIVAL
Ty Maesawyr Rhosgoch
Bryngwyn
Sunday 6th September Trinity 14/Pentecost 15 9.00am Holy Eucharist Newchurch 9.30am Holy Eucharist Llanbadarn y Garreg 11.00am Morning Praise Llandeilo Graban 10.30am Mattins Newchurch (followed by refreshments at Rose Cottage) 11.00am Holy Eucharist Gwenddwr
Sunday 27th September Trinity 17/Pentecost 18 9.00am Holy Eucharist Bryngwyn 11.00am Holy Eucharist Crickadarn 7.00pm HARVEST FESTIVAL Gwenddwr (tbc)
Painscastle Mothers’ Union 17th September: Deanery Service at St Mary’s. Builth Wells at 2.30pm 13th October: AGM & Planning at Painscastle Hall at 7.30pm, please join us for this very important meeting.
Friday 11th September 3.45-5.15pm
Looking Backwards A huge thank you to everybody who worked so hard to organise and support the various events that we’ve held during the summer. The Aberedw Feast was successfully revived with a wonderful barbecue and a well-attended Songs of Praise, I do hope that if you were there, we included your favourite hymn. I’m sure that you’ve all seen the newspaper reports and photograph from our lovely dedication of new hassocks at Llanbedr Church, if you haven’t seen the incredible workmanship on display then do pop into Llanbedr Church to see them. The joint Confirmation Service at Aberedw on July 12th was a beautiful sunny morning and it was a great joy to welcome Bp. John, our candidates and friends from the Builth and Colwyn Churches for a truly memorable celebration and that staggering cake!! Unlike Confirmation Day, the Kilvert Pilgrimage was not one of those halcyon summer days we all dream about. There were nonetheless a fine group of intrepid pilgrims who braved the elements sustained by some beautiful music, readings and a Llanbedr tea, I always feel that I could brave Everest, well maybe Pen-y-Fan after one of those, so the walk to Llandewi Fach for Evensong was quite easy really, but then that is the only part of it I did!!
Painscastle District Hall Sunday 13th September 9.30am Holy Eucharist 11.00am Holy Eucharist 11.00am Morning Praise
Trinity 15/Pentecost 16 Aberedw Llanbedr Crickadarn
Saturday 19th September 7.00pm Llanbedr Church
with Mid Powys Youth Choir
Aberedw w Llandeilo Graban w Llanbadarn-y-Garreg w Crickadarn w Gwenddwr & Bryngwyn w Newchurch w Llanbedr Painscastle w Llanddewi Fach Revd Ben Griffith, The Rectory, Aberedw, Builth Wells LD2 3UH, Tel: 01982 560615, Email: benedictgriffith@sky.com 9
The Parishes of the Irfon Valley, Blaenau Irfon and Upper Wye Dear Friends
Worship and Events
The summer has been a time of many wonderful events where the church has been working hard from Man v Horse to the wonderful musical events that have taken place. Messy Church is working well as a group effort. I thoroughly enjoyed walking around in my medieval headdress! We are now approaching harvest and this is going to be a very busy time. It is, however, a time when the church really comes to life as we thank God for the fruits of His creation, whilst also praying for farmers to be respected for the work they do. All they ask is for fair payment. The same as we all do. Now is a time when we really should be keeping all who work in agriculture in our prayers. In addition we must pray for those who do not have the benefits of a good harvest. Those who are desperate and need our help throughout the world. I have put together the service schedule and I hope that it works. Everything is new to us all at the moment but if we work together we will find a way through the uncertainty to a bright future. Love and Prayers
Sunday 6 September 9:30am Holy Eucharist 11:00am Morning Prayer 11:00am Morning Prayer 11:00am Holy Eucharist 11:15am Holy Eucharist 11:15am Morning Prayer
EOD PBW St James Worship Team Newbridge GA LB MS Llanlleonfel PBW Llanganten MG
Sunday 13 September 9:30am Congregational 9:30am Holy Eucharist 9:30am Holy Eucharist 11:00am Holy Eucharist 11:00am Holy Eucharist
EOD Llangammarch PBW Cwmbach CH/NH St James PBW Newbridge CH/NH
Friday 18 September 6pm
Harvest Festival At All Saints Church Newbridge on Wye Led by Petra Beresford-Webb
Petra
Fundraising
Followed by Supper at the New Inn
The Parish of the Irfon Valley has been busy fundraising and has held the following events: Llangammarch Church Fete £640-65; Bodyshop Night £184-40; Tynllwyni Walk £214; Cilmery Walk £145; Cilmery Fete £371-68; Llanlleonfel and Llanfechan joint Fete £533.45. Grateful thanks to all who gave prizes for these events and helped out in any way. Other events to take place include another Walk in Garth, Flower Arranging Night, Harvest Supper, Quiz Night and Christmas Carols & Tea. Further details on these events in future signposts and on the Parish Website www.irfonvalleyparish.co.uk Details of the Irfon Valley 200 Club winners – June winners: Conway Price, Martin Davies, Bunty Price, Gwyn Davies, Sue Price, Donald Bufton, Margaret Richards, Giles Marshall, Nicky Richards, Eileen Cheffers, Bethan Davies, John Lloyd. Further winners will be available on the Parish website www.irfonvalleyparish.co.uk
Sunday 20 September 9:30am Holy Eucharist 11:00am Morning Prayer 11:00am Morning Prayer 11:15am Holy Eucharist 3:00pm Holy Eucharist 6:00pm Harvest
EOD St James Newbridge Llanganten Llanafan Llangammarch
Sunday 27 September 9:30am Family Service 9:30am Morning Prayer 11:00am Holy Eucharist 11:00am Holy Eucharist 11:00am Holy Eucharist 6:00pm Harvest
EOD YP Cwmbach GA Llangammarch MS St James CH/NH Newbridge PBW Llanganten PBW
PBW MG GA PBW MS PBW
Sunday 4 October 9:30am Festival Service EOD PBW 11:15am Holy Eucharist Llanfihangel Brynpabuan PBW
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 Tirabad; Eglwys Oen Duw, Beulah; Newbridge-on-Wye, Cwmbach Llechrhyd, Llanafan Fawr & Llanfihangel Brynpabuan Revd Petra Beresford-Webb, 9 Cae Nant, Newbridge-on-Wye, Llandrindod Wells LD1 6LQ, Tel: 01597 860842 or 07966 799546, Email: petra.beresfordwebb@yahoo.com 10
‘Nearer to God in a Garden’ - September Figs
A reliable Fig for the UK is the widely available ‘Brown Turkey’ variety. The fruits will ripen in September. It is best grown as a bush in a sheltered spot or trained against a wall. The roots will need to be confined to promote fruiting. There are many references to Fig Trees in the Bible starting with Adam and Eve through to the teachings of Jesus. Luke 13: 6-9 records one story that Jesus told. It sounds like a good piece of gardening advice written into a parable: He told them this parable: ‘A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard: and he came looking for fruit on it, but found none. So he said to the vinedresser, “Look here! For the last three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree without finding any. Cut it down. Why should it go on using up the soil?” But he replied, “Leave it, Sir, this one year while I dig round it and manure it. And if it bears next season, well and good: if not, you shall have it down.”’
Linda Lewis
Heat or Eat – Dealing with Fuel Poverty in Mid-Wales Surely everybody in this country has the right to a warm, dry home that they can afford to heat and power? Yet that is not always the case Action to end fuel poverty will not only improve people’s lives but also help tackle climate change. More families are in “fuel poverty” than at any time for a decade with current figures standing at 2.28 million – 10 per cent of all households! The so-called ‘fuel poverty gap’ – the amount of extra money a household would need in order to heat its home adequately and remain above the poverty line – has increased, from £443 in 2012 to £480 last year. On Saturday 26th September ‘Lightfoot’ Energy Service a registered charity working in Powys, North Shropshire and South Shropshire, whose mission is to keep people warm and well in their homes are holding an event at 35 Park Road, Builth Wells from 10-4. There Lightfoot volunteers will provide help, support and advice to people suffering in fuel poverty, whilst Fr. Neil & Janet from the Buallt Benefice of Churches will be on hand to provide Pastoral Care and ongoing support for those caught in crisis. Mandy Brick from Lightfoot argues that “Fuel Poverty is a hidden tragedy in our communities, many people feel great shame and that it is their fault for not managing to keep warm, so these events are vital to make people aware that a lot can be done. Recently our volunteers helped two people facing huge bills. The billing for both was found to be incorrect, but it took the energy team and support from an advocate from Age Cymru based in Builth to resolve them. Some people in our communities live in terrible conditions. Lightfoot does not have a magic wand, but the volunteers bring hope that with support changes can be made for the better”. In the Preface to the 2015 Church in Wales Report ‘Truth and Lies about Poverty’ Archbishop Barry writes: “In 1952 that great Welshman and founder of the NHS Aneurin Bevan said: ‘If freedom is to be saved and enlarged, poverty must be ended. There is no other solution.’ Over 60 years on and poverty in Bevan’s homeland has not been ended – in fact poverty in Wales is on the increase. Today, 23% of people in Wales live on less than 60% of the average wage, 1% up on last year. That is about 700,000 of our fellow citizens. One-third of children in Wales are affected by poverty, going without essentials or living in homes which are cold or damp”. More information on Light Foot can be found at www.lightfoot.org.uk, the Church in Wales Report can be found at: www.churchinwales.org.uk/society/truthand-lies-about-poverty/ and Fr. Neil & Janet from the Buallt Ministry Team can be contacted via the details at the foot of the Buallt Page z
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Gathering, Growing, Going Tales from the Ministry Area Members of the Builth Area Ministry team took a central role in the Ecumenical Chaplaincy at the Royal Welsh Show this year. As part of a team of 24 that work from seven different denominations, across the shows four days, the chaplains are available to provide people with pastoral care, attention, and just to chat, and provide them with support. Chaplains have been offering pastoral care and support to farmers and visitors at Wales’ premier agricultural show for six years now and they have become a feature of the showground. The chaplaincy scheme was set up in 2009 at the Royal Welsh Show in Llanelwedd in response to a huge need identified on the showground, which attracts more than 200,000 visitors over the week in July. A dedicated team of lay people and clergy from different church denominations provide care and support on and around the showground. They come under the banner of the Welsh ecumenical body, CYTÛN, and are based at the CYTÛN tent. The scheme has now been expanded to cover every event that takes place on the showground across the entire calendar year.
Christian Aid 70th Anniversary Challenge for Jo Bishop John’s wife Jo is gearing up to cycle the length of Wales in a day to raise money for Christian Aid and mark its 70th anniversary. Jo plans to pedal 190 miles from Caernarfon to Chepstow in just one day. And Christian Aid is calling on all churches in the country to donate £70 each to support Jo – £1 for each year of the charity’s life – to raise tens of thousands of pounds for its special year. Jo, a specialist nurse in the NHS blood and transplant service, is an experienced long distance cyclist who has even cycled across Britain – from Land’s End to John O’Groats. But she is expecting the latest challenge to be the hardest of all. From Caernarfon in the north to Chepstow in the south, the ride, organised by Open Cycling, takes in the Llanberis and the Gospel Pass, climbing 4,500 metres. “This is the toughest ride I’ve done to date,” she admits, “It’s a lot of miles and a lot of climbing in one day. I’ll be out from dawn to dusk, not even 24 hours.” Spurring her on, however, will be the thought that her efforts will make a real difference to people in desperate need thanks to the work of Christian Aid. Jo says, “‘Although I’m not known to be a crusader for particular causes outside my work, I do feel strongly that the causes for which Christian Aid campaigns are desperately important for the lives of so many people around the world who still live in poverty and in circumstances where their self respect and dignity are not valued. I’m, therefore, delighted to try and make some contribution, however small, to supporting Christian Aid’s work and hope that others will support me.’ Huw Thomas, head of Christian Aid Wales, hopes every church and chapel in the country will get behind Jo with a £70 donation each as a way of marking the charity’s anniversary. He said, “We are very grateful to Jo for taking on this massive cycle challenge for Christian Aid and we wish her all the very best. It’s a wonderful opportunity for us in Wales to raise a substantial amount to mark our anniversary. 70 years after we were founded, Christian Aid’s work remains as vital as ever. Over a third of the world’s population still subsist on less than $2 a day, whilst war and natural disasters bring suffering to millions worldwide. The money we raise in Wales enables us to continue our work – bringing humanitarian relief to disaster areas, building sustainable communities in the developing world, and battling against the underlying causes of poverty, such as climate change.” Meanwhile, while Jo is cycling on September 26, her husband, Bishop John, will be leading a service at Brecon Cathedral to mark Christian Aid’s 70th anniversary. Bishop John is chair of Christian Aid Wales’ Committee and a member of the Board of Trustees. All are welcome to the service which starts at 2.30pm You can sponsor Jo by sending a cheque to Christian Aid Wales, labelled for the Jo Davies Cycle Challenge or you can donate online at: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/walesinaday 12
Church Music A series about the music written specifically to enhance worship and Christian life. Written by David White.
Our Strong Hymns continued In my last little article about music in church, I described some of the developments in hymn music which happened mainly in the first half of the twentieth century. This time I’d like to sketch in some of the trends that have occurred in the second half. Hymn tune writing continued in the vein of fine sturdy masculine tunes exemplified by Vaughan Williams, Holst and John Ireland. One thinks of that particularly fine tune Abbots Leigh (1941) which does excellent service attached to the words “Glorious things of thee are spoken”. Because of its conventional metrical structure (8.7.8.7.D) it does versatile service with any number of hymns that want a good strong tune. (Some of us sing a version of the Gloria to it) This was composed by Cyril Taylor, for a time at the heart of BBC Religious Broadcasting in Bristol, and there are plenty of fine musicians at the centre of Anglican musical cathedral orthodoxy such as Malcolm Archer and Francis Jackson. Jackson was a long time Director of Music at York Minster whose excellent tune “East Acklam” for the words “For the fruits of his creation” is often pushed aside in favour of “Ar hyd y nos” in this country. Interesting material comes from the pen of Eric Routley, the Congregational musician/historian/theologian, who
squeezes into the pantheon of these well-schooled composers. However, a breath of fresh air blew in the early fifties and sixties. In my youth I was seduced by the efforts of the Twentieth Century Church Light Music Group. Geoffrey Beaumont’s excellent unison tune for “Now thank we all our God” emerged from that (I proudly claim an original edition) and it has something of the bracing quality that we have observed above. Its bold wide ranging melody has as its only concession to popular modernity a hiccough in the last line. The tune appears defiantly in some of our more recent hymn books but Beaumont’s more successful incursion into the popular idiom came with the jiggy tune for “O Jesus I have promised”. This comes perhaps surprisingly from a cleric who became Father Gerard of the Community of the Resurrection at Mirfield. For many it is now the only tune for those words. For others of a more staid disposition it is the tune to be avoided at all costs. The story continues with Graham Kendrick, the music from Taize and the Iona Community. So watch this space. DBW
Bring Home the Harvest – A Competition forever. In addition, they will be special guests on an exclusive, behind the scenes tour of the gardens at Raymond Blanc’s famed Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons. A group of up to ten winners will be special guests for the morning, followed by a delicious breakfast in Raymond Blanc’s acclaimed hotel. Here’s what you do: Design and deliver a great Harvest Festival event or service. Once your event has taken place, write a 500 word description of your harvest celebration – mention any new elements for this year, including at least two quotes from people attending the events and up to three clear photographs of your harvest celebration. You can complete the online entry form on the Telegraph website, or email your entry to: info@lovebritishfood.co.uk. And finally… Tell us your ideas! We would love to support your plans and feature your events on the website. Please send any information on this to us by emailing vision.swanbrec@churchinwales.org.uk
You can find out more about how it began on the Love British Food website www.lovebritishfood.co.uk/ British Food Fortnight (19th September – 4th October this year) was designed to coincide with Harvest Festival season – “the traditional time for celebrating our food”. What are you planning for your Harvest service? Is it time to try something new? Can you serve the local community by celebrating local farming, produce and products? Can you, with local food producers, serve those in need in your communities? Would taking part in a competition help to focus your ideas? Love British Food has joined forces with Telegraph Living to find this year’s Harvest Heroes – people who organise great Harvest Events and then write a 500 word article about what they have done. The competition is open to any group, formal or informal, whose organisers are over the age of 18. The closing date for entries is midday on Friday, October 16th 2015. This year’s judges are chef, Raymond Blanc; creator of the children’s educational app Henri Le Worm, Olivier Blanc; horticulturist, Chris Collins; and founder of Love British Food, Alexia Robinson. And the prize? Winners will be presented with the Telegraph and Love British Food 2015 trophy to keep 13
D. K. Dixon Plumbing & Heating
Parry & Pugh Jane Pugh (Daughter of the late Walter Parry)
TEL: 01982 552644 MOB: 07974 315328
FUNERAL DIRECTORS oil & gas servicing new installations bathrooms, lead work Pencae, Hay Road, Builth Wells Tel: 01982 551023 Mob: 07813 405039
Local & International homemade dishes Catering for Gluten Free & Vegan diets 55 High Street, Builth Wells
Ben Lloyd & Son
A family business established in 1858
We now provide personalised pre-paid funeral plans PASADENA, 31 BRECON ROAD, BUILTH WELLS, POWYS LD2 3EB
Dale Williams
H. VAUGHAN VAUGHAN & Co
Painting & decorating, Highest quality Of papers hung, Tiling, coving, artexing, General building maintenance Tel: 01874 712206 Mob: 07800 541955 Over 15 years experience, Fully insured
SOLICITORS
THOROUGHLY DRY SEASONED HARDWOOD LOGS ASH, OAK, BIRCH & ALDER
From Cefnllysgwynne Estate, Builth Wells ______________________________________________________
Memorial Craftsmen
Est. 1886 Churchyard memorials commemorative plaques additional inscriptions and renovations Bridge Street, Rhayader Tel: 01597 810320 & 811183 Mob: 07767 220163
DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR Cut and split into easily handled sizes. Packed in bags weighing an average of 8 kilos net Price: £3.50 per bag (negotiable for Bulk/regular orders) ORDERS/ENQUIRIES: Tel: 01982 551624
BUILTH WELLS GARAGES main dealer in Mid Wales for
MOT Test Centre Car Jet Wash
Llanelwedd 01982 553861 or 552236
COMMISSIONERS FOR OATHS Established since the 19th century We offer a full & friendly legal service ______________________________________
SOLE PRINCIPAL: DAVID T. LLOYD CONSULTANT: CONAL M DUNN MANCHESTER HOUSE HIGH STREET, BUILTH WELLS
TEL: 01982 552331 & 553571 FAX: 01982 552860
ELECTRICIAN David Stone Electrics Free, no obligation quotes for all your household & domestic needs. 07771 767246 davidpstone@btinternet.com 01982 570403 NICEIC Registered Insured & all work fully guaranteed
R. W. Evans & Son Ltd www.mccartneys.co.uk AUCTIONEERS – VALUERS LAND AND ESTATE AGENTS CHARTERED SURVEYORS FINE ART AUCTIONEERS 46 High Street, Builth Wells, Powys, LD2 3AB Tel: 01982 552259 e-mail: builth@mccartneys.co.uk
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Monumental Mason Memorials & Commemorative plaques, additional inscriptions and renovations highest quality at low prices, family firm established 100 yrs Unit 8B, Brecon Enterprise Park, Brecon Tel: 01874 625308 (day) 01874 624913 (eve)
The 2015 Beulah Music Festival
BUILTH MINISTRY AREA Intercessions September 2015 01. 02. 03. 04.
Friday 2 – Sunday 4 October Friday 2, 7.30pm in Beulah Reading Room Musical Recollections Beulah musicians, singers and their friends get together to celebrate 50 years of The Sound of Music and the end of WW2 with Glenn Miller. £3.00
05. 06. 07. 08. 09.
Saturday 3, 7.30pm at Eglwys Oen Duw The Mervyn Bourdillon Memorial Concert Bach Brandenburg 3, Mozart Serenade for 13 winds Musicians of the Beulah Consort and Festival Gift recipients £8.00, family ticket £17.00
10.
Sunday 4, 9.30am in Eglwys Oen Duw Songs of Praise An ecumenical celebration with music.
11.
Sunday 4, from 11.00am in Garth Community Hall Rebecca's World A new work by David Gaukroger specially composed for our local primary school orchestras and choirs An all day workshop with an early evening performance for family and public. Featuring a children's orchestra from local primaries as well as young singers. David Gaukroger, piano, and the Beulah concert ensemble and friends. Workshop £10.00 per family including concert ticket. Performance at 4.15pm
12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21.
beulah.org.uk. Bookings: 01591 620205 ivor.cox@beulah.org.uk
A-Z Of Churchyard Conservation
22.
“Z” is for Zygaena trifolii
23. 24.
(Otherwise known as known as the five spot burnet moth). This striking black moth with red spots flies with a slow flight and visits a wide range of flowers. The caterpillars feed on Birds-foot Trefoil, often found in old grassland which occurs in many of our older burial grounds. To find out more about moths and butterflies contact The Butterfly Conservation Trust, 01929 400209, www.butterfly-conservation.org Caring for God's Acre, the conservation charity for churchyards and burial grounds, 01588 673041, www.caringforgodsacre.org.uk This is the last item in this series - we hope you have enjoyed these short pieces and thank Caring for Gods Acre for their contributions.
25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30.
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St. Mauritius, Alltmawr and all they serve All Saints, Newbridge on Wye & all they serve For evangelism in our Ministry Area Hospital Chaplaincy throughout the ministry area St. Afan’s, Garth and all they serve St. Michael’s, Llanfihangel Brynpabuan Eglwys Oen Duw, Beulah and all they serve St. David, Maesmynis and all they serve Newbridge Church in Wales School its staff and students St. Cadmarch’s, Llangammarch Wells and all they serve St. David’s Old Church, Llanwrtyd Wells and all they serve All who play music in Services in the Ministry Area St. Afan’s, Llanafan Fawr and all they serve All who lead prayers in Services in the Ministry Area St. Cannen, Cilmery and all they serve St. David, Llandilas in Tirabad & all they serve Rural Outreach in the Ministry Area St Peter, Painscastle and all they serve Pastoral Assistants in the Ministry Area St David, Cregrina and all they serve An increase in vocations within the Ministry Area All those considering confirmation in the Ministry Area St. Mauritius, Alltmawr and all they serve Our brothers and sisters in other churches in the ministry area Our Ministry amongst the bereaved Pastoral Work throughout the Ministry Area St Mary, Crickadarn and all they serve St Padarn, Llanbadarn y Garreg and all they serve All PCC members in the Ministry Area All exercising a Ministry of Administration in our Area
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Maelgwyn Funeral Home, Kensington, Brecon
Piano Tuning David Day B.A., L.R.A.M., M.P.T.A.
Qualified Piano Tuner covering Mid Wales
Memorial Masons Tel 01874 622755 www.dougprosser-brecon.com
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W Cook
The Medical Hall Llanwrtyd Wells
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For all your farm needs ‘He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and the herbs for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth.” Psalms CIV Garth Road, Builth Wells Tel: 01982 552210
Eye examinations Contact lenses Spectacle Frames and lenses Low Vision Assessments
Drug Store, Stationery & Toys, Gifts, Cosmetics, Greetings Cards, Batteries & Torches,
Tel: 01591 610 207
Cavendish House, Middleton St, Llandrindod Wells 01597 823400 23 High St, Builth Wells 01982 552801 www.sgmarshall.co.uk
All contributions (news items and ideas for future issues) are very welcome and should be sent to: Abigail Hook, The Vicarage, 1 North Road, Builth Wells LD2 3BT Tel: 01982 552 355 E-mail: abihook@gmail.com Web: http://www.builthgroup.org.uk/signposts.htm For Advertising Queries please contact Richard Hussey Tel: 01591 620 648 E-mail: hhussey@btinternet.com is printed by Powerprint, Llandrindod th
Deadline for next issue (October): Monday 14 September 2015 16