Signposts 176 October 2015 by Signposts Magazine

Issue No 176

Magazine for the Irfon and Wye Valley Churches October 2015

Ministry Areas:

What they are not and what they might be... By Reverend Ian Rees, Bishop’s Officer for Lay Ministry Following the first joint Ministry Area meeting held last month (21st September) at which discussions about the changes were fruitful and productive it seems helpful to summarise guidance from the Diocese about the changes that will affect every single church in this area. Are not: A new structure devised to manage decline in numbers of people or amounts of money available. It is not so much about a new structure, but a new culture  Simply an amalgamation of a group of parishes  A way of doing what we’ve done for years but calling it something different and with fewer clergy involved  Making big ‘benefices’ where all the churches in a particular group ‘look the same’  Imposing ‘top down’ leadership where all follow a new set of rules.  Being designed to close churches.



 They are: Communities of faithful and committed Christians seeking to use the vast variety of gifts, often unrecognized, that God has given to his people  A recognition that life has changed for everyone and that the church needs to respond to these changes in order to be attractive and faithful to God’s call  Flexible networks of places where people (lay



or ordained) have a chance to explore their gifts and are given the opportunity to use them, and where resources are honestly evaluated and made best use of  Groups of people working together, sharing their talents and resources where they are best suited, freeing up opportunities for specialist ministry, for example, with children and youth, the elderly, families, worship, evangelism, pastoral care, education, administration etc.. Models of church grounded historically and theologically in the New Testament. Recognising and affirming the ministry of all believers, lay or ordained, who share in the ministry of the Bishop. The role of the ‘Leader’ is to guide and encourage people to develop their personal discipleship and coordinate initiatives, whether old or new, which help the growth of the church, both spiritually and numerically A way to ‘re-root’ churches in their local communities as they seek new ways of engaging with and serving the people who make them An encouragement to all people to be creative in working together towards the common goal of a stronger and more effective church where disciples are welcomed, fed and nurtured A call to be the ‘Body of Christ’ committed to helping transform lives and communities as we gather together as God’s people, grow more like Jesus and go out in the power of the Spirit

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Ministry Area Notices .

Saturday October 10th 2015 at 10.00am

*Music* *Praise* *Witness* *Fellowship*

Diocesan Conference in Brecon Cathedral

18th October 18.00 St. Mary’s Church, Builth Wells

11th October 18.00 Cwtch Café, Builth “Can a Christian Serve in the Military?”

Provincial

Lecture by Major General Tim Cross CBE (Retired British Army Officer and Military Logistics Expert; former Advisor to the House of Commons Defence Select Committee)

Christian Aid Youth Group Builth High School Wednesday Lunchtimes in C3

7.00, Thursday, 29th Oct 2015 James Callaghan Lecture Theatre, Swansea University

All representatives from Benefices and Deaneries are encouraged to attend or supply apologies

Contact: Ms Jones (History/Hanes) or Fr. Neil

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

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The Colwyn Group of Parishes

Services for October Sunday, 27th September 9.15am Holy Eucharist 9.30am Village Service 11.15am Harvest 4All

Trinity 17 Bettws Cregrina Llanelwedd

Sunday, 4th October 10.00am Holy Eucharist 6.00pm Village Service

Trinity 18 Llansantffraed Glascwm

Friday, 9th October 7.00pm Harvest Festival Bettws (for Llansantffraed & Bettws)

ADVANCE NOTICE Friday 13th November From 3.30pm

PJM MJ BG JO ET

Sunday, 11th October 9.30am Holy Eucharist 11.15am Holy Eucharist

Trinity 19 Cregrina Llanelwedd

Sunday, 18th October 9.30am Morning Prayer 10.00am Morning Prayer 11.15am Holy Eucharist 11.15am Harvest Festival

St. Luke (Trinity 20) Llanfaredd ET Llansantffraed DD Glascwm PJM Rhulen ET

JO NH

Jubilee Hall, Llanelwedd A warm welcome to all school-age children Our theme will be ‘The Greatest Party Ever’ Crafts, games, worship & a meal Please bring a grown up We look forward to seeing you!

Sunday, 25th October Last after Trinity 9.15am Holy Eucharist Bettws JO 9.30am Village Service Cregrina MJ 10.45am Worship 4All Llanelwedd Worship Team Sunday, 1st November 10.00am Holy Eucharist 6.00pm Village Service

All Saints Llansantffraed Glascwm

Colwyn Benefice Bible Study Our second Bible Study will take place on Tuesday 20th October starting at 10am and finishing at 11am at Erw Lon, Cregrina. This time, we will be looking at Acts 2 and 3. For more information, please contact Cherry on 01982 570 702. A very warm welcome to all.

JO MJ

Gathering, Growing, Going Tales from the Ministry Area Members of the Mothers Union from across the Ministry Area were delighted to welcome other Mother’s Unions members from across the area in the first ‘joint-deanery’ festival which was held in St. Mary the Virgin, Builth Wells last month. In an acknowledgement that the future ‘super-deanery’ will cover a much larger area this festival acknowledged the future by inviting representatives from much farther afield than had previously been the case. With a full complement of Diocesan Mothers Union officers in attendance the service heard Rev. Petra Beresford-Webb from our own ministry area give an inspired sermon and challenge the members of the Mothers Union to take their place in the front ranks of the churches in this area. Llanelwedd with Llanfaredd, Llansantffraed-in-Elwell, Bettws, Cregrina, Glascwm and Rhulen

For information during the interregnum please contact the Acting Area Dean: Revd Ben Griffith, The Rectory, Aberedw, Builth Wells LD2 3UH, Tel: 01982 560615, Email: benedictgriffith@sky.com 5

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The Buallt Group of Parishes Worship

There’s a place for You…

04 October (Pentecost XIX) 10.00 Family Eucharist & Baptism at Builth 15.00 Harvest Festival at Llanddewi’r-Cwm

The Buallt Group is launching a twice monthly small ‘Home Group’ meeting in people’s homes - this a place to reflect on the previous Sundays readings, worship, pray and enjoy each other’s company. It is designed to be an affirming place, a place to be real, make deep relationships, to grow in faith and belong to a community, this is the place for you! Each group has between six to twelve people who try to meet regularly (although we know that things come up!). Some volunteer to host, others lead, others provide refreshments … some just attend. However each session is self-contained so if you miss one it doesn’t matter! Come along to find out more and ‘dip your toe in the water’ on Wednesday 7th October 11am at The Vicarage – All welcome.

11 October (Pentecost XX) 09.30 Choral Eucharist at Builth 15.00 Harvest Festival at Maesmynis 18.00 Café Church at The Cwtch Café, Builth 18 October (Luke, Evangelist) 09.30 Choral Eucharist at Builth 11.00 Harvest Festival at Alltmawr 18.00 Worship in Builth 25 October (Last in Pentecost) 09.30 Sung Eucharist at Builth 11.00 Said Matins at Maesmynis

Regular Events

From the Vicarage

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

Dear friends, As we reflect upon the gifts of God’s creation in harvest we thank him for his bountiful goodness that we have enough food on our own plates. However there are many that do not … at each harvest festival a collection of practical goods for donation to the local foodbank will be taken and a portion of each harvest collection will donated to the Christian Aid Refugee Crisis Appeal. Please be as generous to these collections as God has been generous to us …

St. Mary’s Organ After a Diocesan mandated independent Health & Safety inspection the organ in St. Mary’s has been closed and reported to the HSE under regulation 2012/632/4.8a - until substantial remedial works have taken place it cannot be used under any circumstances and the entire organ is off limits to all. This will obviously have an impact on our worship for the foreseeable future – we intend to launch a major organ appeal in the very near future. In the meantime the immediate urgent repairs will cost several thousand pounds – which the church does not have. Anyone wishing to make a small (or big) donation to the emergency organ fund should please see Father Neil.

Pob bendith Father Neil

Events in October 05 Reserved Communion 11.00 Brynhyfryd / Glan Irfon 06 St. Mary’s Harvest Supper, The Greyhound Hotel 19.00 07 Home Group at The Vicarage 11.00 10 Diocesan Conference in Brecon Cathedral 12 Quiet Day at Llangasty Retreat House 15 Eucharist for Divine Maternity of Our Lady in St. Mary’s, Builth at 10.00 19 Benefice Council in Maesmynis Hall at 19.00 21 Home Group 11.00 29 Eucharist for Ss. Simon & Jude Apostles in St. Mary’s, Builth at 10.00

St Marys 140th Anniversary Over the weekend of the 4th to the 6th of September we enjoyed a marvellous weekend as a church community, sharing fellowship and faith. It was a great, although rather tiring, privilege to share in the events. All contributed, whether it was making cakes, repairing gazebos, selling raffle tickets, ill-treating rats or a hundred other things. Father Neil has already thanked everyone for their efforts but on behalf of us all in Church I would like to especially thank those on whom most of the work fell; Father Neil, Abi, and the girls, well done indeed, Doug Wellstead, Churchwarden

Harvests in the Buallt Group 27 September 04 October 06 October 11 October 18 October

09.30 in St. Mary the Virgin, Builth 15.00 in St. David’s, Llanddewi’r-Cwm 19.00 Harvest Supper in The Greyhound £15 a ticket 15.00 in St. David’s, Maesmynis 11.00 in St. Mauritius, Alltmawr

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,

hearts those for whom the problems and vicissitudes of life are so much more intractable. With that I’d like to wish you a happy and blessed harvest season. With my love and prayers, as always

As we enter John Keats’ “season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,” with the nights drawing in and the new academic year well underway, our minds turn from the memory of summer pleasures towards the longer and colder nights of winter. As you travel around the countryside, you can’t have failed to be aware of the farmers hard at work, collecting and harvesting and with the fields ready for winter and the autumn sheep sales well underway, this is also the time for Harvest Festival. Astounding as it may seem, although Harvest Festival may seem to be one of those immutable laws of nature, our contemporary Harvest celebrations are actually a comparatively modern custom. The origins of Harvest thanksgiving can be found in the Jewish festivals of the Old Testament. However, the beginning of the Harvest Festival that we know and love dates back just over a century. In 1843 Reverend Robert Hawker, Vicar of Morwenstow in Cornwall invited his parishioners to attend a special thanksgiving service for the Harvest. From that service at Morwenstow in 1843 can be traced the harvest thanksgiving which has become such a valued and much-loved part of the Church’s worship. Indeed, the service that we use today would not have been unfamiliar to those parishioners at Morwenstow in 1843. At the time of that first harvest thanksgiving an unsuccessful harvest could and often did result in hunger for those who were entirely dependent upon the harvest to provide for their physical needs through the winter months. We are today, as a rule, sufficiently blessed in our country that a poor harvest doesn’t mean that people in our communities will be facing deprivation if the harvest is poor. Although we are equally aware that our famers need a decent price for the food that they produce in order to have a reasonable standard of living. There are also people in our own country and across the world whose living is precarious and as we give thanks for God’s generous provision for us, we do need to hold in our minds and hearts those who don’t enjoy the blessings that we perhaps take for granted, which you can’t have failed to be aware of having witnessed the scenes of desperate men, women and children risking everything to escape some of the most troubled parts of the world. As we gather in our churches, chapels and schools over the next few weeks to give thanks for God’s abundant provision for us, we hold before him in our

Ben Thank you A huge thank you to everybody who supported our Italian Evening at Ty Maesawyr, Rhosgoch. I hope that you all enjoyed it, as much as I did. Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to ensure that the evening was such a success and a very special thank you to Evelyn and John for inviting us into their lovely home. Rhosgoch and Painscastle Craft Competitions 24th October, Painscastle Village Hall The children who attended our September Messy Church on the theme of harvest have already produced some of their contributions for the Craft Competitions. If you haven’t done yours yet, there’s still time!!

Reverend Phil Morris As I’m sure you’re all aware now, the end of September marks a very sad moment in the life and worship of our churches, as after a long and fruitful ministry, Rev. Phil Morris retires as a NonStipendiary Priest in our Deanery. The silver lining to the cloud is that Phil will still be living in the area and conducting worship just much less frequently than he has been doing. I know that each and every one of us owes Phil a very deep and abiding sense of gratitude for the ministry that he has exercised among us and also for simply being himself. For me personally he has been an absolute rock of support and also a wise and truly valued counsellor, his knowledge of this area and the communities who inhabit it is encyclopaedic and his vivacious humour has been a much needed tonic on so many occasions. While expressing our profound thanks to Phil for what he has brought to the life and worship of the Church it would be entirely wrong not to thank Ann for the unstinting support that she has both provided for him but also to the churches and chapels which have been blessed by his ministry. On behalf of us all, I’d like to wish them both a long, happy and fulfilling retirement and to assure them both of our profound thanks for all that they have brought in the service of the Gospel and all that they are. Revd Ben Griffith Area Dean

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

CHURCH SERVICES & EVENTS OCTOBER 2015

Painscastle Mothers’ Union

Weekday Services Please note that from the beginning of October, Morning Prayer at Aberedw will move to 9.00am from Tuesday to Saturday. Evening Prayer continues to be at 6.00pm. Please do feel welcome to come and join us.

AGM & Planning

13th October 2015 Please come to this important meeting and help to plan the programme for 2015 and 2016

10th November 2015 An Open Meeting to hear Richard Walker’s talk on The Brontes

Sun 27th September Trinity 17/Pentecost 18 4.00pm HARVEST FESTIVAL Llanbedr 6.00pm HARVEST FESTIVAL Crickadarn Fri 2nd October 7.00pm Harvest Festival 7.00pm Harvest Festival

Gwenddwr Newchurch

All meetings are held at Painscastle Hall on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm

IN HIS HANDS

ET BG

'Twixt gleams of joy and clouds of doubt Our feelings come and go; Our best estate is tossed about In ceaseless ebb and flow. No mood of feeling, form of thought Is constant for a day; But thou, O Lord, thou changest not: The same thou art alway. I grasp thy strength, make it mine own, My heart with peace is blest; I lose my hold, and then comes down Darkness, and cold unrest. Let me no more my comfort draw From my frail hold of thee, In this alone rejoice with awe Thy mighty grasp of me. Out of that weak, unquiet drift That comes but to depart, To that pure heaven my spirit lift Where thou unchanging art. Lay hold of me with thy strong grasp, Let thy almighty arm In its embrace my weakness clasp, And I shall fear no harm. Thy purpose of eternal good Let me but surely know; On this I'll lean - let changing mood And feeling come or go— Glad when thy sunshine fills my soul, Not lorn when clouds o'ercast, Since thou within thy sure control Of love dost hold me fast.

Sun 4th October Trinity 18/Pentecost 19 9.00am Holy Eucharist Newchurch 9.30am Harvest 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 6.00pm Harvest Festival Aberedw Sun 11th October Trinity 19/Pentecost 9.30am Holy Eucharist Aberedw 11.00am Holy Eucharist Llanbedr 11.00am Morning Praise Crickadarn Sun 18th October St Luke (Trinity 20) 9.30am Holy Eucharist Llandeilo Graban PJM 11.00am Morning Praise Gwenddwr 3.00pm Holy Eucharist Llandewi Fach MG Sun 25th October Last after Trinity (Trinity 21) 9.00am Holy Eucharist Bryngwyn 11.00am Holy Eucharist Crickadarn Sun 1st November All Saints’ Day 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

Sun 1st November 6.00pm

All Saints’ Day A Service to Remember the Departed

John Campbell Shairp

Bryngwyn Church

The Parishes of the Irfon Valley, Blaenau Irfon and Upper Wye Dear Friends

Worship and Events

It is clear that autumn has arrived as the nights draw in and the temperatures drop. It is easy to spend our time looking back on the summer that almost was but that is not fruitful with so much change on our doorsteps. Now is the time for us to pull together and talk about what we can do to make the changes smoother. If we all work together, talk together and plan together we can do so much. Our focus must remain the same and when we feel that we are overwhelmed by the feeling of losing what has been tradition for so long, even for a short time. We must ask, where is God in all of this? He is our focal point and therefore, we must keep that in mind. As if all the change were not enough, Christmas is around the corner and I am looking forward to the run of carol services. I cannot promise to be at all of them but I will do my best. You can, however, rest assured that God will be there. With love and prayers

Friday 2 October 7:00pm Harvest Festival

Brynpabuan

PBW

Sunday 4 October 9:30am Festival Service 11:15am Holy Eucharist 7:00pm Harvest Festival

EOD Brynpabuan Llanafan

PBW NH PBW

Wednesday 7 October 7:00pm Harvest Garth Hall Llanfechan, Llanlleonfel PBW 7:00pm Harvest Festival Cwmbach

Sunday 11 October 9:30am Congregational 9:30am Holy Eucharist 9:30am Morning Prayer 11:00am Holy Eucharist 11:00am Holy Eucharist 3:00pm Songs of Praise

EOD Llangammarch Cwmbach St James Newbridge Llanfechan

WT PBW GA PBW TBA PBW

Wednesday 14 October 2:00pm Caerwnon Harvest Songs of Praise

Petra

Sunday 18 October 9:30am Holy Eucharist 11:00am Morning Prayer 11:00am Morning Prayer 11:15am Holy Eucharist 3:00pm Holy Eucharist

EOD St James Newbridge Llanganten Llanafan

PBW GA MG PBW PBW

Sunday 25 October 9:30am Family Service 9:30am Holy Eucharist 9:30am Morning Prayer 11:00am Holy Eucharist 11:00am Holy Eucharist

EOD Cwmbach Llangammarch St James Newbridge

YP PBW GA TBA PBW

Friday 18th October

ADVANCE NOTICE

All Saints Church, Newbridge on Wye

A SERVICE FOR ALL SOULS

Eglwys Oen Duw A warm welcome to all school-age children Please bring a grown up! We look forward to seeing you Please contact Petra or Church Officers for more…

7pm Monday 2nd November

A time to remember those who have passed on and whom we hold dear

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’ - October Liquidambar- Sweet Gum

The last week in October is usually the best time to notice the colours of autumn in deciduous trees. One of the best for autumn colour is the Liquidambar. It is often mistaken for Maple as it has the same shaped leaves. Look closer and you will see that Maple leaves are opposite each other on the branches but Liquidambar are alternate. There are several trees planted in Builth Wells. There is one in the Groe opposite Alpha Chapel and a few more in the square of grass in front of the Bowling Club leading down to the river. In Genesis 43:11 Joseph's brothers took a little balm as a present to Joseph from his father Israel. This is most likely to have been the resin yielded by the Storax Tree, Liquidambar Orientalis.

Linda Lewis

THE LAST WILL and TESTAMENT… …is a vitally important document when researching your family tree as it may contain both vital and copious amounts of information. It is considered by many to be the most important document after births, marriages and death certificates and the census returns. It is also a much underused document with many believing that the information contained in it will just amount to great aunt Maud leaving her favourite cat to her neighbour! However this is not the case… But first a bit about how wills were proved and where. Prior to January 12th 1858 the probate of wills and the granting of letters of administration for those dying intestate took place in one of the 300-400 ecclesiastical probate courts covering England and Wales. Those which had land or property that lay in more than one jurisdiction in southern England were handled by the Prerogative Court of Canterbury which sat in London. It was standard procedure for wills to be proved in the local archdeaconry court, yet if the lands and property contained in a will were in two archdeaconries in the same diocese then the will would be proved in the bishops court. The Prerogative Court of York dealt with probate etc. for northern England. If specifically looking for post 1858 wills and probate information then the search undertaken would be slightly different as the new more streamlined system was then in operation. This new system meant that either the district probate office or the Principal Probate Registry would hold details of wills for England and Wales dating from 1858. The national probate calendar (NPC), lists all wills and administrations after 1858 alphabetically and by year, giving information such as: The name of the deceased Place of death Their occupation Date of death Place of abode When and where a will was proved Marital status (if female) Executors details Problems associated with a search of this kind using material from this type of document may be that: • Wills of the pre 1858 time are rare, post 1858 are more common but • Due to poor record storage, age of documents, style of writing etc. it can make for a long and difficult search process. • A will may be proved many years after the testator/trix has died and so the search should be extended accordingly. Some records were destroyed in bombing raids in World War 2 Two such as those for Devon and parts of Cornwall and Somerset. As with all searches looking for information from wills it can be frustrating as there are many avenues to have to follow and it is not an easy task. However, if the information is found then it can give a large amount of leads and material upon which to base a family tree, embellish it and enlarge it. Next time I will be looking at how wills were written, and what strange things some people say in their wills! Happy researching, Julie Martin 11

not physical, distress, have been allowed to end their lives; and some have gone simply because they are old and tired. Half a million elderly people a year suffer from physical, emotional or financial abuse, and it is particularly chilling to realise that the commonest reason for requesting a way out is not intolerable pain, but loss of independence and dignity. Many such people express the wellrehearsed fear of “being a burden”. Fear of what might happen in the last days, weeks or months is natural and easy to understand. But refusing to deliberately assist ending a life does not mean prolonging it indefinitely in pain, fear or distress. Patients can refuse treatment and doctors will not recommend it if it is futile. Relief is not withheld for fear of the ‘double effect’ of increasingly powerful medication. Society rightly values independence, personal responsibility, and choice. But allowing people to end their lives simply because they feel they have outlived their usefulness comes dangerously close to accepting that they have no value, and almost creates an expectation that those who feel helpless or useless should just end it all. In reality no-one exists in complete autonomy or isolation: from the moment we wake up in the morning, throughout our lives, in all that we do, in sickness and in health, we are all part of an intricate and inter-connected web of mutual dependency. It is the best expression of our humanity and our valuing of life to care for one another and to accept care when we need it. Achieving this in practice does of course require some effort. Greater investment of time, money and skilled resources in palliative care is needed so that pain can be more successfully alleviated. The fears and hopes of the desperately sick and dying must be listened to attentively so that their last days can be in a supportive, person-centred environment, whether in a specialised hospice setting, or with care provided in their own home. Care for the weak and protecting the vulnerable are hallmarks of a compassionate society. And for Christians, belief that life is a gift from a God offended by injustice, indignity and suffering is fundamental. In the person of Jesus of Nazareth, this same God went about valuing the weak and needy, doing good, and bringing healing and relief; not imposing unbearable demands or pain upon others. Ensuring that our society reflects these same values does not require us to provide the means of seeing off the weak and helpless.

On Assisted Dying + John Davies Bishop of Swansea and Brecon Diocese On the whole, we do what we can to avoid death or even discussing it. We celebrate longevity, and are rightly proud of having beaten many killer diseases. We joke about ‘Health and Safety gone mad’, but really we are grateful for regulations that protect our safety and guarantee standards of hygiene, and we are horrified when things go wrong. Murder is the worst crime of all, and suicide perhaps the greatest tragedy that can befall a family or community. But, let’s face it, death is inevitable; and sometimes, despite all our medical advances, the last stage of life brings incapacity, pain, and dependency. If illness, disability or old age takes away the quality of life, is there a justifiable case for choosing end it? And if we can’t do that ourselves, is there a case for asking a doctor, or a loved one, to help us do it?

This is the proposal that MPs debated last month. Arguments about compassion, fear and human dignity were marshalled on all sides. Worries were presented about unintended consequences of allowing people suffering from terminal illness to be provided with the means and assistance to end their lives. The dilemma about how best to value and respect human life is experienced at its most testing when the life in question is vulnerable and apparently helpless. In places such as Oregon and Washington (USA), Switzerland, Belgium, Luxembourg and Holland where assisted suicide is legal, take-up increases every year. Instead of being limited to the terminally ill, it has been allowed for non-fatal conditions, often well before patients become seriously incapacitated because, in most cases, the lethal dose has to be self-administered. Some people clearly diagnosed as suffering from mental, 12

Church Music A series about the music written specifically to enhance worship and Christian life. Written by David White.

More about modern hymns & hymn tunes The last time I wrote this column about hymn tunes I mentioned the tunes of Geoffrey Beaumont and the work of the Twentieth Century Church Light Music Group. It seemed as if this in the ‘60’s and ‘70’s opened up all sorts of possibilities, and gave sanction for a whole new way of singing praise. Perhaps it was alright to use guitars, keyboards, drum kits, and even the whole sound panoply of the commercial popular music world. Why should the devil have all the best tunes, all the liveliest singing, all the sheer noise and exuberance that somehow did not chime with sitting in pewed rows? Along came Graham Kendrick in the ‘80’s and ‘90’s and suddenly we find a talent putting to the service of God tunes and rhythms and styles of music of the common man. Not only did he write the astonishingly successful song “Shine Jesus shine!” (note that we call it a song) which has become so much a part of contemporary congregational singing, but he also extended the whole realm of praise which might – just might – take music so far away from the pew that it went into the street and marched around and gathered all sorts of people together in its wake, people who might not have felt comfortable in those stiff back breaking pews. And if it went back inside our gloomy churches it meant the possibility of people breaking

into dance or waving their hands and other such shockingly unconventional and un-church-like activities. Kendrick was not just a noise and exuberant song merchant – he also wrote quieter and more contemplative pieces like “Who can sound the depths of sorrow” which does fine duty as a socially aware prayer of penitence, closely modelled on the Kyrie Eleison. What’s more, all this positive and unrestrained music went rather well on television and the church was able unashamedly to dig deep into the souls of the surprised unchurched. It was all of a piece with a new evangelism and charismatic enthusiasm. The church could beat the devil on his own ground and could furthermore find resonances with times past – did not John Wesley sing his preaching with his brother’s hymns. And did not Luther in his time put to good use the popular tunes which enabled people to sing the gospel to music they already knew. But a quieter, more ecstatic, more restrained but equally aware hymnody was already beginning to emerge first from the camp site of Taize and secondly up in Scotland and the Iona Community. I will write about those two movements next time DBW

THE REAL ADVENT CALENDAR 2015 The Meaningful Chocolate Company is hoping to fund a baby clinic in Kenya and support overseas farmers by donating £15,000 from sales of its 2015 Real Advent Calendar. However, it is not just the charitable donation that makes The Real Advent Calendar unique. It includes a 32-page Christmas story-activity booklet designed to be used every day in Advent. The booklet has all the traditional nativity characters and gives more detail about the Christmas story. The calendar also comes with 24 Fairtrade Belgian chocolates and a line of the Christmas story behind each of the foiled windows.

David Marshall, from The Meaningful Chocolate Company, said: ‘By buying this advent calendar people can share the Christmas story throughout December. This is really important as we know that detailed knowledge of the Christmas story is very low amongst children and parents.’ TV presenter Diane Louise Jordan loves them; “Not only is the calendar educational and made from Fairtrade chocolate but it’s a great opportunity to raise funds to help equip and support The Funzi and Bodo Trust baby clinic. The clinic is doing an amazing job by making sure people who are sick receive treatment and also offering new educational opportunities.” How to buy The Real Advent Calendar costs £3.99. Churches, schools and groups can buy direct from The Meaningful Chocolate Company by visiting the special website at www.realadvent.co.uk and take advantage of a free delivery offer. Retailers stocking include larger Tesco stores, Traidcraft, Eden.co.uk, Shared Earth, CLC Bookshops and a number of cathedrals. Details at www.realadvent.co.uk

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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

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)

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



Beulah Music Festival

BUILTH MINISTRY AREA Intercessions October 2015 01. Lay Readers in the Ministry Area 02. St Cewydd, Aberedw & all they serve 03. St David’s, Llanddewi’r-Cwm & all they serve 04. St Mary, Llanfaredd & all they serve 05. Childrenswork in the Ministry Area 06. St Dubricius, Gwenddwr & all they serve 07. St David, Rhulen & all they serve 08. Youthwork in the Ministry Area 09. Those in residential care in our Ministry Area 10. St David, Llanynis & all they serve 11. St Matthew, Llanelwedd & all they serve 12. St Michael, Bryngwyn & all they serve 13. The Mothers Union in the Ministry Area 14. Llanlleonfel Parish church & all they serve 15. World Mission Initiatives in the Ministry Area 16. St James, Llanwrtyd & all they serve 17. St Mary the Virgin, Builth Wells & all they serve 18. St David, Llanddewi-Fach & all they serve 19. All who read scripture in Services in the Ministry Area 20. St Bridget, Llansantffraed-in-Elwel & all they serve 21. St Teilo, Llandeilo Graban & all they serve 22. Lay Worship Leaders in the Ministry Area 23. St John the Divine, Cwmbach & all they serve 24. St Mary, Newchurch & all they serve 25. Llanelwedd Church in Wales School its staff & students 26. St David, Glascwm & all they serve 27. Church Foundation Governors in the Ministry Area 28. St Mary, Bettws Disserth & all they serve 29. All Church Officers in the Ministry Area 30. Schoolswork in the Ministry Area 31. Clergy within the Ministry Area

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 Sunday 4, 9.30am in Eglwys Oen Duw Songs of Praise An ecumenical celebration with music. 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 beulah.org.uk. Bookings: 01591 620205 ivor.cox@beulah.org.uk

An A-Z of the Church A is for Archdeacon An Archdeacon must be a priest, a member of the clergy, usually appointed by the bishop of a diocese, after consultation, to whom the bishop delegates a particular administrative authority covering an area known as an archdeaconry. An Archdeacon must have been in Orders for at least six years and is responsible for the disciplinary supervision of the clergy in the archdeaconry and for the proper administration of church property. An Archdeacon is usually responsible for the induction of incumbents to their benefices and for the admission of churchwardens to office. Title: The Venerable Form of Address: Archdeacon Taken from “A Basic Church Dictionary” Compiled by Tony Meakin (Canterbury 1995)

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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 (November): Monday 12 October 2015 16