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![[Diocese of Bangor]](bangdioc.gif)
![[Parish of Dwygyfylchi]](parish.gif)
Y mae gan y Plwyf dair o eglwysi, Gwynin Sant (yr Eglwys Blwyfol), Seiriol Sant, a Dewi Sant. Yn Nwygyfylchi yw Eglwys Gwynin Sant wrth gyffordd Ffordd Hen Felin a Ffordd Glan yr Afon. Mae ganddi gynulleidfa Gymraeg ac un Saesneg, ac am hynny y cynhelir gwasanaethau yn Gymraeg ac yn Saesneg. Yr Eglwys Saesneg ei hiaith yw Eglwys Seiriol Sant, ac mae hi ar Ffordd yr Eglwys; ac mae Eglwys Dewi Sant, yr Eglwys Gymraeg, ar Ffordd Bangor.
Please keep in mind that there is a service every Sunday at 9.30 a.m. (except when there are parish services) in Dewi Sant and that it may suit those who cannot make a later time. It is easy to follow the service in the bilingual books and the welcome and the singing are equally splendid!)
Ascension Day
In 2008, Ascension Day falls on May 1st. There will be a Eucharist with hymns in St. Gwynin’s at 10.30 a.m. for all in the parish.
The Vicarage,
Penmaenmawr
Dear Friends,
My letter this month is the comments I made at the Annual Vestry:
I have said thank you more times in the past four and a half years than in the rest of my life and I have meant it each time. Because I am constantly aware that the parish rests on the shoulders of the many — what they do and what they give, — and a few, because of the very large responsibilities they have taken on.
Thanks especially to the two Churchwardens. They are constantly phoned and called upon by me for help, as a sounding hoard and for advice. I am sure you would not underestimate their importance to us — they are not just a title!
Thanks to the Revd David Dredge for his work as PCC Secretary. He has brought to the PCC wisdom, restraint and experience. I appreciate his quiet words in my ear, and it has been a pleasure to work with him. We have all benefited.
Thank you to the Sub Wardens and church treasurers. We are a complex parish and it would be much simpler if we had one church and one set of accounts. Special thanks therefore to Samantha for persevering with our eccentricities and staying so calm. In spite of what she might think, all has worked extremely well and we know for certain that out financial affairs are on the straight and narrow and that we are squeaky clean.
Our Accountant pointed out at the last PCC meeting that a couple of the churches have eaten into reserves a little. I think we can put that down to essential work because of Quinquennial inspections hut we may need to be alert to this — especially if the Quota really does go up in 2009 as I think we should expect. Nevertheless, the constant generosity and energy of parishioners is what keeps us going.
I hope also that what keeps us going is our faith and our determination to see the parish handed on to the future in good shape. We really are presented with difficulties because of the number of our services and the shortage of man/woman power. I am therefore extremely grateful to all who take services — without them we would be in difficult circumstances. I firmly believe that the future is united parish services. I would be a fool not to know that there are those who do not attend these services if they are held anywhere hut in their usual church. I am sorry about that because I think that the experience of being together in a large congregation and knowing that we are together and are by far and away the largest worshipping group within a radius of ten miles ought to he enough consolation for not being in the usual building.
Did you notice what happened after the service on Mothering Sunday? So many were coming out of’ St. Gwynin’s at the same time that the traffic had to stop!! If people around see that a church has dozens of cars outside what are we saying to those who think we are on our last legs? You know it makes sense!
If only everyone who worships on a Sunday came together for a parish service then I suspect that we would be the largest worshipping group within a radius of 15 miles — only surpassed by the cathedral!! This parish is on a winner! Let’s keep it this way.
What do you think?
On the same day on which it was announced that some traffic wardens were using cameras to film those who physically and verbally abuse them, we also heard that RAF personnel in Wittering near Peterborough were advised not to wear uniform outside their base because there had been instances of abuse by the public. It makes one shudder.
So far no bishop has advised his clergy not to wear their uniform in public. Uniform? Oh yes! We recognise a member of the Forces by their uniform. We recognise a cleric by his or her ‘uniform’. The members of the Forces are making a statement. So also are clerics who are telling the world what they represent. If I want to enjoy anonymity I don’t wear a clerical collar and travel away from the parish.
I’ve heard it said that someone (or more than one?) have said, ‘We’ve never seen the Vicar.’ It can be said in a way which suggests that the speaker is offended by the fact. This is usually said by older people — they remember a Penmaenmawr with a smaller population and more than one cleric in the parish. Easy answer these days? Only connect! Go to church!!
On the other hand. he or she is much more likely to focus on an Anglican cleric than on a nonconformist one — wear no collar and go unrecognised except by the few. Wear a collar and make a statement to all around about what (and most especially who) you represent. Not wearing a clerical collar is the easy option — it lets one off the hook. It avoids the youth shouting across the road, ‘Say one for me, Father’!! And the eyes of those who feel challenged by so hold a representation of the Christian Faith amongst them.
Better that than hiding our faith under a bushel. That goes for us all — all who ‘profess and call themselves Christians’ — that by the way we live and how we represent our faith to the world around us we can bring others to Christ.
Diocesan Pilgrimage
This will take place on Saturday June 21st. Everyone is invited.
Where is it to take place? It will focus on Aberdaron and Bardsey. In an area which can boast Christian roots dating hack before St. Augustine came to convert the English we have every right to he proud of our inheritance (or, if you are from over the border — the inheritance you have adopted!). There will be a Diocesan Eucharist in Aherdaron and it will be a celebration of our diocese and — I am sure you will agree — our bishop and the huge surge of energy and confidence he has given us. No — you don’t have to walk from here to Aberdaron! We are arranging a coach!
Details to come in church notices.
Mothers’ Union
On May 20th there will be an afternoon trip. All parishioners are invited.
Mission Boxes
Do not underestimate the impact of these — they have been a huge success and Ł919 in 2007!! So — please do take one from the back of a church. Never has the old saying been more true — ‘Look after the pennies and the pounds will look alter themselves’!
Two Christians we remember in May
Julian of Norwich (c1342—c1417)
She spent most of her life as an anchoress in Norwich. With her window on to the world as well as into the church, she was constantly sought after, and her cell, which is now part of St. Julian’s Church, quickly became a place of pilgrimage. Her Revelations of Divine Love is a much-read classic of the spiritual life.
Dunstan (c909—988)
He was the leader of a great religious revival in England. He organised. revived, rebuilt or founded many religious houses and he integrated the life of these monasteries into the lives of the people. He was also an artist and craftsman and a lover of music and also compiled the first Coronation Service for the crowning of monarchs.
Christ is now raised above the heavens; but he still experiences on earth whatever sufferings we his members feel. He showed that this is true when he called out from heaven, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” and: “I was thirsty and you gave me drink.” Why then do we not exert ourselves on earth so as to he happy with him already in heaven through the faith, hope and charity which unite us with him?
Christ, while in heaven, is also with us; and we, while on earth, are also with him. He is with us in his godhead and his power and his love; and we, though we cannot he with him in godhead as he is with us, can he with him in our love, our love for him.
He did not leave heaven when he came down to us from heaven: and he did not leave us when he ascended to heaven again.
Edward Taylor, 1646 — 1729
Hymn Writers
Notes on just a few of them.
William Cowper
He wrote — here are the first lines to remind you — Hark my soul! it is the Lord, God moves in a mysterious way, and Jesus, where’er thy people meet, to name a few. Cowper is one of the puzzles of English literature and hymnody. He was an intelligent, well-educated man who suffered all his life from bouts of depression, which sometimes were manic. Yet he wrote one or two of the most restful and confident of hymns. He became a lay assistant in a parish in Buckinghamshire where at the weekly prayer meeting a new hymn was introduced each week. Cowper contributed sixty-eight of them.
Charles Wesley
Even if his name is unfamiliar, Charles Wesley’s hymns may not be. Anyone who has heard Christmas carols sung in the high street is likely to recognise Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. Many who have attended a church wedding have mumbled along with Love Divine, All Loves Excelling.
Estimates vary (as it is hard to distinguish Charles’s poems from his hymns) but he wrote between 7,000 and 10,000 hymns — one every couple of days throughout his adult life. Our grandparents probably treasured the hymns more than we do.
J. M. Neale
This is a name we often see in hymn books. He was a brilliant scholar, but, handicapped by poor health, he did not take up a parish post but instead became warden of a home for old men and also founded an order of nuns. He knew twenty languages and put this to use in translating hymns and carols — e.g., Good King Wenceslas and All glory laud and honour. On the other hand he could equally write hymns which are still used, e.g. Art thou weary, art thou languid?
Dates for your Diary
Saturday May 3rd
St. Seiriol’s Coffee Morning in the church hall 10.30 a.m. onwards.
Sunday May 11th: Pentecost.
Parish Eucharist at 10.30 a.m. in Dewi Sant
3 p.m. Christian Aid service in St. Paul’s Church
Friday May 16th
Bingo in the church hall at 7 p.m.
Saturday May 17th in the morning
Christian Aid Fair in the Community Hall. This is a major fund raising event in which our parish plays a large part.
Wednesday May 21st
Coffee in the church hall from 10.30 a.m.— no admission charge.
United parish services during 2008
May 11th Dewi Sant [Pentecost]
June 29th St. Seiriol’s
Aug 31st Dewi Sant
Nov 30th St. Seiriol’s [Advent Sunday]
Dec 7th St. Gwynin’s [Christingle]
Christmas Eve Dewi Sant
Christmas Day St. Gwynin’s
Dec 28th St. Gwynin’s [Patronal Festival]
The Chancellor of the Exchequer used to give back to us 28p in every Ł1 donated under the Gift Aid scheme. Not any more!
He now gives us 25p in every Ł1! Please continue to give in the Gift Aid scheme — envelopes in the pews. We need every penny we can get! Many thanks.
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