JUNE 2020 e h t TMONRTHLY PUBELICATIONA OF THE SPRESBYTEURIAN CHRURCH OF Y WALES The Centre Of His Will Is Our Only Safety

For ten weeks the public has been taking part in an act of and replaced by a similar annual event. Hopefully the vital communal appreciation for the NHS at 8pm on Thursday contribution of hospital staff and care home workers will evenings. Now the initiator of the idea, Dutch national, not be forgotten once the Covid-19 crisis ends, and that Annemarie Plas who lives in south London has suggested Government and the public will ensure that key workers that the weekly Clap for Our Carers should be concluded, and carers are recognised appropriately.

A few weeks ago, Jimmy Cowley, a resident of the small hamlet of Burry Green, Gower had the wonderful idea to create a ‘thank-you’ tribute to those working in the NHS. He moved the now familiar icon into the green that faces Bethesda Presbyterian Church of Wales. As Eleanor Jenkins, Secretary of the two-hundred year old Burry Green Chapel, and Editor of the Burry Green Magazine observed, ‘you can’t make the message out when you drive past – it only becomes clear when seen from above.’ It reminded her (strangely!) of Corrie ten Boom, the brave Dutch lady and her sister Betsie who hid Jewish people during the war and were imprisoned by the Nazis. Triumphantly, she flipped the kitchen and ran down to join was a jagged piece of metal, ten After the war during Corrie’s cloth over and revealed an her. She was making tea. She inches long. presentations to audiences, she extravagantly embroidered brought it into the dining room “Betsie! ” I raced down the would often hold up the back crown – symbolising our crown where we had covered the stairs with the shrapnel shard in side of a blue cloth of of eternal life. The crown was windows with heavy black paper my hand. We went back to the embroidery with hundreds of beautifully stitched with threads and set out the best cups. dining room and stared at it in tangled threads hanging down of many colours but also gold, Somewhere in the night there the light while Betsie bandaged from it. Many wondered if she silver, and pearls. “[In our lives] was an explosion; the dishes in my hand. was holding up the wrong side we see the wrong side, but God the cupboard rattled. “On your pillow,” she kept by mistake. sees His side all the time. For an hour we sipped our tea saying. “Betsie, if I hadn’t heard As she held up the messy One day we shall see the and talked, until the sound of you in the kitchen—” side of the embroidery, she embroidery from His side and planes died away and the sky But Betsie put a finger on my would ask, “Does God always thank Him for every answered was silent. I said goodnight to mouth. “Don’t say it, Corrie! grant us what we ask for in and unanswered prayer.” Betsie at the door to Tante There are no ‘ ifs ’ in God ’s world. prayers? Not always. Corrie had learned these Jans’s rooms and groped my And no places that are safer Sometimes He says, ‘ No. ’ That truths from experiences like way up the dark stairs to my than other places. The centre of is because God knows what we this . . . own. The fiery light was gone His will is our only safety. Oh do not know. Look at this piece One night I tossed for an hour from the sky. I felt for my bed: Corrie, let us pray that we may of embroidery. The wrong side while dogfights (war planes) there was the pillow. Then in the always know it! is chaos. But look at the raged overhead, streaking my darkness my hand closed over beautiful picture on the other patch of sky with fire. At last I something hard. Sharp too! I felt [An excerpt from The Hiding side – the right side.” heard Betsie stirring in the blood trickle along a finger. It Place ]

athe Japanese weighing only a few stone, little more than a Not the Sunday Sermon skeleton. Slowly, his health by Dr Mike Ward of ill-health however, which I became the best-known school returned (barring the malaria). discovered was recurring in the world. But it was Searle’s For many years, he worked for a Back to Captain (or is that malaria. He too had fought in drawings that were the real Scottish drinks company and Colonel?) Tom Moore. It feels a Burma with the 14th Army – until impetus behind the legend. was one of those responsible bit like walking around the world he was captured by the Where had such darkness in for the idea of selling wine in 3- – no matter where you are, if Japanese. Like many in Slim’s these drawings come from? litre boxes, for which I am you go far enough, you always Forgotten Army, he never talked From Burma and from Changi eternally grateful. He loved to come back to the spot with about it. Jail, Singapore, that’s where. talk about wine. But he would Captain Tom Moore on it. Until that is, we held one of For Ronald Searle, like Callum, never talk about Japan or the those Bible studies at an Elders’ spent much of his time during Japanese people. As his Meeting that only a young and the Second World War as a minister, we had several deep recklessly over-enthusiastic prisoner of the Japanese. conversations about minister would attempt. As the Incarcerated in various camps forgiveness. I am not afraid to topic of our gospels study was and forced to work on building admit it: faced with Callum, I something to do with salvation (I the notorious Siam-Burma was out of my depth. Callum cringe when I recall it), the railway, Searle became had the same black haunted subject inevitably turned to exhausted, half-starved, and look in his eyes as the girl in my Christ’s crucifixion. Callum was close to death. Somehow, he Searle drawing. Who am I to noticeably quiet and just found the energy to draw. It talk about forgiveness? I have listened as we prattled on, each probably kept him alive. He was not come back from Burma. trying to “out-grace ” the other in Biblical knowledge and smugness. But then he suddenly interrupted: “I think I’m the only person here who has And why not? He is The Man To actually seen a man being Lift Our Spirits. Amidst all the crucified.” Stunned silence. VE Day Anniversary celebra - Follow that, minister! I will leave tions, he was interviewed by it to your imagination to flesh out Michael Ball (his co-singer in what had happened to a friend “You’ll Never Walk Alone” in of Callum’s in the prison camp. case you have just returned “Whereof we cannot speak, we from Mars and have not heard must be silent.” it). Michael Ball made sure he Just before lockdown, I had his good side facing the managed to acquire a small pen Kohima War Memorial camera, making me wonder and ink drawing for my art who the interview was about, collection from one of my known by his captors to be an At the Kohima War Cemetery him or the Captain? “Where favourite London art dealers. artist, but he kept his work as and Memorial in India which were you on VE Day?” he (Yes, I know, they pay ministers private as possible in easy-to- commemorates those who gave asked. “I had just come back too much.) It was a head-and- swallow tiny sketchbooks. In their lives in the Burma from Burma.” It was a shoulders portrait of a young girl August 1945 Searle returned to Campaign and contains the throwaway line, not picked up by the late Ronald Searle. I England with a few of his graves of many who were not as by Michael who smiled for the have always admired Searle’s drawings, which he immediately lucky as Captain Tom or Callum, camera and waited for the cue work. As a teenager, I read the worked up for publication. Out of there is a cherry tree. The to sing which thankfully never perennial Molesworth books hell, an artist had been born. original tree had been used by came. (who in our class did not agree My newly-acquired Searle the Japanese as target practice, “I had just come back from with Down with Skool: A Guide drawing of a young girl (still but after the war a branch was Burma.” Let’s pause. Do you to School Life for Tiny Pupils languishing in the Mayfair art rescued from which this tree has know what that means? No, me and Their Parents ?) and was gallery until lockdown ends and grown and blossomed. And on neither. Not really . We never introduced to the unmistakable I can collect it) is not a St the tree a plaque: “For your will. We did not fight the drawings of Ronald Searle’ s Trinian’s Girl (they do not pay tomorrow, we gave our today.” th Japanese in the Far East. In a Nigel Molesworth. And of ministers that much, sadly). But The 75 anniversary of VE Day separate documentary last course, there was St Trinian ’s it has that characteristic Searle is over. Will we forget those who week, the Captain was asked in (“Hands up the girl who burnt hallmark you see in all his were still fighting 75 years ago greater length about his down the East Wing last drawings: the pitch-black in the Far East? And can we experience with “The Forgotten night?”). Once again, Searle haunting eyes, pools of find it in our hearts to let Army ”. “It was hot.” What about provided the illustrations. And darkness. It is the girl’s eyes forgiveness blossom in its the conditions? “Unpleasant.” very dark they were too – girls that tell you this was drawn by a season? What do our eyes say? Not a man of many words is our torturing other girls, man who had seen too much “The night has given me dark new national treasure. But then thumbscrews and dungeons and experienced horrors the eyes. But I use them to look for how you do describe the (“This is what we do to naughty likes of which the world has not the light.” So said the Chinese indescribable? girls”). On the front cover of known before or since. Looking poet Gu Cheng, ‘re-educated’ in I was suddenly reminded of Back to The Slaughterhouse is at that drawing (I have a photo Mao ’s Cultural Revolution. Callum (not his real name). an axe-wielding schoolgirl of it until it can hang the real Another survivor of sorts until Callum became a good friend; awaiting the arrival of a teacher, thing on my study wall), it is not the night returned and he took he was an elder in my first tied up and helpless, dragged to hard to make that link between his own life. Perhaps it is what church, by then an elderly man the chopping block by the axe- the girl with the haunted look in we do with our experiences that with a soft-spoken Scottish lilt, a wielder’s two St Trinian’s her eyes to the instruments of matters. Tomorrow will be a lovely devoted wife and a hairy accomplices. Thanks to the torture in St Trinian’ s. good day, says Captain Tom. If giant dog called Biggles. He films with Alastair Sim and Callum returned from his we use those dark eyes to look occasionally suffered from bouts Joyce Grenfell, St Trinian’s confinement at the hands of for light.

2 the TREASURY – JUNE 2020 encouraging with many saying that they have enjoyed the contents and benefitted FORWARD IN FAITH, greatly from the various readings and prayers. In some areas small groups have HOPE AND LOVE been formed to work on craft projects for our charities and to share fellowship. by Eirlys Guffydd-Evans Having chosen a theme, the ideas grow May is always a time of great activity for the amazingly, with ideas coming from all women in our churches. It’s the season of directions. Special thanks go to the Revd the Mission Rallies. This year, sadly, it’s Nan Wyn Powell-Davies who monitors the been different. All our arrangements have work of the team, namely Eirian Roberts, been mothballed until next year – but the Y Bala, Women’s Work Organiser in the work must go on. We remember that our north and is also the Treasurer of the collections give new hope to so many Women’s Sub-Committee, Carys Davies, communities and individuals here and in (Llangefni), Dorcas Programme other countries. So I hope, ladies, that you Co-ordinator North Wales and Sarah Morris, have sent your collections to your area (Llandysul), Dorcas Programme Co- treasurers already. I’m sure that you ordinator in South Wales and the Secretary have.You are the Lord’s good and faithful of the Women’s Sub -Committee. It is an handmaidens! We will discuss how to honour for me to be the Chairperson of the allocate the money when life in our chapels Women’s Sub-Committee. Our work is led begins again. Perhaps, as we look forward by prayer and I believe that this is to 2021 that we could make use of the responsible for the joyful and pleasant mission boxes that we used to use in the atmosphere in all our meetings and is also past. They would love to feel the weight of the reason for our success. I wish to thank coins in them once more! Over the coming all the women who represent their weeks we will visit some of the various Presbyteries and the Rallies in the three charities that have benefitted from the Associations and who are present in our collections made by the sisters in our themes I am the Light of the World and I am committee meetings and Retreats. We are chapels and see how the money raised has the Bread of Life. The theme chosen for this one happy family with the aim of following been spent. year is I am the Good Shepherd without Jesus in all aspects of our work. You will This is the third year that we have realising that we would all need the Good hear of the mission projects we support in launched a new theme that gives focus to Shepherd to guide us through this most the future. Let us continue to go forward in our work, and the booklet should gave been difficult time. The booklet contains services, faith, hope and love. presented and distributed in the Rallies. studies, meditations, testimonies, news This year the booklet will be sent to the about our mission projects and craft items Revd Eirlys Guffydd-Evans lives in Mold churches when chapel meetings begin to support our charities. The response to and is Chairperson of the Women’s again. Already we have had material on the the booklets have been positive and most Sub -Committee. Eleven things we learned from lockdown ‘Watch Next’ list remains thirty year wait come to an end, elderly church member and depressingly long. but for the rest of us it’s quite found that their grandchild has nice to have a break from the done a supermarket run for • Scientists are not infallible perpetual razzmatazz. (It would them. and ‘the science’ is open to be nice to get the cricket back interpretation. • The weather has been a though!) • Old people can use the blessing. Would that I had had • You can have too much internet. How much of what we a pound for the number of television news. do as a denomination has been times someone has said slowed down or put off by a • Banks care for their ‘Imagine getting through this if concern for ‘the old people’ customers. We know that it was raining!’ who don’t have access to the because the adverts tell us so – • Families have had the chance internet? True, we’ve learnt constantly. Strangely, they to be family again. Clubs were by Revd how isolating it is for people never seem to follow up the cancelled, school was closed JONATHAN HODGINS without WiFi, but also how message with the phrase ‘that’s and Mum and Dad had to stay • Netflix is a boon. As is many ‘silver surfers’ we have why we’re cancelling all indoors. And suddenly, perhaps Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer, who are more than capable of mortgage payments until the for the first time, parents have YouTube, Now TV and the fitting a church meeting into lockdown is over’. had the opportunity to see their their digital schedule right there various other streaming • There are books you read and children through the week. between Yoga on Zoom and services. We’ve mined the then there are those worthy There’s a great and legitimate the family WhatsApp quiz. various platforms for classic books you plan to read ‘when concern for children in homes films and new series and found • Birds. Take cars off the road you have time’. Well ten weeks where there is alcoholism, or some gems to get us through. for a few weeks and the indoors hasn’t change that. domestic violence, and we That said, even with weeks of blackbirds become very Sometimes only a Joe Lawton grieve that and pray about it. free time to binge watch, the confident. I’ve never seen them thriller, or a book about the However there is also a mental tyranny of choice haunts every come so close, nor sing so evolution of football tactics in health crisis among young decision. Should you invest lustily. Joyous! the 1990’s will do. people, but I would wager that your time in Fauda or Money lockdown has had a profoundly Heist or Killing Eve or just play • Sport isn’t the be all and end • Grandchildren are an positive effect on millions of it safe and watch the repeats of all of life. I know Liverpool fans unreported resource. I’ve children who suddenly got their Say Yes to the Dress ? The really, really want to see the regularly gone to check on an parents back.

3 the TREASURY – JUNE 2020 quickly reach for my iPhone to capture the event and trust the From the confines Lord will inspire me and provide another daily blog to share with of 23 North Road others. Last Friday, we had a by BRIAN REARDON catastrophe . The house was Moderator of the Association in the East without electricity, the fuse board remained in ‘lockout’ and the trip It seems a long time now since car park of the Co-op on Brecon switch refused to budge – there the 23rd March marked the Road, and at other times go as was a short somewhere in the beginning of lockdown and social far as Tesco in Llandrindod ring main. The problem distancing that quickly came into Wells. Apart from that my remained, despite the our vocabulary and changed the movement is confined to the attendance of an electrician who face of human history and Grove Park immediately in front eventually determined the dog, when I find all kinds of silence ruled the High Street – a of me or the vast High School problem lay in the supply to the opportunities to pray to the Lord long time too since Sunday sports field immediately behind. workshop in the garden. The Jesus as we go. Water can be required me to be on duty in the It’s been wonderful to walk the next step was a swift exposing of inspirational, living close to the churches under my care. So too dog and to grab a little exercise the defective power line. So, the River Wye provides just that. for all Christian workers world- as well. problem continued unresolved Sitting on one of the park seats wide and especially in our I still have my daily ‘blog’ that I until the electrical warehouse in the late evening during the Connexion who have given us send out via e-mail each evening opened after the Bank Holiday. silence has the kind of great ideas as what can be to a huge list of friends and I’m hoping that by the time the inspirational atmosphere I need achieved in a time of enforced churches throughout the repair is completed, I should to get that little bit closer to be change. Connexion. It takes a little time have seen something in the God as the evening light fades. We have managed to adapt to each day developing a theme problem that I can use in my My work with the local Council the circumstances well, happily using a personal experience, blog. continues via Zoom . we have ‘high tech’ workers who adding a photograph and I have just written a third letter I am able to spend a lot more have made the ’ virtual ’ chapel Scriptural link concluding with a to my Church Secretaries, time in my study, and I am come into being. Consequently, short prayer. I feel this makes a keeping them up to date with the having great fun going through many congregations have been contribution to the Church situation as it affects us and the bookshelves reading all given access to the Scriptures working in a different way during making sure that the telephone kinds of volumes that I have and preaching as they have these Coronavirus days. is not the only way we can keep picked up over the years, now accessed the web sites of My garden gives me great in touch with each other. being read , some for the first churches and other Christian pleasure, I love to grow flowers Technology has yet to come to time. Alan Redpath has written organisations. and vegetables as well as many parts of Radnorshire, many good books for pastors in As a minister and Moderator of attending to my vine. These take including wifi, smart phones and ministry, I am catching up again the Association I have been me to nature, creation and the e mail, so the limitations of on his helpful advice to pastors. confined to my house and provision of abundant gifts from contact opportunities persist. Despite our hopes that these garden in the rural setting of the God Almighty. I can sit anywhere However we adapt and use the days of lockdown will soon end , central Wales town of Builth in the garden and get ideas for Secretaries to ‘get on their quad it is likely that the distancing Wells. Occasionally I take to the relating God’ s Word , and when bikes’ and visit the farm regulations are going to be with road that stretches towards the something unusual happens, homesteads to deliver my letter. us a little bit longer. I’m sure we I have also taken the will be able to live with that once opportunity to wander down to we are able to return to our Alpha as there are some areas churches. This interim gives us Lockdown at the back of the church where time and an opportunity to look This poem was composed by Maureen weeds and ivy tend to thrive. I for new ways to worship when Fletcher, an elder of Zoar, Crofty. She is have spent a morning removing, that happens. conscious that even in enforced isolation, disposing and preventing new God bless you all and may the a Christian is not alone, and that as Elsie growth. Most afternoons I go on Lord Jesus Christ uphold you all Duncan Hale wrote in 1912, ’there’s a work my prayer run when walking the during these days of Coronavirus. for Jesus ready at your hand’. This is a very difficult time My Heavenly Father stays with me The Irish Blessing – ‘Be Thou My Vision’ We cannot see our friends And holds me close each day The Irish Blessing is a project we should look in this time of And every day as time goes by Puts His loving arms around me inspired by the many pandemic, whose presence is We say, ‘When will it end?’ And keeps me all the way. international recordings of our light, the source of our “The Blessing” (by Cody wisdom, in whom we find our Every day seems just the same He gives me little tasks to do Carnes, Kari Jobe and treasure and where we find As it did yesterday Like phoning friends I know Elevation Worship) which have victory. The things we used to lean on So I can give someone my love been made during this time of Individuals from three- Now seem so far away. Because God loves me so. pandemic. ‘We wanted to hundred Christian churches and So how can I get through this time? Yes I can sit and talk with God honour that inspiration, whilst at organisations located in every Whatever can I do? And pray for those in need the same time, honouring the county on the island submitted unique history and culture of our self-recordings of vocals and One thing I know, God stays with me And ask that God will bless them too island. So we chose a song that instruments which have been And He will see me through. It’s a joy to intercede. would resonate across the compiled by our creative team I wake up in the morning What a joy it is to read island, with every denomination to produce this music video – And hear the birds that sing The Bible, God’s own Word and cultural grouping, one that the organisers hope others They are always there to remind me And stop and listen just to hear could be used as a platform to receive a blessing in watching it. God’s controlling everything. The voice of my dear Lord. sing a Blessing over our land, Profits from ’The Irish all our key-workers and those Blessing’ will be directed to There’s no-one here to hug me So I need not sit idly down they are caring for.’ “Be Thou Christian Aid Ireland, Tr ócaire No-one to chat with me With not a thing to do My Vision” is just such a hymn and Tearfund Ireland in equal But I still have the greatest friend But I will trust in Christ the Lord written over 1000 years ago. It measure. That there could ever be. I know He’ll see me through. reminds us of the One to whom https://theirishblessing.com

4 the TREASURY – JUNE 2020 Being a Hospital Chaplain in trying times Revd Dr Hmar Sangkhuma’s job families. ‘Seeing patients to go oftentimes medical personnel is to provide a range of services through this unthinkable ordeal feel the need to appear to be like providing pastoral and is heartbreaking and painful. strong. But they, like everybody spiritual care to patients who are They have not seen their family are waiting to see the outcome at the end of their lives and in weeks and feel isolated and for critically ill patients. After bereavement counselling to lonely. Families are at home busy days on Covid wards the those whose loved ones have waiting to hear from the same staff go home to family sadly passed away. hospital, and they will often feel and children where they must Throughout the Covid- 19 helpless. Staff are dealing with first shower, wash their hair and Revd Dr Hmar Sangkhuma pandemic, he has continued to extremely stressful situations change before they embrace minister to the sick and the that change every day.’ loved ones. Common concerns belief but who would like bereaved in challenging As a chaplain, it is his role to in the community have been someone to talk to. Remember circumstances. Before taking up try to support patients and staff anxiety about what will the UK he says, ‘Spirituality is not about his present role in Covid-19 and to make space for them to will look like after this. What a belief in God, it is whatever wards, Sangkhuma under went share their fears and feelings. about job security, mortgages, brings meaning to life. I offer special training that involved He is also supporting the staff families and relationships. empathetic listening, a faithful being taught the correct way to dealing with the emotional His conversation with staff presence, space to talk about wear personal protection challenges and end of life care has not all been filled with patients’ life stories, or I help equipment (PPE) over his as they find themselves needing anxiety and worry. Many are patients to discover renewed clerical shirt and collar. While to be mindful of the spiritual and grateful they have got a job, meaning in their lives and there is some personal risk he emotional needs of patients. grateful they are going into spiritual peace.’ admits that he doesn’t really Like other medical professionals work, feel they fulfil their Sangkhuma would value think about it. He is of the view Sangkhuma is of the view that purpose and appreciate the prayer for himself and other that this is what Christians the psychological and emotional noble work that they are doing. chaplains as they provide should be doing; helping, repercussions for doctors and He speaks of his role as one support for patients and staff in supporting, listening and being nurses will outlast the in which in addition to Heath, Llandough, Neath Port on the journey with people who pandemic. He also supports supporting Christian patients, he Talbot and Morriston hospitals are in need of comfort and staff by offering a listening ear goes an extra mile to support during testing times. Let us also support. as they discuss their working people of other faiths of BAME pray for all nurses and doctors He describes his own reaction day or talk about more personal (Muslims have their own who sacrifice their lives as front to the experiences of many issues. chaplains), as well as patients liners. We owe them all a debt patients and their anxious He has observed how who do not have a religious of gratitude!

Super Cyclone Amphan

O afflicted one, storm-tossed, and not comforted, Behold, I will set your stones in antimony, And your foundations I will lay in sapphires. (Isaiah 54:11)

Millions of people are have been evacuated from their homes in India and Bangladesh due to Super Cyclone Amphan. But these life-saving efforts are being restricted because of the need to social distance. Raging winds of up to 120mph and 17 foot high waves have battered and damaged thousands of homes made with mud, tin and thatched roofs. Please pray with us for our global neighbours who have felt the destruction of Cyclone Amphan. Pray for their protection and safety during these unimaginable circumstances. likely to include safe water, hygiene kits, masks and sanitisers – Christian Aid ’s Bangladesh Country Director, Pankaj Kumar to avoid transmission of coronavirus. says: ‘We have an increased number of intense storms year on Our partners are on the ground supporting the evacuations to year, and it is the most poor and vulnerable who are being hit the cyclone centres, especially elderly people and people with hardest. They are still restoring their homes and livelihoods from disabilities. Your support makes this possible. previous years… Amphan risks putting them back to square one.’ Any donations earmarked for ‘Cyclone Amphan’ should where Our local partners are assessing the needs of people most in possible be made via the Christian Aid website, or by calling 020 danger so that we can give life-saving support. Immediate help is 7523 2269 to donate by telephone.

THE TREASURY incorporating Glad Tidings • English publication of the Presbyterian Church of Wales. Published monthly – Price 50p. Vol. XLVI No. 6 Editor: Revd IAIN B HODGINS, 1a CHESTNUT GROVE, HAWARDEN CH5 3HD JUNE 2020 e-mail: [email protected] I S S N 1 4 7 6 - 4 6 9 5 06 Unless otherwise stated the views expressed are those of the individual contributor and are not necessarily the view of the General Assembly or the Editor. Enquiries about orders and subscriptions should be addressed to GWASG Y BWTHYN (PANTYCELYN), Tº CADNANT, ZONE 2, LÔN HEN FELIN, CIBYN, CAERNARFON LL55 2BD Tel: 01286 672018 • [email protected] 9 771476 469066

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