Plwyfi y Bannau a’r Llyn
Parishes of the Beacons and the Lake Bwlch & Cathedine, Cantref, Llanfeugan, Llanfihangel Talyllyn, Llanfrynach, Llangasty Talyllyn, Llangorse, Llanhamlach, Llansantffraed, Llandetty, Llanywern
The Beacons Benefice and The Parish of Llyn Safaddan Ministry Area Church Newsletter Llythyr Newyddion Eglwys
March to May 2018
HOLY WEEK AND EASTER : A complete list of all the services for Holy Week and Easter can be found below, under ‘Forthcoming Services’
LENT LUNCHES FOR CHRISTIAN AID : Christian Aid Lent Lunches are taking place again this year in both parishes – In the Beacons Benefice these are on Wednesdays at 12.30pm:- 28th Feb: Hosted by Janet Watkins - Llanfrynach Village Hall. 7th March: Hosted by the Podgers - Dros Y Sir, Cefn Cantref 14th March: Hosted by Brenda Powell - Brodawel, Maesmawr Lane, Talybont 21st March: Hosted by the Bramleys - Weatheroak, Llanhamlach
In Llyn Safaddan the lunches are on Fridays:- 2nd March: Hosted by Jo Coppin - Glyn Deri, Llanfihangel-Talyllyn 9th March: Hosted by Mary Anderson - Chalkhill, Llangorse 16th March: Hosted by Janet and the team at the Retreat House, Llangasty 23rd March: Hosted by Kathleen and Phillip Keane - Llanfellte, Bwlch All welcome!
STAINER’S CRUCIFIXION - 7pm Monday 26 March in Llangors Church : This event will be a meditative service for choir and congregation (who join in with the few hymns written for this purpose). Stephen Power, Director of Music at Brecon Cathedral, will be playing the organ, Richard Podger will sing the Tenor solo parts, Tomas Jones will sing the Bass solos. Some members of the Cathedral choirs will augment our local Ministry Area choir. If you are interested in singing in the choir, please contact Trina Lodge (01874 658878). Musical Scores are to be loaned from the Cathedral or can be downloaded free – details on request. It will be a poignant and moving service with which to start Holy Week - please join us.
ANNUAL VESTRY MEETINGS : The time of year for our Annual Vestry Meetings will shortly be upon us – these are occasions for receiving reports about the past year, electing officers, and setting the agenda for the future. The dates of our Annual Vestry Meetings are:- 7-30pm Tuesday 24th April in Llangors Church for Llyn Safaddan. 7-00pm Thursday 26th April in Llanfrynach Hall for the Beacons Benefice. Before these meetings, we need to hold the annual meetings of each church. These are:-
Llanhamlach – 7pm Tuesday 13th March; Llansantffraed – 2pm Wednesday 28th March; Llanfeugan - Thurs 29th March after the 7pm service; Llandetty – Sun 8th April after the 10am service; Llanfrynach – 6pm Wed 19th April; Cantref – to be confirmed.
Llangasty – Sun 18th March after the 11am Service; Llangors – Sun 15th April after the 11am service; Llanfihangel 6-00pm Tues 17th April; Llanywern – Sun 22nd April after the 11am service; Bwlch – Sun 22nd April after the 6pm service
THE MYSTERY CYCLES - Week ending Saturday 28 April Mystery plays were a way of telling Biblical stories and events through drama and music, which became a popular genre in the Middle Ages. Often several such plays ran consecutively over several days, and these were called Mystery Cycles as they told of the cycle of Biblical events. Humour and pathos were used to gain people’s attention and to enable the audience to empathise with the characters. Lynn Clausen is working with enthusiasts from around Llangors to present the Wakefield Cycle of Mystery plays. This will be presented in full on Saturday 28 April (2 performances) in Llangors Village Hall. It will also be shown in Llangors Church and Llanfihangel Church, in part, on two evenings during that week. (This will definitely whet your appetites to see the whole thing on Saturday 28 April!) If you are interested in being involved but haven’t yet contacted Lynn then please do so, via Raven Drama – see her website for contact details.
OPEN GARDEN AND FLOWER FESTIVAL - Saturday June 16 and Sunday June 17 from 2 - 5.30 pm : The garden at Yr Hen Ffermdy, Llanywern (LD3 7UP) will be open over this weekend: there will be music (Brecon Town Concert Band on Saturday afternoon, other musicians on the Sunday afternoon), with an ‘I Spy’ Quiz for children, for the garden walks, stalls with produce etc., teas and cake. At the same time there will be a flower festival in Llanywern church – which most people will pass on their way to the Open Garden. All proceeds will be shared amongst the Churches Around the Lake (Bwlch, Llangasty, Llangors, Llanfihangel and Llanywern).
NEXT MINISTRY AREA JOINT SERVICE : Just a note to remind you that the next fifth Sunday of the month occurs on 29th April, when there will be just the one Communion service for the whole Ministry Area, this time at Cantref Church at 10-30am
MUSIC GROUP We have formed a music group to play for All Age Services, usually the third Sunday, in Llangors. If you read music and are a reasonably experienced player who is keen to play with a group (of keyboard, flutes, cello, clarinet) please contact Trina Lodge (01874 658878).
ADVENT SLEEPOUT IN LLANHAMLACH : Three intrepid pioneers spent the night of December 8th - the first night of the snow - sleeping in the small rural church of Llanhamlach, to raise money and awareness for the Church Urban fund's annual fundraising drive for the homeless. Watched over by the gilded angels round the east window, and wearing several layers of clothing, they shared stories and music, and a thermos of coffee, before catching a few hours' sleep. It became colder and colder and the necessary comfort visits to the Old Rectory through the snowstorm resembled a polar expedition. When daylight dawned they were glad to make tea in the vestry, and fortunate to be able to return to a warm house and inform their nearest and dearest of their achievement. And it was quite an achievement - between them, they raised a final total of just over £1200; with Gift Aid of around £200, this brings the total to just over £1400, far more than expected. So a huge thank you to all those generous donors, many of whom knew others involved in sleepouts elsewhere, and to Llanhamlach Church Committee for allowing this idea to become a reality. See you next year! Liz Bramley (Llanhamlach) / Carol Jones (Llanwrtyd Wells) / Ivor Davies (Builth Wells)
REFUGEE RESPITE DAY : Another very successful Refugee Respite Day took place at Llangors Village Hall recently – This is part of a thank you message from Maria, one of the coordinators from Swansea, and worth reading:- ‘Yesterday saw another wonderful respite day at Llangorse hosted by Hay, Brecon and Talgarth Sanctuary for Refugees. A collaborative venture by the wonderful folks of Llangorse and Llanfihangel Talyllyn.... We were greeted by friendly, familiar faces and met new people who had given up their time to help in some way to make the day a success for our friends.... We were treated to a feast including curries, salads, cakes , fruit and flatbreads that must all have taken hours to prepare. After lunch, the Crannog Ceilidh band provided music and dance. So many of our friends enjoyed this. Some who said they would never dance did, and smiled and relaxed in a way we had not seen them do before.... It is difficult to put into words the attributes of such a day. Again and again we hear, ‘ I can’t believe it’, ‘ people are so kind’ ‘ beautiful countryside’ ‘ I forget my stresses today’ ‘delicious food’ ‘I love the dancing, it is good fun, friends together’ ‘ I don’t know how to say thank you enough.’. There is a full write-up of the event and many photos of the event at:- http://hbtsr.org.uk/2018/02/14/curry-and-ceilidh-at-llangorse-community- centre
LLANFIHANGEL FUNDRAISING EVENTS : Llanfihangel Church has two event planned – a Bridge Afternoon, 2-5pm on Tuesday 10th April, and a Coffee Morning with cakes, raffle, and plant stall in the Bishop Bevan Hall, 10am -12 noon on Friday 11th May. All welcome.
LANGORS MONTHLY COFFEE MORNINGS : These charity coffee mornings are on the second Monday of the month at Llangors Village Hall from 10am -12 noon, and the causes are usually those used or supported by local people, or part of our local life:- Monday 12th March – City Farms & Community Gardens Cymru Monday 9th April – Sight Savers Monday 14th May – Christian Aid Come along and enjoy the company and the cakes.
TALYBONT TEA & CHAT : Meets 3-00pm – 4-30pm on the first Monday of the month at the Henderson Hall, Talybont:- 5th March / 2nd April / 7th May
LLANFRYNACH COFFEE MORNINGS : This starts up again after the winter break, meeting on the second Wednesday of the month 10am – 12 noon at Llanfrynach & Cantref Hall - 14th March / 11th April / 9th May.
LLANGASTY RETREAT HOUSE DROP IN DAY : An opportunity to pause for prayer and personal reflection - come for all or part of the day. Bring your own lunch. Coffee and tea provided. No charge, but donations welcome. No need to book. 10am to 4pm with Eucharist at 12 noon. Monday 26th March / Monday 16th April / Monday 14th May.
FORTHCOMING SERVICES
Friday 2nd March 7-00pm Womens World Day of Prayer Service at Bwlch
Sunday 4th March Lent 3 Exodus 20 1-17 / Psalm 19 7-14 / 1 Cor 1: 18-25 / John 2: 13-22 9-30am Holy Communion at Llanfihangel 10-00am Beacons Holy Communion for St David at Cantref 11-00am Holy Communion at Llangors 6-00pm Evening Prayer at Llanywern
Wednesday 7th March 10-00am Holy Communion (1662) at Llangors
Sunday 11th March Lent 4 / Mothering Sunday (Readings for Mothering Sunday may vary) 10-00am Holy Communion at Llanfrynach 10-30am Mothing Sunday Service at Llanfihangel 10-30am Mothing Sunday Service at Henderson Hall Talybont
Sunday 18th March Lent 5 Jeremiah 31: 31-34 / Psalm 119: 9-16 / Hebrews 5: 5-10 / John 12: 20-33 9-30am Holy Communion at Bwlch 10-00am Holy Communion at Llansantffraed 10-00am Holy Communion at Cantref 11-00am Holy Communion at Llangasty
Sunday 25th March Palm Sunday Mark 11: 1-11 / Isaiah 50: 4-9a / Psalm 31: 9-16 / Philippians 2: 5-11 / Mark 15: 1-39 10-00am Holy Communion at Llanhamlach 10-00am Holy Communion at Llansantffraed 10-30am Procession & All Age Worship at Llangors 6-00pm Readings and Hymns for Holy Week at Llangasty
Monday in Holy Week 26th March 7-00pm Stainer’s Crucifixion at Llangors
Tuesday in Holy Week 27th March 7-00pm Compline & Meditation at Llanfrynach 7-00pm Compline & Meditation at Bwlch Wednesday in Holy Week 28th March 7-00pm Taize Prayer at Cantref
Maundy Thursday 29th March 6-30pm Passover Supper at Llangors Village Hall 7-00pm Holy Communion at Llanfrynach
Good Friday 30th March 10-00am Devotional Service at Llanfrynach 2-00pm Devotional Service at Llanywern
Sunday 1st April Easter Day Acts 10: 34-43 / Psalm 118: 14-24 / 1 Cor 15: 1-11 / Mark 16: 1-8 6-00am Dawn Communion & Breakfast at Llangasty Retreat House 9-30am Holy Communion at Bwlch 10-00am Holy Communion at Llandetty 10-00am Holy Communion at Cantref 11-00am Holy Communion at Llanfihangel
Wednesday 4th April 10-00am Holy Communion (1662) at Llangors
Sunday 8th April Easter 2 Acts 4: 32-35 / Psalm 133 / 1 John 1: 1 - 2: 2 / John 20: 19-31 9-30am Holy Communion at Bwlch 10-00am Morning Prayer at Llandetty 10-00am Holy Communion at Llanfrynach 11-00am Morning Prayer at Llangasty 11-00am Family Church at Henderson Hall
Sunday 15th April Easter 3 Acts 3: 12-19 / Psalm 4 / 1 John 3: 1-7 / Luke 24: 36b-48 9-30am Holy Communion at Llanfihangel 10-00am Holy Communion at Llanfeugan 10-00am Holy Communion at Cantref 11-00am All Age Worship at Llangors
Sunday 22nd April Easter 4 Acts 4: 5-12 / Psalm 23 / 1 John 3: 16-24 / John 10: 11-18 10-00am Holy Communion at Llanhamlach 11-00am Holy Communion at Llanywern 3-00pm Henry Vaughan Memorial Evensong at Llansantffraed 6-00pm Evening Prayer at Bwlch
Sunday 29th April Easter 5 Acts 8: 26-40 / Psalm 22: 25-31 / 1 John 4: 7-21 / John 15: 1-8 10-30am Ministry Area Holy Communion at Cantref
Wednesday 2nd May 10-00am Holy Communion (1662) at Llangors
Sunday 6th May Easter 6 Acts 10: 44-48 / Psalm 98 / 1 John 5: 1-6 / John 15: 9-17 9-30am Holy Communion at Llanfihangel 10-00am Beacons United Holy Communion at Llanhamlach 11-00am Holy Communion at Llangors 6-00pm Evening Prayer at Cantref
Thursday 10th May Ascension Day 7-00pm Holy Communion at Llanfrynach
Sunday 13th May Sunday after Ascension Acts 1: -15-17 & 21-26 / Psalm 1 / 1 John 5: 9-13 / John 17: 6-19 9-30am Holy Communion Bwlch 10-00am Holy Communion at Llandetty 10-00am Morning Prayer at Llanfrynach 11-00am Holy Communion at Llangasty 11-00am Family Church at Henderson Hall
Sunday 20th May Pentecost Ezekiel 37: 1-14 / Psalm 104: 24-34 / Acts 2: 1-21 / John 15: 26-27 & 16: 4b-15 9-30am Holy Communion at Llanfihangel 10-00am Holy Communion at Llanfeugan 10-00am Holy Communion at Cantref 11-00am All Age Worship at Llangors
Sunday 27th May Trinity Sunday Isaiah 6: 1-8 / Psalm 29 / Romans 8: 12-17 / John 3: 1-17 9-30am Morning Prayer at Bwlch 10-00am Holy Communion at Llansantffraed 10-00am Holy Communion at Llanhamlach 11-00am Holy Communion at Llanywern
Who’s Who - Useful Numbers
Church in Wales Clergy
The Revd. Kelvin Richards
Priest in Charge and
Ministry Area Leader The Revd. Richard Podger The Rectory Permission to Officiate
Talybont-on-Usk Dros y Sir (Barn 6) LD3 7UX Cefn Cantref (01874 676146) LD3 8LT [email protected]
Ven. Alan Jevons Archdeacon of Brecon and Associate Priest
The Vicarage Llangors Presbyterian Minister
LD3 7UG Revd. David Jenkins (01874 658298) [email protected] 14 School Gardens Brecon, LD3 7PG The Revd. Liz Bramley (01874 622827) Local Ordained Minister
Weatheroak Llanhamlach, LD3 7YB (01874 665267) [email protected]