'a parish with a desire for church growth, mission and evangelism'

Congratulations Felicity!

Holy Cross Church Clyne Chapel Fairwood Road Mayals Road West Cross, SA3 5JP Blackpill, SA3 5DH

www.parishofllwynderw.org

April 2019 50 pence

THE PARISH OF LLWYNDERW Holy Cross Church & Clyne Chapel, Swansea,

in the diocese of Swansea and VICAR The Venerable Jonathan B Davies B.Th (Archdeacon of Gower) Llwynderw Vicarage, Fairwood Road, West Cross, Swansea, SA3 5JP Telephone & Fax: 01792 512747 Email: [email protected] CURATE Reverend Hywel D Griffiths 23 Mayals Avenue, Blackpill, Swansea, SA3 5DE Telephone: 01792 403957 Email: [email protected] SERVICES IN THE PARISH Sunday 8.00am Holy Eucharist Clyne Chapel 9.30am Sung Eucharist Holy Cross 11.00am Sung Eucharist Clyne Chapel 4.00pm Evening Worship Holy Cross

[as announced]

Wednesday 10.30am Holy Eucharist Clyne Chapel

Thursday 10.00am Holy Eucharist Holy Cross

Please notify our pastoral care co-ordinator, Reverend Hywel Griffiths,

of the names of those who are sick.

The Chapel of St Faith is open throughout the day

for personal and private prayer.

Holy Baptism and Marriage arrangements may be made with the curate.

The Blessed Sacrament is reserved for Communion of the sick or infirm at any time.

The Holy Oils are available for the Sacrament of anointing.

WEEKLY PARISH HALL BOOKINGS Mondays 5.30pm - 7.30pm Weightwatchers Fridays 9.30am - 12noon Community Art Class Sundays 2.00pm - 4.30pm Ariosa Singers & Mumbles Voices rehearse with Les & Penny Ryan

2 READERS Dr Felicity Padley 32 Fernhill Close, Blackpill Tel: 402437 Email: [email protected] Mrs Biddy Wigley 5 Whitegates, Mayals, Swansea Tel: 405404 Email: [email protected] LAY WORSHIP TEAM Felicity Barrow, Mair Kiley, Felicity Padley, Esther Searle, Biddy Wigley PAROCHIAL OFFICERS Parish Wardens Vicar’s Warden Mrs Lesley Morris Tel: 514769 65 Gwerneinon Road, Sketty

People’s Warden Miss Geraldine Twinney Tel: 420243 23 Muirfield Drive, Mayals PCC Secretary Dr Felicity Padley Tel: 402437 32 Fernhill Close, Blackpill

PCC Treasurer Mr Bob Wigley Tel: 405404 5 Whitegates, Mayals Parish Organist Mr Leslie Ryan, BA (hons mus), Tel: 406062 LCCMD, AWCCM, CertEd () 43 Mayals Avenue, Blackpill

THE LLWYNDERW PARISH HALL

can be hired for meetings, birthday parties and other special occasions

Contact: Revd Hywel Griffiths Telephone: 403957

PARISH ACTIVITIES Messy Church, as advised, Holy Cross Church at 3.15pm Parish Prayer Group, every Tuesday Details on weekly sheet. Contact Lyn Jones: 402080

Cinema Club. Contact Dave & Joyce Owen: 401512 Mothers’ Union, Branch Leaders: Hazel Somers: 401705 & Elaine Griffiths: 208269

3 IN THIS ISSUE ......

5. New Life Brings Exciting Times 7. Messy Church 10. Family News 11. Thank You 12. Diocesan Lent Appeal 17. Serenity - another version 18. Mothers’ Union 20. Music Notes 21. Happy Birthday Lamplighter 23. Unite in Prayer 24. John in Gethsemane 25. Ten Prayers for Our Nation 26. Highlights from Mumbles Ministry Area News 27. Easter Dawn 28. Women’s World Day of Prayer 29. What’s On? 32. I Believe 33. We Are Survivors! 34. May They All Be One

Contributions for the MAY issue to be received on or before Thursday 25th April 2019

for publication on Sunday 5th May 2019

Biddy Wigley 5 Whitegates, Mayals, Swansea, SA3 5HW

Email: [email protected]

4 NEW LIFE BRINGS EXCITING TIMES Archdeacon Jonathan

nnwyl Ffrindiau / Dear many services and events that have A Friends been thoughtfully prepared for us throughout our Ministry Area. Now that Storm Freya, who brought with her gusts of 76mph to Sometimes, it’s hard to believe Mumbles has departed, we might that the events of Holy Week and get the odd lovely warm day as Easter actually happened, but there Easter fast approaches. are so many eyewitness accounts and things that took place after that Lent is moving quickly and first Sunday morning which simply gathering momentum as this could not have taken place had month we travel with Jesus to these events been untrue. Read the Jerusalem, continue with him gospels for yourself and remind through the Last Supper and yourself of the Easter story. Try accompany him to the cross on Mark’s gospel, the first one Good Friday. Then comes the believed to have been written, quietness and stillness of Easter which gives you immediacy and Saturday as we await the joy of fast pace through events. Or John’s Easter morning when, along with which is very spiritual and full of Christians from all over the world, meaning, or Luke’s which is we find the empty tomb and carefully written. I think that until celebrate Christ’s resurrection. you’ve read the gospels you really won’t know for sure whether to There are many ways of looking believe or not! at Holy Week and the season of Easter and each year I find there is Easter is also very much a time more and more to discover about for new life and green shoots and the Easter events. Each event of so life in our parish continues to Holy Week is a part of the Easter develop in all sorts of interesting story and Easter will mean far ways. Nearly 30 people are more if you attend some of the currently part of the Lent House

5 Groups and 23 people attended the completion of the internal recent Quiet Day at Nicholaston programme will be decided later House. The PCC, on behalf of the this month as the PCC strivesto parish, were recently able to align the parish to the Diocesan donate £5,000 to a number of Vision that “The Diocese will foster, charities. encourage and support local and creative initiatives in outreach, At Holy Cross, exciting plans for welcome and mission.” reordering the building and hall will be discussed later in the year So let us look forward to some and Messy Church continues to warmer weather, the first leaves of thrive with over 20 children at the new life and to all that God has in last event. Messy Good Friday store for us. will no doubt be a further success as our wonderful group of over 25 Sharon, Phoebe and Kaiden join helpers, parents and grandparents me in wishing you all a very join together to bring alive the happy Easter and Easter joy in stories of Jesus in exciting and these longer days. creative ways.

Pob bendith / Every blessing Clyne has also experienced new life with the completion of a Jonathan comprehensive external refurbishment programme together with a magnificent rebuild of the organ made to fit inside the redundant casework from the original 1907 Kirkland organ said to have come from Brighton Pavilion. Permission for the

6

MESSY CHURCH Felicity Barrow

essy Church was all about might have been, and are, M reaching out to others, as punishable by stoning. Jesus did when asked about the stoning of the alleged adulteress in To demonstrate this serious and John 8:1-11. We started with some important lesson, Felicity B parachute games of cat and mouse donned lawyers’ robes and a as an ice breaker and settled down willing criminal, in the form of quietly for our celebration in Francesca, came forward to be church. stoned. Paper missiles were cheerfully pitched before we The children were asked about handed out further paper and the law and what they understood invited everyone to write on it if it to be (a good grasp as it turned they had done anything unkind, out). They then heard how, in unnecessary, naughty or Jesus’ time and in some places disobedient in the last day, week, today, breaches of sacred laws month or year.....

7 It was impressive how much thought went into this and the children were told that if they had blank paper they could scrunch it up and lob it at Francesca as before. Every sheet was put in the bin and the children really got the message that before they point the finger at someone else they must reflect on their own behaviour. us in prayer before we started our Further, Jesus reached out to this activities. woman, notwithstanding her misconduct, as we must reach out Friendship bracelets, painted to others too, irrespective of who stones and cartoon characters were they are or what they have done. swiftly sorted. Cakes were decorated with Emojis - all happy! We sang our hymn of fellowship We enjoyed some water play too (Bind us together) and Hywel led looking at the ripple effect caused by plunging a large object into water and then a tiny grain of rice; the effect was similar and the message was that little acts of kindness have a similar effect to more elaborate gestures. Moreover, even a small, mean act can cause upset.

8 Following the theme bridges were built out of bricks, straws (not plastic ones) and masking tape to see how big a load they could bear before they collapsed. It wasn’t inevitably the largest load which was the last straw.

We reluctantly stopped to eat and everyone assembled their own tortilla - used to symbolise that we are all wrapped in God’s love. We finished with the chorus Be Kind to One Another and said our goodbyes until April 19th for the Good Friday Workshop.

Increasingly parents are helping in our sessions and numbers are growing with a regular and loyal cohort. We are really lucky and the atmosphere is wonderful- best described as organised chaos!

We look forward to the Easter session and the promise of chocolate ...

9 FAMILY NEWS

eaders may have spotted a the region. R familiar name among the nominations for the Evening Post Felicity also runs Swansea’s HE+ Community Awards 2019. programme, in partnership with Cambridge University, the only Felicity Padley was nominated programme of its kind in Wales and for the Evening Post Teacher/ one which the Welsh Government saw Mentor of the year, and, at the as being the model for the Seren ‘hubs’ awards ceremony in the Brangwyn that have been rolled out across Wales Hall on Friday 22nd March, was in recent years. presented with the award. She is both the leader and the engine The framed picture she was room behind this programme’s success presented with explains the and provides passion, enthusiasm and reasons why Felicity won her knowledge which has resulted in category. everyone - staff, partners and students - having so much respect for her. Her “Gower College’s Oxbridge tutor work has helped 10 students receive has been described as a very special offers to study at Oxbridge in lady and an inspirational teacher and September.” mentor to the hundreds of students that she supports. Congratulations Felicity, from all your friends in the parish, on what She works with a special group of 16 we know is well deserved and 17 year olds who are, in the main, recognition of your dedication to some of the more able and talented the hundreds of young people who students, as measured by their GCSE have passed through your hands scores. They aspire to progress to the over many years. very best universities and their future success is important to the economy of

10 Mair Kiley writes: Lynne in Esher, Surrey. Her ashes R.I.P. Anna Gower will be interred at Clyne in June.

I was saddened to hear of the Esther Searle writes: death of Anna Gower R.I.P. Eva Cheesman recently. Anna was a former member of Clyne Chapel and Some of us will remember Eva attended the 11am service on a Cheeseman who was a regular Sunday. She was a lovely, worshipper at Clyne Chapel. Two gracious lady who possessed a and a half years ago she could no beautiful singing voice. longer manage at home and went to a care home in Woking near her She lived for a number of years at daughter Linda Holder. Linda has Folland Court, but moved when phoned me to say Eva died on 27th she was in her eighties to be nearer February aged 97. her son Richard and daughter

THANK YOU

The Parish Quiet Day, led by Canon Ian Rees (St Mary’s) was held on 16 March at Nicholaston House. More than 20 people attended what was an immensely thoughtful day.

Our thanks to Lyn Jones who did all the organizing, and to Canon Ian Rees who guided everyone through a meditation on the famous hymn ‘Dear Lord and Father of mankind.’

The parish is particularly grateful to Ian as the Quiet Day clashed with the Wales versus Ireland Six Nations Rugby match in Cardiff!

11 DIOCESAN LENT APPEAL

12

FURTHER INFORMATION

Overleaf, please find information about the four charities nominated for this year’s Lent Appeal, taken from the Diocesan Bulletin.

Throughout Lent and beyond we will have the opportunity to show our support of this appeal through retiring collections. There will be baskets at the back of each church for the purpose.

Should you wish to Gift Aid your donation, please use the envelopes in church marking them clearly LENT APPEAL, and if paying by cheque, make it payable to Parish of Llwynderw.

13 Faith in Families what can be achieved. It provides a needs no introduction. family centre, open to all ages, where a It is one of the most range of activities take place including impressive ways in parent and toddler sessions, high which the diocese has developed its scope play group, healthy family outreach into disadvantaged families lunch, after school club, holiday play and communities in our area. The scheme, adult courses, breakfast club Diocesan Board for Social and sessions for young people over 10 Responsibility is involved in years of age, to learn new skills and highlighting issues of social concern develop friendships whilst having a within the diocese, but, as Faith in great time together. Also, a Families, it is probably best known for community cafe with free Wi-Fi and running its projects on behalf of the social enterprises will be developed diocese. for adults of the area, led by the community, for the community. It’s a The very existence of some of its wonderful witness to the concern of work as well as the livelihoods of staff the church for the people of the area, members have again been under real and a wonderful advert for the vision threat. Your support will be a real of the Faith in Families team. boost to the morale of staff and trustees who are fighting to preserve the wonderful community and family Jeel al-Amal Boys work which Faith in Families delivers orphanage home and co- to people within several educational school is in disadvantaged communities and who the village of Bethany. A are in both profoundly challenging visit was included in the circumstances and real need. programme for forty pilgrims from Swansea The family centres, outreach projects and Gower when they visited the Holy and affordable (in some cases free) Land in October 2018. Pilgrims were childcare settings strive to be able to moved and impressed by what they fully provide the much-needed witnessed through the work of the children and family support facilities centre. in one-stop centres, easily accessible within local communities. Jeel al-Amal has been in existence since 1972. It began in a house next to The St Teilo’s Cwtch community that of the founders, Alice and Basil centre and church in the heart of Sahhar, that housed 10 boys. The Portmead is now a flagship example of numbers gradually increased, and the 14 school was accredited by the really hard not to turn any away but to Palestinian, Israeli and Jordanian find suitable places for them elsewhere authorities. Eventually they were able if necessary. The school attached to to purchase a building on the eastern Jeel al-Amal is unique in the area in side of Bethany and it is now run by that it takes children from age 5 to 12 Najwa (Alice and Basil’s daughter). and is for both boys and girls up to Grade 6. Girls are housed in a separate The boys are from Bethsaida, house in Bethany and looked after by Jerusalem, Ramallah, Bethlehem and nuns in a nearby Russian Orthodox all over the West Bank and are some of orphanage. the most difficult cases in Palestine. Najwa tells us that no other The Jeel al-Amal school at Bethany is organisation will take some of the doing some really good work under boys who have behavioural very difficult circumstances. But, difficulties. Some of them lived on the Najwa tells us, unemployment is very streets and some had been badly high on both sides of the wall built by beaten by their family or others with the Israelis and this means that the whom they came into contact. Others people who might be willing to give to were starving, having not eaten support the project have no money to properly for some time. share.

The current priority for the school is The monthly running costs are that they should be properly equipped $30,000. This includes the salaries of to manage the boys who come into the staff (35) $20,000 and other their care and present with the most running costs $10,000 (e.g. electricity, difficulties. One of the best ways of water, solar for the heat in winter, helping with this will be being able to some of the children’s expenses in the provide the right environment; giving boarding section). The running costs them a homely atmosphere at the of the home are not funded by any school’s living accommodation in governmental authority despite the order to help the boys to feel safe and school being widely accredited. In secure. some months Jeel al-Amal has been unable to pay the pharmacy bills and The home provides a home for the electricity has nearly been cut off. around 72 Palestinian boys (Christian and Muslim) most of whom have deep mental scars by what they have witnessed and endured before being welcomed into the home. The staff try 15 Nordoff Robbins United Society is the UK’s Partners in the leading Gospel was independent founded in 1701, music therapy charity, working across and is the Anglican the country offering vital support mission agency that partners churches through its dedicated open access and communities worldwide in God’s centres and alongside over 150 partner mission to enliven faith, strengthen organisations. relationships, unlock potential and champion justice. Music therapy can help a child with Environmental degradation. Turbulent autism to communicate, reduce global politics. Gender injustice. The anxiety for a person living with desperate flight of migrants. Forced dementia or provide comfort for displacement of people at record someone facing a terminal illness. levels. USPG believes today’s major In 2017 it reached more people in challenges cry out for words and more places than ever before, actions that express a love and delivering music therapy to 7,916 solidarity that goes beyond narrow vulnerable and isolated people, with self-interest and national boundaries 29,725 music therapy sessions. Canon Alison Jones said: “In the It believes the churches of the Parish of Townhill, they have a music Anglican Communion are called therapist who hires our church hall urgently in mission to be communities once a week and works with autistic of resistance and hope, witness to the children and stroke victims among healing power of Christ’s love. So, others. USPG invites us to journey together with it in rethinking mission, “The music therapist who works in energising church and community and Townhill is a really good community championing justice, which are its resource for such an area. She has three strategic aims: brought real fun and laughter to our Seniors group as well as the Rethinking Mission: We bring people individuals she helps and the school together from different parts of the SDF unit. She can only do that because global church in mutually enriching we offer her reduced hall hire. A bit of conversation and profound extra help might mean the charity encounters, to increase understanding could work in other parts of Wales as and deepen our discipleship as inter- well.” cultural Christians.

16 Energising Church and community: We across the world to form communities make connections between the of hope and resistance and we strive to dioceses and communities of the give a platform to the faithful among Churches of Britain and Ireland and those with power in the secular world.

those overseas and we seek ways in * * * * * which faith and action can go hand-in- Archbishop John writes: “Many of hand. We look to strengthen the unity you are now well experienced in and capacity of the Anglican church devising either imaginative or by promoting education and traditional methods of raising money leadership and by learning from each for the Appeal. Many of you also other in rich exchange. personally set something aside as a

personal discipline as Lent progresses. Championing Justice: We accompany

churches of the Anglican Communion “However, you choose to proceed, I in their struggles against injustices thank you in advance for doing the associated with gender, climate little things with love and with care, change, migration, the human rights and I wish you well in your planning of indigenous people and inter- and in your efforts for others.” religious living. We support Christians

SERENITY - ANOTHER VERSION

God, grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change, which is pretty much everyone, since I’m clearly not you, God. At least not the last time I checked.

And while you’re at it, God, please give me the courage to change what I need to change about myself, which is frankly a lot since, once again, I’m not you, which means I’m not perfect. It’s better for me to focus on changing myself than to worry about changing other people who, as you’ll no doubt remember me saying, I can’t change anyway.

Finally, give me the wisdom to just shut up whenever I think that I’m clearly smarter than anyone else in the room, or that no-one knows what they’re talking about except me, or that I alone have all the answers.

Basically, God, grant me the wisdom to remember that I’m not you. Amen

17 MOTHERS’ UNION Christian Care for Families Elaine Griffiths

n 5 March, the Branch was As it happened, our meeting O privileged to welcome our coincided with Hywel’s birthday – Curate Hywel’s Mum, June. She as you can see in the photo of read several of her favourite Hywel, his wife Sian, & June, & hymns from various historical the lovely birthday cake which times to us and described the Sian brought along to share with background of their writers. June us after June’s talk. then went on to share some of her own Christian poetry. Members On 2 April Matt James of Welsh really appreciated the very Ambulance Services will speak to personal nature of what June us about the help available from shared with us as it resonated the Ambulance Services & then with each of us according to our ask us to share our experiences & own experiences in life. Thank expectations regarding the you June. Services so to assist the organisation to put the voices of different community groups at the heart of their work.

We plan to celebrate May Day & couple of Big ‘O’ Birthdays belatedly on 7 May. We now anticipate that both birthday girls will be at this meeting. Why don’t you come along and party with us, and find out who we are? Like all our meetings, our get together starts at 2.15pm and is open to all.

18 On 4 June we are set to welcome raising coffee evening, raffle and Cynthia Mumford to explain how Bring & Buy to support & help as a ‘Reluctant Recruit’ she develop Christian care for families became an accredited local at home and abroad, and to preacher in the Methodist Church contribute to the cost to the Parish (Mumbles) & what it entails. of the overheads of our meetings in the Parish Hall at Holy Cross. 2 July is our Branch’s main fund

FURTHER DATES FOR YOUR 2019 DIARIES Thursday 11th 10.30am MU Diocesan Council, April Bishop Bevan Hall, Brecon, to be attended by joint leaders Hazel Somers & Elaine Griffiths Wednesday 1st 10.00am Nicholaston House: MU Day Retreat, May £25 including lunch Tuesday 14th Greater Gower Deanery Festival May Tuesday 11th MU Newton Branch celebrates 100 years. June More details to follow. Tuesday 2nd July 7.00pm Llwynderw Branch Coffee Evening, Raffle & Bring & Buy

ALL ARE WELCOME AT OUR BRANCH MEETINGS 19 MUSIC NOTES Les Ryan, Parish Organist

e are delighted to say that events are held in the hall. W a new piano has been purchased for the parish hall. It’s a I wonder if there is anyone in the brand new modern upright piano parish who would consider in high glass dark ebony with a helping very occasionally on lovely bright tone. It’s been Sundays by playing the hymns on purchased from the leading the organ? I’d be delighted to help retailer locally Coach House any volunteers get to know the Pianos. two instruments. The parish is most fortunate in having two The Ariosa Singers youth choir excellent instruments. Give me a and Mumbles Voices community call on 01792 406062. Dr Wyn choir generously donated a large Parry has said he’ll be very happy sum of money towards the cost. occasionally to help when needed The piano will, of course, be the – but we should, as a parish, have property of the parish. The old one or two additional players to Bechstein piano had done sterling call upon on Sundays. service since Holy Cross was opened – it was a gift from Miss There’s a major concert on Low Blair of Newton, and was used in Sunday at Holy Cross, April 28th at the early years of the church to 7pm. The Ariosa Singers youth play for the hymns. choir and Mumbles Voices community choir will be singing The new piano will be used for sacred choruses and songs rehearsals and concerts and as a inspired by the season of Easter in back-up should the organ at Holy a concert we are calling ‘Hosanna Cross stop working! We’ll keep in the Highest’. This will be a free the new piano locked and covered concert with a retiring collection and ask all hall users to make sure for Multiple Sclerosis Research the piano is looked after when UK.

20 A reminder that the Royal you’d like to come and sing, or School of Church Music presents a just come along, please give me a ‘come and sing’ festival in Brecon ring on 406062. on Saturday 11th May. It’s open to all singers. There’s a Looking ahead to the rehearsal at 2pm on the day month when Clyne Chapel followed by a break for a picnic will be open for ‘Clyne in tea, and the service of choral Bloom’, Penny and I shall evensong begins at 5pm. The be planning some free music costs £5 to purchase for the musical events at Clyne for festival. We’ll be booking a coach the visitors. More details in at a cost of £10 return fare. If the next magazine.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LAMPLIGHTER

ore than 70 guests and The Lees secured the lease on the M volunteers have helped the village’s former telephone Lamplighter – a community cafe, exchange and bank premises in Christian bookshop and popular the heart of Bishopston and, after meeting venue in Bishopston – extensive work by a large number celebrate its 25thanniversary. of enthusiastic volunteers, the Lamplighter was opened on The Lamplighter was the March 4, 1994. brainchild of then-vicar of St Teilo’s, Chris Lee and his wife It is now open to the public from Tessa and is named after a verse in Tuesday to Saturday, offering a St Matthew’s gospel where Jesus wide range of Christian books and calls us to be “a light in the world literature, ethically-sourced coffee and that light should shine just and teas and homemade cakes. It like a lamp that is put on a stocks a comprehensive range of lampstand, so that it will be seen”. cards and provides a space for

21 Peter Brooks pictured with some of the volunteers local artisans to sell their wares. other regions of the UK to visit and The celebration was facilitated by Christmas is a particularly busy Canon Peter Brooks, the current time. As a satellite community incumbent of St Teilo’s, with coffee project, in 2016 the Lamplighter and cake. took over the running of the popular community cinema at the The coffee shop provides Glebe Hall in nearby Northway, comfortable seating for 20-plus and showing a variety of current films it also offers Coffee & Craft on on the last Tuesday of each month. Tuesday mornings and, fortnightly during term-time, there’s Crafty Kids, led by a craft specialist after 3:30 pm. Friday mornings 9-

10.30am see mothers and infants gather to sing Toddler Tunes for preschool children.

The Lamplighter is proactive in encouraging various groups from From the Diocesan Bulletin

22 UNITE IN PRAYER Biddy Wigley

his is the third month that we For the middle of the day. T have received a trio of prayers Show us, good Lord, for people to use - prayers that how to be frugal ‘til all are fed; connect us as a parish. how to weep ‘til all can laugh; how to be meek ‘til all can stand in This initiative came from Barbara pride; Hanney, and we invited you to how to mourn ‘til all are comforted; send in your own favourites. If you how to be restless ‘til all live in would like this page to continue, peace; please send in your prayers how to claim less ‘til all find justice.

By praying as a parish, albeit in For the end of the day. our individual settings, we are All that we ought to have thought, strengthened in our corporate and have not thought; journey to recognise God’s will for All that we ought to have said, his people in this place. and have not said; All that we ought to have done, For the beginning of the day. and have not done; Lord of the morning, Pray we, O God, for forgiveness. We awake to this new day with all its possibilities, All that we ought not to have its uncertainties, thought, and yet have thought; its many faces, All that we ought not to have and its underlying mystery. spoken, and yet have spoken; May we be able - in your strength - All that we ought not to have done, to move through this day and yet have done; free of anger or bitterness, For thoughts, words and works, so that when we meet our Pray we, O God, for forgiveness neighbour this night. or encounter the stranger, we may recognise your face. 23 JOHN IN GETHSEMANE

The grass is pleasant here rains have given the earth a chance to soften I wonder we have not come to Gethsemane more often.

We are worn out from the Temple crowds I can hardly stay awake I wish he would join us and get some rest for his own sake.

But ever since supper he has seemed strange - something on his mind - I expect it will all work out tomorrow and we can all unwind.

How drowsy it all seems this evening and the earth how kind.

©Shirwood E Wirt

24 TEN PRAYERS FOR OUR NATION

hese very helpful prayers are what the future might hold for our T adapted from ‘Prayers for our nation, please comfort, protect and divided nation’ by Martyn Eden, guide them. political editor with Premier Christian Communications Ltd God of love, keep us from hating and are printed with permission. those we disagree with. Give us the humility to seek to understand Father, we pray that those who those with opposing views. lead our country would govern with integrity. Grant them wisdom Father God, we pray that you to make good decisions and the would protect this nation from conviction to implement them. those who plan evil against us. Please turn them from error Lord, where there is division in towards your truth our land let your Church proclaim the reconciling love of Christ; Jesus, King of kings, we know where there is hatred, let your that there is no political answer to peace reign. our nation’s deepest needs. May we place our hope in God, not God, our provider, in the midst man. of economic uncertainty we pray for those for whom making ends Jesus, we pray for an end to the meet is a daily struggle; please falsehood that corrupts our supply their every need. national life. Instead, may your spirit of truth transform this land. Lord, help us as a nation to defend the cause of the orphan and Our father in heaven, let your the widow. Let us love and care for kingdom come and your will be the immigrant among us as we done in the United Kingdom as in love ourselves. heaven. Cause our nation to turn to you as Lord and Saviour. Father, for all those fearful about Amen

25 HIGHLIGHTS OF MUMBLES MINISTRY AREA NEWS

4pm Sunday 7th April at All Saints’

Choral Evensong for Passion Sunday [led by All Saints’ Church Choir & followed by afternoon tea]

5pm Sunday 14th April at All Saints’

Devotional Service for Palm Sunday [Music & readings for Passiontide led by All Saints’ Choir]

The Clydach Passion Play

7.30pm: Friday 5th April at All Saints’ Church Tickets are £5 – available at the door

Ministry Area Pilgrimage to

Canon Chris Darvill [Newton] is organising a pilgrimage to Brecon Cathedral on the Tuesday of Holy week, 16th April. All details are in the Ministry Area News leaflet in church.

HOLY WEEK

7pm Wednesday in Holy Week at St Peter’s

Devotional Concert – by Mumbles Acapella [Featuring Mozart’s Requiem and Allegri’s Miserere] [tickets £5]

10.30am Good Friday at Our Lady Star of the Sea

Ecumenical Service – at the Foot of the Cross [followed by the Procession of Witness]

8.30pm Easter Eve at All Saints’

The Easter Vigil

26 EASTER DAWN

e blesses every love that weeps and grieves H And now he blesses hers who stood and wept And would not be consoled, or leave her love’s

Last touching place, but watched as low light crept

Up from the east. A sound behind her stirs

A scatter of bright birdsong through the air.

She turns, but cannot focus through her tears,

Or recognize the Gardner standing there.

She hardly hears his gentle question, ‘Why,

Why are you weeping?’, or sees the play of light

That brightens as she chokes out her reply,

‘They took my love away, my day is night.’

And then she hears her name, she hears Love say

The Word that turns her night, and ours, to Day.

©Malcolm Guite

27 WOMEN’S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER Elaine Griffiths

COME EVERYTHING IS READY

W omen’s World Day of Prayer table - literally to a table in front of us is celebrated on the first Friday in prepared for a meal - & spiritually to March each year. Starting in North the banquet in the Kingdom of God. America in the 19th century, it became We heard the voices of some of those worldwide in 1927. Each year the responding - wives, mothers & women of a different country prepare grandmothers, Roma people, refugees the order of service which, adapted & migrant workers. Their stories locally, is used in over 120 countries & reflected the political & economic islands. In line with its motto situation of Slovenia from the time it "Informed Prayer and Prayerful Action" was a socialist-communist state to the service offerings provide grants to present day. We asked forgiveness for charities & projects – see https:// being silent in the face of injustice, and www.wwdp.org.uk/grants/ prayed that God might open our hearts to compassion & Today the prefix ‘Women’s’ is understanding. We left with a prayer omitted as all comers are welcomed of blessing to mutually support one though many prefer to keep it as it another on the path of freedom, justice gives women the opportunity to take a & peace. leading role in worship in places they would not normally be permitted to. Next year’s order of service is to be Preceded by a cawl lunch, this year the prepared by women of Zimbabwe service, attended by 36 & hosted by taking the theme ‘Rise! Take Your Mat Churches Together in Mumbles at & Walk’. We pray for them at this Castleton Chapel on Newton Road, time of devastation resulting from was written by women of Slovenia. Cyclone Idai.

The heart of the service was an open invitation for all to come to God’s 28 WHAT’S ON?

THE 2019 DATES FOR GREATER GOWER DEANERY SYNODS

29th April 7.00 pm Penllergaer Church Hall Chris Brudenell from Ecclesiastical Insurance

Sunday 21st July 3.00pm Deanery Celebration Service St. Paul’s Sketty Guest Preacher TBA.

Monday 14th October 10.00am to 3.30pm. Away Day for ordained and lay Ministers at Oystermouth Church with Canon Mark Clavier - the Gospel for Year A 2020

2nd December 7.00pm St Mary’s Pennard Parish Share 2020

Please put these dates in your diary now.

Synods are open to all who wish to attend.

HELP SWANSEA'S ST MARY'S CELEBRATE ANNIVERSARY

St Mary's Church is celebrating 60 years since it reopened after bomb damage, and would like your help with an exhibition it is running.

If you can help with photos, stories or memories, contact details are:

Tel: 01792 655489 Email: [email protected]

29 CLYNE IN BLOOM

EXTRA HELP NEEDED

We would like to serve refreshments in Clyne Chapel again this year during the month of May, the only difference from last year being that we need three helpers per shift rather than two. The implication of this is that we either have more volunteers or volunteers work more shifts or we reduce the number of days we are open.

We plan to open 10am - 4pm, except when a service is taking place; shifts will be 3 hours long, that is, 10am to 1pm and 1pm to 4pm.

In order to establish how many days we will be able to offer refreshments to visitors can you please write your availability as soon as possible. There is a list at the back of both churches.

If you have a query please speak to Geraldine or Lesley.

Geraldine Twinney: 01792 420243 Lesley Morris: 01792 514769

Thank you

HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST A concert for the season of Easter

Ariosa Singers and Mumbles Voices Community Choir Holy Cross Church Sunday 28 April 7pm Directed by Penny Ryan OBE Leslie Ryan, organ and Lisa Mears, piano

A FREE CONCERT

Retiring collection for Multiple Sclerosis Research UK

30 WHAT’S ON ?

31 CINEMA CLUB PROGRAMME

11th April October Sky Jake Gyllenhaal, Laura Dern & Chris Cooper

EASTER CARDS for sale

There are Easter cards for sale at the back of Clyne chapel and Holy Cross church for sale, priced £1 each.

The children of Mayals School were asked last year to design an Easter card, one design was chosen to be printed and sold. Two hundred cards and envelopes were ordered, the vast majority of which sold. The remaining sixty cards are for sale again this year.

Llwynderw Parish

I BELIEVE

These words were found after World War II on the walls of a cellar in Cologne, Germany where people had been hiding:

I believe in the sun, Even when it is not shining. I believe in love, Even when I feel it not. I believe in God, Even when He is silent

32 WE ARE SURVIVORS for those born before 1940

e were born before television, how you did in your exams, ‘stud’ was W before penicillin, polio shots, something that fastened a collar to a frozen foods, Xerox contact lenses, shirt and ‘going all the way’ meant videos and the pill. We were before staying on a double-decker bus to the radar, credit cards, split atoms, laser terminus. beams and ball point pens; before dishwashers, tumble driers, electric In our day cigarette smoking was blankets, air conditioners, drip-dry ‘fashionable’, ‘grass’ was mown, ‘coke’ clothes…. And before man walked on was kept in the coalhouse, a ‘joint’ was the moon. a piece of meat you ate on Sundays and ‘pot’ was something you cooked We got married first and then lived in. ‘Rock music’ was a fond mother’s together (how quaint can you be?). We lullaby, ‘Eldorado’ was an ice cream, thought ‘fast food’ was what you ate ‘gay’ was a girl’s Christian name and a in Lent, a ‘Big Mac’ was an oversized ‘gay person’ was the life and soul of raincoat and ‘crumpet’ we had for tea. the party, while ‘aids’ just meant a We existed before house-husbands, beauty treatment or help for someone computer dating and ‘sheltered in trouble. accommodation’ was where you waited for a bus. We who were born before 1940 must be a hardy bunch when you think of We were before day care centres, the way in which the world has group homes and disposable nappies. changed and the adjustments we have We never heard of FM radio, tape had to make. No wonder there is a decks, artificial hearts, word generation gap today…...BUT by the processors or young men wearing grace of God we have survived! earrings. For us ‘time sharing’ meant togetherness, a ‘chip’ was a piece of wood or a fried potato, ‘hardware’ Thank you to Barbara Hanney meant nuts and bolts and ‘software’ for this contribution wasn’t a word.

Before 1940, made in Japan meant junk, the term ‘making out’ referred to 33 “MAY THEY ALL BE ONE” Biddy Wigley

aving missed the gathering But Jesus said, ‘May they all be H of Cytun - Churches one’ which is what Cytun, Unitas Together in Mumbles - in January, and our Ministry Area are working Bob and I decided to attend the towards. Unitas service in St David’s on 25th March - Unitas being Archbishop John went on to Churches Together in the city explain that there’s absolutely centre. There was an extra draw in nothing wrong in the many that Archbishop John was to give worshipping traditions that exist the sermon. throughout the Christian Church, but that we need to beware that We had never visited St David’s our traditions don’t become our and were impressed by its beauty idols. and simplicity and by the warmth of the welcome we received from It has been both thoughtful and everyone. uplifting to attend the various joint Lent services in our Ministry Area. The service, non-Eucharistic, Yes, they’ve all been Anglican, but was entitled ‘Seeking God have departed from the rigidity of Together’ and was led jointly by the Sunday Eucharist that we are Rev Ian Folks and Rev Siperire so accustomed to. Mugadzaweta. Our bishop also talked about our To illustrate his message the church buildings as our family Archbishop told the story of a homes; places where we meet as castaway on a desert island who the family of Christ in our had, curiously, built two churches! community, to worship our Lord, When asked the reason why, his to be nourished by Word and response was that the second Sacrament and to pray for church was for those he would ourselves, and for the needs of our prefer not to worship with! community and for the world.

34 But he warned that so often, that heart’s desire. Divided we fall, family home, the church building, together we are strong. A wise becomes a prison; a place where minister once said to me, “if Jesus we imprison ourselves in the is at the heart of all we do we will security of our traditions, our never disagree with those who live preferences and our friends. in different family homes; those whose traditions are different to When I came to faith, those who our own.” had accompanied me on the journey advised me to find a The Unitas service took place on church where I felt comfortable, the Feast of the Annunciation and but to also ‘have a meal out’ from Archbishop John reminded us of time to time. In other words, to Mary’s response to the angel: ‘Let worship in a different ‘family it be to me according to your word’ home’; to experience a different This, he urged, should be our way of worshipping God. response too.

‘May they all be one’ is Jesus’ Best wishes, Biddy

35 MUSIC TUITION West Cross

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