Maelor Mission Area Magazine
Inside this issue: Good News Edition May 2020 75p per issue Rev’d Canon Sue Huyton Rector of Bangor on Dee Group of Parishes & Mission Area Leader The Rectory, 8 Ludlow Road Bangor-On-Dee Wrexham. LL13 0JG. Tel 01978 780608 [email protected] Rev’d Peter Mackriell Rector of Overton and Erbistock 07795 972325 The Rectory, 4 Sundorne, Overton, Wrexham. LL13 0EB Tel. 01978 710294 [email protected] Rev’d Clive Hughes Vicar of the Hanmer Group of Parishes The Vicarage, Hanmer, Whitchurch, Shropshire. SY13 3DE. Tel 01948 830468 [email protected] MMA Lay Chair: Mr. David Williams, [email protected] Magazine Editor: David Huyton, [email protected] The Maelor Churches are part of the Maelor Mission Area. This magazine has been published by volunteers for well over a century. During that time it has served various groupings of churches. We hope you find it informative, useful, and interesting. You are welcome to respond to any item. Please hand any such contribution to your Vicar. St Dunawd, Bangor on Dee. St Deiniol, Eyton St Deiniol, Worthenbury St Deiniol and St Marcella, Marchwiel St Mary the Virgin, Overton St Hilary, Erbistock St Chad, Hanmer St John the Baptist, Bettisfield Holy Trinity, Bronington St Mary Magdalene, Penley Foreward by the Editor
I imagine that you are as fed up with bad news on the telly as I am, so this month I have asked our contributors to concentrate on Good News Stories. Of course, the best news of all is that we have a risen Saviour who knows our fears, comforts those in need and welcomes us at the last. In order to help us maintain our relationship with Him, there are a wide range of resources available. On BBC One on Sunday at 10am, there is a Sunday Service and at 1:15pm there is Songs of Praise, on Radio 4 at 8:10 am there is “Sunday Worship”. For those with internet there is a wealth of worship resources including The Bishop of St Asaph - Sunday services at https://dioceseofstasaph.org.uk/coronavirus/digital-prayer-and-worship/ worship-from-esgobty/ Lots of other resources can be found at www.churchinwales.org.uk/en/ and clicking on Digital Ministry - Live and recorded streams God Bless. David Huyton (Editor)
And the people stayed home. And read books, and listened, and rested, and exercised, and made art, and played games, and learned new ways of being, and were still. And listened more deeply. Some meditated, some prayed, some danced. Some met their shadows. And the people began to think differently. And the people healed. And, in the absence of people living in ignorant, dangerous, mindless, and heartless ways, the earth began to heal. And when the danger passed, and the people joined together again, they grieved their losses, and made new choices, and dreamed new images, and created new ways to live and heal the earth fully, as they had been healed. Kitty O'Meara Easter Reflection
This was not the Easter we planned. No services. No family gatherings or meetings with friends. No trips out for the day to the beach or the country. Just a few short weeks ago nothing seemed to have changed. But then there was a growing sense of foreboding. We watched the news, with events far off, people far off. We felt the coming darkness, those of us who were paying attention and believed what we read and heard. Easter was different from the way we usually celebrate it. But maybe it wasn’t as different from the first Easter as all that. We just have to put the emphasis in a different place. We should look first at what had happened to the disciples. Particularly in John’s Gospel there is a sense of impending darkness and tragedy. Jesus resolutely turns his face to Jerusalem, for that is where the prophets of God must be killed. He walks, or rides, into a tinderbox knowing that he is a spark. He causes a stir in the Temple, draws attention to himself as a focus of anti-Roman feeling. It is almost as if he is saying “Here I am, come and get me.” That sounds odd, and yet for John it is all part of the plan: the final cry on the cross is a cry of triumph “It is accomplished!” That’s maybe why at my theological College, Queens in Birmingham, the crucifix in the Chapel was a Christus Victor- Christ reigning on the Cross, rather than suffering and broken. But John’s Gospel seems to have been written after the others, with hindsight, almost as a meditation on Jesus’ life, which is why it is so different from the other three. John’s understanding of the triumph of the Cross was not immediately apparent to his disciples. They were in hiding on that first Easter Day. They were scattered to their homes or gathered in small groups. Maybe the twelve were back in the upper room. After the dreadful events of Friday, they feared for their lives. They didn’t feel it was safe to go out, except maybe in ones and twos, trying to get back to family and not draw attention to themselves, not getting too close to others so that they would not be challenged: ” Aren’t you one of his disciples?”. (That’s why it was the unimportant and insignificant women who went to the tomb.) Maybe some of that sounds familiar to us in this new reality in which we find ourselves. And yet Jesus was alive. Jesus IS alive. There was something I shared on Face book last week. It was written for clergy in the run up to Holy Week and Easter, but you might appreciate it too. “Clergy and Church workers, here’s your yearly reminder: Jesus will rise from the dead even if you forgot to print out the right hymns, even if the lilies arrived already wilted, even if the whole choir got food poisoning. Nothing will keep the stone from rolling away. You are loved.” (Nadia Bolz- Weber) To which I want to add, even if we can’t meet for worship, even if we are quarantined or self-isolating, despite Coronavirus and all it threatens for us personally and our way of life, Jesus will rise from the dead. We are loved. And strangely God’s love is being shown all around us: in the heroic work of those in frontline health and social care, retail and delivery work, communications and utilities and in individual acts of love and kindness shown to friend and stranger. Whenever I go away for a night or even for an evening, David and Peter watch the film “Apollo 13”. When those around him are all losing hope and predicting catastrophe for the astronauts, the Flight Director corrects them. He says :“I believe this will be our finest hour.” May the Risen Jesus help us and all people make this our finest hour. Sue
Top Ten Silliest Questions asked on a Cruise Ship - Paul Grayson, Cruise Director for the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line 1. Do these steps go up or down? 2. What do you do with the beautiful ice carvings after they melt? 3. Which elevator do I take to get to the front of the ship? 4. Does the crew sleep on the ship? 5. Is this island completely surrounded by water? 6. Does the ship make its own electricity? 7. Is it salt-water in the toilets? 8. What elevation are we at? 9. There's a photographer on board who takes photos and displays them the next day... the question was asked: ‘If the pictures aren't marked, how will I know which ones are mine?’ 10. What time is the Midnight Buffet being served? I'm staying at home, Lord!
Thanks to Mary Velacott for providing this prayer, written by an Italian priest whose brother priest died of C-19 I’m staying at home, Lord! And today, I realize, you taught me this, remaining obedient to the Father, for thirty years in the house of Nazareth, waiting for the great mission. I stay at home, Lord, and in Joseph’s studio, your keeper and mine, I learn to work, to obey, to round the corners of my life and prepare you a work of art. I’m staying at home, Lord! And I know that I am not alone because Mary, like any mother, is in the next room, doing chores and preparing lunch for all of us, God’s family. I’m staying at home, Lord! And I do it responsibly for my own good, for the health of my city, for my loved ones, and for the good of my brother, whom you have put beside me, asking me to take care of him in the garden of life. I’m staying at home, Lord! And in the silence of Nazareth, I pledge to pray, to read, study, meditate, be useful for small jobs, in order to make our home more beautiful and more welcoming. I’m staying at home, Lord! And in the morning, I thank you for the new day you give me, trying not to spoil it and welcome it with wonder, as a gift and an Easter surprise. I’m staying at home, Lord! And at noon I will receive the greeting of the angel, I will make myself useful for love, in communion with you who have made yourself human to live among us; and, tired of the journey, thirsty, I will meet you at Jacob’s well, and thirsty for love on the Cross. I’m staying at home, Lord! And if the evening finds me melancholy, I will invoke you like the disciples of Emmaus: stay with us, the evening has arrived and the sun sets. I’m staying at home, Lord! And in the night, in communion of prayer with the many sick, the lonely and all the caregivers, I will wait for the dawn to sing your mercy again and tell everyone that, in the storms, you have been my refuge. I’m staying at home, Lord! And I don’t feel alone and abandoned, because you told me: I’m with you every day. Yes, and especially in these days of confusion, O Lord, in which, if my presence is not necessary, I will reach everyone, only with the wings of prayer.
Amen.
St Dunawd’s, Bangor on Dee
Even though we are currently locked down, we can still plan for the future, so here are some dates for your Diary: Here’s hoping...
June 5 Concert with the Sons of Glyndwr Choir & Ann Atkinson June 6 MU Coffee Morning July 5 Strawberry Tea July 18 Sports field Day Bangor- we will be taking part Sept 12-20 Art Exhibition Sept 19 Gift Day Oct 24 Wine and Puddings Evening. Nov 7 Church Coffee Morning
As we cannot hold public events the draws for both the church 100 club and the Bangor on Dee Village hall lottery have been suspended for the time being. In order that people do not miss out, both lotteries will be doing double draws later in the year to catch up.
Sue is setting up a contact list which will be used to notify people about changes to dates/times of events in the Bangor Group of churches, if you would like to be included on the list, please email [email protected]
To be notified by email about changes to dates/times of events in Overton/ Erbistock, email Peter McRiell at [email protected] St Deiniol & St Marcella, Marchwiel
When items on shelves were very few Lynne made bacon and lentil soup stew. Although it tasted pretty wholesome She had to eat it on her lonesome.
But trivial matters put aside We should open windows or go outside To clap, shout, cheer and make a fuss For all those looking after us.
If not for these folk, very kind We really would be in a bind. So the rest of time remain inside And do your bit to stem the tide. My first and probably last poem. Regards Lynne.
St. Deiniol’s, Eyton
We are sad to report the death of Keith Gardener, husband of Rhiannon who comes to our church. Keith was a lovely man, a real gentleman, who despite suffering from dementia always had a smile and kind word for all who knew him and he will be sadly missed. Our thoughts go out to Rhiannon.
On a much happier note, all the congregation are keeping in touch with each other either by phone, email or Facebook making sure we're all ok and asking if we need anything. Hearing a friendly voice or message is a real boost at this time of isolation. Thank you also to Sue for keeping us up to date on what is happening in the church and the prayer packs she distributed which were much appreciated.
Keep safe and look after each other. Do xxx St. John The Baptist Church, Bettisfield
David asked for GOOD NEWS: It was with enormous sadness that I attached the closure notice to the Church gate – the Good News is that we have left the gate open and the Churchyard is looking beautiful which presents a God given space in all the lovely weather, for prayer, contemplation and gentle exercise – plenty of space for social distancing. We all miss services every Sunday morning – the Good News is that there are opportunities for you to join David or Clive for services on social media. Some of us don’t use the technology – the Good News is (selfish one this) my daughter, who does not share my faith, told me that she would listen to R4’s Morning Service “to be closer to me”. We are all missing socializing with our family, friends and neighbours; the Good News is that we will have the cleanest houses and the most beautiful gardens. Many people, already lonely, will feel even more so; the Good News is that we are all ringing round and speaking to them regularly to ensure that they don’t feel so alone. We can’t travel around in cars, we can’t fly in the sky; the Good News is that we can listen to the birds and see the stars. There are many compensations to this different way of life that we may be reluctant to abandon. Isolation is a frightening concept but the Good News is: we are never alone, we all know that God our Father is always there for us to talk to, to ask for help, to support us through our fears. The BEST NEWS OF ALL? EASTER HAPPENED! ON APRIL 12TH we all celebrated that wonderful, amazing news – not perhaps in the way we would have wished but it happened and because of that we can look forward with hope and certainty to better times. Keep safe, keep your distance. Maggie High Days and Holy Days: Comgall, (10th May ) Teachers are some of the unsung heros, providing work and inspiration for the children they teach with workbooks, messages, streamed lessons, and looking after the children of essential workers. So here is a great saint for all teachers, head teachers and principals of educational institutions, and indeed anyone whose vocation is to train and equip others. For Comgall (c 516 – c 601) was founder and first abbot of Bangor, which became the largest monastery in Ireland. And large means LARGE – for including several daughter houses, the total population is reckoned to have been 3,000. If you have ever run an educational institution of 3,000 pupils (!), you will know it takes a special kind of person to cope with that, and Comgall seems to have been perfect for the job. A biographer at the time called him ‘the outstanding father of the monks in Ireland, known for his insistence on study and strict discipline.’ Comgall’s rule had what it took to succeed. It was ‘strict, holy and constant’, both ‘graced with the hope of salvation and made perfect in love’, according to the 7th century writer Antiphoner of Bangor. Above all, followers were to love Christ, and reject the love of money. Comgall also had a gift for friendship, for on the death of a close friend, he wrote in grief: ‘My soul-friend has died and I am headless; you too are headless, for a man without a soul-friend is a body without a head.’ Like heads and principals today, Comgall knew a lot of important people. He had trained Columbanus and knew Columba, whom he visited on Iona. They even preached the Gospel together in Inverness, to the pagan chieftain Brude.
So on the 10th May, remember St. Comgall and take the opportunity to give thanks for all those involved in education in the schools in our parishes today.
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Foot Problems Treated: Corns, Calluses, Verrucas, Diabetic Footcare, Nail Care, Ingrown and Fungal Nails Rev’d Clive Hughes writes………… The present coronavirus outbreak has sadly eclipsed the centenary of the disestablishment of the Church in Wales in 1920, and the celebratory service at the Cathedral set for 7 June has been cancelled for now. As far back as the twelfth century – that is, even before the conquest of Wales was completed – the Welsh church had bowed to pressure and declared itself to be “the handmaid of Canterbury.” From then on it was subordinate to the church authorities in England. So when King Henry VIII brought the Church of England into being in the 1530s, Wales was already part and parcel of that church. The Act of Union in 1536 united Wales and England politically, so the church was still further identified with the English “establishment”. Even the appearance of a Welsh Bible in 1588 wasn’t intended to assist a separate nationality; but by comparing the Welsh and English texts on the church lecterns, to help the Welsh to learn the English language more effectively! In this sense it backfired, and Bishop Morgan’s Bible set a standard for Welsh prose which revived what had been a fading language. The next couple of centuries saw a growth not only in Welsh religious literacy but in Nonconformity. With the Anglican Church firmly linked to the Crown and the anglicised establishment, the Chapels promoted a Welsh atmosphere and a more Protestant view of religion. The Presbyterians, Baptists, Congregationalists, Wesleyans and others gained so much ground during the 18th and 19th centuries that by 1851 nonconformists accounted for 80 per cent of the population of the Principality. The 19th century saw massive social and political changes, with more people being educated and given the vote, and by the 1890s a revival of Welsh nationalism. With this came demands by radicals and the nonconformist majority for the dis-establishment of the Welsh Church. The Anglican system was widely unpopular in its demands to pay tithes and church rates even if the payers were staunchly nonconformist, leading to riots and passive resistance in rural areas. The causes of grievance were eventually removed, but this wasn’t enough and from the 1890s there was sustained political pressure for disestablishment as a means of crippling or demolishing the Church. The Church fought a hard but losing battle against this, and in 1914 an Act was finally passed – only to be put on hold when the First World War broke out. Disestablishment also meant disendowment – the scheme meant for example that all parish land (Glebe land) acquired before 1660 would be sequestered by the County Councils, the University of Wales and others. The War actually gave the Church a breathing-space in which to put together plans for the financial future, and in 1919 a million-pound government grant reduced the annual loss. The Church’s confiscated endowments went into the Welsh Church Fund, which has since benefited Welsh culture. The Welsh Church Governing Body was formed in 1917, with a Representative Body to oversee its finances. On 1st April 1920 the Church in Wales came into being as a separate Province of the Anglican Church, and Bishop A.G.Edwards of St.Asaph became its first Archbishop. Ironically, for the first time in 700 years the Welsh Church was freed of its English ties because of the campaigning of those who opposed it. The ancient Dioceses of Bangor, St.Asaph, St.Davids and Llandaff were increased by the addition of the new Dioceses of Swansea & Brecon and Monmouth. The Church in Wales could no longer send its Bishops to the House of Lords, but it could elect them itself without the political intervention of the Prime Minister. Private patronage, by which an individual or body owning the “right of advowson” for a parish had the last word on a cleric’s appointment, was also abolished in Wales. Disestablishment strengthened the Anglican Church in Wales, instead of being the disaster it was predicted to be. The Church acquired a new standing within Wales, which it has retained and we are still here. A century later, we are still able to witness to the Gospel and give pastoral support in so many communities, regardless of whether those we help are “members” or not. The challenges and problems have not gone away, but with God’s help we can still be His people in this place, and look to the future in a way which would have greatly cheered our predecessors a hundred years ago. Rev. Clive Hughes Christian Aid Week 2020
We invited Anna Jane Evans to come and talk to the Mission Area Conference in February. My hope was that we would be inspired to make a special effort for Christian Aid Week this year: May 10-16. The best laid plans….. Here’s what Christian aid are saying on their website:
As this virus spreads across the world, love rises up in response. You’ve already shown incredible kindness to your neighbours. Now is the time to reach out to your neighbours both near and far. Your love protects. From storms, from drought, and now from coronavirus. Your love protects our global neighbours battling the spread of this illness. Your love protects. With soap, clean water and medical supplies. By supporting us this Christian Aid Week, you can reach out and protect more of your neighbours today.
Please donate now and save lives. You can donate on line, or send a cheque to Anna Jane’s office: 106 High Street, Bangor, Gwynedd. LL57 1NS
51st Season 2019-2020 President: Carol Peters
Due to the uncertainty caused by the coronavirus the AGM planned for 6th May has been postponed.
The Summer Party planned for 19th June is uncertain and a further announcement will be made in the June magazine.
A good programme of the autumn concerts is planned so let’s hope it can take place.
Further detail from 01978 710 486
A short Version of Morning Prayer You may wish to light a candle and have some reflective music playing in the background. The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. God is close to those who trust in him. Nahum 1.7 O Lord, open our lips and our mouth shall proclaim your praise. The night has passed, and the day lies open before us; let us pray with one heart and mind. Pause for reflection as you offer the day to God. As we rejoice in the gift of this new day, so may the light of your presence, O God, set our hearts on fire with love for you; now and for ever. Amen. You may wish to say Psalm 23 or another psalm here, such as Psalm 16 or Psalm 139.
Psalm 23 1 The Lord is my shepherd; therefore can I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures︎ and leads me beside still waters. 3 He shall refresh my soul and guide me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;︎ for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me; you have anointed my head with oil and my cup shall be full. 6 Surely goodness and loving mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,︎ and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning is now and shall be for ever. Amen.
Readings Sunday, or on any day : But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour. Isaiah 43.1-3a
Monday : John 14.1-6 Tuesday : Philippians 4.8-9 Wednesday : Colossians 3.16,17 Thursday : Ephesians 2.19-22 Friday : Romans 19.9-12 Saturday : Luke 12.22-31 Almighty and everlasting God, we thank you that you have brought us safely to the beginning of this day. Keep us from falling into sin or running into danger; order us in all our doings and guide us to do always what is righteous in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Keep us, good Lord, under the shadow of your mercy in this time of uncertainty and distress. Sustain and support the anxious and fearful, and lift up all who are brought low; that we may rejoice in your comfort knowing that nothing can separate us from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. The Lord bless us, and preserve us from all evil, and keep us in eternal life. Amen. Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God. Reproduced with permission © The Archbishops' Council, Church House Publishing The Corona Virus and God
A Letter to communities and congregations from Rev’d Dr David Child (David was a consultant in the Maelor before he retired) So where is God and why isn’t God doing something about it? 2000 years ago God intervened and Jesus came into this world to show us that God is a God of love, to show us that God is a forgiving God and to show us by his death and resurrection that there is a place for each one of us in heaven - yes there will be a judgement but God is loving and forgiving and there will be a place in heaven for each one of us if that is where we wish to be. Jesus showed God’s love through his teaching and through his miracles. He told the story of a son who made a complete mess of his life and the father who welcomed him home. And he brought his friend Lazarus and the little daughter of a Roman centurion back from death to life. But at this dreadful time we cannot but feel that God has forgotten us. Why doesn’t God intervene now? The answer is that God does suffer with us. And yes God does intervene. He intervenes through people – God is with our doctors, nurses and other health workers, through our scientists, through our police and through our armed forces and yes, through our politicians. So when you pray for the victims of this dreadful disease pray also for them God bless you all
David Child
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Recent Good News Articles you may have missed…
Scientists have come up with an enzyme that breaks down plastic bottles in just a few hours so that the plastic can be made into new things, including new bottles. Traditional recycling processes meant that the recycled materi- al could only be used for fleeces, coat linings etc.
New breakthrough in solar technology has almost trebled the efficiency of solar panels in creating electricity and last year over 75% of new generating capacity was from renewables. Still a long way to go, but progress non-the- less.
St Chad’s, Hanmer—Resilience and Thanksgiving Hanmer Church like all our churches is closed because of the CORVID-19 virus. No gatherings for worship are taking place in an attempt to prevent or at least slow the spread of the virus. Vicar Clive Hughes is continuing his pastoral activities at a distance. Funerals have taken place under rules of conduct imposed by the government. Facebook services are being shared on the Bronington Church Facebook page and on ‘Thoughts from the Orchard’ Facebook page created by Revd David Butterworth. There are also services to be found on the St Asaph website. Thinking about our problems, I recall that Hanmer Church was out of use in 1463 when badly damaged and set on fire by the forces of the Duke of Norfolk in a campaign of destruction that swept across the country. It was out of use again when on 3rd February 1889 an accidental fire destroyed all but the walls and pillars. Tragic as that was it was still possible for people to gather in the burnt-out shell of the church or in the churchyard for services. Neither world wars brought services to a halt. Foot and mouth disease in 1967 kept farming folk from church but some services did continue. Our problems are partly solved by modern communications but are not entirely new. Two silver alms dishes in St Chad’s Church are inscribed as given in 1866 for use at a thanksgiving service for relief from the cattle plague. I pray and hope that we may soon have thanksgiving services for relief from this coronavirus plague. Bill and Judith Barlow [email protected]
Bill Barlow Church life when self-isolated
Great Joy in Online Holy Communion
The moment has come. I take the bread. Should I break it? It is an end slice. I tear it across. I eat the bread. I turn to Judith. She bites her bread slice. I am deeply moved. There is a tear in my eye. The troubles of the world are with God. Dangers that may afflict us fall away. We are safe in the eternal care of God.
We are sitting on our settees watching the Facebook video cast onto our TV screen. Not a Facebook user, I have had to learn fast by trial and error to get this working. It is March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic is gathering force, and we are in isolation at home. All our churches are closed but Revd David Butterworth has an online Holy Communion service every Sunday at 11am – Thoughts from the Orchard. It works well with 67 people watching the first one on line.
David asks us to sip some wine at home. It is Lent. We have no wine. The bread is sufficient. Christ is indivisible. He is received in all his fulness. My God and King.
I have read the argument that bread and wine must both be physically shared with priest and congregation but I find great joy in this online Holy Communion. This has been and continues to be a deeply satisfying experience for me. I rejoice that clergy like David and others have taken so much trouble to bring Christ to people in this way.
A great joy of self-isolation is the time it gives to do things well. For instance, the garden and the house will be tidier. And inspired by session 3 of the Maelor Mission Area Superstar Lent Course I am finding great joy in methodically studying the Psalms. There is order there, for someone did collect them and the sequence is not random, although at times a good commentary is needed to explain that. The early Psalms can mostly be read as King David speaking of his troubles and trusting in God when all seems lost. It is possible to see links with our present troubles. All of Psalm 16 is relevant, but here are the opening and closing verses. ‘Preserve me, O God, for in you have I taken refuge. In your presence is the fulness of joy.’
I shall return to being regularly present in churches when we are free of this plague. That will be a time of great joy although many will be reluctant to rush back before the virus is totally conquered. Vicars will once more be travelling from church to church celebrating. Things will be different however although I am unable to predict what will change, except that we will be more aware of being a community, local, national, and international. We are all children of God and we all have a part to play in making this world more secure, caring, and loving. Bill Barlow Rev’d Peter Mackriell writes……... It seems as if the whole world is waiting. Thankfully, that is not entirely true, as medics attend to the needs of those who are sick, deliveries continue to our supermarkets and to our homes, scientists research to find a covid-19 vaccine, and politicians work to keep people safe (from themselves, in some cases). Whilst many of us wait in our homes, some bored, some juggling home working with home schooling, some content to potter in the garden, the world waits for this terrible episode in our lives to pass. Sometimes, all we can do is wait. That can be very frustrating, particularly for the activists amongst us. But waiting is a Christian tradition and, indeed, Jesus commands it. “Watch!” he says in expectation of his return at the end of time (Mark 13.37). This is an active waiting – aware of what is going on around you, not asleep. In the days after Easter, the disciples waited fearfully, as we have heard – probably also on guard, watchful, but with anxiety rather than joyful expectation. But in Luke’s account of the Ascension, Jesus says “wait for the gift my Father promised” (Acts 1.4). As we approach the feast of the Ascension (May 21st) we know that we are unlikely to be gathering in our churches or, indeed, on a hilltop, but we can still choose to mark that day with prayers that offer our hearts and minds to God anew. Jesus’s invitation to the disciples was to go and wait for a gift. To receive a gift, we need to have empty hands. Some people have talked about this present time as a time of stripping back, a time when we can evaluate what is really important. Those holidays and cars are, I heard someone say, mere baubles. What is important is your life. The disciples waited, actively, prayerfully, in Jerusalem. And ten days after Jesus’s ascension, on the day of Pentecost, they received God’s gift and were filled with the spirit of God. They were transformed from the frightened and confused men who huddled together after the crucifixion into the bold and fearless men whose witness established the early church. As we wait, may we be open to a new work of God in our time, as God re- energises his church and gives us new purpose and direction. Peter Mackriell St. Hilary’s, Erbistock
It’s Easter, the birds are singing their hearts out and the sun is shining; all seems well with the world, except it’s not. These are very strange and scary times but it’s bringing out the best in people, the NHS; the essential workers; the normally unsung heros; the army of volunteers just itching to help; the normally reserved neighbours who are making sure others are OK. It’s love thy neighbour in the truest sense.
I for one am enjoying the video church services. A massive thanks must go to Peter, and Jo too, for the effort and hours of work they are putting in to make these happen. It’s the comfort of the words and voices we know that is making a difference. I know the technology isn’t advanced enough yet to lean out to us and gives us that big warm physical hug we all need, but hopefully we can have a real ones from real friends and family very soon.
So, if you’ve sorted the garden, tidied the cupboard, phoned friends and watched a box set, what else can you do? Well, how about knitting for the Teams4U Christmas boxes? (This is the new name for the Christmas Child box initiative which started in Wrexham). They are desperate for things to add to the boxes and if you can wield a pair of knitting needles and have a few oddments they would be delighted to have hats, mitts, doll’s clothes (but not home made cuddly toys, the filling won’t pass Customs borders) etc to pass on to children who literally have nothing. Have a look at the website, it tells you more and even has some knitting patterns if you need inspiration: Teams4U.com
Stay safe.. Chris Thomas St Mary’s, Overton
The Rectory has been transformed into a television studio. It’s been a steep learning curve and there has been some pretty awful camera work, some issues with sound and some dodgy performances of Stations of the Cross reflections, but more people have visited on a Sunday than would normally be in church. It has even been suggested that this might be the future! Well, maybe we can learn something from this? If you haven’t done already and would like to catch up with what we are offering Sunday by Sunday, the YouTube channel for this part of the Maelor is ‘St Hila- ry’s, Erbistock and St Mary’s, Overton’ and you can find it by searching on YouTube or using this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt7Cp8GDuviL7Lp-4uQKG6A We are also in the process of creating a church website and hope that it will be launched by the time you read this. It will have this address: https://www.stmarysoverton-on-dee.org/ Do come and visit! Peter Mackriell St Mary’s, Overton Given that there might be changes to advertised events and services, please keep an eye on church noticeboards, or email [email protected] to be put on a mailing list. An enthusiastic Poppy Army has formed to create a ‘poppy installation’ to mark Remembrance Sunday 2020. Lots of help is needed to knit, crochet or otherwise create several thousand poppies. Contact Tracey Leech for further details or to offer help: [email protected]. Who knows, it might just help with the lockdown boredom.
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Crossword Clues
Across 2 ‘The playing of the merry — , 1 ‘Therefore let us — passing sweet singing in the choir’ (5) judgment on one 4 ‘We have been saying that — — another’ (Romans 14:13) (4) was credited to him as 3 ‘I — — these persons here righteous’ (Romans 4:9) (8,5) present’ (Marriage service) (4,4) 5 Dr Martyn — Jones, famous for 9 According to a prearranged his ministry at Westminster timetable (Numbers 28:3) (7) Chapel (5) 10 Group of eight (5) 6 Port at which Paul landed on his 11 The cell into which the way to Rome (Acts 28:13) (7) Philippian jailer put Paul and 7 Observe (Ruth 3:4) (4) Silas (Acts 16:24) (5) 8 Minister of religion (6) 12 — Taylor, pioneer missionary to 13 ‘I am — of this man’s blood. It is China (6) your responsibility’ (Matthew 14 Otherwise known as the 27:24) (8) Eucharist, Breaking of Bread, the 15 ‘Greater love has no one than Lord’s Table (4,9) this, that he — — his life for his 17 ‘So that after I have preached to friends’ (John 15:13) (3,4) others, I — will not be 16 Archbishop who calculated that disqualified for the prize’ (1 the world began in 4004BC (6) Corinthians 9:27) (6) 18 ‘No one can — the kingdom of 19 Attend to (3,2) God unless he is born of water 22 Approximately (Acts 4:4) (5) and the Spirit’ (John 3:5) (5) 23 Tea rite (anag.) (7) 20 Establish by law (5) 24 Rule of sovereign (8) 21 Product of Gilead noted for its 25 Test (anag.) (4) healing properties (Jeremiah 46:11) (4) Down 1 The name of the street where Judas lived in Damascus and where Saul of Tarsus stayed (Acts 9:11) (8) Parental excuses These are actual ‘excuse notes’ from parents excusing their children from missing school (includes original spelling):
☺ My son is under a doctor's care and should not take P.E. today. Please execute him. ☺ Please excuse Lisa for being absent. She was sick and I had her shot. ☺ Dear School: Please ekscuse John being absent on Jan. 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, and also 33. ☺ Please excuse Roland from P.E. for a few days. Yesterday he fell out of a tree and misplaced his hip. ☺ John has been absent because he had two teeth taken out of his face. ☺ Carlos was absent yesterday because he was playing football. He was hurt in the growing part. ☺ Megan could not come to school today because she has been bothered by very close veins. ☺ Chris will not be in school cus he has an acre in his side. ☺ Please excuse Ray Friday from school. He has very loose vowels. ☺ Please excuse Tommy for being absent yesterday. He had diarrhea and his boots leak. ☺ Irving was absent yesterday because he missed his bust. ☺ Please excuse Jimmy for being. It was his father's fault. ☺ I kept Billie home because she had to go Christmas shopping because I don't know what size she wear. ☺ Please excuse Jennifer for missing school yesterday. We forgot to get the Sunday paper off the porch, and when we found it Monday, we thought it was Sunday. ☺ Sally won't be in school a week from Friday. We have to attend her funeral. ☺ Please excuse Jason for being absent yesterday. He had a cold and could not breed well. Crossword Solution Wordsearch Solution ACROSS: 1, Stop. 3, Call upon. 9, Regular. 10, Octet. 11, Inner. 12, Hudson. 14, Holy Communion. 17, Myself. 19, See to. 22, About. 23, Iterate. 24, Monarchy. 25, Stet. DOWN: 1, Straight. 2, Organ. 4, Abraham’s faith. 5, Lloyd. 6, Puteoli. 7, Note. 8, Cleric. 13, Innocent. 15, Lay down. 16, Ussher. 18, Enter. 20, Enact. 21, Balm.
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The table set for Easter Communion in St Dunawd’s Bangor on Dee (Above), and a reminder that we don’t have to travel long distances to see beauty—the picture below is from Penley Churchyard.