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The Parish Magazine of Christ Church, Roath Park Volume 22 Issue 10 Lake Road North, CARDIFF CF 23 5QN

December 2015/January 2016 Christmas at Christ Church Roath Park, Lake Road North

Sunday 20th December 6.00 pm Carol Service

Monday 21st December 10.30 - 1.00 pm Messy Church

Christmas Eve 24th December 4.00 pm Christingle and Nativity

11.00 pm Midnight Mass

Christmas day 25th December 10.00 am Christmas Communion

All Welcome

Christmas Concert A Happy and Peaceful (formerly Carols & Mince Pies) Christmas and New Year

An Evening of Carols, Drama & to all our readers Poems with mince pies, mulled wine and special mini-panto,

Jack and the Beanstalk Page 2 ……….Dec. Diary; Thought for the Month; Page 3 ……… Our Vicar Trystan Writes Friday 11th December 7.00 pm Page 4 ……….Curate’s page Adults £5 Children £3 Page 5 ………. Youth Alpha; Church Family; Letter Page 6 ………. Modern Pilgrimages admission by ticket only Page 7 ………. And Pilgrims; Refugee crisis Page 8 ………. Father Christmas; Woman‘s World Day of Prayer contact Ann 20755550 Page 9 ………. Christingle; Miscellany Page 10………. Coming Events Page 11………. Christ Church Society; Christian Aid Please note that articles for the Page 12……… Our Page February 2016 edition of Credo Page 13……… Crossword; Christmas Quiz ;Caption Competition NO LATER than 20th Jan. 2016 Page 14 ……… God in the Arts; Altar Kneeler Project Handwritten or on a named memory stick in RTF Page 15 ………January Diary; Who’s Who with a printed copy please, or email (contact Editor) Page 16……… Notice Board 2 CREDO

DECEMBER DIARY

Tuesday 1st 10.00 am - 12.00 noon Church open for PRAYER

Thursday 3rd 9.30 am Holy Eucharist (tea & coffee to follow)

Sunday 6th SECOND SUNDAY of ADVENT 8.00 am Holy Eucharist 10.00 am FAMILY COMMUNION Thought for the Month

6.00 pm Service of Light “Look down, look down, that Sunday 13th THIRD SUNDAY of ADVENT lonesome road – before you 8.00 am Holy Eucharist travel on: 10. 00 am Parish Eucharist & Funky Church Look up, look up and seek 6.00 pm Taize Service your maker”

Thursday 17th 9.30 am Holy Eucharist (tea & coffee to follow) This is part of a Negro spiritual that Paul Robson often sang. He had empathy with th Sunday 20 FOURTH SUNDAY of ADVENT Welsh miners who were struggling dur- 8.00 am Holy Eucharist ing the great depression of the nineteen 10.00 am Parish Eucharist, twenties and thirties and came to Wales J Walkers Youth Group & Funky Church to encourage them.

6.00 pm Christmas Carol Service Afro Americans have a profound belief

st in our Maker. When they sing they use Monday 21 10.30 am - 1.00 pm Messy Church “Hearts, hands and voices” their whole body praising God. I do enjoy listening th Thursday 24 CHRISTMAS EVE to their singing! 4.00 pm Christingle & Nativity V. Moverley. 11.00 pm Midnight Mass Loving, giving Father,

Friday 25th CHRISTMAS DAY Thank you for Jesus, Emmanuel. Thank you that he came at Christmas and 10.00 am Christmas Eucharist is alive and just as relevant today as he

was all those years ago, Sunday 27th FIRST SUNDAY OF CHRISTMAS and will be forever. 8.00 am Holy Eucharist 10.00 am Parish Eucharist As many of us celebrate your coming to 6.00 pm Celtic Night Prayer us, with our families, in warm, safe homes, in a democratic country, we pray for everyone who has left their homeland Prayers for Healing 10.00 because of persecution, for everyone who am every Wednesday in is without shelter, or food, or family. Parish Office Give us compassionate hearts, like yours, Lord. Other services & activities as announced in the Help us, as Christ’s body here on earth, newsletter to love and serve and make room for each other this Christmas.

In Jesus’ name.

Amen

by Daphne Kitching

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Unto us a Boy is Born

God, coming down to us in a

crying baby, firstly to show us lence gave the lady the opportunity Dear friends to add something else: ‘and, listen that he knows what it’s like to The Christmas carol service be us – he knows what it’s like ere vicar, if you knew her, you season is upon the clergy to be afraid, to be helpless, to wouldn’t love her either’! And as of the diocese! feel alone – but, secondly, to the nursing staff burst out laughing, it dawned on me that that lady had Last year, I spoke at an interesting show us the importance of living lives of compassion, of peace, of actually stumbled upon such an im- carol service – in the concourse of portant and profound truth – it’s so the University Hospital. It was par- love. much easier to talk about love, and ticularly interesting because, a But even when we do recognise joy, and peace than to put any of year earlier, I remember being in that Christmas is a time of love those things into action. And that’s exactly the same spot in the hospi- and peace, that doesn’t mean it’s why the world is still torn apart by tal, drinking a hot cup of tea, abso- going to be easy to put that into war and terror, that’s why families lutely shattered after being up all practice over the Christmas sea- still feud and fall out over seeming- night. Little Macsen had just been son, when our children or grand- ly trivial things, and that’s why jeal- born. It was an 18-hour labour and, children are arguing over their ousy, bitterness, and hatred is found after all that I saw and experienced presents, or our husband or wife even among friends and neighbours. over that time, I can confirm that is screaming that the turkey is the birth of a baby is painful and burnt, or our brothers or sisters But Christmas means something, tiring. To be fair, it was also quite are moaning that there’s nothing not just for these few weeks, but for difficult for Sandra too! After my good on TV. Love and peace all our lives. So let’s not keep the friend’s child was born, he tells me might be the last things on our real message of Christmas wrapped he almost fainted at all he wit- minds! And even if we are lucky up in a box. Let’s remember that nessed, then the midwife looked enough to have a restful Christ- there’s more to the Christmas sea- over and asked “how are you bear- mas Day, as soon as Boxing Day son than food, drink, and presents, ing up?” My friend answered, “I'm arrives, and we’re fighting and let’s take our carols of joy, fine, thank you”. To which the through queues in the sales in peace, and love into the New Year. midwife replied, "I was actually town, then peace, love and joy Let’s all commit ourselves, as we talking to your wife". My own will rapidly disintegrate. celebrate this wonderful season, to take heart from Jesus’s wonderful faux pas at the delivery was not quite that bad, although I now But the peace and love that message of love, forgiveness, peace, know that the answer to "would Christ brought to us wasn’t goodwill, and hope, and let’s make the father like to cut the umbilical meant to last for only a few a promise to ourselves that we will cord?” can certainly be “no thank weeks a year – the Spirit of put that message into action, not you”, but it definitely should not Christmas should last in our just during this festive season, but be “no way”! I think Sandra has lives all year round! I was con- every day of our lives. just about forgiven me by now… ducting a service in a nursing home a few years back and I Yours in Christ, It may have been tiring, but was reading out the bible pas- Macsen’s birth was wonderful, and Trystan sage for that day. ‘The greatest it came at a time of year when the commandment is love God’, I world was remembering the birth read very confidently, ‘and the of another little baby – a baby that second is this: Love your neigh- was born 2000 years ago and has bour’. And at that point in the changed hearts and lives ever service, an elderly lady at the since. Sometimes, when we come back shouted ‘I don’t love my to church and sing carols and hear neighbour’. I didn’t know what Christmas readings that we’ve to do – I looked at nursing staff, heard so many times before, we and they looked at me. But un- can miss how amazing the gift of fortunately, that moment of si- the first Christmas really is. 4 CREDO

From our curate Revd Kent Middleton Obl CR

Dear friends, So let us be committed to set aside time to slow the pace down, to reflect atten- The commencement of the season of tively on God’s word, to prepare our One of the commandments that Jesus Advent begins another liturgical year hearts and minds to enter fully into our has given us is to “love our neigh- with a new set of readings. Once again worship of the Incarnation, to be ready bour.” This is not exclusive to the we journey through our narrative of and to keep watch so that we can pro- Christian faith but is also expressed in faith, hope and salvation. claim with utmost conviction – Come, Islam and Judaism. Even those who Advent is a time of waiting and prepara- Lord Jesus, Come! have no faith at all would not find hard- tion. During this season we will prepare I am mindful that, for many, Christmas ship in such a teaching. It is through ourselves with mounting expectation for celebrations involve joyful worship and this act of genuine love that we are the coming of Christ in a spirit of waiting, time spent with loved ones surrounded able to break down barriers, eradicate conversion, and hope. It is a time when we by laughter and joyous festivities. How- stigmas and build bridges of reconcilia- celebrate Light in the midst of darkness. tion. It is through this genuine act of ever, for some, this time of year can be Unfortunately consumerism does not help very depressing and lonely. There are love that, in our diversity, we can foster understanding and acceptance. us to observe, in its true sense, the season those who have experienced terrible of Advent. Whether it be in our shopping hardship and trauma and it is for these This Light that has come into the world malls or television commercials, the secu- that we need to earnestly pray that the through the infant Jesus is now our lar world rushes us to Christmas as early Light that has come into world through responsibility to take to all people. As as mid-October. the infant Jesus, fill their hearts and members of one body – the Body of shine forth in their lives. Christ – we are to reveal this Light to Amidst all the temptations of the consumer world, we are challenged, during Advent, There are many areas in today’s mod- all whom we meet. We are to share to slow down, to focus more on God, to ern world that need change. We only this Light in our homes, in the commu- learn to wait faithfully upon the Lord, to have to spend five minutes watching nities where we live, in our places of work and learning. remember our hope in God and to be re- news broadcasts to notice how many freshed in that hope, to experience more of things have spiraled out of control. Je- This may all sound very daunting. We God’s peace and presence during the of- sus came into the world to bring about may, at times, feel too small and insig- ten hectic weeks prior to Christmas. change. It was not always an easy task nificant to accomplish great things but

Our observance of Advent should be but He remained faithful to His calling. we draw our encouragement from the marked by a spirit of expectation, of antici- Each and every one of us is called to be prophet Isaiah’s words, “Arise, shine, pation, of preparation, of longing. Unlike an “agent” of change. We all have our for your Light has come, and the glory part to play in liberation and transfor- of the Lord shines upon you.” Lent, which is a penitential season of prep- aration, Advent is celebrated as a time of mation. There are so many who live in Let us with confidence and courage, joy and happiness as we await the coming oppression and endure unthinkable step forward and do whatever the Lord of the King. It is a time of preparation that injustices. How can we help to release asks of us, knowing that He can and is marked by prayer. Prayers of humble people from these bonds? This will not will use us, as small as we are, for His devotion and commitment, prayers of sub- be easy. There will always be opposi- purposes and His glory. tion but we need to trust that God will mission, prayers of deliverance, and as the I wish you and your loved ones prophet Isaiah puts it, prayers for those guide and strengthen us and that by God’s grace we will remain faithful to a holy Advent and a blessed walking in darkness who are awaiting and Christmas. our responsibilities in society. anticipating a great light. Revd. Kent Middleton Obl CR

Choir News The choir is expanding! We welcome Jenny, Paddie and Henry who sing with the sopranos and bass respectively which gives a more wholesome sound! Sue helps with the contral- to line and her son, Owen, is our boy treble. This enables us to maintain four part harmony singing. Sue assists too playing the organ, violin and piano by arrangement with Julie for which we are grate- ful while David and Linda play the organ for some services - a great help.

One of our main choral services is the Nine Lessons and Carols which we will sing on Sunday 20th December at 6.00pm. Interspersed with readings, the story of Christmas will be told. Come, listen and join in.

We continue to be one of the few parishes in which a choir sings each Sunday. The dedication of our choristers is very much appreciated. If you wish to join, please ask either Julie (Music Director) or Adrian (079 09 986 736).

Adrian Wilson CREDO 5

Around the Church Family

Our Good Wishes & Prayers to:

Eileen Roberts who was too poorly to receive Communion recently

Nancy Ayre after her recent fall at YOUTH ALPHA COURSE home will be in hospital for a few weeks while the fracture mends Youth alpha has proved to be an amazing opportunity for en- couraging our young people in the 11 - 16 age bracket. The team Kay Dugdale, Improving at home have all had a great time working with the youngsters and we have after her fall and able to get around with a stick had almost a full attendance of 12 young people each Sunday night. We started each evening with games and food then had the big film Home Communions show in the church with low light, candles and hot chocolate at the take place once a month, interval. The videos were well presented, fun and completely age usually on the first Tuesday appropriate and often the evening ended with the group clapping the - if you know anyone who film... how great is that! would like to receive Com- We all went for the day to Hebron Hall at the end of November, munion at home please inform the where we watched more Alpha videos about the Holy spirit, had Parish office or Gerald. meaningful discussions, a time of prayer and then the whole group were able to go for a swim in the lovely warm private swimming Sick Visiting pool. Youth work doesn't get better than this. Requests

The group have been thoroughly engaged in the course and very will- Please complete the book, ing to discuss hard topics concerning faith. It has been life changing kept on the Lady Chapel altar, if you for them but also for the leaders who have diligently turned up week wish to request a pastoral visit for after week. The young people want to continue after the Christmas someone who is sick. It is checked break and how can we refuse ! weekly.

I want to thank Sandra and Ruth especially, also Maddie and Jane Thank You and all those who contributed to the evening meals which were eaten with gusto. I also want to thank Margaret and Velia for helping in Many thanks to my the kitchen most weeks which enabled the group to leave the hall and Christchurch Family for go into watch the big screen. How those screens have made a differ- your prayers and ence to what we can offer our people.... . Change is so very good for us. Praise God for this whole experience. I gave up youth work 16 kindness to me when I could years ago as I thought I was too old. I feel as though I've had a sec- not get to Church recently. ond bite at the cherry and it's been delicious. With love from Linda Alexander Kay Dugdale.

Dear Editor, I have been in touch with Richard Spencer during the last year and he always asks to be remembered to us all at Christ Church. In September 2014 he embarked on a PGCE course and I thought I'd take this opportunity to share some of his notes to me (Richard's happy with this and so is Trystan). His early school placement (primary) included the run up to Christmas so he was involved in rehearsals for the nativity play and, inevitably, being the pianist!

Presently he's on supply at Bettws Primary. He does some part time teaching at Bridgend College (in English as a second language). His love of music means he's teaching piano now and then. Any spare time is taken up with a bit of volunteering and researching at the Glamorgan Archive. He cycles quite a bit. Tiger the cat is well!

You'll know that Richard is truly grateful for all the support given to him by Christchurch.

Yours sincerely, Roy Dowell 6 CREDO

I don’t know whether at some future date and for whatever MODERN PILGRIMAGES now unforeseeable reason Christ Church will become a place of of the colony’s existence tried to pilgrimage. If it does I have to deal humanely with convicts and the advise that it might prove to be Aboriginees even though in one en- a very mixed blessing. counter with them had been slightly wounded in what he chose to regard The Parish in which we now live as a “misunderstanding” In its third and worship is such a place; in year the colony came very close to fact both its churches, St Mary’s dreadful criminals. This was the starvation until a relief “second” fleet Claverton and St Nicholas, age in which a boy could be appeared with a lot of rotten food Bathampton are places to which hanged for stealing a loaf of bread and yet more convicts. Philip’s grave modern pilgrims of one kind and and a maid servant to very long is by no means a place unworthy of a another come. imprisonment for stealing a hand- pilgrimage especially by those who The pilgrims to St Mary’s come to kerchief from her mistress. In the can trace their origins back to these visit the grave of the great Ralph judicial mind exile to a hostile early settlers. shore after a perilous sea voyage Allen who is really the architect Alas, that is not the end of the story. and founder of the great glory was an act of mercy. Philip came to live in his old age as days of Georgian Bath. He has, as Australia had been chosen mostly so many wealthy retirees did to Bath, befits him, a huge mausoleum in because the British government of to Bennet Street, in fact, where one the tiny village of Claverton just the day was anxious to establish its of my own forebears lived, not in under the hill on which is situated sovereign rights over the complete- prosperous retirement but as a maid- the famous American Museum. I ly unknown vast continent not for servant! Philip in his last years had a would like to write about him any other reason than to keep out stroke that did not completely inca- some other time. It is the pilgrims the Dutch and the French. Philip pacitate him but obviously made him to St Nicholas, Bathampton that I was despatched with a small mili- tottery, and so it was that as he one write about today. tary detachment, a chaplain an ad- day stood by one of floor-to-ceiling The first category of ministrative assistant and over a length windows so characteristic of Bathampton’s pilgrims is a 1000 transportees. This “First Georgian Bath he lost his balance, Fleet” as it is known was woefully steady flow of visitors from fell out of the open window and died. ill equipped and under-provided. Australia. The tellers of “urban myth” could They originally tried to set up a not be satisfied with so mundane an In the church, beautifully fur- base in a very unsuitable location end. Guided tours of Bath and the bished by the Australian Govern- after a six month voyage and then river almost always include the anec- ment in what used to be the old moved to what is now part of the dote that at 76 years of age the randy Lady Chapel is the Australia great city of Sydney, named after admiral in hot pursuit of a married Capel. And the reason for this is the Secretary of State who had had woman fell out of the window when that buried in a vault beneath its much to do with its ill provision her husband returned unexpectedly. floor are the remains of Sir Arthur and the very low priority of con- Philip buried there in 1814. He cern it had been given. There is not a grain of truth in it and everything points to Philip being an was a remarkable man who after a Philip was, for his age, a man of unusually moral man in an age not distinguished naval and diplomatic considerable humanity and probity particularly noted for moral recti- career was given in 1788 the and for the first four dreadful years daunting task of setting up a colo- tude.

ny and penal settlement in what John Walrond. we now know as Sydney, New South Wales. Pictures: It was, indeed a very awesome 1786 portrait of Arthur Philip by task this very able scholar, cartog- Francis Wheatley in the National rapher and mariner had been giv- Portrait Gallery, London en. Up until the loss of the Ameri- can colonies in the War of Inde- Sir Arthur Philip memorial on the pendence it had been the practice wall of the Australia Chapel, of the Courts to sentence convicts Bathampton to transportation there. It must be remembered that those who were so exiled were not necessarily CREDO 7

AND PILGRIMS grave yard suffers from the ghoulish pilgrims who come to look at a flag- stone.

The other pilgrims are to the On the positive side of all this is a grave of the painter Walter Sick- constant stream of Australian ert. He died in Bathampton in “pilgrims” who often stay to worship 1942 aged 82. and who write in our visitors book

His grave would be a fitting place of the names of their home towns in pilgrimage for those who are inter- exotic and tongue twisting locations. ested in modern art. His was a cos- Once a year there is a memorial ser- mopolitan background and he grew vice led by the Australian High up in the febrile world of French Commissioner and our little village Impressionism and other form of art is for a brief moment a centre for nouveau. He was close friend of sev- the pride of the Aussies in their he- Just how all this nonsense began is eral of the French Impressionists, roic forebears. particularly Degas, and his French difficult to unravel but there are We refrained from dressing the chapel painting techniques devoted to es- more books about the Ripper than in black after the Fourth Test. It sentially English subject matter books in the Bible and several of would not really have been an act of would make him a remarkable man. them latched on to the fact that Christian charity. His paintings, indeed, are hung in Sickert once lodged in a run-down John Walrond many galleries in Europe and are town house whose land-lady boast- Photo of often characterised by his interest in ed the Ripper was once her tenant, Walter Sickert street scenes and “low life”. He though she did not identify Sickert By George worked in London in the Jack the as being the man. Charles Bere- Ripper years and painted many can- This was quite enough to set Patri- ford 1911 vasses of the characters from the cia Cornwell off on the construc- (above) mean streets of the East End. tion of an elaborate charade in

Unfortunately, todays “pilgrims” which she “proved” his guilt and His painting of don’t come to look at the grave of a with her great wealth the purchas- Jack the Rip- renowned painter: they come to ing of as many of his paintings as per’s bedroom gawp at the flagstone under which is she could get her hands on. She c 1907 now in buried “Jack the Ripper”. has, in short, heavily invested in Manchester her myth and our beautiful little City Art Gallery in Manchester

Bishops call on Prime Minister for bigger response to refugee crisis

The Church of England has recently published a letter sent to the Prime Minister in early September and signed by 84 of its bishops. It calls for the Government to increase the number of Syrian refugees being resettled to this coun- try “to a minimum of 50,000” over the next five years.

Referring to the situation in Syria as “one of the largest refugee crises ever recorded” the Bishops write that “a moral crisis of this magnitude calls each and all of us to play our parts.”

Calling directly on the Prime Minister to increase his current offer to accept 20,000 refugees over the next five years to 50,000, the Bishops write:

“We believe such is this country’s great tradition of sanctuary and generosity of spirit that we could feasibly resettle at least 10,000 people a year for the next two years, rising to a minimum of 50,000 in total over the five year period you foresaw in your announcement. Such a number would bring us into line with comparable commitments made by other countries. It would be a meaningful and substantial response to the scale of human suffering we see daily.”

The Bishops offer help from the Church of England in encouraging their churches to provide welcome, housing and foster care to refugees as well as to support the Government in its ongoing efforts.

In their letter the Bishops also called for the creation of a National Welcome and Resettlement Board, mirroring the successful work of such boards created by Government in response to past refugee crises in the 1950s and 1970s. Since the writing of the letter the board has been created with the Bishop of Durham serving as co-chair of the board.

Parish Pump 8 CREDO

How Father Christmas got where he is today A light-hearted version of the history of Father Christmas...

One person you are bound to run into this Christmas season is Father Christmas. These days he seems to frequent shopping malls and garden centres. If he looks tired, just remember that he has been around a long time, and gone through a lot of transformations.

Father Christmas wasn’t always the red-suited, white-bearded star of the retail trade that he is today. He began life as Nicholas, born way back about AD260 in Patara, an important port on the southern coast of what is now Turkey. When his parents died and left him a fortune, Nicholas gave it away to the poor. He became a bishop of the nearby city of Myra, where he almost certainly suffered perse- cution and imprisonment at the hand of the Roman Emperor Diocletian.

Nicholas was a serious theologian: he was a participant at the First Council of Nicaea, which formulated the Creed which we still say today. He even, reportedly, slapped another bishop in a squabble over the exact nature of the Trini- ty. Nicholas died in Myra about AD343, but the stories of his generosity and kindness were just beginning. One en- during tale tells of the three girls whom he rescued from certain prostitution by giving them gold for their dowries. When the father confronted him to thank him, Nicholas said he should thank God alone.

In the UK, Nicholas became the basis for Father Christmas, who emerged in Victorian times as a jolly-faced bearded character. Meanwhile, Dutch and German settlers had taken him to America with them as Sinter Klaas and Sankt Nicklas. It was in America that Nicholas received his final two great breaks into real stardom. The first was when the Rev Clement C Moore, a New York Episcopal minister, turned from his life-work of writing a Hebrew/English lexi- con, to write a fun poem for his children one Christmas. His ‘The Visit of St Nicholas’ is now universally known by its first line: ‘T’was the Night Before Christmas’.

From Clement Moore we discovered that St Nicholas is round and pink-cheeked and white-bearded, and that he trav- els at night with sleigh, reindeer and a sack of toys on his back. It was Clement Moore who also revealed that St Nich- olas enters houses down chimneys and fills children’s stockings with toys and sweets.

So how did we find out that Father Christmas wears red? That was the US Coca-Cola advertising campaign of 1931, who finally released the latest, up-to-date pictures of Father Christmas: wearing a bright red, fur-trimmed coat and a large belt. These days, it is good that Father Christmas uses reindeer and doesn’t have to pay for petrol. In order

Women’s World Day of Prayer Annual Service – first Friday every March Christ Church has been taking part in Women's World Day of Prayer services for many years, as one of a group of local churches of varying denominations. It might be of interest to explain something of the background to this annual service.

Women's World Day of Prayer is an international ecumenical Christian lay women's initiative celebrated annually in over 170 countries. The movement aims to bring together women of various races, cultures and traditions in a day of prayer each year, in order to foster closer fellowship and understanding. It started in New York in 1887, as Mary Ellen James called for a day of prayer for home missions, followed by women from the Methodist movement setting aside a week of prayer for world mission. Two years later the Baptists began a day of prayer for world mission which expanded to Canada, and to the British Isles in the 1930s. Since 1927 the first Friday in March has been known as Women's World Day of Prayer. Catholic women joined in the 1960s.

Every year the worship service focuses on a different country and a specific theme – national/regional committees of the chosen country prepare the order of worship to be used at the next WWDP service. In 1930 the service focused on India with the theme “Hold fast in prayer”. Ever since then (even during World War 2) services have continued annually without a break. Here the UK national committee comprises representatives from sixteen different denominations. Everyone is always welcome to these services.

Charity Support The money raised through collections at the services goes towards funding projects run by various Christian charities around the world. In 2013 the UK National Committee distributed grants totalling over £259,000 to 46 Christian charities worldwide, many of them aimed at improving and transforming the lives of children and young people through medical aid, educa- tional opportunities and access to basic skills. Amongst the recipients were The Christian Medical Fellowship, SPCK, Bible Society, Scripture Union, Churches Housing Team, Toy Box, Viva, CAFOD, Tearfund, Christian Aid and The Torch Trust. During 2013 in the UK, Gift Aid tax refunds, have raised £41,320. The country providing the year's form of service receives a greater share that year.

International Focus The World Day of Prayer aims to demonstrate that prayer and action are inseparable and both can have a great influence in the world. Through participation in the worship service women worldwide are encouraged to learn how their sisters of other countries, languages and cultures understand the biblical passages as relating to their specific situations. The services are always inspiring and uplifting occasions, and it is good to realise that women across the world are taking part in the same service on that very day, expressed in a variety of languages. The country chosen for the 2016 service is Cuba, and the theme for this service will be “Receive Children, Receive Me”. Continued bottom page 9 . . . .

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Christmas: Christingle - a generous present from the Moravians to the Churches

It is the Moravians whom we have to thank for bringing us the Christingle. Especially one Moravian clergyman: John de Watteville. On 20th December, 1747, John de Watteville was tak- ing a children’s service in his Moravian church in Marienborn, Germany. He led the children in some hymns, and read out verses which the children themselves had written to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Then he explained to the children that true happiness only comes through knowing Jesus. Jesus, said John de Watteville, “has kindled in each little heart a flame which keeps burning to their joy and our happiness”.

John de Watteville then went on to illustrate that ‘flame’. He gave each child a little lighted wax candle, tied around with a red ribbon. He ended his service with a little prayer: “Lord Jesus, kindle a flame in these children’s hearts, that theirs like Thine become”.

The visual aid was a great success with the children; for the Marienborn Diary for that day concludes: “hereupon the children went full of joy with their lighted candles to their rooms and so went glad and happy to bed”.

The candle and red ribbon were remembered the following year, and the following after that.... As the Moravians be- gan to travel beyond Germany, so they took the custom with them: to Labrador, to Pennsylvania, to Tibet and Suri- name, to the Caribbean and South Africa. In each country the Christians adapted it for their own use.

No one knows for certain when the word ‘Christingle’ was first used with regard to the custom. No one even knows where the word ‘Christingle’ comes from. Some say it is from the old Saxon word ‘ingle’ (fire), meaning ‘Christ-fire or light’. Another theory is that it derives from the German ‘engel’ (angel), meaning ‘Christ-angel’.

In any event, the symbolism of Christingle gradually developed, until today the Moravians in the British Province use an orange, representing the world, with a lighted candle to represent Christ, the Light of the World. Nuts, raisins and sweets on cocktail sticks around the candle represent God’s bounty and goodness in providing the fruits of the earth. Red paper, forming a frill around the base of the candle, reminds us of the blood of Christ shed for all people on the cross at Calvary.

Gwenda Palmer Volunteers needed Receipt of a generous legacy from the late Mrs Gwenda Palm- er was reported to the PCC meeting on 19th November. A let- Elizabeth Burston is ter to the PCC and all at Christ Church from Simon Palmer, waiting to hear from you one of her sons, on behalf of himself, his brothers Kerry and Keith and their sister Sharon, included the following:- 20754557.

'Dear friends, Do you like a cuppa after Sunday service?

You will know what great affection my mother had for Christ If so more helpers are needed for the Church. She loved the building and the people, and was proud Coffee rota! to have been a founder member, and to have worshipped in Anyone can make a cuppa and wash up! your church for so many years. PLEASE HELP – you will be very welcome. The family would like to pass on its thanks to all at Christ Church for their friendship and support to mum over so many years, which has been very much appreciated by us all. With Need a book to read ? best wishes, Read one of Trystan’s thoughtful Simon Palmer easy to read books The family also kindly sent sums for Julie, our organist, and the choir in acknowledgement of their support at the very fit- Ask Claire Edwards on Sundays or ting service of thanksgiving for Gwenda's life and of commen- 20756493 dation into God's loving care.

Local Involvement At a local level I have collaborated with members of neighbouring churches in the preparation of our Llanishen area service for some years now, and would welcome some sharing in this by other Christ Church member/s, with a view to handing over my role in due course. The hosting of the local service falls to each church in turn, about once every seven years, and is rela- tively straightforward, as the main order of service will have been pre-prepared and provided. Christ Church will probably be hosting the 2017 service. If anyone is interested in learning more or would like to join me at our local planning meeting, scheduled for Fri- day January 29th, please contact me. Bronwen Bradnum Tel: 029 20751177 (Further information: website www.wwdp.org.uk) 10 CREDO

Christmas Gift Buying made Easy

Christmas Bargains Jewellery & Gifts Coffee & Mince Pies Saturday 5th December 10am - 1pm in Christ Church Hall

Prayer Link 2015 Churches Together in Llanishen & District J WALKERS - Youth Group 11-16 yr olds Saturdays 10.00 - 11.00 am Come and join this new group 5th December every third Sunday each month Llanishen Baptist - Fidlas Rd. at the 10 am service ALL WELCOME

Altar Kneeler CHATTERBOX Project. For babies and toddlers with Tues. and Thurs. parents/grandparents home stitching Thursdays 1.30 pm - 3.00 pm continues weekly in Christ Church Hall during term time Sat. meetings 10 - 12noon 16th January and 20th February Christ Church Society 2016 in the Church Hall.

Call in and see the progress “How we won the War”

A talk from Peter Davies Christmas retiring Collections An account of the devious methods Please support these collections in December. used to deceive the enemy

Sunday 6th December: Wednesday 24th February 2016 Gifts for Families in need - 7.30 pm in the Church hall the collection will be used to buy games, crafts, selection boxes etc

SING, SING, SING! Sunday 13th December Christmas Flowers Join our Church choir for Advent and Christmas Parish Weekend retreat and even stay to sing in 2016 Contact Julie (20615007) Fri. 27th May - Sun. 29th May

Our theme is “The Echo Within.” Please consider joining us. Spaces are limited. CREDO 11

Christ Church Society. 18th November 2015 “Bad as Gold” How gold mining has affected the area around Obuasi in Ghana money had run out these people had no way of earning a living. Not only was land contaminated by the arsenic and mercury used in the extraction process, the Clare Dow a hilltops surrounding the village member of our church, gave an inter- had been stripped of vegetation, esting insight into the plight of the which in turn caused flooding when main town of Obuasi, where the villagers living in Obuasi, Ghana, to the rains came. These villagers had mine workers lived in proper hous- the Church Society group on a wet dug ditches to protect themselves es, which are fenced in to prevent and windy November evening, Clare from the flood water, however once the rain stopped the ditches con- the villages gaining access. brightened the evening with her love- ly outfit that was made for her in tained stagnant water and became Clare spent three weeks in the vil- Obuasi, the material was gold col- breeding grounds for mosquitos. lage. Determined to help she visit- oured cloth with black spirals shapes. The authorities were trying to clean ed the mining company, was taken The spiral design she explained was up their act, by constructing bore on a tour of the mine and went 42 a symbol of Ghanaian royalty. holes, although Clare understood levels underground, approximately that the water from the bore hole 5,000 feet. She attempted to meet- According to Wikipedia, Obuasi is a was also contaminated. with the managing director of the gold mining community and town in company, but he made excuses on the southern part of Obuasi Munici- Clare met the villagers who had two of her appointments. On the pal of Ashanti, and wears a ring of owned the land and was surprised third occasion, Clare refused to go hills as its adornment, and is known that they were mostly women, away. After a long wait she was for its Obuasi Gold Mine, now one of known as queen mothers. To gain finally shown in to meet him. He the ten largest on Earth. their trust Clare answered many per- sonal questions, such as, was she had started as a labourer and In her capacity as a lawyer she vol- married and for how long?, did she worked his way up the ladder. His unteered with a view to helping the have children? The divorce laws talents were recognised and he was inhabitants of the small village of being very different there, these la- sent to study at Imperial College, Obuasi. Mining started there in the dies were intrigued to hear that the same college that Clare had 1890’s, however in the 1990’s the Clare had been married for 25 years. attended. They had a long meet- mining company in a bid to extract Apparently a women can sue for ing, resulting in scholarships for more gold started to open pit gold divorce on the grounds that her hus- the brighter children. As a lawyer mines, although this practice had band can no longer support her. she was unable to get the land now stopped. The company had pur- back. However by pushing for fur- chased the land from the villagers, One of the reasons why Clare was chosen to go to Obuasi was that she ther education she has given hope for very small amounts of money. to future generations.

was mature enough to gain the trust These villagers relied on the land to of the villagers. The village had only Many thanks to Howard for ar- make a living. What they didn’t un- basic conditions, no electricity, and ranging the evening and to Gill for derstand was the effect that surface primary education only although the excellent buffet, also to the mining would have on their way of healthcare care centres had been set barmen David Alexander and Eric life. The compounds used to extract up. There was no road into the vil- Howell, we all appreciate the hard the gold contaminated the land, mak- lage. The only access was a disused work that goes into organising ing farming impossible. Once their railway track, a two mile walk to the these events. Angela Foley

Christian Aid Week 2015 update. Extract of letter to Christ Church:

‘The images of desperate refugees crossing the Mediterranean in unstable boats, or packed illegally in lorries, or protesting ‘We are human beings too’ in the port of Calais, are a dis- tressing reminder of the shocking refugee crisis that led to the founding of Christian Aid in 1945. Your gift of £839.29 from Roath Park Parish of Christ Church is enabling us, through the Act Alliance, to support churches and other agencies in Europe as well as our partners in the Middle East - thank you.’

Christmas Appeal. Sat. 12 December 10am - 12 noon Llanishen Baptist Church, Fidlas Rd. Stalls, coffee, tea, cake, mince pies. All Welcome 12 CREDO CREDO 13

CROSSWORD PUZZLE DOWN 1 Money owing (Deuteronomy 15:3) (4) 2 Conciliatory (Titus 3:2) (9) 3 ‘Do this, whenever you — it, in remem ACROSS brance of me’ (1 Corinthians 11:25) (5) 1 Rely (Psalm 62:7) (6) 4 A group assisting in the governance of 4 ‘He stretches out the heavens like a — , and the Roman Catholic Church (5) spreads them out like a tent to live in’ 5 One of the gifts Joseph’s brothers took (Isaiah 40:22) (6) with them on their second journey to Egypt 7 What the dove carried the olive leaf in, when (Genesis 43:11) (4) it returned to Noah’s ark (Genesis 8:11) (4) 6 ‘Reach out your hand and — — into my 8 Annoy (1 Samuel 1:6) (8) side. Stop doubting and believe’ 9 Judah’s last king, who ended his days as a (John 20:27) (3,2) blind prisoner in Babylon (Jeremiah 52:11) (8) 10 Be outstandingly good (2 Corinthians 8:7) (5) 13 ‘They all — and were satisfied’ (Luke 9:17) (3) 11 ‘What — — that you are mindful of 16 Eliphaz the Temanite was one; so was him, the son of man that you care for Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite him?’ (Psalm 8:4) (2,3) (Job 2:11; 16:2) (4,9) 12 Horse’s feet (Judges 5:22) (5) 17 National Association of Evangelicals 13 Notice (Deuteronomy 17:4) (9) (of the USA) (1,1,1) 14 Comes between 2 Chronicles & Nehemiah (4)

19 Popular song for New Year’s Eve, 15 One of Israel’s northern towns conquered

Auld — — (4,4) Drench 27, Enigma. 26, ,, by Ben-Hadad (1 Kings 15:20) (4)

24 Able dock (anag.) (8) Five. 25, Blockade. 24, Syne. Lang 19, NAE. 17, 18 Narnia’s Lion (5)

25 The number of stones David chose for his comforter. Job’s 16, Ate. 13, Zedekiah. 9, Irritate. 8, 20 One of the two rivers in which Naaman

Beak. 7, Canopy. 4, Depend. 1, confrontation with Goliath (1 Samuel 17:40) (4) ACROSS: would have preferred to wash (2 Kings 5:12) (5)

26 Elgar’s best-known ‘Variations’ (6) 21 Avarice—one of the evils that come from

21, Greed. 22, GCMG. 23, Leah. 23, GCMG. 22, Greed. 21, inside people (Mark 7:22) (5) 27 Soak (Isaiah 16:9) (6) Abana. 20, Aslan. 18, Ijon. 15, Ezra. 14, Attention. 13,

5, Nuts.6, Put it. 10, Excel. 11, Is man. 12, Hoofs. Hoofs. 12, man. Is 11, Excel. 10, it. Put Nuts.6, 5, 22 Knight Grand Cross of St Michael and St

Curia. 4, Drink. 3, Peaceable. 2, Debt. 1, : : DOWN George (1,1,1,1) 23 Jacob’s first wife (Genesis 29:23) (4)

A Christmas quiz Smile Lines: Christmas is weird - what other time of the 1.According to the 1st chapter of Matthew, ‘Immanuel’ is year do you sit in front of a dead tree and eat interpreted to mean ______. sweets out of your socks? 2. The Moabite widow, Ruth, is mentioned by name only 12 times in the book named after her, and not again until Matthew 1:5. What Quotes: Loneliness is to endure the presence makes this woman’s life so significant to the birth of Jesus Christ? of one who does not understand. - Elbert Hubbard 3. An angel of the Lord told Joseph, Mary’s betrothed, ‘Do not ______to The only way to entertain some folks is to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy listen to them. - Kin Hubbard Spirit.’ Drive carefully. It's not only cars that can be 4. What caused Elizabeth’s unborn baby to leap for joy in her womb, recalled by their maker. Parish Pump when she was visited by her relative Mary? 5. What was the angel’s name who visited Mary to tell her she had been chosen to be the Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ? Haydn, look 6. What does Bethlehem mean? where Kent is 7. Why did Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem? pointing - I 8. What did the angels say to the shepherds? want it there ! 9. What did the chief priests tell Herod that worried him so much?

10. Why was ‘a voice heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning?’

2:6 Matt Israel.’ people my of shepherd the be will who ruler

9. ‘But you Bethlehem, in the land of Judea… out of you will come a a come will you of out Judea… of land the in Bethlehem, you ‘But 9.

2:10 Luke joy….’ great of news good you bring I afraid. be not ‘Do 8.

5 - 2:1 Luke census Roman a in registered be To 7.

2:4 Luke – David of city the was It Bread. of House The 6.

1:26 Luke – Gabriel 5.

Spirit Holy the greeting/ Mary’s 4.

1:20 Matt afraid/fear’ ‘Be 3.

1:5 Matt – lineage Christ’s in is child Her 2.

1:23 Matt – us with God 1.

Answers to the quiz the to Answers ‘Caption Competition’ 14 CREDO

GOD IN THE ARTS . Series by Rev. Michael Burgess

‘He gave us eyes to see them’:

During this year we have been ex- tryside. Mary and Jesus are life and ploring how art can celebrate the haloed in a lunar-like radi- res- wonder of this world. This month ance. The lilies are symbols with our Lady and Jesus we stand of purity and obedience, the above the world: high on the qualities that will take them to clouds with a glorious path of tall, that scene at Bethlehem elegant lilies that lead like a stair- which we give thanks for at way to the earth beneath. This is Christmas.

‘The Virgin of the Lilies’ by Car- The heavenly light shining los Schwabe. He was born in Ger- out in the painting brings many and then lived in Switzer- hope and joy to the world be- land and France, painting this can- low, transforming lives with urrection. The light come down vas in 1899 when he was 33 years the wonder of the Saviour’s to earth at Christmas can never old. be extinguished. That light and birth. . love are expressed in this vivid, It is like a scene caught when we Jesus holds three nails in his look out of the window in an aero- moving painting of Carlos hand as a sign that His life Schwabe as they are caught up plane. We can see the earth be- will be tempered by rejection, neath and spot hills and valleys, in the carol of Christina Rossetti suffering and death. But the we sing at this time: roads and settlements, and a river lilies growing tall and straight weaving its way through the coun- in the skies are signs of new Love shall be our token,

Altar Kneeler Project - November 2015

We had an interesting Saturday session in November with 4 visitors who had not seen the kneelers before and were very impressed with the designs, com- pleted panels and on going work. They also enjoyed the delicious homemade cakes for which we thank Bronwen, Elizabeth and Mandy.

There will be no Saturday session in December but the Tuesday and Thurs- days sessions will continue for the first 2 weeks in December and resume in the second week of Janu-

ary.

Saturdays dates for early 2016:

16th January 20th February 12th March

Please let me know if you would like to join us.

CREDO 15

JANUARY 2016 DIARY

Sunday 3rd SECOND SUNDAY of CHRISTMAS 8.00 am Holy Eucharist 10. 00 am FAMILY COMMUNION 6.00 pm Service of Light

Tuesday 5th 10.00 am - 12.00 noon Church open for PRAYER

Wednesday 6 th EPIPHANY 10.30 am Holy Eucharist (tea & coffee to follow) WHO’S WHO Sunday 10th BAPTISM OF CHRIST at Christ Church 8.00 am Holy Communion Lake Road North 10.00 am Parish Eucharist & Funky Church Cardiff CF23 5QN 6.00 pm Taize Service Priest in charge: th Sunday 17 SECOND SUNDAY of EPIPHANY Rev.Trystan Owain Hughes 8.00 am Holy Eucharist Tel: 20758588 10.00 am Parish Eucharist, Curate: Rev. Kent Middleton Obl.CR

Jwalkers Youth Group & Funky Church Parish Office & Hall Enquiries 6.00 pm Service of Meditation and Reflection Tel: 20763151 Email: christchurch-cardiff *Churches Together in Llanishen & District @tiscali.co.uk 18th - 25th January 2016 Web site: www.christchurch-cardiff.org.uk WEEK OF PRAYER for CHRISTIAN UNITY “The Salt of the Earth” is this year's theme, from the joint churches of Latvia, Church Wardens about all the baptised answering the call to holy living and giving witness, as in Haydn Hopkins Tel: 20621280 1 Peter and Jesus’ metaphors of salt and light. Colin Francis Tel: 20751773

th Tuesday 19 January 7.30 p.m. The Fellowship Meal (the ‘Agape’) Reader Bethel U.R.C Church, Llangranog Road, Llanishen Dominic de Saulles

Thursday 21st 9.30 am Holy Eucharist (tea & coffee to follow) Parochial Church Council Secretary th Sunday 24 THIRD SUNDAY of EPIPHANY Judith Hill Tel: 20758080

8.00 am Holy Eucharist Treasurer 10. 00 am Parish Eucharist & Funky Church John Hodgson Tel: 20764485 * 6.00 pm United Service at Christ Church Preacher, Revd Delyth Liddell, M.Th. Gift Aid Secretary Gerald Bradnum Tel: 20751177 Methodist Chaplain at Cardiff University

st Electoral Roll Officer Sunday 31 FOURTH SUNDAY of EPIPHANY David Alexander Tel: 20759704 8.00 am Holy Eucharist Magazine Editor 10. 00 am Parish Eucharist & Funky Church John Griffiths Tel: 20754370 6.00 pm Evensong Sacristan FEBRUARY Len Bowker Tel: 20758493

Sunday 7th SUNDAY before LENT Assistant: Haydn Hopkins 8.00 am Holy Eucharist Tel: 20621280 Organist /Choir 10. 00 am FAMILY COMMUNION Julie Waller Tel: 20615007 6.00 pm Service of Light Funky Church Wednesday 10th ASH WEDNESDAY Karen Payne Tel: 20765428 Sandra Tel: 20758588 Prayers for Healing 10.00 am every Wednesday in Parish Office Flower Rota Organiser Sylvia Dowell Tel: 20408265 Other services & activities as announced in the newsletter Churches Together Julie Waller Tel: 20615007 16 CREDO WORSHIP AT CHRIST CHURCH From the Registers

Sunday November 2015 - Communicants

Sundays 1st 89 8.00 a.m. The Holy Eucharist 8th 136 10.00 a.m. The Parish Eucharist 15th 112 6.00 p.m. Evening Service 22nd 127 29th 101 Weekdays Weekday communicants 29 Thursday 9.30 a.m. The Holy Eucharist Communions of the ill & housebound (Saints’ Days and Festivals: See Parish Diary) at home 6 at ‘Cartref ’ 13 MINISTRY OF HEALING

Prayers for Healing are said in the Office, Holy Baptism

Wednesday, 10.00 am 8th Nov. Elijah Joseph Cooper

Eucharist for healing 14th Nov. Thea Haf Sherrington with anointing and the laying on of hands as announced. 22nd Nov. David Thomas

Holy Communion is taken to the sick and housebound, Sampson Mortimore

and anointing as requested.

Please inform the Vicar in cases of sickness, bereavement or distress.

OTHER SERVICES Please arrange with the Vicar for baptism, confirmation, marriage and funerals.

The Vicar is happy to arrange times for the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) or for counsel.

CHATTERBOX RAINBOWS GOOD COMPANIONS Thursday 1.30 - 3.00 pm Tuesdays at 5.00 p.m. Tuesdays at 2.00 p.m. during Term time Emma Lane 07975505863 Norma Ash 20754835 Gill Barker 20747464 BROWNIES Mary Payne 20756577 Mondays at 6.00 pm.

CHRIST CHURCH SOCIETY 4-5 times annually FUNKY CHURCH Karen Payne 20765428 84th SCOUT GROUP Howard Kilvington 20317301 Group Scout Leader Sandra 20758588 vacant

YOUTH GROUP Group Committee Chairman LADIES KEEP FIT GROUP (11-16 year olds) Mondays at 7.30 p.m. Geoff Payne 20756577 Meet monthly Enquiries to Caryl Roach 20754463 Jill Kilvington 20317301 Rev. Trystan Hughes 20758588

BEAVERS FELLOWSHIP & BIBLE CHOIR Thursdays at 5.30 p.m. STUDY GROUPS Thursdays at 6.30 pm Stephanie Barker 07962012910 (see newsletter for details) Julie Waller Haydn Hopkins 20621280 CUBS Tel: 20615007 Linda Alexander 20759704 Wednesdays 6.15 p.m. CHRIST CHURCH NURSERY Simon Rimell SERVERS’ GUILD Every Weekday 9 am -12 noon SCOUTS Sunday morning and as announced Anna Brancazio 07941266169 Wednesdays 7.30 p.m. Gerald Bradnum 20751177 or 029 20623097 Simon Broadley