Llythyr Newyddion Diocesan Esgobaeth Newsletter Mynwy Number/Rhif 202 Candlemas/Gwyl Fair 2013

A new term for the Mothers Union

The inaugurated new officers and unit co-ordinators for the Diocesan Mothers’ Union at a joyful service in St Mary’s, Usk, on 12th January. They will serve for at least the next three years. From left to right are: Sue Russell (Fund-raising and Communication), Jennifer Barton (Action and Outreach), Lita Walters (Faith and Policy), Sue Griffiths (MU Diocesan President), the Bishop, Revd Linda Griffiths (Chaplain to the MU), the Archdeacon of Newport, the Archdeacon of Monmouth, Joy Ganesh (MU Diocesan Secretary) and Kathleen Starr (MU Diocesan Treasurer). Sue Griffiths, the new Diocesan President says: “It was wonderful to be part of the service in Usk where as Mothers' Union members we were able to worship God and celebrate the beginning of a new Trienniel. We have committed ourselves to God to work for Him in the Mothers' Union charity so I pray that all members will have a fresh vision of their work in this Diocese and the work of our 4 million sisters and brothers throughout the world. May we keep our eyes on Jesus and be a daily witness to those we meet as Mary Sumner, our founder, prayed for us to be.” Mothers' Union is an international Christian charity that seeks to support families worldwide. In 83 countries, members share one heartfelt vision—to bring about a world where God's love is shown through loving, respectful and flourishing relationships. This is a goal they actively pursue through prayer, programmes, policy work and community relationships. By supporting marriage and family life, especially through times of adversity, they tackle the most urgent needs challenging relationships and communities. Members are not all mothers, or even all women. Single, married, parents, grandparents, or young adults just beginning to express their social conscience—for all 4 million members what Mothers' Union provides is a network through which they can serve Christ in their own community. For more information about the Mothers’ Union in the contact Joy Ganesh: [email protected] Christmas around the diocese

At St Mary’s, Abergavenny, they filled shoeboxes with gifts for children in Romania and sang carols round the local pubs.

l to r: Zoe, Kerri, Joe, Grace and Sam (boy Bishop), Bishop Dominic, Issy, Tom and Stephanie.

Bishop Dominic came to St Nicholas’, Grosmont, in the week of St Nicholas’ day to confirm six young people. He found that the already had a Boy Bishop, Sam, who was installed the previous Sunday, in the tradition of St Nicholas. Bishop Dominic also christened two infants, Zac and Jacob, cousins of Joe and Tom who were confirmed, along with Zoe and Kerri, also cousins in another family. As they said, "we double up on uncles, aunties and grandparents—which is just as well as the church is full!"

The Bishop with Revd Canon Margaret Jefford, Vicar of Newbridge

St Paul's, Newbridge, held their second Christmas Tree Festival with 33 trees on display. The exhibition closed on the Sunday evening with a carol service with the Bishop giving a sermon. E Baker

This year's Nativity with children from the Early Years Department (ages 3-4 years) of Pontnewydd Primary School, Cwmbran, was about a very sleepy shepherd by Niki Davies. St David’s, Fleur-de-Lis, held a Christmas lunch on 17 December and 31 Over 120 children in total performed their Nativity at the church in front of people enjoyed a full Christmas meal parents, friends and church family. There were two performances each with a with all the trimmings. The break unique cast due to different children attending morning or afternoon sessions. between eating and singing Christmas Both performances were outstanding considering their ages. They learnt 7 songs songs and carols was brightened by the and even narrations telling the birth of baby Jesus. A sum of £120.10 was raised arrival of Father and Mrs Christmas from both acts of worship for the Dhaka Orphanage, which the church supports. (Dennis Pitman and Janet Crumpstone) Revd Victoria Ashley and Mr Kerry Waters, Headteacher, were delighted with the who brought sacks of gifts for all. enthusiasm of the staff and volunteers from Holy Trinity who had worked alongside the children. Sylvia Pitman Bronwen Summers 2 What’s happening in Lent?

The Bishop’s Pastoral Letter will be read in every church on Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday 7th February A Spiritual Journey for Lent The Bishop’s Lent talks , , Bishop Dominic will be out and about in the diocese every Newport weekday night in Lent to talk about St Paul’s letters to The ‘Spiritual Journey’ is a guided young churches and what we can learn from them today. walk through a number of stations in the Cathedral each of which takes one aspect The talks will take place over five weeks and each evening of the last week of Jesus' life and focuses on some aspect of will begin at 7.30pm and finish by 8.15pm. it. It is a meditative walk praying with each of the senses. It The venues are: will take about thirty to forty minutes. Mondays: St Cadoc’s Church, Raglan Opening times: 18th, 25th February, 4th, 11th, 18th March Friday 8th March - 11am to 4pm Saturday 9th March - 11am to 4pm Tuesdays: St Peter’s Church, Blaina Sunday 10th March - 12noon to 4pm 19th, 26th February, 5th, 12th, 19th March Monday 11th March - 11am to 4pm and 7pm to 8 pm Wednesdays: Newport Cathedral Completing this ‘Journey’ qualifies for a Diocesan Pilgrim Badge. 20th, 27th February, 6th, 13th, 20th March Further information: Thursdays: Pontprennau Community Church Newport Cathedral Office: 01633 212077, 21st, 28th February, 7th, 14th, 21st March [email protected]

Fridays: St Mary’s Church Hall, Magor Chrism Mass 22nd February, 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd March The Blessing of the Holy Oils and the reaffirmation of Ordination Vows will take place at the Cathedral on Tuesday, Please BRING your BIBLE - and a friend! 26th March at 11am. Lent Preachers in St Mary’s, Abergavenny Everyone is welcome to come and support the clergy. On Sunday evenings in Lent we will be looking at how Christians ‘do church’ in various parts of the world, thus Bishop’s Lent Appeal reminding ourselves that the church is world-wide As in previous years, Bishop Dominic asks us to give up a meal on Fridays in Lent and put the money we save into the Lent February 17th: The Church in the USA—Revd Dr Will Ingle-Gillis who was born and brought up Appeal. The total raised will be divided between The Raven in Texas. House Trust and the Jeel al Amal School for Orphans in Bethany (which those who went on the pilgrimage to the February 24th: The Church in India—The Bishop, who Holy Land in 2012 visited). served in India early on in his ministry. Raven House Trust is a local charity which provides food and furniture for people in need throughout the old county of March 3rd: The Church in the Middle East—Prebendary Gwent and beyond. Sam Ashton of ‘Embrace the Middle East’. Jeel al Amal gives a home and March 10th: The Church in South Africa—Fr Robbie education to young Palestinian Dennis who was ordained in South Africa. boys who would otherwise be destitute. March 17th: The Church in Continental Europe—Revd Dr Last year the appeal exceeded the Bernard Sixtus who served his title in Paris. target of £20,000. Can we do even better this year?

The Remembrance Service at St Thomas, Tradition and technology merged for a service which focussed on those who had been killed or injured in the Afghanistan conflict.

Fred Lane read the citation and laid the wreath and Chris Matthews produced a computerised visual accompaniment to the service using material from the British Legion.

The Crib Service at St Paul’s, Cwm

3 MINISTRY AREAS In line with recommendations in the Church in Review, the Diocese of Monmouth is in the process of establishing Ministry Areas to serve the needs of the Church in the future. This will take several years and some Ministry Areas will be formed sooner than others. What will the changes involve?

Ministry Areas will require more priests (although fewer will be paid) as well as ministry teams made up of clergy and authorized lay ministers. Each Ministry Area will have an ordained leader who will oversee a number of churches.

How will Ministry Areas be different? They will be larger pastoral units and the Leaders will need particular skills to foster and enable others in ministry. They will be involved in training, communication, delegation, supervision and collaboration. The diocese will provide appropriate training.

Each local church will have a ‘named minister’ who may be ordained or a licensed lay minister.

A Ministry Area may employ a specialist in youth, mission, community or administration or share them with a neighbouring Ministry Area.

Why are we doing this? Declining congregations mean that we can no longer afford to pay for the number of clergy we have been used to. We want a new way of doing things that will not just stop decline but provide a new base from which we can grow.

How will Ministry Areas come into being? We are consulting deaneries and to reorganize their churches into Ministry Areas. Each Ministry Area will be different so there is no one-size-fits-all. As clergy move or retire we shall be able to prepare for the new Ministry Areas. The Leaders of the new Ministry Areas will have a course of training to prepare them for their new roles.

What are the advantages of Ministry Areas? w They provide teams of lay and ordained ministers with different and complementary gifts. w A larger scale enables more efficient administration and sharing of resources. w Ministry Areas should serve local communities and be mission-focused and encourage pioneer ministry.

How will we train new priests and lay ministers? w Some will train full-time at theological college, but the majority will be trained locally with residential weekends. w We shall extend the Living Faith discipleship programme to provide training for ministry.

We already have a good number of priests (with and without stipends) and many candidates exploring ordination and other ministries.

Will a Ministry Area Leader be a ‘super-manager’? No! that is what we want to avoid, although good ministry always involves planning and organization. A Ministry Area Leader should be freed up to be a priest and to serve and develop the ministry team or teams in the area.

Will some churches close? There are no plans to close churches but if churches become unviable then closure may be inevitable. However, we may need to plant new churches in Ministry Areas where pioneer ministry is taking place.

Where is God in all this? The Church was ‘born’ at Pentecost when God sent the Holy Spirit to empower his people to be the Church and to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit continues to inspire the Church in new ways of doing things and often in response to culture, finance, resources and prayer.

Ministry Areas recognise the ministry of all baptised Christians as the people of God. They also recognise that some will be called to certain ministries—some permanently and some for a period of time. We need to recognise the gifts God has given each person and use them in his service.

Ministry Areas are incarnational in that they are rooted in local communities with local leadership.

They are apostolic in having leaders with responsibility for teaching, fostering vocations and empowering others for ministry.

They are missional in seeking new opportunities for ministry and evangelism.

They are prophetic in that they recognise the signs of the times and plan for the future.

They are visionary in that they require a new way of responding to God’s call to extend his Kingdom.

4 Good news in spades Churchyard walls restored St Mary’s, Malpas, had an exciting start to the new year as the Bishop, together with the Mayor of the City of Newport, cut the first soil for the extension to the church on 2nd January. Church members of all ages and representatives of the local community also attended.

Building work, by Kingfisher Construction (Wales) Ltd. of Llanwit Major is expected to take nine months. The exciting design, produced by Davies Sutton Architects of Cardiff, will provide for an ‘extension’ of St Mary’s mission of Living and Telling the Good News of Jesus Christ to its local community. Before

The churchyard of St Stephen’s and St Tathan’s Church, Caerwent, is surrounded by an ancient stone wall which was falling into a very bad state of repair. Over the past few years a group of volunteers has been tidying up the areas adjacent to the walls and in the church car park by clearing away rubbish, nettles, etc. and planting shrubs, flowering plants and bulbs. So it was decided they would also turn their attention to the walls themselves.

An 80% grant was secured from The Village Alive Trust through their “Bringing Your Village Alive” programme (under the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013 which is funded by the Welsh Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development). The remaining 20% of the cost came in the form of a grant from Monmouthshire The project, which has taken eight years to reach this stage, County Council through the Welsh Church Act Fund needs funding of £330,000. It has been made possible by 2012/2013. generous grants, including £50,000 (the largest single grant paid) by the National Churches Trust, and these grants have Thanks to this funding, the churchyard maintenance group supported the very significant contributions from church were able to employ local stonemason, Mark Bearcroft, to members at St Mary’s without whose faith and commitment repair and re-build where necessary the boundary walls. the project would not be going forward. Thanks must also go to Claire Dovey-Evans, Bringing Your Village Alive Project Officer, and Revd Dr Jean Prosser, Hon The extension will provide much needed high quality Secretary of The Village Alive Trust, who were a great help in amenities including a meeting room for church and local seeing the work through. groups to use, a small kitchen and, importantly, a toilet! David Evans, Chairman, Caerwent PCC Access will be by a sympathetic cloister structure along the Churchyard Maintenance Sub-Committee south facing wall of the existing church which will be altered internally to make best use of the space for contemporary worship.

There has been a Christian place of worship on this site since the early twelfth century. The current church building was constructed in 1850 in the neo-Norman style. The Vicar, Revd David Parfitt, says “This project is very exciting. The design respects the history of the site whilst producing a place that is flexible, contemporary and relevant for the years ahead.”

Trefor Newman (Vicar's Warden) After Thankyou lunch for the workers The volunteers who keep the churchyard tidy at St Teilo's Church, Llantiliuo Pertholey, were treated to a free lunch recently. The vicar, Revd Robbie Dennis, invited all those who cut the grass or keep the churchyard neat and tidy to lunch at the Crown Inn at Pantygelli and 11 of them sat down to a delicious meal. Also present were those responsible for the Living Churchyard project which has seen colourful information boards dotted around telling parishioners about the bird and insect boxes which have been installed as well as the tranquil riverside walk which has been created and is accessible for wheelchair users.

5 Christ Church, Ebbw Vale, Saints and Pilgrims visit the Highveld. On 12th October 2012, Terry and Angela Edwards and Catherine Wright made their way to Heathrow to fly to Johannesburg. Here, they were met by Rev Godfrey Mothibedi, Anglican priest-in-charge of churches in the Highveld. Fr Godfrey was known to us as he had stayed with Terry and Angela on his visit two years ago.

Our first stop was to meet Bishop David Bannerman in the Cathedral at Benoni, a suburb of Johannesburg. From here we were taken to the home of Daphne Allison for light refreshments and then journeyed to Evander, where we stayed for the next ten days in the home of Godfrey, his wife Yvonne, and their family.

Sunday morning church started at 8.30am ‘All Saints Pilgrims’ and we left church at 12.20pm after worship, praise and Holy Communion On a not-too-pleasant afternoon at the followed by introductions. Many of the beginning of December, a small group of ladies had turned up in their tribal attire, people from the parishes of St Mark’s, Newport, and All Saints, , set off on all very colourful but so different! a pilgrimage to the ancient church of St Illtud, Llanilltud Fawr (Llantwit Major), the On Monday we visited the school and site of one of the oldest monastic presented our cheque to the Principal settlements in Wales. On arrival we were before being given a tour of Embalenhle. offered a welcome cup of tea followed by an informative talk on the history of the What a shock! What we thought was a church and a tour of the church. small village was, in fact, a very large settlement with poverty such as we had never experienced. Some houses were modern but the majority were small Then once again we were on our way, this shacks, many being constructed of corrugated metal sheets and anything else that time to visit Ewenny Priory. In spite of the convenience of 21st century transport the could be used. journey was not without its hazards, as we dodged potholes and minor floods. We visited a clinic whose two nurses look Eventually we arrived at what was literally after the entire population of Emba, the the end of the road, and the remains of the local name for Embalenhle, with rare priory walls and the church. Again we had a visits by a doctor. We were taken to very informative talk on the history of the Soweto (South Western Townships) site and a tour of this ancient and unique where ours were the only white faces to Priory Church. be seen. With darkness falling and the weather deteriorating, in true pilgrimage tradition, We were very honoured to be asked into we retired to a local hostelry for some homes in Emba to pray with the sick refreshments! people there. This was an awesome experience and we knew that God was moving James Pritchard in the lives of these people. Their faith was so strong, even in the face of adversity.

We attended two other churches for evening services and witnessed the power of Pilgrim Celebration an African thunderstorm! We had a day shopping in a huge mall near Johannesburg—we did also spend a long time in the Christian shop where we Weekend purchased most of our gifts to bring home. Newport Cathedral 26 - 28 April Saturday saw a 4am start to drive three hours to a Game Park. This was an amazing visit where we saw many animals in their natural environment. The Two Cathedrals Pilgrimage Sunday 28 April - Saturday 4th May The second Sunday was as the first. After the Eucharist we gave each person If you haven’t already expressed interest (about 240 in the congregation) a small gift we had taken with us and we in this do contact: distributed the money we had been given by the Benefice or received as Pamela Mason or Janet Bone donations. [email protected] [email protected] Fr Godfrey and Yvonne were wonderful hosts and we lacked nothing while we were their guests. The food was amazing, but, eating the African way will not Pilgrim passports and prayer bookmarks allow anyone to lose weight! for your pilgrim visitors are available from the Diocesan Office The fellowship, friendship and generosity, shown to us by all those we met, was a - contact Dan Parker 01633 267490 very humbling experience. People who have nothing..... yet have [email protected] everything...... their faith is so strong! Details of all these—and more—are on Terry, Angela and Catherine. www.monmouthpilgrims.org.uk www.monmouthdiocese.org.uk

6 The Review A group of five people will examine how radical proposals for the Church in Wales can be delivered. They will look at recommendations made to the Church following the independent review, which took place across Wales last year, and advise the Church on how they can be taken forward. The implementation group was appointed by the Governing Body of the Church and will report to it. It will review the recommendations and the responses received to them, draw up a timetable of action, act as a liaison point and monitor progress. Chairing the group will be Helen Biggin, director of the Welsh NHS Confederation. She is joined by the Bishop of Bangor, Andy John; business consultant James Turner; Nigel King, a market research professional; and Revd Paul Mackness, Vicar of the Benefice of Haverfordwest. All five are members of the Church’s Governing Body. Their first report will be made to the Governing Body’s Standing Committee in February. A full report on progress will then be made to each meeting of the whole Governing Body. Judge Philip Price, chairman of the Standing Committee, said, “We are very fortunate to have a group of talented and insightful people who between them bring a wide range of experience and ability to the task ahead and we are very grateful to them for giving their time and energy to it. Theirs will be a challenging job but one which will hopefully bring exciting changes, enabling the Church better to serve today’s Wales.” Mrs Biggin said, “This is a really exciting time for the Church in Wales. The Review Group has made some radical and challenging recommendations, which offer great opportunities. Together with an enthusiastic team, I am looking forward to helping meet these challenges and deliver the changes that will enable the Church to thrive as it serves communities throughout Wales.” Anna Morrell, Church in Wales Press Officer Woolly Hats for Sailors Prime Deacons

Husband and wife, David and Rhian The Mission to Seafarers invited people to “KEEP WARM THIS WINTER. WEAR A Prime, were ordained as deacons on WOOLLY HAT”. The congregation at St Paul’s, Newport, decided to support the idea 22nd December in St Nicholas, Trellech. and held a Coffee Morning to raise funds for the Mission. We ate and drank while David is a teacher and Rhian a Teaching wearing our woolly hats, there were hats to buy, and some of us sat and knitted Assistant and they were Methodist hats for the seafarers! The picture shows some of us wearing our hats and we were ministers for 25 years before joining pleased to send off £150 for their funds. Roberts the Anglican Church. West End Katy sings in Blaina The grouped parishes of Blaina and Nantyglo started Advent with a special fund-raising concert, hosted by the West End star and member of St Peter's, Katy Treharne. Katy has appeared in the West End, most recently in the musical 'Phantom of the Opera'. For the second year running, Katy included some of her fellow singers and musicians to present a musical experience that a packed St Peter's Church in Blaina thoroughly enjoyed. In the photograph (l-r) are Hannah Lake, Annatt Bass, Gillian Treharne (Katy's Mum and also a member of St Peter's), Katy Treharne (herself!), Avril Abraham (Katy's Grandmother - the longest-serving member of St Peter's), Ross Leadbeater, David Doidge and Kirsty Douglas. Missing from the photograph are Martin Dickinson and Nathan Lubbock-Smith. The concert raised over £2000 which benefited St Peter's and the Hospice of the Valleys. The next day the parishes started their Advent observance through the 'Darkness to Light' service at HolyTrinity & St Anne's, Nantyglo. We were all encouraged to look for 'God with us and God in us’, with the help of St Peter's Choir (none of whom have ever sang in the West End).

7 GAZETTE Music@StWoolos Two concerts at Newport Cathedral Appointments Tuesday 14th February at 7.30pm The Revd Gillian Williams, to be priest-in-charge (house for duty) of the Llanishen A Concert of Sacred Music Group of Parishes (date to be arranged) Sung by the Fitzhardinge Consort Directed by Tom Williams The Revd Christopher Stone, Team Vicar in the Rectorial Benefice to be Team Rector. Saturday 23rd February at noon Marimba Music Revd David Prime and Revd Rhian Prime, ordained 22nd December, to be Assistant from the Baron-Rose Duo Curates (NSM) in the parish of Trellech and Penallt. Admission Free with leaving collection Resignations Contact: Colin Jenkins 01633 259010 Revd Kevin Hasler, NSM priest-in-charge of the Llangwm Group of Parishes; to be licensed to the Raglan & Usk Deanery. Do you enjoy singing? Revd Alison Price, permanent deacon in the Magor Rectorial Benefice; on moving away. Cantorion Sanctaidd is a new choir that will The Revd Dr Stephen James, priest-in-charge of Goetre and Llanover; to continue start rehearsing this as Diocesan Director of Education. (Feb) year and will rehearse and perform a variety Revd Tony Turner, Team Vicar in the Rectorial Benefice of Cwmbran; on of sacred music, to retirement (end May) include the inspiring works of John Rutter. We will be holding rehearsals at Shaftesbury Congratulations Street Methodist Church, Newport, To Revd Keith Beardmore on the award of a Post Graduate Certificate in Sport and NP20 5JH on Wednesday evenings. Christian Outreach (Sports Chaplaincy) by the University of Gloucestershire. Our first rehearsal will be Wednesday 30 January at 7pm. To Mr Adrian Gillard on the award of the ’ Certificate of Merit in Church Music in recognition of his many years as organist at All Saints, Newport, This is an opportunity to get together with some like-minded people, have some fun, and Llanfrechfa. It will be presented at St Mary’s, Abergavenny, on Saturday, 27th and sing some spiritually uplifting music at April. the same time! We would love you to join us, whether or not you have previous To Mrs Christine Thomas, who worships at Newport Cathedral and who was singing experience. awarded the MBE in the New Year’s Honours List for services to the community in Newport. If you are interested please contact us via our website To James and Amy Henley of The LAB on the birth of Evangeline Susan (21 Jan) www.cantorion-sanctaidd.org.uk. You can also follow us on Facebook To Jean and Graham Morgan, members of St George's Church, Tredegar, who (facebook.com/cantorionsanctaidd) celebrated their Diamond Wedding Anniversary on the 10th January. and Twitter (twitter.com/csanctaidd). We are: Faith and the BIG Films: Life of Pi...Les Miserables.... Richard Price Damaris is an educational charity which provides free (St Hilda’s, Griffithstown – conductor) resources to help Christians of all denominations to and understand and apply the message of the Bible to the Caroline Davies challenges raised by contemporary popular culture - (St Mary’s, Magor – accompanist) and then to communicate this appropriately to those who do not share a Christian faith. Llangasty Retreat House is a place for www.damaris.org individuals and groups to develop their spirituality by means of retreats, The Climate Week Swap conferences and study groups. It has a It’s fun, it’s free and it’s up to programme of events or you can book it for Bishop Michael of Gloucester you. Join in with the Climate your own group. Alternatively, consider congratulates Revd Keith Week Swap during 4-10 March booking into Llangasty for a do-it-yourself Beardmore as he receives his 2013, by running your own walking retreat! www.llangasty.com Post Graduate Certificate in Sport Swap. For ideas and to register your event online visit and Christian Outreach. www.climateweek.com Tymawr Convent has a new website www.monmouthdiocese.org.uk www.tymawrconvent.org

Editor: Articles should be no more than 300 words. Diocesan Newsletter: Revd Janet Bone 07748 344161 Pictures should be professional prints or in [email protected] digital .jpg format. Next Issue Diocesan Office, 64 Caerau Rd, Newport NP20 4HJ Pictures of children must have parental Copy date: 28 February consent for publication in print and on the Publication: 21 March Your contributions are welcomed. internet.

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