Peninsula Papers Information and news for the communities of St Ishmaels, Hasguard, Herbrandston, Robeston West, Dale, St Brides and Marloes. DECEMBER 2013 & JANUARY 2014 A Happy Christmas and New Year to all our readers Produced by the Church in Wales Parishes of St Ishmaels, Hasguard, Herbrandston, Robeston West, Dale and St Brides with Marloes. The Church in Wales Parishes of Dale, St Brides with Marloes, Herbrandston, Robeston West & Hasguard with St Ishmael's Parish Priest Contact Alan Chadwick, Area Dean 01646 600227 Postal Address: The Vicarage, Llanstadwell SA73 1E1EBB Church Wardens Dale: Mil Reynolds 636671, Billy Bevan 636335 St Brides: Mary Lewis 636430, Peter Evans 636366 Marloes: Yvonne Evans 636251 St Ishmaels: Richard Neale 636802, Heather Phippen 636261 Herbrandston: Josie Owens 697658, Sylvia Davey 695843 Robeston West: Gill Thorne 01437 890693, Geoffrey Harries 01646 692736 Baptist Chapels: Moriah --- Marloes and Aenon --- Sandy Hill The Revd Paul Bartlett 01646 692084 LOCAL SERVICES SHOPS: Marloes Village Store : 01646 636968 Open: Mon-Sat 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Sun 9.00 am - 2:00 pm The Taberna, Herbrandston: 01646 693498 Mon-Fri 8:00 am-6:00 pm, Sat 8:00-12:30, Sun 9:00 am-11:30 am Post Office: Mon-Sat 9:00 am - 5:30 pm MOBILE LIBRARY: St. Ishmaels, Marloes, Dale and Herbrandston Dec 19th 2014: Jan 30th 2015 (see article for locations and times) Contact 01437 776126 or 07774 230200 (van) MOBILE POST OFFICE: Tuesday: St Ishmaels 14:00—15:00 Dale 15:15—16:15 Thursday: St Ishmaels 13:00—14:00 Dale 14:15—15:15 FOR HIRE CONTACTS FOR HALL HIRE: THE CORONATION HALL AND JUBILEE Marloes: SUITE DALE Nesta Watts 01646 636411 Herbrandston: Mavis Steer 01646 694780 St Ishmaels Memorial Hall: Yvonne Evans 01636 636251 St Ishmaels Sports & Social BOOKINGS: CLAIRE GARNISH 01646 636836 Club: Phil Devonald 01646 636546 or EMAIL- [email protected] Adrian Griffiths 01646 636752 Church News News of the next priest moving on to the Peninsula was received with joy when the following announcement was made in the churches on 9 th November: “The bishop is pleased to announce that after consultation with the Church Wardens he has decided to appoint The Reverend Andrew Johnson as your next Parish Priest. Andrew has accepted this appoint- ment and he with Rhiannon and Méabh look forward to living amongst you from 1 st February, which is the feast of St Brigid. The Bishop continues to pray for you all as we embark on this new beginning.” Andrew is currently incumbent of the parishes of Walton West, Talbenny and Haroldston, so he and his wife Rhiannon know and understand the area and are familiar to many in our communities. They will move into the Vicarage in Dale soon after the New Year, and the licensing service will be at St Brides at 2pm on Sunday 1 st February 2015. Rhiannon herself is ordained. However, she has a full-time job running the Diocese’s training programme for self supporting ministers and she will continue as priest in charge of Walwyn’s Castle, so we need to let her work out what time she will have to give to parish ministry on the peninsula. Some of the details are not finalised, but the future is certainly bright! The announcement in Herbrandston was slightly different, because they see their future more looking towards Hubberston, Milford and Steynton when it comes to the formation of Ministry Areas. With formal votes having been passed in the Parochial Church Councils of both Herbrandston and Hubberston, it is anticipated that by the end of January, or soon afterwards, Herbrandston will be under the care of Revd Andy Bookless, Rector of Hubberston. I hope that with the future known, there will be added reason to celebrate the joy of Christmas, and we are hugely indebted to the retired clergy and lay readers who are continuing up to the end of the January to provide consistently caring and thoughtful worship in church: Michael Ryall and Gaynor Ford in Dale and St Ishmael’s; David Reed and Bill Morse in Mar- loes and St Brides; Bill Lewis & Steve Traynor in Herbrandston and Robeston West. There are others as well whom we will need to thank (there have been extra responsibilities for our church wardens for example) but that can wait for another time. continued over page Please resist the temptation that some of you will feel to contact Andrew Johnson now about parish matters (or weddings or christenings). I know that some of you will want to talk to him about plans for next year, BUT please do not do that before 1 st Feb. It is only fair that he is able to devote himself to his current parishioners until he leaves them, and the family will need a bit of time to move and settle in. So, up until midnight on 31 st January, please direct any such queries to me. May you know this Christmas the peace of the presence of Christ both in the joys and, perhaps for some, in the struggles and even sorrows that are part of life: “to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour who is Christ the Lord” God bless. Alan Chadwick Area Dean of Roose 01646 600227, [email protected] Marloes, St. Brides and Dale Mothers Union Dates for the Diary. 2nd Dec. Advent Service 2.30pm at St. Katherine's, Milford Haven, followed by tea. 9th Dec. Christmas Lunch, Green's Restaurant. 12 for 12.30pm. 10th Jan. 2015 Festival of Light. Fishguard. 2pm 13th Jan. 2015 Our branch AGM and "Bring and Share " supper. Jubilee Suite. Dale. 7.30pm Harriet, Heather and Marina wish all our members a very Happy Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year, and we thank you all for your support each month at our meetings. Marina Titley (Sec) LIFE'S JOURNEYS BISHOP WYN'S CHRISTMAS MESSAGE What are you doing for Christmas this year? Are you perhaps travelling to see family? Or maybe they are they coming to visit you? Whatever it is, Christmas is a time of journeys for many of us. And indeed it has always been so. Moreover, where they take us - and what lies at their end - is not always entirely certain. I wonder what thoughts went through the minds of Mary and Joseph as they set out on their journey to Bethlehem two thou- sand years ago. The travelling itself must have been daunting enough - eighty miles of bad road, Mary heavily pregnant and riding on a donkey. But can they have imagined the awesome sequence of events that would stem from that moment, even knowing what they already knew? I too have been journeying extensively as I continue my pilgrim- age in the footsteps of Dewi Sant around our diocese. And I am constantly being surprised - and impressed - by what I find. I have seen so much variety - in both the places I have been and the people I have met. Dedication too, and joy. And all of it connects directly back to that epic journey that ended in the stable in Bethlehem; a journey that, for us as Christians today, marks the beginning. So, wherever your journey takes you this Christmas, let us always remember that it is but a step on our life's journey; a journey that leads us towards the light that shines in the love of Jesus our Saviour. And He is walking alongside us, every step of the way. Of that we can be certain. A Prayer at Christmas A Prayer for Children We thank you, Father, Thank you Lord Jesus for Christmas: Giver of all good things, for presents and parties, For the joy of this season of for secrets and surprises, Christmas, for Christmas trees and coloured For all the good news of a Savour, lights, And for the wonder for Crib Services and Nativity Plays. Of the Word made flesh, In all this excitement, Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. do not let us forget Amen that we do it in honour of your birth- day. Amen The Story of Christmas In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled. All went to be enrolled, each to his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to be delivered. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord shone round them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, “Be not afraid; for behold I bring you good news of great joy which will come to all people: for to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, Community Councils DALE South Hook Terminal – planning Dale Community Council – meeting enquiry – the Community Council has 3rd November, 2014: noted that the Secretary of State (in Among items discussed at this meeting: Westminster) has granted consent for the Sewerage plant issues – following the development of a combined heat and meeting between the Community Council power plant at the South Hook site – and Dwr Cymru Welsh Water (DCWW) overlooking Dale Bay.