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Church News
Newyddion Eglwysig Mis Hydref 2020/October 2020 50c/p - rhifyn
ar-lein am ddim/online edition free
Our new Mission Area Leader, the Revd Sam Erlandson, writes:
It is really good to have joined this wonderful Mission Area in
this wonderful part of Wales. Let us always be mindful of the fact
that no matter how difficult it may be to be the church in the 21st
century, and no matter how difficult our covid
times may be, we live in a beautiful place, looked upon
enviously by many people from other parts of the country. I feel
really blessed by God to have been called to this particular part
of God’s church and to this particular part of God’s world. I pray
that the Holy Spirit will empower and guide us throughout this next
chapter.
We live in scary times. Who knew that 2020 would bring an event
which would cause more disaster, problems, and division than
Brexit?! Even more so, is what comes after coronavirus? What will
the church look like? What will society look like? This is so
difficult in a society where we enjoy control and quantifiable
data. We seem to be looking at the future blind, simply taking one
day at a time, waiting anxiously for the next Drakeford/Johnson
announcement.
However, a passage from scripture which is very close to my
heart and attitude is Isaiah 11: 1: “A shoot will come up from the
stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.”
This gives me such hope because that shoot which grew from that
stump is Jesus Christ. And the fruits of the Spirit, which he
bears, are there for all of us to feast upon. Isaiah is also
distinguishing the importance of the root. From the roots will come
the growth.
When we take a mighty oak tree and cut it right at the base, if
the base is still firmly rooted and receiving its nutrients, you
will not be able to stop it from growing back. The tree, which has
been cut away, can contain 50 litres of water. It will therefore
remain a mighty oak for some time, and even contain its leaves.
However, if it has no roots, and is not being fed, you will not
stop it from dying.
I think that difficult times may lie ahead for the Church.
However, we as a Mission Area, need to be rooted in the Gospel of
Jesus Christ. We need to keep taking in our nutrients of the Holy
Spirit through active lives of prayer. This is where I want us to
start. To be a Mission Area grounded in prayer, ensuring that we
are rooted in our faith. Whatever the future holds for us, as long
as we are a people of prayer, rooted in the Gospel, being fed by
the Holy Spirit, you will not stop us from growing!
All Saints, Deganwy • St Cystennin’s, Mochdre • St David’s,
Penrhyn Bay • St Doged’s, Llanddoged St Ffraid’s, Glan Conwy • St
Grwst’s, Llanrwst • St Hilary’s, Llanrhos • St Martin’s,
Eglwysbach
St Michael and All Angels, Llandudno Junction • St Paul’s,
Craig-y-Don
www.aberconwy.church
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What is happening in the Mission Area? Be’ sy’n digwydd yn yr
Ardal Genhadol?
We list below the regular services in the Mission Area. Things
do keep changing, so please keep an eye on the regular email
messages and the Pew News for any updates.
Who is our MAL? (Mission Area Leader) Hello, I’m Sam. When I was
ordained, I was the youngest Priest in Wales. And now, I’m the
youngest Mission Area Leader in Wales. Thankfully, the role God
appoints me to isn’t dependent upon age, experience, nor skills,
but upon the enabling and sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit.
I come here with my wife, Karen and my children Rhiannon, Anwen,
Ieuan, and Gwen. Karen and I originally come from Wrexham, being
high school sweethearts. During secondary school I was a
very keen rugby player, playing for county and region. At the
same time, during sixth form, I was Organist and Choirmaster of
Ruabon Roman Catholic church. I trained as a rugby coach and
coached for a time at the Cardiff Blues academy. I went to Bangor
University to train as a teacher, whilst Karen went to Lampeter to
study History. Whilst at university I studied a Choral scholarship
at Bangor Cathedral followed by an Organ Scholarship under Andrew
Goodwin.
After we graduated, Karen and I got married, and went straight
down to Cardiff as I began training for the priesthood. I served
for a time at the chaplaincy at Cardiff prison, and then after
ordination, served my curacy at Llay, Rossett, and IsyCoed. I was
then appointed to Rhostyllen and Poyser St, Wrexham, where I had to
take on two churches that had hit rock bottom and were both facing
closure. Thanks be to God, His Holy Spirit turned that round and we
saw some amazing fruit coming from those two churches.
Which brings us here. Let us all pray, that we continue to sit
in amazement of what God’s Holy Spirit can do!
Sunday services: All the services in church are Eucharists
unless otherwise stated, and services at Eglwysbach, Glan Conwy and
Llanrwst are bilingual. Current regulations mean face masks must be
worn in church.
St Hilary’s Llanrhos 8 am, 11 am. Also online reflection for the
time being 6.30 pm Evening Service (format to be decided but Cymun
Bendigaid 18th October) St Michael & All Angels Llandudno
Junction 9.30 am St Paul’s Craig-y-Don 9.45 am (also streamed and
available on Facebook and YouTube channels) Also online
Seven-Minute service St David’s Penrhyn Bay 10 am St Grwst’s
Llanrwst 10.30 am (also incorporating Zoom) All Saints Deganwy 11
am (also available on Facebook and YouTube channels) Also monthly
online Contemporary Service (11th October this month) posted on All
Saints’
and St Michael’s Facebook pages. St Martin’s Eglwysbach 2 pm
Weekday Services: All Saints Deganwy Wednesday 10 am Also weekly
midweek meditation posted on All Saints’ and St Michael’s Facebook
pages St Ffraid’s Glan Conwy Wednesday 10 am St Paul’s Craig-y-Don
Thursday 10.30 am
Open for private prayer: St Martin’s Eglwysbach Tuesdays 2-4 pm.
St Grwst’s Church, Llanrwst Mondays 10am–12 noon and Thursdays
11-12 noon St Ffraid’s Glan Conwy Saturdays 10-12 noon
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Other services, reflections etc. continue on line (see St Asaph
Diocese and Cathedral and The Church in Wales websites) and there
are various broadcast services on BBC1, S4C, Radio 3 and 4, Radio
Cymru and Radio Wales.
Bible Briefs online The study group (also incorporating the
evening Koinonia group) now meets on the first and third Thursdays
of the month at 7.30 pm by Zoom - 1st and 15th October. Please let
Juliet know on [email protected] if you would like a Zoom
invitation – it is never too late to join us as we continue with
our study of the Gospel of Mark. ‘Jesus said to him, “If you can
believe, all things are possible to him that believes”. (Mark
9:23)
The Julian Group continues at 8 pm on Monday evenings by Zoom -
contact Juliet on [email protected] if you would like to be sent
the link.
Open Table People are keeping in touch and hope that it might be
possible to meet for a service some time soon.
WhatsApp prayer group set up for prayer and to share reflections
- contact Juliet on [email protected] for details.
MISSION AREA CLERGY: Rev Sam Erlandson (Mission Area Leader) -
01492 473252
Rev Juliet Fraser - 01492 596655 Rev Dr Godfrey Chigumira -
01492 543706 Rev Sarah Hildreth-Osborn - 01492 640032
Rev Ben Lines - 07912 491495
PARISH OFFICE: Penrhyn Beach East, Llandudno, LL30 3NT - 01492
541615 - [email protected]
(Mandy is working from both the office and home but replying to
emails and telephone calls)
For other contact details please see back page
PRAYING FOR GROWTH
By Zoom - Thursday 15th October at 2 pm This will be accessed by
Zoom invitation so please contact Juliet now on [email protected]
if you would like to join us as we gather for prayer for the
mission of our churches during this challenging time. If you cannot
be with us, may we ask you to include the LyCiG (Leading your
Church into Growth) prayer in your personal devotion that day:
God of mission who alone brings growth to your church, send your
Holy Spirit to give vision to our planning wisdom to our actions,
and power to our witness. Help our church to grow in numbers, in
spiritual commitment to you, and in service to our local community.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Our Mission Area is the subject of prayer in the second half of
October in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer. It is good to know that
the Teulu Asaph joins us in praying together.
mailto:[email protected]%20mailto:[email protected]%20mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]%20
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Harvest is a time to give thanks and praise to God for all his
blessings as well as making ourselves more aware of all the people
involved in the processing of the food we eat, and for those much
less fortunate. This year, as a Mission Area, we will be collecting
for the Food Bank, and also nappies, toiletries and towels for the
women's refuge. Individual churches also take a monetary collection
for a charitable cause so please look out for information on that
when you are in church.
Harvest dates this year are: Sunday 4th October - All Saints
Deganwy, St Michael’s & All Angels Llandudno Junction, St
Hilary’s Llanrhos, St Grwst’s Llanrwst and St Martin’s Eglwysbach
Wednesday 7th October - St Ffraid’s Glan Conwy Sunday 11th October
- St Paul’s Craig y Don Sunday 25th October - St David’s Penrhyn
Bay I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of
these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me! Matthew
25:40
All Saints to St Grwst’s... and back!
The Revd Ben Lines writes:
Many of you will already know that I am a runner. Running has
become a major part of my well-being and over the last couple of
years I have been bitten by the marathon bug. I was due to run 3
marathons this year but COVID has seen all of my planned races
cancelled or re-scheduled for next year which may not seem
significant to most but it has been a hit to my morale. I find
myself still in need of a challenge so have signed up to run a
‘Virtual Marathon’. On Saturday 31st October I will be running from
All Saints Deganwy to St Grwst’s, Llanrwst … and back! I will be
running as part of our Harvest appeal to raise funds for Conwy
Foodbank. I am conscious of so many people who have been affected
and will continue to be affected by COVID which has left many
people in desperate need and Foodbanks have seen a big increase in
people accessing their services. They are in need of our help with
food donations and donations of money and so I wanted to do
something to help those in need. It’s a win win
situation. If anyone would like to sponsor my run I would be
very grateful, with all monies going to the Conwy Foodbank. I am in
the process of setting up a giving page online and will circulate
those details as soon as it is ready. Donations can also be made
though Mandy at the Mission Area Office or they can contact me via
phone or email to pledge sponsorship.
I am also wanting the run to be prayerful and symbolic of the
unity between the coast and valley churches. If you want any more
information then please do get in touch. Thanks, Ben
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WANTED! Website curator / administrator
Do you want to help people find out
about our Mission Area online?
In the last 30 days, 414 unique visits were made to the website,
with 548 visits in total (some people on the site more than once).
The website needs updating little and often, for example adding Pew
News weekly, the magazine monthly and other updates as needed.
Standard time required is about 30 minutes a week. However, it
can take longer if there are
big changes eg start of lockdown, and there is scope to improve
the website if you want to.
No existing website management skills are needed and I will give
training. This could be a great opportunity to learn a new skill.
I'm very happy to have a chat about what is involved,
with no commitment required! Please email me (Jane) at
[email protected] if you have questions or would like to arrange a
chat.
Editor’s Note: Jane has been looking after the website for some
time now, and moving to London didn’t stop her carrying on doing a
very good job for us. Unfortunately (for us) she is now likely to
be going abroad and that does mean that we need to find someone to
take over. Do think about whether you or someone you know might be
able to take this on, and contact Jane (details above) for a
chat.
The Revd Sarah Hildreth Osborn writes: After well over a year of
being closed to visitors, St Grwst's Church is now planning to
reopen to general visitors from 5th October! We have been closed
since July 2019 when we embarked on a major building project to
restore and reorder St Grwst's, which has now been completed
We will be opening from 1pm to 3pm on Mondays and Thursdays to
start with, and
initially, admission will be by (free) ticket only, in order to
manage numbers due to Covid-19. You can book your tickets online at
https://buytickets.at/stgrwstchurch
We will also be starting guided tours on Monday afternoons at
3pm. The cost for this is just £3.00 per person for the one hour
tour and includes some fascinating information on the church,
history of the Wynne family and Gwydir Chapel, together with a
visit to the rood loft above our historic rood screen - which has
not been open to the public before! There are only 6 places
available on each tour to ensure social distancing - book your
place today at https://buytickets.at/stgrwstchurch
ST GRWST'S CHURCH IS READY TO REOPEN TO VISITORS!
Pictured left: The interior of St Grwst’s church, showing chairs
socially distanced in preparation for services which recommence on
Sunday 4th October with Harvest Festival at 10.30 a.m.
mailto:[email protected]://buytickets.at/stgrwstchurchhttps://buytickets.at/stgrwstchurchhttps://buytickets.at/stgrwstchurchhttps://buytickets.at/stgrwstchurch
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News from the Mission Area Newyddion o’r Ardal Genhadol
Please continue to pray for Ysgol Bodafon and all the schools in
our area. These are trying times for everyone - staff, governors,
pupils and parents - as they try to keep the schools
open for the children and cope with the usual autumn sniffles
and coughs which now set alarm bells ringing and bring testing and
isolating into the mix. The Choir at St Paul’s are nothing if not
intrepid. Here they can be seen at socially distanced and outdoor
choir practice - thermals at the ready?
THE PARISH OFFICE
Please note that the PARISH OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED in the week
beginning 12th October, re-opening on Tuesday 20th.
Mandy is taking some well-earned holiday, though sadly not in
Portugal which was the original plan.
GAN Y GOLYGYDDION - FROM THE EDITORS
The magazine is circulated by email at present. (A few hard
copies are available if absolutely necessary - contact Mandy at the
Parish Office.)
Please submit any items that you think of interest, perhaps
something that has resonated with you, or news from around the
church family or further afield. Welsh language items welcome
(bilingual or with a brief summary in the other language.
Please send items to [email protected] or to the Parish
Office. Diolch yn fawr - thank you very much.
It seems a long time ago, but on Sunday 6th September Bishop
Gregory came to St Paul’s Church Craig-y-Don to License the Revd
Sam Erlandson as Mission Area Leader, in front of a socially
distanced congregation representing all the churches of the Mission
Area. As the Bishop said, the quiche and cakes and chat were
missing, but nevertheless the welcome to Sam and his family was
heartfelt.
LOVELY COINCIDENCE Doreen Owen writes: One Sunday when St
Hilary's was open for Private Prayer a couple of visitors joined us
as they were celebrating their Golden Wedding - married in St
Hilary's on 7th September 1970. They now living in Sutton Coldfield
but periodically spend a few days holiday in Llandudno and join us
at our 11 am service. They brought their wedding album with
them.
During that morning John Lawson Reay came in for a brief time -
he had never previously been in church despite living in Llanrhos.
As the couple were leaving I saw the photographer's stamp on the
back of the album "John Lawson Reay". As they left I took a photo
(right), which is now on Friends of St Hilary's Face book page and
also sent to the photographer.
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The Revd Juliet Fraser writes: Our Churches now have a slightly
new look, following the installation of a wide screen TV. It was
decided that as we can no longer give out Service Books and because
printing service sheets each week is both expensive and not very
environmentally friendly, this would be a good alternative. Our
services can now be followed on screen. I am pleased to say that
the picture and sound quality are so good that this is proving a
success in our churches. It is also a useful additional resource,
which will enhance our opportunity to explore how we may be able to
produce more contemporary services, particularly (though not only)
our non-Eucharist services. All services are currently recorded and
can be found on our Facebook pages.
All Saints Church We have been pleased to welcome back our
organist Jeff Wright. We know Jeff has missed playing as much as we
have missed listening. We can now have our organ music at the
beginning and end of our services, and also whilst everyone
receives communion. This makes for a lovely reflective time during
our services both at 11 am on Sunday and our mid-week Eucharist on
Wednesday at 10 am. Welcome back Jeff!
St Michaels and All Angels Our church is now open for services
(despite what you may have read in the local paper), which are also
being followed on our TV screen. It has been such a blessing being
able to actually meet together in worship. However, we do not know
when our groups will be able to meet in our hall again but we are
keeping in touch with them all, and pray it will not be too long
before it is safe for them to return.
May I ask that you also keep our groups in your prayers for they
are all part of our church community.
They are:
Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Scouts, Cubs, Scottish Dancers,
Wiggle and Gigglers, Parkinson Support Group and Recorder Group
Please also pray for the Dementia Café, and Cancer Support Group
who normally meet in All Saints.
Heavenly Father, only you know what lies ahead. You are our good
Father, just and righteous. Though our circumstances are so
different at the moment, and we cannot be a place where our groups
can meet, we know you are always our unwavering protector and
shield. We ask for your blessings upon them all, keep them safe,
may they know during these uncertain and ever-changing times that
you are constantly with those who call to you. Amen
All Saints Church Deganwy and St Michaels & All Angels
Llandudno Junction
Pictured above: The new TV screen in place at All Saints Church,
Deganwy. You probably can’t read it from here , but it says “Go in
peace to love and serve the Lord - In the name of Christ -
Amen”.
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Conwy Food Bank [email protected]
facebook.com/conwyfoodbank 01492 471793 10-4 pm
Please continue to support the Food Banks - demand is likely to
increase during the autumn. Donations can be left at the places
listed below or you can donate financially - contact telephone or
email as above for details - and this month there is the extra
opportunity to support Ben in his marathon run (see page 4)!
29 Roumania Drive, Craig-y-Don (in porch) 1a Penrhyn Park,
Penrhyn Bay Tel 07917 877062 (outside the garage) 19 Albert Drive,
Deganwy (in porch)
For Ty Hapus and Hope Restored food banks - in the porch at 103
Queens Road, Craig y Don, or at “Ty Hapus” (old John Bright school
sports hall, Cwm Road Llandudno, 10 - 4 pm Monday to Friday.
All banks need tinned meat and fish, pasta, pasta sauces, tinned
vegetables and soup, dried potato, rice, tea, coffee, sugar,
noodles, cereals, long life milk, biscuits, jam etc., or monetary
donations will be most gratefully received.
Local Matters - Petha’ Lleol
Conwy Single Point of Contact number
01492 575544 Llinell ar agor rhwng 9 am a 5 pm
Lines open between 9 am and 5 pm
Ydych chi, neu ydych chi’n adnabod rhywun mewn angen neu’n
hunanynysyu un ystod y cyfnod anodd ac ansicr hwn?
Darganfyddwch beth sydd ar gael o fewn eich cymuned:
Are you, or do you know someone in need, or self-isolating
during this difficult and uncertain time?
Find out what is available within your community.
Update: The phone line remains in place so that residents
can be signposted towards support as needed.
Now more than ever we should be trying to support Fair Trade
initiatives, as the world struggles with the effects of the
coronavirus pandemic.
Kingdom Krafts in Madoc Street is open Thursdays, Fridays and
Saturdays from 9.30 am - 5 pm.
Please check the website for future opening times:
http://www.fairtradeandchristianshop.wales/ Fair Trade products are
also available online.
Regular Giving to our churches Whether we are in our church
buildings or not the life and mission of the church still needs
practical as well as prayerful support. Thank you to all those who
are keeping up their giving during these difficult times whether or
not you are physically coming to services or to pray. For ways to
give without attending church, please contact Mission Area
Treasurer Ann Harty (01492 546039 or [email protected]) - or
use Gift Direct through the Church in Wales website (link on its
home page). At “Parish Church” put your church followed by
‘Aberconwy Mission Area’.
If you are attending a church service there will be a plate or
basket out where you can leave your offering (collections cannot be
taken in the usual way due to the current restrictions). As with so
many other areas of life, church income has fallen and we need to
restore this as soon as we can, to ensure that the church is able
to continue to witness to the Good News in this place.
http://www.fairtradeandchristianshop.wales/
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Yr Eglwys Ehangach The Wider Church
Ordination Sue Storey (who did part of her training at St
Paul’s) and the Mission Area Leader’s brother are among nine new
priests to be ordained in St Asaph Cathedral on Saturday 3rd
October. As with the ordinations of deacons, there will not be a
congregation and the service will be streamed online. Please
remember in your prayers Gareth Erlandson, Sally Harper, Andy and
Rachel Kitchen, Simon Piercy, Chris Spencer, Sue Storey, Carol
Thomas and James Tout.
Dates in October:
Llandudno Cytûn Council The next meeting is on Tuesday 6th
October at 10 am by Zoom. (A link will be circulated closer to the
event). Apologies to those who cannot access Zoom - perhaps they
could appoint a substitute for the time being?
Invitation To Join The Conversation
Cytûn are inviting you and hope you will invite others from your
church to join the
conversation starting from the question:
What has been your experience of lockdown and what have you
learnt about your faith
during this time?
At the July Cytûn meeting there was a discussion of “Building
Back Better” after the health crisis and after initial meetings
others are now invited to join the conversation.
Sometimes moments of disjuncture in our history such as wars and
plagues have given rise to new understandings of our faith.
Covid-19 has disrupted people’s personal lives, family lives and
financial security. Our church communities have also been
disrupted. Some are open for worship, some are just opening and
some have yet to reach this point. There are ministerial vacancies
and new clergy. Nearly all fellowship activity has been curtailed.
Online activity has increased but not everything we do
lends itself to the online format and not everyone has online
access. The health crisis and lockdown have caused us to reflect on
our lives and our faith and we wonder what the experience has been
for others and where this may lead us.
This is an open ended discussion as we seek where the Spirit may
be leading us. We envisage offering both a physical socially
distanced meeting and an online Zoom meeting according to
preference and anticipate that the discussion will be in English
but are also conscious that there are sometimes moods, feelings and
faith understandings in Welsh that do not easily translate and we
welcome these. The first meetings will be held on Tuesday 20th
October at 10 am and 7 pm, online.
If you or someone you know is interested, please email or phone
Mike Harrison as soon as possible (also contact Mike re Cytûn
meeting) [email protected] 01492 870701 07910 141410
Diocesan Conference 2020 The Diocesan Conference will still be
taking place on Saturday 10th October as planned, but as a very
different event this year, holding the Conference via Zoom which
offers some exciting possibilities! It will be a morning only
event, opening at 9.30am for a 10 am start and finishing at 1 pm.
(Chuch representatives will be sent the link)
The theme is “The Unexpected Journey” and it is hoped that this
will give an opportunity to reflect on the road that we’ve
travelled together as the Teulu Asaph over the last few months and
where God might be calling us in the future.
Bishop Ric Thorpe, the Bishop of Islington, will be the keynote
speaker. (Bishop Ric focuses on church planting and supporting
newly established worshipping communities both within London and at
a national level, serving as a resource for the whole Church of
England.)
mailto:[email protected]
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IZIKO LOBOMI Some may remember Rhoscystennin’s link with Hout
Bay on the Cape Peninsular in South Africa containing within its
parish boundary the community of Llandudno. For many years we had a
collection at Harvest for the work of the churches in the township
of Iziko Lobomi which over the years has grown like Topsy. The Ven
Bob Griffiths has continued to support them and a small group
visited there in 2014, and he thought people might be interested in
the latest news on what is happening in the township which many
used to support.
They suffered a fire in 2019 and again this September (see
above) which devastated homes and left many without even their
closest treasures - before firefighters could put the latest blaze
out 270 homes were destroyed leaving 800 men, women and children
homeless. Now, of course, they also have to deal with Covid-19
which is rife in the townships. The Christian Centre does great
work enabling people to obtain skills which will equip them for
possible work but again, at the moment, Covid-19 is devastating the
tourist industry, as here, with the result that there is little or
no work in that sector.
Hennie Jacobs, HBCCA (Hout Bay Christian Community Association)
writes: It has been a while since our last Newsletter and we
thought it a good idea to touch base with you. People who have an
interest in an organisation like the HBCCA Iziko Lobomi are of a
very special, rare breed - non-mainstream people. Each one has
their own story to tell in how they crossed paths with us, what
inspired them and how they got involved - some only a few months
ago and others right from start, almost 25 five year ago. Our
friends and supporters are men and women from different
backgrounds, racial and ethnic
groups, countries, languages, etc. but all have one thing in
common: a mutual, inherent desire and motivation to be involved in
a cause solely for the joy and personal fulfilment they get from it
- an urge to play a role in making a positive difference in other
people’s lives. Nothing else in it for them, no rewards, no
prizes.
LATEST NEWS - We have updated our website and would like to
invite you to read all about the joys and sorrows our community
experienced in the past couple of months. We have one special item,
which is not really news, which is merely to cheer you up! So, make
sure to check it out. Be warned, you will need your dancing shoes
and a good sound system! :-)
http://hbcca.co.za/hbcca_news_2020.htm
JERUSALEMA Cheers up a COVID Bruised World
The song 'Jerusalema', a South African gospel song made in South
Africa by producer DJ and artist Master KG featuring Nomcebo Zikode
is currently taking the world by storm. When released in 2019 it
became an instant hit in South Africa after which it went viral and
inspired groups all around the world to enjoy some vibrant dancing
allowing them to forget about the sorrows of COVID-19.
We hope that the remainder of the year will be safe and filled
with joy for each one of you. God’s richest blessings, Warm
regards, Hennie
The new Traidcraft catalogue is out and can be accessed at
https://www.traidcraftshop.co.uk/ or contact Dilys Stone 01492
879997 or [email protected]. Small quantities (postage free)
can be ordered through Dilys and a percentage of the order value
will be donated to your church.
'A Cheerful Heart is Good Medicine' Proverbs 17:22
http://hbcca.co.za/hbcca_news_2020.htmhttps://www.traidcraftshop.co.uk/
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Afterthoughts - Ôl-Feddyliau
Y Wers Fach James Berry writes: Following on from my
piece in last month’s magazine, I am considering some sessions
on Zoom to help people with understanding more of the Welsh in our
services. They’ll give people a taste of the language and some
facts about Welsh history and culture. (If you are interested,
contact James through the Editor at [email protected].) As I
said, you can’t live in Wales without absorbing some knowledge of
the language. Most drivers slow down just on seeing “Araf”, While
Ysgol and Ysbyty are well known also.
I meet many people who attend services in our Mission Area who
are interested in the language, supportive of it and who would like
to learn more.
So try this Gwers Fach (Little Lesson) and see how you get on.
Remember, Welsh is a romance language, so we say “Morning Good” -
“Bore da”.
Sometimes you may hear Bore da pawb - Good morning everyone You
may hear Croeso - Welcome Croeso pawb - Welcome everyone Croeso
cynnes - A warm welcome Priest - Bore da; People - Bore da Priest –
Croeso! Croeso cynnes i bawb
You can also try the following Prynhawn da - Good afternoon
Noswaith dda - Good Evening Nos da - Good Night
In many places in the North you may hear “Croeso Tad” literally
“Welcome father”. This is a contraction from medieval times when we
would have said “Croeso yn enw’r tad” “welcome in the name of the
father”.
I recently challenged people in Llansanffraid Glan Conwy, to
greet the first person they met with “Bore Da” instead of “Good
Morning”. The results were great and that one little phrase for
many people has opened a flood gate of stored Welsh. So next time
you are in church try it!
World Mental Health Day - 10th October
This year’s theme - Mental health for all
This global health emergency has also impacted on the mental
health of millions. Anxiety, fear, isolation, social distancing and
restrictions, uncertainty and emotional distress - all have become
widespread as the world struggles to bring the virus under
control.
For once people are talking about mental health, and this is a
good thing. We all deserve to feel safe and supported when talking
about our mental health but too often that mental health stigma
leaves people feeling isolated and ashamed. It can stop people
getting support, employment or having open conversations.
Be open and alert to what your friend, relative or neighbour is
saying, and take care of your own mental health too.
Some tips for these times (some easier to follow than others)
collected from a variety of sources - the Editor takes no
responsibility for their effectiveness!:
keep your mind on the present, and stop trying to predict what
will happen; don’t grieve for your past life; physically move
throughout the day; see people in real life; don’t take out your
frustrations on others; maintain perspective; have a routine, it
helps you feel more in control; do more of your own thing; if you
are shielding self care must be a priority; be as connected up as
you can be; chat with neighbours from a distance; buddy up with
someone, and if things are hard arrange to call each other;
meditate for 15 seconds; do some yoga or similar exercise; eat
pro-biotics; limit your sugar intake; make phone calls that
matter.
