Eglwys Sant Catwg: St Catwg’s Church

Eglwys Dewi Sant: St David’s Church,

Eglwys Sant Ellteyrn: St Ellteryn’s Church

The Magazine

of

The Parish of Pentyrch

with

Capel Llanilltern

Price £1

October 2012

Font cover at the

Parish Church

of St Mary the

Virgin on

Lindisfarne

(Holy Island).

Photograph from

Margaret

Pendlebury

2

THE PARISH OF PENTYRCH

VICAR Revd Michael John 02921403854

SUNDAY SERVICES for OCTOBER

St. Catwg’s Church, Pentyrch

11 a.m. Holy Eucharist (Except 2nd September)

14th October Holy Eucharist for Harvest

St. David’s Church, Groesfaen

14th October 9.30 a.m. Holy Eucharist for Harvest

14th October 6.00 p.m. Choral Evensong

21st October 9.30 a.m. Morning Prayer

28th October 9.30 a.m. Holy Eucharist

St Ellteyrn’s Church, Capel Llanilltern

7th October 9.30 a.m. Holy Eucharist

14th October 10.30 a.m. Morning Prayer

21st October 9.30 a.m. Holy Eucharist for Harvest

28th October 10.30 a.m. Morning Prayer

Parish Hall, Creigiau

7th October 10.30 a.m All age Holy Eucharist for Harvest

4th November 10.30 a.m. All age Holy Eucharist

WEEKDAYS

St. Catwg’s Wednesdays 10.00 a.m. Holy Eucharist

St. David’s Tuesday 10.00 a.m. Holy Eucharist

Other services as announced

BAPTISM, HOLY MATRIMONY, BANNS OF MARRIAGE

Contact the Revd Michael John on the above number.

Articles for the magazine can be E-mailed to: johngoughpentyrch@btinternet.com by the 10th of the month.

You can also contact me on: 029 20891721

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Let there be light Dear Friends,

I recently overheard part of a conversation between some children at the end of an

assembly I had taken in a local school. One child was asking the other “So, do you

believe in science or God?” It seems that some of our young children genuinely be-

lieve that one has the make the choice between the two. More disturbing is that

among adults too there is a perception that this is the simple choice that each of us

must make if we are to hold some kind of

intellectual integrity in the 21st century.

So It may surprise some of you that I feel

bound to start this reflection by paying trib-

ute to a handful of people whose names in

the public domain are synonymous with

secular materialism. Most famous of these

is Richard Dawkins who was previously

Professor of Public Understanding of Sci-

ence at Oxford. There are two main reasons

I feel it’s important to acknowledge the

campaigning work of Dawkins and some of

his fellow high profile atheists:

First, that he (they) have done an extraordinarily effective job of convincing large

numbers of the population in this country and beyond that science and religious faith

are at two opposing ends of a spectrum. Religious faith sits at one end embraced by

deluded and irrational people, and science at the other, the preserve of free-thinking

rationalists. Such is the success of this concerted campaign in recent years that peo-

ple like me, who set out to focus on the most fruitful aspects of the relationship be-

tween science and Faith, dare not avoid addressing their assumption. If I ignore it I

would be accused of burying my head in the sand. So I feel bound to acknowledge

Professor Dawkins in particular, who is undoubtedly a brilliant scientist, writer and

self-publicist.

The second reason is related to the first. These people have forced the hand of Faith

communities to look again deeply at the relationship between Religious belief and

Science. As a result there is now in the public domain a wealth of honest, intelligent,

well-researched literature on the subject offered by scientists, philosophers and theo-

logians who are practicing people of faith. These may sound like defensive tributes,

perhaps they are, but we should be comforted that there is good precedent for this.

Any Church historians and students of doctrine will tell you that the Christian

Church has always discovered greater depths of truth about the Faith when it has had

to face and answer the challenges of opposition, criticism or heresy. So perhaps we

owe these people a debt of gratitude as they encourage us to look deeper at what we

believe and why we believe it.

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It’s no coincidence that the resurgence over the past few years of the view that there

is a necessary conflict between science and religion coincided with two things : the

remarkable work of those involved in searching for the ‘God particle’ with the

hadron collider; and the relatively recent celebrations of the 150th anniversary of the

publication of On the Origen of Species. The tired old drum was beaten loud and

hard again announcing that 1859 was the pivotal moment when science and reason

truly began to wrestle itself free from the tyrannous grip of irrational religious doc-

trine. So perhaps it’s also time for some of us from the Faith community to say

once again what many of us have believed all along : Darwin was a remarkable

genius of a man. His theory of evolution was and is a beautiful, and even dare I say,

‘holy’ idea. Most importantly not one jot of it need compromise a Christian belief

in a transcendent, loving and immanent God.

As a self-confessed disciple of Darwin, Dawkins has gone on with some colleagues

to suggest that evolution by natural selection is so complete and robust an idea that

it can be extended to become a theory of almost everything. The argument is that

alongside the biological theory which operates under the principle of the survival of

the fittest, whereby information is transmitted through genes, there is a cultural

equivalent by which information is transmitted through something that has been

termed ‘memes’. So religion, in his opinion, is a cultural virus that infects groups of

people and leads us to believe things that are demonstrably untrue. It will eventu-

ally die out as the superior cultural ‘memes’ (rationality) will prevail given suffi-

cient time. It is a clever idea. But as some of our less well known but equally great

minds have pointed out ‘memetics’ as it’s called has some shortcomings : primarily

that as yet no such ‘meme’ has been identified, but more fundamental is the prob-

lem that if everything is a cultural or intellectual strategy for survival then surely

memetics and indeed all science falls into that category too.

So when someone asks ‘Do you believe in science or God?’ it is a really a non-

question. These are not rival interpretations of the way the world and universe

works. In our creeds when we state ‘We believe in God...” we are declaring that we

put our trust in God who is the source of all things, we are not trying to explain

something in the way science seeks to explain the observable Universe.

Scientists and Faith communities essentially ask different questions, but they also

draw on each other. Scientific endeavour operates within a moral framework, but

this is not a framework that generates itself. So when we consider what is to be

done about nuclear power or embryo research, it is clear that the scientist does not

work within a moral vacuum. We as a society must decide what may appropriately

be done with the possibilities that science offers us. Whilst it is true that morality

and ethics are not the preserve of the Faith communities, at the very heart of the

Christian Gospel at least is the belief that there is a worth and value in the created

order that transcends the ‘logical’ principles of usefulness. It is hard to pinpoint

where such a ‘worth’ view finds its basis and source, but Christians understand it as

God-given and exemplified in the life and teaching of Jesus.

I am not in the business of playing the numbers game (how many scientists are on

our side) but for the sake of balance I do think it’s worth noting that there are a

5

great many erudite scientists today who are people of faith. Not only do they see no

fundamental conflict between the two areas of their life, but they often write and

speak eloquently on how their faith has played a central part in energising their jour-

ney into science.

During the 16th and 17th centuries many of the most significant scientific break-

throughs were due in large part to the efforts of ordained clergy. These were the fore-

runners of Darwin. You might think that they were the very people who were privi-

leged enough to have access to the time and resources that made such advances and

discoveries possible. That may be true, but it seems that few, if any, felt that what

they were doing and discovering fundamentally undermined any of the truths that

were the basis of their living faith in God.

Christians surely believe in (put our trust in) a God who delights in our human explo-

ration and our Jacob-like wrestling with deep questions. But I finish with a quote

from a modern theologian followed by some suggestions for further reading for those

interested in this subject.

“...Of course we can offer a reasoned defence of faith, but the impulse to follow

Christ to Golgotha comes from an altogether deeper and more mysterious place”.

John Polkinhorne, Exploring Reality: The Intertwining of Science and Religion

(SPCK 2005)

Alistair Mcgrath, : Dawkins’ God: Genes, Memes and the Meaning of Life. (Oxford:

Blackwell, 2004)

With J C McGrath ; The Dawkins Delusion? Atheist Fundamentalism and the Denial

of the Divine.. (London: SPCK, 2007).

Keith Ward : Why There Almost Certainly Is a God (2008)

Website : www.archbishopofcanterbury.org (search for the Archbishop Rowan’s

2008 Holy Week lecture which you can read or listen to as a podcast)

Yours in Christ

Michael

For those who have been enjoying the sunshine in some distant country and have just

returned to our wet and windy country, a reminder that the times of services

through out the Benefice have changed. Times of services for October are on page 2

of this magazine.

The Japanese master A great Japanese master received a university professor who came to enquire about

wisdom. The master served tea. He poured his visitor's cup full, and then kept on pour-

ing. The professor watched the overflow until he could no longer restrain himself. 'It is

overfull. No more will go in!' 'Like this cup,' the master said, 'you are full of your own

opinions and speculations. How can I show you wisdom unless you first empty your

cup?'

6

Canon David Winter a former Head of Religious Broadcasting at the

BBC, presents a point of view...

The way I see it: Holidays and Holy days

August: holidays, traffic jams, queues at airports, fractious children, fish and chips on

the promenade or paella around the pool. That’s how we think of this month when the

nation goes off duty - all except the people, of course, who look after us while we’re

enjoying ourselves.

The tradition of holidays in August arose from the date of the harvest (everyone

would be free to help the farmers gather in the crops ‘ere the winter storms begin’).

Thus the school holidays were fixed to meet the same need, and the university terms,

and finally GCSE’s and A levels. We are now trapped in a system that commits us to

taking our holidays when the best weather (June) is over, the days are getting shorter

and wet weather is always hovering just ahead.

But never mind. With dauntless grit we Brits set off determined to enjoy a week or

fortnight away, preferably being waited on. ln the sixties the foreign holiday became

almost the norm - viva Espana! One had to return home with a tan, a large sombrero

and a few bottles of cheap Spanish wine. The real attraction, of course, was the cer-

tainty of sunshine. Above all else, we like to be warm on our holidays. This year, with

the jubilee and the Olympics, it may be that holidays in the UK will take precedence

— or even, given the recession, holidays at home. No guarantee of sunshine, but at

least it’s cheap.

I remember holidays as a child. We’d usually go to a boarding house (as they were

called), breakfast and evening meal but you had to be ‘out’ in between. That was

lovely on warm and sunny days, but painful when you were dragging your bucket and

spade around the town trying . to find somewhere to get out of the rain. Yet my

memories of those distant holidays are good - my two brothers and me, mum and dad,

ice creams, the end of the pier show, the pictures on a wet afternoon and, of course,

no lessons.

ln the pressure and anxieties of daily life, we all need holidays - times to relax, enjoy

time with those we love, smell the air and hear the sea-gulls. I like to think of them

as the Sabbaths of the year, just as Saturday (or Sunday) is the Sabbath of the week.

Making our holidays holy—days (the original meaning of the word) doesn’t mean be-

ing miserably pious, but making space in our lives for the ‘still small voice of ‘ calm’

to speak to us. As an adult, one little pleasure for me on holiday is to go to a church

as unlike my usual one as possible. After all, holidays are meant to be different! From The Burbage and Aston Flamville Parish Magazine

Don’t forget the Benefice Harvest Supper

in the Parish Hall, Creigiau on Saturday

6 October.

Tickets are available in our churches: it’s

a good night!

7

From the Parish Registers

Baptisms

9 September James Alan Quilter

16 September Layla Brandt

30 September Harry Andrews

Molly Mae Andrews

Holy Matrimony

St Catwg’s Church

1st September Laura Jayne Newman and Paul Anthony Jones

Annabel Baker and Rhys Pottinger

7th September Clare Norris and Jake Olson

9th September Julia Carolyn Fulton and Huw Michael Jones

Departed this Life

Doreen Edith Morse age 89 years funeral at St Catwg’s Church on 6th September

Robert Charles Jones 7 September aged 63

Emma Jane James 13 September aged 32

Noble Volunteers - Church Hall Working Party

A big thank you to all the members of the Working Party who ably assisted in

returning the Church Hall to its glittering best:

The ladies with their cleaners and dusters whop cleaned the chairs. The notice

board erectors. The curtain raisers. The toilet lady with her disinfectant and

brush and everyone who made a valuable contribution.

Thanks, TI.

Q. Why do X's at the end of a letter signify kisses?

A: In the Middle Ages, when many people were unable to read or write, docu-

ments were often signed using an X. Kissing the X represented an oath to fulfill

obligations specified in the document. The X and the kiss eventually became

synonymous.

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Planned Giving Parish of Pentyrch: Update to end August 2012

We continue to be about 20% ahead on planned giving compared to last year:

January to August 2012: £16,964 (same period 2011: £14,037)

Just over 90 parishioners at St Catwg’s and St David’s make regular contributions by

Direct Debit, Standing Orders or cash donations in Gift Aid envelopes. The table be-

low shows the various amounts given (couples making one gift are treated as 2 peo-

ple).

Weekly Amount Numbers of People Giving

March August

Up to £1.99 21 22 £2.00 to £3.99 17 15 £4.00 to £5.99 30 28 £6.00 to £7.99 9 13 £8.00 to £9.99 4 3 Over £10 10 10

Martin Cragg

Gift Aid Secretary

Please remember………

· Our Parish share to the Diocese alone is £40,916 per year which means we

have to pay them £3,409 per month.

· It is estimated that across the diocese average weekly giving needs to be £8.14

per person per week.

9

HERE WE GO AGAIN!

Yes, it's that time again when we send out appeals

for our Christmas Fair. We made a record amount

last year and of course we always want to do better.

Therefore if you have any suggestions for new stalls,

can offer any help, and/or can donate a raffle

prize, your help will be greatly appreciated. We

have spent a lot of money on our Hall this year, as is

obvious to all , so we must replenish our coffers

ready for the next big job. That will, hopefully, be re-

placing all the lighting in the Hall, because soon

the fluorescent tube lighting will be obsolete and

we will have to replace all with energy saving bulbs.

Alison has applied for a grant for this but we have

been turned down so it is up to us all to fund this

ourselves.

Please contact Alison or me with suggestions, offers

of help, raffle prizes , or anything else that we may

have overlooked and , thank you.

Jean (Wood)

GOOD NEWS

Join the regular coffee drinkers and biscuit nibblers

in the newly decorated Parish Hall on Saturday 19

October at 10.a.m. You may be lucky and find a

stall holder selling his or her wares. Those wanting

to play lucky can buy a raffle ticket, and news of the 100 club will be announced.

For more details of the 100 club contact Sue Hall on 029 20890087

100 Club August winners:

Richard Woodley £30; David Bartle £5; Glenda Brewer £5

September winners:

Jenny Dawkins £30; John Gough £5; John Payne £5

We never really grow up, we only learn how to act in public.

War does not determine who is right - only who is left.

10

to Northumbria, in fact, taking in the Beamish Museum, Durham Cathedral,

Lindisfarne (Holy Island), Hexham and Hadrian’s Wall.

What a wonderful time we had! As one young lady in her 10th decade, said to me a

week later: “It was wonderful. A comfortable coach, a lovely hotel, wonderful places

to see and a guide who gave us such an insight into so many things.” And that just

about summed up the trip.

But back to the beginning.

Everyone arrived on time (as we have come to expect), and the blue of Edwards’

coach nosed its way slowly around the corner of Temperance Row with our Creigiau

contingent waving to the rest from the windows. By 8.50 a.m., Rees was giving his in-

troductory talk from the front of the bus. “My name is Rees, not ’The driver’ or

’Drive’, I am Rees. The toilet is half way down the coach with the door on the side. If

you open the door in front of you, I will not be scraping you up from the motorway.

Don’t forget to fasten your seat belts. Sit back and enjoy the trip.” And off we went.

After the initial hour’s snooze, and as we arrived at the M50 expectation mounted at

the impending appearance of the “Tea Dollies”. Last year Margaret Pendlebury had

been awarded her NVQ Level 1 in “The ability to take orders and the safe carrying of

tea, coffee, hot chocolate, soup and cold water, on a moving coach”. For that she was

able to wear a pinny. During the past year she had been working tirelessly with her su-

pervisor, Gwyneth for the award of NVQ Level 2 that would enable her to wear a hat

as well. Tension rose in the coach as Gwyneth walked half way down the coach to the

“kitchen”. But she was in her ordinary clothes! But do not fear, dear readers, the trip

was not abandoned, Gwyneth is a supervisor so she can wear her ordinary clothes!

After all, all she was doing was making the drinks. And then Margaret P. appeared in

her pinny and Yes! Wearing a hat. On her head was a DONUTS bob! She had achieved

her level 2! When she saw Margaret, up jumped Jean Wood to give her a smart, very

white “cook’s” hat. My, she was pleased as she scuttled up and down the coach, taking

and delivering orders and very few, if any, mistakes!

Refreshments over, the party settled down to counting sheep or cows or just dozing,

until we reached Burton on Trent, the brewing town. Rees saw a pull-in for a bus, so

he took up that place and stayed there for an hour while we refreshed ourselves with

some eats and a short walk. Many of us just piled into Sainsburys alongside the bus

stop. “Well,” said an assistant in the café, “it’s as if a coach load of people have just

come in!” “They have!” someone replied.

Janet Ransom, turned right off the coach, crossed the road and promptly fell down

head first, banging the side of her head on the ground! Blood everywhere! Ambulance

called and Janet spent the lunch break being tended to by a paramedic who wanted to

take her to hospital! Janet was having none of that! “If I go to hospital, the coach will

leave before I get back and I will lose my holiday!” So when the time came to leave,

Janet returned to the coach with her eye gradually changing colour, and blood visible

beneath the patch with strict instruction from the paramedic to get to hospital as soon

as she could because the cut was “small but very deep”. So Janet sat very quietly in

11

the coach amongst concerned travellers to jump (well, walk, actually) into a taxi on

arrival at the hotel. And off she went with Jean to return as dinner was finishing

with a clean dressing and feeling well enough to eat well!

I must say, the hotel was pretty impressive! An extension of a Victorian mansion,

set in 1,000 acres of golf courses (to championship level) and extensive woodland:

it proudly proclaimed its 4*

rating.

Tuesday off we set for a full

day but one whereby we

could pace ourselves and do

what we wanted to. First stop

The Beamish Museum. This

is rather like St Fagan’s, set in

the countryside but specialis-

ing in the rise of the Industrial

Revolution up to the 1920s.

There was a Pit Village with

its drift mine, a farm, town

and railway station, an Old

Hall (parts of which dated to

the 15th century, and where I

found myself talking to a guide who not only worked in St Fagans as the weaver,

but was born in St Fagans!)

Around the site old buses and trams transported people so walking could be consid-

erably reduce. However, for those who could walk, the sun was warm. Lunch time,

off we set for Durham, just half an hour away.

Our guide warned us that it was steep climb to the old town where the castle and

Cathedral were situated, and it had a very mediaeval feel as we climbed through the

old cobbled market place. But what a view we had of the Cathedral as we arrived at

the Cathedral Green! Its size and bulkiness was something that I had not expected.

Those of you who did not go may have seen the Inspector George Gently episode

on BBC 1 on Sunday 16th September when there were superb views of the exterior,

including the tall impressive cross standing stark against the clear sky (see page

13), the huge decorated pillars in the nave and the beautiful Rose window above the

High Altar. Having watched that episode, I was delighted that I wasn’t there when it

became the scene of a murderous shoot-out! (I was surprised the Cathedral authori-

ties allowed the scene to be shot there {excuse the pun!}. But, to be cynical, there

must have been a good monetary reward!) Some of our party managed to visit the

imposing castle, close to the cathedral. We all came away having fulfilled one of

the ambitions of many, to visit Durham Cathedral, yet regretting we could not

spend more time there.

An early start the following day for the 80 miles drive to Lindisfarne, Holy Island,

often considered the birthplace of Christianity in England, and the original home of

the highly decorated Lindisfarne Gospels. We causeway was open (we had

12

checked) and we were there early enough to have a reasonable amount of time to

view the ancient Church with its sculpture in elmwood of St Cuthbert, in death, at the

start of its journey to Durham Cathedral. Outside the Cathedral was a similar sculp-

ture in bronze signifying the end of the journey. This church replaced a Priory

Church, the ruins of which were alongside, but had been built by the monks as a

Parish Church dedicated to St Mary.

The coach was all of a chatter as people boarded for the journey back, but stopping

over at Alnwick Castle gardens, a Millennium project for the Duchess of Northum-

berland. The gardens were beautiful with cascading water and intermittent waterfalls:

it also included a Poison Garden! The keys firmly fitted around the guide’s waist, as

she unlocked the gates and locked them behind us, which caused some consternation.

What were we likely to see? There was some surprise to find that many of the

“behind-locked-gates” plants were ones in our gardens! Food for thought there! (No,

that is an unfortunate expression, not food at all.)

After viewing the garden and sampling “the best toilets I have seen” (our guide), we

clambered back on the coach and looked forward to our evening meal.

A little later start on the Thursday (9.30 a.m.) as we set off on the short drive though

some very attractive countryside to Hadrian’s Wall followed by, Chesters fort. It was

quite a cold day with a cold wind and the bleakness of the area worked by the various

Roman soldiers came home to us. We marvelled at the task they undertook, with the

84 miles of the 20 feet high walls, the periodic outlook posts built into the walls and

the deep ditches either side. Although the walls now were barely a few feet high

(some did declare that it might give a better impression of the Roman achievement if

a small section of the wall, with a fort were rebuilt: English heritage would probably

throw a fit!) the line of the wall in such rough terrain showed just what an achieve-

ment it was, and why the soldiers were probably proud of their achievement. We had

a conducted tour of the remains of the Chesters fort, which was impressive but had

nothing to compare with the Roman Baths in Caerleon (If you haven’t been, go and

see the Roman soldiers diving into the water: I joke not!)

The market town of Hexham followed and particularly impressive was the Priory

Church and the famous 7th century St Wilfrid’s crypt. A very spacious church with a

fascinating history, it had a number of painted wooden screens. I spoke to the verger

(“I’m not really the verger, just filling in”) about the wall paintings in St Teilo’s

Church in St Fagan’s Museum. He had been there some years ago, but before St

Teilo’s was completed. He said that a family had visited the previous day and men-

tion that it had cost them £65 for a day in Beamish Museum: how lucky we are to get

into St Fagan’s for nothing! The concession cost in Beamish is £13 and £17.50 for

those not old enough to have a bus pass. Our day finished with a drive through the

Northern Peak district with a stop in a mediaeval village whose name I have now for-

gotten. Perhaps it was Blanchland in Blanchland Moor.

Our time in the north was now at an end, and an early breakfast saw us leave by 8.30

to arrive in Pentyrch before 4 p.m. A good time was had by all, I believe, and the fel-

lowship was as one would expect on a trip where 60% of those on the coach were

church members others went to other churches and the rest were known to most of us.

Now where are we going next year?

13

Images from the Parish Holiday

14

A special appeal is being launched this year by 'Samaritan's Purse' to help 'Operation

Christmas Child' reach a remarkable milestone - delivering the 100 millionth shoe box

to an underprivileged child. Let's make a special effort this year to reach this target and

in so doing bring joy into the lives of thousands of needy children worldwide. There

are information pamphlets in our three churches; these will tell you all you need to

know about packing your shoe box (please take particular note of the 'yes please and

no thank you' bit.)

When you have filled your box you can do one of the following:

leave it in any one of our three churches

drop it off at 5, Penmaes, Pentyrch

bring it to the 11 a.m. Holy Eucharist at St.Catwg's on Sunday, November 18th.

NB. NOVEMBER 18TH IS THE DEADLINE FOR HANDING IN THE BOXES.

If you would like to know more about 'The Journey of a Shoebox' I have two DVDs

for loan. Please contact me on 20891693

You can also visit www.operationchristmaschild.org.uk

I look forward to seeing many of you (with your boxes) at St.Catwg's on November

18th.

Happy shopping and packing and thank you.

Margaret Curran

Enjoying a welcome tea break

in the old school room in the

village of Blanchland, on the

Parish holiday.

Photograph by Margaret

Pendlebury

15

A Eucharistic scene at the September All Age Benefice Service in the Parish

Hall.

The Living Faith

group is meeting

every Wednesday in

the Church Room at

St Catwg’s Church.

Anyone wishing to

join the group

should speak with the Vicar.

Harvest services:

7 October All Age Benefice Harvest in the

Parish Hall Creigiau at 10.30 a.m.

14 October St David’s Harvest Eucharist at

9.30 a.m.

14 October St Catwg’s Harvest Eucharist

11 a.m.

14 October Choral Evensong for Harvest at

St David’s Church at 6 p.m.

16

Archbishop urges the Church to embrace change for a new era.

Such was the headline in “The Western Mail on 15 September in its report on the

previous day’s business at the Church in Wales’ Governing Body meeting, and

there were overtones of the Review into Church Ministry and Practice reported in

the last Benefice Magazine. The paper reported that Archbishop Barry: “...urged the

church’s governing body to embrace radical change so that the new era of outreach

can begin”.

The Bench of Bishops proposed legislating for the admission of women to the epis-

copate in a two-stage process. (In plain language, the appointment of women

Bishops.)

The figures quoted in the newspaper were interesting when one thinks back to the

reaction at the Governing Body meeting in 2008. The figures from the Bishops’ re-

port were:

79% of lay members and 83% of clerical members indicated strong or broad sup-

port for legislation being brought forward to enable women to be ordained as bish-

ops. There were also 65% of the lay members and 51% of the clerical members

supported provision for those individuals who could not accept women bishops

with a clear conscience. There was, however, only 20% of lay members and 13% of

clerical members supporting entire parishes to opt out of female leadership. Even

those who felt they could not serve under women bishops without some kind of ad-

ditional support or structure in place felt that a way forward could and would be

found.

In his address, Dr Morgan said that there were spiritual

as well as practical reason to make “bold changes across

church life”. There was a danger, he warned of the

Church in Wales stifling the Holy Spirit.

In speaking of the need to face up to and seek out

change, the Archbishop said:

“The purpose of a structure or an institution or church is

to express and embody God’s redeeming love. In other

words, the church exists in order to help God bring in

His kingdom, not as an end in itself and if it is not doing that as effectively as it

might, then there is something amiss. And it is precisely that insight which lies at

the heart of the provincial review and therefore all its recommendations, when it

says, ‘institutions are built to carry the Gospel through time to succeeding genera-

tions, Yet to do so, they need to change and adapt to circumstances of each age. The

Church in Wales continues to have the structure and organisation appropriate to an

established church 100 years ago but which is stretched beyond what it can or

should properly bear now. Our church needs to express in as effective a way as it

can, God’s care and love for His world.’

No doubt the next edition of “Highlights” will carry a full report of the business of

the Governing Body meeting. These will be available at the back of our churches.

17

So positive and generous was the Western Mail leader article on the day of the re-

port from the Church in Wales General Meeting, that I thought it worth repeating

here. It is most unusual for a newspaper to write positively about a church, but there

does appear to be a genuine warmth emanating from the pages of the national news-

paper of Wales towards the Church in Wales.

Church in Wales members have a love not just for their faith,

but for Wales as well ARCHBISHOP Barry Morgan's address to the governing body of the Church in

Wales made it clear he is not interested in managing decline.

The denomination voted this week to consider radical structural changes to ensure it

can survive and maybe even thrive in the 21st century. Lay people could play a sig-

nificantly greater role in the life of the church and priests and parishes would be

expected to work together with unprecedented energy and creativity. A flourishing

of the Church in Wales could enrich lives across the nation. As Archbishop of Can-

terbury in the 1940s, William Temple, once noted: "The church is the only society

on Earth that exists for the benefit of non—members."

Around one million visitors to Wales’ spectacular cathedrals and beautiful ancient

churches are blessed by the dedication and generosity of those who care for those

buildings.

There are nearly 170 Church in Wales schools dedicated to the education and nur-

ture of more than 20,000 young people. At a time when there is intense pressure for

a school to be an exam factory parents appreciate the importance given to pastoral

care in these settings. And when many lonely communities fear the isolation that

comes when a pub or post office closes, it is comforting to know that a church in

which 80% of parishes are in or near in a rural area, will strive to keep the doors

open.

Each month, around 160,000 people use Church in Wales buildings for community

activities — 30% of which involve young people. The unglamorous but hugely ap-

preciated work of scores of hospital chaplains and prison chaplains is recognised by

people of all faiths and none. Likewise, the 125,000 hours of volunteer time de-

voted every year to maintaining churchyards makes an immeasurable contribution to

national beauty.

All this work is performed by a church which was disestablished in 1920, but whose

members are energised with a love not just for their faith, but Wales as well. It is a

tribute to the maturity and goodwill of its members that they have so far avoided

factional fire-fights when navigating such controversies as the ordination of women

bishops. The message that Dr Morgan has repeated through his tenure, that all peo-

ple from all backgrounds are loved by the source of all life, remains startling in

every generation — perhaps more so when we hear people described in terms of

their "net worth". Similarly, the stories kept alive in these communities of faith

enliven the imagination.

As the late atheist Christopher Hitchens wrote in an appreciation of the King James

Bible: ’A culture that does not possess this common store of image and allegory will

be a perilously thin one."

18

The Rev Dr Gary Bowness shares his tongue-in-cheek letter from ‘Uncle Eustace’…

On why our church does not need health or safety...

The Rectory, St. James the Least of All

My dear Nephew Darren,

The disasters you inflict on church life are made the worse because they are so well

meaning. I appreciated your concern when you heard one of our parishioners had

slipped on a gravestone. Your desire to help was entirely commendable; sending

your own church’s health and safety officer to give us some advice was kindly-

meant. But the thousand page report was not welcome. If we implemented your offi-

cer’s suggestions, life would become unbearably safe.

St. James the Least has survived perfectly well for the last 600 years without gutter

cleaning inspections, path degreasing and electrical safety certificates, so I think we

may survive a little longer without them. As far as I am aware, the only disaster to

hit us was when Cromwell’s soldiers stabled their horses in the nave – which I sus-

pect a few of our oldest members still clearly remember.

The shock the sidesmen sometimes get when switching on the lights occurs only oc-

casionally, is relatively mild and soon over – and if it happens when preparing for

the 8am Service, helps to wake them up. The fact that the weight of Duke of Clum-

ber’s marble sarcophagus is slowly detaching the south aisle from the rest of the

church is very slow – and the pews in that area are used only once a year when his

relations visit from America to commemorate his death at Agincourt – which is

probably just beyond remembrance of the oldest of our congregation.

Leaks from the ceiling in the north aisle are solved with the row of buckets – and

even you must concede that the fungi on the oak beams look really rather attractive

when the sun catches them. The sapling growing out of the spire is certainly an issue

– although it looks so attractive in Spring when in blossom. As for our fire extin-

guishers, they were serviced when my predecessor-but-two was in office, and I have

the certificate to prove it.

Do thank your health and safety officer for all his work and tell him we will bear his

recommendations in mind. Also tell him I was so sorry he slipped and broke his leg

as he was entering your own church last Sunday. If only he had been encased in bub-

ble wrap, it would never have happened. Perhaps you could put that on the agenda

of your next health and safety meeting.

Your loving uncle,

Eustace

Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you

hear them speak.

A bus station is where a bus stops. A train station is where a train stops. On my

desk, I have a work station.

19

For some months John Akister has been photographing the East window in

St Catwg’s Church trying to capture the full dignity and beauty of the window.

He has learned a lot about his camera and about the software available to enable

him to photograph various sections and then paste them together, a technique he

has used to good and, on times, unexpected effect. The photograph here, (which,

of course, does not capture its full beauty as it is not coloured) shows St David

playing his lyre (harp) in one of the top sections of the window.

It would be good to display John’s photographs in the church for a period, but we

do not have an appropriate display board: if anyone can help out, please let me

know. JG

Whenever I fill out an application, in the part that says, 'In case

of emergency, notify:' I put 'DOCTOR.'

20

CHRISTIAN AID IN WALES is to receive financial support from the environ-

mental charity, Size of Wales, for a project to help Brazil's indigenous Guarani

people in their fight to secure land rights and conserve their forest territories.

Size of Wales wants to protect 2 million hectares of rainforest (equivalent to an

area the size of Wales) by co-funding projects submitted by charities. It works

with communities, businesses, organisations and schools in Wales and hopes to

forge lasting links with some of the world’s poorest people.

The Christian Aid project will directly protect 21,654 hectares of the Mata

Atlantica rainforest, on the coast of Brazil. Home to the Guarani, the forest is

increasingly under threat from climate change, deforestation, urban growth and

unsustainable exploitation. The aim is to raise £50,000 during the year, which

will be doubled by Size of Wales.

Comissao Pro—lndio (CPI), a Christian Aid local-partner organisation in the

region, works with the Guarani providing legal support in land ownership dis-

putes and whenever their traditional way of life is threatened. Jeff Williams,

head of Christian Aid in Wales, who visited the project area, said: ’Size of

Wales support will enable our partner, CPI, to strengthen its work in protecting

the rights of the Guarani and the future of the forest, making a vital difference

to a unique people and environment.'

The project has already got off to a flying start with £2,17O from the

·Challenge Climate Change Run done by Christian Aid interns, Moses Tutesi-

gensi and Catherine Garsed, back in March. It will also benefit from a clear-

ance sale at a Monmouth art gallery, and later this year from a celebrity auction

to be held in Cardiff.

From Christian Aid Magazine Autumn 2012

• For more details, please contact Christian Aid on 029 2084 4646 or visit

www.sizeofwales.org.uk

21

22

Sine Nomine Singers

Conductor Richard Jenkins

in

Concert

St Catwg’s Church

Pentyrch

Saturday

13th October at 7 p.m.

Guest Artists:

John Cheer: Organ

Gavin Davies: Bass Baritone

Harriet Taylor: Harp

Beth Carter: Viola

Dave Elliott: Trumpet

Tickets from Church Officers and

Choir Members or at the door: £6

The Sine Nomine choristers are very much looking forward to singing in this

concert—the first for two years at St Catwg’s. They have very much appreci-

ated the warm receptions they have received in the past and that, combined

with the fine acoustics at St Catwg’s always makes for a memorable evening.

The programme will include choral music by: Rachmaninov, Arenski,

Tschaikovski, Wagner, Mendelssohn, and J.S. Bach.

The organist, John Cheer, a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists, is well

known to those who have been to previous concerts. Gavin Davies is in de-

mand as an Oratorial soloist throughout Wales and the West country, and is

regularly called on to sing with the Welsh National Opera. The Harpist and

Viola players are young and looking forward to performing in front of a re-

sponsive audience, while Dave Elliott is well known for his teaching, orches-

tral and solo playing in south Wales and beyond.

This is a concert not to be missed, please make every effort to attend. Tickets

should be on sale in all the churches.

23

Father Murphy

Father Murphy walked into a pub and said to the first man he met, "Do you want

to go to heaven?"

The man replied, "I do Father."

The priest said, "Then stand over there against the wall."

Then the priest asked a second man, "Do you want to go to heaven?"

"Certainly, Father," was the man's reply.

The priest said, "Then stand over there against the wall."

Then Father Murphy walked up to O'Toole and said, "Do you want to go to

heaven?"

O'Toole said, "No, I don't Father."

The priest said, "I don't believe this. You mean to tell me that when you die you

don't want to go to heaven?"

O'Toole said, "Oh, when I die, yes. I thought you were getting a group together to

go right now."

From Dr Peter Jones during the trip to Northumbria:

A man set about killing flies that were tormenting him at home. His wife came in.

“What have you been doing,” she asked.

“I’ve been killing flies.”

“How many have you killed?”

“Five; three males and two females.”

“How do you know there gender?” she asked.

“The three males settled on the beer bottle and the two females settled o the tele-

phone.”

(Don’t blame me! JG)

A doctor phoned a house and had this reply.

“Hello?” in a whispered voice.

“Who is that?”

“Peter.” Again in a whisper.

“Can I speak to your dad?”

“No, he’s busy.”

“Can I speak to your mum?”

“No, she’s busy.” Still a whispered voice.

“Is there anyone else there?”

Another whisper: “Yes, a policeman.”

“Why is a policeman there, and your mum and dad so busy?”

“They’re looking for me!”

24

AParish of Pentyrch with Capel Llanilltern

Vicar: Revd Michael John 02921403854

Parochial Secretary Mr David Pendlebury

42, Maes-y-Sarn, Pentyrch 20892077

Parish Wardens Mr Andrew Dodd 20891736

Mr Roger Williams 20890347

Parish Treasurer Mr John Davey

Rocklands, Pant y Gored Road 20891765

Creigiau

Parish Hall Treasurer Mr T.I. Hall 20890087

Parish Hall Booking Secretary Mrs Jean Wood 07528565499

St Catwg’s Church, Pentyrch

Churchwarden Miss Jane Rees 20679970

Treasurer Mr Martin J Cragg 20890738

6 Cefn Bychan, Pentyrch

Organist and Choirmaster Mr John Gough 20891721

Sunday School There is currently no Sunday School

St David’s Church, Groesfaen

Churchwarden Mrs M. MacKay 20890827

Treasurer Mrs M MacKay 20890827

28 Parc-y-Coed, Creigiau

Organist Miss Jane Williams 20890805

St Ellteyrn’s Church Capel Llanilltern

Churchwardens

Mrs Anne Hughes 20890225

Mrs Linda Davies 20891239

Treasurer Mr E Willis 20890770

Llwyn y Pennau Farm

Groesfaen

Parish Magazine Organisers

Pentyrch Mrs Margaret Curran 20891693

Creigiau Mrs Gaynor Williams 20890657

Groesfaen Mrs Alison Woodley 20891800

Magazine Editor Mr John Gough 20891721

Follow us on: www.parishofpentyrch.org.uk