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Monmouth Diocesan Newsletter Number/Rhif 208 Candlemas / Gwyl Fair 2014 Llythyr Newyddion Esgobaeth Mynwy The Diocese of Monmouth, The Church in Wales : Esgobaeth Mynwy, Yr Eglwys yng Nghymru Christingles made and held by the children of Pontnewydd. A light to lighten the nations

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Page 1: A leading global supplier of instrumentation for materials

MonmouthDiocesanNewsletterNumber/Rhif 208 Candlemas / Gwyl Fair 2014

LlythyrNewyddionEsgobaethMynwy

The Diocese of Monmouth, The Church in Wales : Esgobaeth Mynwy, Yr Eglwys yng Nghymru

Christingles made and held by the children of Pontnewydd.

A light tolighten the

nations

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I-Spy Christmas at Holy Trinity Church, Pontnewydd

Over 120 children from the Early Years Department (ages 3-4 years) of Pontnewydd Primary School, Cwmbran, told theChristmas story through song and playing I-Spy. “I-Spy Christmas” was written by John and Ruth Kenward. There was a morningrendition of the nativity by the morning nursery and Class 1, and another in the afternoon by Class 2 and afternoon nursery.Both performances were outstanding. The church was filled to capacity, morning and afternoon, by supportive parents andfriends. Revd Victoria Ashley and Mr Kerry Waters, Head Teacher, were delighted with the enthusiasm of the staff andvolunteers from Holy Trinity who had worked alongside the children.

The whole of the Foundation Phase of Pontnewydd School proudly constructed their Christingles ready for a time of worship atHoly Trinity Church as part of their Christmas celebrations. As over 180 children were due to walk to the church, the decisionwas made to hold the service at the school as the weather was for ducks not for children.

Revd Victoria and Mrs Summers held the act of worship in the Infants hall with staff and children. Each class had written aprayer which was read out by both child and teacher. They were written on cardboard candles and afterwards they were takento the church and placed in one of the windows during the Christmas period. The children learnt what each part of theChristingle represented and ended their service with the “Sing Christingle” hymn.

Bronwen Summers

Walking Nativity in AbergavennyA dramatic interpretation of the Christmas story moved through Abergavenny town centre from Holy Trinity Church to St Mary’s Priory. A procession with kings and camels, sheep and shepherds, sang carols as it made its way to the Abbot’sGarden at St Mary’s where there was a life-size crib with live animals.

Christmas Cribs, Carols and Christingles

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A Christmas tree with a differencewas voted the winner in the Christmas Tree Festival held in St Thomas’s Church, Overmonnow. The ‘tree’ (left) submittedby Oxfam was built from books! Runners-up in the businesssection were Shiraz (for a driftwood tree sparkling withjewellery) and Mon Teas (for a tree hung with purple andsachets of tea).

Churchwarden, Jane Stone, who invited local businesses tocontribute decorated trees said, “We were thrilled at theresponse and so pleased to welcome entries from localbusinesses as well as organisations and individuals. All thetrees were imaginatively decorated and the display down

both sides of the church was a joy to look at.”

Those who came to look at the trees wereable to sit comfortably in the ‘Chancel CoffeeShop’ and enjoy drinks and cakes while theyconsidered which trees would get their voteas ‘most imaginative’. And, to add to theChristmas spirit, there were stalls selling giftsand cards.

The congregation at St Thomas’s church hasexciting plans to develop the Church Hall forthe local community. So, while the Festivalwas happening inside the church, a group of parishioners were braving theDecember weather by the Monnow Bridge, inviting passers-by to fill in a surveyabout what activities they would hope for in the hall. The survey is available in St Thomas’s church and on the parish website www.monmouthparishes.org.uk

Chepstow supports theArchbishop of WalesFund for ChildrenSt Christopher’s Church, Bulwark, wasfilled to capacity with members of thecommunity for the Christmas Eve CarolService. The last carol was sung withthe lighting of glow sticks which wentdown well with the children. Thechildren from St Christopher’s underFives began the service by paradingdown the aisle holding glow sticks, andsinging One more Step along the Roadwe go.

A collection for the The Archbishop ofWales Fund for Children was made atthe Christingle Service held at St Mary’sParish Church, Chepstow, and a furthersum was donated to the fund throughthe lighting of candles in memory ofloved ones at the Christmas Eve CarolService at St Christopher’s and atMidnight Mass at St Mary’s.

Lorraine Sampson

At St George’s Church, Tredegar,the congregation wore their Christmas jumpers to church onthe Sunday before Christmas to raise money for 'Save theChildren'.

The church choir were invited to sing carols in our localbranch of Barclays Bank. We were a little anxious at the

request but we donned our Christmas jumpers again andwent along. The response we had was tremendous, peoplesang along with us, there were smiles and cheers all round.The children particularly enjoyed our version of Rudolph theRed-nosed Reindeer complete with jingle bells! We all camehome feeling exhilarated and uplifted after what turned outto be a huge success. Revd Elizabeth Jones

Advent Praise at St Mary's Caldicotwith music by Led Balloon had thetheme of ‘new beginnings’.

The picture shows the ‘streams of livingwater’ where people placed a pebbleinto a pond thanking God for all he hasdone in their lives and lighting a candleto ask God what they can do for him.There was an act of recommitment toChrist and his church.

Liz Houghton

The Christingle and Crib service at St Paul’s, Cwm,on Christmas Eve had a record attendance this year. Photo by Marion Farr.

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Ugandan Nativity

‘House of Joy’ School is in the village of Kasala, in centralUganda. The school teaches and feeds 300 children who livein a remote area in the bush. ‘House of Joy’, a charity basedin Blackwood, also provides residential care for vulnerablechildren, many of whom are homeless orphans.

In October, four people from Blackwood went out to theschool for a month where they worked on refurbishing thenursery and infants classrooms as well as equipping theschool with extensive sets of modern textbooks.

As part of improving the nursery section, the visitors tookeducational toys out with them. One of these toys was a setof hand-knitted nativity figures for the school to use as partof their Christmas celebrations. The children loved looking atand playing with the cuddly figures. ‘House of Joy’ is verygrateful to Mrs Krys Bather of Pengam for taking the time tomake the lovely figures.

Sylvia Pitman

News from Raven HouseWe have seen an incredible increase in the demand and need for our service.Jan to Nov 2012 1,327 Food Parcels given;

this helped 2,291 people.Jan to Nov 2013 3,041 Food Parcels given;

this helped 5,561 people.

Christmas Food Parcels December 2012: approx 700Christmas Food Parcels December 2013: 1,158

The Trust is a very practical outreach of the Church and wewould never have met that increase in demand without yourhelp and support.

Thank you, you are the heroes in this, we are just stewardsof all that you place into our hands. Well Done!

Margaret Smith Manager/Trustee.

We provide food and furniture forpeople in need throughout the oldcounty of Gwent and beyond.We work with Social ServiceDepartments, SupportOrganisations, Churches andSchools.

You can contact us at 276-278, Cromwell Road, Newport. NP19 0HT. Tel: 01633 762999 email:[email protected]

Christmas Gifts for SOLAS Through generous donations of chocolates, cakes andtoiletries, from members of St Mary’s Parish Church and St Christopher’s Church, Chepstow, and from the ChepstowLions Club supermarket collections, residents of SOLAS inChepstow have been given Christmas bags of goodies whichwere very gratefully received. At the beginning of Decembereach resident was also given a Fairtrade Real AdventCalendar, relating the birth of Christ. Solas Cymru provide abroad range of services for people who are vulnerable,homeless or at risk of homelessness. They also provideaccommodation, support, advice, education, training andemployment.

Lorraine Sampson

Street PastorsStreet Pastors patrol the streets on Friday and Saturdaynights in all winds and weathers. Their job is to look out foranyone, particularly young people, who may be in trouble ordistress and needing a helping hand or a listening ear. Theycould not continue their patrols without the prayers andfinancial support of local churches and the community.

On 29 November St Christopher’s Church, Bulwark,Chepstow, hosted a concert in aid of the Chepstow StreetPastors. The proceeds will be used to cover costs fortraining, uniforms and the famous lollipops, sweets, flip-flops and foil blankets which the Street Pastors give out onthe streets at night.

Meanwhile, on 22 November, the Bishop commissioned fourStreet Pastors to join the team in Newport.

Street Pastor projects are inter-denominational and work inpartnership with Police, Council and other statutoryagencies. In the area of Monmouth Diocese, Street Pastorsalso operate in Abertillery, Blackwood, Caldicot, and EbbwVale.

www.streetpastors.co.uk

St Teilo’s Star The star that lit up Llantilio Crossennylast Christmas did not shine again thisyear because the scaffolding erectedfor roof repairs was taken down inApril. But this year the villagecelebrated its first Christmas underthe new roof and spire.

In 2012/13, the spire had its 12,000 oak tiles replaced.Scaffolding was erected to the top of the spire, 180 feet up.Many parishioners took the opportunity of a lifetime toclimb up to the top accompanied by the contractors, TaliesinConservation, to see the views.

The new tiles are expected to last about 150 years so it wassuggested that a few people write something on the tiles asa kind of time capsule. The idea quickly grew and by thetime the last tile was put up over 600 people had written on'their' tile. Some took the opportunity to write about wherethey lived, giving details of their family and jobs. Otherswrote names of deceased relatives. Two grandparents wroteabout their stillborn grandchild. One couple wrote simply 'tocelebrate our special day'. Someone even advertised theirsecond hand car. The contractors were most moved by theinscriptions and even added their own.

The tiles will give the social historians of the 22nd century alittle insight into the lives of the people of LlantilioCrossenny and right at the top they will find the final tilecelebrating the birth of the baby born on the day the workwas completed in April.

Canon David Osborn

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Bishop Richard writes....Dear Friends

Someone asked me what is like being Bishop and how has it gone over thelast few months. I honestly replied that it has been a joy! Not withstandingthe difficult interviews and the busy diary and the imponderable decisions.Not just because I have had the support and friendship of the bishop's staffand the encouragement of many in the diocese. But mainly because I havegiven up!

Now don't be alarmed and think that the diocese is rudderless. On thecontrary, I am trying to let go of the control-freak mentality that churchleaders sometimes seem to exhibit and let God begin to do his work.Leadership begins with Christ and he needs to heard. That is why prayer isfundamental to our leadership both as bishop and for all called to exerciseministry.

As we begin to shape together the Ministry Areas and the teams that willserve them, so we ultimately have to be a listening leadership. God’s HolySpirit wants to engage with us to bring us to a deeper relationship with himand with each other. The attractiveness of God is the attractiveness of theChurch and only if we live in his presence and share that presence willothers be drawn into the real and actual body of Christ.

But this deepening life of prayer does not happen just in the individual; ithappens in the community of gathered Christians. It is important for us as aDiocese to pray together and to pray well.

In this respect, I am launching a series of Lenten initiatives to encourage us to be an open, listening church. Weneed to receive God's love, to relax and let him shape us as the people of God. During Lent there will be manychurches open for quiet prayer and also a series of prayer programmes that will be available each week and atdifferent venues. This will not be a series of pious exercises! It will an honest journey of discipleship, returning tothe roots of our faith which is Christ. Christ desires to lead his church, and we must allow him to do so.

As I write this I am excited that there is growing resonance being heard throughout the diocese to listen and livemore deeply in God. Please be part of this venture, not because the bishop thinks its a good idea but because Goddelights in you and wants to spend more time with you. As my son would say - go for it! And let God work his way.

With every blessing,+ Richard

Watched by Dean Lister Tonge, Bishop

Richard signs the Book of Condolence for

Nelson Mandela which was in the cathedral

before Christmas. The Book will be sent to

our brothers and sisters in the Diocese of the

Highveld, South Africa.

LENT 2014 - Clear a Space for God1: Providing space for prayer Many churches will be open for at least one hour each week during Lent with a quiet space for prayer and people committed to letting the local community know about this and committed to being there themselves.

Some churches will be able to commit to being open 8am – 6pm every day during Lent. A list will be published.

2: Experience a Spiritual Journey:Pam Richards, our Diocesan Youth Adviser is willing to provide resources for a Lenten Spiritual Journey moving to differentchurches throughout Lent. Again, the programme will be published.

3. Give an hour a week to listen to God.There will also be an opportunity to share in an hour of ‘guided silence’ a week. As with Bishop Dominic’s talks in previousyears, this will happen in different places for five weeks during Lent. Dean Lister will start us off with ‘stilling prayers’. Thefollowing three weeks will be an opportunity to experience Lectio Divina, prayer with the imagination, and praying with art andimages. No doubt music will be a part of some or all of these. Each evening session will be 7.30pm - 8.30pm.

Monday: St Cadoc's, Raglan; Tuesday: St Mary’s, Caldicot; Wednesday: St Basil’s, Bassaleg; Thursday: St Cadoc’s, Trevethin.

For the latest news visit www.monmouthdiocese.org.uk

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On the Road with JesusThere is an image that sticks with me in reflecting upon discipleship: the image of theroad. A friend of mine liked to talk about discipleship as ‘staying on the road withJesus’. For some of us, it is the road toward Jerusalem, where we slowly becomeacquainted with the servant-hearted figure. For others, it is the road out of Jerusalemto the cross. And for others, it is the Emmaus road where we encounter the risen andglorified Christ. Wherever we are on this road, Jesus is there, inviting us to walk with him. Discipleship is, as one author hastitled a book, ‘a long obedience in the same direction’. In an ever-changing landscape of culture, Church, relationships, andpersonal challenges, that title touches on what we’re about with discipleship and formation. Staying on the road.

Many of you will have become familiar with an exciting resource we have called Living Faith. A few groups have now finishedthe course in its entirety, with many others choosing to focus on selected sessions. Living Faith has equipped, encouraged, andsparked life-transforming relationships and communities around the diocese. Recently, a group in Monmouth completed thecourse and will continue to meet to revisit their favourite parts of it. Prayer, Spirituality, New Testament, Old Testament,Reshaping Church, Challenging Choices, Questions of Faith – these are all areas that participants find both challenging andrewarding.

In addition to Living Faith, there may be something else you are interested in exploring and/or leading: Alpha, Emmaus, YouthEmmaus, Pilgrim, Seven Sacred Spaces, or ‘Foundation’ for Lay Ministry. These are just a handful of the exciting resourceswhich are available for you. If you think you might be interested in any of these, do get in touch – I’d be delighted to talkthrough the possibilities with you!

As a closing thought, I’d like to share one more thing in light of the analogy of the road. As we grow as disciples, we come towalk with Jesus on the road; but the fact that he is on the road with us is a sign of his commitment to meet us where we are –relationally, spiritually, and emotionally. As a means of reflecting this, we’re presently in the process of putting togethersomething new to aid discipleship in our diocese. We don’t want to reinvent a wheel that’s been reinvented far too many timesalready. But what we have ‘on offer’ isn’t diverse enough to meet our people ‘where they are at’. So watch this space!

I am available for Chapter and PCC meetings, various training sessions that cover Intercession, visiting, andwelcoming, as well as visits to your area and churches. In any of these areas, and a hundred more I’m sure, Iwould be more than happy to visit and share our vision; and more importantly, to hear yours!

Charlie Shepherd, Learning Development Adviser, 01291 672961 / 07942 [email protected]

Christmas Wrapped Up in TredegarThree years ago, in a portakabin in Tredegar, I met with a

variety of people from churches across the area who were allthere to hear about ‘Christmas Wrapped Up’. As I spoke tothese smiling faces and shared about the project, I couldslowly see the realisation that this was going to take someplanning! I am very pleased to say we worked together thatyear on pulling together ‘Christmas Wrapped Up’ for Tredegarand I was delighted to visit them in December to see howthings have come on three years down the line!

It was refreshing to see their energy and contagiousenthusiasm for this project and more importantly for sharingthe love of Jesus with the children and staff from local schools.

During a 1½ hour session, the children met Luke, a very friendlycharacter, who introduced them to the Christmas story which was then re-told (dramatically!) by the Grumpy Innkeeper withsome help from the children. Time was spent making mince pies, cards and bookmarkers and of course having lots of fun andchatting. The session finished with a song and dancing in the aisles, of course!

Thank you to all those who took part in providing a number of sessions across a week, whether you were cooking, crafting,singing or acting! The commitment is second to none, with some even taking annual leave from jobs to enjoy it. The GrumpyInnkeeper told me, “Well yes, last year I couldn’t do it because I had to work and I thought, I enjoy it so much that I’ll take theweek off work and give it all I’ve got.”

If you would like to chat with me about this for your area please be in touch.

Vicki Brackpool, Diocesan Children’s Adviser, Tel: 01291 620197, email: [email protected]

To see what else is happening in Monmouth Diocese, visit www.monmouthdiocese.org.uk

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12 years a SlaveDamaris provides free resources for churches, based on the film 12 Years a Slave. These include a discussion starter and avideo, built around clips from the film and interviews with the stars, to use in groups. Download them from

www.damaris.org/12years

About the filmThis powerful and dramatic film is based on the true story of one man's fight for survival and freedom. In the pre-Civil WarUnited States, Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery.Facing cruelty (personified by a malevolent slave owner, portrayed by Michael Fassbender) as well as unexpected kindnesses,Solomon struggles not only to stay alive, but to retain his dignity. In the twelfth year of his unforgettable odyssey, Solomon’schance meeting with a Canadian abolitionist (Brad Pitt) forever alters his life.

Rebecca’s swimOrdinand Rebecca Stevensswapped her glasses forgoggles to do a sponsoredswim for A21, a charitydedicated to ending slavetrafficking and helping thesurvivors. She completed 128lengths in 1 hour 45 minutes.with a personal best of 45minutes for the first mile!

After her swim she said, “I’m incredibly pleased to say thatthe grand total raised by the sponsored swim for the A21campaign against human trafficking is £1,178. Thank you somuch to all who sponsored me, supported me andencouraged me on!”

A21 have started on a new project ‘First Steps to Freedom’which is working to provide safe accommodation, education,counselling and other aids to help survivors make the firststeps back into society.

www.thea21campaign.org

Art Exhibition at Fleur-de-lis

From 31st October to 2nd November the 14th Annual ArtExhibition took place at St David’s Church Hall, Fleur-de-Lis.Despite it being possibly the worst spell of weather we haveexperienced in our 14-year stint, the artists and generalpublic proved once again, by their excellent footfall, theirdedication and support of the event.

It was opened by Mr Granville Hale (Mayor of Blackwood)and Mr Chris Evans, MP for Islwyn. Sixteen works were soldover the three-day period and a substantial return wasraised for church funds.

Thanks must go to the dedicated band of workers, bothchurch members and local artists, who give of their timeyear after year to ensure success and consistent results.

Sylvia Pitman (Organiser)

A Busy End to 2013

Sacred choir Cantorion Sanctaidd ended their first year on ahigh, if very busy, note.

Our Christmas concert series began on November 30th at St Cadoc’s Church, Raglan. Despite it being a bitterly coldnight, a number of people came to support the choir and theSt Cadoc’s ‘Raise the Roof’ appeal. The first half of theconcert consisted of the choir’s usual repertoire whilst thesecond half consisted of our Christmas repertoire, includingfour pieces by John Rutter. We were delighted and proud toperform the première of a piece called Silver Star ofBethlehem which had been written for the choir by J AndrewJones. We also sang a setting of While Shepherds Watchedtheir Flocks by Night to the tune ‘Cranbrook’ arranged bychorister Ken Hunt. It was a popular arrangement that wasthoroughly enjoyed by the audience.

The following Saturday we performed at two venues, thefirst being Tredegar House in Newport, where we weredelighted that many of the House’s visitors suspended theirquest for Scrooge and Santa to sit and listen to our music.

From Tredegar House we went to Shaftesbury MethodistChurch (our rehearsal venue) to take part in their annualRefugees and Asylum Seekers’ Carol Concert, before many ofthe choir went to enjoy a Christmas meal at the Foresters’Oaks.

On 14th December we returned to St Mary’s Church, Magor,for their Christmas Tree Festival. The church was beautifullydecorated with over twenty Christmas trees provided anddecorated by local businesses and organisations.

The choir rehearse at Shaftesbury Street Methodist Churchin Newport. If anyone would like to join us we would bedelighted to see them. You don’t have to speak Welsh orread music – just enjoy the kind of music we sing.

Richard Price, ConductorContact: Caroline Davies, 07740 923406

www.cantorion-sanctaidd.org.uk

Becca with the counter which

recorded her lengths

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The Bishop ordained a new deacon and two priests in Newport Cathedral on Saturday 30 November. All three are non-stipendiary ministers, giving their time and skills to the service of the Church and their communities.

Brenda Jones, who has been a Lay Eucharistic Minister in the Parish of Bedwellty and New Tredegar for over eight years wasordained as a Deacon. Brenda is a volunteer chaplain in the Aneurin Bevan Health Board working with the team at the RoyalGwent Hospital and Ebbw Vale Hospital. She feels a particular call to minister to the bereaved as part of her care for others.The Bishop said, “In her work of caring for people, particularly the sick and elderly, Brenda has been doing the job of a deaconfor a while. It is right that she should now be ordained and I wish her every blessing as she continues her ministry. Brenda willbe an excellent example of a local minister in the community and I hope many more will be called to this vocation.”

Revd John Collier (Parish of Mamhilad, above right) and Revd John Waters (Caerwent group of praishes, above left) who wereboth ordained deacon in June, were ordained as priests at the same service.

As part of his ministry, John Collier has been appointed as Chaplain to Lay Licensed Ministers and is also about to becomeChaplain to the Monmouthshire, Brecon and Abergavenny Canals Trust.

The Bishop with Ven Ambrose Mason, the new Archdeacon of Monmouth, and with Revd David McGladdery, newly-licensed as Area Dean

of Monmouth.

The Bishop learns the ropes!Since his installation in October, Bishop Richard has been busily doing what Bishops do. Baptisms (oneof them by immersion in a pool), confirmations (including one with the diocesan youth group, YES), andan ordination—he has tackled them all, installing an Archdeacon and an Area Dean along the way.

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Caldicot

As well as confirming, the Bishop blessed the set of newchoir robes.

Cyncoed

We were delighted to see Bishop Richard on Advent Sundayas he confirmed ten candidates of all ages in All Saints'church, in the Benefice of Cyncoed

The Bishop’s first Confirmation service was at Raglan wherea portable baptismal pool was erected at the back of StCadoc’s Church, so that the candidates, David Howard andPaul Hobson from Raglan, and Russell Jones from Goitre,could be baptized by full immersion as they had requested.

Spontaneous applause greeted each of the men as theyarose out of the water. One exclaimed ‘marvellous’ as hestood upright again.

Each of the candidates was asked to say why he was comingfor Baptism and Confirmation. David shared that he hadbeen a sceptic, quoting Bernard Levin who described hisexperience of trying to decide about the Christian faith inthese terms: ‘People such as me who hover on the edge ofthe swimming pool, simultaneously longing and fearing tojump….’

David said he had wanted proof. Like the other two he hadrecently attended an Alpha Course where he had found agreat welcome as well as great food!

“I started to ask questions and the Alpha group allowed meto discuss and explore some of the key ideas in Christianity. Istarted to read the Good News Bible. It made everythingclear. It was easy to understand—I was told that it waswritten so that children could understand it! But, themessage is simple – it’s all about LOVE. God loves us! Iexperienced the Holy Spirit and this overwhelming sense oflove, whilst reading the bible on my smart phone. I wasstanding in a field, walking the dog! It has had a profoundimpact on my life in how I think about everything.

“Focusing my life on Jesus has given me greater clarity ineverything else in my life and helped me to appreciate whatare the important things such as my wife and family. Myfriends noticed a difference in me and began to ask what hadhappened. I have already made a personal commitment toChrist and today I make this public declaration to give my lifeto Christ.”

Pontypool

December 8th was a milestone in the life of the YEScommunity when Bishop Richard confirmed Shola, Jessica,Ethan, Jasmine and Chelsie during a Youth Eucharist Serviceat St Basil’s Church, Bassaleg. What a testimony this publiccommitment to Christ was for all the young people andadults present. Everyone thought that it was an amazingservice and we are all looking forward to the next YES inNewport Cathedral on March 23rd at 6pm. It will be our 10thanniversary.

To have an insight into the spirituality of our young peoplewhy not visit YouTube and type in YES Online to see adocumentary about YES Residential, fondly known as YESRes.

Pam Richards, Diocesan Youth Adviser, 01291 423378 or07919 406890 [email protected]

Raglan Y.E.S.

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LENT in AbergavennySt Mary's Priory Church, Abergavenny, is inviting some key figuresto reflect on how their faith impacts on their work.

March 9: In the Health Servicewith Professor John Saunders (Consultant, Nevill Hall Hospital)

March 16th: as a policemanwith Sir Trefor Morris CBE QPM (former HM Inspector of Constabularies)

March 23rd: in politicswith Nick Ramsay AM (AM for Monmouth)

March 30th: as a journalistwith Caroline Woollard (Newsquest, Production Manager)

April 6th: as a lawyerwith Robert Phillips, Solicitor. (Service at CHRISTCHURCH, North St)

All services are at 6pm

Philippines AppealThe Diocesan running total forcollections for the DEC PhilippinesAppeal and other related appeals asreported to the diocesan office is£6,174.34.

A new war memorial in CwmbranSt Gabriel’s, Cwmbran, has the privelege of having the official War Memorials for bothWorld War I and World War II in the church. We now have been honoured to have anotherWar Memorial. The new plaque was erected and dedicated by Fr Michael Phillips, Rector ofCwmbran, at the Remembrance Day Service on 10th November 2013. It was funded byTorfaen County Borough Council as part of the Cwmbran Regeneration Partnership.

The memorial is to: ‘Remember those of the Rectorial Benefice of Cwmbran who gave theirlives in conflicts since 1945’

Those honoured are: Cyprus: Edwards GAfghanistan: Adams K, Prosser J, Thacker M

Let us pray that no more names have to be inscribed on the Memorial.

A Paul Davey, DCC Secretary

UK GoldThere will be a FREE film screening of ‘UKGold’ in St Michael’s College, Llandaff, onWednesday 5th February at 6.45pm. Thefilm explores the concept of tax evasionthrough the eyes of a London vicar. It willbe followed by a Q&A session hosted byBishop John Davies (Swansea and Brecon) inhis role as Chair of Christian Aid Wales, andanother representative of Christian Aid.

Refreshments will be provided. This is aunique opportunity to ‘grill a Bishop’ aboutthe uses of the finances we can apply in aparish and diocese setting. So don’t missout!

To reserve tickets, see stmichaels.ac.uk orcontact Rebecca [email protected]

Resourcing YOUChildren, Youth and Adult Workshops.9.45am - 12.30 pmSaturday March 8thSt Hilda’s Church Hall, Griffithstown NP4 5DJ

Meet Charlie Shepherd our LearningDevelopment Adviser

Choose 2 out of 4 workshops.

Book your place with Vicki [email protected]: 01291 620197

Diocesan DNA groupDo you need help with your parish project?

The Development, Network and Action Group, (DNA) is a consultancy service set up in the diocese to help ensure a successful outcome for their project for parishes

undertaking new initiatives.

The DNA group is available to provide input to parish projects and other activities that will result inpositive change for the community. Generally, such projects will depend on the good use of parishassets, including skills, competencies, buildings and funds, and they will usually require a significantlevel of planning.

Group members will provide professional, neutral advice and support to the parishes with which theywork but will not take on specific tasks on behalf of a parish.The DNA members can help:-• Develop and share a parish vision• Conduct and evaluate a parish skills audit• Conduct and assess community consultations• Create a business plan and develop funding applications• With post-project monitoring and evaluation

The DNA group reports to the Churches and Pastoral Committee.

Contact the group through Sharon Smith at the Diocesan Office 01633 [email protected]

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We are coming to a place where wereally believe that GOOD NEWS is notdependent upon a large congregationor a wealthy congregation. God reallydoes use the weird, the messed up,the quirky, the broken and the foolish.(We at St Paul’s are proof of that!) That is a good news story in itself.

We have continued to make disciples of Jesus All of us need to come back to the call of Jesus to go andmake disciples. Sometimes it has seemed that churchgoinghas been the aim and the word ‘disciple’ is irrelevant, asthough we want bums on pews more than we want to seenew disciples made. I think this is because making newdisciples will involve change and even the death of some ofour most cherished traditions as we seek to re-engage withour culture.• Last summer we saw two young ladies in their thirties

from a non-church background come to faith in Jesus andboth are now attending a weekly housegroup.

• We took a group of 40 children, young people and adultsto New Wine for a week of bible teaching and worship andministry.

• We now have three midweek house groups up andrunning and a fourth one about to start.

• Seven of our congregation are on the mission-shapedministry course.

• We have run two Iranian Alpha courses and have seenmany of those Iranians come to faith and be baptised andare still in touch with some of them.

• We are aware that many of our people are moving closerand closer to Jesus. There is an increase in people’sspiritual appetite.

• We are several months into our new evening service at StPaul’s and are relieved that people seem to want to come.Some people are coming to church twice on a Sunday!

• We are giving people opportunity to grow their gifts asdisciples of Jesus. An example of this being that the musicat our all-age service is led by a team of under-25’s

• From the LAB and St Paul’s we have one person in trainingfor stipendary pioneer ministry and three more who arewaiting to see if and when they will go for selection. Andothers too are asking whether God might be calling themto the priesthood.

We have continued to pursue an outward focusFor too long we have clung to our rituals without investing inrelationships. The relationships that we all form need to bemore honest, more determined and more sacrificial and withan outward focus.• The local childsplay café continues to use the front of our

church as a playground and we continue to develop ourfriendship as we join them in seeking to stop the socialand commercial decline of our patch. One of the ownershas joined our Friday Food Bank team.

• We have run the marriage course twice at church – thismonth we will co-host the course with Bethel Communityat Costa Coffee in the High Street.

• Whilst the church closed for emergency repair we weregiven use of a shopopposite the churchbuilding. This has become agreat point of contact for

the community because of the large shop front and itsaccessibility to those walking by. And even though wehope to get the church building open again soon we nowhave a very useful and well-attended church hall fromwhich to engage with our community.

• We continue to support the ministry of the LAB althoughthis is far less involved than in its beginning. (The LAB is acommunity of people, groups and initiatives in and aroundNewport. The newest venture is Eli music. which hasestablished after-school music clubs in some of theseriously deprived areas of our city.)

We have continued to rediscover joyChurches should be places where your spirits are lifted,places of laughter and joy, places of celebration.• We have hosted a Harvest Hoedown. An evening of line-

dancing and a hog roast.• In the past we have had quiz nights, open mic nights and

even a Sister Act sing-along night!• In our all-age services it is not uncommon that there is

either a quiz or a game or a video clip or two.• We have men’s curry nights.• Film nights on our big screen.• Sunday lunches together.

We are experiencing a deeper love for the poorIf the good news is not good for the poor then we havemissed the point entirely. • We are entering our fourth year as one of the host

churches for the Newport Night Shelter scheme.• We have joined with a large independent church to be

involved in the Trussell Trust foodbank scheme. Openingour foodbank two days a week we have seen numbersusing it increase dramatically.

• We have partnered with other denominations in the cityto launch a new charity called Eden Gate which deals withhomeless and addiction issues.

• We have continued to work with Asylum seekers and havesupported them as they have gone through the visaapplication process.

• We host, on behalf of the Eden Gate Charity, the BrownPaper Scheme on a Sunday Lunch-time where the poor aregiven a packed lunch (supplied by local churches) and ahot drink. Around 50 people use this scheme each week.

We are trying to communicate good news through our wordsand actions in a way that has integrity, honesty and humility.We are not a big church and we are certainly not a wealthyone but the Church is growing and the best news of all is thatpeople are coming to faith in Jesus as Lord and Saviour.

Revd Justin Groves

Good News Stories from St Paul’s, Newport

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GAZETTEAppointments

Revd Ray Hayter, Minor Canon, Newport Cathedral; to be Canon Pastor. (26 Jan)

The Archdeacon of Newport, Ven Jonathan WIlliams; to be also Precentor of theCathedral. (26 Jan)

ResignationsDan Parker, Diocesan Office Admin Assistant; to be Community Engagement andCasework Officer for John Griffiths AM (17 Jan)

RIP26 Nov: Mr Adrian Gillard. Adrian was a governor at both Malpas Infants andJunior Schools and represented the diocese on the Newport City Council Children'sand Young People's Scrutiny Committee. Adrian also served as a parish organistand received an Archbishop’s Award for Church Music. He was a member ofGoverning Body and involved in various Diocesan and Provinical responsibilities.

7 Jan: Mr Don Willis. Don was a well-respected Reader for many years, wassecretary to the Association and Chairman, and a great source of information andsupport to the Association. He became a member of the Order of St Woolos in2007.

Confirmations30 March 10.00am St Theodore’s, Ynysddu29 April 7.00pm Monmouth Schools at St Mary’s Priory11 May 10.00am St Julian’s25 May 11.00am Llanfihangel Ystern Llwern8 June 10.30am Llantilio Pertholey23 November 10.00am Caldicot30 November 10.00am Pontypool

CongratulationsTo Sr Rosalind Mary SSC who takes life vows on 17 Jan

To Canon Harald and Revd Dorothy Thomas on their golden wedding anniversary(Nov 13)

Consultation meeting on theCode of Practice in relation towomen BishopsAn open meeting to share ideasconcerning the Bench of Bishop’sintended Code of Practice will takeplace on Thursday 20 February at7.30pm at the Cathedral.

All are welcome to attend andcontribute to the meeting.

Barn DanceTo celebrate 300 years of Bellringing at St Mellons Parish Church and the centenaryof the current 6 bells and frame, a BarnDance will be held at St Mellons Village Hall on Saturday 15 March 2014 from 8pm [doors open 7.30pm]

Featuring ‘Pluck & Squeeze’Cost £10 including food

Proceeds in aid of St Mellons Parish ChurchTickets available from Tower Captain - JenMundy Tel: 029 2073 1089

Golden celebrations inPontnewyddCanon Harald & Reverend Dorothy Thomas reached theirgolden wedding anniversary at the end of November. Thecelebrations included a service of thanksgiving at Holy Trinitychurch on Sunday 24th. Their family, many friends andmembers of their church family all came together incelebration. Pausing at the beginning to remember lovedones no longer with us by lighting a candle and a fewmoments for quiet reflection, the service continued with

readings and hymns chosen by the couple. At the end of the service, the organistfor the occasion, Mr Andrew Jones, rose magnificently to the challenge they sethim to play [on the organ] ‘their tune’, When I fall in love by Nat King Cole.

Everyone enjoyed looking through the wedding album; only two other people atthe wedding were there fifty years later. After the service guests were treated toafternoon tea with bucks fizz or sherry and a piece of golden wedding cake servedby members of the church.

Would I Lie To You?Clergy Versus the Rest!A fun-filled Saturday evening lies aheadat Mathern Village Hall.FEBRUARY 1 @ 6.30 PM

Enjoy a Ploughman’s Supper followedby the parish’s own version of thepopular TV Show ‘Would I Lie To You?’.

There will be a licensed bar and a raffle.

Tickets are priced at £10 per person (tobe purchased in advance). Please speakto Carole Oakes (01291 620196) orSandra White (01291 622317) for moredetails.

The Diocesan Newsletterwelcomes your news, views, notices andletters.Next IssueCopy date: 27 February 2014Publication: 20 March 2014

Editor: Revd Janet Bone,[email protected] Diocesan Office64 Caerau Rd, Newport NP20 4HJ

Articles should normally be no more than300 words.

Photos need to be either .jpg format orprofessional quality prints. Send hard copyto the Diocesan Office.

Photos of children must have parentalpermission for publication in print and onthe internet. Please confirm this to theeditor when submitting photo.

If it’s happening in your parish, it couldbe on the Events Calendar

monmouth.churchinwales.org.uk/events

To advertise your parish event on thewebsite calendar, send details [email protected]

Women’s World Day of Prayer Service in the Cathedral

at 2pm on Friday 7th MarchSpeaker: Canon Jennifer Mole.

The theme for this year is‘Streams in the Desert’

written by Christian women in Egypt.

What’s on

Music@StWoolosConcerts in the cathedral at noon on thesecond Saturday of the month (not in May).Free entry with a retiring collection.