Ministry Area News
Church Ministry Area Contacts:
Local Ministry Contact for St Tysoi, Llansoy; St Denis, Llanishen; Trelleck Grange and St Michael, Llanfihangel Tor-y-Mynydd
The Reverend Liz Perry:
[email protected]
01600 860350
07900 150649
Please note that Liz's day off is Saturday.
Co-Ministry Area Leaders of the 19 Monmouth MA Churches
The Reverend Karen Dack, M.Min: [email protected]
The Reverend Timothy Dack, M.Th.: [email protected]
07958 022782
For general enquiries: [email protected]
For publicity and video enquiries: [email protected]
The website for the Monmouth Ministry Area Parishes is: http://monmouthparishes.org/
Here you will find information about all the churches as well as a calendar of services and events for each church within the Ministry Area.
The Licensing of The Rev’d Elizabeth Ann Perry as Associate Priest in the Monmouth Ministry Area took place at St Denis, Llanishen on 27th January, 2022. We welcome Liz and her husband, David, to our Ministry Area.
While Covid restrictions prevented many from attending the service, it was filmed by Dan Damon and is available here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OraACm23NAM
Services and events within the Ministry Area
5th May Rogation Sunday
9.30am St Martin Penyclawdd
9.30am St Oudoceus Llandogo
9.30am St. Michael Llanfihangel tor y Mynydd
10.30am St Michael Tintern
11am St Nicholas Trellech
11am St Mary Tregaer
11am Trelleck Grange
11.00am St Oudoceus Llandogo
Readings for 5th May
Acts 10:44 to end., Psalm 98, 1 John 5:1-6, John 15:9-17
12th May Ascension Sunday
9.30am St Oudoceus Llandogo Bubble Church
9.30am St Denis Llanishen
9.30am St Dingat Dingestow
10.30am St Michael Tintern
11am St Nicholas Trellech
11am Old Church Penallt
11am Llanfihangel y Llewern
11am St Oudoceus Llandogo
Saturday 18th May 11.00am Diocesan Celebration Service See below, in the Diocesan section, for more details.
Dates for your Diary:
Friday 3rd May (and 17th May). 2.30 -4.30 Trellech Teas All welcome.
Sunday 5th May 6pm Choral Evensong St. Mary's Priory Church Monmouth
Monday 6th May 10.30am. Plant sale Outside Fairview Penallt. In aid of Old Church Penallt.
Monday 6th May 5pm there will be a blessing of the new roof bosses at Old Church Penallt.
Tuesday 7th May 10.30am Coffee Morning in Pelham Hall Penallt in aid of Old Church Penallt. All welcome.
Thursday 16th May 10.30am Coffee Morning St. Nicholas Church Trellech
Friday 17th May Fashion show by Extons of Raglan at Llanarth Hall. Tickets £5. Bar available. In aid of St Mary, Tregaer.
Saturday 18th May St Nicholas Church Trellech will be holding a Ceilidh. Llanishen Ceilidh Band 7pm – 10pm. Prebooked tickets
£10 adults £5 children. On the door £12.50 /£6. Including hot pork/veggie bap + trimmings. Bar and Raffle. Parking at Hall.
Christian Aid Week 12th – 18th May.
Sunday 19th May there will be a service at St Michael’s Mitchel Troy at 6pm to hear about the poverty in Burundi. 70% live in poverty. Please come along and support Christian Aid.
Saturday 25th May 2-4.30pm Plant sale, teas, coffee in aid of St. David's Hospice. Bring bags to carry all your plants home in! Catbrook Memorial Hall
Saturday 8th June 7pm St. Michael's Church, Mitchel Troy: Music for a Summer's Evening Retiring collection in aid of St. Michael's and St. Wonnow's churches.
Warm Spaces in Monmouth
As part of warm spaces in Monmouth Ty Price offers a warm space, simple meals, refreshments and company on Monday and Friday lunchtimes (12-2pm). We wish to encourage church members to come along. They don't have to be struggling - it's open to all. In fact, it helps everyone if a few more church members came along to make the sessions busier, to give some feedback, and to support the Meet'n'Eat helpers team.
The Meet'n'Eat helpers team needs YOUR help: this could involve helping in the kitchen or helping serve and chat with users. If you could possible help please contact Steve Martin, [email protected], 07814 177220. Many thanks.
Quiet Days at Ty Mawr Convent 2024
The Society of the Sacred Cross invites you to join them for their Quiet Days in 2024, with an exciting variety of topics and speakers.
Each Quiet Day begins at 10am with coffee (Terce at 9.30am is optional), followed by the speaker for the day and time for rest and prayer before the midday Eucharist. After a ‘bring your own’ lunch, the speaker will lead the afternoon session which will end with Vespers at 4pm.
There is no charge for the day but donations are welcome. Please book your place for each Quiet Day by emailing [email protected] or by post to The Chaplain, Ty Mawr Convent, Lydart, Monmouth, NP25 4RN.
18th April 2024 Jewish perspectives on the material world with Rt. Revd. Rowan Williams
11th May 2024 Catherine of Siena’s ruthlessly sacrificial ‘engagement with the matter of this world’ with Dr. Jane Williams
13th July 2024 Holy Disobedience - Is it ever justified for Christians to break the law? with Revd. Sue Parfitt
7th September 2024 ‘The Flesh that Needs to be Loved’: Finding God in the Matter of the World ‘It is the Lord’, by Katharine Hall
with Revd. Rachel Mann
5th October 2024 Notes from a Eucharistic Life with Revd. Dr Manon Ceridwen James
9th November 2024 Let our Ordered Lives confess the Beauty of God’s Peace: Holding Faith with the matter of the World with the Very Revd. Dr Frances Ward
And within the Diocesan area...
Lent Appeal 2024 - This year's Lent Appeal will help fund projects in the most deprived areas of the Highveld.
If you would like to donate to the Lent Appeal 2024, you are able to do so in the following ways:
• A cheque made payable to “Monmouth DBF” can be sent to the Diocesan Office at 64 Caerau Road, Newport, NP20 4HJ. Please
ensure you write “Lent Appeal 2024” on the back of the cheque.
• By bank transfer, including the reference “Lent Appeal 2024” within the transaction.
Ministry Areas will already have the diocesan bank details, but if there are any queries, or any individuals would also like to donate this way, please contact the Diocesan Office on (01633) 267490 who will provide the necessary details.
Monday 15th April 10am - 4pm Our Diocesan Day of Prayer at St Mary's Church, Abergavenny,
Drinks will be provided but please bring your own lunch. All are welcome.
Bishop Cherry explains that the 'purpose of the day is not to teach us about prayer, but to provide a space for us to pray.’
Thy Kingdom Come 2024
On Saturday 18th May 11.00am Diocesan Celebration Service
Our collective outreach will be celebrated with Bishop Cherry at a Pentecost Service in St Mary’s Abergavenny to joyfully worship and pray together as the Diocese family.
This will be a celebration for all ages, including activities for children.
It will be followed by refreshments and a chance to meet people from across the diocese.
Hopefully as many people as possible will come together for this celebration. Abergavenny is a wonderful place for making a day of it as well, so please encourage groups to come and enjoy the day.
https://www.thykingdomcome.global
Saturday 25th May 11am. Amnesty International is organising a local event on Monnow Bridge. The event is part of a worldwide day of action ‘Protect the Protest’. The Monmouth event will focus on a group of women in Turkiye called the Saturday Mothers who have been campaigning for 30 years to obtain information on the men in their families who disappeared in police custody in the 1980s and 90’s. If you would like to be part of this event, can you email [email protected] They need an idea of numbers attending.
Sunday 30th June 11.00 at St. Nicholas Church, Trellech A joint service to dedicate our Pastoral Assistants who complete the
Diocesan Course and dedicate the new MAC and officers who will be elected at our AVM.
St. Michael's, Glascoed
Promoting the natural history of their churchyard is part of a project to revive St Michael’s Glascoed and to rebuild its links with the local community, as well as meeting the Environment aims of our diocesan vision. Dr Stephanie Tyler recently conducted a survey of the churchyard. A brief film of this may be seen here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxIa1rFhHGY
Safeguarding Training Dates in Monmouth Diocese
Module A: Safeguarding Awareness – available for everyone to complete online. It is a pre-requisite for undertaking Module B.
Module B: Understanding Safeguarding in the Church – designed to equip and support all clergy, all those with a church office (eg church wardens, eucharistic ministers) and anyone working with children and/or adults at risk.
For all details, dates for the in-person sessions and booking form for Module A and B can be found here:
https://www.churchinwales.org.uk/en/clergy-and-members/safeguarding/safeguarding-training/safeguarding-training-in-monmouth/
or email [email protected] or calling the team administrator on 07376 199668.
Please note that the Provincial Safeguarding Officer for the Diocese of Monmouth is now Colin Taylor who can be contacted via email: [email protected] or phone, 07956 790330.
And beyond!
Open Table Communion Service
The Open Table East Cardiff community will meet on the first Sunday of each month, at All Saints Church, Cyncoed (CF23 6RU) for a 6pm communion service, followed by refreshments. Open to LGBTQIA+ people and allies of any Christian tradition, or none.
Saturday 6th July South Wales Festival of Prayer
The South Wales Festival of Prayer is now open for 2024 bookings!
The festival will take place at St Teilo’s Church in Wales High School, Cardiff (CF23 9PD) from 9:30am to 4pm.
We are once again excited to welcome a range of guest speakers including Archbishop Rowan Williams, Anne Spalding and Trystan Owain Hughes.
When pre-booked online the tickets cost £25 – lunch and refreshments are included, or you can pay £30 on the door. A limited number of pre-booked £10 tickets are available for those unemployed or in full time education.
Tickets and more information can be found at www.festivalofprayer.live
Cardiff University Faith Research
People across Wales are invited to participate in an online study into the impact of faith practices on people's lives. Participation will involve conducting a faith practice for just 10 minutes a day
for one week.
Please click on the following link for more information and to sign up:
https://uk01.z.antigena.com/l/pvuocbzmRHcG4m_ZI2sBXQCaS_TCLxdyAlYHjxvpkPtFprvUs2rwMnjPz1vZwGkO_CrKG_rYJ3xdXwdlMbb8aGy1iC34JHhVvsZrj~UNsbYVcYAT3g7SLEHd8am7xYaztZnYjKyaBZY4GCEC7c58HPQdnjAHftYoTQQytVC3E4QcEqlFcNQdfHw1BTXSyFPWpoEROYZ8unwFgwj
Prayers for Ukraine
A reflection from Bishop Cherry:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFck5Qcf3Yo
The Universal Prayer for Peace.
This prayer is said each day at noon by many people of all faiths and of none.
Loving God,
Lead us from death to life, from falsehood to truth.
Lead us from despair to hope, from fear to trust.
Lead us from hate to love, from war to peace.
Let peace fill our heart, our world, our universe.
Amen.
Prayer for Ukraine which was said throughout the UK on Passion Sunday, April 3rd 2022
God of all peoples and nations,
Who created all things alive and breathing,
United and whole,
Show us the way of peace that is Your overwhelming presence
We hold before you the peoples of Ukraine and Russia,
Every child and every adult.
We long for the time
When weapons of war are beaten into ploughshares
When nations no longer lift up sword against nation
We cry out to you for peace;
Protect those who only desire and deserve to live in security and safety
Comfort those who fear for their lives and the lives of their loved ones
Be with those who are bereaved.
Change the hearts of those set on violence and aggression
And fill leaders with the wisdom that leads to peace.
Kindle again in us a love of our neighbour,
And a passion for justice to prevail and a renewed recognition that we all play a part in peace.
Creator of all hear our prayer
And bring us peace.
Make us whole.
Amen
Message from Irpin Bible Church Kyiv – While the church may not fight like the nations, we still believe we have a role to play in this struggle. We will shelter the weak, serve the suffering and mend the broken. And as we do, we offer the unshakable hope of Christ and his gospel. As we stay we pray the church in Ukraine will faithfully trust the Lord and serve our neighbours. Let us uphold the people of God in Ukraine in our prayers.
A prayer from the Methodist Church
Holy and Gracious God We pray for the people of the Ukraine and the people of Russia; for their countries and their leaders. We pray for all those who are afraid; that your everlasting arms hold them in this time of great fear. We pray for all those who have the power over life and death; that they will choose for all people life, and life in all its fullness. We pray for those who choose war; that they will remember that you direct your people to turn our swords into ploughshares and seek for peace. We pray for leaders on the world stage; that they are inspired by the wisdom and courage of Christ. Above all, Lord, today we pray for peace for Ukraine. And we ask this in the name of your blessed Son. Lord have mercy. Amen
More information available on Monmouth Diocese https://www.churchinwales.org.uk/en/faith/prayer/prayers-for-ukraine/
Message from Catherine -
Dear Friends, As we continue to pray for Ukrainian refugees and all affected by the war, many people are asking what they can do to provide practical help. Housing Justice Cymru are co-ordinating placements for refugees in Wales - and there is a link on their website to register if you are able to offer a room. (If reading this online, click here.) Here in Monmouth, there is a Facebook group co-ordinating sending relief to Ukraine - Google ‘Facebook Monmouth Aid for Ukraine' for regular updates of the type of goods they are requesting. At the Churches Housing Group last week, we explored our response to the crisis. It was agreed that, in case it becomes necessary, we would invite those who had been involved with the night shelter to register an interest in being on standby in case we need to provide emergency overnight accommodation at short notice. If you have helped in the past and are willing to go onto the list, it would be good to hear from you. The response to the Christian Aid Ukraine appeal has been most generous so far - many thanks to all of you who are raising money and organising or attending events to support this. We pray daily for peace and for hope for all whose lives have been torn apart by war. With love and prayers, Catherine Haynes.
Anna Chaplaincy
Anna Chaplaincy is a BRF initiative to provide training and mentoring for those who have a calling to fellowship and spiritual support for people in their later years. It's named for Anna whose story is told in Luke's Gospel - she lived in the Temple for decades after she was widowed young and was 84 when with Simeon she saw the infant Jesus and recognised him as the Messiah. Anna Chaplains can be any age and gender and receive training, a handbook and materials to help share Christian fellowship in family and care homes.
Rev. Sally Rees is the Anna Chaplaincy coordinator for Wales.
Please contact Dan Damon [email protected] if you would like to know more.
Archdeacon Ian's Guide to Ministry Areas
(Archdeacon Ian introduces the guide here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZOHJ-l-ELw)
Ministry Areas
Are not :-
▪ A new structure devised to manage decline in numbers of people or amounts of money available. It is not so much about a new structure, but a new culture.
▪ Simply an amalgamation of a group of parishes.
▪ A way of doing what we’ve done for years but calling it something different and with fewer clergy involved.
▪ Making big ‘benefices’ where all the churches in a particular group ‘look the same’ (diversity can be a major strength of ministry areas) .
▪ Imposing ‘top down’ leadership where all follow a new set of rules.
▪ Being designed to close churches.
▪ A way of taking your resources and centralising everything.
They are :-
▪ Communities of faithful and committed Christians seeking to use the vast variety of gifts, often currently unrecognized, that God has given to his people.
▪ A recognition that life has changed for everyone and that the church needs to respond to these changes in order to be attractive and faithful to God’s call.
▪ Flexible networks of places where people (lay or ordained) have a chance to explore their gifts and are given the opportunity to use them, and where resources are honestly evaluated and made best use of.
▪ Groups of people working together (lay and ordained), sharing their talents and resources where they are best suited, supporting and encouraging one another, freeing up opportunities for specialist ministry, for example, with children and youth, the elderly, families, worship, evangelism, pastoral care, education, administration etc..
▪ Models of church grounded historically and theologically in the New Testament, recognising and affirming the ministry of all believers, lay or ordained, who share in the ministry of the Bishop. The role of the ‘Leader’ is to guide and encourage people to develop their personal discipleship and co-ordinate initiatives, whether old or new, which help the growth of the church, both spiritually and numerically. They are a way of helping churches thrive together rather than battle to survive alone, often seeing other churches as ‘competition’ rather than as family.
▪ A way to ‘re-root’ churches in their local communities as they seek new ways of engaging with and serving the people.
▪ Importantly, Ministry Areas, rather than lessening the role of local churches, intend to help them become more prominent.
▪ An encouragement to all people to be creative in working together towards the common goal of a stronger and more effective church where disciples are welcomed, fed and nurtured.
▪ A way of streamlining some of the ‘bureaucracy’ of the church. A central Ministry Area Council will be the trustee group. This helps to recognise that some churches are struggling to get suitable people into the right positions and ensures that those on the Ministry Area Council are suitably trained for the responsibility they are undertaking. However, the Ministry Area Council will rely on support and input from individual church councils and people still taking active roles in each church. As previously intimated, Ministry Areas are about helping local churches to thrive not just survive.
▪ A call to be the ‘Body of Christ’ committed to helping transform lives and communities.
Key elements
▪ Prayer
▪ Worship
▪ Communication
▪ A real desire to work together, sharing resources with, and offering support for, one another
▪ Clear organisation in place and systems which are understood
▪ A recognition that churches are not ”competing” with one another but are united as a family, seeking, often in different ways, to share the gospel in words and actions
▪ The opportunity for gifts to be identified, nurtured, and used
▪ One model doesn’t necessarily suit all. It is important that people engage in the process of developing the Ministry Area to ensure that it is the right model for the particular area
Some benefits
Effectively working Ministry Areas will in some places be a culture change. Some benefits will inevitably take time but that isn’t a reason to delay Ministry Areas from being formed.
▪ Sustainable Ministry Teams, recognising people’s gifts and talents
▪ A chance to provide more ‘expert’ help and support for one another – some churches will have people who are particularly gifted in certain areas. These gifts can be shared – these might be in children’s/ youth work, work with older people, social action projects, music, different experiences of spirituality, finance, buildings, grants, technology
▪ A bigger opportunity for ‘representation’ with organisations such as Councils with the ‘bigger voice’ more likely to be heard
▪ The recognition that no church is left ‘alone’ and all are supported, encouraged and prayed for by others regularly ▪ Increasing opportunities for fellowship, meeting together for prayer, worship, and social events
▪ The opportunity to develop more ’small groups’ which allow people to meet together informally for bible study, prayer, reflection etc
Our new MA prayer:
Dear Lord, we thank you for the opportunity to work together as a Ministry Area.
May we engage with each other with faith and encouragement.
May we manage each situation with wisdom and mutual respect.
May we serve with integrity, creativity and purpose.
May we speak with openness and gentleness.
May we offer our gifts, time and finances with generosity.
May we face each challenge with courage and the desire to grow through it.
May we all be drawn deeper into our relationship with You and be known as your disciples.
Help us to show your love, proclaim your Good News and grow your Kingdom in this place.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. AMEN
Further information on Ministry Areas may be found on the Diocesan website.
From the Diocese - We are pleased to present the latest edition of our monthly video-magazine ‘Flourish’. This month, we look at all things ‘calling’, with interviews from our newly ordained deacons and priests and a feature by The Venerable Ian Rees, Archdeacon of Monmouth and Director of Ministry and Discipleship. https://youtu.be/00kllTs2oMg
Can you help?:
Jan Pain who is the LLM at St Michael, Tintern is also a hospital chaplain. They are looking for toothpaste, shower gel, talc and cotton buds, shaving cream and Bic shavers for men and PJs sizes 12/14 for men and women. With relatives not being able to visit their loved ones and the elderly not being able to pack for themselves most arrive with nothing. Can anyone help with any of these items.
COMMUNITY MATTERS by Reverend Catherine Haynes
Jesus told us that if we are truly searching for the kingdom of God, we shouldn’t be looking ‘over here’ or ‘over there’ but make the remarkable discovery that ‘the Kingdom of God is amongst you’ – wherever we are, God’s gifts of faith, hope and love are there in abundance.
In the Town…
As a Community Engagement Priest across the town of Monmouth for five years, I have built partnerships: statutory ones with the police, schools, Town Council and Monmouthshire County Council; but also worked alongside community centres, sustainability groups like Transition Monmouth, and local projects like the Community Champions. My involvement varies according to need. For example, I was able to lead initiatives such as the Churches Housing Group setting up the Night Shelter and the Christians against Poverty Life Skills Course; whilst helping other groups by encouraging volunteers; with Ty Price, providing a place to meet; and, I hope, being an encouraging presence, particularly in community projects at Ty Price which was built to meet needs identified as unmet elsewhere. Now in the Country…
So far, my work has been mainly in Monmouth. Now I have been asked to expand my role across the whole Ministry Area. This is leading me to discover significant projects in our rural communities. For example, I have been hearing about the Tintern Community Ambassadors, and am exploring how the Police Community Engagement Team can now cover a wider area without having to respond to other calls. Although I spent ten years in rural mid Wales with some exciting local projects, I am still a newcomer to rural Monmouthshire, but am hoping you can help me to learn more and support Church involvement in community life. How am I going to do this? Firstly, I have no pre-conceived ideas. My job is to listen, to be a presence on the ground, to use existing partnerships and develop new ones to enable the Church to respond to local needs. Where churches exist, they’re involved in the community: my task is to be there to encourage and facilitate what God is already doing there to help all to thrive locally. Why am I doing this? My priestly ministry is for all. Church communities are there to help and befriend all around us. Jesus said, ‘I have come that all may have life, and have it abundantly.’ Where love for one another, for the environment and for a fairer society exists, God is there. Partnership with God in our community helps all our local areas thrive and have abundant life.
So where do you come into it?
I know that most of you are already involved in community work in some way. These three things will help me to help you - easily remembered by the acronym LAH – Lend a Hand. Let me know what is happening in your community. Allow me to be there alongside you. Help me to share partnerships and grow church and community relationships. That’s what God put me and you together for!
Local Ministry Contact for St Tysoi, Llansoy; St Denis, Llanishen; Trelleck Grange and St Michael, Llanfihangel Tor-y-Mynydd
The Reverend Liz Perry:
[email protected]
01600 860350
07900 150649
Please note that Liz's day off is Saturday.
Co-Ministry Area Leaders of the 19 Monmouth MA Churches
The Reverend Karen Dack, M.Min: [email protected]
The Reverend Timothy Dack, M.Th.: [email protected]
07958 022782
For general enquiries: [email protected]
For publicity and video enquiries: [email protected]
The website for the Monmouth Ministry Area Parishes is: http://monmouthparishes.org/
Here you will find information about all the churches as well as a calendar of services and events for each church within the Ministry Area.
The Licensing of The Rev’d Elizabeth Ann Perry as Associate Priest in the Monmouth Ministry Area took place at St Denis, Llanishen on 27th January, 2022. We welcome Liz and her husband, David, to our Ministry Area.
While Covid restrictions prevented many from attending the service, it was filmed by Dan Damon and is available here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OraACm23NAM
Services and events within the Ministry Area
5th May Rogation Sunday
9.30am St Martin Penyclawdd
9.30am St Oudoceus Llandogo
9.30am St. Michael Llanfihangel tor y Mynydd
10.30am St Michael Tintern
11am St Nicholas Trellech
11am St Mary Tregaer
11am Trelleck Grange
11.00am St Oudoceus Llandogo
Readings for 5th May
Acts 10:44 to end., Psalm 98, 1 John 5:1-6, John 15:9-17
12th May Ascension Sunday
9.30am St Oudoceus Llandogo Bubble Church
9.30am St Denis Llanishen
9.30am St Dingat Dingestow
10.30am St Michael Tintern
11am St Nicholas Trellech
11am Old Church Penallt
11am Llanfihangel y Llewern
11am St Oudoceus Llandogo
Saturday 18th May 11.00am Diocesan Celebration Service See below, in the Diocesan section, for more details.
Dates for your Diary:
Friday 3rd May (and 17th May). 2.30 -4.30 Trellech Teas All welcome.
Sunday 5th May 6pm Choral Evensong St. Mary's Priory Church Monmouth
Monday 6th May 10.30am. Plant sale Outside Fairview Penallt. In aid of Old Church Penallt.
Monday 6th May 5pm there will be a blessing of the new roof bosses at Old Church Penallt.
Tuesday 7th May 10.30am Coffee Morning in Pelham Hall Penallt in aid of Old Church Penallt. All welcome.
Thursday 16th May 10.30am Coffee Morning St. Nicholas Church Trellech
Friday 17th May Fashion show by Extons of Raglan at Llanarth Hall. Tickets £5. Bar available. In aid of St Mary, Tregaer.
Saturday 18th May St Nicholas Church Trellech will be holding a Ceilidh. Llanishen Ceilidh Band 7pm – 10pm. Prebooked tickets
£10 adults £5 children. On the door £12.50 /£6. Including hot pork/veggie bap + trimmings. Bar and Raffle. Parking at Hall.
Christian Aid Week 12th – 18th May.
Sunday 19th May there will be a service at St Michael’s Mitchel Troy at 6pm to hear about the poverty in Burundi. 70% live in poverty. Please come along and support Christian Aid.
Saturday 25th May 2-4.30pm Plant sale, teas, coffee in aid of St. David's Hospice. Bring bags to carry all your plants home in! Catbrook Memorial Hall
Saturday 8th June 7pm St. Michael's Church, Mitchel Troy: Music for a Summer's Evening Retiring collection in aid of St. Michael's and St. Wonnow's churches.
Warm Spaces in Monmouth
As part of warm spaces in Monmouth Ty Price offers a warm space, simple meals, refreshments and company on Monday and Friday lunchtimes (12-2pm). We wish to encourage church members to come along. They don't have to be struggling - it's open to all. In fact, it helps everyone if a few more church members came along to make the sessions busier, to give some feedback, and to support the Meet'n'Eat helpers team.
The Meet'n'Eat helpers team needs YOUR help: this could involve helping in the kitchen or helping serve and chat with users. If you could possible help please contact Steve Martin, [email protected], 07814 177220. Many thanks.
Quiet Days at Ty Mawr Convent 2024
The Society of the Sacred Cross invites you to join them for their Quiet Days in 2024, with an exciting variety of topics and speakers.
Each Quiet Day begins at 10am with coffee (Terce at 9.30am is optional), followed by the speaker for the day and time for rest and prayer before the midday Eucharist. After a ‘bring your own’ lunch, the speaker will lead the afternoon session which will end with Vespers at 4pm.
There is no charge for the day but donations are welcome. Please book your place for each Quiet Day by emailing [email protected] or by post to The Chaplain, Ty Mawr Convent, Lydart, Monmouth, NP25 4RN.
18th April 2024 Jewish perspectives on the material world with Rt. Revd. Rowan Williams
11th May 2024 Catherine of Siena’s ruthlessly sacrificial ‘engagement with the matter of this world’ with Dr. Jane Williams
13th July 2024 Holy Disobedience - Is it ever justified for Christians to break the law? with Revd. Sue Parfitt
7th September 2024 ‘The Flesh that Needs to be Loved’: Finding God in the Matter of the World ‘It is the Lord’, by Katharine Hall
with Revd. Rachel Mann
5th October 2024 Notes from a Eucharistic Life with Revd. Dr Manon Ceridwen James
9th November 2024 Let our Ordered Lives confess the Beauty of God’s Peace: Holding Faith with the matter of the World with the Very Revd. Dr Frances Ward
And within the Diocesan area...
Lent Appeal 2024 - This year's Lent Appeal will help fund projects in the most deprived areas of the Highveld.
If you would like to donate to the Lent Appeal 2024, you are able to do so in the following ways:
• A cheque made payable to “Monmouth DBF” can be sent to the Diocesan Office at 64 Caerau Road, Newport, NP20 4HJ. Please
ensure you write “Lent Appeal 2024” on the back of the cheque.
• By bank transfer, including the reference “Lent Appeal 2024” within the transaction.
Ministry Areas will already have the diocesan bank details, but if there are any queries, or any individuals would also like to donate this way, please contact the Diocesan Office on (01633) 267490 who will provide the necessary details.
Monday 15th April 10am - 4pm Our Diocesan Day of Prayer at St Mary's Church, Abergavenny,
Drinks will be provided but please bring your own lunch. All are welcome.
Bishop Cherry explains that the 'purpose of the day is not to teach us about prayer, but to provide a space for us to pray.’
Thy Kingdom Come 2024
On Saturday 18th May 11.00am Diocesan Celebration Service
Our collective outreach will be celebrated with Bishop Cherry at a Pentecost Service in St Mary’s Abergavenny to joyfully worship and pray together as the Diocese family.
This will be a celebration for all ages, including activities for children.
It will be followed by refreshments and a chance to meet people from across the diocese.
Hopefully as many people as possible will come together for this celebration. Abergavenny is a wonderful place for making a day of it as well, so please encourage groups to come and enjoy the day.
https://www.thykingdomcome.global
Saturday 25th May 11am. Amnesty International is organising a local event on Monnow Bridge. The event is part of a worldwide day of action ‘Protect the Protest’. The Monmouth event will focus on a group of women in Turkiye called the Saturday Mothers who have been campaigning for 30 years to obtain information on the men in their families who disappeared in police custody in the 1980s and 90’s. If you would like to be part of this event, can you email [email protected] They need an idea of numbers attending.
Sunday 30th June 11.00 at St. Nicholas Church, Trellech A joint service to dedicate our Pastoral Assistants who complete the
Diocesan Course and dedicate the new MAC and officers who will be elected at our AVM.
St. Michael's, Glascoed
Promoting the natural history of their churchyard is part of a project to revive St Michael’s Glascoed and to rebuild its links with the local community, as well as meeting the Environment aims of our diocesan vision. Dr Stephanie Tyler recently conducted a survey of the churchyard. A brief film of this may be seen here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxIa1rFhHGY
Safeguarding Training Dates in Monmouth Diocese
Module A: Safeguarding Awareness – available for everyone to complete online. It is a pre-requisite for undertaking Module B.
Module B: Understanding Safeguarding in the Church – designed to equip and support all clergy, all those with a church office (eg church wardens, eucharistic ministers) and anyone working with children and/or adults at risk.
For all details, dates for the in-person sessions and booking form for Module A and B can be found here:
https://www.churchinwales.org.uk/en/clergy-and-members/safeguarding/safeguarding-training/safeguarding-training-in-monmouth/
or email [email protected] or calling the team administrator on 07376 199668.
Please note that the Provincial Safeguarding Officer for the Diocese of Monmouth is now Colin Taylor who can be contacted via email: [email protected] or phone, 07956 790330.
And beyond!
Open Table Communion Service
The Open Table East Cardiff community will meet on the first Sunday of each month, at All Saints Church, Cyncoed (CF23 6RU) for a 6pm communion service, followed by refreshments. Open to LGBTQIA+ people and allies of any Christian tradition, or none.
Saturday 6th July South Wales Festival of Prayer
The South Wales Festival of Prayer is now open for 2024 bookings!
The festival will take place at St Teilo’s Church in Wales High School, Cardiff (CF23 9PD) from 9:30am to 4pm.
We are once again excited to welcome a range of guest speakers including Archbishop Rowan Williams, Anne Spalding and Trystan Owain Hughes.
When pre-booked online the tickets cost £25 – lunch and refreshments are included, or you can pay £30 on the door. A limited number of pre-booked £10 tickets are available for those unemployed or in full time education.
Tickets and more information can be found at www.festivalofprayer.live
Cardiff University Faith Research
People across Wales are invited to participate in an online study into the impact of faith practices on people's lives. Participation will involve conducting a faith practice for just 10 minutes a day
for one week.
Please click on the following link for more information and to sign up:
https://uk01.z.antigena.com/l/pvuocbzmRHcG4m_ZI2sBXQCaS_TCLxdyAlYHjxvpkPtFprvUs2rwMnjPz1vZwGkO_CrKG_rYJ3xdXwdlMbb8aGy1iC34JHhVvsZrj~UNsbYVcYAT3g7SLEHd8am7xYaztZnYjKyaBZY4GCEC7c58HPQdnjAHftYoTQQytVC3E4QcEqlFcNQdfHw1BTXSyFPWpoEROYZ8unwFgwj
Prayers for Ukraine
A reflection from Bishop Cherry:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFck5Qcf3Yo
The Universal Prayer for Peace.
This prayer is said each day at noon by many people of all faiths and of none.
Loving God,
Lead us from death to life, from falsehood to truth.
Lead us from despair to hope, from fear to trust.
Lead us from hate to love, from war to peace.
Let peace fill our heart, our world, our universe.
Amen.
Prayer for Ukraine which was said throughout the UK on Passion Sunday, April 3rd 2022
God of all peoples and nations,
Who created all things alive and breathing,
United and whole,
Show us the way of peace that is Your overwhelming presence
We hold before you the peoples of Ukraine and Russia,
Every child and every adult.
We long for the time
When weapons of war are beaten into ploughshares
When nations no longer lift up sword against nation
We cry out to you for peace;
Protect those who only desire and deserve to live in security and safety
Comfort those who fear for their lives and the lives of their loved ones
Be with those who are bereaved.
Change the hearts of those set on violence and aggression
And fill leaders with the wisdom that leads to peace.
Kindle again in us a love of our neighbour,
And a passion for justice to prevail and a renewed recognition that we all play a part in peace.
Creator of all hear our prayer
And bring us peace.
Make us whole.
Amen
Message from Irpin Bible Church Kyiv – While the church may not fight like the nations, we still believe we have a role to play in this struggle. We will shelter the weak, serve the suffering and mend the broken. And as we do, we offer the unshakable hope of Christ and his gospel. As we stay we pray the church in Ukraine will faithfully trust the Lord and serve our neighbours. Let us uphold the people of God in Ukraine in our prayers.
A prayer from the Methodist Church
Holy and Gracious God We pray for the people of the Ukraine and the people of Russia; for their countries and their leaders. We pray for all those who are afraid; that your everlasting arms hold them in this time of great fear. We pray for all those who have the power over life and death; that they will choose for all people life, and life in all its fullness. We pray for those who choose war; that they will remember that you direct your people to turn our swords into ploughshares and seek for peace. We pray for leaders on the world stage; that they are inspired by the wisdom and courage of Christ. Above all, Lord, today we pray for peace for Ukraine. And we ask this in the name of your blessed Son. Lord have mercy. Amen
More information available on Monmouth Diocese https://www.churchinwales.org.uk/en/faith/prayer/prayers-for-ukraine/
Message from Catherine -
Dear Friends, As we continue to pray for Ukrainian refugees and all affected by the war, many people are asking what they can do to provide practical help. Housing Justice Cymru are co-ordinating placements for refugees in Wales - and there is a link on their website to register if you are able to offer a room. (If reading this online, click here.) Here in Monmouth, there is a Facebook group co-ordinating sending relief to Ukraine - Google ‘Facebook Monmouth Aid for Ukraine' for regular updates of the type of goods they are requesting. At the Churches Housing Group last week, we explored our response to the crisis. It was agreed that, in case it becomes necessary, we would invite those who had been involved with the night shelter to register an interest in being on standby in case we need to provide emergency overnight accommodation at short notice. If you have helped in the past and are willing to go onto the list, it would be good to hear from you. The response to the Christian Aid Ukraine appeal has been most generous so far - many thanks to all of you who are raising money and organising or attending events to support this. We pray daily for peace and for hope for all whose lives have been torn apart by war. With love and prayers, Catherine Haynes.
Anna Chaplaincy
Anna Chaplaincy is a BRF initiative to provide training and mentoring for those who have a calling to fellowship and spiritual support for people in their later years. It's named for Anna whose story is told in Luke's Gospel - she lived in the Temple for decades after she was widowed young and was 84 when with Simeon she saw the infant Jesus and recognised him as the Messiah. Anna Chaplains can be any age and gender and receive training, a handbook and materials to help share Christian fellowship in family and care homes.
Rev. Sally Rees is the Anna Chaplaincy coordinator for Wales.
Please contact Dan Damon [email protected] if you would like to know more.
Archdeacon Ian's Guide to Ministry Areas
(Archdeacon Ian introduces the guide here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZOHJ-l-ELw)
Ministry Areas
Are not :-
▪ A new structure devised to manage decline in numbers of people or amounts of money available. It is not so much about a new structure, but a new culture.
▪ Simply an amalgamation of a group of parishes.
▪ A way of doing what we’ve done for years but calling it something different and with fewer clergy involved.
▪ Making big ‘benefices’ where all the churches in a particular group ‘look the same’ (diversity can be a major strength of ministry areas) .
▪ Imposing ‘top down’ leadership where all follow a new set of rules.
▪ Being designed to close churches.
▪ A way of taking your resources and centralising everything.
They are :-
▪ Communities of faithful and committed Christians seeking to use the vast variety of gifts, often currently unrecognized, that God has given to his people.
▪ A recognition that life has changed for everyone and that the church needs to respond to these changes in order to be attractive and faithful to God’s call.
▪ Flexible networks of places where people (lay or ordained) have a chance to explore their gifts and are given the opportunity to use them, and where resources are honestly evaluated and made best use of.
▪ Groups of people working together (lay and ordained), sharing their talents and resources where they are best suited, supporting and encouraging one another, freeing up opportunities for specialist ministry, for example, with children and youth, the elderly, families, worship, evangelism, pastoral care, education, administration etc..
▪ Models of church grounded historically and theologically in the New Testament, recognising and affirming the ministry of all believers, lay or ordained, who share in the ministry of the Bishop. The role of the ‘Leader’ is to guide and encourage people to develop their personal discipleship and co-ordinate initiatives, whether old or new, which help the growth of the church, both spiritually and numerically. They are a way of helping churches thrive together rather than battle to survive alone, often seeing other churches as ‘competition’ rather than as family.
▪ A way to ‘re-root’ churches in their local communities as they seek new ways of engaging with and serving the people.
▪ Importantly, Ministry Areas, rather than lessening the role of local churches, intend to help them become more prominent.
▪ An encouragement to all people to be creative in working together towards the common goal of a stronger and more effective church where disciples are welcomed, fed and nurtured.
▪ A way of streamlining some of the ‘bureaucracy’ of the church. A central Ministry Area Council will be the trustee group. This helps to recognise that some churches are struggling to get suitable people into the right positions and ensures that those on the Ministry Area Council are suitably trained for the responsibility they are undertaking. However, the Ministry Area Council will rely on support and input from individual church councils and people still taking active roles in each church. As previously intimated, Ministry Areas are about helping local churches to thrive not just survive.
▪ A call to be the ‘Body of Christ’ committed to helping transform lives and communities.
Key elements
▪ Prayer
▪ Worship
▪ Communication
▪ A real desire to work together, sharing resources with, and offering support for, one another
▪ Clear organisation in place and systems which are understood
▪ A recognition that churches are not ”competing” with one another but are united as a family, seeking, often in different ways, to share the gospel in words and actions
▪ The opportunity for gifts to be identified, nurtured, and used
▪ One model doesn’t necessarily suit all. It is important that people engage in the process of developing the Ministry Area to ensure that it is the right model for the particular area
Some benefits
Effectively working Ministry Areas will in some places be a culture change. Some benefits will inevitably take time but that isn’t a reason to delay Ministry Areas from being formed.
▪ Sustainable Ministry Teams, recognising people’s gifts and talents
▪ A chance to provide more ‘expert’ help and support for one another – some churches will have people who are particularly gifted in certain areas. These gifts can be shared – these might be in children’s/ youth work, work with older people, social action projects, music, different experiences of spirituality, finance, buildings, grants, technology
▪ A bigger opportunity for ‘representation’ with organisations such as Councils with the ‘bigger voice’ more likely to be heard
▪ The recognition that no church is left ‘alone’ and all are supported, encouraged and prayed for by others regularly ▪ Increasing opportunities for fellowship, meeting together for prayer, worship, and social events
▪ The opportunity to develop more ’small groups’ which allow people to meet together informally for bible study, prayer, reflection etc
Our new MA prayer:
Dear Lord, we thank you for the opportunity to work together as a Ministry Area.
May we engage with each other with faith and encouragement.
May we manage each situation with wisdom and mutual respect.
May we serve with integrity, creativity and purpose.
May we speak with openness and gentleness.
May we offer our gifts, time and finances with generosity.
May we face each challenge with courage and the desire to grow through it.
May we all be drawn deeper into our relationship with You and be known as your disciples.
Help us to show your love, proclaim your Good News and grow your Kingdom in this place.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. AMEN
Further information on Ministry Areas may be found on the Diocesan website.
From the Diocese - We are pleased to present the latest edition of our monthly video-magazine ‘Flourish’. This month, we look at all things ‘calling’, with interviews from our newly ordained deacons and priests and a feature by The Venerable Ian Rees, Archdeacon of Monmouth and Director of Ministry and Discipleship. https://youtu.be/00kllTs2oMg
Can you help?:
Jan Pain who is the LLM at St Michael, Tintern is also a hospital chaplain. They are looking for toothpaste, shower gel, talc and cotton buds, shaving cream and Bic shavers for men and PJs sizes 12/14 for men and women. With relatives not being able to visit their loved ones and the elderly not being able to pack for themselves most arrive with nothing. Can anyone help with any of these items.
COMMUNITY MATTERS by Reverend Catherine Haynes
Jesus told us that if we are truly searching for the kingdom of God, we shouldn’t be looking ‘over here’ or ‘over there’ but make the remarkable discovery that ‘the Kingdom of God is amongst you’ – wherever we are, God’s gifts of faith, hope and love are there in abundance.
In the Town…
As a Community Engagement Priest across the town of Monmouth for five years, I have built partnerships: statutory ones with the police, schools, Town Council and Monmouthshire County Council; but also worked alongside community centres, sustainability groups like Transition Monmouth, and local projects like the Community Champions. My involvement varies according to need. For example, I was able to lead initiatives such as the Churches Housing Group setting up the Night Shelter and the Christians against Poverty Life Skills Course; whilst helping other groups by encouraging volunteers; with Ty Price, providing a place to meet; and, I hope, being an encouraging presence, particularly in community projects at Ty Price which was built to meet needs identified as unmet elsewhere. Now in the Country…
So far, my work has been mainly in Monmouth. Now I have been asked to expand my role across the whole Ministry Area. This is leading me to discover significant projects in our rural communities. For example, I have been hearing about the Tintern Community Ambassadors, and am exploring how the Police Community Engagement Team can now cover a wider area without having to respond to other calls. Although I spent ten years in rural mid Wales with some exciting local projects, I am still a newcomer to rural Monmouthshire, but am hoping you can help me to learn more and support Church involvement in community life. How am I going to do this? Firstly, I have no pre-conceived ideas. My job is to listen, to be a presence on the ground, to use existing partnerships and develop new ones to enable the Church to respond to local needs. Where churches exist, they’re involved in the community: my task is to be there to encourage and facilitate what God is already doing there to help all to thrive locally. Why am I doing this? My priestly ministry is for all. Church communities are there to help and befriend all around us. Jesus said, ‘I have come that all may have life, and have it abundantly.’ Where love for one another, for the environment and for a fairer society exists, God is there. Partnership with God in our community helps all our local areas thrive and have abundant life.
So where do you come into it?
I know that most of you are already involved in community work in some way. These three things will help me to help you - easily remembered by the acronym LAH – Lend a Hand. Let me know what is happening in your community. Allow me to be there alongside you. Help me to share partnerships and grow church and community relationships. That’s what God put me and you together for!