Welcome to the website of the Shrine Church of Saint Melangell. Here you will find information about our services, events and facilities. Please use the menus at the top and bottom of the page to navigate to the page you need, or click the news links for up to date information.
Mae ein gwefan Gymraeg i’w gweld yma .
October services at the Shrine Church of St Melangell.
I remember really looking forward to Harvest Festival when I was a child and looking for the little harvest mouse that was in a different place on the Harvest Loaf every year. The church would be decorated with fruit, vegetables, flowers and produce which filled the windowsills and were delivered afterwards to the elderly and those in need. Many folk looked forward to receiving them and knowing they’d not been forgotten, though I recall one pensioner saying, “ Oh no, not more apples – I’ve not eaten my own yet!”
Today, this produce can’t be distributed in the same way due to Health and Safety regulations as its origins, production and storage can’t be verified. Instead of the natural displays on the windowsills, here they are now filled with tins, packets and toiletries which will be taken to the local Food Bank where demand and the number of families they support has greatly increased. Many folk are struggling with the cost of living so donations to various charities have understandably diminished at a time when they are most needed and it’s good to be able to contribute in this way.
Harvest Suppers are also not so common as they were, although they still happen and will be doing so locally. Originally, they were a thank you to all the workers whose labour had gathered in the harvest, usually manually. They would also show the hard work that had gone on in the farms, fields and gardens, resulting in beautiful produce if the weather had been good. The chutneys, jams and pickles that were made were also useful provisions for the winter ahead, when food might not be so easily available in the days before supermarkets and freezers. Finally, the supper would usually be held in the church or village hall, after the Harvest Festival service in church which was an act of gratitude and thanksgiving at a time when the land and its weather could mean that a poor harvest might lead to a difficult winter and starvation could result.
Nowadays, the weather and land still affects the yield more than is sometimes realised. This has not been a good harvest for barley which doesn’t like getting its feet wet as it has done this year, whilst the potato yield has also been affected by rotting in ground that was waterlogged. However, berries have done well, as have roses although the war between Russia and Ukraine still affects wheat supplies and, in turn, bread prices….
Perhaps we should remind ourselves that, in a world where so many go hungry, we still
have much for which to be thankful this Harvest despite the challenges that lie ahead?
With my prayers; pob bendith,
Christine, Priest Guardian.
The following services will be held here, followed by a shared lunch at the Centre on Thursdays and tea with cake on Sundays:
OCTOBER SERVICES AT THE SHRINE CHURCH OF ST MELANGELL
The following services will be held here, followed by a shared lunch at the Centre on Thursdays and tea with cake on Sundays:
Thursdays 3rd October, 10th, 17th, and 31st: Holy Eucharist at noon.
Sunday 6th October, 3pm: Harvest Festival.
Sunday 13th, 3pm: Service of Reflection for Prisoners’ Sunday and Week.
Sunday 20th, 3pm: Service of Reflection.
Thursday 24th, Noon: Service of the Word
Sunday 27th, 3pm: Holy Eucharist for Bible Sunday
Monday 28th, 10.30am at the Centre: Julian Group.
For further information or to book Shepherd’s Hut and the Centre, please ring 01691 860408 or contact admin@stmelangell.org
For further information or to book Shepherd’s Hut and the Centre, please ring 01691 860408 or contact admin@stmelangell.org
If you need any help or support you can contact us here.