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 .
November Services and activities at St Melangell’s Shrine Church and Centre.
Edit: Please note it has been necessary to cancel the midday Eucharist Service on Thursday 13th November. Our apologies for any inconvenience caused.
November is the month of Remembrance and the following poem was written by Rudyard Kipling in 1915 in honour of his son, Jack, who was killed on the Western Front that September. Kipling had been keen for his son to serve and pulled strings for him to enlist as Jack had poor eyesight and was initially rejected. His famous father’s influence prevailed and so Kipling’s emotions must have been complex when he heard that Jack had died, which shows in the sadness and poignancy of the poem.
My Boy Jack
“Have you news of my boy Jack? “
Not this tide.
“When d’you think that he’ll come back?”
Not with this wind blowing, and this tide.
“Has any one else had word of him?”
Not this tide.
For what is sunk will hardly swim,
Not with this wind blowing, and this tide.
“Oh, dear, what comfort can I find?”
None this tide,
Nor any tide,
Except he did not shame his kind—
Not even with that wind blowing, and that tide.
Then hold your head up all the more,
This tide,
And every tide;
Because he was the son you bore,
And gave to that wind blowing and that tide!The poem may seem to be of its time, but it was read at the recent commemoration on September 18th of the three men killed in the flying accident near Llangynog on February 3rd 1944. The huge toll of casualties and resources then being taken on the RAF meant that a call went out for others to come forward and the Royal Naval Air Squadron was one of those who responded. Aboard a Grumman Avenger Mk.1, Sub Lieutenants William Appleby, Ernest Green and Joe Lupton were on a transit flight from Gosport to Kirkwall when the aircraft came down during a snowstorm at Trum y Fawnog in the Berwyns. Three lives lost, and three families waiting for news which, with William Appleby coming from New Zealand, took a while to filter through. His body was not repatriated, along with so many others, and now lies in the military section of the cemetery in Oswestry.
Bad weather also prevailed this year as a standing stone in their memory was unveiled near the site and Kipling’s poem was read by the Fleet Air Arm’s Chaplain who took the service with representatives from the RAF and local residents also present. As the release of the remaining hostages, prisoners and detainees is awaited in the Middle East, may this Remembrance Sunday remind us that the sacrifice made by so many in so many ways is ongoing and that the need, work and hope of lasting peace continues.
With my prayers; pob bendith,
Christine, Priest Guardian.
The following services will be held:
1st Sunday of the Kingdom, Nov. 2nd, 3pm: Service of reflection for All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days.
Thursday 6th, noon: Holy Eucharist and service of healing with bring and share lunch.
Remembrance Sunday, 2nd of the Kingdom, Nov 9th, 10.45am: United Service and Act of Remembrance at Llangynog Memorial Hall. Please note that, due to this, there will be no service here at 3pm.
Remembrance Day, Nov. 11th, 10.45am: Act of Remembrance here, followed by the laying of a poppy cross on each of the graves of local men who died due to the war.Thursday 13th, noon: Holy Eucharist and service of healing with bring and share lunch.
3rd Sunday of the Kingdom, Nov. 16th, 3pm: Service of reflection for Safeguarding Sunday.
Thursday 20th, noon: Holy Eucharist and service of healing with bring and share lunch.4th Sunday of the Kingdom, Nov 23rd, 3pm: Service of reflection for Christ the King
Monday 24th, 10.30am: Julian Group at the centre.Thursday 27th, noon: Holy Eucharist and service of healing with bring and share lunch.
First Sunday of Advent, Nov. 30th, 3pm: Service of Advent reflection.
To book a quiet day or Shepherd’s Hut, please email admin@stmelangell.org or ring 01691 860408. Thank you – diolch!
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