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
Services in October and November at the Shrine Church of St. Melangell.
The recent arrival of the Bayeux Tapestry in England for the first time in nearly 1,000 years is timely. In telling the story of the Battle of Hastings in 1066, the death of King Harold and the invasion of England by the French, it seems that memories of some conflicts run very deep. For at the Battle of Normandy in 1944, nearly nine hundred years later, many of those killed in it were laid to rest in the Bayeux War Cemetery and carved along their memorial are the words We, once conquered by William, have now set free the Conqueror’s native land. With the loan of the Tapestry, it appears that relationships which at times over the centuries have been very frosty are much better, whereas the rekindling of disagreements between the House of Windsor and the House of Spencer about painful memories originating at the time of the death of Princess Diana 29 years ago is a reminder that conflict and differences in recollection can resurface many years later.
It’s perhaps tempting to think that all this is far removed from us today but there is a constant reminder here at St Melangell’s. Originally wooden, the stone church which now exists was constructed in the Romanesque or Norman style that’s clear in the arches of the church and in its shrine which was taken apart and hidden in case of desecration during the conflict of the Reformation. The consequences of that era are still evident in the restored shrine, with original Norman stones and Celtic influences blending with replicas of the missing pieces in a unique reconstruction which draws many people here.
One of the issues surrounding the arrival of the Bayeux Tapestry is the noting of two damaged threads which could have occurred on either side of the Channel. Previous repairs to it have involved darning, which may have originated from the word dern meaning hidden – used so that a well-darned hole would not be noticed. Darn it! can also be an unrelated form of damn it! Could repairs or reconstruction be made to the Tapestry or is the fabric just too delicate now? And what should be done with any damaged threads in the tapestry depicting our own lives and relationships? Nothing, other than note it? Darn it as in damn it? Or darn it as in mend it? Is it all too delicate or might a stitch in time save more than nine?!
Thursday 1st October, noon: Holy Eucharist.
Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity, 4th October, 3pm: service of the Word.
Thursday 8th, noon: Holy Eucharist and service of healing.
Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity, 11th October, 3pm: service of reflection for Prisoners’ Week.
Thursday 15th, noon: Holy Eucharist.
Luke, Evangelist, 18th October, 3pm: Holy Eucharist and service of healing.
Thursday 22nd, noon: Holy Eucharist.
Last Sunday after Trinity, Bible Sunday, 25th October, 3pm: service of reflection.
Monday 26th October, 10.30am: Julian Group at the centre.
Thursday 29th, noon: Holy Eucharist and service of healing.
All Saints’ Day, 1st November, 3pm: service of reflection for All Saints and All Souls.
Thursday 5th, noon: Holy Eucharist.
Remembrance Sunday, 8th November, 10.45am: United Service of Remembrance at Llangynog Memorial Hall. There will be no service at St. Melangell’s due to this.
Remembrance Day, Wednesday 11th November, 10.55: Act of remembrance and laying of poppy crosses on the war graves in the churchyard.
Tysilio, Thursday 12th November, noon: Holy Eucharist.
Safeguarding Sunday, Third of the Kingdom, 15th November, 3pm: Holy Eucharist and service of healing.
Thursday 19th, noon: Holy Eucharist.
Christ the King, 22nd November, 3pm: service of reflection.
Thursday 26th, noon: Holy Eucharist.
First Sunday of Advent 29th, 3pm: readings and hymns for Advent.
Monday 30th November, 10.30am: Julian Group at the centre.
For further details, or to book Shepherd’s Hut, please contact admin@ melangell.org or ring 01691 860408.
With my prayers; pob bendith,
Christine, Priest Guardian.
Our booking form system for retreats is currently being developed and will be updated as soon as possible. In the meantime please email admin@stmelangell.org concerning booking enquiries. Thank you for your patience.
If you need any help or support you can contact us here.