Author: stmelangell_l5nfea

Lent at St Melangell’s Shrine Church and Centre.
Services at St Melangell’s in March will focus on Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday and recalls the time Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness after his baptism. There are actually 46 days in Lent but Sundays don’t count as the day of resurrection so, if you choose to give something up, it can still happen on a Sunday which may make it harder as well easier to abstain from! 
Jesus chose to spend a lengthy time being solitary, whereas so many of us have had this forced upon us by the pandemic, and it’s clear that he was tempted to use his abilities to serve his own interests. As he fasted during that time, surviving on what the desert could offer for survival, so his followers have traditionally also given up food or something dear to them to join with him in the spiritual journey and in overcoming the temptation to be self-serving.
Due to the pandemic, people may now see this differently as we’ve already had to give up so much due to the various lockdowns that the prospect of giving something up for Lent may seem ironic. This year, emerging from the wilderness of Covid and its restrictions, some of the temptations ahead of us may be to remain afraid despite Omicron being milder than previous Covid variants or to be selfish about our own expectations without considering the consequences for other people. There are still things we need to be cautious about despite the statistics diminishing and deaths are still occurring from it although hospital admissions are much lower than they were. The ongoing issues with the supply chain, the increased cost of living and fuel or the tensions between Russia and Ukraine may all combine to make us feel fearful about what’s happening and anxious about the way the world is. So, rather than give something up for Lent when so much has already been lost, why not consider giving something away? Each day, why not do something for the benefit of other people, such as donating items to the Food Bank, leaving an anonymous bunch of daffodils for someone to find or doing something to help those around? In all, those 40 acts will make a positive difference in the face of such negativity – and you can still have a rest on Sundays!
The services in March will be held on the following dates:

Ash Wednesday, 10am: Ashing and Litany

Thursdays 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th:Holy Eucharist at noon. 

Sundays 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th, Mothering Sunday: Service of reflection at 3pm.

There will also be a Lent Group, by Zoom – please get in touch for further details. All services at St Melangell’s will be held according to the current guidance of the Welsh Government and the Church in Wales, which still advises the use of masks, social distancing and hand sanitiser. For further details, please ring 01691 860408, check the website stmelangell.org or contact admin@stmelangell.org
With my prayers,

Christine, Guardian.

Reflection for the Sunday before Lent

“Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him.” From Luke 9:28-36, NRSV.

“The International Judo Federation has suspended Vladimir Putin as honorary president and ambassador.” Online BBC news update. 

Today’s Gospel is the Transfiguration of Jesus, appropriate for a world being changed by love, hope and bravery as well as hatred, fear and warfare. The invasion of Ukraine by Russia has happened, despite diplomatic endeavours, and there has already been much bloodshed and destruction. Sanctions have been imposed in various ways (though President Putin will not probably be too affected by losing his presidency of the International Judo Federation!) and it’s clear that sporting sanctions are already having an effect in motor racing and football. With financial sanctions, loss of airspace, provision of supplies and the various other responses to the invasion, what lies ahead is likely to be protracted and complicated. However, with President Volodymyr Zelensky (a former comedian now being lauded a hero by many) facing the actions of President Putin (a black belt in judo facing much international criticism) there is a sense of disbelief and terror as well as absurdity at some of the things that are happening. Has so little been learned from the lessons of history?

There was disbelief at the Transfiguration, too, when Peter, James and John were also terrified by what was happening and were the only disciples taken up a mountain by Jesus to pray. When the figures of Moses and Elijah appear, representing the Law and the Prophets, not only is God’s glory revealed but a cloud descends, from which a voice is heard saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him.” (v35) This echoes the words at Jesus’ baptism, which confirms the start of his ministry just as the transfiguration confirms what lies ahead: the departure or exodus to Jerusalem. The sleepy disciples will later have difficulty staying awake in Gethsemane but, for now, they are roused by the glory they witness and Peter wants to build a reminder of what has happened – even as it’s taking place. That’s occurring as war breaks out today, too, with reporters and photographers capturing events as they unfold.

Understandably, Peter wants to linger in that holy place but they all come back down the mountain and are then faced with a mentally ill man shrieking at them. From the glory of what they’ve just experienced on the mountain, now the reality of daily life has to be confronted. And that’s what happens when Jesus heals the man, who is restored to his right mind. That is our hope too as glory and transfiguration encounter pain and disfiguration in our world today. Like those first disciples, we may be bewildered and terrified or faced with events we can’t comprehend but we are also figures in the ongoing struggle between the transfiguration and the disfiguration of life and will have opportunities to make a difference – one way or another – in the situations we embody. 
So: go, figure!
With my prayers; pob bendith,

Christine, Guardian.

Reflection for Creation Sunday

“Jesus said to them, “Where is your faith?” They were afraid and amazed and said to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even the winds and water, and they obey him?” From Luke 8:22-25, NRSV.
 “Very likely, what with enemies, and mountains, and rivers to cross, and losing our way, and next to nothing to eat, and sore feet, we’ll hardly notice the weather.”Puddleglum in ‘The Silver Chair’ by CS Lewis. 
Today’s Gospel could not be more appropriate as Europe comes to terms with the deaths of 16 people and deals with the aftermath of Storm Eunice whilst bracing for more windy weather to come. Some minor storm damage has occurred at the church here but compared to the top of the spire being blown off St Thomas’ church in Wells, Somerset we have been fortunate. To see the wind remove such heavy stone was testimony to its strength with the highest wind gust ever recorded in the UK at 122mph by the Isle of Wight. Witnessing its power was both exhilarating and frightening!
So, it’s no wonder that the disciples are petrified when a severe storm blows up on the Sea of Galilee whilst they are sailing across it. Jesus has told them to do this and they have obediently done so, with him being so tired by the crowds and unconcerned about the weather that he falls asleep. The Sea of Galilee, also called Lake Gennesaret, is the lowest freshwater lake in the world and ocean winds from the hills of Galilee in the West, cold winds from the Labanese mountains in the North and warm winds from the desert in the East sweep over it. Storms occur there very frequently and, as fishermen, the disciples would have known that and probably expected this one to blow itself out. However, the tempest threatens to overwhelm the boat which, with its low sides to facilitate hauling in the catch, would easily fill with water. They wake Jesus up, sure that they are going to perish, and he rebukes the wind and waves which cease and calm is restored. Rather than sympathising with them in their fear, Jesus asks the disciples, “Where is your faith?” and they are astounded that even the elements obey him. “Who then is this?” they ask.
There are times for all of us when the storms of life itself as well as the weather threaten to overwhelm us or cause disaster of some kind, making us terrified or fearful. It’s tempting to become immersed in the panic like the disciples who cried out, “WE are perishing”, understandably thinking of their own safety rather than being concerned for their sleeping leader too. Perhaps we know people who seem unconcerned about unfolding events or are so anxious about possible adversity that they over-react.
That was the case with Puddleglum, the Marsh-Wiggle character invented by CS Lewis. He is gloomy and pessimistic, always seeing the worst of things, but was apparently based on the actual person of his gardener Fred Paxford. Perhaps we know someone like him – or are we like him ourselves?!
With the tensions between Russia and Ukraine, the threat of war is bringing fresh storms to Europe and the possible consequences are horrifying. The words of Jesus to his disciples then have an added resonance as we face this today, knowing that faith will not remove hardship or adversity but will enable prayer and trust to be considerations as well as fear and peril. The disciples saw the wind and waves obey the command of Jesus and asked, “Who then is this?” Each of us has to answer that question for ourselves and the position Jesus occupies in our own lives today, too. This Creation Sunday, also Septuagesima and the Second Sunday before Lent, we can also turn to Jesus for help in this gathering storm as did those frightened disciples, hearing once again his reply: “Where is your faith?” 
With my prayers, pob bendith,

Christine, Guardian. 

Hallo everyone

I hope you’ve come safely through the stormy weather and haven’t had much storm damage.

There is slight storm damage at the church with some guttering blown off and mortar from the outside of the porch falling onto the step. There’s also debris as well as water on the road and, with the continuing high winds and at least three couples in convalescence, it seems to me to be sensible to hold the service by Zoom instead this afternoon at 3pm rather than travel.

Zoom link:

https://zoom.us/j/6248707133?pwd=bmp2N2ExSTNEaXNoZ2g0RFNHdUd6Zz09

Please have psalm 46 and Luke 8:22-25 to hand if you’re likely to be present.

With my prayers,
Christine.

Reflection on the Sermon on the Plain, irony and BP.

“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God….. But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.” Luke 6:20,24, NRSV. 
”The first female Commissioner, Cressida Dick, has been brought down partly by anti-women behaviour and the anti-women crime of officers within her own force… The Met investigates the Government as the Government picks a new Met Commissioner.” James Reynolds, on the resignation of the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police. 
Some years ago, the controversial Monty Python film ‘Life of Brian’ depicted the scene in which Jesus goes up a mountain side to teach the crowds following him. There are so many people that those on the edge can’t hear and they ask what Jesus is saying. As the message is passed back, it becomes distorted and “Blessed are the peacemakers” eventually reaches those at the back as “Blessed are the cheesemakers.”  
This scene is based on Chapter 5 of Matthew’s Gospel, which is part of the Sermon on the Mount, but today’s Gospel is taken from Luke’s similar account which is often called the Sermon on the Plain. Rather than preaching remotely above them, Luke’s Jesus is accessible to the crowds, meeting and healing them. The people have come from different places and some will also be there just out of curiosity with others present to jeer. In this series of sayings which are known as the Beatitudes or the attitudes about being, Matthew refers only to blessings whereas Luke mentions woes, too. He depicts Jesus contrasting the poor and rich, the hungry and the full, those who weep and laugh as well as those who are hated or praised. That still applies today. 
One of these in particular has a real irony currently: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God – woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.” Today, many are struggling with the cost of living, with housing equity also having risen by £900 billion since the pandemic began. Some are having to choose between heating and eating, whilst Shell announced profits of £14.3 billion and BP of £5.6 billion in providing the fuel which so many can’t afford. Do the poor in that situation feel blessed? Shareholders in BP will receive at least a billion pounds in dividends – are they woeful? How can being poor be a blessing when it can be so degrading and why is being rich a woe when money can also do good? Other ironies, such as what’s happening with the resignation of Dame Cressida Dick and the Metropolitan Police’s investigation of those who will be involved in appointing her successor and may have broken the law, also resonate powerfully with Jesus’ words. Do they feel blessed in being humiliated?
Jesus is telling those who will listen to him that worldly values are not necessarily those of the kingdom of heaven and that the poor and hungry, the broken-hearted and reviled are close to God’s heart. Perhaps the blessing in it is that those who have nothing else in life have to trust in God and his promises whereas those who have much don’t need to rely on him. It’s a way of life that may seem strange but is part of the Kingdom values on which Jesus based his own life – that broken figure on the cross not only showed Jesus’ own commitment to God’s promises but also to their later fulfilment on Easter Day. 
The word blessed is related to the French ‘blessée’ meaning wound and there are times for all of us when we are wounded and wrestle with the challenge of finding healing. This Septuagesima Sunday, as Lent begins to draw near, if we or those around us are hurting, if life doesn’t seem to add up or contrasts are great, then in seeking the blessing that perhaps we’ve not considered, could we find ourselves closer to the Kingdom of Heaven than we realise?
With my prayers; pob bendith,

Christine, Guardian.

“The greatest among you must become like the youngest and the leader like one who serves.” Jesus in today’s Gospel, Luke 22:24-30.
“I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service…. But I shall not have the strength to carry out this resolution alone unless you join in it with me as I now invite you to do…. God help me to make good my vow and God bless all of you who are willing to share in it.” Princess Elizabeth on her 21st birthday, 21st April 1947.
Today marks the actual Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II who ascended the throne on safari in Kenya whilst undertaking a tour for her father King George VI, who was too unwell to fly. The former Princess was one of the last people to know of her accession due to the difficulties with communications in those days; the news was announced at 10.45am and broadcast at 11.15am where it was heard in his Kenyan hotel by her private secretary Martin Charteris. He in turn telephoned Prince Philip’s private secretary Mike Parker who told the Prince and he then broke the news to his wife at 11.45am London time. Many millions knew of her father’s death before the new Queen but those three people were crucial to informing her and then supporting her in all that lay ahead. Perhaps we have also experienced the support of particular individuals at a time of crisis?
As is her custom, the Queen is spending the anniversary quietly at Sandringham where her father died at the early age of 56. This year will be her first as a widow since the recent death of Prince Philip and, with such a turbulent time for the Royal Family in recent years and the consequences of the pandemic, the Queen has much to ponder as she reflects on her historic reign at this poignant time. Whatever their view of the monarchy or the rest of the Royal Family, many people would agree that the Queen has faithfully carried out the vow she made on her 21st birthday. There will be much for which to be thankful during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations later this year as the longest reign in history is marked with the steadfast Queen even keeping the same hairstyle throughout!
As a schoolchild, I recall waiting for the Queen to drive past when she came  to Nottingham – the sun glinting on the highly polished Daimler and her smile as she drove past and waved made it a sparkling occasion for all of us. By contrast, I also recall our later family visit to Sandringham when my father covertly took cuttings from the fuschias in the grounds. As a keen gardener, he felt sure that Her Majesty would be only too pleased for him to take the cuttings whereas Mum was certain that the corgis would be set upon us! Those cuttings thrived and were later planted on either side of the front gate of our home, growing into sizeable bushes of which Dad was proud.
In becoming the longest reigning monarch at 95 and being Supreme Governor of the Church of England, the Queen’s faith continues to underpin her service and has been expressed down the years in her Christmas broadcasts and speeches. Her reign began in bereavement and, as a leader who serves, the Queen’s words often reflect those of Jesus: “We remember that God sent his only Son “to serve, not to be served”. It is my prayer….that his example will continue to bring people together to give the best of themselves in the service of others.” Christmas broadcast, 2012.
In her Platinum Jubilee statement, the Queen not only reflected on her reign but also looked to the future in making known her wish for the Duchess of Cornwall to become Queen Consort in due course. The monarch also stated that, “I look forward to continuing to serve you with all my heart.” Queen Elizabeth II has made good her vow in which she invited us to share. Are we making good our part in also serving others?
With my prayers; pob bendith,

Christine, Guardian.

Many people think that the twelve days of Christmas end with Twelfth Night and the feast of Epiphany on 6th January, which marks the visit of the Magi who were worshippers of Mazda, the god of light in their Zoroastrian faith. Their arrival is a reminder that the Light is for all people and not just the Jews but the stories of the birth of Jesus actually continue until Candlemas on 2nd February. This is also called the Presentation of Christ in the Temple when Mary and Joseph took the infant to the Temple and the old man Simeon recognised him as “A Light to lighten the Gentiles.” It later became the custom for churches to light a candle to represent this Light and for candles to be blessed at this time. As Candlemas is half way between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, it was also associated with the appearance of nature’s candles, the snowdrops, and weather forecasting:If Candlemas Day be fair and bright, winter will have a second flightIf Candlemas Day be dull with rain, winter will not come again.
Nowadays, many people have forgotten the link with the blessing of candles but the lighting of them still represents the warmth and comfort they bring as well as better vision in the dark. There is still much to be gloomy about as the pandemic continues but the good news that Omicron is milder than was initially thought is bringing the hope that Covid may be becoming an epidemic and something to learn to live with. As the Welsh restrictions begin to ease and the daylight increases, may the signs of spring and new life help to lighten the load being carried by so many for so long as we discern the way ahead!
February’s services will be held on the following dates:

Sundays 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th:Service of reflection at 3pm.

Thursdays 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th:Holy Eucharist at noon.

All services at St Melangell’s will be held according to the current guidance of the Welsh Government with the Church in Wales and masks, social distancing and hand sanitiser will still be used as a precaution. For further details, please ring 01691 860408, check the website stmelangell.org or contact admin@stmelangell.org
With my prayers; pob bendith,

Christine, Guardian.

Reflection for the Fourth Sunday of Epiphany and Candlemas.

“My eyes have seen your salvation… a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” Simeon in today’s Gospel, Luke 2:22-40, NRSV.
If Candlemas day be fair and bright, winter will have a second flight.If Candlemas day be dull with rain, winter will not come again.” Weather saying. 
Today is a turning point, being the last Sunday of Epiphany this year and focussing on the reading for Candlemas as thoughts and preparations begin to turn towards Lent. So much is it a turning point, being also half way between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, that Candlemas also became associated with the appearance of nature’s candles, the snowdrops, and weather forecasting, as well as the blessing of candles in church.  Candlemas is the time when the infant Jesus was presented in the Temple and when his mother came to be cleansed after childbirth, as was the custom. In offering a sacrifice of two turtle doves or pigeons, it’s clear that Joseph and Mary could not afford the lamb offered by wealthier worshippers and that they are an ordinary rather than privileged couple. However, the extraordinary happens when the old man Simeon sees Jesus, recognises him to be the one he has waited for, and declares him to a Light to lighten the Gentiles and to be the glory of Israel. 
Simeon takes the child in his arms as he prays what is now known as the Nunc Dimittis and the old man knows that his life’s work is now accomplished and that he will soon die. However, he also tells the parents that the child is destined to cause many to fall and rise, that he will be opposed and that Mary will experience the pain of this like a sword in her heart. Luke tells us that a prophetess name Anna was also present and that she also spoke about the child but her words are not recorded. Mary and Joseph are amazed at what was said about the child – what did they make of all this at the time and afterwards?

Both Simeon and Anna are elderly and have been faithfully in the Temple for many years as they pray, watch and wait for God’s purposes to be fulfilled. The shepherds and Magi of the Christmas stories have left and Simeon and Anna have missed the glory that accompanied them – and yet they still wait patiently. Did news of the strange happenings reach them? How did they know that, amongst the many babies being brought to the Temple, this is the one they are longing to see? In contrast to young Mary, the worker shepherds and the stargazing Travellers from the East, these two old people remind us that the elderly are also part of God’s purposes and that age can bring wisdom and insight. Their faithfulness and quiet perseverance is rewarded when they remain in the Temple – and their hope is fulfilled in it. Jesus has been brought to the Temple to be customarily consecrated as a first born male – and Simeon and Anna are themselves blessed when they glimpse the Light that enlightens them too.

Simeon and Anna find God within the walls of a place of faith when so many often don’t. At a time when the Church is sometimes not what people long for it to be, and when it can be subject to so much criticism, perhaps we need to follow the patience and perseverance of Simeon and Anna in watching and waiting to glimpse the Light through faithfully serving where we are. From their encounter developed the later custom of blessing candles in the bringing of light to those in darkness and nature’s candles, the snowdrops, are also called Candlemas bells as the first indications of bringing the good news that the light of Spring and new life is on its way. God’s purposes involve all ages, all stages of life and all situations – may we, like Simeon and Anna, wait patiently and hopefully as we not only seek the Light but reflect it too and find ourselves blessed in being part of God’s purposes when we do.
With my prayers; pob bendith,

Christine, Guardian.

Reflection for the Third Sunday of Epiphany 

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to tell the poor the good news. “ From the Gospel for today, Luke 4:14-21.
“If I die, I die but I won’t be controlled.” The words of Meat Loaf, who has allegedly died of Covid, having refused the vaccine. 
Today marks the Third Sunday of Epiphany, the season which ends the twelve days of Christmas and reveals the glory of God in human form in the world. It begins in a manger, outside the town and amidst animals, with the good news being told to poor shepherds. The visit of the Magi, who were Zoroastrians and Gentiles – people of a different faith – reveals that the Christ-child is not for the Jews alone. The voice heard at the baptism of Jesus reveals him to be God’s beloved Son, in whom he is well pleased, and the turning of water into wine at a wedding in Cana is a further sign of God present amongst humanity.
The Gospel today has a revelation from Jesus himself. He has returned from the wilderness and has already begun to travel around and teach in the synagogues, now appearing in the synagogue in Nazareth, where he was brought up and nurtured in the faith. He is handed the scroll of Isaiah, from which the words, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to tell the poor the good news,” then receive a different resonance as Jesus reads what has been called the manifesto for his ministry. The passage refers to the Messiah and Jesus tells his hearers that the scripture has been fulfilled that day – a revelation of his own choice and timing. This later leads to them trying to throw him off a cliff, so incensed are they to hear what this local lad is claiming. As one of the recent temptations he had faced was about him allowing angels to catch him if this happened, this is an early test of Jesus’ resolve and the way he sees himself and his ministry. 
Jesus’ manifesto is also the blueprint for those who follow in his footsteps and one of the temptations for his followers today is to assume that our own priorities and preferences are God’s, too, and that those who disagree with us are wrong rather than different. It has been said that many Christians are willing to serve God – but in an advisory capacity!  In this incidence, Jesus is not so much being controlled by the word of God as discerning who and what he is about if he is truly to be his Father’s Son.
By contrast, it seems that Meat Loaf’s father was a violent alcoholic who could not cope after the early death of his wife and whose actions caused his son to distance himself from him. His father’s influence apparently affected Meat Loaf throughout his life and it seems that his desire not to be controlled may have actually contributed to his death – though he survived longer than others who followed the same rock and roll lifestyle! Perhaps the pandemic and Meat’s death amongst so many may enable us to realise that we are not as in control of our destiny and circumstances as we sometimes think – or that we’re looking in the wrong places to find what we seek in life.
Jesus’ reading in the Temple takes place in Galilee, well away from the religious centre of Jerusalem, as does most of his ministry – his death, resurrection and ascension will also take place outside the city. To glimpse God in our world today, we will also find the light in unexpected places and discern how to reflect the light as its growing reality dawns upon us. In this week of prayer for Christian Unity – taking place in the midst of the separation and the loss of control that some perceive is being created by the pandemic – that can mean a change of approach and vision as well as intent:
“If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up the men to gather wood, divide the work and give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea.” Antoine de St. Exupery.J

Every blessing/Pob Bendith

Christine

Dear all,

This week we are posting Bishop Gregory’s pastoral letter in place of our usual reflection. It is available in English and in Welsh through the links below.

https://dioceseofstasaph.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/220113-Switching-on-the-lights.pdf
https://dioceseofstasaph.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/220113-Tanior-Golau-cym.pdf

With our prayers,

Christine