Will there be Zoom at the Inn?
No-one knows how things will be by Christmas or January and it may be feasible to hold church activities online – but what if there’s so much demand that the technology can’t cope and there’s no Zoom anywhere, never mind room at the Inn? It’s a strange time for us all – and so it was the first Christmas. “Glory to God in the highest” was the song of the angels – but it was heard by the lowest, shepherds who were isolated. Christmas is a time of hope – but the first involved huge loss of life when so many children were killed. This year, if families can gather, many will be mourning the loss or absence of their loved ones due to Covid-19. Carol singing won’t be possible in church so We three Kings of Orient aren’t – how can there be hope in these circumstances?It’s because, at the birth of Jesus, the divine comes to us without any social distancing. Born as a helpless baby needing care, Jesus was put into human hands – just as we sometimes have to put ourselves or loved ones into the hands of the NHS or other key workers, giving or receiving a helping hand ourselves at times too. That first Christmas, unexpected things were happening as a new way of living began while people were perplexed, isolated and sad. So it is today and, still, there can be hope. If we look for it!May Advent bring hope, Christmas its blessings and 2021 a fresh start for us all,Pob bendith, Christine, Jampa and all at St Melangell’s.December and January ServicesThurs. Dec. 2nd, 11am: Online Advent group – the unexpected event
Second Sunday of Advent, 6th, 3pm: Online Service of reflection – unexpected news
Thurs. 10th, 11am: Online Advent group – the unexpected visitor
Third Sun. of Advent, 13th, 3pm: Church Service of reflection – the unexpected childThurs. 17th, 11am: Online Advent group – the unexpected townFourth Sun. of Advent, 20th, 3pm: Christmas readings and music – unexpectedly!Christmas Eve, 24th, 3pm: Crib Service – If you’d like to come as a character or animal in the Nativity story, please do – bringing a torch with you!Christmas Day, 25th, 9.15am: Christ Mass
First Sunday of Christmas, 27th, 3pm: Online service – can New Year be a fresh start?
Second Sunday of Christmas, 3rd January, 3pm: Online service – Jesus the refugee
Wednesday 6th, 11am: The Epiphany – Church service
The Baptism of Christ, 1Oth, 3pm: Church service and renewal of baptismal vows
Thursday 14th, 11am: Online discussion group – Name and identity
Second Sunday of Epiphany, 17th, 3pm: Christian Unity – online serviceThursday 21st, 11am: Week of prayers for Christian Unity – online discussion group
Third Sunday of Epiphany, 24th: Online service – Do miracles still happen?Wednesday 27th, 11am: Holocaust Memorial Day – online discussion groupFourth Sunday of Epiphany, 31st, 3pm: Church Service marking Candlemas
These services are provisional and will be held according to the relevant Government and Church in Wales guidance at the time. For confirmation, please ring 01691 860408, check at stmelangell.org or contact guardian@stmelangell.orgThank you – diolch!
Advent reflection
Reflection – Advent 2
“I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way: the voice of one crying out in the wilderness……..” John the Baptist, in Mark 1:2,3, NRSV.
“Help is on its way…… we’ll be ready from the start of next week.” Matt Hancock, Health Secretary, proclaiming the coming of the vaccine.
“There is barely any time left……. Four and a half years on from the referendum, we are now approaching the end.” Chris Mason, political commentator, on the Brexit trade deal.
St Mark’s Gospel begins with a voice crying out in the wilderness and urging those who hear it to prepare the way of the Lord, echoing the call of the prophet Isaiah. The news is both ancient and yet current as the figure of John the Baptist cries out in the desert to make the paths of the Lord straight and people from both the countryside of Judea and the city of Jerusalem flock to him.
In the wilderness of the pandemic experience, whether in rural or urban settings, most people in the UK have not been able to flock anywhere during lockdown and the streets, shops and pubs have been deserted in many places. Many voices in this desert have been heard crying out in support, criticism, warning or guidance regarding both the unexpected news that the anticipated vaccine is ready sooner than many anticipated and that new issues in these final days could mean that it may not be possible to meet the imminent deadline for the talks to establish a Brexit trade deal with the EU. It’s also suggested that the RAF may have to fly in the vaccine to avoid ports adversely affected if there is no trade agreement and that 35% of those eligible may refuse the vaccine, which could affect herd immunity. The work of many people from scientists and lab technicians to volunteers, bureaucrats and drivers has gone into ensuring that the vaccine is on its way and may help to save lives, jobs, the NHS, the economy, hospitality, theatres …… But what might be the risks in the supply chain, the vaccine’s efficacy and the local as well as worldwide consequences for people, nations, governments and the accompanying bureaucracy at this complex time of such change?
We shall have to wait and see – an appropriate response during Advent, the season of waiting for plans to be revealed. The first doses of the vaccine are already in the UK – but how long will it take to immunise the population here and be rolled out across the world? The complexity of the task is mind-boggling – but still the voices call, unseen skills and hands assist and the way is being prepared, mountainous though the task may seem. What a challenge and what a time we are living through! John the Baptist calls us all to repentance – but also reminds us of the coming of both Jesus and the Holy Spirit, with whose help we may find strength and possibilities as yet unknown. What is our response to that call today? Perhaps there are small, as well as great, things that could be done to help smooth the way ahead for ourselves and others in these perplexing and complicated times?
Advent invites an inner journey that can be painful, lonely and frightening but, if we allow it, also involves an adventure that can lead to different views and a new way of being and living. It may depend on whether we listen to God’s call in the cacophony of noise and clamour that so often surrounds us. Amidst all this, why not respond to the call of the bishops and unite with countless unseen others to pray the following prayers at 6pm, not only for Wales but for the people and countries who come to mind? Who knows where that may unexpectedly lead us all?!
Advent Prayer For Wales:
The Bishops are inviting everyone to join them in prayer every evening at 6pm from now until Christmas Day.
Heavenly Father, in the midst of a troubled world, you are light and life.
Send us your healing for those who are ill,
your strength for those who are suffering,
your compassion for those who grieve, and
your courage for those who work for the healing and service of others.
Bless our nation of Wales with the life-giving spirit of your love,
and grant us your mercy,
[revealed in the person of Christ your Son]. Amen.
Prayer for the week:
God in heaven,
may the flame of an Advent candle
remind us of brave people
who have shone your light in dark times and places.
Strengthen us to be your messengers today,
never afraid to call out injustice,
but always pointing towards Jesus,
your Son, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
Canon Robert Townsend
Bishop’s Reflection and Message
Today’s reflection comes from Bishop Gregory, who has asked that his Advent message be read or sent to all. It comes with a link to the Diocesan online Advent Calendar, which has been put together by the Communications Officer, Karen Maurice, and will be available from 1st December. This can be found at: https://dioceseofstasaph.org.uk/advent-calendar/
May Advent bring its blessings and hope as we look for light in the darkness,
Christine
Guardian of the Shrine Church of St Melangell.
Bishop Gregory’s Advent Message 2020
When I spoke to you in my Advent message last year, my message was one based upon hope; the idea that Jesus says to us that when things are going wrong or are difficult we should lift up our heads and look to see where God is at work amongst us.
I couldn’t have imagined then, none of us could have imagined, what was ahead of us in 2020 and the fact that this year has been dominated by the virus almost to the exclusion of everything else. It’s amazing even Brexit has taken a back seat to the way in which we have responded to the virus.
My first thoughts go to all those who have suffered because of the virus. Those who have died or those who have lost family members. Those who have found themselves almost imprisoned in their own homes or through fear because none of us can truthfully know what is around the corner. And yet, our diocese has survived, has been resilient in the face of this crisis. Mission Areas have rallied around. The different levels of the church, Mission Area Diocese and Province have worked together to overcome the difficulties set before us. Clergy have been amazingly inventive on online worship and finding new ways with their congregations to look after those who need care or those who are needy of a good meal or friendly support at a time like this. I am proud of what the Teulu Asaph has achieved and thank you for the part you have played.
Now we come to Advent and then to Christmas. It’s almost certain this Christmas will be a Christmas like no other when all the usual plans have to be set aside. Maybe our family won’t be joining us this year; maybe we won’t be able to do what we usually do and keep those family traditions. And church will be very different as well. We won’t be able to fill the church for the midnight mass or for the carol service or Christingle this year. And that may make you very sad indeed.
I want to return to the theme of hope, and I want to return to the good news that Christmas gives us; of a God who loves us and a God who is on our side. I want to return to the message of Christmas, that says when the baby was born in Bethlehem God came to live amongst us and that He promised that He would remain amongst us to encourage, to inspire, to build a future. And that means that as a church, as the people of God, as those who believe and follow Jesus, that we want to be this Christmas, people of light. People who in the midst of the darkness will bring hope and love and joy and peace to those whom we encounter. And yes, we won’t be able to do it in the usual way. We won’t just be able to invite people in and sing with them or preach to them. We shall have to find new ways of getting our message across, of going out of our way to deliver goodness to people’s homes even those we can’t spend time with them. We shall have to find new ways of passing on the gift of peace that comes at Christmas.
I know from the conversations I have had with many of the clergy and with many of the Mission Areas that there are a host of creative ideas out there, new ways of planting the message of Christmas. And I think that’s the challenge of us for this Advent: Not to do as we’ve always done but to think about how by gesture, by action, by online worship, by passing the message on, we can impart the message that God is on our side, that God has been born in the world for us, in a new way.
And it will be my prayer for you in our churches that that the spirit of God may touch you, may speak to you, may inspire you, may support you so that as we go through Christmas and face 2021 (and goodness knows what challenges that year may bring), as we go through Christmas and come to that new year we will know that we carry with us the hope of a saviour who loves us and the love of a God who serves us.
May God be with you this Advent and Christmas. Amen.
Sunday reflection
Christ the King
Sunday reflection
Dear all,
”To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents and to another one talent, each according to his ability.” Jesus in the parable of the talents, Matthew 25: 14-30
Remembrance
Sunday reflection
“Just for the record, I don’t have Type 2 diabetes. Neither can I catch or pass Coronavirus during my delivery.” Statement from Santa Claus.
November Services
November services at St Melangell’s Shrine ChurchSunday 1st November, 3pm: Service cancelled due to church closure in lockdown.Sunday 8th November, 3pm: Service cancelled due to church closure in lockdown.Sunday 15th November, 3pm: Service of reflection in churchSunday 22nd November, 3pm: virtual service onlineSunday 29th November, 3pm: Service of reflection in church – first Sunday of Advent.All services will take place according to the advice issued by the Welsh Government or the Church in Wales. As this may change, up to date information is available from dioceseofstasaph.org.uk, stmelangell.org, admin@stmelangell.org or 01691 860408.The new broadband and equipment which has recently been installed at the centre mean that it’s now possible to develop online services and activities and these will be appearing in due course when technical difficulties have been overcome. The weekly reflections will continue to be posted.In his poem No! the American poet Thomas Hood wrote‘No warmth, no cheerfulness, no healthful ease,No comfortable feel in any member –No shade, no shine, no butterflies, no bees,No fruits, no flowers, no leaves, no birds,November!This seems appropriate as the pandemic continues to spread amongst us, with many folk understandably becoming increasingly negative about its consequences and restrictions. Actually, November can be a positive and active month of remembering, with All Saints’ Day on 1st, All Souls’ on 2nd, Bonfire Night on 5th and Remembrance Day on 11th. The days may be drawing in, but the autumnal colours all around are stunning and the countryside looks particularly beautiful at the moment. Things may be very different this year, but we can still be thankful for the good things that are also happening amongst the negativity and find ways of marking important days and events or developing new ways of doing so. Instead of an automatic response of “No!” during the pandemic, why not look for a different, safe way of finding a possible ”Yes!” instead?!ChristineGuardian, St Melangell’s Shrine Church
Bible Sunday Reflection
Blessed Lord, who caused all holy scriptures to be written for our learning:
help us so to hear them, to read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them
that, through patience and the comfort of your holy word,
we may embrace and for ever hold fast
the hope of everlasting life,
which you have given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ,
who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen. Archbishop Cranmer.
St Melangell’s in BBC Countrylife Magazine
This month, Saint Melangell’s is mentioned in an interesting article in BBC Countryfile magazine (November 2020 issue). There are photographs of the church as well as information about the Saint. Click here to go to the article on their website.