210 April 2019 Signposts by Signposts Magazine

Issue No 210

Time for Change This will probably be the last article that I will write for Signposts Magazine. After twenty-five years in Ministry with the Diocese of Swansea & Brecon, I am moving on to the Diocese of St. David’s. For the last twenty-five years my life and work has been spent in a small corner of Brecknock and Radnor. Most of my ministry (fifteen years) has been spent in what was the old ‘Deanery of Builth’ … some of you have known me since I was twenty-five years old – before I was married, and I had children. I have a confession – I don’t react to change very well. Partly it’s due to my own mental health issues, but also because I fear the unknown – something I think most of us fear. Despite the assurance of Ecclesiastes 3: “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven”, I think we all tend to react to change in one of three ways … the three R’s: Resignation, Resistance or Repetition. Some of us just resign ourselves to change, a kind of passive aggressive approach in which we don’t resist change, but neither do we accept it. Some of us resist change – often no matter what it entails, we look to the past and not to the future. Finally – a very few of us engage in repetition, we embrace change … all of the time! They see change as an antidote to boredom and are constantly looking for new things instead of building on existing structures. Yet when we return to Solomon we are reminded that all the things he mentions, birth, death, beginnings, endings, war, peace, searching, giving up, building and tearing down are all about change. Solomon reminds us that change is part of the ‘ebb and flow’ of daily life. This will help remind us that change is a necessary part of daily life, big or small, we need to keep changes in perspective. In this area

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Magazine for the Builth Ministry Area April 2019 when I arrived I was part of the Deanery of Builth, then it changed to two Local Ministry Areas, which in turn now look as if they will have some boundary changes just as I am leaving. Yet I have to remind myself that the work of the local church in the local community is not changed – it remains a constant. All to often we try to cope with the changes by ourselves instead of entrusting them to the will of God. In Hebrews 13, the writer expresses his utmost trust in God in the face of all circumstances when he writes: "Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, 'I will never desert you nor will I forsake you,' so that we confidently say - 'The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What shall man do unto me?”. Like many I find it is easy to keep faith with God in times of stability, it is in times of change that I have to trust in him even more. As the Church of God moves forward in this place it will inevitably change to meet the needs of the local populace, that change is natural and inevitable. What we as members of the church must do is keep the changes in proper perspective, if you are anything like me you might tend to overreact or overestimate the impact the changes will have. Finally, in all things we must learn to place our trust in the Lord God Almighty, that the outcome of these changes are part of God’s great plan. It has been a privilege to walk alongside all of you in your pilgrimages in the faith over the last quarter century, and I wish you all well as you stride confidently into the future.

by Revd Fthr Neil Hook

EDITORSHIP If you wish to contact the editor, please note the email address: signpostsmagazine@gmail.com

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Ministry Area Notices Builth Ministry Area

Men’s Breakfast 27th April 10.00am Drovers Tea Rooms, Builth

His Grace the Archbishop of Wales will celebrate the Annual Diocesan Holy Week Chrism Mass At Brecon Cathedral on Tuesday 16th April at 12.00 All are welcome

LLANGASTY RETREAT HOUSE

Drop in Quiet Day Monday 15th April An opportunity to pause for prayer and personal reflection come for all or part of the day. Bring your own lunch. Coffee and tea provided. No charge, but donations welcome. No need to book. 10am - 4pm with Eucharist at 12 noon

Come and Join us

Phone: 01874 658250 E-mail: enquiries@llangasty.com Visit: www.llangasty.com

Cymun Bendigaid Welsh Eucharist

A Eucharist through the medium of Welsh every Monday at midday in Brecon Cathedral. Croeso i bawb All Welcome

SUNDAY 14TH APRIL (PALM SUNDAY) at 7pm IN SPIRITU CHAMBER CHOIR & members of the BRECON CATHEDRAL CHOIR Victoria – Requiem, Scarlatti – Miserere me Proceeds to the Choir Tour Fund

Admission free with a retiring collection

Mothers Union Monthly Eucharist For the Brecon Archdeaconry at Brecon Cathedral Friday 12th April at 12noon. All MU members and supporters welcome.

Diocesan Vision Prayer Father, we hold before you our family in the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon and we open our hearts and minds to your Spirit. Bless us as we gather in your name; Guide us as we grow into the likeness of your Son; Lead us by your Spirit to go out and make disciples of others. God of our journeying, be our way and our truth and our life; our beginning and our end. We pray through Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Magazine hopes its readers are looking forward to an enjoyable Easter. If you would like to offer a letter or article our contact details are on the back page. signpostsmagazine@gmail.com

Builth Ministry Area - Colwyn Dear Friends,

Events and Meetings:

In April we celebrate Easter, but how many days does Easter have? 1, 3, 20, 40, 44, 50? Most people think of Easter as a single day. This is due to the fact that it has never had the commercial appeal of Christmas, because it falls on a Sunday and most people don’t get an additional day off from work. However, for the Church, Easter isn’t just 1 day, it’s a whole season. If you answered 50 you are correct! In the church calendar the Easter season lasts seven weeks or 50 days, taking us up to Ascension.

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During Easter we shed the dark purples from Lent, and decorate with white or gold. White and gold are symbols of the resurrection and represent our uplifted spirits.

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Eggs too are symbols of resurrection. If you look at the liquid of eggs alone, you would never tell what they would become. A liquid goo becomes a chicken – a sea gull, crow or magpie. Another Easter symbol is the seed, or acorn. You can look at a seed and never imagine what colour it may turn out to have. Similarly with a caterpillar and butterfly. These are resurrection symbols because they become something else, totally unforeseen and beautiful. And yet there is continuity: the egg becomes a chicken; an acorn becomes an oaktree; a caterpillar becomes a butterfly.

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There are also human resurrection symbols: persons recovering from drug addiction or alcoholism become what they have despaired of happening. They are the same persons, but now transformed; they have new life, new hopes, and new possibilities. Another resurrection symbol might be a teenager becoming an adult: he or she is the same, but different with the new beauties of maturity.

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April Monday April, 2 pm, Cregrina Congregational Meeting at Erw Lon Cregrina Tuesday 2nd April, 7 pm, Lay Ministry Training at Holy Trinity Church, Llandrindod Wells. Thursday 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th April, 10.00am Sewing Group, on Stage at Hundred House Hall. Monday 8th April, 7 pm, Annual Vestry Meeting and Benefice Council Meeting at Hundred House Hall. Tuesday 9th and 23rd April, 10.00am, Bible Study at Cregrina. All Welcome. Phone Cherry on 01982 570702 for details. Wednesday 10th and 24th April, 10.00am Coffee Connection with free tea, coffee and biscuits at Hundred House Hall. All Welcome. Contact Jo: 01982 570326 for free transport. Thursday 18th April, 2.30-3.10pm, Story Time for pre-school children, babies and their carers. Friday 19th April, 6.30pm Friday Fellowship at Cregrina. For ladies of all ages to meet new and old friends, chat, eat supper together and share and encourage each other in their faith. Contact Cherry on 01982 570702 for details or powyschurch@gmail.com. Friday 26th April at 9.30am Morning Prayer at St Matthew’s Llanelwedd (or at the Rectory, Llanelwedd if the weather is very cold). This service will conclude with a short time of open reflection. Saturday 27th April, 10.00am, Men’s Breakfast at The Drovers Tearoom. Tuesday 30th April, 7pm, Hundred House and District WI, at Hundred House Hall 1st

his close associates or disciples. So the Risen Christ is the same but different. Christ is risen, and has promised to take us with him. This life is not the end; we too will be transformed in endless life and beauty. If we take Christmas as 12 days, even though with the lead up it seems like a lot more! Easter, must then be seen as being the most important celebration in the Christian calendar

The resurrection is an invitation to look around to see transformation, to see what is evil being changed, what is immature becoming adult; what appears inert like an egg or seed sprouting life.

Blessings to you all.

But for the Christian the resurrection has a still richer meaning. When we look at the resurrection appearances we notice that Jesus is not at first recognised by those who loved him and who were

Linda

Llanelwedd with Llanfaredd, Llansantffraed-in-Elwell, Bettws, Cregrina, Glascwm and Rhulen Revd Mthr Linda Watson, The Rectory, Llanelwedd LD2 3TY 01982 553533, revlindawatson@gmail.com Licensed Lay Minister. Mr Eddie Thomas. 01982 552873, edwin.thomas935@btinternet.com 4

Builth Ministry Area - Colwyn Services for April

Events and Meetings:

7th April Passion Sunday 10.00 Llansantffraed Holy Communion LS (Leigh Spicer) 6 pm Glascwm Village Service MJ Readings: Isaiah 43:16-21; Psalm 126; Philippians 3:4b14; John 12:1-8

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14th April Benefice Palm Sunday 11.15 Rhulen Holy Communion LW Readings: Liturgy of the Palms: Luke 19:28-40; Liturgy of the Passion: Isaiah 50:4-9a Psalm 69:1-3, 7-9, 21-23; Philippians 2:5-11; Luke’s Passion Reading 18th April Benefice Maundy Thursday 7 pm Llansantffraed Holy Communion LW Readings: Exodus 12:1-4 [5-10] 11-14; Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 or Psalm 116:12-19 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; John 13:1-17, 31b-35

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19th April Benefice Ecumenical Good Friday Service 2 pm Franksbridge Chapel Ecumenical Service LW Readings: Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Psalm 22; Hebrews 10: 16-25; or Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9; John 18:1-19:42

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20th April Benefice Easter Eve 19.30 Bettws Easter Vigil LW Readings: Genesis 1:1-2:4a; Exodus 14:10-15:1a; Romans 6:3-11; Psalm 114; Luke 24:1-12

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21st April Easter Day 08.00 Rhulen Holy Communion LW • 09.30 Cregrina Extended Holy Communion ET 09.30 Llanfaredd Holy Communion JO 10.00 Llansantffraed Holy Communion LW 11.15 Glascwm Holy Communion JO 11.15 Llanelwedd Holy Communion LW Readings: Acts 10:34-43 or; Isaiah 65:17-25; Psalm 118: [1, 2]14-24; 1 Corinthians 15:19-26 Or Acts 10:34-43; John 10:1-18 or Luke 24:1-12 28th April Easter 2 09.30 Bettws Holy Communion LW 09.30 Cregrina Village Service DD 11.15 Llanelwedd Holy Communion JO Readings: Acts 5:27-32 or Exodus 14:10-31; 15:20, 21; Psalm 118:14-29 or Psalm 150; Revelation 1:4-8 or Acts 5:27-32; John 20:19-31

Builth Ministry Area - Colwyn Services for May 5th May Easter 3 10.00 Llansantffraed Holy Communion tbc 6 pm Glascwm Village Service ET Readings: Acts 9:1-6 [7-20] or Zephaniah 3:14-20; Psalm 30; Revelation 5:11-14 or Acts 9:1-6 [7-20] John 21:1-19

Events and Meetings • •

12th May Easter 4 09.30 Cregrina Holy Communion JO 11.15 Llanelwedd Worship4All ET/MJ 11.15 Rhulen Holy Communion JO Readings: Acts 9:36-43 or Genesis 7:1-5, 11-18; 8::6-18; 9:8-13; Psalm 23; Revelation 7:9-17 or Acts 9:36-43; John 10:22-30

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19th May Easter 5 11.00 Llanfaredd Benefice Rogation Service LW Readings: Acts 16:9-15 or Ezekiel 37:1-14; Psalm 67; Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5; John 14:23-29 or John 5:1-9

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26th May Easter 6 9.30 Bettws Holy Communion LW 9.30 Cregrina Village Service DD 11.15 Llanelwedd Holy Communion LW Readings: Ezekiel 34:11-16; Psalm 28:6-9; 1 Thessalonians 2:2b-8; Matthew 13:31-33 Due to moving Rogation Sunday from this Sunday to the 19th May the readings are for Augustine of Canterbury

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30th May Thursday Benefice Ascension Day Service 7 pm Llanelwedd Holy Communion LW Readings: Acts 1:1-11 or Daniel 7:9-14; Psalm 47 or 93; Ephesians 1:15-23 or Acts 1:1-11; Luke 24:44-53

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Website: www.colwynbenefice.wordpress.com This is a useful source of information on church services and community events and offers resources and support in areas such as prayer and Bible study. Colwyn Benefice’s Facebook page can be accessed from this website

May Thursday 23rd & 30th May from 10 am, Sewing Group at Hundred House Hall Wednesday 8th & 22nd May from 10 am, Coffee Connection at with free tea, coffee and biscuits at Hundred House Hall. All Welcome. Contact Jo: 01982 570326 for free transport. Friday 10th May, All day, Quinquennial Inspection of St Mary, Bettws Disserth and St Mary, Llanfaredd Sunday 12th May, All Day Tractor Run at Hundred House Tuesday 14th & 28th May at 10 am, Bible Study at Cregrina. All Welcome. Phone Cherry on 01982 570702 for details. Thursday 16th May, 2.30-3.10pm, Story Time for pre-school children, babies and their carers, at St Matthew’s, Llanelwedd Friday 17th May at 18:30, Friday Fellowship at Cregrina. For ladies of all ages to meet new and old friends, chat, eat supper together and share and encourage each other in their faith. Contact Cherry on 01982 570702 for details or powyschurch@gmail.com. Saturday 25th May, 10 am, Men’s Breakfast at The Drovers Tearoom. Monday 27th May, Bank Holiday Tuesday 28th May, 7 pm, Hundred House and District W.I. at Hundred House Hall Friday 31st May, 9:30 am Morning Prayer at St Matthew’s Llanelwedd (or at the Rectory, Llanelwedd if the weather is very cold). This service will conclude with a short time of open reflection. 2nd,

9th,

16th,

28th June, 10.00-12.00

At Olwen’s Plasnewydd, 20 Broadway, Builth Wells, Powys, LD2 3DB

Builth Ministry Area – Buallt Worship for April Regular Events

07 April (Passion Sunday) 10.00 Family Eucharist in Builth 15.00 Sung Eucharist in Llanddewi’r-Cwm

Every Thursday House Group meets at 10.00 Judith 552706 Every Thursday Bell-Ringers in St. Mary’s Tower at 19.30 David 552477

14 April (Palm Sunday) 10.00 Palm Procession at St. Mary’s, Builth 10.30 Liturgy of the Passion 21 April (Easter Day) 09.30 Choral Eucharist in Builth 11.00 Sung Eucharist in Alltmawr 11.00 Sung Reserved Eucharist in Maesmynis 15.00 Sung Eucharist in Llanddewi’r-Cwm 28 April (Easter II) 09.30 Sung Eucharist in Builth

Looking ahead….Rogation Walk Rogation Sunday falls on 26th and the Walk will take place on Monday 27th (Bank Holiday) at 10.30am from Alltmawr Church. More details to follow next month but now you have a date for the diary…..

Events in April 08 Benefice Council & AGM in Maesmynis Hall 10 Cytun Lent Course in Christ the King at 19.00 11 Home Group at Glandwr Park 11.00 16 Chrism Mass in The Cathedral 12.00– See Ministry Area Page for details 20 Reserved Easter Communion in Brynhyfryd Residential Home 11.00 27 Men’s Breakfast in Drovers Tea Rooms 10.00 – see Ministry Area Page for details

Walks of Witness On Palm Sunday we walk through Builth at 10.00 with our Donkey leading us as we recall Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Just five days later we will walk the same route in silence on Good Friday at 10.00 carrying our large cross to witness to his via dolorosa. Please join us in St. Mary’s for each event.

Please join us for a bringnshare agape meal on Maundy Thursday evening in St. Mary’s as we recall those moments when our Lord gathered together in the Upper Room and Broke Bread with his friends.

Builth Wells with Llanddewi’r-Cwm & Llangynog with Maesmynis & Llanynis with Alltmawr Revd Fthr Neil Hook, The Vicarage, 1 North Road, Builth Wells LD2 3BT 01982 552355 frhooky@gmail.com Licensed Lay Minister. Mrs Janet Day, 01982 553623, djd@janetdaydesigns.co.uk 7

Builth Ministry Area – Buallt Dear friends, Seven years here, and my line on the Vicar's Board in St Mary’s will soon read 2012 – 2019! A few people, on hearing the news of my upcoming departure, have asked me, “Why are you leaving?” and the short answer is, “For the same reason I came,” namely, because has God called Bishops Lent Appeal me and I said, “Yes”. Please bring your ‘Smartie Tubes’ back to any of It was 30 years ago, that I first heard God’s call. That was a the services during Holy Week so that the call to become a follower of Jesus and since then (except collection for the work of a local faith in Families when I have been spiritually deaf!) He has continued to call Children’s Project can be collated. me to serve Him and, I hope, serve the communities of which I have been a part. I have said, “Yes” because I know him to be faithful in his love for and support of me. It has been an enormous privilege to be your Vicar here and to be welcomed into your lives. I have loved listening to your stories, as you have graciously listened to some of mine. I’ve been invited to share in the significant events of the beginning and the end of life and the celebration of marriage for many of you. You too have cared for me in so many wonderful ways for which I will always be thankful. But God has called me again, and it’s time to say farewell. I know that as I, Abi Casey & Meg are called to pastures new, we will remember with great fondness, thankfulness and love, the people of this Benefice. Maybe God is also calling you into new pastures; if so may I encourage you not to be spiritually deaf to his call; you don’t know where it might take you but be assured that God will be with you no matter what. Isaiah 6.8: “ Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I; send me!’” May God bless, guard and keep you this day and for evermore and can I wish you and your family a Ecumenical Lent Course blessed Easter. Each Lent the Churches and Chapels of Builth cooperate on With every blessing an ecumenical course – there is one left before we celebrate

Fr. Neil

Easter. Each service starts at 2pm and last approximately thirty minutes:

The Paschal Triduum 18th Maundy Thursday - Maundy Agape & Eucharist in St. Mary the Virgin 19.00 19th Good Friday - Ecumenical Walk of Witness starts 10.00 at St. Mary the Virgin 19th Good Friday - Ecumenical Stations of the Cross 12.00 at Christ the King 19th Good Friday - Ecumenical Devotions 14.00 in Alpha Presbyterian Chapel 20th Holy Saturday – Ecumenical Communion 11.00 in Brynhyfryd Residential Home 21st Easter Day - Sung Easter Eucharist 09.30 at St. Mary the Virgin, Builth 21st Easter Day - Sung Easter Eucharist 11.00 in St. Mauritius, Alltmawr 21st Easter Day - Sung Easter Reserved Eucharist 11.00 in Maesmynis 21st Easter Day - Sung Easter Eucharist in 15.00 St. David’s, Llanddewi’r-Cwm

Builth Ministry Area - Erwood & Painscastle Easter is the time when collectively we may Dear All, remember how deep is our faith and ponder on Easter falls later this this year and Passiontide th the fact that it is our emotional response to begins with Palm Sunday on Sunday the 14 . love that gives us unity. People behold Deep in the lambing season, we acknowledge together the wonder of God revealed in Christ God’s Son as the Lamb of God in the greatest Jesus as God affirms the value of the world love story that the world has ever seen – the that he loves. So we must love him too through love of God for his people. God loves us so loving each other: much that he is prepared to be totally united with us through his Son; the great act of At“Whoever holds to my commandments and one-ment. keeps them is the one who loves me; and All the events of Easter are part of this whoever loves me will be loved by my great act of God’s love as Jesus embraces our Father, and I shall love him and reveal human frailty to the point of death to take all myself to him “ John 14:21. our sins upon him and welcome all of us to his divine care. Jesus rises and ascends to his The Christian scholar Eamon Duffy Father not simply to finish his earthly mission talks admirably of this experience: as the Son of God but to re-enter heaven as the eternal, transfigured Son of Man who “The risen body of Christ is here and carries us within him. Now humanity has a now, your body and my body, revealed in its divine presence in heaven and God himself beauty wherever human beings are allowed to has been transformed by the love between flourish and to be what God wills them to be, himself and his people. This is a cause of great present in society in every attempt, however joy and is why Easter is the pivotal season of inadequate, to make of human community not our Christian year around which our belief some coercive uniformity, but a space in which revolves; we are God’s children rooted in a people in their individuality and their post-Easter faith following the risen Lord. vulnerability are given space and support.” Be brave and take your place in this story of love. It is wonderful to share the joy May I offer you some words to bring and sociability of Easter Day but how much before Jesus on the cross? more fulfilling to share in the whole story. We watch Jesus Before you lies my strength and my weakness; enter Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, preserve the one, heal the other. we sit and listen Before you lies my knowledge and my ignorance; to him at supper where you have opened to me, receive me as I come in; with his disciples where you have shut to me; open to me as I knock. on Holy Let me remember you, let me understand you, let me Thursday, we love you. gaze at his Increase these things in me until you restore me to wounds on the wholeness. cross on Good Friday and remember how St Augustine of Hippo (de Trinitate) we sometimes betray him. Wait for his gaze to fall upon you and feel the love as you know that his May you feel the love of Christ with forgiveness is the most powerful force in the always. whole world. Father Paul XX As Jesus speaks to us individually, the immensity of this act of God’s love makes us realise that we are all his children and thus not separated from each other within this love.

Aberedw w Llandeilo Graban w Llanbadarn-y-Garreg w Crickadarn w Gwenddwr & Bryngwyn w Newchurch w Llanbedr Painscastle w Llanddewi Fach Revd Fthr Paul Keown, Trefechan, Edw Crescent, Aberedw, Builth Wells LD2 3UH, 01982 560653, frpaulkeown@mac.com 9

Builth Ministry Area - Erwood & Painscastle Services for April Sunday 7th April 5th Sunday of Lent 9.30am Llanbadarn-Y- Garreg Eucharist 11.00am Gwenddwr Eucharist (Fr Phil) 11.00am Llandeilo Graban Morning Prayer 11.00am Newchurch Holy Communion

Sunday 28th April 9.30am Bryngwyn 9.30am Crickadarn 11.00am Aberedw

Services for May

Holy Week Sunday 14th April Palm Sunday 9.30am Crickadarn Eucharist 9.30pm Aberedw Eucharist (Fr Phil) 11.00am Llanbedr Eucharist 2.30pm Llandeilo Graban Eucharist

Sunday 5th May

3rd Sunday of Easter Eucharist 11.00am Gwenddwr Morning Prayer (Fr Phil) 11.00am Llandeilo Graban Morning Prayer 11.00am Newchurch Holy Communion 9.30am Llanbadarn-Y- Garreg

Wednesday 17th April 6.30pm Aberedw Reconciliation Eucharist

Occasionally - times may vary due to circumstances. Always worth a check if forward planning.

Thursday 18th April Holy Thursday 7.00pm Aberedw Lord’s Supper (with Washing of Feet and Transfer of the Sacrament)

Midweek Eucharist on Wednesdays at 6.30pm esumes in St Cewydd’s from April 3rd. St Cewydd’s, Aberedw. Evening Prayer at 6.00pm on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Midweek Eucharist at 6.30pm on Wednesday.

Friday 19th April Good Friday (2.00pm Llanbadarn –Y- Garreg Stations of the Cross) 3.00pm Newchurch The Liturgy of the Passion Saturday 20th April Easter Eve 7.30pm Gwenddwr The Easter Vigil Sunday 21st April

2nd Sunday of Easter Eucharist Eucharist (Fr Phil) Eucharist

Painscastle Mothers’ Union

Easter Day

You are most welcome to join us at our meetings.

9.30pm Llandeilo Graban Eucharist of the Resurrection 11.00am Newchurch

Holy Communion

9.30pm Bryngwyn

Eucharist of the Resurrection (Fr Phil)

11.00am Aberedw

Eucharist of the Resurrection (Fr Phil)

Meetings are held at Painscastle Village Hall on the 2nd Tuesday of each month during the winter months. For more information contact: Fran Shaw, 01982 56048

3.00pm Llandewi Fach Eucharist of the Resurrection

Dear Father Neil, Abi and Family, From all your friends in the Erwood and Painscastle churches. Loads of love and thanks! For you fellowship, care and inspiration – God bless you! May Jesus continue to sail the waters with you; stilling any disturbance and calming any fears. All will be well. XX

Irfon & Wye Ministry Area Services

Dementia Friendly Easter Communion A specially shortened ecumenical communion service for anybody from any background designed to provide maximum comfort for those with impaired cognitive abilities. Saturday 20th April in the lounge at Brynhyfryd Residential Home at 11am. The service features a warm building, level access (wheelchair friendly), accessible toilets, familiar hymns, a shortened service, a friendly welcome, and is open to all. Although this service is provided by the Anglican Churches in the Builth area it uses worship approved by many denominations.

Saturday 20th April in the lounge at Brynhyfryd Residential Home at 11am

Why you should go to the Chrism Mass at least once in your lifeâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;Ś. On Tuesday 15th April this month (the Tuesday in Holy Week) at midday our Bishop will be presiding at the annual Chrism Mass in Brecon Cathedral. Chrism Masses see the gathering of the entire diocese, bishop, priests, deacons and lay faithful, and are the occasion on which the bishop blesses the holy oils, and when the priests, deacons and people renew their promises to serve God and his people. In our diocese, we are very blessed to have Brecon Cathedral as our cathedral. It is a lovely building, and superbly nestled in the midst of the Beacons. Beautiful Brecon, even on a cold and windy grey day, is a blessed place. But so is every place with a cathedral, for a cathedral, even when not a splendid building, reminds us of the communion of the Church, and our communion with him who presides over the whole assembly of charity, namely the successor of Peter. Our Diocesan service itself is always celebrated in a very dignified style, but is never stuffy, and is always really uplifting. There is something wonderful about a Chrism Mass, so, if you have not been to one, make a date for this year. They used to be on a Thursday morning, but have now been shifted to earlier in Holy Week, which is sensible. In Africa they often take place days or weeks in advance, as travelling is so difficult. To stand with the assembled company and watch row after row of clergy file in. To have the whole cathedral stand to re-affirm their baptismal promises, then have the laity sit, whilst all the clerics as deacons affirm their ordination vows. Then the deacons sit to allow the priests to remain standing to renew their vows. The priests then sit, until the only one standing in the cathedral is the Bishop. This reminds us, not of the hierarchy of the church, but of the weight of responsibilities which falls across the church. Swansea & Brecon Chrism Mass 12noon 15th April 2019 in Brecon Cathedral

A letter from the Editor…… me…You cannot just be someone for whom Sunday is your day of Worship…you must plug the gaps and stop the community from forgetting about us…Evangelism must not stop in the absence of a regular priest…the church is not the Building or me, it’s you….”. Simple words, but oh so powerful. And as it turns out, I really needed reminding.

The Church is not a Building, it’s a group of people. If Signposts Magazine had a “theme of the month”, this month’s would most definitely be “Change”. As we move from the penitential season of Lent to Easter, the long-awaited arrival of spring, pastures new for some, and hopefully, new arrivals for others, it’s natural to contemplate what might lie ahead. At the risk of embarrassing a local cleric, I was present at a sermon some weeks ago and following the announcement of an impending interregnum, there poured forth a magnificent sermon which inspired and moved more than just me in the congregation.

No point in asking the Vicar responsible – apparently no written notes were used, and they seem to have no recollection of what they actually said. I was not alone in putting myself forward for a greater commitment – it seems the holy spirit was indeed at work. Not only this but months later we are still uplifted and optimistic, enough to move me to share this with Signposts readers.

I have a confession to make here – I am not averse to a bit of change A prayer for Interregnum (my favourite kind is that which I brought about GOD Our Father myself) but the idea of an You have welcomed each one of us in Jesus interregnum fills me with and called us to be His Body in this place; some trepidation. (I have Send us your Holy Spirit, at this time of uncertainty and change, included a prayer in case to fill us with vision, energy, any of you are feeling the and faithfulness in prayer, same anxiety). While I am that we may be true to our calling very fond of my fellow to bring new life to our community; parishioners and even And guide with your heavenly wisdom protective of them, I do not those who are to choose a new relish the idea of waiting for Incumbent for this parish, a year for the arrival of a that the one whom we receive new incumbent. I even, to may be a wise and gentle shepherd my shame, contemplated a of your people: ready to serve us with joy, sojourn to pastures new to build us up in faith, until the whole business and to lead us by example was over.

I usually make these kinds of decisions at funerals. I use eulogies as an opportunity to imagine what might not be going so well in my own life and what I really should contemplate changing. This does not always work out well, which is why I would not necessarily recommend it as a tool for triggering change but on balance it happens to have worked out for me.

In the name of embracing change, stepping up and given the challenges which in loving obedience to your son, lie ahead for two of our local our Saviour, Jesus Christ. ministry areas, I am Following the address in proposing some slight this particular service, changes to Signposts. You will notice that 16 however, I found myself offering to do more. We pages is now more achievable. I would dearly began to plan as a team during coffee after the love to put all our local service in one place service. When a friend remarked that a more complete with readings and possibly a map of formal role was not possible due to some current some sort. This will leave a greater space for personal circumstances, I found myself saying articles and letters. I would like to encourage “don’t worry – tell the Vicar I could do a bit more”. contributions from our local church schools, from And I was not alone. Friends rallied with offers to some of our visitors, and of course, parishioners. support with practical matters. The air was full not of the gloom of an impending departure but I would welcome your ideas, feedback, of renewed fellowship. I am surrounded by the comments and contributions. Please write, email very best role models in serving our church and or call and let me know your thoughts. My our community. contact details are on the back cover. I can tell now you are on the edge of your seats, Wishing you all an uplifting and refreshing desperate to know what gems caused this aboutEaster. turn. I can’t quite remember it all but a couple of phrases stuck, along the lines of “an interregnum is when your parish needs you most to step Adeline up….there are so many talents here in front of 13

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All contributions (news items and ideas for future issues) are very welcome and should be sent to. Adeline Jennings, 1 North Cottages, Llysdinam, Llandrindod Wells LD1 6NB Tel. 01597 860116 E-mail. signpostsmagazine@gmail.com Web. www.builthgroup.org.uk/signposts/ For Advertising Queries please contact David Childs E-mail advertssignposts@gmail.com. is printed by Powerprint, Llandrindod th

Deadline for next issue (May 2019) Friday 19 April 2019 16