Easter Parish Newsletter 2020

EASTER NEWSLETTER CROESO : WELCOME! This is the first newsletter we’ve produced, intended especially for all of our parishioners who can’t access the internet.

The important thing is —

we are still here!

We miss seeing each and every one of you and are looking to the day when we shall all meet again!

Fr Philip & Fr Geoff

‘The buildings are closed but the church is open’ As our church history leaflets make clear, the buildings are a convenience but they are not the church – the church is people, people like us called by God and finding him in our lives.

Holy Week and Easter this year were certainly very different experiences, allowing us time ’out’ to think, pray and read in a way in which our daily business doesn’t usually allow. I know I found it, at once, immensely moving – having to enact the liturgies on my own but knowing that others were joining in at a distance – and very difficult without the normal interaction and support. They are, after all services meant for people to come and share….Holy Week for a Deacon is a very special experience and it is an abounding regret that Fr Geoff could not take his part with us.

Easter Day was still glorious, blessed with familiar (pre-recorded) music and sunshine and above all God’s promise to us in Jesus that we are his and he is ours—there are pictures on page 6 Our live-streamed services are certainly touching many lives in all sorts of places in and beyond the town and those who are not internet-enabled are, I know, using the Spiritual Communion leaflet and saying our prayers as ever. So the Church continues - not as we have been used to and having to find different ways to reach out and communicate and keep in touch—this newsletter is one.

As we begin the second month of ‘lockdown’ the good news is that plans are apparently being made for a gradual re-openings of shops and meeting places – though I suspect places of worship are fairly low on the list. We are heading towards a ‘new normal’, without anyone being able to tell us what that means as far as meeting with and talking to others.

So let us not be afraid. Let us be confident that we are held in God’s love and that even, and perhaps especially, during these times of darkness and isolation He walks with us.

Every blessing – until we meet again!

Father Philip

Fr Geoff as we’ve never seen him!

Just to show what he looks like without the beard (almost) which came as a Lenten surprise — but it is fast growing back and, he says, will return to ‘normal’ BREAKING NEWS: Bishop June interviewed Fr Geoff online today (5th May) and confirmed that she intends to ordain him priest – we just don’t know for certain where or when.

A feast yet to come! It should normally be at the end of June……

Pray for Geoff as he begins his ordination preparations

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Welcome!

We are delighted to be welcoming Father Mark Broadway as Assistant Curate ...very soon!

Mark was born and raised at the seaside. He grew up in Burnham-on-Sea, on the Somerset coast - as the crow flies not far from Porthcawl. He left England for Wales in 2006, when he came up to read for a degree in law, and subsequently the Legal Practice Course, at the University of Glamorgan in Pontypridd.

After university, Mark worked in a range of jobs. Finally settling in a conveyancing firm, whilst he discerned his vocation to the priesthood. He subsequently trained for ministry at St Michael’s College in Llandaff, where he served as Senior Student whilst earning his Master’s in Theology.

Mark served his first curacy in Coity & Nolton, at first with (the now Archdeacon) Michael Komor, before supporting the parish through a long vacancy. Mark’s interests include Church History, music and walking his dog, Hiro.

Mark has two lively sons, who live with him part-time.

Warden’s Words

Perhaps thy way is wary, oft they feet grow tired and lame.

I wearied when I reached the well, I suffered just the same.

Well, I had no idea that when I went into the season of Lent that I would be giving up going to church - in a physical sense. That’s not what I’d decided to give up!

And when I bore that heavy cross I fainted ‘neath the load and so I’ve promised rest to all who walk the weary road.

I remember just before the lockdown came into effect, the Rector called around and I sat in disbelief when he told me the churches would have to close. The thought of not having the opportunity to go to church didn’t sink in for a while. I questioned and tried to compute what was happening, after all this was Lent, Palm Sunday and our palm crosses, Holy Week, ring the bells for Easter morning, rejoice with a church service, sing hymns together… and the Easter lunch. All gone…..

Doth Satan sometimes buffet thee and tempt thy soul to sin?

So faith, hope and love grow weak, are doubts and fears within?

Remember I was tempted thrice by the same foe of time But he could not resist the word or conquer power divine.

Has it all gone?

No, of course not - we are stronger than that. The motto ‘adapt and overcome’ has certainly been the answer with our ‘virtual services’ conducted so thoughtfully every day by the Rector - and to see his camera skills improving...what a pro!

Art thou discourage in they work?

Doth ministry seem in vain?

I ministered midst unbelief, midst those with greed of gain

I am myself using ‘The Book of Common Prayer’ aka ‘the green book’ - something that I have not done for many, many years. It has been kept safely in my bedside cabinet. I remember the book coming out and the ‘blue books’ being made redundant. This book was deemed to be the modern book of prayer.

There’s an inscription in the front of mine. It was from my Mum and Dad and was dated September 1984 and Mum had put “Psalm 84” under her writing to me. I read Psalm 84 and understood why she had chosen it.

See what you think.

Have courage then my faithful one, I suffered all the way.

They sensitive and loving heart, I understand today.

At the back of the book I had copied down the following from somewhere, I don’t know where, because it must have struck a chord with me (it must have been years ago because my writing was legible!).

What ere they grieve, what ere they care, Just bring it unto me.

In the day of trouble call I will deliver thee.

They would not harken to my voice but scoffed with one accord Your labour never is in vain If done unto the Lord.

So we learn to adapt and continue with our faith, looking forward to when we will be able to be together again. Once it is safe to do so, the bells will again ring out loud and long.

Keep faith and keep the space.

I Will Deliver Thee Hast thou been hungry, child of mine?

I, too, have needed bread For forty days I tasted nought.

Till by the Angels fed.

Ruth Birch People’s Warden

Hast thou been thirsty?

On the cross, I suffered thirst for thee, I’ve promised to supply thy needs.

My child come unto me.

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How we worship

About the collection . . . . .

As we promised at the start of this time when we are closed for public worship our daily pattern has been maintained and at the usual times. To minimise travel, every service takes place in All Saints, using the Green book on Tuesdays and Fridays as if we were in St John’s. Sunday service is at 10 and Fr Geoff has just started evensong at 6.

Many of you will have received a letter from the Rector about the Parish Electoral Role and about Gift Direct. Some parishioners are still hesitant about using Gift Direct. It now an essential part of our stewardship because the Parish is not now receiving any income from the usual open plate and the white envelope scheme.

Every service is broadcast onto our Facebook page and we now have a YouTube page as well. Helen Murdoch, who looks after our website, also places Sunday and Wednesday worship online. We are very grateful to her and to Nikki Willis who looks after our Facebook page—they have spent hours making sure that all is done well online.

Please consider using Gift Direct.

It is entirely confidential. I use the scheme and the hardest part for me was not putting a contribution in the collection plate. If you have not received the Gift Direct Form please let me know and I will get one to you.

How are the buildings?

Or go to Gift Direct online on the Church in Wales website: https://www.churchinwales.org.uk/en/clergyand-members/gift-direct/

They are still there, ready and waiting!

We have taken the opportunity to catch up on some regular maintenance and repair. We have new electrician, Dan Jones (07964 085711), who has carried out our overdue electrical appliance testing and fixed some problems in the Tower and at All Saints.

David Parry Tel 784211

Ben Hapgood, our plumber, (07875 663768) is in the middle of making sure all our gas appliances are safe and again repairing some minor niggles.

Porthcawl Group Practice Covid-19 update 30th April 2020

The Schoolroom has four new windows, courtesy of Stuart Evans (07818 067198) and is being painted outside by Wayne Clarke, (07949 969864), who does most of our general maintenance.

Thank you for the amazing, ongoing, messages and gestures of support. We are overwhelmed and very much appreciate every kind thought.

All Saints Hall and the Hindley Room at Newton have also been painted (thanks to Bryn (07773 901856) ) and our usual grounds maintenance is safe in the hands of Julia (07936 552818) and David (07870 441309).

So when we do meet again the buildings will be in part refreshed and renewed!

Please do not relax your guard.

We are continuing to have cases identified in porthcawl. It is MORE important than ever that advice around distancing, social isolation and general hygiene is followed.

However, do not be afraid of contacting us if you have health concerns. We are especially worried that people wih normal, potentially serious health problems are not seeking help.

How are the people?

Keeping the most important to the end!

As far as we know all are well.

If in doubt—ask

Many are self-isolating and Covid-19 group is doing a sterling job with shopping and prescriptions.

If you need to contact the surgery please telephone as early in the day as you can and confirm which number you would like to be called back on. Keep this number free whilst awaiting callback.

Fr Geoff and the Rector exercise a telephone ministry and are always read and willing to have a chat: Fr Philip on 01656786899

Please continue to be patient when telephoning – we are doing the best we can, and appreciate your understanding!

Fr Geoff on 07903 669247

Cancellations:

Stay safe. Stay home.

There will, unfortunately, be no Summer Fayres this year—a great social loss and a major impact on our finances!

Nicola Willis

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George Lucas is a human being talking about the human condition through the medium of his films.

When we do anything we put a bit of ourselves into that act. We also put some of our faith, or lack of it, into our deeds too.

May Day or Mayday?

When the calendar turns to the month of May, a couple of things always cross my mind. “Don't cast a clout until May is out!”

Now does that mean the month ends, or when the plant blooms??

I believe there is a force in nature that is eternal.

In the 1920s, Mr Mockford was asked to think of other pilots and he extended that beyond our shores to include the regular traffic from France.

May flowers will soon bloom in hedgerows already turning greener by the day. We will still feel the need to stand outside every Thursday and applaud faceless and nameless thousands, who are putting their lives on the line for us all. We still feel the presence of loved ones who we only see on computer screens or hear over the phone, even after that call has ended.

Then there is mayday, the distress call! Wikipedia says:-The "mayday" procedure word originated in 1921. A senior radio officer at Croydon Airport, Frederick Stanley Mockford, was asked to think of a word that would indicate distress and would easily be understood by all pilots and ground staff in an emergency. Since much of the traffic at the time was between Croydon and Le Bourget in Paris, he proposed "mayday" from the French m'aider ('help me').

God is in all things, the May blossom, the greening shoots, caring hands and in you.

But the one link with May that always makes me smile, is the twist on the greeting from the Star Wars movies. The films are a swashbuckling series of tales about the guardians of all that is right and true - the Jedi Knights. The Jedi use a supernatural element called The Force. It not only allows the user to do amazing feats of strength and prowess, it also permeates everything in the galaxy.

May the Lord be with you!

Geoff Lunn

News from All Saints Although I miss my family, friends and All Saints like crazy (& seriously miss cuddles with my grandchildren) here are some personal positives from this awful pandemic.

I have defrosted the freezer! I repeat, I have defrosted the freezer! Something I have been meaning to do for I don’t know how long. There is twice as much room in it now! I have more time to cook, which I love, and am trying out lots of new recipes that I have been meaning to try for ages. The other night I tried a new recipe that I thought was delicious and was about to say so. That was until my husband said “That was lovely Sian, but don’t worry about cooking it for me again”.

When Jedi part to do brave deeds and face down evil, the greeting is "May the force be with you!" Some 'tongue in cheek' fans, like myself, take delight in the twist, "May the Fourth be w ith you!" This date is now officially 'Star Wars Day'!

As someone who believes God is in all things, be it a person, a deed or an object, I find a theology in the idea of The Force. The writer of the stories and the man behind the movies is George Lucas. Somewhere in his life he must have come across Christianity.

The idea of a Jedi putting the Force at the centre of that person’s life and being the focus of their life, is so close to the way we put God above all things as well as in the middle of all things. The ideals of the Jedi are so close to our Christian ideals of putting the other first by loving others first. Of course, those tenants are common to Judaism, Islam and Christianity. There is the selfless sacrifice of Jedi in the face of evil, that turns my mind to Jesus.

I have more time to exercise and enjoy my daily walks.

I’ve noticed during these walks that complete strangers nod and say hello to one another when passing in the street, as used to happen when I was a child. Strangers even stop to have a conversation (though they have to shout it as they are standing so far apart!)

Every day, when the weather is nice my next door neighbour and I sit on either side of our garden wall at 4 pm for an hour or so and chat. She has a cup of tea and I have a G n T. We have lived next door to each other for years but never found the time to do this before.

Little things I know but every little helps!

Sian Jones

News from St John’s In addition to the Rector streaming services online, some of us have also been enjoying Sunday Worship, on BBC 1, on Sunday mornings ( times have varied), as well as Songs of Praise later that day. With these programmes, they have also kept us in touch and given us some comfort, even if we have been unable to visit our own church.

Although the films are a source of entertainment for me and others who like that 'Saturday Matinee', pulp-Sci-Fi kind of film, although they are cheesy and 'on the surface', I can’t help wonder if George Lucas is really saying God, when he writes The Force.

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One of the these services came from St David’s Cathedral. The celebrant spoke of the life of St David. When he was dying, his message to his disciples was : Be Joyful, keep the faith and do the little things.

These words resonated with me and seem to be very apposite even today.

During this period we have been truly blessed with fantastic weather – hopefully it is not our summer! But whether it is or not, it has certainly made this period of lockdown easier to cope with. Speaking for many, I know I am not alone in having cleaned and washed everything that can be. However, so many thing have gone overboard - weddings, birthdays, holidays etc.

Our Summer Fayre has been cancelled, which is a great financial blow to the parish. Hopefully, we will, in the not too distant future, be back in church. When we do, perhaps , we can arrange some fund raising events which will not only raise money for the parish but also help to bring us back together as a church family.

In the meantime, count your blessings, be thankful and keep safe until we can all meet again.

Diane Jackson

News from St David’s We are in strange times confined to house and garden but thankyou to everyone who is helping, especially the frontline NHS Staff, Care workers, Paramedics and all who have volunteered in any way. Special thanks to the Rector who has continued with solitary services in All Saints and streamed them on YouTube. I was especially thankful for the Holy Week services which I missed very much.

On a personal note, we have been helped by Antonia, our daughter in law, who has done our shopping, and Gareth, who has set us up with FaceTime so that we can watch Sylvie’s progress (Rhydian’s baby age10 months) as she is now crawling everywhere. We have been fortunate in the beautiful weather. David has been busy with our vegetable garden which is planted with all sorts now. I have painted the fence, cleaned the outside of the windows and planted bedding plants. Nottage Stores is just across the road and is doing a roaring trade selling these. It has been very neighbourly queuing outside the shop 2m apart and chatting while waiting to go in one at a time.

The U3A national has downloaded exercise workshops for seniors to do each day and we have been exploring the local lanes - Zig Zag Lane, Marlpit Lane and Moor lane, as well as longer walks on Lock’s Common and Rest Bay at low tide. In the house, I have found a jigsaw app for my iPad which makes a change from scrabble and solitaire. The time seems to pass quite quickly!

Keep safe everyone until we meet again.

Pat Parry

Electoral Roll We have had quite a lot of these returned—but are always happy to receive the ones outstanding— they are the only way we have to know we have the right names and addresses and we know that there many not on the (2015) current list.

Readings and Collects We enclose two yellow sheets which give the Sunday readings until the end of June (including Ascension Day).

Hopefully by then life will perhaps be getting back to normal and we can meet face to face. If not then we will write again—but I hope we won’t have to!

Annual Meeting and Accounts Normally, this all has to be dealt with by the end of April but this year there is an extension until the end of September.

The accounts are still being examined but there was a positive balance of over £10000 at the end of 2019.

This is proving very useful at the moment because we still have some fairly massive outgoings, including £6500 a month as the Parish Share and our only income is from Gift Direct.

Please consider Dr Parry’s appeal to join this very carefully—it will be a great help to us.

VE Day There are now only three people in Porthcawl who were serving in the forces in WWII—David Philipot MBE, of course, being one of them.

There is a programme of ‘events from home’ but we will remember VE day with a minute’s silence at the end of the Friday Mass. We will pray for all those taken by war and we will give thanks for those who gave their lives for us.

Fr Ben Andrews Father Ben came here for a second curacy, just as will Father Mark and spent, he says, a very happy time with us.

He left us to go to Grangetown and has for the last years been Rector of Barry.

He is now on the move and coming back to this Deanery— he has been appointed to St Theodore’s, Port Talbot, a place where the Rector began his ministry.

We wish him every blessing—and of course Father Keith can now keep a much closer eye on him!

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Guest contribution by Fr Mark Broadway Listening to Bastille's 2013 hit single, Pompeii, we find ourselves overhearing an imaginary conversion between two characters frozen in time by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. The song focuses in on the emotional boredom which the main character feels; being stuck, as it were, forced to reflect on the earth shattering events he had witnessed.

"But if you close your eyes Does it almost feel like Nothing changed at all?

And if you close your eyes Does it almost feel like You've been here before?"

Many of us feel as though we are living through something of an earth shattering event, emotionally perhaps no less significant than the destruction of Pompeii.

Friends have told me that they are terrified. Terrified of losing loved ones, terrified of the unknown.

The Altar on Easter Day –flowers by the Rector!

We are an Easter people: Alleluia is our song

I wonder how many of us remember how we felt in the days after the September 11th attacks. Or indeed, after any number of events which have taken place since the end of the Second World War. Fear and anxiety is not new to us as creatures; and although in many ways our current situation is unprecedented, in many ways it is not.

For all of us Christian people Easter is the highlight, the chief point of the year— as St Paul reminds us ‘If Christ is not raised then our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been in vain (1 Cor 15. 14)

We share with countless generations who have gone before us the same fears and anxieties, which ultimately have the same root; lack of control. The fact that we are not in control is absolutely terrifying to many of us, not least me.

To show this the empty, dark Church of Good Friday is transformed filled with light, filled with flowers, with gold vestments worn and the Easter Candle joyfully lit– the sign that the Light of Christ overcomes the darkness of sin and death and that Jesus offers us not just life, but life in abundance.

Into that place of anxiety, Jesus speaks. In Matthew's gospel, chapter 6, we read beginning at verse 26: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? ... But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

Here we find an exhortation to focus on those things which we can control: our own response to Jesus, by seeking first the kingdom of God, whilst letting go of the worry that surrounds so much that we can't control.

None of us knows what exactly will happen in this pandemic; but nothing has changed since yesterday in that respect, because none of us has ever known what tomorrow will bring. But we do know this: that God loves us, and has asked us to seek after that love.

I am reminded of the Llandaff Diocesan prayer; Loving Heavenly Father, you call us to grow your Kingdom.

Help us to tell a joyful story and to build your goodness in our world, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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It is more important than ever today for us to grasp this, hold this and give thanks for this.

The world isn't as we wish (has it ever been?) but God still says to us ‘You are mine’.

May the Risen Jesus send His blessings and His light upon you and those whom you love and upon this world.