St Asaph Round-up: Dydd Iau, 17 Medi 2015
Newyddion o Esgobaeth Llanelwy:Thursday 17September 2015
Christian Aid Resources regarding the refugee crisis – Please follow the link to the Christian Aid website to access resources in English and Welsh.
Come and be a Cathedral Chorister - Saturday 19th September from 10am to 12noon. St Asaph Cathedral Choir is hosting singing workshops and information about life as a Cathedral Chorister (see poster circulated previously). For further information or to book a place: Fr Rex Matthias 01745 584994 or Alan McGuinness 01745 582245
North Wales International Music Festival 2015 – Festival Eucharist 11am Sunday 20th September with Archbishop Barry Morgan Festival launch concert 7.30pm. Festival runs from Saturday 26th September to Saturday 3rd October. Flyer attached.
Lectionaries at the Diocesan Conference - Manna Christian Bookshop will have a bookstall at the Diocesan Conference at Llangollen Pavillion on Sat 10th October and will be selling the Church in Wales Lectionaries - there are no pocket books. Lectionaries are priced at £7.50 however Manna are pleased to offer a 10% discount on any pre-orders submitted by Wed 30th September. Please place your order with Manna by emailing the email please include your "Name", "Church Name", "Contact Phone No" and "Number of Lectionaries" required, you will then receive an email confirming your order and the cost. (If you don’t get a reply (within a day or so) please phone the bookshop on 01978 364405). The Lectionaries will be available for you to collect and pay for at the conference. Manna Bookshop can accept Cash, Cheques (Payable to EMW) or Card payments.
Information about ordering Fairtrade products at the Diocesan Conference on 10th October has been circulated previously and is available to download from the StAR section of the website.Please place your order by 3rd October at the latest.
Services of Induction, Licensing and Installation:
Induction ofEmma Rees,St Ffraid’s Church, Llansantffraid ym Mechain.19 Septemberat 2 pm.
Commissioning of Wrexham Centre for Mission, St Mark’s Church, Caia Park, Wrexham, 28 September at 7p.m.
Licensing of Gwenda Cooper as Associate Priest for Colwyn and Llanelian.4 October in St Elian’s, Llanelian at 9.30 a.m.
Induction of David Ash, Christ Church, Prestatyn.4 October at 3 p.m.
This week:
Open Doors Church Network at St Giles Church, Wrexham. 12th -19th September- Tower Tours on the Saturday - Please Contact 01978 355808 for further information.
Connah's Quay Art and Craft Fair - An exhibition and sale of works by local artists and a craft fair will be held at St David's Church, Mold Road, Connah's Quay on Thursday 17th- Saturday 19th September 10am - 5pm and on Sunday 20th September 12-4pm.(There is no craft fair on Sunday). Refreshments are available. Admission is free.
Soroptimists of Rhyl and district present a wonderful evening of Choral Music. Featuring the Oriana Choir a mixed musical programme with Conductor Lorna Todd and also featuring award winning St. Melyd's School Choir 'children singing for children'. St. Margaret's Church Bodelwyddan (The Marble Church)on Friday 18th September at 7.30p.m. - tickets from either Joan Barker 01745 582869 or Shirley Jones 07917413033 at £6. Proceeds to local charities and the Italia Foundation School Mkushi Zambia.
You are warmly invited to join members of the Deanery of Penllyn & Edeyrnion on a joint walking and rail Pilgrimage on Saturday 19th September from Corwen Parish Church, leaving at 1.30pm to catch the 1.50pm steam train to Berwyn, from where we will walk the half mile via the newly-restored Chain Bridge and the Horseshoe Falls to Llantysilio Church. After a brief service and refreshments we will retrace our steps to return by the 16.19pm diesel multiple unit to Corwen at 16.52pm. Each person will be responsible for their rail fare - Adults £13, Seniors £11 and children over 5 £6:50. Please inform the Area Dean - / 01490 413520 - if you intend to come so that our hosts at Llantysilio will know how many to cater for. You may prefer to join the train at Carrog, Glyndyfrdwy or Llangollen if that is more convenient for you.
Organ Recital & Vintage Afternoon Tea at St John’s Church, Pool Quay on Saturday 19th September, commencing 3.pm. Tickets are £8 and are available from church members and Kathleen on 01938 590 351/07745 928692.
Annual pet service at St Cystennin's church, Mochdre - 20th September at 9.30am All pets both large and small are welcome to attend provided that their human companions are also in attendance.
Harvest Thanksgiving at Christ Church, Bwlchgwyn - Sunday 20th September at 6pm followed by a Hot Pot supper in the Village Hall (£6 for the supper) Guest Preacher Rev’d Evelyn Davies, MBE.
Royal School of Church Music “COME AND SING – MUSIC FOR THE CHURCH YEAR” Tuesday 22nd September, 2015 at 7.15pm: St. Mary’s, Mold, CH7 1BW.Directed by Mervyn Cousins.Mervyn Cousins, Former Director of Music at Liverpool Metropolitan R.C. Cathedral, St. Edmundsbury Cathedral and Former Executive Director of Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod will lead a choral workshop exploring repertoire choices for the Church Year, with technical advice for both singers and choir trainers.Music copies will be available at the workshop – all are welcome. Please see the attached poster/booking form.For further details please contact Alan McGuinness, Director of Music at St. Asaph Cathedral. Tel: (01745) 582245 or email:
Cursillo St Asaph – 23rd – 27th September, Retreat Centre, Pantasaph Friary, Holywell. The weekend is for lay and clergy alike, who have the desire to experience a Christian learning environment that is stimulating, exciting, and nurturing. The weekend begins on a Thursday evening and ends with a service on Sunday 27th September (3.30pm), officiated by Right Reverend Bishop Gregory of St Asaph at Halkyn Parish church. For more information about the weekend programme and/or application form, please contact Gabi Husband on or Helen Taubman on
Cathedral and Church Shops Association Annual Conference and Trade Fair. 23 + 24 September in Hexham Abbey, Hexham. Details on the letter circulated previously.
Harvest flowers/Concert Parish church of St Catherine and St John, Station Road, Old Colwyn - Come and enjoy our harvest festival flowers on display in Church on 25th - 26th September from 10 a.m. – 4.30 p.m. Free Admission. There will also be a coffee morning with raffles to enjoy on Saturday 26th September 10 a.m.- 12 p.m. On Sunday 27th September we are holding our Harvest Festival Service at 10 a.m. and all are very welcome. Also on Sunday 27th September there will also be a concert at 3.30p.m. featuring the Royal Buckley Town Band, tickets for this concert are priced at £8 in advance and £10 on the door and will include tea/coffee. Proceeds from the concert will go to the North Wales Air Ambulance. Come and join us and support this worthy cause.
Training:
Last chance to book - Training Together - “So… you’re on the PCC” – This session (which is useful for all church members) will explain the role of the PCC in relation to the Constitution and the Law; the role and responsibilities of the PCC member and those of the Officers appointed by the PCC. The session will be a mixture of information and action planning. 22 September, 7-9 pm in St Margaret’s Church, Wrexham. Booking essential. Please contact by Friday 18September: Sian on 01745 582245 or email
Keeping People Safe – Health & Safety Training.The Church in Wales and Ecclesiastical Insurance are running a series of practical workshops for those with a responsibility for ensuring that health and safety procedures are in place in their Church. The sessions will address the practical issues of ‘What do I need to do?’ and ‘How do I do it?’ rather than focusing on the legislation. Please refer to the letter from the Provincial Training Team for further information circulated previously.The following workshops have been arranged in venues across the Diocese of St Asaph:
Saturday 19 September / 9.30 am to 12.30 pm / St Margaret's Church & Hall, Wrexham LL11 2SHSaturday 17 October / 9.30 am to 12.30 pm / St John's Pool Quay SY21 9LA
Saturday 14 November / 9.30 am to 12.30 pm / Dewi Sant Colwyn Bay, LL28 7TE
To book a place, please complete the booking form circulated previously or contact: Ffion Williams at St Michael’s College, Cardiff on 029 2083 8007 or e-mail .
Training Together – “Chairing Meetings Effectively” - This interactive session will explore the traits of an effective Chair and provide opportunities to practice various techniques. This session is open to all but is especially useful for PCC Members and clergy. 5th October, 7-9 p.m. in St Margaret’s Church, Wrexham. Booking is essential. Contact: or 01745 582245.
Mind Cymru Mental Health First Aid- 12- 13 October, Ramada Plaza Wrexham, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on both days. For more information and for other courses please see the updated version of the Provincial Training Calendar from the Church in Wales (circulated previously). To book contact:Ffion Williams at St Michael’s College, Cardiff on 029 2083 8007 or e-mail .
Training Together – “Publicising your Parish” – This training session aims to teach you how to better publicise your parish. This session will be led by Diocesan Communications Officer Karen Maurice. This session is open to all. 13 October, 7-9 p.m. in St Peter’s Church, Holywell. Booking is essential. Contact: or 01745 582245.
Training Together – “Making the most of your Financial Resources” - Learn how to use your parish budget as a tool for mission and ministry, and to encourage generous giving amongst the congregation and local community. This session is open to all but is especially useful for PCC Members, Clergy and Treasurers. 19th October, 7-9 p.m. in St Margaret’s Church, Wrexham or 20th October 7-9 p.m. in Dewi Sant Church, Colwyn Bay. Booking is essential.Contact: or 01745 582245.
Coming soon:
St Martin's Church, Eglwysbach is holding an Open Day on 26th September when Church Records from 17th Century to date will be available for those people interested in ancestry. It is also the annual Gift Day, and a fancy goods stall together with refreshments will be available between 10am and 4pm.
Commemorations to mark 25 years since the closure of Brymbo Steelworks - Sunday 27th September at 11am Eucharist on the site of the Steel Works (there will be facilities for this happening under cover if necessary) and 6pm a Service in St Mary’s Brymbo with Brymbo Choir and Guest Preacher Canon Precentor Rex Matthias. For further information on the week end activities see
“Sowing, Reaping, Keeping” People-sensitive Evangelism – with Laurence Singlhurst, Director of Cell UK. 10th October, 10am – 4 pm at Kelsall Methodist Church, Cheshire. Sessions will cover ‘Is this generation churchless?’, ‘Changing values and Understanding culture’, ‘Effective strategies’, ‘The role of small groups’. Booking form and additional information attached.
Information and Marketplace
We have had many requests for information on setting up a ‘friends of’ scheme to support the work of our churches in maintaining historic and important buildings. The Church of England has produced some excellent guidance on this issue and it has been checked for suitability for our Diocese by the Registrar. You will find the guidance here
Please note that Revd Pauline Walker’s new telephone number is 01745 813831. Her email address remains the same.
Please see the following message from Revd Sally Rogers: Conwy’s Dyffryn Elwy Habitat Improvement Project has been nominated for a Sustainable Public Sector Award. The project consists of a variety of work on the 7 km stretch of river between Llangernyw and Llanfairtalhaiarn in our parish. As well as benefits to wildlife habitat, water quality, livestock grazing, and amenities, there is an element of flood prevention. This will help protect us in Llanfairtalhaiarn, and will also mitigate the flood threat further downstream, e.g. in St.Asaph. The project has been managed by Geraint Jones, who works for Coed Cymru and also chairs the Community Council in Llanfair.
It is an excellent piece of work, and has been shortlisted alongside projects from Swansea and Cardiff. The public are invited to vote to decide which of the 3 projects receives the award. You can vote at http:/ Voting takes place between 4 September and 9 October and the winners will be announced at the Sustain Wales Awards at the Millennium Stadium on 19 November.
There is more work to be done on the tributaries of the Elwy above Llangernyw, a stretch below Llanfair, and also on the upper reaches of the Barrog (which was the main cause of the disastrous flooding we experienced in 2012, when it overflowed the culvert as it entered the village, and then met the already high water levels of the Elwy). I guess that public recognition through the award might unlock future funding for this necessary work.
Please vote to support us. You might also be helping to protect our cathedral city from a repeat of 2012!
Reminders:
Afternoon Concert at St Giles, Wrexham - Sunday 27th September 3pm- Choir called Choral Variations. Retiring Collection. Tea/Coffee and Cakes.
The Parish of Bistre will be holding a Harvest Songs of Praise on Sunday 27th September at 5.30pm with Dee-Sign Choir, a Signing Choir from Chester. It is hoped this service will also be a signed service (yet to be confirmed). All are invited to join us for this service.
An opportunity has arisen for the right individual to Chair Sanctaidd.Sanctaidd is a charitable organisation evolving from Churches Tourism Network Wales. Please follow the link for more information:
Berse Drelincourt Charity - grants are available for education expenses for up to 20 girls/women per year, under the age of 25 years and resident in the Diocese of St. Asaph. The grant is modest (usually between £50 - £100) but may be used in a range of ways, for example, to subsidise extracurricular lessons, to assist in the purchase of books, or to go towards the expense of a degree course at university. Please pass on the applications forms (circulated previously) to young women who may qualify for the grant or direct them to the website at
The National Churches Trust has launched ‘The Marsh Awards for Innovative Projects’,a competition to find the Christian congregations running the most innovative community projects in a church building made possible through the installation of new facilities such as meeting spaces, kitchens, toilets or improved access. Follow the link for more information:
What’s on?
“CLEAVE THE WOOD AND THERE I AM” - An invitation to respond to God’s grace through carvings and music - Noddfa Retreat Centre, Penmaenmawr,5pm, Friday 23rd to 3pm Sunday 25th October 2015 A retreat led by Christopher Lewis, who made the carvings around which the reflections are based. This is a unique opportunity to enjoy a special weekend -please do apply early toavoid disappointment. For more information ring Helen Taubman 01352780292/07780706726(or text) -
A Quiet Day at the Ty Heddwch Retreat Centre near Denbigh from 10am-4pm on Saturday 26 September. (No charge but bring and share lunch.) To book, please email .
Concert by Northop 2nd Silver Bandand Cor Y Pentan, Mold, in Northop Parish Church on Saturday 26th September. Please note the change of time to 6.30pm. In aid of church funds and Macmillan Cancer Support. Admission is free; a retiring collection will be made.
Open Doors at St. Mary’s Church, Rhuddlan - Saturday 26th Sept 10am - 4pm (Artisans’ Fair 10am-3pm) andSunday 27th Sept after the 9.30am service until 4pm.Wander around our beautiful 700 year old church and see remains from Rhuddlan’s Dominican Priory and unique 17th century wall inscriptions.Maps, photos & memorabilia from the Rhuddlan Local History Society Archives. Old farming implements and machinery courtesy of Reg Davies. Celebrate 80 years of Ysgol y Castell with their then & now exhibition, Church Records, Craftwork. Join Bryn’s historic tours at 1pm & 2pm. Lots of lovely refreshments.
Christian Aid 70th Anniversary Service – 26 September in Brecon Cathedral at 2.30pm. Preacher: Former Archbishop of Wales and Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams. Join us to thank God for all that has been accomplished and pray for the future. Please see the bilingual letter(circulated previously) for details.
Award winning folk duo 'Megson' return to St Mary’s, Cilcain on Saturday 26 September at 7.30 pm. Three times BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards nominees. Tickets from wegottickets.com or Adrian or Diane Copping 01352 810936.
Prayer Spaces in Schools, Day Conference – 26September in Leeds or 3 October in London. A day filled with inspiring keynote content, Q+A and Discussion, regional networking, focused workshops, story-swapping and plenty of coffee and cake. Follow this link: Day Conference webpagefor details and to book. Spaces are limited so book early.
Northop Parish is planning a flower festival in the parish around the Harvest Festival weekend (From Saturday 3rd to Friday 10th October), with a Harvest theme: ‘Times & Seasons’. Anyone who is interested in taking part or knows of any organisation which may sponsor an exhibit, please see the descriptive leaflet available in church for detailed information, or phone vicar Richard on 01352 840842
St Cystennin's Church, Mochdre will be holding a second Welsh service which will consist of a combined Harvest Festival and Eucharistic service at 3pm on the 4th October
A warm welcome will be extended to all who appreciate the Welsh language, welsh first language speakers, welsh learners and non welsh speakers and any who wish to support the measures taken to bring Welsh language services back to this beautiful church.
Unwaith eto mi fydd Eglwys St Cystennin, Mochdre yn cynhal gwasanaeth yn yr iaith cymraeg sef Gwasanaeth Diolch Garwch gyda Cymun Bendigaid am 3 o'r gloch y prynhawn y 4ydd Hydref. Croeso mawr i bawb sydd yn gwerthfawrogi'r iaith gymraeg ac yn cefnogi'r fentir i ddod a gwasanaethau cymraeg yn ol i'r eglwys hon. Croeso cynnes hefyd i ddysgwyr cymraig ac i sawl ddigymraig i'r wasanaith.
National Conference on Hate Crime and Bullying in the Age of Social Media - Current Perspectives, Practices and Solutions. Thursday 15th October 2015 in The Orangery, Margam Park, South Wales – 10.30am -4pm. Please see the bilingual information (circulated previously) for more details.
“Murder in the Cathedral” – 21 November at 7.30 p.m. in St Asaph Cathedral. In aid of St Kentigern and Ty Gobaith Hospices. Tickets £10. Details of how to book on the poster circulated previously.
8 Day visit to Italy - Pompeii, Sorrento, Rome and Isle of Capri. Saturday 2nd - Saturday 9th April 2016 Flights : Liverpool to Naples with Easyjet and return Rome - Manchester with Ryannair 2 nights Sorrento 5 nights Rome 3* hotels Bespoke itinerary with Guide and coaches half board basis Friendly group ideal for couples and singles Enquiries and full details from Mrs Susan Varah Tel 01244 540728
StAR - If you want something including in the St Asaph Round up, please send it to next StAR will be on Thursday 24 September.