THE LINK
JUNE 2009
The magazine which links the parishes of
Llantilio Pertholey (Mardy) with Bettws Chapel and Llanddewi Skirrid

Priest in charge:Fr Marc Winchester: Tel:854323 email: marcw1953@aol.com
Wardens: St Teilo’s Chris Rudge Tel:854214
Tony Savagar Tel:890516
 St David’s Francis Whitfield Tel:859485
Bettws Chapel Mark Powell Tel: 850647 email: jmhp@hotmail.co.uk
Organisations in the Parish – with contacts
Bellringers David Salter Tel:853611
Community Council  David Spencer email:Cllr.dspencer@btopenworld.com
Covenant Secretary Chris Rudge Tel:854214
Flower Rota Margaret Turner Tel:854241
Friendship Circle 
H.O.S.T Les Toyer Tel:853285 
J- Club Fr Marc Winchester: Tel:854323 email: marcw1953@aol.com
Llantilio Pertholey School David Evans Tel:853746
Mardy Hall Phil Jones Tel:858467
Magazine  Jessica Graham Tel:855401 email: jaimegrak3k@aol.com
Mother’s Union  Betty Gollop Tel:855216
Organist & Choirmaster Ieaun Davies via vicar
PCC – Secretary  John Saunders Tel:853950
Rural Dean Fr Jeremy Winston Tel:851261
Treasurer John Powell Tel:854642
Village Produce Association Malcolm Brinkworth Tel:850115
Women’s Institute Federation Office Tel:01633 864456
Diocesan Website www.churchinwales.org.uk
Llanddewi Skirrid Website www.llanddewiskirrid.co.uk

Web Master Tony Flynn: ajf1957@aol.com

Dear Friends,
In his hymn “Teach me my God and King” George Herbert that marvellous seventeenth century Anglican Vicar and poet has the couplet:“Who sweeps a room, as for the laws, Makes that and the action fine.”And most of this month’s article is concerned with Church housekeeping, a necessary concern if we are to have a church fit for its purpose of being a house of God where his people can meet to offer Him their praise and worship.

But first a note particularly to all P.C.C. members at Llantilio Pertholey and Llanddewi Skirrid, the joint meeting of our and the P.C.C. of Llanfihangel Crucorney to discuss possible futures, mentioned in last month’s magazine, has now been arranged. It will take place at Llanfihangel Crucorney on Monday 20th July at 7.30 p.m. and will be chaired by the Archdeacon Richard Pain, put it in your Diary’s now.

Now to the housekeeping, at St Teilo’s and St. David’s we are lucky that good financial management and peoples generosity in the past means that we have some reserves held so that whenever it becomes necessary we can do repairs to the fabric of the buildings, last year St. David’s had some external work done, partly with a small CADW grant, this year again with the help of a small CADW grant it is proposed to do some work on the windows, you will also notice, if you have been over there recently the clearing of bushes and trees from parts of the churchyard, how much brighter and clearer it looks.

At St. Teilo’s Joan James very generous bequest has enabled us to purchase 120 new upholstered chairs, which should arrive in the next month or so. It has taken rather longer than we hoped but that is down to the Diocesan Advisory Committee and getting faculty permission.

We have also got our new Architect, Mr. Lamb and a heating engineer Mr. Tremblett, to draw up plans for a an oil fired radiator system to heat St. Teilo’s properly, this was approved by the P.C.C. some time ago and part one faculty permission has been applied for. When the faculty committee visited last week (21st May) they seemed happy with the design overall, just suggesting a few small changes, so we hope to get final faculty permission by this Autumn and get the heating in before the coming winter, cost something over £20,000.
 
A few weeks ago (28th April) our Architect came to carry out a full survey of the building including the roof spaces and the good news is that he found  NO  structural or other urgent problems we needed to think about now. He has therefore, at our request, drawn up four “Work schedules” firstly for the Internal re-decoration of the church along with associated ceiling repairs and low level plaster replacement, this will be discussed at the P.C.C. meeting on 3rd June and if it is agreed tenders will be sought, and if these are acceptable, part one faculty permission will be applied for with the hope that this process can be completed in time to get the work done next Summer (Estimated cost not less than £20,000).

The work should take about three weeks and St. David’s have very kindly agreed to host us for the period, “we in worship joining with them”, we may be doing the same for the period of installing the heating if it overruns the week.

We will also in due course at the P.C.C. be looking at work schedules for window repairs and general exterior stone work and lead work repairs (There is also one for the roof space but this has almost nothing in it to do), but I think the best way is one thing at a time, particularly as our “Restoration Fund” is not bottomless and after the completion of each section we can look at how the money is going and how much more we can afford to do.

For the heating project we already have a volunteer to look for grants to supplement the money we have, which with faculty permission applied for he can now begin to do.

But if the Internal decoration project is agreed at the coming P.C.C. we will then need volunteers to do the faculty applications and try for grants towards that project, is God calling you to “Sweep this room” for Him?
Marc  Winchester  (  Priest in Charge )         

FLOWER POWER

I am sure that you all agree how beautifully the church was decorated at Easter and many thanks to a number of people who worked hard to make it so.

The problem we have at present is the lack of funds for flowers. I know some of you give money to the Flower Fund and others contribute by buying flowers at Festivals and other occasions. However, we have a small wooden box at the back of church for contributions for those who wish to donate any spare change. Alternatively you can make donations to either Margaret Turner or one of the church wardens.

I realise that many of you work tirelessly to keep our church and churchyard clean and tidy and it is appreciated.

I should like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their sterling work. All I’m asking is if you could find it in your heart, to help in any way with church flowers it would be greatly appreciated.
Tony Savagar

SERVICES IN JUNE

Sunday 7th June TRINITY SUNDAY
8.00 a.m.  Mass:  St.  Teilo’s (Readings BCP Page 154)
9.15 a.m.  Mass:  Bettws Chapel (Readings BCP Page 154)
9.15 a.m.  Matins:  St. David’s
10.30 a.m.  Parish Mass:  St.  Teilo’s (Readings WoL Page 260) 
(Isaiah 6. 1 – 8, Romans 8. 12 - 17 & John 3. 1 - 17)
6.00 p.m.  Evensong:  St.  Teilo’s (Readings WoL Page 262)
(Ezekiel 1. 4 – 10, 22 – 28a, Revelation 4, Psalm 104. 1 - 9) 

Sunday 14th PENTECOST 2 (Trinity 1)
8.00 a.m.  Mass:  St.  Teilo’s (Readings BCP Page 157)
9.15 a.m.  Mass:  St.  David’s
10.30 a.m.  Mass & Baptism:  St.  Teilo’s (Reading WoL Page 288)
(One Reading Only - Mark 4.  26 - 34)
6.00 p.m.  Evensong:  St.  Teilo’s (Readings WoL Page 228)
(Jeremiah 7. 1 – 16, Romans 9. 14 - 26, Psalm 39)

Sunday 21st June PENTECOST 3 (Trinity 2)
8.00 a.m.  Communion:  St.  Teilo’s (Readings BCP Page 160)
9.15 a.m.  Matins:  St.  David’s
10.30 a.m.  Parish Mass:  St.  Teilo’s (Readings WoL Page 296)
(Job 38. 1 – 11, 2nd Corinthians 6. 1 – 13 & Mark 4. 35 - 41)
6.00 p.m.  Evensong:  St.  Teilo’s (Readings WoL Page 297)
(Jeremiah 10. 1 – 16, Romans 11. 25 - 36, Psalm 49) 

Sunday 28th June PENTECOST 4 (Trinity 3)
8.00 a.m.  Communion:  St.  Teilo’s (Readings BCP Page 162)
9.15 a.m.  Matins:  St.  David’s
10.30 a.m.  Parish Mass:  St.  Teilo’s (Readings WoL Page 303)
(Wisdom 1, 13 – 15, 2. 23 – 24, 2nd Corinthians 8. 7 – 15 & Mark 5. 21 - 43)
6.00 p.m.  Evensong:  St.  Teilo’s (Readings WoL Page 306)
(Jeremiah 11. 1 – 14, Romans 13. 1 - 10, Psalm 53)

BCP = Book of Common Prayer
WoL = Word of the Lord

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
 
June 2009
Wednesday 3rd June  PCC Meeting, Tredillion Room 7.30pm
Saturday 13th June  Mardy Fete, Mardy Hall and Playing Fields
Saturday 13th June  Garden Party, Llanbedr
Tuesday 16th June  Council of Churches, 7.30pm
Thursday 25th June  Deanery Conference, St Mary’s, 7.30pm

July 2009
Saturday 25th July Environmental Day, Mardy Hall and Playing Fields
TBC     School Leavers Service at St Teilo’s
August 2009
Saturday 15th August  Church Outing to Tiverton, Devon
Sunday 30th August  Barbecue at Margaret Turner’s

September 2009
Saturday 19th September Parish Retreat to Ty Mawr Convent
Saturday 26th September Church Open Day
Sunday 27th September Back to Church Sunday

October 2009
Saturday 3rd October Harvest Community Song’s of Praise, Mardy Community Hall

November 2009
Sunday 1st November All Soul’s Service at St Teilo’s  
Saturday 21st November Bath Shopping Trip

December 2009
Saturday 5th December Coffee and Carols – Mardy Community Hall  
January 2010
TBC   Epiphany Lunch

Further information about the above events will be displayed on the church notice boards, in The Link magazine and pew leaflets closer to the date. If you have any dates that you would like added to the diary please let us know.
SAINT TEILO’S NOTICES

If you can offer some time to join one of the rotas, please speak to one of the church wardens. If your name appears on a rota and you are unable to make your nominated Sunday please make arrangements to swap with someone else.

READERS
Sunday 7th June – Mrs Warrendar and Mr Rolls
Sunday 14th June – Dr Saunders and Mrs Beaumont
Sunday 21st June – Mrs Masters and Mr Baldwin
Sunday 28th June – Mr Griffin and Mr Sage

Date COFFEE SIDESPERSONS LINEN
7th June Mrs Masters &
Mrs Whitcombe Mr & Mrs Bladwin Mrs Flynn
14th June Mr & Mrs Powell Mr & Mrs Powell Mrs Rudge

21st June           Mrs Burnell &
Mrs Flynn Mrs Whittington & Mrs Scherptong Mrs Rogers
28th June Mr & Mrs Baldwin Mrs Gollop &
Mrs Davies Mrs Whittington

Date  INTERCESSIONS CLEANING
7th June Mrs Toyer 
14th June Mr Rudge Group 2
21st June Mr Sage 
28th June Mrs Davies Group 3

As church members have come forward offering to join the cleaning rota, a new list has been placed in church for the new groups to enter their names, any problems please contact the church wardens.

COLLECTIONS  COMMUNICANTS
£340.72 3rd May 66
£231.18 10th May 53
£298.13 17th May 59
£250.37 24th May 55
£478.06 31st May 14 (Matins)

Average weekly collection -  £319.69 Weekly running costs - £724
PARISH PRAYERS

Our prayer for the month is;

Almighty God, from whom all thought of truth and peace proceed: kindle, we pray, in the hearts of all, the true love of peace and guide with your pure and peaceable wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the earth that in tranquility your kingdom may go forward, till the earth be filled with the knowledge of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
In your prayers this month please remember;

Baptism
Sunday 14th June:  St.  Teilo’s
JONATHAN MARK GRIFFITHS
CHARLOTTE HARRIETT ELLEN GRIFFITHS
THOMAS JONATHAN MICHAEL GORDAN GRIFFITHS
OLIVER ALAN MARK HOLMES GRIFFITHS

Marriage
Saturday 6th June:  St.  David’s
DEAN WILLIAM BURTON & GEMMA HARRIS

Funeral
Monday 11th May:  Phillip Goode’s Chapel
PAULINE MARIE RITA SIMS (75)

Thursday 14th May:  Crematorium only
JAMES ERIS DALGLEISH (73)

At the back of St Teilo’s church there is a book for entering the names of anyone you know of who is ill and needs our prayers and would, perhaps, like someone to visit them. If possible, please ask permission from the person concerned before entering their name to ensure we do not invade anyone’s privacy.

Contact the church wardens or Fr Marc if you are unable to get to church.

JOHN THE BAPTIST

June the 24th is the day upon which we celebrate the birth of John the Baptist; it also means that we only have six months to prepare for Christmas! John was our messenger to prepare us for Christ, but he also played another significant role in the Bible. To be able to uncover this role we need to look at the life of John in far greater detail.

Our first step in uncovering the role of John the Baptist is by developing our understanding of John’s Gospel (no relation). The continuing theme of John’s Gospel is that of the new (Christianity) replacing the old (Judaism). Take for example the first of Jesus’ signs, that of the wedding in Cana, where water was turned into wine. We know from the Gospel account that the wine served at the beginning of the wedding was not as good as the wine that was served at the end. It could be interpreted that the old wine represents Judaism and the new richer wine Christianity. This theme continues throughout John’s Gospel. In chapter two when Jesus cleanses the temple we see that Jewish sacrificial rituals are superseded by Christianity, Jesus’ discourse with Nicodemus (John Ch 3) highlights that pharisaic Judaism is superseded and sectarian Judaism is shown to be replaced by Christianity with Jesus’ discourse with the Samaritan women at the well (John Ch 4). But the ultimate way that Christianity supersedes Judaism is by the salvation that was established by Jesus’ death and no longer through temple sacrifices. Consequently John the Baptist is our last link with the old religion.

Throughout John’s life, from the time of his birth, we see the recurring theme of old replacing new. John was born to an elderly barren woman, while Jesus was born of a young virgin. John is announced and conceived at the autumnal equinox, when the leaves are dying and falling from the trees. Whereas Jesus, on the other hand, is conceived at the vernal equinox, when there are signs of new life everywhere. As mentioned at the beginning of this article we celebrate John’s birth in June when the days are at their longest, and from his birth on the 24th the days grow steadily shorter. Jesus is born six months later when the days are shorter, and from his birth on they grow longer.

Jesus spoke of John as the ‘messenger who comes to prepare the way of the LORD’. This has been understood to mean that John represents the climax of the long line of Jewish prophets. John is the climax of the law. He lives in the wilderness, dedicated completely to his mission of preaching, calling people to an observance of the law. John represents law, not the Kingdom of God, which can only be achieved through Jesus. Consequently throughout the New Testament we see John as being the end and Jesus the beginning. John the Baptist summed this up himself when he said of Jesus, ‘He must increase, but I must decrease.’
Jessica Graham (this article first appeared in the Link in June 2001)

MOTHER’S UNION

There was a good turnout for the Mother’s Union Deanery Festival on Thursday 14th May at Holy Trinity, Abergavenny, despite the wet evening.

Father Bernard gave an interesting address on the Holy Trinity and Lawn Mowers! Thanks were expressed to the ladies of Holy Trinity for the lovely refreshments after the service.

This month we received news from one of the projects that we supported last year. When a cyclone hit Myanmar in May 2008, rice paddies, fish and shrimp ponds, forests and livestock were destroyed.

Mother’s Union was eventually able to get aid to local members who worked with the church of the Province of Myanmar (where there are 7, 578 members of the Mother’s Union). Relief included medical help, food, water, sanitation projects, tarpaulins, clothes and school supplies.

Betty Gollop

THE LIVING CHURCHYARD
In his article The Living Churchyard published in the Conservation and Repair of Ecclesiastical Buildings in 1999 David Manning wrote
‘At first glance the churchyard is merely a piece of land surrounding the church building, given a different status from any garden simply because of its role as a burial ground. Yet a closer look shows that the relationship is much more complicated and unique than at first it seems and one which only now conservationists are beginning to recognise. Not only does the churchyard have a significant role in terms of local biodiversity and social history but the building / curtilage relationship is, in fact, vital for those species that dwell in these special places.
In the latter part of the 20th Century, the churchyard wall or hedge took on a very important role. Agricultural intensification and ‘improvement’ especially in the form of herbicide and pesticide sprays combined with urban sprawl took its toll on the biodiversity of many areas of the country – so much so that English Nature statistics show that Britain lost 98 per cent of its semi-natural grassland within approximately three decades. Yet the churchyard boundary protected the species within, creating small oases for wildlife across the country.’
So it is that in the last month work has begun on the Living Churchyard project at St Teilo’s. Some of you may have noticed that a small section of the churchyard has been cordoned off. This will allow the grass in that area to grow so that church members with assistance from Gwent Wildlife Trust Living Churchyards project will be able to carry out a survey on the species of wildflower that we expect will develop. It is hoped that our churchyard with careful management will ‘become a focus for human activity as well as wildlife’.
To help us achieve this aim some members of the HOST group are planning to visit St David’s Churchyard, Little Dewchurch, Herefordshire who have produced interpretation boards on their churchyard and created a meditation area, where we hope to learn how their churchyard has become a focus of interest in the community.
If you would like to become involved (you don’t have to be a worshipper at the church) with St Teilo’s Living Churchyard project please contact Les Toyer (858235).

NEWS FROM ST DAVID’S
At the beginning of my last newsletter, I mentioned that Jim and I were just off for a holiday. One of the best places we have discovered since moving here is "Gower ", just over an hour to get there, beautiful beaches, glorious scenery and, apart from times when road works are being carried out, there are no traffic lights. While there we attend St David's near Reynoldston. Their service begins at 8.30am so we usually check the day before to be sure services are going ahead. Last time I called to do this, I met one of the church wardens having a cleaning session and we got around to talking about the risks involved with leaving our churches open every day. I would love to see our St David's open for people who may need a place for peace and prayer, or visitors who enjoy looking at old buildings but, sadly, along with many other churches we are unable to do this. The next best thing is to make a key available and, with this in mind, we have now enlisted the help of Helen Alford at 5 Llanddewi Court who has willingly offered to have a key.  Jeremy Creighton at 2 Llanddewi Court also has a key, so if you, or anyone who might ask you how to have access to our church, please get a key from Helen or Jeremy. Church is still open for quiet prayer for an hour between 7 and 8pm on Thursday evenings. You need not stay for the whole time, just as long as you want.

At our annual vestry meeting, Peter Jones asked to stand down as churchwarden. We are grateful to Peter for all the time and dedication he has given over the years to ensure that St David's continues to be a place of Christian witness in this area. Peter has agreed to remain as our treasurer which came as a great relief to everyone at the meeting. Mrs Hilary Herbert has very willingly agreed to take over from Peter; this means we have two sisters as churchwardens, Hilary and Frances. 
CADW has, under their Spring Clean grant scheme, agreed to give us £500 which we will be using to repair some of our stained glass windows.

I can now give you details of our annual concert at St David's. We are delighted that Mr Terence Gilmore-James has agreed to give an organ recital on Saturday 22 August. Terence is in much demand having recently given recitals in St David's Cathedral, Winchester Cathedral and York Minster and so we are very fortunate to have persuaded him to come to us. The concert will be followed by a two course supper at the village hall which is included in the ticket price of £17. The concert is dedicated to the memory of Selby Milner who, along with his wife Elizabeth, began this very popular summer event some years ago. Elizabeth has kindly agreed to run the box office and details of how to buy your ticket will be in the next newsletter.

We continue to hold in our prayers those of our fellowship and community who are unwell or troubled at this time. Our thoughts and prayers have, in recent days, been with Nancy and Wyndham Brown and their family in their concern for Rhys. We hope he will soon be better and send our best wishes for his sixth birthday on 19th June.

The annual village fete and show is to take a new form this year. We are bringing the date forward to Saturday 29th August which, we hope, will give children and parents time to produce exhibits at a more leisurely pace before the rush of getting things ready for the start of school. The show will focus on the exhibits with just a few stalls selling cakes and produce such as vegetables, fruit, jams etc. There will also be amusements and games for the children. We hope this simpler format will encourage a greater number of entries as, in the past, we have had to rely on many of our exhibitors to stock and man stalls. The show will open at the usual time of 2pm. We hope to have schedules ready by the middle of June and these will be available from Sue our show secretary on 01873 859245. Please help us to nurture and protect village life in Llanddewi Skirrid.

Our next coffee morning will be on Thursday18th June and, as always, a very warm welcome awaits you together with plenty of lovely homemade cakes and fresh coffee - all for just £1.

With the start of summer we wish all who are off for a holiday happy and relaxing breaks.

 Frances (01873 859485).  

ARMED FORCES DAY – 27th JUNE

Please remember in your prayers this month the men and women who make up the Armed Forces Community: from currently serving troops to service families, and from veterans to recruits.

BEHIND THE HYMN
JESUS SHALL REIGN

We’re so used to singing all kinds of songs and hymns in worship that it’s hard to think of it as ever being controversial. But in the 17th and 18th centuries the early Nonconformists would only sing Psalms.

Then came Isaac Watts (1674-1748), known as the ‘father of English hymnody’. A prolific writer, theologian and preacher, he wrote hymns based on personal experience, teaching doctrine from the heart as well as from the textbook.

Of the 750 he’s credited with, a good few are still sung, including Jesus shall reign where’er  the sun. Usually today we sing five or six verses; the original had 14, including some which are rather quaint to modern ears - like ‘There Persia, glorious to behold,/ There India shines in eastern gold;/ And barb’rous nations at His word/ Submit, and bow, and own their Lord.’

That verse, though, is a good summary of what the hymn’s about. It celebrates the Lordship of Christ over the entire world. In an age when Christendom was comfortably European, Watts dared to assert his rule over the whole earth. It is a millennial vision, based on the teachings of Paul in Colossians and Philippians, and on the book of Revelation. Christ’s reign will be completed in God’s time, in a future which may be near or distant but is in God’s gift. But it also reflects on our present experience: ‘Blessings abound where’er he reigns/ The prisoner leaps to lose his chains...’ This is not just a future promise, it’s a present reality. God does this for people now.

It is a deeply Christian hymn, but it’s based firmly on Psalm 72 - which doesn’t mention Christ at all. This is in keeping with Watts’ view of the Old Testament that it pointed to Christ. So he believed that the Psalms should be ‘renovated’, as one writer describes it; the title of his 1719 metrical Psalter refers to them being ‘imitated in the language of the New Testament’.

Nowadays, we’re very conscious of the need to be sensitive to other religions; dialogue is important, and it’s worth asking ourselves what a Muslim or a Hindu might feel when listening to a hymn like this. Jesus’ kingdom ‘shall stretch from shore to shore’ – it might very well be seen as a declaration of hostilities. That’s no reason for us not to sing it, but as we do so we might want to think about how we approach those of other faiths, or of none. Are they an enemy to overcome, or someone God wants to bring into his family of faith? 

Mark Woods
www.thesheepdip.co.uk

A NEW FACE IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD

There’s a new face walking the streets of the Mardy and Crucorney wards – that of Lauren Parker the new Police Community Support Officer for these areas. Lauren will be walking the beat with Police Constable Ruth Hanney.

For non-urgent incidents / enquiries Lauren and Ruth can be contacted on 01495 233917 or alternatively for emergencies ring 999 or the new number for Gwent Police 101

J – CLUB
 
J-Club is a Sunday club for primary aged children and meets at St Teilo’s at 10.30am on Sunday’s (except in August). Please contact Fr Marc for further information.

DAN – Y- DERI RESIDENTS ASSOICATION
Dan-y-Deri Residents Association will be holding its annual Summer Fete at Llantilio Pertholey Community Hall and Playing fields on Saturday 13th June from 1pm to 4.30pm. The fete will be a fun day for all the family where there will be a variety of stalls, attractions and refreshments.  If the weather’s a repeat of last year – ice creams will be the best seller.

Christine Smith Vice- Chairman of the Association reported that the organisation was formed five years ago as part of an indicative by Abergavenny Town Council, Llantilio Pertholey Community Council with the support of Communities First. The association hold a number of fundraising events like the fete, and receive a good deal of support from local businesses. The proceeds from this year’s fete will be used to provide local pensioners with hampers at Christmas. The current Chairman is Albert McNab who will be pleased to welcome you all to the fete.
St Teilo’s Church will be running a Book Stall at the fete, all donations to the stall will be greatly appreciated, please see Les Toyer.

GARDEN PARTY
The Neuadd, Llanbedr has stunning views over the Brecon Beacons and will be welcoming visitors from St Teilo’s on Saturday 13th June from 2pm onwards. The gardens include a decorative walled garden, sunken garden and rock garden. Refreshments will be available. Tickets will cost £3 and are available in Church (all proceeds to St Teilo’s Church).
NEWS FROM LLANTILIO PERTHOLEY SCHOOL
Class 2 visited the church as part of their RE topic 'Special Places' after the children thought about their special place at home and a visit to school by Lesley Flynn to talk about her special place - Church. They drew pictures of the outside of Church and their favourite part inside which they are going to use to produce collages back in school and did rubbings of the engravings on some of the gravestones with Lesley's help. Then they explored the inside and found out what happened there. I think they all enjoyed ringing the bell!! They are now role playing some of Father Marc's jobs back in school and have built a pulpit and dress up to deliver sermons!

Class 4 (Year 3) recently went to the synagogue in Cardiff. They were studying Bar Mitzvah in RE and had also been learning about ‘Belonging’. They found out many things about the synagogue which they have written about in their own words below. They found out about how Jews worship, how they celebrate some major festivals and how they feel they belong to their community. All the boys and men had to wear kippahs in the synagogue, which the children really enjoy.
 
See how many things you already knew about the synagogue.

I didn’t know it took 18 months to write a scroll.
A Bar Mitzvah is when a boy is a man.
I didn’t know that the scroll was 320 years old.
I didn’t know that here were crowns and breast plates on the Torah scrolls.
I didn’t know that you had to write a scroll with a feather and with vegetable ink.
I didn’t know that girls could wear kippahs. (the skull caps)
If you made a mistake writing the scroll, you have to bury it in the ground and start again.
I didn’t know that each son had a shield. [The ark was covered in a cloth which contained the twelve symbols of the twelve tribes of Israel on it.]

Thanks to everyone who has been collecting vouchers for us - the Tesco vouchers are coming to an end now so please check your bags to make sure there aren't any hidden away and send them in to us as soon as possible as we will be counting them very soon. The Times Books for Schools voucher will continue for the rest of the year. We have already sent off our first order for over 30 books for the library. So please keep on collecting!

Here's an early reminder that the PTA Summer Fair will be on Friday, July 10th. If anyone would like to be involved or can help with a stall on the day, please contact Mrs Thomas at school or just come along on the afternoon and join the fun.
A TO Z IN THE RELIGIOUS WORLD

Archdeacon – the right hand man of the Bishop, who travels around the diocese making sure that everything is running smoothly – from the fabric of the church to its inspiration of gathering its flock properly. The “Arch” means chief or pre-eminent and deacon – a servant or minster. He is known as “Venerable”. But the most famous person who was honoured by this title was the “Venerable Bede” – who was not an archdeacon.

Angels – from the Greek meaning messengers. They are to be found in both the Old and New Testaments. The Archangel Gabriel, in the nativity story, tells Mary she is to have a baby and an angel appears to the shepherds outside Bethlehem, where the skies fill with angels praising God. They spend their time praising the Almighty when they have no messages to deliver.

Abbot – the head of a large monastery and is elected for life. In the Benedictine monastery he rules over the monks and has complete authority over the brothers. At Christmas time there was an election in the middle Ages for an Abbot who would preside over all the Christmas celebrations and was linked with the “Feast of Fools”.

Acolyte – a person not to be associated with fire lighting! But is one who assists the priest during the procession by carrying a lighted candle.
Ieaun Davies

NOTICEBOARD
Friendship Circle - New members are always welcome and the £3.00 membership donation is used for donations to a charity or to the person visiting to help with their individual costs.  We meet in the Tredilion Room and start at 7.30.   Liz Barnes will no longer be running the Friendship Circle when the present programme finishes.

Llantilio Pertholey WI - Llantilio Pertholey WI meets on the first Thursday of each month in the Mardy Community Hall at 7.15pm.  We have a wide variety of talks and activities in WI and always welcome new members or visitors. Please note that our meeting on the 4th June will take place at Ysgol Gymraeg Y Fenni where we will be entertained by the pupils.
Contact Federation Office for details on (01633) 864456.

Abergavenny Walking for Health - This group leaves the Family Church in Castle Street every Wednesday at 10.30 and walk for under an hour.  This is your chance to get fit, enjoy the fresh air, scenery, be sociable, enjoy a coffee and lift your spirits.  Come and join us.

St Teilo’s Churchyard –There is now a green compost bin in the churchyard. This is for dead flowers and foliage only, please could you place all other rubbish in the dustbins provided.

St Teilo’s Bells – Want to develop a new hobby, make friends and travel? Want to have the bells rung to commemorate a special occasion? Contact David Salter 853611

Village Produce Association – Meets at Mardy Community Hall on the 3rd Monday of the month at 7pm, new members welcome. Our speaker on the 15th June will be Frank Olding discussing Old Pubs of Abergavenny.  For further information contact Marion Tucker (852176) or Malcolm Brinkworth (850115).

Parish Bible Study Group – This group meets at the vicarage (10 The Pines) every Wednesday from 7.30pm.
A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF ST TEILO’S CHURCH

Most of us have seen the RSPCA advert ‘A Dog is for life not just for Christmas’ and this could be true for the church as well! But here at St Teilo’s we are able to proudly say that our church is alive and well. Below are just some of the events that have taken place either at church or involving church members in the last 12 months.

7th June 2008
A small group of parishioners attend the Day-y-Deri Residents Association fete held at Mardy Hall and Playing Fields.

14th June 2008
The sun shone (for one of the few days last year) on all those who attended afternoon tea at The Neuadd Llanbedr, where over £500 was raised for Church Funds

27th June 2008
Parishioners helped to man stalls at the PTA fete at Llantilio Pertholey Church in Wales School.

24th August 2008
Parish Barbecue where yet again we were fortunate to have the weather on our side.

6th & 7th September 2008
St Teilo’s held a Church Open day on what was one of the wettest weekends of the year.
23rd October 2008
Community Songs of Praise with Llantilio Pertholey School Choir at Mardy Community Hall

22nd November 2008
Retail therapy in Bath for the ladies of the church (men were welcome as long as they didn’t stop the ladies spending).

18th January 2009
Epiphany lunch held at The Hill.

8th February 2009
Parishioners from St Teilo’s Church, Llantilio Pertholey joined with parishioners at St Teilo’s, Newport for a festal evensong to celebrate St Teilo.

27th February 2009
Parish evening meal held at Mary’s Farmhouse Kitchen.

1st March 2009
St David’s Day Festal Evensong with the School Choir from Ysgol Gymraeg Y Fenni.

14th March 2009
Parish retreat at Marshfield.

15th April 2009
More retail therapy (you can never have too much of a good thing) at Cribbs Causeway, Bristol.

If you’d like to help us maintain St Teilo’s as a healthy, vibrant church then you’d be more than welcome to join us at one of our Sunday, Wednesday or Friday services, or any of the events that we have planned over the next couple of months (see Dates for your Diary on page 5).

SAINT BARNABAS
Apostle
(†61)
We read that in the first days of the Church, the multitude of believers had but one heart and one soul; and none said that anything which he possessed was his own. (Acts 4:32) Amid this fervent company of Christians who practiced evangelical poverty, one only is singled out by name, Joseph, a rich Levite from Cyprus. He, having land, sold it, and bringing the price, laid it at the feet of the Apostles. They then gave him a new name, Barnabas, son of consolation. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith, and was soon chosen for an important mission, the rapidly growing Church of Antioch. Here he perceived the great work which was waiting to be done among the Greeks, and therefore he hastened to seek out and bring Saint Paul to Antioch, from his retirement at Tarsus.

When the prophet Agabus at Antioch foretold a great universal famine, Barnabas and Paul were selected by the faithful, to take to the Church of Jerusalem their generous offerings for the poor of that city. It was also at Antioch that the two Saints were named for the apostolate of the Gentiles; and they sailed together for Cyprus and then to the cities of Asia Minor. Their preaching struck men with amazement, and some cried out, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” calling Paul Mercury, and Barnabas Jupiter. The Saints travelled together once again, to the Council of Jerusalem, and told of the “signs and wonders which God had wrought among the Gentiles” during their missionary journey. Shortly after this they separated; Barnabas with John Mark went to Cyprus, while Paul with Silas returned to Asia Minor.

The tradition of Milan, Italy, reveals that Saint Barnabas went from Cyprus to Italy, and in Milan founded its church; he is still honoured there as its first bishop. After seven years he consecrated Saint Anathalon to replace him, and returned to Cyprus to visit the churches. He crisscrossed the island several times to bring to every city and village the Holy Name of the Son of God. In Salamis, some of the recalcitrant’s plotted together to kill him. He was aware of the conspiracy; nonetheless, after foretelling to John Mark that he would die that same day, he went to the synagogue to preach as usual. It was there that he was stoned as a blasphemer, in the year 61 of our era. Saint John Mark succeeded in burying him near Salamis.

Sources: Lives of the Saints of June – www.magnificat.ca/cal/engl/june.htmlLittle Pictorial Lives of the Saints, a compilation based on Butler’s Lives of the Saints, and other sources by John Gilmary Shea (Benziger Brothers: New York, 1894); Les Petits Bollandistes: Vies des Saints, by Msgr. Paul Guérin (Bloud et Barral: Paris, 1882), Vol.
DAILY READINGS:  JUNE

1st Monday:   Mark 12.  1 - 12
2nd Tuesday:  Mark 12.  13 - 17
3rd Wednesday:  Mark 12.  18 - 27
4th Thursday:  Luke 1.  39 - 49
5th Friday:  Mark 12.  35 – 37
6th Saturday:  Mark 12.  38 – 44

7th Sunday Trinity Sunday   :  John 3.  1 - 17
8th Monday:  Matthew 5.  1 - 12
9th Tuesday:  Matthew 5.  13 – 16
10th Wednesday:  Matthew 5.  17 - 19
11th Thursday Barnabas Apostle:  John 15.  12 - 17
12th Friday:  Matthew 5.  27 - 32
13th Saturday:  Matthew 5.  33 – 37

14th Sunday Pentecost 2:  Mark 4.  26 - 34
15th Monday:  Matthew 5.  38 – 42
16th Tuesday:  Matthew 5.  43 - 48
17th Wednesday:  Matthew 6.  1 – 6 & 16 - 18
18th Thursday:  Matthew 6.  7 - 15
19th Friday:  Matthew 6.  19 - 23
20th Saturday   :  Matthew 6.  24 – 34

21st Sunday:  Pentecost 3:  Mark 4.  35 - 41
22nd Monday:  Matthew 7.  1 - 5
23rd Tuesday:  Matthew 7.  6 & 12 – 14
24th Wednesday John the Baptist:  Luke 1.  57 – 66 & 80
25th Thursday:  Matthew 7.  21 – 29
26th Friday:  Matthew 8.  1 – 4
27th Saturday:  Matthew 8.  5 – 17

28th Sunday Pentecost 3:  Mark 5.  21 – 43
29th Monday Peter Apostle:  Matthew 16.  13 – 19
30th Tuesday:  Matthew 8.  23 - 27

SERVICES IN THE PARISH

ST TEILO’S – LLANTILIO PERTHOLEY
Sundays
8.00am Holy Eucharist (Said)
10.30am Parish Eucharist (5th Sunday of the month Matins)
6.00pm Evensong
Wednesday
9.30am Holy Eucharist (Said)
Friday
7.00pm Holy Eucharist (1st Friday of the month Healing Mass)

ST DAVID’S – LLANDDEWI SKIRRID
9.15am 2nd & 4th Sundays – Holy Eucharist
9.15am 1st, 3rd & 5th Sundays – Matins

BETTWS CHAPEL
9.15am  1st & 3rd Sundays – Holy Communion

BAPTISMS, WEDDINGS AND FUNERALS BY ARRANGEMENT.

MAGAZINE CONTRIBUTIONS
If you have any articles that you would link to contribute to the July issue of The Link please forward them to Jessica Graham (jaimegrak3k@aol.com) by 26th JUNE.