Saint David’s Uniting Church
& Castle Square URC
Minister: Rev. Dr Phil Wall
Tel: 01443 300345 Mob: 07855090360
Website: www.stdavidsuniting.org.uk
Admin email: office1.sduc@gmail.com
16th May 2021
Once again, we welcome everyone who reads our weekly newsletter.
We are very fortunate that Rev Simon Walkling has taken time from his busy schedule to lead our service today as Phil is relaxing after his 3 Welsh peaks challenge in weather that was forecast to be rather wet!
News will no doubt be shared during the service and the bush telegraph will be on fire! We know Phil has reached his £4000 target! but what will the final figure be?.
We are at the end of Christian Aid Week but we are still being challenged – see Mid-Week Reflection – there plenty of ways in which we can give our support as Christian Aid is celebrating 75 Years.
Countries that caused the climate crisis must financially support those facing its worst impacts. The UK must lead the way by making more money available to tackle this crisis – and the G7 is a key moment to make this happen.
As the G7 Summit is being held in Cornwall we are encouraged to send Boris Johnson a postcard that represents where we live to show the breadth of support for action on climate justice. https://www.christianaid.org.uk/get-involved/campaigns/g7-climate-finance-postcard-action
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Church Family and Pastoral News
We include this in the news sheet to inform our prayers.
- We were very sorry to hear that one of our Guild members passed away last weekend. Barbara Baker was a faithful member of the guild and a regular customer at Chewsdays. We send out condolences to David and the family.
- Brenda received the news she didn’t want to hear, but she remains positive and now has a couple of appointments before she has surgery in a few weeks’ time, she has been assured that all should go well. We pray for her.
- Our sympathy goes to Ann Powell in the death of her brother last week.
- We are pleased that Doreen Marshman came home from hospital on Monday, we keep her in our prayers.
- Allan Wheeler had an unfortunate accident and spent a couple of days in hospital. But he is home now and feeling a lot better.
- Kath broke her humerus bone, she slipped in the kitchen, and spent a long time in A&E, but they sorted her out.
- Loreen is relieved that her grandson, who had an unexpected operation for appendicitis, has recovered well.
- Sheila Greenstock’s son is now making a really good recovery and she sends her regards to everyone in church.
- We give thanks for our wonderful NHS and the fantastic nurses.
Good News
Congratulations to Bethan who has been promoted to Head of Year
Thanks
from Phil ‘Hopefully, by the time you read this, my friends and I will have completed the 3 Welsh Peaks challenge for Christian Aid. https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/phil-is-old A huge thank you to all who supported me in prayer and pounds, raising money for a charity which lives out our call to seek justice, serve the poor, share good news with all. Thanks too for the cards and presents which made their way to me…many of which I’ve got to open on my return!’
from Ben….Thanks for the birthday messages I received and also for the singing – even though we weren’t in church I didn’t escape the serenade!
Birthdays this week
Birthday’s this week that we are aware of are: Today (16th May) Del Doyle, Monday 17th Hywel Jones, Wednesday 19th May Madeleine, Thursday 20th May Millie Owen, Saturday 22nd May Pete Davies. Another person with a ‘special’ birthday this week is Sandra, one of our on-line congregation, she will be celebrating her 70th birthday on Wednesday!
We send our good wishes to them all and hope, as restrictions are easing, that they are able to celebrate in style!
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May Services
Zoom worship at 10:45am EVERY Sunday (also available on YouTube and on printed material).
- Sunday 23rd May 10:45am – in St. David’s Uniting Church
- Sunday 31st May 10.45am – Synod Sunday service
We had hoped to arrange an outdoor meet-up once a month but due to Government restrictions about organized activities, we don’t think this is permissible. Perhaps, instead, you could arrange to meet up to 5 other people from our congregations for an outdoor lunch, walk or other gathering after a service over the next few weeks. Let’s hope for good weather!!! Watch this space!
If you are intending on coming to a service on church premises, please remember the following:
- Aim to arrive at church about 10 minutes before the service begins.
- Bring a face mask (not a visor) to wear at all times and your own water if required.
- Sanitize your hands and check in on entry.
- Allow the stewards to show you to your seat and then remain seated until the end of the service, leaving promptly.
- This WILL be tough…but please maintain a 2-metre distance and keep all conversation for outside.
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Phil’s 40th Birthday Fundraiser update
On Saturday May 15th Phil started the 3 Welsh Peaks challenge (Snowdon, Cader Idris & Pen-y-fan) with the target of completed them in 24 hours. He’s set a target of £4000! The latest figure we have is £3460 on line plus £570 Cheques. Anyone still wishing to support Phil and Christian Aid who are not on-line can donate by cheque, (made payable to Christian Aid), and send to Lynda. Don’t forget to state if you can Gift Aid your donation – Cash Donations are also acceptable. Envelopes are available from Marcia. https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/phil-is-old
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Online Chair exercise class for over 50s
This low impact class is ideal for men and women over 50 and who are living in Rhondda Cynon Taff. It’s free and takes place online every Tuesday from 11am to 11.50am.
This class is a good way to keep mobility going, especially if you can’t get out as much as you’d like.
Liz Hill O’Shea is the Instructor and works for Volunteering Matters, a UK wide charity.
For information on how to take part email Liz.hilloshea@volunteeringmatters.org.uk or call / text 07950 653405
We received this information through the 50+ Forum – Margaret Morris signed up and said It was very good and quite easy.
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Midweek Reflection
Phil recorded the reflection on his 40th birthday in heavy rain on Skomer Island which he was visiting to see the puffins! As it was also Christian Aid week, we were reminded of Phil’s 3 Welsh Peaks challenge before he handed over to Ray to explain one of the challenges to celebrate 75 years of Christian Aid.
Ray suggested a little game called ‘count your blessings’. Every time something nice happens to you, maybe somebody treats you, or you give yourself a treat like watching a good programme on TV, or listening to some of your favourite music, or maybe a little surprise like a phone call from a friend or somebody saying something nice about you. Even just something that makes you smile like a good joke that you hear! Any little thing that happens that you think of as a blessing ~ make a note of it and write 75p by it and keep that going for maybe a week or longer, then add up the 75p’s and give them to Christian Aid. Depending on how well off you are be careful about how many blessings you count. or you may end up with more than you can afford! So maybe just count the main blessings each day.
Write something about it, and share it with the rest of us on our Facebook page or send in to Phil or Marcia.
We then went back to Phil on Skomer where the weather had improved and the sun was shining, and Phil was off to see the puffins and some of the 700,000 Manx Shearwaters.
Last year for Pentecost we created an incredible banner with birds because the Holy Spirit is often compared to a bird, this year our creative challenge for Pentecost is to colour the flame image in as many colours as you can. Please then post these through the church letterbox on Gelliwastad Road or put them in Phil’s bench by May 20th and Sue Walkling and the team will make a gorgeous Holy Spirit sensation to decorate our buildings.
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Prayers in a Pandemic: Spare a Prayer Paperback
The Author, Revd. Malcolm Shapland is a retired United Reformed Church minister. During his ministry Malcolm has served many churches (including Van Road in Caerphilly), part of that ministry has been Chaplaincies to Hospitals, Universities and a Children’s Hospice, with pastoral care being his main concern throughout. This book of prayers was born of this pastoral concern and contains a prayer and thoughts for each day of the pandemic year as well as documenting some of the years baffling, joyous and at times sad events. It is now being published at the request of several of the readers it reached on social media during the pandemic and lockdowns. A donation from the sale of each book will go towards a medical charity. Kindle Edition £5.99 Paperback £17.75 Available from Amazon
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A Thought for the Week
The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page. St Augustine
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ZOOM SERVICES: Log in opens at 10.30 for pre service chat. Services will start at 10.45 or as advertised. Zoom service link – https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89461145366?pwd=S3ExNTVjdGVGdXlGVlNQc2k3eldudz09
To join by phone (call 0203 901 7895. then, when asked, type in the meeting ID – 894 6114 5366; followed – when asked – by the passcode – 8453605) Calls are charged at standard UK call rates.