Saint David’s Uniting Church
Minister: Vacancy
Church Office Tel: 01443 300345
Website: www.stdavidsuniting.org.uk
Admin email: [email protected]
Link for Live Stream – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1ftWuXHexnfFdo1FKwXBZA
21st January 2024
We welcome everyone to our service today, especially if you are a visitor, worshipping with us for the first time or haven’t been able to worship with us for a while. We invite you to join us for refreshments in the hall following the service, when you can catch up with friends.
Today we are celebrating our 22nd Anniversary, which has been arranged by our Worship group. The theme is Fishers of men, and during the service we’ll be celebrating St David’s past, present and future.
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Church Family and Pastoral News
We include this in the newsletter to inform our prayers during the week. We think of:-
- Sue Skym unexpectedly spent the day in hospital on Thursday having tests and returned again on Friday for an MRI scan. We hope the results will prove that all is OK
- The funeral of Robert’s Aunt, who he used to help care for before she moved to live in care home, near her son. was held last Thursday. Robert was able to represent his Mum and had a safe journey.
- Brian finally recommences treatment this week, and will hopefully feel strong enough to attend worship.
Diary for the Week
Monday 15th Language Class 10.00am.
Wednesday 17th St David’s Guild at 2pm – See below. Guides at 6pm
Sunday 28th Rev Ray Vincent, family worship including Communion
Future Services
February 4th Haydn Blackey
February 11th Zoom service with Rev Ray Vincent
February 18th Rev Aled Edwards
St David’s Guild
At our meeting last week, we learnt about the Rhondda Cynon Taf Heritage Project, Altered Images. The project shows looked at how views of the past change over time, and how understanding of the past change over time, and how the past can challenge our assumptions about where we come from and how our communities developed.
This week Robert will share stories of his work with a heritage railway. Which is a passion of his.
All are invited to come along and learn more. We will meet in the Victoria Room at 2pm.
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Thanks …..
From Carol….Just to say ‘Thank You’ for my birthday cards and birthday wishes. I had an enjoyable time with my family. Also, Thankyou to everyone who has saved stamps over the last months. In spite of not having as much post I have sent a large quantity to Amnesty International.
From Robert….Thanks for all the good wishes I received on my ‘special’ birthday. Also. special thanks the St David’s guild for the surprise birthday cake! I thoroughly enjoyed it! THANKYOU ALL!
Good News
During our Zoom Service last week, Gwyneth shared news that on her visit to Guy’s hospital to check on the trial for one of her cancers, (she has three, two are stable) she received the fantastic news that that cancer is in remission. Good news indeed, we rejoice with her and the family.
Anne Coles’ granddaughter, Ailsa, has been selected to play badminton for Wales in the under 14‘s team against Ireland at the end of February, in Ireland. We look forward to hearing more.
Two of Stephanie and Alan’s greatgrandchildren, Shane and his sister Charlie, have been chosen to represent Wales in the Ten Pin Bowling Championships. They are the only bowlers from UK to qualify for the Youth World Cup which is being held in Peru.
Progress on our move to Castle Square
Since receiving approval from the regional mission board of the URC to go ahead with our grant applications and acquire tenders for the work required at Castle Square; the elders are busy conducting a formal community audit of the variety of activities already offered throughout Treforest and of seeking active partnerships within the community. They are garnering the considerable amount of documentation required to fill in the form requesting the funding and aligning our Mission Statement with the requirements of the URC Mission. They would appreciate your prayers!
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Park Ramblers News
Each week we pay for the privilege of answering a quiz question, then at the end of the year the money collected is donated to Pontypridd Foodbank. Last year we sent £205 and received a letter of thanks with the following: Your continued financial support is sincerely appreciated, and we thank you all for your generosity and kindness in supporting us here at the Foodbank. All monies received go towards our ongoing commitment in helping the adults and children requiring the use of the Pontypridd Foodbank, especially during these difficult times.
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An Invitation from the Chaplaincy at the University of South Wales, Treforest.
Gender, Sexuality and Faith: 20 Years On.
In 2004, the Church in Wales published an issue of its journal ‘Theology’ on ‘The Church and Homosexuality: A Contribution to the Debate’. As the contributors represented a wide range of views, it gives a picture of what the Church in Wales was thinking at that time, and probably reflects the state of the discussion in the churches generally.
Much has changed in the past twenty years, in legislation, in society, and in the attitude of the churches. During LGBTQ+ History Month, the Chaplaincy invites you to a series of three open lunchtime meetings (1.00 – 2.00 pm) at the Meeting House on the Treforest campus.
At the first on January 25th Norena Shopland will talk about the history project and the 2004 journal’s importance for it. Some of the original contributors to the journal will then tell us something of its background, its effects, and the changes that have happened since its publication.
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Parking alert!
When parking in certain supermarket carparks in Porth or Caerphilly check if there are parking charges.
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Thought for the week
The thing always happens that you really believe in; and the belief in a thing makes it happen.
Frank Lloyd Wright 1869-1959