Saint David’s Uniting Church
Castle Street, Treforest CF37 1TA
Minister: Vacancy
Church Telephone No: 07766892487
Website: www.stdavidsuniting.org.uk
Admin email: [email protected]
Link for Live Stream – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1ftWuXHexnfFdo1FKwXBZA
23rd March 2025
We welcome everyone to our service today. We especially welcome Our Interim Moderator, Rev Shelagh Pollard and our friends from Van Road URC Caerphilly and Bethany URC Ystrad Mynach along with Hope and Market Square United Church Merthyr, who will be joining us via live-stream.
Today is a day that we have been looking forward to with anticipation and hope. We have waited a long time and we are delighted to welcome Clare Nutbrown- Hughes, who has met previously with the Elders of the Pastorate, and who many met informally yesterday. Clare will be leading our worship today.
We rejoice that we are able to join in this service and ask God’s blessing on Clare as she leads us.
Tea and coffee will be served following the service, and after Clare has left, there will be time for discussion which Shelagh will chair.
Our apologies to those who were unable to join the service on live-stream or YouTube last week. We had a problem with the heating and the service was held in the hall.
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Pastoral Prayers & Messages from the Congregation
We only include names in the newsletter with express permission.
- People who are coping with new medication or due to undergo scans in hospital.
- Those who are mourning the loss of a close friend.
- Those who care for members of their family and the struggles they face.
- Our Muslim friends still observing Ramadan.
- The churches of our Pastorate as they meet to discern the future.
Birthdays
There are two people we are aware of who have birthdays this week: Kath Couchman on Wednesday 26th and Dorothy Davies on Friday 28th. We hope you both enjoy the celebrations with family and friends!
Diary for the Week
Monday 24th Language Class in the Hall at 10.00am
The Park Ramblers will meet to walk at 10.15 followed by Coffee at The Princes
Tuesday 25th Crafting Session ~ 10.am – 12 Noon in the hall. (see below)
Wednesday 26th St David’s Guild will meet from 1.45pm at St Catherine’s, (see below)
Sunday 30th Rev Martin Spain will lead our Mothering Sunday service at 10.45am, which will include Communion. (Church Meeting – see below)
Future Services
Sunday 6th April Gwen Simmonds – ZOOM
Sunday 13th April Rev Howard Sharp (Palm Sunday)
Easter Sunday 20th April Our Worship Group
St David’s Guild
Last Wednesday’s meeting was taken up by photographic pictures and the history of Pontypridd market in its heyday up until the present day. It was lovely to share own memories of shopping there. Who could forget certain stall holders crying out “Only a few left – Who’ll give me ten shillings?- Who’ll give five bob? Come on, who’ll say half-a crown”! A dramatic clap of hands would then seal a bargain for a shilling or a sixpence. The market has been an integral thread in the town’ social and economic fabric since the existence of Pontypridd and it was good to see that it was supported by the presence of the Prince and Princess of Wales who, just a few weeks ago donned aprons and made Welsh cakes there.
We look forward this week to a visit by Robert who is going to give an illustrated talk on the two hundredth anniversary of the birth of the modern railway.
Lent Studies
Due to unforeseen circumstances and difficulty with facilitators the Lent Studies have been cancelled. Those who purchased the book ‘Hope in Hard Places,’ are encouraged to continue with their personal studies.
Dates for your Diary – both on Sunday 30th March
There is a Church Meeting after the service to vote on whether we call Clare to be our minister. Also to receive recommendations from the Elders re new members and elders.
St Dyfrig’s RC Church, Treforest, is hosting a Passion Play – ‘The Road to Calvary’ at 7.30 pm
Performed by volunteers from and around Clydach (Swansea) it has been running for 30 years, to raise funds for work with people in poverty via the St Vincent de Paul charity. They play all over South Wales during Lent, and this is a chance to see them in Treforest which will not come around again for a few years. Tickets are £5 on the door but under-16s enter free.
News from Justice & Peace Group
Members of the group had a very interesting and productive meeting with Mick Antoniw AM, where a range of questions were asked and issues discussed. Pam has a copy of the Senedd’s net zero plan if anyone would like to read it. Our next meeting will be focussing on Christian Aid activities. If anyone is interested in joining this group, please speak to Catherine or Pam.
Help is required….
…..at the Meeting house on the Treforest Campus! This is the final week of Ramadan, meals are served every evening to the Muslim Students as they end their daily fast – If you are able to help please contact John or Michelle at the Chaplaincy by emailing [email protected] or phoning 01443 654060.
Our former ‘Home’
PCW have taken over the Gelliwastad Road building from this weekend. We wish them every blessing in the work that they hope to do there. It will be known as Capel Y Bont.
We are getting there!
It’s taken us six months, and at last our Book Shelf is in place on the table at the back of the church.
Also, the former Main Door is now open should anyone wish to use it, especially if you are late!!
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Thought for the Week
Imagination is the only key to the future. Without it, none exists – with it all things are possible.
Ida Tarbell