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
29th November 2020
It’s the first Sunday in Advent and we light the first candle – the Candle of Hope – we need Hope in these times!
It has been a tradition at St David’s to hold an Amnesty International Service and remember Prisoners of Conscience on the first Sunday in Advent and today is no different! There is an extra page this week with details of how we can ALL participate in the prayers for justice and the card/letter writing.
Holy Communion – today at 3pm, Gelliwastad Road or 6pm, zoom.
This year, some of us will participate in this service on zoom or YouTube. Others will participate on the telephone or solely through the printed word. Others, still, will gather in the St. David’s Uniting Church sanctuary. Though separate in geography and time, just like the holy mothers in Jesus’ genealogy, we are woven together in God’s love. Whether gathering at home or in church, you are invited to bring your own bread and wine (or similar) and reflect on the women whose lives have shaped yours.
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Church Family and Pastoral News
We include this in the news sheet to inform our prayers.
- Elsie’s sister Sandra passed away in her sleep in the early hours of Tuesday. Many of the long-standing members of the former Pontypridd United Church will remember Sandra as she was quite a character. She was a regular member of the congregation until health and circumstances prevented her attending. We remember Elsie and the family as they prepare to say a final farewell to their Sister and Aunt.
- We are pleased to report that Bernice, although still far from well, has joined Chris and Sue in Ysbyty Cwm Rhondda. We pray for them and all who care for them and hope that they will be able to receive visitors soon.
- We think of Viviane in her concern for her sister who is in a Nursing home in France, and for others in care homes and for all the staff who care for the residents.
Birthdays this week …..
Just two birthdays again this week – Brenda Jones TODAY and Marcia on Wednesday 2nd. We are sure the staff of Ty Eiran will help Brenda celebrate, and Marcia will have no problems!
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Sharing Good News – URC Beirut Hope Appeal
This August, we supported this appeal following the devastating blast in Beirut port. So far, £7,500 has been raised and is being match-funded from the URC’s World Church and Mission Fund, making a total donation of £15,000. The URC partners in Lebanon send their deep gratitude.
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Used Postage stamps for Amnesty International
At St David’s has for many years saved stamps from letters. This year Carol has sent a large number of envelopes to Amnesty. Many have asked ‘Is it worthwhile sending the stamps?’ This week Carol received a letter with the following message from Caroline Reynolds of Amnesty International– ‘I do hope you continue to save the stamps for this great cause.’
So, please as you start to receive Christmas cards, save the postage stamps and pass them on to Carol or contact Marcia on 07814440929 and we will arrange for them to be collected.
Double Vision Discussion Evening: A Matter of Life and Death
On Monday evening, 30th November at 7.30pm we will be welcoming our own Simon Walkling, alongside bereavement counsellor Sue Jickells, to share their thoughts on the topic of death and dying. Come along and listen or contribute to an honest and hopeful conversation on the too often taboo subject that affects us all. Meeting ID: 890 7650 5951; Passcode: Discussion
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Advent Plans
- Follow our digital advent calendar online and/or purchase and follow the reflections in our recommended advent book – Advent at Home – Gordon Giles
- Festive Family Film Anyone planning to attend a screening of a festive favourite at St. David’s Uniting Church on Sunday 6th at 4pm please contact Pam Mahoney on 07766208171 by Dec 1st to book a seat
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Volunteers needed.
This week, Pontypridd was in the news again as a report from Alex Davies-Jones, our MP, and Mick Antoniw, our AM, concluded that the February flooding followed by the pandemic has left some of our neighbours traumatized. Alongside a donation to the flooded Clwb-y-Bont, St. David’s Uniting Church are using our remaining flood donations to give a small Christmas present to every resident of Sion Street, which was severely flooded. Anyone who feels safe and able
to help write cards/assemble gift boxes are invited to come to St. David’s Uniting on Thursday 3rd (10am – 12) or to let Lynda know you are willing to deliver the packages on 6th December – St Nicholas’ Day.
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Midweek Reflection / Advent Challenges
This week’s reflection was filmed in St David’s with a soon to be decorated Christmas tree in the background. Phil reminded us that there would be a break in the reflections as from Tuesday (December 1st) we will have a Daily Advent Calendar treat. Bethan is working incredibly hard along with Sue and Pam who are adding extra bits to go with the videos of our favourite presents to weave the Advent Story and Calendar.
Phil has given us three challenges to keep us going! Send to Phil or Marcia – as stated – in the usual way
- The final ‘dressing-up’ challenge for this year is to take a photo of yourself as a character from the Nativity. Please send to Marcia by Wednesday 16th December for our Nativity Service on December 20th.
- Decorate outside our church buildings –Ribbons are going to be tied to an Angel outside St David’s and to the railings at Castle Sq and Church House. We are ALL invited to do this to symbolise the people we want to thank – the heroes, heroines, the angels, saints, the sinners too, who have shown us the good in this year. We can do it ourselves or send a message to Phil saying who you would like to thank and why, and a ribbon will be done for you.
- Our service on 27th will be a ‘Bring & Share’ Worship. with readings – festive, biblical, poems – prayers, or songs. They can be recorded by yourself or sent for someone else to read/sing! Those not online can also contribute. Send to Marcia by 13th December to allow time for printing as they will be sent out before Christmas!
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A Thought for the week.
“Man finds God behind every door science manages to open.” Albert Einstein
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ADVENT 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/84461046313?pwd=QktEMk9tRzZ6RUM1a1ByQXJWUUZDQT09
To join the Zoom meeting on a laptop or tablet click the link:
To join via the app use: Meeting ID 844 6104 6313 Passcode Christmas
To join by Phone +44 203 481 5237 Meeting ID 844 6104 6313 Passcode 620851874
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The First Sunday of Advent: Amnesty International service
This year, the congregation of St. David’s Uniting Church are glad to share our annual Amnesty service with our Castle Square friends and online community. We hope that supporting Amnesty once again in our first service of the new church year demonstrates our shared commitment to pray, campaign, and act in ways that herald God’s kingdom of justice and peace. All can participate in the prayers for justice and the card/letter writing whilst we have kept the information on how to support online as this might be something that you – or friends/family who also read the newsletter – might want to do.
First an update on last year’s Victims.
IRAN – Yasaman Aryani was detained in April 2019, protesting against forced veiling. Amnesty supporters wrote 1.2 million messages and appeals. On 5 February 2020, her prison sentence was reduced from 16 years to nine years and seven months.
MEXICO – José Adrián was 14 when he was arrested and beaten by police on his way home from school. José and his mother say the solidarity messages made them feel more able to fight to clear his name. We expect the government to sign a Reparation agreement soon. José has also received a letter that officially states that he now has no criminal record.
CHINA – Yiliyasijiang Reheman is one of 200 Uyghur people deported from Egypt to China, presumed locked up in an internment camp for Muslims. Although his whereabouts still remain unknown, his wife Mairinsha says the thousands of messages were a lifeline.
SOUTH SUDAN – Magai Matiop Ngong was 15 when he was illegally sentenced to death in South Sudan. Supporters sent more than 765,000 messages to President Salva Kiir urging him to commute the sentence and expressing their solidarity with Magai. This pressure helped lead to a victory. In July 2020, Magai’s death sentence was commuted in the Court of Appeal and he was removed from death row. He is now awaiting an appropriate sentence.
How can you be involved?
While we won’t be able to sign cards and write letters together in the usual fashion, you can still be involved. Here are some of the activities you might like to know about or which you can take part in:
As a church, we have selected 2 cases to support this year and we will be finding out more about them in our online Amnesty service. The cases have a particular focus on women’ rights and violence against women:
- From Saudi Arabia, NASSIMA AL-SADA who is in prison for defending women’s rights.
- From South Africa, POPI and BONGEKA, two women who were murdered three years ago and whose killers have not been brought to justice through lack of evidence and interest.
We will be writing to the relevant authorities and sending a message of solidarity to each of the women on behalf of the church. However, if you would like to take action personally, the Amnesty International website has plenty of information on what you can do, who you should write to and advice on the format you should use.
The Campaign Booklet contains information on how to support each individual case:
We have provided the relevant information for you below:
How can I support Nassima?
Nassima al-Sada, a prominent Saudi Arabian activist and human rights educator who has been detained in Al-Mabahith prison in Dammam for over two years. A mother of three, she is allowed one weekly phone call with her family, but no visits, not even from her lawyer. Her detention is part of a recent wave of arrests that target Saudi women’s human rights activists.
Send a message of support and solidarity to:
Amnesty International,
For Moussa,
Postbus 1968,
1000 BZ Amsterdam,
Netherlands
Suggested message
Write to Nassima’s son, Moussa.
We stand in solidarity with the true champion of reform in Saudi Arabia, arrested, ill-treated, held in solitary confinement and detained for more than two years for educating and promoting human rights.
Creative action
Nassima loves animals and her garden. Share photos of yourself in nature or with your pet on your social media channels. Include a personal message to Nassima, or suggested tweet:
We stand in solidarity with the true champion of reform in #Saudi @nasema33, arrested, tortured, held in solitary, and detained for over two years for educating and promoting human rights. We call on @kingsalman to #FreeNassima.
Can I…?
Send a religious card or message? No Send an Amnesty card or mention Amnesty? Yes
Include my name and address? Yes
Send an appeal letter
Ask the King of Saudi Arabia to release Nassima al-Sada immediately and unconditionally.
Write to
His Majesty King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud
c/o His Excellency HRH Prince Khalid Bin Bandar Bin Sultan Al-Saud
Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia
30 Charles Street,
Mayfair
London W1J 5DZ
Salutation Your Majesty
In your letter ask him:
Immediately and unconditionally release Nassima al-Sada and all women human rights defenders and activists detained for their peaceful human rights work.
How can I support the families of Popi and Bongeka?
These two friends disappeared on 17 May 2017. Following a frantic search at hospitals and police stations, Bongeka’s cousin Mdu and Popi’s sister Thembelihle discovered Popi and Bongeka had been shot and dumped by the side of the road. They may also have been raped. According to the families, the police failed to properly investigate the murders.
Send a message of support and solidarity to:
Amnesty International South Africa,
97 Oxford Road,
Rosebank,
Johannesburg 2196,
South Africa
Suggested message
We stand in solidarity with your pain. We stand in solidarity in calling for justice. We support you and we will never forget them.
Can I
Send a religious card or message? No Send an Amnesty card or mention Amnesty? Yes
Include my name and address? No
Send an appeal letter
Urge the authorities to conduct a prompt, thorough and impartial investigation onto the deaths of Popi and Bongeka, and bring those responsible to justice.
Write to:
General Bheki Cele,
Minister of Police,
Private Bag X463,
Pretoria, 0001,
South Africa
PhokaneN@saps.gov.za @SAPoliceService
Salutation Dear Minister Bheki Cele, Gen.
In your letter ask him to: Conduct a thorough, fair and impartial investigation into the deaths of Popi and Bongeka in which all evidence is gathered in a constitutional manner and submitted to the National Prosecuting Authority for prosecution.