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: [email protected]
29th October 2022
This weekend is a busy weekend for Phil and our churches. We have Phil’s Farewell party from 4.30 til 8.00 on Saturday and the last services that Phil will be leading in both churches on Sunday.
The word ‘Last ‘ will feature a lot this week– Sunday is Phil’s ‘last’ service at St David’s, and it is also the ‘last’ service for Castle Square URC as the church will close after 117 years of faithful worship.
The worship at St David’s is at 10.45 and refreshments will be served in the hall following the service.
The service will be live-streamed https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1ftWuXHexnfFdo1FKwXBZA
The ’last’ service at Castle Square URC at 4 pm will be of Service of Thanksgiving and it will be preceded at 3 pm with a ‘chat over a cuppa’ time in the hall.
This weekend will be the ‘last’ time we will be publishing a ‘Joint’ newsletter, and the couriers who have had the pleasure of delivering to Castle Square folk will certainly miss doing these deliveries as these people have become friends.
Octobers Synod Sunday service – featuring both the St. David’s Uniting Church music group and input from Castle Square – is available on our YouTube channel St David’s Uniting Church Pontypridd – YouTube
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Church Family and Pastoral News
We include this in the news sheet to inform our prayers.
- We are sad to report that Gareth passed away last Sunday after a short illness. We hold Pat and the family in our prayers as they prepare to say farewell to Gareth. His funeral will take place at Glyntaf on Friday 4th November at 1.30pm. No need to wear black, Pat is happy with some colour.
- As Castle Square URC give thanks for 117 years of worship and witness, we keep them in our prayers as they continue to live out their faith beyond the building. Each member will grieve the loss of that worshipping community in different ways, we pray that they may all find a spiritual home where they feel welcomed and at home, but all should know that they would be extremely welcome at St David’s Uniting Church.
- We are delighted to know that Martha was able to return home last Sunday, and she is very happy to be in her own bed again! We continue to keep her in our prayers as she gets used to being home.
- Kath sent a message on Wednesday to let us know that her op went well and the consultant was happy. She was looking forward to having cornflakes for breakfast on Thursday!
- We keep both Elsie B and David J in our prayers as they wait for news and/or operations.
- Sharon has been suffering from a chest infection for a few weeks, we hope she is feeling better soon.
- We send our good wishes to the Craft and Chatgroup and pray they will be happy in their new venue.
- We hold Phil in our prayers as he prepares to pack up and move to Milton Keynes and wish him all the best with the move, house-buying, and new ministry.
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Questionnaire
Please don’t forget to return the questionnaires, distributed at last week’s service at Castle Square, to Marcia this weekend. Everybody’s views are important.
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Birthdays
We know of two people who have birthdays this week. Dave Couchman on Wednesday 2nd and Sonia Fletcher on Thursday 3rd However you choose to celebrate, enjoy your day!
Congratulations to Vena who celebrated her 96th birthday last Sunday and had a lovely day with some of her great-grandchildren.
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Good News
Nathan has passed his class 1 driving test – he already has his class 2 and buses/coaches’ licences – that completes his licences, so no more exams. Well Done, Nathan!
Claire is pleased to share the fantastic news that her son, Jack, known to many of you, at least when he was a little boy, is to start a career in the Metropolitan Police in November and his girlfriend, Connie, is also starting a new job in marketing, which is the subject she studied in university and gained an honours degree last summer.
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Homemade Cards
There is a fantastic selection of cards available for any occasion you want. Colleen is also taking orders for Christmas cards. Cards cost £1.50 and £2 – all proceeds go to church funds.
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Diary for the Week
Monday 31st Language Classes 10.00-12.00
Wednesday 2nd St David’s Guild 14.00 -15.30 (see below)
Thursday 3rd Sing for Life Choir 18.30-19.30.
Saturday 5th Beverley’s World of Music 18.00 (see below)
Sunday 6th Aled Edwards will lead our morning worship at 10.45
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Cinema Trip
Anyone wanting a lift to Showcase cinema on Monday 31st October to view the 3.50pm performance of “Emily”, please contact Pam – 07766208171. We will meet outside the old library at 3.30pm. For those making their own way, we will meet in the foyer at 3.45pm
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A Thought
The mind is its own place and in itself can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven
John Milton
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St David’s Guild
The newspaper articles we were asked to bring to our meeting last week were varied and interesting, and although we were few in number, we had an enjoyable afternoon.
For this week we should all have received a sheet entitled ‘Life as I know it.’ with questions to answer. Please don’t forget to bring them to the meeting and all will make sense!
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Fullpelt Fest
On 8th October, Claire held a concert, called Fullpelt Fest, including performances by 5 bands, to remember and celebrate the life of her husband, Rob. A great night was had by all and the sum of £2260 was raised on the night. This brings the total raised from the event to more than £2400, which will be donated to Rob’s favoured charities, Velindre Cancer Centre, Rowan Tree Cancer Centre and Y Bwthyn.
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Beverley’s World of Music
A concert written and performed by Beverley Humphreys, accompanied by Ryan Wood.
Will be held at St. David’s Uniting Church on Saturday 5th November at 6pm
Tickets ~ £8 are available by calling: 07967215462
All proceeds to the Pontypridd Refugee and Homeless Fund
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Ministers Matters and a message from Phil
After the events of this weekend, Phil will be travelling up to St. Beuno’s Jesuit Centre, near Rhyl, for a few days of reflection, before packing up and heading to Milton Keynes.
Thanks
A huge thanks to Marcia – and all the newsletter contributors/couriers – from me. There have been countless occasions when I’ve not been sure what day it was or where I was supposed to be…only for some member to remind me, having read it here!
Spoiler Alert!
For those unable to make Saturday’s party, Phil’s short speech gave thanks to Simon, for leading him down here; to Lynda, for all her support over the years; and to every member of Castle Square and St. David’s Uniting Church over the years. His thanks finished thus – “I’m not usually a fan of goodbyes. But some of the recent departures which have hit the headlines haven’t been so bad! So, in spite of her tenure being somewhat brief and patchy, I’ve decided to quote our recently replaced female leader. I am, of course, talking about Dr Who! Just before Jodie Whittaker regenerated…something ministers kinda do…she told her companion, ‘A wise person once said to me goodbyes only hurt because what came before was so special. And it has been so special…I have loved being with you. And I’ve loved being me’. Thanks for everything.”
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Advice for the Future
“Be bold. Be blessed. Be blooming brilliant! I know you will be.
Much love, Phil“