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]
13th March 2022
Welcome to everyone who joins us for worship today, either live on Zoom or later on YouTube,
The chat room will open at 10.30, when you can have a pre-service chat.
Link for ZOOM
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89461145366?pwd=S3ExNTVjdGVGdXlGVlNQc2k3eldudz09
One of the many un-seen but crucial jobs in our churches is that of pulpit supply secretary so it’s important – every now and then – to thank Brian Hurley and Vena Edwards for all they do to ensure a diverse and sustained rota of guest worship leaders from an ever-decreasing pool of preachers. Diolch yn fawr!
This week, we are particularly grateful to Brian for suggesting that we invite long-time friend of St. David’s Uniting Church – Gwen Simmons – to lead a service via zoom. Gwen is a former Student of the University of Glamorgan (as was!) some twenty years ago and since finishing her studies has maintained her links with several people she met when she worshiped with us and joined the church music group – Unedig. We look forward to hearing what Gwen has got to share with us today.
This afternoon at 2.30 Castle Square have their monthly Conference Call – so get settled with a cuppa and enjoy the chat.
Ukraine
We are still collecting money for the ‘Red Cross Ukraine Appeal’ – cheques or cash welcome.
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Church Family and Pastoral News
We include this in the news sheet to inform our prayers.
- Martha has ‘good days’ and ‘not so good days’ as does Gill Miller. Martha is still in RGH
- Loreen’s house is being made ready for her to return home, which will, hopefully be soon!
- Brenda, who is waiting to see a specialist about her eye, now has a problem with her leg which is causing concern, but she remains in good spirits!
- We think of those for whom this week has sad memories
- Gwyneth is concerned for her 5yr old granddaughter who is to have a tonsillectomy this week, while Gwyneth herself will be receiving treatment in London.
- We are aware that there are others who have been unwell but ‘don’t like a fuss’.
Birthdays:
Only one Birthday to mention this week; Tomos Henson will be 18 on Monday 14th. Where did those 18 years go? Enjoy your day Tom and Celebrate in style!!
Good News
At a recent fun meeting of the Park Ramblers the sum of £128 was raised for the Pontypridd Foodbank. Many thanks for all the generous donations….a wonderful result.
Thanks
Following the Community Saints Award ceremony last week, Alan and Stephanie joined us again for worship on Sunday. The last time they were in Church was Mothering Sunday 2020. The Sunday before lockdown! Alan joked later that he had returned after a break following a major operation – and the church closed!! (He didn’t think then that it would be so long!)
They have expressed their thanks for the warm welcome they received, ‘It was lovely to be welcomed and it was good to be back’.
For those interested in statistics, since we have resumed in-house services almost two thirds of our congregation have joined us for worship on more than on occasion.
Marilyn L and Gwyneth, who share the same birthday (March 8th) wish to thank everyone for their cards and good wishes. They are much appreciated. Their celebrations went well!
Diolch to us!
For those who weren’t at last week’s service at St. David’s Uniting Church, our guest preacher Revd Macolm Shapland thanked us for enabling Phil to be the interim moderator of the Valleys Pastorate.
A nice reminder of how we are called to support one another across our churches and denominations.
So thanks, all!
Next Sunday – March 20th
Phil will lead morning worship, which will include communion, at St. David’s at 10.45.
Ray will lead worship at Castle Square at 11.00am
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St. David’s Uniting Church Meeting – 27th March
After postponing the last church meeting due to Omicron rates, our next one is due to take place on March 27th. We know that this isn’t ideal for everyone as it is also Mothering Sunday. However, listening to members’ preferences not to come out on an additional evening and not to have the church meeting after a Communion service (alongside Castle Square/zoom/Easter services to take into account), the next possible meeting date wasn’t until May! Thus, in order to ensure that we cover all we need to without rushing topics of significance, the meeting will take place as part of our morning worship and we intend to be finished by 12:45pm at the latest. The agenda will be shared by the 20th and anyone unable to attend are invited to share any feedback to their elder/pastoral buddy.
St. David’s Church Guild
Following the meeting on March 2nd. It was decided that the Guild would meet on the first Wednesday of every month until October then all being when we will resume weekly meetings.
At our next meeting on April 6th, we will have a celebratory first meeting – more details soon, put the date in your diary now!
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URC Synod Meeting
Phil and Lynda attended the United Reformed Church Synod of Wales’ biannual gathering, led by Simon, at which topics such as the Synod budget, environmental policy, and the pattern of future ministry, were discussed. Papers can still be viewed online (www.urcwales.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/2022-Spring-Synod-Papers.pdf) or a physical copy is available at both churches. Please keep Simon and the
Synod team in your prayers as they take forward the discussions had and decisions made at the meeting.
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URC General Assembly 2022
One of the notices given at Synod was concerning the United Reformed Church General Assembly for this year. Phil and Simon are attending and if you’ve ever been interested in learning more about, and/or participating in, this wider council of the church, then there are vacancies for lay representatives to the General Assembly. The gathering will take place at The Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick, Derbyshire from Friday 8th to Monday 11th July 2022. All the costs of attending are covered, including travel, accommodation and meals. A new leaflet – ‘They’ve asked me to be a Member of General Assembly’ – which gives an overview of the role and obligations of being a member, as well as the work of the General Assembly itself, can be viewed and downloaded here: https://bit.ly/2IkaqHe. Please speak with Phil if you feel you are being called to serve in this role.
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Some suggestions for Lent:
- Don’t buy anything that you don’t NEED.
- Throw Away 40 things for 40 days.
- 40 Days of home Organization.
- No Gossiping.
- Exercise daily to take care of the body God gave you.
- Don’t Eat After Dinner.
- Give Up fizzy drinks for Lent.
- Say 3 Nice Things to Your Spouse & Kids Daily.
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Thought for the week
A person’s most beautiful asset is not a head full of knowledge,
but a heart full of love, an ear ready to listen and a hand willing to help others.
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