Thank you and Good News….

• I forgot to include this last month, but Colleen would like to say thank you all those who donated to the Harvest Appeal for the Pontypridd Food bank. An incredible amount of £621.00 was raised.
• Catherine would like to thank all those in our congregation who were able to take part in the People’s Peace Walk for Medical Aid for Palestinians in September. As a church we contributed £450 and the final figure raised by the walk and memorial was nearly £7000 including gift aid. Great news!
• ‘Red Line for Gaza’ – Catherine would also like to say a big thank you to everyone who wore red and took part in our Red Line for Gaza action. The Red Line for Gaza campaign is taking place across the UK and is supported by numerous organisations, of all faiths, and aims to bring an end to the suffering in Gaza. We’ve written to our MP and shared our action with Christian Aid https://redlineforgaza.eaction.org.uk/
• I just want to say a big ‘Thankyou’ to you all for the many cards, phone calls and visits I received before and following my recent operation. Everyone has been so kind. I am on the mend but have to take it easy for a few weeks, until I have seen the Consultant again. I am looking forward to joining you again in person in Church and Guild before Easter! Dorothy
• THANKYOU to everyone who made my birthday a memorable event! For the cards, gifts and being serenaded by the Park Ramblers! I had a great day THANK YOU! Marcia
• Jayne Bright is absolutely over the moon that after being estranged from her son Christopher for 27 years they have made contact and she has received a Christmas card from him. She is looking forward to developing the relationship further with him and his family in 2026.
• I am delighted to announce that my son Luke and his wife Emma, welcomed their baby boy into the world at 7am on Friday 19 December 2025 weighing 7lbs 2oz. His name is Emlyn Raymond Rhydian Jones. They are all doing well and Steve and I are incredibly proud first time grandparents.                  Alison

Update on Christmas Appeal charities:

• This year our chosen Christmas Appeal charities were Rowan Tree Cancer Care and the Malagasy Bible Society in Madagascar. The appeal will remain open until Sunday 18th January. Envelopes are available, please put your name on the envelope if you wish to gift aid your donation. The total amount which has been donated to date, to Rowan Tree Cancer Care and Malagasy Bible Society is £445 and has been split equally between them.
• This was the message we received from the Manager of Castle House:- I wanted to personally thank you for your generous donation for Castle house. Your support truly means a great deal to us and will make a real difference to our clients. We really appreciate it.

Other Appeals

This was the message we have received from A Rocha UK:

Thanks for the difference you have made! We not only hit our £30,000 target in just 4 days but finished at an amazing £37,910. We are in the running for even more financial support from The Big Give.

Welcome to 2026 …..

I hope you all enjoyed the Christmas festivities and have been able to relax and meet with family and friends and join in services, carol singing, and carol concerts.

The first edition of the Church Newsletter in 2026 will be printed and online on Sunday 25 January, so please ensure that any items for inclusion in that edition are with me by Monday 19 January. 

ADVANCE NOTICE: As I am away on holiday for much of February, the February edition of the Newsletter with all the news and dates for March will be printed and online on Sunday 1 March.  If you have any news or articles which you would like to be included in that edition please send it directly to me either by email to [email protected] or by phone at the latest by Monday 23 February.

My phone number is in the church directory and if there is no reply please leave a message.  Any personal news should only be sent by (or at least with the permission of) the person who has news to share, especially if any personal details are included.

Blwyddyn Newydd Dda i chi gyd!

Alison

Thoughts for January

“New year, same dreams, fresh determination.”

“Reflect on blessings and welcome new ones with open arms.”

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