July & August Updates
St David’s Uniting Church Vision Day:
- Ten church members met on a sweltering day in July for a St David’s Uniting Church Vision Day led by our minister, Clare, at our sister church, Hope and Market Square, Merthyr Tydfil. The group looked at the legacy and heritage of SDUC and its constituent parts, as well as where we are now and how we might begin to move into the future. It was a day of rich and honest discussion and felt to be a first step towards shaping a new future in our Treforest home. A key element highlighted during the day was the importance of good communication and helping as many people as possible to be involved in the development of a vision. To that end, this is a holding notice to let you know that a summary of the day is not quite ready but will be circulated to everyone in the coming weeks as we begin exploring together where we as a church feel God is leading us. If you have any questions please do contact your elder or Clare.
From the AGM:
Affirmation of Elders and Officers
- Pam was accepted as a returning Elder, the vote was unanimous.
- There will be no change to the following roles as they were offered to and accepted by the previous incumbents, and were voted in unanimously:
Church Secretary – Lynda
Pulpit Supply Secretary – Catherine
Admin Officer – Marcia
Safeguarding Officer – Maralyn, with Liz as Deputy
Hiring Officer – vacant
- Liz Henson accepted the role of Treasurer, with Colleen staying on as Deputy Treasurer. This was agreed by those present.
From the August Elders’ Meeting:
- Elders agreed to investigate getting a new noticeboard as the existing board cannot be seen when walking towards the church
Summer Songs of Praise – 16th August:
What an uplifting service!
Some of the greatest sermons are based through the singing of hymns’
Mormon Church
The hymns were chosen by members of the congregation.
The prayers were not attributed but were very inspiring and appropriate especially in the world today.
- The Sharp Winds of Change – written and introduced by John Henson.
The hymn was originally written for the joining of St David’s PCW and Pontypridd United in 2002 but not used, as it was thought to be far too radical at the time and not to be suitable. At the time I had the special task of bringing churches together, but it was never easy. I was doing for the Baptist Union what I was told to do. The background of the hymn which perhaps you could understand why the folk then particularly didn’t want to sing it. It goes very much with what’s happening in our world today, in America and in a lot of other places as well, but it was actually happening in those days. Ray said I was ‘in the Lord’s Secret Service’ because I looked after the emerging gay Christian movement and also looked after people who had been to prison.
- In a Field in Country – Fischy Music – chosen by Lynda Bull
I have chosen this Fischy music song, because we’ve not sung it for a long time. It reminds me of the wonderful Easter Celebrations we had at Kids Club and also brings back the memory of singing it outside the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem after walking the Via Delorosa. An experience that I will never forget!
Reading Psalm 100 Read by Gwynedd
- Dyma Cariad fel y moroedd – Here is Love vast as the ocean chosen by Stephen Webber
Written in 1847 by William Rees and translated by William Edwards. At a service of Initiation for William Rees he was so overcome that he had to leave the service, he did return some hours later. It’s popularity came about because an 18 yr old woman from Maesteg, Annie Davis sang it during the service and it became known as the love song of the revival.
- In Christ there is no East or West – chosen by Kath Rickards
A hymn that is relevant at the moment when there is so much trouble in the world.
It is over 20 years ago Phil and I were asked if we would like to go to Uganda as part of a mission to see how we could create a link between Pontypridd and Mbale. We have met and made so many friends there, we arrived there meeting complete strangers, these friends now call our home the Mbali Embassy. The 3rd verse Join hands, united in the faith, what e’re your race may be; who serves my father as their own are surely kin to me.
Reading – John 1: 1-11 – The Wedding in Canaan in Galilee – Read by Jayne
- May our love grow like a flower – written by Simon Walkling and chosen by Jayne Bright
This hymn, sung to the tune of ‘What a friend we have in Jesus’ is very special to Roger and me because we sang it at our wedding 20 years ago.
- Come for everything’s ready – written by Ray Vincent and chosen by Marilyn Leach
Based on Luke 14:12-24 the parable of the great feast. Jesus had been invited to a meal by an eminent Pharisee and he’s sitting there watching all the guests arriving and trying to get the best seats, then someone remarked ‘isn’t it good that we are eating in the presence of the Lord’s kingdom?’ It inspired Jesus to tell the parable of the great feast.
What do we take from this parable we don’t want to make excuses that we’re busy with everyday things and we must put the Lord first and see what he would want us to do, and I think that is very important today. So, we are going to sing this really passionate hymn about God’s salvation to us all. It’s free and open to us.
- Gwahoddiad – chosen by Pam and introduced by Catherine
‘I like to think that God chose us all individually and when he speaks to us it is in a gentle, tender, forgiving voice, which for me is the essence of this hymn. We are being invited to share faith, hope, love and peace. It’s about accepting God’s grace and striving to be better Christians overcoming our weaknesses and failures. Of course, the music itself I love. It somehow manages to combine the tune and the message perfectly by expressing a longing for acceptance, forgiveness and redemption.
This hymn was also my father’s favourite hymn, so every time I hear it, I think of him.
- Cwm Rhondda – introduced by Phil Rickards
There are many hymns that we have sung this morning, that over the years that have played a great part in our lives. I’ve been asked to introduce our final hymn. Guide me O thou great Jehovah we used to sing. Many different versions have changed the word Jehovah. But we know the Jehovah. We know what it is for him to guide us every step along the way.
Kath has mentioned our trips to Mbale and on the very first occasion we went, on the Sunday they said we want you to go in pairs to different places of worship. We had arrived in a country, we did not know the people. We knew perhaps a little of their culture, but how moving was it for me when we were led into their chapel. We were introduced and they sang the first hymn. No guesses what it was. But I’ll always remember that feeling of always being guided, always being led, and of all peoples everywhere. I used to refer to it as the second Welsh National anthem.
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