from Val

Dear Friends

I hope you are well and have been able to enjoy the beautiful weather.  The lockdown has meant we have paused from the busyness of daily life and taken the time to notice in greater detail the beauty of the world around us, the birds, the trees and the flowers.  The blossoms are just beginning to fall but nature has put on her finest display. 

The horrors of the pandemic are evident in all we see and hear, but we hope and pray that we have passed the peak and our efforts to stay home and socially distance will bear fruit.

Many have been taking their daily exercise by walking the lanes around the village.  Whilst passing folks on the other side of the road, social distancing, it has been good to greet folks by giving a friendly wave.   There is no chance of a stranger coming alongside us in these lockdown days, but we have seen some folks that maybe we haven’t seen for a while and it has been a joy to do so.

The Gospel reading for Sunday focuses on the two disciples on the Road to Emmaus.  Following the events of Good Friday and Easter Sunday they are feeling disappointed and fearful and decide to set off for home.  Walking along the road they are joined by a stranger; they do not recognise that this is Jesus.  Even so they invite him to stay with them and it is in the breaking of the bread that their eyes are opened and they recognise Jesus.

Jesus still walks alongside us today; he has promised that he will never leave us nor forsake us.  May you find comfort in his presence and his peace.

With Every Blessing…Val

readings are available to download in the panel on the right.

from Val

Dear Friends

This week has once again brought more restrictions to help to combat the spread of Coronavirus.  Many of you will be aware that the Church is now CLOSED until further notice.  This is unprecedented in the history of the Church and not something we ever thought we would see, but we must do our best to keep ourselves and others safe.

The beautiful weather belies the seriousness of the situation, but natures springtime brings hope and promise.

On Sunday we enter Passiontide when we turn from the temptations of Jesus in the desert and turn to face the Cross and Christ's suffering.    We remain united in prayer and I attach Sunday's readings for your own quiet time.  Also a service of Compline, the final service of the day, which you may like to use in the evening.

Keep safe and well.

Every Blessing...Val

From Val

Sundays will feel strange without our usual service but the cycle of prayer continues through our own private prayers. You can download from the list of the right each Sunday’s readings and a Service of the Word you may like to use at home.  The Church remains open as a place of solace and prayer.  We may be prevented from meeting together but God hears our prayers and knows our hearts. 

The Hippopotamus Song

The Hippopotamus Song, as performed at the 2018 Christmas Party by John Harris, Adrian Evans and Roger Mullock, accompanied by Kath Mitchell-Dawson, and supported in the chorus by all present!

Organ Recital St Asaph Cathedral

Meririon Wynn Jones of Carmarthen will give the final recital in this year's series on the organ of St Asaph Cathedral on Wednesday September 6th at 7:30pm. Programme as follows:

• Toccata in A major Johann Kuhnau
  
• Partita on Penparc  Meirion Wynn Jones
• Meditation Meirion Wynn Jones
  
• Offertoire in F L.J.A. Lefébure-Wély
• Romance sans Paroles L.J.A. Lefébure-Wély
• Elevation in A minor L.J.A. Lefébure-Wély
• Offertoire in D minor L.J.A. Lefébure-Wély
  
• Benedictus, Op.59, No.9 Max Reger
• Toccata & Fugue in D minor, Op.129 Max Reger

Adnission £6.00 including programme and refreshments after the recital.

Mission Area Pilgrimage

On Sunday 2^nd July Denbigh Mission Area joined with Aled Mission Area for a pilgrimage from Llannefydd to Llansannan. The Pilgrimage started with a time of prayer in St Nefydd’s Church before beginning the five-mile walk along the Pilgrim’s Way to Llansannan. The walk began from the back of the Church and after the initial steep climb the route levelled out along the Pilgrim’s Way. The views of Coast and Country were stunning. The walk took a couple of hours and cup of tea and a piece of cake was most welcome when the walkers finally arrived at St Sannan’s Church.  Llannefydd’s Mission Area Candle was carried from Llannefydd to Llansannan and lit at the start of the closing service as a sign of fellowship and unity. The walkers were joined by members of both Mission Areas for the refreshments and a service of Sung Evensong. Everyone enjoyed the day, the stunning scenery along the way, the company of fellow travellers and time to worship together at the close of day. 

Our thanks to Roger Mullock for arranging the day. Val Rowlands

From the vicar - March 2017

February encompassed almost every type of winter weather imaginable, from warm spring like sunshine to raging storms we saw all manner of weather conditions, we even finished the month with a flurry of snow. The damage caused by Storm Doris was immense and it was a sober reminder of the power of nature.

Storms are frequently mentioned in the Bible and are often used to demonstrate Jesus’ command over the forces of nature. The Calming of the Storm is a story we know well and Jesus’ response reminds us that he is ultimately in control.

The weather on Lake Galilee can change very quickly, a boat can set off from the shore in fine calm weather but by the time it is half way across the lake the weather can change and the once peaceful waters become the raging waters of the storm. For those looking down on the lake from the mountains which surround Lake Galilee the dramatic picture of the storm unfolding is something they can only watch and hope that those caught up in it can make it safely to shore.

The disciples were seasoned fisherman and yet the storm still caused them to panic, you can almost hear Jesus sighing “Don’t panic” as he says to them “Why are you afraid? Don’t you trust me?” Jesus hears the fear in their shouts and rebukes the wind and the rain, “Peace, be still”, and the storm subsides.

When an earthquake happens survivors are desperate to find those who have been trapped in the rubble, pulling and tugging at the fallen masonry. But when the trained rescuers come along the first thing they do is to pause, to listen and try and locate where the people are trapped. And then again from time to time, asking for complete silence so they know where to search using their skills for the very best results. And we too need to be willing to pause, to stop the frantic search, to pause our random busyness, in order to listen and to act wisely. To seek the things God really wants to do in our lives, and not the million and one things we think he wants us to do.

Lent is a time for stillness and reflection, to pause and journey with Jesus into the wilderness. We may think Lent is just a good time to give up chocolate, but it primarily it is a time of prayer and repentance as we watch and wait with Jesus, in preparation for Holy Week and Easter.

This Lent we will once again be collecting our change for WaterAid. Last year St Dyfnog’s sent £343 to WaterAid and through your generosity lives have been changed as we have helped to bring clean, safe water to more and more villages in areas of the world where water is in short supply. Thank you.

This Lent may we know Christ’s peace and stillness as we reflect on the sacrifice Jesus made for each and every one of us.

Val Rowlands