November Newsletter

All Saints Sunday - from the Vicar

"The saint loves people and uses things. The sinner loves things and uses people."
A wise observation, which serves to remind us that we are to let the light of Christ shine through our own lives, for this flame of faith will help us to see others in the light of God’s love. Those in positions of authority or power have a God given vocation to show to others the power of love, service and humility. Hence the greater our responsibility, the more humbly we should behave. Faith, hope and charity, these three gifts of God, are the three flames which we must encourage to reflect ever more brightly in our own lives and in the lives of others. The flame of hope will make us confident of God’s goodness in our lives, give us support and protection and so ensure that the flame of love for others will be nurtured, and burn brightly with understanding.

This feast of all the saints – past, present and future – those who rest in the peace of Christ, those living out their lives in the here now, and those yet to be born - reminds us of our faith family, that we belong to a vast community of time and space. It tells of a mighty truth – together we can achieve more, than alone.

Michael

September Newsletter

Pentecost 14 - from the vicar

In the Gospel reading from St Mark we hear about some Jewish leaders, called Scribes and Pharisees, who were good people. It is easy to think of them as bad people, though in fact they were basically good, upstanding people who followed religious traditions, found in the Old Testament. However this particular group of tradition loving, rule following Pharisees, were challenged by Jesus to think a little more about the commandment of God to love, and not let their religious traditions become replacements for carrying out God’s work of mercy and justice amongst the human misery of the world – this is often a challenge for us too!

Recently, myself and our Church Wardens, have been looking at the next phase of our “ Denbigh Deanery Plan, “ which will form the Agenda for the next Deanery Conference at 7.15 pm on Monday 10th September at St Mary’s Church, Denbigh – all are welcome to this meeting.

This is an important document, which will have an impact on all our parishes. If you are coming along to the meeting, please let me know.

The PCC over recent months has further developed additional space within the church building which is child friendly, has some toys, and most importantly is there to be used – and not just on a Sunday – spread the word, please!

Over the Winter we will be exploring the provision of “ St Dyfnog’s Drop-In, “ a weekly drop-in for children, parents and grandparents, probably during school holiday times when families often experience most pressure.

There will be plenty of work for all - so watch this space!

Michael

August Newsletter - “A little goes a long way!“

Michael Williams,
vicar of St Dyfnog's

Pentecost  9  - from  the  Vicar

Over the next few weeks we will be reading from St. John’s Gospel, at our morning worship, as the writer develops the teaching of Jesus, as the “bread of life“.

This teaching helps us understand that it is only Christ who will truly nourish us as no earthly bread ever could. This “discourse on the bread of life“, opens with the story of the feeding of a large crowd of people through the willingness of one young boy who offered his small packed lunch, for Jesus to use.

Sometimes it is the seemingly small gift which can achieve so much and, day by day, over time, the effects of those little gifts or activities begin to have an impact. Even a smile for another can spread much wider than we sometimes might think!

"Smile a while, and when you smile another smiles, 

and soon there’s miles and miles of smiles, because you smile!"

On a practical level, the Denbigh Food Bank has been launched, to help individuals and families in crisis, by the provision of an emergency food supply. The purpose of the Foodbank is to provide a three day supply of food for people who are in need, such as families who are bereaved or have a sudden change in circumstances, perhaps by the loss of paid work or whilst they wait for benefits to be paid. Potential recipients will have been professionally assessed prior to being referred to the scheme. Here, in church, there will eventually be a collection box for food items, such as those listed opposite.

Michael

"Country Church " by Muriel Willa

So I push open the old oak door 

My soul is stilled, my spirits soar; 

A hush, a fragrance all around 

Tell me I am on holy ground. 

Hundreds of years of praise and prayer 

Hang like incense in the air; 

A golden cross on the altar stands 

Polished by careful, prayerful hands, 

While flowers of living radiance shine 

In beauty wrought by love divine. 

With sapphire, emerald, ruby, rose, 

Purple and amber-each window glows, 

With angels, saints, translucent, bright, 

Shepherds and lambs of pearly white. 

The life of Christ in grace arrayed 

From manger to cross portrayed, 

Then risen in glorious majesty 

To   reign  in heaven eternally. 

The font, where babes in long robes dressed, 

The stone floor, worn by reverent tread, 

The wooden pews where prayers are said; 

The pulpit by some steps is reached 

Where countless sermons have been preached.

I sense the sacred atmosphere 

Of   comfort  and forgiveness here,

And for some moments humbly kneel, 

God's  presence  and His peace to feel. 

Refreshed, I step outside once more. 

And gently close the ancient door.