Parish News

March 2016 Website http://www.llanilltud.org.uk/

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Love cures people, both the ones who give it and the ones who receive it.

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Parish News March 2016 Our advertisers need to know that we are using their

services to make it worth their while to advertise. Please TELL them that you saw their advert. in the magazine.

Page 1. Index. Page 2. Calendar for March. Page 3. From the Editor. Page 4. Heartfelt Thanks Page 5. Farewell Service.. Page 6. Services for Holy Week and Easter. Page 7. Services for Holy Week and Easter. Page 8. History of the Vale. Page 9. History of the Vale. Page 10. History of the Vale. Page 11. History of the Vale. Page 12. Benefice Quiz Night. Page 13 Mothers’ Union. Page 14. Welsh Page. Page 15 Food Bank. Page 16. Advertisements. Page 17. Advertisements. Page 18. News from St Athan. Page 19. Gifts Page 20. Words and a Grumpy Old Man. Page 21. Words and a Grumpy Old Man. Page 22. Puzzle Page. Page 23. Humour. Page 24. From the Registers. Saints Days in Wales. Page 25. Joseph of Nazareth. Page 26. The Meaning of Easter. Page 27. Benefice Directory. Page 28. Services in the Benefice.

Editor: Eric Sparks, Bronelwyn, Castle Street, Llantwit Major. CF61 1AP Tel: 01446 795443. ericpetersparks@btinternet.com

Closing date for articles is the 15th of each month.

TAKE NOTE THAT MY E-MAIL ADDRESS HAS CHANGED

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Calendar for March

Tue 1st 7.00 pm Lent Devotional Compline. St Donat’s.

Wed 2nd 7.15 pm Mothers’ Union Eucharist. St Illtud’s.

Fri 4th 11.00 am Lent Course & Lunch. St Illtud’s Mezzanine.

Tue 8th 7.00 pm Lent Devotional Compline. St Cattwg’s.

Fri 11th 11.00 am Lent Course & Lunch. St Illtud’s Mezzanine.

Tue 15th 7.00 pm Lent Devotional Compline. St Mary’s. Fri 18th 11.00 am Lent Course & Lunch. St Illtud’s Mezzanine.

Tue 22nd 1.00 pm St Illtyd's Primary School Easter Service. St Illtud’s. 7.00 pm Lent Devotional Compline. St Michael’s. Wed 23rd 7.00 pm PCC. St Illtud’s.

Regular Events

Morning Prayer Every weekday at 9.00 am Holy Eucharist 9.00 am on Fridays and Saints days 10.00 am on Wednesday in St Illtud’s and St Tathan Each Wednesday St Illtud’s Church Choir. In church 6.30 pm. Lynn Brown. 793804 Each Wednesday Toddler Church. St Illtud’s. 1.30 pm Term time only. 2nd Sunday 4.00 pm Sunday@4. St Illtud's. 3rd Sunday 11.15 am. Tradecraft Stall St Illtud's. First Wednesday Mothers' Union. St Illtud's 7.00 pm. Jodie Taylor 794103 First Thursday Bell Ringers. St Tathan. 7.30 pm Other Thursdays Bell Ringers. St Illtud’s 7.30 pm Peter Mayle 792603 Alternate Thursdays - Llanilltud Ladies. Tabernacle Church Hall. 7.45 pm

You can only predict things after they have happened.

Thank You The January issue of this magazine had a paragraph reminding

you, as a reader, that it now comes to you free of charge and inviting you to make a contribution towards the cost. Some of you responded nicely and after the follow-up message in February there was a further addition in response. I am writing this to thank all those who have taken the time and trouble to show your appreciation of what takes several hours and several people to produce and get to you. If any more indications of your approval were to arrive, we would be even more grateful. Ed

Dear Friends By the time you read this, we will have made our farewells to Huw and Pat as they move to their new home near Wrexham. Huw will be inducted to his new parish of Christ Church, Rossett on Saturday 5th March and we are invited to attend the service and support Huw at start of his new ministry. I hope and trust that a significant number of us will be able to make the journey. At a time of change such as this and while we wait to have our new Rector appointed, it is customary to look back. I am sure that Huw will take with him many and varied memories of his time here in Llantwit Major. There are many events which will come to his mind but I am going to remind you of three which been previously mentioned in this magazine and elsewhere several times. First, the Galilee Chapel, second, the Royal Visit and third, his Sabbatical. I wonder which of these, for Huw, is the most vivid or striking in his memory? The restoration of the Galilee Chapel was started well before Huw came to us but the project had to be seen to its completion. The funding to be secured, the contractors organised and a myriad of other details required close attention to ensure a good outcome. Then there was the opening ceremony with the oldest member of the congregation present at 93 together with the youngest at one day to add gloss to the proceedings. The Royal Visit when Prince Charles, who is not only Prince of Wales but who also takes a keen interest in architecture, accompanied by the Duchess of Cornwall came to see us and our Galilee Chapel. Huw’s orchestration of the proceedings was impeccable and the whole day served to warm our hearts. The three months of Sabbatical leave was a surprise to me in that I had always thought that sabbaticals were intended to be a low key period to allow meditation, stimulation and a recharging of batteries. Huw’s may well have given him the opportunity to recharge his batteries, but it was clearly far from low key. Perhaps he kept a record of how many miles he travelled but it is undeniable that his experiences of the places he visited was stimulating. Which of these three will be uppermost in Huw’s mind as he moves on? Or will it be something else? We would like to think that he will remember us with the same degree of affection with which we will remember him and wish him God’s speed in his “next chapter.”

Yours sincerely Eric Sparks

If you see someone without a smile, give them one of yours.

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4 Fame sometimes creates something out of nothing.

Heartfelt Thanks Dear Friends,

We would like to offer our heartfelt thanks to you all following the “Farewell Service” on 21st February. It was such a moving service to see over 170 people from around the Benefice gathered together and taking part. We have been overwhelmed with all of the kind sentiments, cards and gifts received. Being presented with a Shield from the Town Mayor was a wonderful privilege. Greetings and prayers from our Swedish link parish of Sigtuna and the Cistercian Community on Caldey Island were so very touching. The presentation from Jodie on behalf of the Benefice was delightful – especially the unforgettable comment that, “at least North Wales isn’t England!”

Words cannot express our gratitude to you all. It has been a privilege and a joy to work alongside you. You will always hold a special place in our hearts and we take that most precious gift with us – to encourage and inspire us in our future ministry in St. Asaph Diocese.

Thank you for being our companions in the adventure of faith over

these past 5 and a half years – through all that we have experienced – the highs and the lows – we pray that you may have a share in the “Abrahamic spirit” which is also very much the spirit of the Celtic saints – that God may continue to call you, and strengthen you to follow his call through the depths of his love.

In offering our farewells, we will leave you with the parting words of

St. Paul to his friends in Philippi:

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord, my beloved. [Philippians 4:1 ]

Diolch o galon, with our love and prayers,

Huw & Pat

Farewell Service

5

Dreams don’t work unless you do.

Our Rector, Huw, celebrated his last service in the Llantwit Major Benefice at St Illtud’s on Sunday 21st February. The church was packed with some 170 people including the Town Mayor and people from all the other Parishes in the Benefice. Here are a few photographs of the event. We all wish him and Pat, success and happiness in their new home.

ES

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Services for Holy Week and Easter

Monday 21st March 10.00 am – Holy Eucharist @ St Illtud’s Tuesday 22nd March 10.00 am – Holy Eucharist @ St Illtud’s 7.00 pm – Lenten Devotional Compline @ Llanmihangel Wednesday 23rd March 10.00 am – Holy Eucharist @ St Illtud’s 10.00 am – Holy Eucharist @ St Tathan Thursday 24th March – Maundy Thursday 11.00 am – Chrism Eucharist @ Llandaff Cathedral 5.30 pm (approx.) – Passover Supper @ St Tathan 8.00 pm – Holy Eucharist and Watch of the Passion @ St Illtud’s Friday 25th March - Good Friday 10.00 am – Children’s Stations of the Cross @ St Illtud’s 10.00 am – Children’s event @ the Gathering Place in St Athan 10.00 am – Good Friday Devotions @ Wick 10.00 am – Good Friday Devotions @ St Donat’s 11.00 am – Good Friday Devotions @ Llanmaes 1.30pm – Good Friday Devotions @ St Illtud’s 2.00pm – Good Friday Reflective Service @ The Gathering Place St Athan

A thick skin is a gift.

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Saturday 26th March - Holy Saturday 7.30pm – Compline @ St Illtud’s Sunday 27th March – Easter Day 8.15 am – Holy Eucharist @ St Illtud’s 9.00 am – Holy Eucharist @ Gileston 9.30 am – Holy Eucharist @ Marcross 10.00 am – Holy Eucharist with Baptism @ St Illtud’s 10.00 am – Holy Eucharist @ Llanmihangel 10.30am – Holy Eucharist @ St Tathan 10.45am – Holy Eucharist @ Wick 11.15am – Holy Eucharist @ St Donat’s

Half the truth is often a big lie.

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HISTORY OF THE VALE. LLANTWIT MAJOR & ITS ANTIQUITIES. PART V (By Mr. T. M. PRICE, Late of Boverton.) - Glamorgan Gazette

Friday July 17th 1914 One has never to seek much for an old memorial in the ancient

Church of St. Illtyd at Llantwit Major. The imaginative mind can easily wander back in retrospect, where generations of illustrious and by-gone worthies have passed away into oblivion. Vestiges of saints even, of Neolithic man, confront you every where; and the long list of prehistoric venerable memorials, with the many ancient relics in stone and bronze tell of occupation in a past that stretches far into the mist of ages, and because of their human associations clothe the grand venerable old fabric with an atmosphere of impressive antiquity. THE CROSS OF ST. ILTUTUS

The Cross- of St. Iltutus was erected by Samson the Abbot of Llanilltyd, who was afterwards Archbishop of Dol in Brittany, in memory of his beloved great teacher and preceptor, St. Illtyd. This memorial cross is probably one of the most ancient and interesting memorials in existence of the Early British Church, and commemorates two, holy illustrious men in Wales-perhaps the most illustrious of that remote period. The stone is about six feet in height and about 30 inches in width. At its summit the socket for the cross-head still remains intact; but the cross- head has evidently vanished ages ago. The design of the cross is an elaborate pattern of ribbons, and bears a Latin inscription within the two small panels which reads thus when translated into English. "Samson placed this cross for the good of his (Illtyd's) soul." On the opposite of the cross are four similar panels, surrounded by knotted ornamental work. On these panels are inscribed the names of Illtyd, Samson, and Samuel, the engraver:. Some authorities assert these crosses were erected in the early part of the sixth century or the latter part of the fifth century. THE CYLINDRICAL STONE Another remarkable stone of much interest to antiquarians formerly stood in the churchyard against the north wall of the Western Church, but it has now been removed and placed inside the Western Church. This stone is cylindrical and singular in form, and very curiously carved and of rare, artistic beauty, and is of very great antiquity; standing about 6ft 6in in height and about 14in in diameter, with a deep groove which runs along the whole length to which the carved designs are adapted to match it. This stone pillar is evidently one of four corner pieces of a quadrangle pedestal or base of a column. A second stone pillar with a similar groove was discovered in a much mutilated condition during some excavations in the year 1896.

Don’t make the same mistake twice. Make it 5 or 6 times just to be sure,

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THE CROSS OF HOWEL AP RHYS. This celebrated monument of much renown is the "Cross of

Houelt" (i.e., Howel Ap Rhys), with a Latin inscription, which reads thus in English: "In the name of the God the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit; Howel Dda raised this cross to be made for the soul of Rhys his father." The letters of this inscription are Anglo Saxon Minuscle, and a well-known archaeologist attributes its date to be in the ninth century. This stone has a singularly carved cross-head. Archaeologically and artistically this is a priceless monument. lolo Morganwg in his MSS. refers to this memorial cross thus: About the year 1730 I am informed that Mr. Thomas Morgan, an old schoolmaster who lived at Llantwit Major, discovered an ancient cross at some old ruinous place at Llantwit, where, according to tradition, a church formerly stood. Mr. Thomas Morgan placed this ancient cross on the ground near the church door, expressing a fervent desire to be buried under it after his death, and I am told his wish was complied with."

I might mention that Howel Ap Rhys was a direct descendant of Morgan Mwynfawr, and the ancestor of Jestyn ap Gwrgan, the last feudal lord of Morganwg or Glamorgan. Some traditions say that Howel Dda, who erected this cross, is said to have proceeded to Rome, in order to get out of the way of Saxon and Welsh struggles and conflict, and another tradition tells us that he married a Roman lady of high degree, and subsequently died in the city of Rome A.D. 950, aged 124 years; but there is no authentic evidence of this old tradition; therefore it cannot be substantiated and accepted as trustworthy. In his Book, vol. ii., Dr. Malkin, M.A., the historian, who made a tour through the Vale 1803-1804, refers to this ancient cross as lying flat before the church door, with part of the circular top broken off and the letters seemingly defaced.

HOWEL THE GOOD-SON OF HOWEL AP RHYS.

According to some ancient traditions, Hywel Dda, or Howel the Good, is buried at Llantwit Major Church. Leland, in his "Latin Collectiana," about 1536, states that Howel the Good who died in A.D. 950, was buried in the Church of St. Illtyd, Llanilltyd Fawr, and part of his tomb stood there at that period. A portion of this old relic is still preserved. It is a very quaintly carved memorial stone, apparently part of an ancient monument, to mark the resting-place of Howel the Good, son of Howel ap Rhys. In 1807 an old historian records the following

Democracy is the name we give to the people whenever we need them.

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In a niche of the Eastern wall of the church are the broken remains of a statue of Howel the Good, the renowned Cambrian legislator and celebrated law maker of Wales. Under the Jeso niche in basso relief is the statue or figure of a woman in a reclining- position leaning her head upon her hands, re- presenting the genius of Wales lamenting and weeping over the loss of her greatest, benefactor. Near this is a smaller figure in a kneeling posture, placed on a niche, under which is a "benitier" or a basin for holy water. The monument truly represents the period when this great legislator re-organised the constitution of his country, thus forming for that age an excellent code of jurisprudence, or the science and knowledge of the laws, customs, and rights of men necessary for the due ad- ministration of justice, made effectual by its publicity, and also confirmed by religious rites. THE SAMSON CROSS OR THE CROSS OF THE SAVIOUR

This remarkable monument is a massive quadrangular stone, 6ft. 6in. in height, three- quarters of a yard broad at its base, and half a yard thick. At the top is a hollow, probably to receive a cross head. An oblong panel nearly occupies the whole front, which contains the Latin inscription almost entirely in Minuscle letters. It reads in English thus: "In the name of the High God, here begins the Cross of the Saviour, which Samson the Abbot prepared for his own soul and the soul of King Ithael and of Artmael the deacon."

This stone pillar is said to be more ancient than the cross of Howel ap Rhys. The style of lettering bears out the dates 843-846, when Juthael and Artmael are known to have been contemporary. This monument is the one so intimately connected with lolo Morganwg. lolo had heard a strange story from a very old man named Richard Punter, an old shoemaker, who lived at Llanmaes, who was probably more intelligent than most of his own social class. He had read history more than many, was something of an antiquary, and had stored his memory with a number of interesting popular traditions. Iolo Morganwg's story runs thus;

In the summer of 1789 I dug out of the ground at Llantwit Major

Churchyard a large monumental stone. It had been the shaft of a cross, and its history provides a remarkable instance of the fidelity of popular tradition. I was then (says Iolo), about twelve or fourteen years of age, and like him (the old shoemaker) naturally very fond of history and antiquities. Richard Punter, the old shoemaker, showed me a spot one day on the east side of the porch of the old Western Church at Llantwit, where he said a large monumental stone lay buried in the ground, with an inscription on it to the memory of two kings. The tradition of the

Calories; (noun) Tiny creatures which live in your wardrobe and sew your clothes a little bit tighter each night.

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the accident which occasioned its exhumation he gave as follows, and it is sufficiently curious to be told. Long ago, before the memory of the oldest persons that he ever knew (and he, Richard Punter, was then about 80 years of age), for their knowledge of the fact was only traditional, there was a young man at Llantwit Major, commonly known and called "Will the Giant." At the age of seventeen he was 7ft. 7in. in height, but, as is usually the case in premature and preternatural growth, he fell into a decline, of which, at that age, he died. He had expressed a wish to be buried near the monumental stone which stood by the porch of the Western Church. His wishes were complied with, and the grave was dug necessarily much larger and longer than graves usually are, so that the end of it extended to the foot of the stone that was fixed in the ground. Just as the corpse had been lowered, into the grave, the monumental, stone gave way, and it fell into the grave, nearly lifting it up. Some of the people standing near had very narrow escapes with their lives; but as the stone was so heavy and large,as not to be easily removed, it was left there, and covered with earth. After I heard this interesting account, I had a great desire to dig for this stone, and many times endeavoured to engage the attention and assistance of several persons, but my idea was always- treated with ridicule. In the year 1789, being at work- in Llantwit- Major Church, and being one day unable to go on with what I had in hand for want of assistance (for it was then the height -of the corn- harvest and not a man was to be found whose time and hands were unoccupied), I employed a great part of one afternoon digging in search of this stone, and having discovered' it, I cleared away all the earth about it. Evening brought the farmers and their work- men home, and Mr. Christopher Wilkins and the late Mr. David Jones (two very respectable gentlemen farmers), on seeing this stone, ordered their men to assist me. We eventually succeeded, with great difficulty in getting it out of the ground, and on it we found' the, following Latin inscription: In Nomini Di Summi incipit crux Salvataris quae preparavit Samsonia pati pro Anima sua et pro anima Juthahelo. Rex et art mali tegam." The- stone must have been buried in the ground before the Continuator of- Camden copied the- inscriptions on St. Iltutus Cross, etc., otherwise- he would certainly have copied1 this also, and the stones placed by Thomas Morgan before the church door, as well as the inscriptions on the stones in the old church, also placed there by Thomas Morgan." More extracts will follow. Ed

If you rest for too long, the weeds take over.

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The Benefice Quiz Night

On Friday 12th February the annual Benefice Quiz Night was held at St Cattwg’s Village Hall – due to unfortunate circumstances the date had to be changed from the usual end of February/1st March – but none the less the evening was well attended and everyone enjoyed the usual supper of soup, followed by tea or coffee and welsh cakes. Whilst eating they could ponder on the 4 small table puzzles each worth 5 points to be added to their totals at the end of the night.

Once all the dishes and plates etc were cleared away the

important part of the evening began – the quiz!! The variety of questions ranged from Outer Space to The Queen, and from Cockney Slang to Famous Fictional Captains and more – there were 100 questions in all (plus the table puzzles) so at the end of the night they calculated the marks from a possible 120. The results were all very close with the winning team all coming from Llanmaes, They received the usual small bunch of daffodils, with the lowest team receiving a leek each (useful for soup??).

The very first Benefice Quiz Night was 24 years ago when

Reverend David Jenkins was Rector, we had just become a benefice of 7 churches and it was thought it a good idea to have a social night not necessarily as a fund raiser but a chance to bring all churches together. The Reverend Dawn Hellard (the curate at the time) was put in charge of organising the event. Jodie took on the role of question setter and question master, also making the cawl and welsh cakes, with Winnie Davies of Monknash making the vegetarian soup…. and it was Dawn who suggested as the theme was St David’s Day the prizes should reflect it – hence the daffodils and leeks!

As the thanks were given out at the end of this year’s quiz, it was

announced that it was the last quiz night organised by Jodie, who after doing it for the past 24 years thinks it is either time for someone else to ‘take it on’ or maybe for the format to be changed. So after such a long time may I thank everyone who over the years has supported it, but more importantly those who have helped setting things up, serving, clearing and washing up on the night – without you it would never have gone on for so long…THANK YOU. Jodie

Many congratulations, Jodie, for a job well done and much appreciated by all. Any offers to take over can be made through the Benefice Office. Ed.

Hurt me with the truth perhaps but don’t comfort me with a lie.

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Mothers’ Union The February meeting of the Mothers’ Union was the Annual

General Meeting where we look back at all the things we have done during the past year before the election of officers for the next year.

Firstly, though, we started with a short Eucharist service led by

one of our members the Reverend Joy Birkin, who then gave us a short talk about her visit to the Holy Land. Refreshed from our teas and coffee we then looked back at a very busy year which started with joining the women from other churches and chapels around Llantwit Major for the Womens’ World Day of Prayer. We have attended the Cathedral for a quiet day and for our Deanery Eucharist, and held a Deanery Festival out in Colwinston. We also joined with the other branches of our Deanery for our Annual Skittles match, and we can proudly say that the winning team came from our branch, For the first time we also joined with the other branches of the Deanery for a trip to Dewstow Gardens and were blessed with wonderful weather.

Our monthly meetings have seen a variety of speakers ranging

from Reverend John Webber talking about tracing his family back a few generations to Bev. Rowley showed us an amazing array of her paintings to name two. In July we said our sad farewells to Wick School where we had held our meetings for many years and then after a summer break we resumed our meetings back in St Illtud’s Church after a break of 38 years – a very momentous night. Due to the ecumenical choir practicing in St lltud’s during November and December we used the opportunity to join with Colwinston, Llandow and Llysworney branch for a lovely night which included a speaker talking about the Physic Garden in Cowbridge. A shame that the weather had not been as good as the refreshments and the company.

At the business side of the night elections were held. Jodie Taylor was re-elected as Branch Leader, Marie Sheppard as Secretary and a new Treasurer Lynda Timms was elected. A very large thank you was given to Barbara Savidge who has retired as the Treasurer, a post she has undertaken to perfection since the 1980’s – well done and thank you Barbara.

At a time when many organisations are struggling, this branch of the Mothers’ Union is doing well. Anyone who is interested in joining us can either come along on the first Wednesday of the month at 7pm or contact Jodie Taylor on 01446 794103.

JT

Kiss me and you may see stars; love me and I will give them to you.

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Welsh Page

Arglwydd, arwain trwy'r anialwch, Fi, bererin gwael ei wedd,

Nad oes ynof nerth na bywyd, Fel yn gorwedd yn y bedd:

Hollalluog Ydyw'r Un a'm cwyd i lan.

Colofn dân rho'r nos i'm harwain,

A rho'r golofn niwl y dydd; Dal fi pan fwy'n teithio'r mannau

Geirwon yn y ffordd y sydd; Rho im Fanna,

Fel na bo im lwfwrhau.

Dyma geiriau wreiddiol yr emyn enwog gan William Williams, Pantycelyn. Mae hi'n fwy boblogaidd nawr, wedi'i gyfieithu a'i chanu i'r emyn dôn

Cwm Rhondda.

(Dwi'n clywed Cwm Rhondda yn y cefndir ar hyn o bryd. Mae'n cael ei ganu ar Faes yr Arfau wrth fod y dorf yn disgwyl i'r gêm rhwng Cymru a'r

Alban dechrau.)

Mae fy mrawd-yng- ngyfraith wedi ysgrifennu erthygl ar gyfer ei gychgrawn plwy' e' am ei gofion o ganu'r emyn yn Saesneg. Mae rhan o'r

erthygl wedi ei hysgrifennu yma.

Of course, the (translation of the above) hymn means a great deal more than sporting memories and the like. It is a stirring prayer to the Lord for sustenance in life's journey (bread of life – bread of heaven), safe keeping and eventual passage to the afterlife. We regard bread as a staple of life, as indeed God is our true and living bread, our strength and shield, our strong deliverer. As a chorister at St Mark's Church Bromley Kent I find the final words of the hymn very fitting - “songs of praises, I will ever give to Thee”.

Eleanor

Rules are made for people who aren’t willing to make up their own,

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Food Bank Thank you every one who has been supporting our collections for

the Food Bank. I thought it might be a good idea to bring you up-to date with how everything is run as some people have questions about it all.

First and foremost it is a Christian response to help local people who, for whatever reason, require help and most importantly support when events overtake them and they have very few other options left but to seek the food bank's help.

We need to make it clear that is this is not a one-stop feeding station where people can stretch their very limited budgets by relying on the bank to supply them with food for a long term. People who do need help are often referred to the bank from one of the many agencies such as the Citizens Advice Bureau etc. They issue the person seeking help with a voucher which they can then take to a food bank. They are only able to get three of these voucher in three months. The idea is not to make the people solely reliant on the bank for food but to tide them over while they seek proper help and aid from the agencies.

The Food Bank is a place to go for support in hard times with a

friendly chat over a cup of tea etc while the bank can advise them on what help is available and where to go to get it. If the records show that the person is not seeking proper help then the Food Bank will stop supplying items until the person does go for help.

The latest thing happening locally, is that the bank is in a process

of opening at the Gathering Place in St. Athan. This will be opening on a Tuesday and so complete the week enabling one bank somewhere to be open every week day in our area.

The main depot is in Coastlands in Barry with a smaller depot in

the Bethel in Llantwit Major that will supply the needs for St. Athan and other local banks in and around the area.

Please do continue to support this very vital effort and maybe one

day they will no longer be needed but we fear that is still a long way off. Our potential opening date will be Tuesday 22nd March with Jane Hutt

and our Councillors in attendance. Bill Henderson

Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.

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The New Shop @ St. Illtud's that never closes!

Find your needs for Celtic Christianity here.

Cards, Jewellery, Crosses, Angels, Celtic books, post cards, fridge magnets, tea

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SAINT JOHN’S PASSION Saint Donat’s Chorale’s Easter Concert

All Saints’ Church Barry Saturday 19th March, 2016. 7.30pm

St Donat’s Chorale are taking on their biggest challenge yet after performing the Messiah two years ago. They will be singing the English version of Bach’s St John’s Passion at All Saints’ Church Barry, with a 10-piece orchestra and specialist soloists.

The choir has an excellent reputation both in the UK and abroad, performing major works, including Messiah, Creation, Vivaldi's Gloria and the Fauré Requiem, but it also has a wide repertoire of smaller pieces from folksongs and madrigals all the way through to musicals, which many of you will remember from our concert last Autumn.

We believe this will be the only performance of this major work in South Wales this Easter so take the opportunity to experience this choral story sung live.

Tickets are £12.00 with concessions at £10.00 for the main nave and £10.00 and £8.00 for the side aisles. Concessions are for those over 60 and anybody in full time education, and can be bought directly from All Saints Church via Musical Director James Bull, or in advance from our own website: www.st.donats.org.com, or locally at Nickleby’s Book Shop or on the night at All Saints Church.

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Appts: Clinic & Home Visits Unit 4, Commercial House Commercial Street, Llantwit Major

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Flowers for all Occasions

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2, Barons Close Telephone

East Street 01446 -

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18

News from St Athan The toddlers have been having lots of fun this month learning

different stories from the Bible. They heard about Jesus calming the storm and made little boats. They've heard the story of Jesus healing Bartimaeus, or blind Bart, and made telescopes to help them see. They've also learned about how God loves them all. Of course with all that hard work we've also had lots of time to play, eat cake as we've celebrated some birthdays, and sing some songs.

You may hear the church bell going at half past 1 on

Wednesday afternoons as we start our church, and then we all go home at 3 in time to pick up siblings from school. Any pre-school age children are welcome with their carers.

London Marathon update: Thank you to everyone who has shown their support as Rachel and Steve prepare to run the London Marathon in April. Training is going well, at the time of writing we had got up to 10 miles, and we'll be running the Cardiff Half Marathon this month in preparation. If you'd like to

support us financially as we raise money for the Lullaby Trust, you can either donate online through Virgin Money Giving, and there are sponsorship forms at the back of each church. We are over halfway to our £5,000 target and very grateful for all donations.

RS

Most people are as happy as they make up their minds to be.

19

Love is like measles; we all have to go through it.

Gifts There are all kinds of gifts. They might be generous, polite or even

thoughtful gifts. There are extravagant gifts, surprise gifts, expected or perhaps wished-for gifts. There are etiquette gifts, thank-you gifts, thinking-of-you returnable gifts and “just because” gifts. There are romantic gifts, commemorative gifts, collector gifts and homemade gifts. And there are also necessary gifts. Most gifts, in some way, are extra, optional; they can be refused, set aside, or forgotten about without much detriment…except perhaps to your relationship to the giver. But there are some gifts which are vital, required even. The Bible speaks of sleep as a gift. A quick search on Amazon didn’t reveal sleep as an item on anyone’s wish-list. In fact, it doesn’t even look like you can buy sleep on Amazon…or on eBay…or at Tesco. Even Costco doesn’t seem to stock any sleep. I’ve realized that, for all our ability to control our environments and our actions, we actually can’t make ourselves rest. There are times when I find myself in excellent circumstances for resting–no obligations on my time, plenty of physical comfort, little stress…and yet, I still cannot seem to rest. I’ve come across nights where my body is tired, my mind isn’t racing, and yet still I cannot fall asleep.

For all of my skill at managing life, for all of my learned habits to exert control, sleep and rest are something that we cannot actually manufacture for ourselves. We cannot force them. We cannot create them. They must be given. As a gift. And they are necessary. I’m not sure what the etiquette books say, but I expect that asking for a gift is usually considered a cultural no-no. Such a request would likely come across as rude, greedy, selfish, or as implying that your intended giver wasn’t naturally very generous, or thoughtful, or caring. But I find myself asking for rest, asking for sleep, because I need them.

The Bible talks about other gifts as well, and God is identified as the giver of good gifts. Some gifts are optional, blessings that aren’t actually needed (Psalm 127:3). But others are crucial, like salvation, God’s Word, the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit and faith. Will God find me rude, demanding, or infantile if I ask for these things?

If He gives them, will I receive them, hang on to them, enjoy them, cherish them? Or will I set them aside, or even try to return them? What’s my role in the acquisition of a necessary gift? And what do I do with it once I get it? And how do I respond to the One who gave it?

Allen Hamlyn

20

Words and a Grumpy Old Man

I love words; they fascinate me. How two words which have nearly the same meaning can convey a subtle distinction. When writing I often spend some time trying to find the exact word to express the precise meaning I am after. Roget's Thesaurus is invaluable! Unfortunately I have this dinosaur streak in me which overlooks the fact that languages are "living" things in the sense that they change with time; that they evolve. If you don't know what I mean, try reading Chaucer. The English of the 14th century is almost incomprehensible to us now. I seem to expect English to remain immutably stuck as at present. For example, the word "presently" used to mean, and still does for me, "in a little while" whereas in modern practice it means "now".

There are others of course but I have to be careful as I was once caught out very badly. I was reading an American publication and came across the word "normalcy" and thought "What a dreadful word. Why couldn't they use the correct word "normality"? Luckily, before I made a complete fool of myself, I had access to an etymological dictionary and found that "normalcy" was the older word! English had moved on to a different word where American had retained the original. Whoops! The French have this same attitude but even more so. The Academie Francaise, which tries to regulate the use of the French language has fought a losing battle against imported words. They are stuck with le camping, le weekend, le golf and so on, however hard they try. Their definitive dictionary, I believe, contains 250,000 words where the full Oxford English Dictionary has 500.000. Yet we still have the saying "The French have a word for it" implying that if you want to convey a subtle shade of meaning, French is a more delicate vehicle for this purpose. While I am about it, I might mention pronunciations. How do you pronounce millimetre? to rhyme with "meeter" no doubt, How about "centimetre"? The same? So why is there this fashion of saying "kilometre" to rhyme with "mitter"? I expressed this opinion to my niece who is rather good at languages (shorthand in French, German and English!) and she pointed out to me how we pronounce "thermometer and speedometer". Whoops again.

Happiness can be found in the darkest of times, if only one remembers to turn on the light.

21

I suppose the person partly to blame for this attitude of mine was my old Chemistry teacher who insisted that we pupils should be consistent in our use of words derived from Latin or from Greek and use one or the other but not to mix them. In Chemistry, when talking about valencies you might say "Univalent, bivalent, tervalent or quadrivalent" all from the Latin. Or you might say "Monovalent, divalent, trivalent or tetravalent" from the Greek. But woe betide you if you mingled them. I have problems in understanding many of the words used by youngsters these days. I got used to the word “well” being used as an adjective. For example “well hard” might mean “very brave”. But only last week I learned that if a teenager describes something as "sick" it is a compliment! Oh dear, I think I'd better give up now and accept that languages move on, especially English. No wonder it is the most widely accepted language in the world. But before I leave this hobby horse I might as well mention another of my opinions which is counter to the accepted one. I believe that English actually is a simple language so far as grammar and syntax are concerned. Did you learn French at school? Think of all the irregular verbs you had to learn and then think of English. I run, you run, they run. I walk, you walk, they walk and so on. Could it be simpler? We don’t even have genders as in French, German and many other languages. In French everything is either masculine or feminine even inanimate objects. In English it is not incorrect to refer to anything as “it” with the sole exception of human beings. I have a theory for all this. We were Anglo-Saxons until the Norman conquest of 1066 when the language spoken at court by the clever people became French and it was left to the uneducated masses to continue with the development of English. So, not unnaturally, the grammar was simplified. Unfortunately what did become complicated in English was the spelling and that perhaps is what is referred to in the “difficulty” of English. The clincher for me is that if it was such a difficult language to learn, how is it that it is the most widely used second language? I rest my case!

ES

It was never loving that emptied the heart nor giving that emptied the wallet.

22

Step out of your comfort zone, then applaud yourself for your bravery.

Puzzle Page

Solution to No 35

Crossword No 36

Miniquiz. (Answers Below)

1 2 3

4 5 6

7 8 9 10

11

12

13 14

15

16 17 18 19

20 21

22 23

Across. 4. Corrosive. 5. Impoverished. 7. Card game. 10. Part. 11. Chastise. 12. Not nice. 14. In tens. 15 A Star. 16. Touch. 20. List. 21. Slumberer. 22. Girl. 23. Clever.

Down 1.Plant. 2. View. 3. In Name. 4. Distant. 6. Repeat aloud. 8. For footwear. 9. Aids. 10. Punishment. 13. Herb. 14. Die. 17. Vigilant. 18. Lukewarm. 19. Refute.

Dingbats We started you on Dingbats last

month and gave you an example: 22222DAY

Answer – Tuesday.

This Month’s.

1. ECILA 2. IDEA AN 3. OTSQ1

4. MIGRAINE 5. NOONT

Answers

1. What does GIGO stand for in computing? 2. Only one planet is named after a Greek god rather than a Roman one. Which? 3. Who played the title role in Kavanagh QC? 4. Which engineer coined the term “horsepower”? 5. Which fabric is the 2nd wedding anniversary gift?

ANSWERS

23

Humour

One week, George went to watch his favourite football team play an important cup match. He was surprised to see that the seat next to him was empty. He spoke to the man in the seat beyond about it and the man said, “It was my wife’s, but she died. “ “Oh”, said George, “I’m sorry to hear that. Couldn’t one of your friends come instead?” The man replied, “Beats me too, but they all insisted on going to the funeral.”

********* A clergyman died and went to heaven but was rather miffed to

find that he had been given a lower place than a taxi driver of his acquaintance. “I don’t understand,” he complained to St Peter, “I devoted my entire life to my congregation and this man gets a better place than I do?” St Peter explained, ” The policy here is to reward results. What happened when you preached to your congregation? Did they always stay awake?” “Well, I suppose some of them occasionally fell asleep.” “Well there you are then,” replied St Peter, when people travelled in this man’s taxi, they not only stayed awake, they prayed.”

********* Jamie and Ian were Scottish golfers who had just finished playing a round on a winter’s morning and were sitting in front of the clubhouse fire thawing out. The ice on their beards slowly melted and feeling restored to their fingers as puddles of water collected under their chairs. The wind whistled outside and rain bounced off the steps in front of the door. They sipped their single malts quietly as feeling returned to their fingers and toes. After a while Jamie said, “Same time next week then?” “Aye,” said Ian, “weather permitting.”

The only disability in life is a bad attitude.

Will you read us “Little Women” again?

Oh do stop grizzling

Winifred

I was going to thank you Gladys, but then yours is

a thankless task.

24

Remember: the tide turns at low water as well as high water.

From the Registers The Blessing of a Civil Marriage 24 Jan. William Edward & Carole Ann Henderson Burials 21 Jan. Carl Pembrey Smith aged 54 years, St. Athan 22 Jan. David John Jones aged 86 years, St. Athan 28 Jan. Godfrey Joseph Morgan aged 82 years, Llantwit Major 18 Feb. Robert James Clarke aged 91 years, Llantwit Major 19 Feb. Rodham Arthur Ernest Waters aged 83 years, Llantwit Major

Saints Days in Wales 1st David, Patron Saint of Wales.

5th Non, Mother of David of Wales

7th Perpetua, Felicity and their Companions, Martyrs

17th Patrick, Bishop and Patron Saint of Ireland

18th Cyril of Jerusalem, Bishop

19th Joseph of Nazareth

21st Thomas Cranmer, Hugh Latimer, Nicholas Ridley, Robert Ferrar,

Bishops, Teachers and Martyrs

24th Oscar Romero, Bishop & Martyr

25th The Annunciation of our Lord to the Blessed Virgin Mary

29th Woolos, King (Can be celebrated during the week after Easter)

25

Joseph of Nazareth Joseph is something of a mystery figure in the Bible. Mention of him appears only in two books, the Gospels according to Matthew and to Luke. In order to conform to Jewish tradition, they each trace Joseph’s lineage from David but from different sons of David.There is also the difficulty of reconciling his position as Mary’s husband with the teaching that God is Jesus’ Father. Nevertheless, Joseph is venerated in the Christian Church and it is clear that he had a significant part to play in Jesus’ upbringing and early life. Following the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, Joseph and family stayed in Bethlehem until after the visit of the Magi or Wise Men when an angel came to Joseph in a dream telling him to escape to Egypt to avoid the massacre of the children ordered by King Herod. After Herod’s death, an Angel told Joseph to go back to Israel, and the family went to Nazareth in Galilee and they settled there. Joseph is described as a carpenter by trade although the Greek word used is “Tekton” which translates as a more general artisan who might work in wood, iron or stone. However, tradition has it that he was a carpenter and early writings describe Jesus as having made yokes and ploughs.

It might seem strange that Joseph does not receive more attention in the Bible. He is not mentioned as being present at the wedding in Canaan where Jesus performed the first recorded miracle when he turned water into wine. While Jesus is referred to as “the carpenter’s son” Joseph almost seems to have left the scene and it is curious that after Jesus has been crucified, it is not Joseph, his “father” who takes charge of the body, as Jewish custom would have it, but Joseph of Arimathea. Perhaps he has died and this would fit the tradition that Mary, his mother, was a widow during his ministry.

ES

Life isn’t measured by the number of breaths you take but by the number of moments that take your breath away.

The Meaning of Easter

The facts of Easter are easily told. Jesus with His followers, the disciples, came to Jerusalem and started to preach. The Jewish

authorities saw Him as a threat to their power and sought to eliminate Him. They bribed Judas to betray Him and this he did. The Roman Governor recognised that whatever he did would be wrong and took the easy way out by allowing the Jews to deal with Him. Jesus was first humiliated, tortured and then crucified on a cross - the Roman barbaric and agonising method of execution. Many common criminals

received the same fate, indeed two were executed at the same time as Jesus but this occasion was significantly different. Jesus died and was buried. The Disciples thought that their mission had failed

but they were astonished when Jesus appeared amongst them three days later, alive and well. He continued to teach them and prepare them for their ministry, which was to spread His word to all peoples, Jews and Gentiles alike. This, then, is the great significance of Easter, the most important Festival in the

Christian calendar. Jesus knew from the outset that he was going to die. He also knew what the manner of his death was going to be and did not shrink from doing what God, His Father, wanted him to do. He could so easily have avoided all the pain and suffering. This was God's sacrifice that He allowed his only son to die in order that we, mankind, might come to Him.

We celebrate Jesus' life, His death and His resurrection.

Tact: getting your point across without stabbing anyone.

26

A fanatic is one who can’t change his mind and won’t change the subject.

27

Benefice Directory

Rector

Team Vicar Reverend Anthony Beer 01656-895068 Baptisms The Vicarage Day off - Wednesday

Trepit Road except 3rd week of Wick CF71 7QL month - Thursday

wickvic004@icloud.com Curate Reverend Rachel Simpson 01446-751241 1, Rectory Drive, St Athan Day off - Friday CF62 4PD rachelvsimpson@hotmail.co.uk

Reader Daphne Townsend 01446-711204 d.townsend812@outlook.com Day off - Friday Reader Sue Moll 01446-719445 Pastoral Care suemoll@btinternet.com Reader Keith Brown 01446-793804 Pew News keithbrown@thestudy.fsnet.co.uk Reader Jude Peters jude.peters@gmail.com Parish Office Alison Weston 01446 792439 Open 9 am Parish Administrator to 3 pm St. Illtud's Church, Mon - Fri Church Street, Llantwit Major. CF61 1SB rblm2013@gmail.com Website http://www.llanilltud.org.uk/ School Mrs Ceri Thomas Wick & Marcross Church in Wales 01656-890253 Primary School

Church Street Wick CF71 7QE

MARCH 2016 FINAL

6th Mothering

Sunday {V}

13th Lent 5

{V}

20th Palm Sunday

{R}

27th Easter Day

{W}

St Illtud 8.15

Eucharist AB

Eucharist JB

Eucharist PM

Eucharist DGB

Gileston 9.00

Morning Prayer RS

Eucharist RS

Morning Prayer RS

Eucharist RS

Marcross 9.30

Eucharist JB

Combined Service at Monknash

Morning Prayer KB

Combined Service at Monknash

Monknash 9.30

Combined Service at Marcross

Eucharist AB

Combined Service at Marcross

Eucharist PM

St Illtud 10.00

Family Eucharist

AB

Eucharist (Archdeacon)

Palm Procession &

Eucharist PM

Eucharist & Baptism

AB

Llanmihangel 10.00

Combined Service at Llanmaes

Combined Service at Llanmaes

Combined Service at Llanmaes

Eucharist JB

St Tathan 10.30

Family Celebration

RS

Eucharist RS

Family Eucharist

RS

Eucharist RS

Wick 10.45

Morning Prayer KB

Eucharist AB

Early morning Eucharist

(see below)

Eucharist PM

Llanmaes 11.00

Eucharist MW

Eucharist PL/SM

Morning Prayer SM

Eucharist HC

St Donat 11.15

Eucharist PL

Prayer & Praise KB

Eucharist AB

Eucharist KB/PL

St Illtud 18.00

NO SERVICE Sunday@4 only (see below)

Eucharist RS

Eucharist AB

OTHER 16:00 St. Illtud’s

Sunday@4

8:30 Wick Eucharist AB 16:00 Wick

Sunday Break AB

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