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PENTECOST GREETINGS May 31st 2020
I have recently come across a book I must have ordered and since overlooked Stations of the Resurrection. The writer uses pictures he has selected (although he says you could use the set of posters we sometimes use), plus his reflections and prayers, in order to help churches to sustain the importance of the Fifty Days of Easter. Some of you will feel that we have hardly had an Easter at all - all part of our ‘unreal’ lives. Pentecost marks the last day of Eastertide so it is easy to feel that life is passing us by. I try not to dwell on what I have missed and indeed am still missing, but concentrate on what I can do, and so I shall be trying to keep vigil in preparation for, and celebrate with joy, the Feast of Pentecost, and so to pray all the harder for God’s Holy Spirit to fan the flame of Faith that took a vital step at my Baptism. I hope that you can do the same. There are prayers and reflections on the website to help you mark the Feast. The Disciples, i.e. the eleven plus Mary and some of the women from Galilee, must have been at a low ebb in the period after Christ’s departure and the coming of the Spirit. They were gathered together and united in prayer, despite the sadness of the physical departure of the Risen Christ. They were just getting used to his sudden appearances when they were left bereft and puzzled as to what would happen next. Christ’s promise of a Spirit to come to them, raised more questions than it answered, and there was still an element of fear that they might be rounded up and put to death. In the face of all that, it is impressive that they stayed together, supporting each other in prayer and shared living and that it was as a community of faith that the Spirit was given. At present we are dispersed and not able to worship together, though our Bishop has asked one priest to look at the logistics of how the church could manage a gradual return. We know there is light at the end of the tunnel - we just don’t know how long the tunnel is, but it is getting shorter - even in Wales! Please look at the new items on the church website that is also our newsletter. The photographs of the Easter Garden show how carefully Kirstie has been looking after it, as well as shopping for elderly neighbours and making green recycling bags available from the Hall path and feeding the birds in the Community Garden! Cheryl’s brain is whirring away making sure we are still in the black with our frightening bills, and helping Kate with a report for the Diocese on the financial state of the parish. Yvonne, Jayne and Kate see to all the posting out for those without the Internet, & Kirstie is now hand-delivering to those near her. Ian is flat out (I don’t mean on the floor) getting together a grand plan for any gradual return to the gardens for volunteers and visitors. Rachel is posting material on Facebook and taking enquiries about the Hall. Tricia is editing my wonderful photos of the garden. Paul is uploading material I send on to the website in between working at home and taking his turn to look after Luke - so that Sarah can do her stint of working at home! Lyndsey is supplying material for the Sunday School; Mark has managed to get me using WhatsApp on a spare smart phone! Jackie and myself are sat in front of our own computer screens preparing grant applications when we would prefer to be in our swimming pools! Ross & Co making cakes and delivering to the elderly (I am 69 and very fond of Welshcakes), Rosie is lone working away in the Garden - it must be very lonely for her but she gets on with it. Bethan’s sewing machine has whirred so much making facemasks that Jack has to retreat to the garden. Jayne, Jill Grey, Margaret Smith, Yvonne & Kate have taken on the ministry of phoning parishioners to keep the lines open! Other parishioners have offered to help collect from the pharmacy or do shopping - PLEASE LET ME KNOW if you need help. Just look how this church works as a team! It does make me feel proud to be part of this parish. I also send my thanks to everyone who has responded to my letter some weeks ago about our financial position, & have sent cheques to Kate in lieu of their regular giving, or signed up to Gift Direct. The money received helps a great deal towards our bills for insurance, telephone, gas and electricity and in meeting our monthly commitment to the Parish Share. A reminder to the ways in which you can help us at this time:
I give thanks for your kind remarks that my efforts via the media that is open to us is helping, and for your prayers as I try to still be your parish priest in these strange circumstances. Fr Colin |
Photo of the Week
"Rosie was trying to work in the mini orchard but someone kept asking when he could pick the apples for tea!"
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An appeal from Father Colin
Can anyone out there tell me how to or offer to upload on our Facebook and/or Twitter pages. They are both full of good material uploaded by our former administrator Suzie, but they stop at the point she left! Take a look at what is there by clicking at the bottom of the homepage on the Church web site. HELP HELP HELP!
I can give you the material on a weekly basis....……...
Can anyone out there tell me how to or offer to upload on our Facebook and/or Twitter pages. They are both full of good material uploaded by our former administrator Suzie, but they stop at the point she left! Take a look at what is there by clicking at the bottom of the homepage on the Church web site. HELP HELP HELP!
I can give you the material on a weekly basis....……...
Gospel, reflections and prayers for the Day of Pentecost can be found on the Worship page.
For those with children, some prayers can be found on the For Children - Prayers page.
There is also a new Spritual Communion page, which can be found under Worship.
You may also wish to sign up to Llandaff Matters - a weekly round up of news, events and faith stories from around the Diocese.
For those with children, some prayers can be found on the For Children - Prayers page.
There is also a new Spritual Communion page, which can be found under Worship.
You may also wish to sign up to Llandaff Matters - a weekly round up of news, events and faith stories from around the Diocese.
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For all Parish Matters contact -
Incumbent: Fr Colin Sutton Address: St Peter's Vicarage, 211 St Fagans Road, Fairwater, CARDIFF, CF5 3DW Phone: 029 2056 2551 Email: frcolinsutton@gmail.com |
Find us on:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/StPetersComm
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