Maelor Mission Area Magazine - April 2020 - St Mary-the-Virgin, Overton
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Maelor Mission
Area Magazine
Inside this issue:
Puzzles to keep you busy
Information to keep you healthy April 2020
Resources to help you keep worshiping and praying 75p per issue
Rev’d Canon Sue Huyton
Rector of Bangor on Dee Group of Parishes & Mission Area Leader
The Rectory, 8 Ludlow Road
Bangor-On-Dee
Wrexham. LL13 0JG. Tel 01978 780608
SUEHUYTON@aol.com
Rev’d Peter Mackriell
Rector of Overton and Erbistock
07795 972325
The Rectory, 4 Sundorne, Overton,
Wrexham. LL13 0EB Tel. 01978 710294
revpeter@maelormissionarea.uk
Rev’d Clive Hughes
Vicar of the Hanmer Group of Parishes
The Vicarage, Hanmer, Whitchurch,
Shropshire. SY13 3DE. Tel 01948 830468
clivehughes54@gmail.com
MMA Lay Chair: Mr. David Williams, davidhwllms@aol.com
Magazine Editor: David Huyton, maelormamag@gmail.com
The Maelor Churches are part of the Maelor Mission Area. This magazine has
been published by volunteers for well over a century. During that time it has
served various groupings of churches. We hope you find it informative, useful,
and interesting. You are welcome to respond to any item. Please hand any such
contribution to your Vicar.
St Dunawd, Bangor on Dee. St Deiniol, Eyton
St Deiniol, Worthenbury St Deiniol and St Marcella, Marchwiel
St Mary the Virgin, Overton St Hilary, Erbistock
St Chad, Hanmer St John the Baptist, Bettisfield
Holy Trinity, Bronington St Mary Magdalene, Penley
Service Rotas For April
As you will read elsewhere in this magazine, all services in Church in
Wales Churches have been Cancelled until further notice due to the Covid
-19 pandemic.
We do, however, need to maintain our worship and prayer throughout
this worrying time. Included in this magazine are some resources to help
us pray together, even if we can’t meet together.
I pray you will all stay safe and well.
God Bless.
David Huyton (Editor)
The BBC Director General has just (18/3/2020) issued the following as
part of a press release. The BBC will be
• Launching a virtual church service on Sunday mornings across local
radio in England, led initially by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
• Subject to outside broadcast capacity and our partners, we will aim to
broadcast a weekly Sunday morning church service on BBC One, and
explore how to support other religions and denominations, including
in the run-up to Ramadan.
• We will work with partners to get older age group exercise routines
and other fitness programming into people's homes on TV or radio.
• We will retarget the BBC Food website around collections of recipes
and advice on what can be made with essentials, especially for older
people, and for low-income families.
Things are moving very fast, so the information in this magazine is subject
to change, however, every effort has been made to ensure it is correct at
time of going to press (19/3/2020).
I have included extra puzzles this month to keep you entertained. Hope
you enjoy them. (David)
Mission Area News Dear Friends, The magazine was ready to go to the printer when the news came through that we were being urged to practice social distancing and, for over 70s, self isolation. Then the next day the Bishops told us not to have services or groups of any kind. I know we must all be very sad about that. I had to ring wedding couples to tell them that their wedding could not go ahead except in urgent need and with only 10 people present. That must have been even worse, even if some were half expecting it. Of course, we face particular difficulties in that our membership is predominantly older. This means that the very church members who will want to put their faith into practice will be the ones being urged to limit outside activity. On the issue of finance, along with businesses around us, we face difficulty in raising money without regular fundraising events. We do not all have reserves on which to fall back. But we can still worship: we can go to the church building where it is unlikely to be crowded or worship at home. I have produced a leaflet for my churches with prayers for use in the building or at home. The internet, radio and television provide services for us to hear and join in with. I am also planning to give all on our Roll a copy of the morning prayer service and a set of reading sheets so that we can sit down on a Sunday morning at a given time and know that all our fellow members of the congregation are with us in spirit. I suggest we all do it at 10.30. I go to assorted meetings for Mission Area Leaders, and always come away a little downcast. It always sounds as if other Mission Areas are
doing amazing things. But the ones that are, seem to be in a very different situation to ours. They are usually gathered round a particular town or well-defined area. What they do does not easily translate to our situation, geographical or social. However, that is the beauty of Mission Areas. We can find our own way of doing and being, a way that works for us. I should not be as downcast as all that. So we are hoping to do something on May 31st as long as the situation improves. Obviously we are at the mercy of events.. We will be inviting all our Church Committees and Licensed and Commissioned Ministers and anyone who takes on a particular role in their church or would like to, to a Vision Event. There will be a short act of worship at 10am followed by a chance to get together with those from other churches to imagine how we could work better together. Archdeacon John has agreed to come and facilitate this. It will close with a shared lunch (or if Coronavirus is still an issue, bring a picnic) and close at about 2pm. If transport is difficult, ask for a lift. It will probably be in Penley. Further details to come. YOUR MISSION AREA NEEDS YOU! The Lent Course Across the Mission Area 37 Lent books were purchased, some of them shared. So at least 40 people will have been taking part, including about 10 from the Methodist Church in Overton. It has been one way to deepen our faith and to unite across our churches. Some people were even brave enough to go to a meeting in a different group! We have had to draw this to a close but will pick it up again later. Sue
Bangor Group of Parishes Dear Friends, Let’s think about Maundy Thursday. Why is it called Maundy Thursday? The word ‘Maundy’ is derived from the Latin word ‘mandatum’. This means commandment. On this day Jesus gave us two commandments: “Do this in remembrance of me” (i.e. share in the sacrament of his Body and Blood, which we are very good at doing regularly) and “Love one another as I have loved you.” Perhaps we are none of us very good at that. Amidst the gathering darkness of Holy Week here on this day is a flash of brightness that has illumined the church for centuries in its witness and service. That’s why we sing the Gloria on this day, before we strip the altars of their paraphernalia and, in silence, leave the church dark and empty, symbolising the abandonment of Jesus into the hands of his enemies. Some churches celebrate an agape meal, and many wash feet as part of the act of worship as a symbolic act of service. Last year the Archbishop of Wales was out on the streets polishing shoes as a modern-day equivalent! That would be closer to the original purpose, I suppose. One liturgy I found puts it like this: “Tonight we begin the Great Three Days of our Lord’s passion, death and resurrection, the journey from the supper table to the cross, from the cross to Easter dawn. We are followers in his way, exploring his truth, encountering his life. This is the night when Christ the Lamb of God gave himself into the hands of those who would betray him. This is the night when Christ gathered with his disciples in the upper room. This is the night when Christ our Lord gave us this holy feast, that as we break the bread and drink of the cup we may here proclaim his holy sacrifice, and come at the last to his table in heaven. This is the night when Christ took a towel and washed the disciples’ feet, showing us how to honour and serve one another in love. This is the night for watching and prayer. We give ourselves freely to the demands of these great days, confident that those who die in Christ will surely live with him.”
I could not have put it better myself.
We cant meet together this year, but we can still meditate on the meaning
of the day.
Every church should also be having its Annual Meeting/Easter Vestry this
month. We await instruction as to what needs to happen, but clearly we
cannot meet together at present. Further information to follow when it is
available.
Readings
I have distributed Reading sheets for all the Sundays till the end of May
but you might want readings for
Maundy Thursday : Exodus chapter 12 verses 1-14 , 1 Corinthians 11
verses 23-26 and John 13 verses 1-17 and 31b-35
And Good Friday Isaiah 52 verse 13 to 53 verse 12, Hebrews 10 verses 16-
25 and John 18 verse 1 to 19 verse 42
Sue
St Dunawd’s, Bangor on Dee
Even though we are currently locked down, we can still plan
for the future, so here are some dates for your Diary:
Here’s hoping...
June 5 Concert with the Sons of Glyndwr Choir & Ann Atkinson
June 6 MU Coffee Morning
July 5 Strawberry Tea
July 18 Sports field Day Bangor- we will be taking part
Sept 12-20 Art Exhibition
Sept 19 Gift Day
Oct 24 Wine and Puddings Evening.
Nov 7 Church Coffee Morning
NB April Coffee Morning for the Cubs and Beavers is CANCELLED
St Deiniol’s, Worthenbury
Don’t……STOP THE CLOCK
Our church clock has its annual maintenance but also now needs some TLC
to keep it running for the future. To enable it to self wind it needs some
parts – these are called trains. One train will keep it ticking, another train
will keep it striking and a third regulator will adjust times accordingly from
summer and winter. Our locals who currently perform these tasks are
finding it more difficult to climb the narrow steps up to the top , then haul
the weights to wind the clock every week.
WE WILL BE SETTING UP FUNDRAISING SPECIFICALLY TO
COVER SOME OF THE COSTS as Each train is £2,800 plus vat
MARCH COFFEE MORNING
Our coffee morning on 7th March had a great turnout with around 30
villagers helping raise £220 .00 by buying cakes, cards, books and raffle
tickets.
Many thanks to all who contributed and/or supported.
Catherine
St Deiniol & St Marcella, Marchwiel
Locking the Church
6th M Stratton 13th C Jones 20th N Jacks 27th H Coulson
First of all many thanks to our chefs and their runners for all their hard work
at our annual Shrove Tuesday pancake coffee morning. It was a total success
and along with the raffle cakes and donations we made £185. It was a great
community event where everyone enjoyed themselves. Well done !
Nothing else is likely to be happening in April nor possibly May. God bless,
and stay safe and well.
Joyce Jacks
St. Deiniol’s, Eyton
Where does the time go to, we're nearly a quarter way through the year and
I've not got over Christmas yet !!!
At our last committee meeting we said thank you and farewell to Tony
Capstick as our former treasurer and welcomed Simon Eyee who has taken
over with immediate effect.
After a fund raising meeting at Mrs Mary Woolley’s at the end of February
it was decided on the following events: Hopefully Covid-19 will be over and
done with by the summer so we will resume the following programme as
soon as possible.
• July 18th. Strawberry Tea
• August 21st Hog Roast. ( Time to be arranged )
• We are hoping Dr David Child will come and give a talk to us at some
point in the year and also we are
planning to (hopefully) have
another car treasure hunt as last
year's was such good fun.......No
pressure there then Beci !!!!!!
• Dec.5th Coffee and mince pies
in church 10-12
More information on all events to
follow.
And finally, we'd like to ask you to
remember in your prayers Keith
Gardener who is poorly in hospital
and his wife Rhiannon who spends
nearly all her time at his side. Thank
you.
Do
Look after your mental health too...
Here are some tips issued by Cheshire East Council that we hope will help you,
your friends and your family to look after your mental health at a time when
there is much discussion of potential threats to our physical health.
• The near constant stream of news reports about the outbreak can cause
anyone to feel anxious or distressed so try to minimise watching, reading or
listening to news by only seeking updates at one or two specific times during
the day. Facts can help minimise fears so only get your information from
trusted sources and mainly to take practical steps to prepare your plans and
protect yourself and loved ones. Look for positive and hopeful stories and
positive images of local people who have experienced COVID-19.
• Try to stay connected - At times of stress, we work better in company and
with support. Try and keep in touch with your friends and family, by
telephone, email or social media. Protect yourself and be supportive to
others. Assisting others in their time of need can benefit the person giving
the help as well as the person receiving support.
• Try to anticipate distress - It is OK to feel vulnerable and overwhelmed as we
read news about the outbreak, especially if you have experienced trauma or a
mental health problem in the past, or if you have a long-term physical health
condition that makes you more vulnerable to the effects of the coronavirus.
It’s important to acknowledge these feelings and remind each other to look
after our physical and mental health. Try and reassure people you know who
may be worried and check in with people who you know are living alone.
• Try not to make assumptions - Don’t judge people and avoid jumping to
conclusions about who is responsible for the spread of the disease. The
Coronavirus can affect anyone, regardless of gender, ethnicity or sex.
• Maintain routines in daily life as much as possible - At times like these, it
can be easy to fall into unhealthy patterns of behaviour which in turn can
make you feel worse. During times of stress, pay attention to your own needs
and feelings. Engage in healthy activities that you enjoy and find relaxing.
This might include reading, cooking, listening to the radio or watching
TV programmes or movies.
Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals, drink enough water, exercise
regularly, and try to avoid smoking, alcohol and drugs
Exercise if and when you can, but stay more than 2m away from others if
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Nail Care, Ingrown and Fungal NailsLockdown Yes there is fear. Yes there is isolation. Yes there is panic buying. Yes there is sickness. Yes there is even death. But, They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise You can hear the birds again. They say that after just a few weeks of quiet The sky is no longer thick with fumes But blue and grey and clear. They say that in the streets of Assisi People are singing to each other across the empty squares, keeping their windows open so that those who are alone may hear the sounds of family around them. They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland Is offering free meals and delivery to the housebound. Today a young woman I know is busy spreading fliers with her number through the neighbourhood So that the elders may have someone to call on. Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples are preparing to welcome and shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting All over the world people are looking at their neighbours in a new way All over the world people are waking up to a new reality To how big we really are. To how little control we really have. To what really matters. To Love. So we pray and we remember that Yes there is fear.
But there does not have to be hate. Yes there is isolation. But there does not have to be loneliness. Yes there is panic buying. But there does not have to be meanness. Yes there is sickness. But there does not have to be disease of the soul Yes there is even death. But there can always be a rebirth of love. Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now. Today, breathe. Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic The birds are singing again The sky is clearing, Spring is coming, And we are always encompassed by Love. Open the windows of your soul And though you may not be able to touch across the empty square, Sing. - Fr. Richard Hendrick, OFM March 13th 2020 Passionflower Why is the passionflower called the passionflower? This beautiful climbing plant that grows in many of our gardens, was discovered in South America by Spanish missionaries centuries ago. Drawings were sent back to Europe and in 1609 an Italian priest interpreted the flower to represent the crucifixion, otherwise known as the Passion. The five petals and five sepals represent the 10 disciples who remained steadfast (Judas and Peter both abandoned Jesus). The corona is the crown of thorns. The stigma is the cross or nails, and the five stamens are the number of wounds Jesus received. From Parishpump
Rev’d Clive Hughes writes………… There is a story that, back in the fifteenth century, in a tiny village near Nuremberg there lived a family with eighteen children. In order merely to keep food on the table for this mob, the father and head of the household, a goldsmith by profession, worked almost eighteen hours a day at his trade and any other paying chore he could find in the neighbourhood. Despite their seemingly hopeless condition, two of the goldsmith’s children, Albert and Albrecht, had a dream. They both wanted to pursue their talent for art, but they knew full well that their father would never be financially able to send either of them to Nuremberg to study at the academy. After many long discussions at night in their crowded bed the two boys finally worked out a pact. They would toss a coin. The loser would go down into the nearby mines and, with his earnings, support his brother while he attended the academy. Then, when the brother who won the toss had completed his studies, in four years he would support the other brother, either with sales of his artwork or, if necessary, also by labouring in the mines. They tossed a coin one Sunday morning after church. Albrecht won the toss and went off to Nuremberg. Albert went down the dangerous mines and, for the next four years, financed his brother, whose work at the academy was almost an immediate sensation. Albrecht's etchings, his woodcuts, and his oils were far better than those of most of his teachers, and by the time he graduated he was beginning to earn considerable fees for his commissioned works. When the young artist eventually returned to his village, the family held a festive dinner on their lawn to celebrate Albrecht's triumphant homecoming. After a long and memorable meal, punctuated with music and laughter, Albrecht rose from his honoured position at the head of the table to drink a toast to his beloved brother for the years of sacrifice that had enabled him to fulfil his ambition. His closing words were, "…and now, Albert, blessed brother of mine, now it is your turn. Now you can go to Nuremberg to pursue your dream, and I will take care of you."
All heads turned in eager expectation to the far end of the table where Albert
sat, tears streaming down his pale face, shaking his lowered head from side to
side while he sobbed and repeated, over and over "No... no... no... no."
Finally, Albert rose and wiped the tears from his cheeks. He glanced
down the long table at the faces he loved, and then, holding his hands close
to his right cheek, he said softly, "No brother. I cannot go to Nuremberg. It is
too late for me. Look... look what four years in the mines have done to my
hands! The bones in every finger have been smashed at least once, and lately I
have been suffering from arthritis so badly in my right hand that I cannot
even hold a glass to return your toast, much less paint delicate lines on
parchment or canvas with pen and brush. No, brother... for me it is too late."
More than 450 years have passed. By now, Albrecht Durer's hundreds of
masterful portraits, pen and silver-point sketches, watercolours, charcoals,
woodcuts, and copper engravings hang in every great museum in the world;
but the odds are great that, like most people, we are familiar with only one of
Albrecht Durer's works. More than merely being familiar with it, you may
possibly have a reproduction hanging in your home.
One day, to pay homage to Albert for all that he had sacrificed,
Albrecht Durer painstakingly drew his brother's abused hands
with palms together and thin fingers stretched skyward. He
called his powerful drawing simply "Hands", but the entire
world almost immediately opened their hearts to his great
masterpiece and renamed his tribute of love "The Praying
Hands".
One brother had made a sacrifice for another whom he dearly loved. Yet on
the Cross, Jesus made the greatest of sacrifices, for people who did not know
him, and even despised him. In the light of Easter, let’s remember and
appreciate that supreme act of love, made for all of us.
Rev. Clive HughesResources for Prayer in this time of Crisis
Resources for Prayer in this time of Crisis
O God, you know us to be set in the midst of so many and great dangers, that by
reason of the frailty of our nature we cannot always stand upright: grant to us such
strength and protection as may support us in all dangers and carry us through all
temptations; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Diocesan Lent Prayer
Loving God, our unshakeable hope; like a seed falling to the ground, you
endured the cross, dying that we might live in fullness of life. Strengthen
our wills to resist that which easily distracts or we thoughtlessly consume,
and instead, look to you, the source of all that is good. And as we deny
ourselves, make us carriers of hope for the world around us, by the power of
your Spirit. Amen.
Dear Father, who created us, and redeemed us, and who has promised us your love,
be with us in a time of danger and of worry. May those who suffer, or who are ill,
know the blessing of your grace, while we who are well be inspired by your Spirit To
be wise and to be servants, working for the healing and wholeness of all, each in our
own way. Keep us calm and cautious, strong and open to service, So that we take
care of those around us, and also ourselves. We ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen
Bishop Gregory
A Prayer for Those Affected by Coronavirus
God of healing and hope,
in Jesus you meet us in our places of pain and fear.
Look with mercy on those who have contracted the new virus,
on any who are vulnerable, and on all who feel in danger.
Through this time of global concern,
by your Holy Spirit bring out the best not the worst in us.Make us more aware of our interdependence on each other,
and of the strength that comes from being one body in you.
Through Christ our wounded healer.
Amen.
The Rev’d Dr Sam Wells
Vicar of St Martin’s in the Field
You can access a daily form of Morning and Evening Prayer
on the Church of England’s website, here:
https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/join-us-daily-prayer
Here’s a list of radio and TV programmes offering services/prayers:
Songs of Praise: Sundays at 1.15pm on BBC 1
Prayer for the Day: daily at 5.43am on Radio 4
Sunday Worship: Sundays at 8.10am on Radio 4
Daily Service: Monday to Friday at 9.45am on Radio 4 Long wave and
DAB only (see instructions below on how to find this on DAB)
Lent Talks: Wednesdays at 8.45pm on Radio 4 during Lent
Celebration: (Act of worship) Sundays at 7.30am on BBC Radio Wales
Choral evensong: Wednesday at 3.30pm and repeated Sundays at 3pm on
Radio 3
(The Daily Service is available on a Radio 4 DAB side channel which is
automatically made available about a minute before the programme begins.
After tuning to Radio 4 DAB, select “Daily Service” (from your display)
with the tuning wheel and press the selector button.
On some radios the side channel can be stored on a preset button and once
it is stored there you simply need to press the preset. We recommend
choosing a well established brand of DAB receiver.)True Leadership—Wordsearch
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Oak Farm, Tallarn GreenHoly Trinity, Bronington Sadly, owing to the corona virus pandemic all our Worship services, church meetings and social events are cancelled for the foreseeable future. We would like to offer assistance to those who by virtue of their age or medical condition will be self-isolating in coming weeks; if you wish to offer help e.g. shopping/collecting prescriptions, please will you let the Vicarage know as soon as possible. Your name & contact details will be passed on to the Community Council who will co-ordinate this service. As a church we need to keep in contact on a regular basis by telephone or email with those members isolated in their homes. If you wish to engage with this, please let the Vicarage know and we will establish a rota. If you are isolated and wish to have a church friend keep in contact with you, or have a practical need such as shopping/prescription collections, please contact the Vicarage on 01948 830468 By the time you read this, we should have established a regular prayer time so we may gather as a dispersed community. We, at the Vicarage are remembering you all in our daily prayers and are always available for a chat on the telephone. May God bless you, Rev Clive and Sue Hughes
St. John The Baptist Church, Bettisfield
It has been a busy time at Bettisfield; the weather caused fewer problems
than we feared, all the ridge tiles and slates remained firmly on the roof,
which was a relief, one service had only two in the congregation but, as we
had a Vicar, Organist and Leader we went ahead – where two or three are
gathered........
The Parish Breakfast was postponed for a couple of weeks but was enjoyed
this last weekend.
Our thoughts and prayers have been with those poor souls whose lives have
been so disrupted by gales and floods.
Our Coffee Morning and Lent Lunch were both well attended, both
benefited from sunshine and gentle breezes, both were occasions of
fellowship and fun. Thank you to all who supported us and thank you to all
who worked so hard. As I write we are busy preparing for our Easter Vestry,
30.03.2020, including ensuring that our Electoral Roll is up to date. Today
we really enjoyed welcoming our Methodist friends and their preacher,
Deaconess Carys.
We continue to pray for all those affected by the Corona Virus. Remember
– isolation from our friends and neighbours does not mean that we are
alone- He is always there to hold our hand, to listen and to speak to us.
Keep safe, keep well!
Maggie ShawSt. Mary Magdalene, Penley Can you name the Easter hymn after reading just one line? It's not as easy you might think... I once was lost, but now am found I want to be in that number That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing Hwyr a bore fy nymuniad I shall not fear the battle, if thou art by my side It is in pardoning that we are pardoned Like the first dewfall, on the first grass Answers later in He made their tiny wings magazine on page To sound the depths of love Divine! with the Crossword He lives, he lives, Christ Jesus lives today! Clues.
St Chad’s, Hanmer Church Services and Events 2020 The first Mission Area Praise & Worship of 2020 was a great delight in St Chad’s Church. The enhanced group of singers gave greater depth to the songs. Expecting the weather to keep numbers down we were delighted to welcome more than last time. Please try to bring a friend from the Mission Area or outside to enable this service to grow. We have arranged for a guest speaker for each service with a theme for 2020 of the healing miracles of Jesus. This is an informal, lively service with our music group. Please come early for a coffee and chat before the service starts. The year until November is filled up with a service every first Sunday. April 5th Hanmer, May 3rd Overton, June 7th Bettisfield, July 5th Marchwiel, August 2nd Tushingham, September 6th Bangor, October 4th Penley, and November 1st Hanmer. This edition of the magazine should be available just before we were due to celebrate Easter. As you will have gathered, all church services and gatherings have been cancelled until further notice. However, we will endeavour to keep the churches open for those who can get out and wish to use the church for private prayer in these worrying times. Lent Frugal Lunches have been a great success, however, they will not be able to continue into April as planned. Please continue to support and encourage each other by phone, email or other electronic means, and by praying for each other. It is important that we fight the effects of social distancing to stay safe and well. Thank you to the Mission Area for their excellent choice of the ‘Superstar’ Lent Course which I have been enjoying immensely, and has taught me a lot. Maybe we can finish the course once we are able to meet in groups again. Thankyou Vicar Clive for our sessions here in the Hanmer Group. We have met the diocesan an architect, Michael Plane, in church for a very constructive exchange of views. We have some very new creative ideas to put eventually to the Church Committee. We have since met the architect,
Duncan Sanderson, who has been chosen to guide us on the projects for
Chancel step rails, bell refurbishment, tower repair, and ringing floor
restoration. We hope he can be even more creative in working out how to
plan work that enhances our historic Church building. The pace of
preparation remains desperately slow but there is real hope of action ahead.
Colossians 1. 12 Be prepared to endure everything with patience, while
joyfully giving thanks to the Father.
Judith Barlow reports on the Hanmer Group Mothers' Union
Our February meeting included a talk from the Rev’d Peter
Mackriell. Peter outlined for us his journey through ministry up
to his current appointment sharing his time between
responsibility as priest for the Overton group of parishes and a
lead counselling and support role within the Chester Diocese. He
then went on to describe the time he spent at the L’Arche community in
Canada, founded as a place where able bodied and those with learning or
other difficulties live as a community. His pictures of Canada were of
special interest to those in our group who have connections there or had
even just been on holiday. We were delighted to share some of Peter’s
experiences.
Unfortunately it looks like the next M.U. meetings (Lady Day service on
March 25th and the Family Group Service in Bangor-on-Dee Church on
Tuesday, May 12th) will both have to be cancelled.
Bill and Judith Barlow w814barlow@btinternet.com
Bill BarlowRev’d Peter Mackriell writes……... Last month I wrote about growth. This month I want to write about struggle. As the pressure grows on the resources of our health service, on social services, on supermarkets and even on clergy, life feels like much more of a struggle. As a pastor and as a counsellor I am well aware of the difficulties that people can face in their lives. Christians are far from immune to such challenges and there are even times when our faith seems to make us more vulnerable – not, perhaps, to Covid-19 or other illnesses, but being a Christian in a secular world can be difficult; at school, at home, in the workplace or in the pub, we can face human opposition, challenges that tip into hostility. But there can also be spiritual opposition as the devil tries to prevent us from growing in faith or witnessing to Christ. The devil will use anything he can to distract, confuse and annoy us, if it means that God’s work is undermined. In Holy Week we remember Jesus’ agony in the Garden of Gethsemane as he faced the visible human opposition that was mounting against him but also fought the spiritual battle as he prayed to his Father, “Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” (Mark 14.36b) On the cross Jesus faces his ultimate test as he endures physical pain but also spiritual separation from God (Mark 15.34). He is desolate, apparently defeated – and then he dies. It hardly seems as if his prayers in Gethsemane have been answered, but it seems important to the gospel writers to record that Jesus wrestled with God in prayer before facing his greatest challenge. Jesus also taught about persistence in prayer and I think that this was the main reason; it is part of the spiritual battle. I would ask you, if you can do nothing else for the churches of our Mission Area, please pray. Knowing that we surround each other with prayer on a daily basis is a great blessing and source of strength. As Jesus said in Gethsemane, “Watch and pray” (Mark 14.38a). And if Good Friday reminds us of the battle that we face, Easter Day reminds us of the promise we have – the promise that on the cross Christ defeated sin and death, and that just as he passed from death to life so we,
too, are offered the gift of new life in Him. The “Alleluia!” of the Easter
greeting is an invitation to celebrate that the battle has already been won,
whatever opposition we face now. There may still be some skirmishes as the
devil retreats, but Easter tells us that the victory is Christ’s.
May that good news give us confidence in our praying, in our living through
difficult days, and in our work for Christ.
Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed. Allelulia!
Peter MackriellSt Mary’s, Overton
Given that there might be changes to advertised events and services,
please keep an eye on church noticeboards, or email
revpeter@maelormissionarea.uk to be put on a mailing list.
An enthusiastic Poppy Army has formed to create a ‘poppy installation’ to
mark Remembrance Sunday 2020. Lots of help is needed to knit, crochet
or otherwise create several thousand poppies. Contact Tracey Leech for
further details or to offer help: pearl.leech@gmail.com. Who knows, it
might just help with the lockdown boredom.
Peter MackriellSt. Hilary’s, Erbistock
Eirwen Davies, our organist writes - When Storm Dennis struck on Sunday,
16 February, we did not expect many people to turn up at church but lo
and behold we had 10 congregants. We also had three new volunteer bell
ringers; Georgina, Marj and Andrew. Andrew was even keen to try the
footloop. There was much laughter as you can see from the photo.
After the service, we all stood outside to view the river Dee in flood. Much
debris was floating down including a 30 foot tree trunk and two upside
down picnic tables from The Boat.
(See pictures on back page)
Please remember to fill in your electoral role forms. Copies have been
distributed with the magazine and more are available at the back of church.
Please hand in at church, or to Peter, or me.
Chris Thomas
51st Season 2019-2020
President: Carol Peters
The Annual General Meeting of the Maelor
Music Society will be held at
The Hanmer Arms in Hanmer on
Wednesday 6th May 2020 at 7.00 pm.
All are welcome to attend
Further detail from 01978 710 486LADIES AND
GENTS
Working all day? Not a problem,
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available!
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Contact Carolyn on
01948 710929 / 07468601603CROSSWORD
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please contact MartinCrossword Across Down 1 Relating to the whole universe (6) 1 Coastal rockfaces (Psalm 141:6) 4 The disciple who made the (6) remark in 8 Across (John 20:24) 2 Academic (1 Corinthians 1:20) (7) (6) 3 Publish (Daniel 6:26) (5) 8 ‘Unless I see the nail marks — — 5 For example, the Crusades (4,3) hands, I will not believe it’ (John 6 11 Across is certainly this (5) 20:25) (2,3) 7 He reps (anag.) (6) 9 He urged King Jehoiakim not to 9 Liberator (Psalm 18:2) (9) burn the scroll containing 13 Man who asked the question in Jeremiah’s message 11 Across was in charge of all her (Jeremiah 36:25) (7) treasury (Acts 8:27) 10 Baptist minister and controversial (7) founder of America’s Moral 14 They must be ‘worthy of respect, Majority, Jerry — (7) sincere, not indulging in much 11 ‘Look, here is — . Why shouldn’t I wine’ (1 Timothy 3:8) (7) be baptized?’ (Acts 8:36) (5) 15 The human mind or soul (6) 12 Repossessed (Genesis 14:16) (9) 16 ‘O Lord, while precious children 17 Port from which Paul sailed on his starve, the tools of war increase; last journey to Rome (Acts 27:3– their bread is — ’ (Graham 4) (5) Kendrick) (6) 19 ‘Moses was not aware that his face 18 ‘We played the flute for you, and was — because he had spoken with you did not — ’ (Matthew 11:17) the Lord’ (5) (Exodus 34:29) (7) 20 Bared (anag.) (5) 21 Roonwit, C.S. Lewis’s half-man, half-horse (7) Easter Hymns Quiz Answers 22 Grill (Luke 24:42) (5) Amazing Grace; When the Saints go 23 ‘The lot fell to Matthias; so he was marching in; How great Thou art; added to the — apostles’ (Acts Calon Lan; O Jesus, I have promised; 1:26) (6) Make Me A Channel Of Your Peace; 24 ‘I was sick and you looked after Morning has Broken; All Things me, I was in — and you came to Bright and Beautiful; And Can It Be; visit me’ (Matthew I Serve a risen Saviour 25:36) (6)
The Lord is my Shepherd A Sunday school teacher decided to have her young class memorise one of the most quoted passages in the Bible, Psalm 23. She gave the youngsters a month to learn the Psalm, but little Charles did not find it easy to memorise much of anything. On the day that the children were scheduled to recite Psalm 23 in front of the congregation, Charles stepped up to the microphone and began proudly, "The Lord is my Shepherd….” He knew that much, but the rest of the Psalm suddenly deserted him. So he concluded bravely: “… and that's all I need to know." Don’t break’em There was a very gracious lady who was mailing an old family Bible to her brother in another part of the country. "Is there anything breakable in here?" asked the postal clerk. The lady paused for a moment. "Only the Ten Commandments," she said politely. Environmentally friendly transport While driving in the countryside, a family caught up to an old farmer and his horse-drawn cart. The farmer obviously had a sense of humour, because attached to the back of the carriage was a hand printed sign: ‘Ecologically efficient vehicle: Runs on oats and grass. Caution: Do not step in exhaust.’ Family A mother and son were washing dishes while the father and daughter were watching TV in the family room. Suddenly, there was an almighty crash of breaking dishes, then complete silence. The girl looked at her dad and said, "It was Mum." "How do you know?" asked her father in amazement. "She didn't say anything."
Crossword Answers Wordsearch Solution
ACROSS: 1, Cosmic. 4, Thomas. 8,
In his. 9, Delaiah. 10, Falwell.
11, Water. 12, Recovered. 17, Sidon.
19, Radiant. 21, Centaur.
22, Broil. 23, Eleven. 24, Prison.
DOWN: 1, Cliffs. 2, Scholar. 3, Is-
sue. 5, Holy war. 6, Moist.
7, Sphere. 9, Deliverer. 13, Candace.
14, Deacons. 15, Psyche.
16, Stolen. 18, Dance. 20, Debar.
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Thanks to Rev Peter for this photo
from Erbistock. I suppose we
shouldn't be surprised...
Even prophet Jonah,
in ancient Hebrew tales,
remarked to God when he got out,
its very wet in Wales
Helen went to church three weeks
running, so she was co-opted on to
the church committee.You can also read
