For While We Cannot Meet – March 2020 to April 2021 | St Aelhaiarn's Church, Guilsfield

On-Line Services – Sunday 25th April

The YouTube link for this week’s MA service is here: https://youtu.be/DTdmFq4kT-I.

It will also be on the Pool Mission Area and Guilsfield Church Facebook pages on Sunday as usual.

The link for the weekly 09.30 Zoom Sunday service is here:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88389449711
Meeting ID: 883 8944 9711

To join the service by telephone:

Dial 0203 051 2874
When requested, the meeting ID is 883 8944 9711 followed by #

When asked for your personal ID just enter #

In-Person Services in Pool MA – Apr/May

The latest Welsh Government review has authorised further easing of the lockdown restrictions. This includes outdoor worship being allowed once again from Monday and has also led to a bit more freedom from the Church in Wales regarding services in church. As a result we have increased the number of services we anticipate holding this month.

It should be made clear that all plans remain subject to late changes if local Covid levels increase, and we must also continue to require 2m distancing, facemasks in church, advance booking of seats, etc.

Services for the next three Sundays from 25th April are shown below (* Holy Communion):

Sunday 25th April

09.30 Llandyssil* Gwen Cooper – 01686 668104

10.00 Berriew* Caroline Rhodes – 01938 554245

10.00 Criggion* Mary Jones – 01938 570468

10.30 Pool Quay* Judy Crowe – 01938 590453

11.15 Penrhos* Jim Thompson – 01691 828438

Sunday 2^nd May

09.30 Buttington Peter Stedman – 01938 554855

09.30 Llandyssil Gwen Cooper – 01686 668104

10.00 Forden* Alexis Smith – 01686 641992

10.00 Llandysilio Carol Davies – 01691 831008

10.30 Pool Quay* Judy Crowe – 01938 590453

11.00 Guilsfield* Caroline Rhodes – 01938 554245

11.00 Welshpool* Sue Williams – 01938 553286

11.15 Penrhos Jim Thompson – 01691 828438

11.15 Llandrinio May Hillier – 01691 831484

15.00 Belan* Steve Willson – 01938 553164

15.00 Pantyffridd Sue Usmar – 01686 650951

Sunday 9th May

09.30 Castle Caereinion* Viv Lancaster – 01938 850507

10.00 Berriew Caroline Rhodes – 01938 554245

10.00 Criggion Mary Jones – 01938 570468

10.00 Llandysilio* Carol Davies – 01691 831008

10.30 Pool Quay Judy Crowe – 01938 590453

10.45 Montgomery Helen Hayes – 01686 668545

11.00 Guilsfield Caroline Rhodes – 01938 554245

You are very welcome to attend a service in any church but please ring the number given to book a place beforehand.

It remains important to minimize risk, so please continue to follow the guidelines – both in church and outside afterwards. Thank you.

MA News – 24th April

MA Strategy

The Mission Area has recently been updating its Strategy which was originally set out 5 years ago (some of you may recall being part of the open meetings when the MA was first proposed, where we started thinking about that). The updated document (Pool MA Strategy – commended by MAC 04.21) was commended by the MA Conference last week and all church members are invited to reflect on it and offer any feedback they have to Jenny – JennyPoolMA@outlook.com

The strategy document along with our Mission Statement which was revised earlier in the year (Mission Statement – revised Jan 21). Church Committees are encouraged to discuss the Strategy document, when they are able to meet again, and to particularly reflect of section 1d, about the key characteristics each church should aim to embody.

Also see another document reflecting on the challenges of Post-Covid rebuilding (Post-Covid Reconstruction). The Shared Ministry Team and MA Exec have both been working on this and again it is commended to you by the MAC.

Annual Vestry Meetings

A date has been set for the Mission Area’s Annual Vestry meeting – this will be held on Wednesday 19^th May at 19.30, by Zoom. If individual Church Annual Meetings are to be held, they must be held before this date, however you are not required to meet if zoom meetings are not viable in your situation (in-person meetings are still discouraged). It may well be better to hold an ordinary church meeting at a later date when in-person meetings are safer. Churches should liaise with their incumbent on this matter.

Vacancy – MA Safeguarding Officer

Anybody who is on the Electoral Roll of any of our churches is entitled to be nominated for any MA post, all of which are re-elected at the AVM or the next meeting of the MA Conference. We are particularly keen to appoint a MA Safeguarding Officer to help ensure our care for children, young people and vulnerable adults is of the best possible standard. Full details are on here: MA Safeguarding Coordinator Role Description. Please give it your consideration.

Castle Caereinion Church in Wales School

As you may be aware, Castle Caereinion School, one of our church schools, has been proposed for closure by Powys County Council. The consultation period on this proposal is now open and you are invited to consider if you could support the school by writing to the County Council to oppose the closure. Whilst the document from the school (CASTLE SCHOOL CLOSURE CONSULTATION) which is aimed at parents and members of the local community, it does give some background information which may be useful.

Those with no direct link with the school may wish to argue against the Council’s presumption that small schools are not able to provide as good an educational experience. You may also like to be aware that there is a statutory obligation to provide faith-based education to pupils whose church school is closed which is not readily available in the nearest schools (Berriew & Llanfair). Whilst it is available in Welshpool, this would be likely to lead to children from Castle Caereinion being dispersed to several different schools which would negatively impact on community cohesion. Having already lost it’s only shop since the sad passing of shopkeeper, Michael Rogers, the community can ill afford to lose it’s school as well – even less so if the children are scatted to various neighbouring schools.

All responses must be in by 2^nd June – contact details are in the attachment.

Last chance to book! – Theology for Life – Free virtual taster course
Beginning 24th April.
Are you interested in:

Knowing more about the Bible, the teachings of the Church, and the Christian faith?
Studying for a University certificate, diploma, or degree in theology, ministry, and mission?
Deepening your discipleship?

St Padarn’s is running a free virtual taster course to help you decide if Theology for Life is for you. After completing the taster course you will be invited to apply to join the university validated programme. For more information about the course, please visit its website: https://stpadarns.ac.uk/en/courses/theology-life/
For more information or to book your place contact: enquiries@stpadarns.ac.uk

MA News next week

Steve is off work next week so the next MA News will probably only consist of the link for the weekly service on YouTube – but it gives you more time to read all that has been included this week!!

On-Line Services – Sunday 18th April

The YouTube link for this week’s MA service is here: https://youtu.be/K-SrF37zG_g

It will also be on the Pool Mission Area and Guilsfield Church Facebook pages on Sunday as usual.

The link for the weekly 09.30 Zoom Sunday service is here:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88389449711
Meeting ID: 883 8944 9711

To join the service by telephone:

Dial 0203 051 2874
When requested, the meeting ID is 883 8944 9711 followed by #

When asked for your personal ID just enter #

MA News – 16th April

In-Church Services for the rest of April

Sunday 18th April 09.30 Buttington Peter Stedman – 01938 554855

09.30 Castle Viv Lancaster – 01938 850507

10.00 Llandysilio Carol Davies – 01691 831008

10.45 Montgomery Helen Hayes – 01686 668545

Sunday 25th April 09.30 Llandyssil Gwen Cooper – 01686 668104

10.00 Berriew Caroline Rhodes – 01938 554245

10.00 Criggion Mary Jones – 01938 570468

10.30 Pool Quay Judy Crowe – 01938 590453

11.15 Penrhos Jim Thompson – 01691 828438

All services will be Holy Communion. You are very welcome to attend a service in any church but please ring the number given to book a place beforehand.

*** Please note that this plan is subject to alteration if cases increase locally ***

We understand that Church in Wales representatives are meeting with the Welsh Government this week and the Bench of Bishop’s is meeting next week, after which we might expect updates guidelines. We’ll keep you posted.

It remains important to minimize risk so please continue to follow the guidelines – keep 2m distance and wear facemasks, both in church and whilst coming in & out, and avoid gathering together outside the church door to chat. Thank you.

Annual Returns

About this time of year we usually receive requests from the Diocese to complete Annual Membership and Church Fabric returns this. Those that are used to completing this annual chore will be delighted to know that you do not need to do so this year.

Annual Vestry Meetings

A date has been set for the Mission Area’s Annual Vestry meeting – this will be held on Wednesday 19^th May at 19.30, probably by Zoom. Individual Church Annual Meetings will need to be held before then if they are to take place this year (there is no constitutional requirement to do so but it is good practice). Churches should liaise with their incumbent to agree when and how to meet.

Mission Area Conference

The next meeting of the MAC will be this coming Monday, 19^th April by zoom. Please can members who are not able to join us ensure that their church is represented by some else.

Theology for Life – Free virtual taster course
Beginning 24th April.
Are you interested in:

Knowing more about the Bible, the teachings of the Church, and the Christian faith?
Studying for a University certificate, diploma, or degree in theology, ministry, and mission?
Deepening your discipleship?

Bishop’s Pastoral Letter – 15th April

The latest Pastoral Letter from Bishop Gregory can be read here: 210415 True Religion.

On-Line Service – 11th April

The YouTube link for this week’s MA service is here: https://youtu.be/H8Z_FbOR29M

It will also be on the Pool Mission Area and Guilsfield Church Facebook pages on Sunday as usual.

The link for the weekly 09.30 Zoom Sunday service is here:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88389449711
Meeting ID: 883 8944 9711

To join the service by telephone:

Dial 0203 051 2874
When requested, the meeting ID is 883 8944 9711 followed by #
When asked for your personal ID just enter #

Bells for HRH Duke of Edinburgh

The Tenor bell at Guilsfield Church was tolled 99 times half-muffled at 12:00 on Saturday 10th April in remembrance of HRH Duke of Edinburgh and recognition of his life of service to our nation. In accordance with protocol, during the official period of mourning until his funeral, when rung, the bells will be rung half-muffled.

Mission Area News – 10th April

Services for the rest of April

It seems that no changes were made to the guidance for churches last week, so the existing advice, that churches should only meet together if no alternatives were available, still applies. However, Covid levels across the MA are in the lowest possible range (0-2 cases in the week 28/3 – 3/4) and it is clear that many people are keen to come back to church, especially those who have been unable to access on-line services (250-300 people attended our 15 services last weekend). We have therefore planned to provide one service in each of our churches during the rest of this month (excepting Belan and Fron for which we are still exploring what might be possible). This has been arranged so that there will be a service fairly near everyone each Sunday. Details are as follows:

Sunday 11th April 10.00 Forden Alexis Smith – 01686 641992

11.00 Welshpool Sue Williams – 01938 553286

11.00 Guilsfield Caroline Rhodes – 01938 554245

11.15 Llandrinio May Hillier – 01691 831484

15.00 Pantyffridd Caroline Rhodes – 01938 554245

Sunday 18th April 09.30 Buttington Peter Stedman – 01938 554855

09.30 Castle Viv Lancaster – 01938 850507

10.00 Llandysilio Carol Davies – 01691 831008

10.45 Montgomery Helen Hayes – 01686 668545

Sunday 25th April 09.30 Llandyssil Gwen Cooper – 01686 668104

10.00 Berriew Caroline Rhodes – 01938 554245

10.00 Criggion Mary Jones – 01938 570468

10.30 Pool Quay Judy Crowe – 01938 590453

11.15 Penrhos Jim Thompson – 01691 828438

All services will be Holy Communion, except Forden.

You are very welcome to attend a service in any church but please ring the number given to book a place beforehand. Several of our smaller churches were fully booked last Sunday but our larger ones are likely to have room for everyone who books.

*** Please note that this plan is subject to alteration if cases increase locally ***

We anticipate that the regulations will be eased later in the month. which will hopefully enable us to provide a fuller range of services in May.

HRH Prince Philip

Following the death of HRH the Duke of Edinburgh, the Church in Wales have issued guidelines for churches about how his passing can be marked given the current limitations. Apparently Prince Philip himself had expressed the wish that any commemorations be modest and the need to avoid actions that increase the Covid risk is an important consideration. For this reason we are advised that Books of Condolence should not be provided in churches and laying of floral tributes should be avoided.

The full guidance can be found by pasting this link into your internet search facility: https://www.churchinwales.org.uk/en/clergy-and-members/guidance-following-death-his-royal-highness-duke-edinburgh/

A large number of organisations have already set up on-line means of expressing condolences, for those that wish to do so, and I imagine the Church in Wales will make similar provision shortly.

Annual Vestry Meetings

Mission Area Conference

The next meeting of the MAC will be on Monday 19^th April and will focus on the MA’s post-Covid strategy.

Safeguarding Training from St Padarn’s Institute
The latest set of dates for safeguarding training are now available for bookings.

N.B.These are for those who have not updated their Safeguarding Training in the last year -If you have done a Church in Wales course in the last year you do not need to attend this one. Training is still on zoom in 2 parts, each lasting 2-2.5 hours.

Part	Date	Time
Part 1	Tuesday 13 April	10.00 am
	Thursday 15 April	14.00 pm
	Friday 16 April	10.00 am
	Tuesday 20 April	18.00 pm

Part 2	Thursday 22 April	14.00 pm
	Tuesday 27 April	18.00 pm
	Thursday 29 April	14.00 pm
	Friday 30 April	10.00 am

To book any of these dates email: safeguardingtraining@stpadarns.ac.uk

Theology for Life – Free virtual taster course
Beginning 24th April.
Are you interested in:

Knowing more about the Bible, the teachings of the Church, and the Christian faith?
Studying for a University certificate, diploma, or degree in theology, ministry, and mission?
Deepening your discipleship?

St Padarn’s is running a free virtual taster course to help you decide if Theology for Life is for you. After completing the taster course you will be invited to apply to join the university validated programme. For more information about the course, please visit its website: https://stpadarns.ac.uk/en/courses/theology-life/
For more information or to book your place contact: enquiries@stpadarns.ac.uk

On-Line Service – Easter Sunday, 4th April

The YouTube link for this week’s MA service is here: https://youtu.be/3Zg05TPvmx8

It will also be on the Pool Mission Area and Guilsfield Church Facebook pages on Sunday as usual.

The link for the weekly Zoom service at 09.30 on Easter Sunday is here:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88389449711
Meeting ID: 883 8944 9711

To join the service by telephone:

Dial 0203 051 2874
When requested, the meeting ID is 883 8944 9711 followed by #
When asked for your personal ID just enter #

Stations of the Cross

Caroline and Bethan both produced short video presentations (approx 5 mins each) for an on-line meeting reflecting on the ‘Stations of the Cross’. Caroline’s video for Station 6 – ‘Veronica wipes the face of Jesus’ can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/VpDzkwGCAaM . Bethan’s video for Station 10 – ‘Jesus is Stripped of His Garments’ is at: https://youtu.be/unsV6Rb99Vo.

MA News – 3rd April

Easter Services

Covid cases locally continue to be at minimal levels so we look forward to celebrating Easter together in our churches. Last chance now to book a seat (if there are any left!).

Day & Place Time Officiant Booking contact

Easter Day

Buttington 09.30 Philip Harratt Peter Stedman – 01938 554855

Llandyssil 09.30 Stephen Hayes* Gwen Cooper – 01686 668104

Berriew 10.00 Caroline Rhodes Caroline Rhodes – 01938 554245

Criggion 10.00 Steve Willson Full

Fron 10.00 Roger Taylor* Full

Llandysilio 10.00 Alexis Smith Carol Davies – 01691 831008

Castle C 10.30 Toby Jones* Viv Lancaster – 01938 850507

Pool Quay 10.30 Merrick Smith Judy Crowe – 01938 590453

Guilsfield 11.00 Caroline Rhodes Caroline Rhodes – 01938 554245

Welshpool 11.00 Steve Willson Sue Williams – 01938 553286

Llandrinio 11.15 Leigh N-Hammond* May Hillier – 01691 831484

Pantyffridd 15.00 Joyce Harrison # Full

Penrhos 11.15 Jim Thompson* Jim Thompson – 01691 828438

Montgomery 18.00 Alexis Smith Helen Hayes – 01686 668545

*Reserved Sacrement Communion #Evening Prayer All others are Communion

Services for the rest of April

We had been hoping that the First Minister’s statement today would include a change to the existing advice that churches should only meet together if no alternatives were available. However, if any changes were made to the rules affecting places of worship, they haven’t yet filtered down to MA level. We are happy to allow Easter opening so that those who wished to receive communion on this special festival could do so and were hopeful that some in-person worship would be allowed to continue, albeit not in every church, every Sunday. If the guidance hasn’t changed we may need to rethink that.

The other key factors are local case rates and avoiding creating any risk. Our experience is that people have been very good at following the guidance given inside churches, but rather less good at doing so once they get out the door. People from different households gathering together outside the church door to chat, often unmasked and undistanced, creates a significant risk and if that continues to occur we will definitely need to reconsider.

We appreciate that this does not provide the clarity that people want about what will happen on Sunday 11^th but we don’t feel we have enough information to make a definite decision at this stage. If services do take place on that day churchwardens will be the first to know and we shall try to get information out through the MA News network a few days beforehand.

On-Line Services

A few of the on-line services for Holy Week and Easter provided by the diocese are yet to come:

Good Friday Services from Hope Street (our new Resource Church in Wrexham) or the Cathedral
Prayer and Meditation for Holy Saturday
Ceremony of the Easter Light on Saturday evening from the Cathedral
An Easter Day Eucharist

Details of these services are available on the Diocesan website at: https://dioceseofstasaph.org.uk/lent-holy-week-and-easter/

Keeping in touch

A letter from the Mission Area to everybody on the Electoral Roll of any of our churches has gone out this week (Easter Letter 2021). Copies have been posted or are being hand delivered to those for whom we don’t have an email address. A big thank you to Jenny and Dylan who did a mammoth job getting them all printed and in envelopes. Subsequently there have been some hitches with distribution for some churches, but hopefully people will have received them by Saturday at the latest. Thank you to those helping with distribution. It remains the case that the best way of keeping in touch is to be on the MA News mailing list, so do encourage others to add themselves to it if they aren’t receiving MA News, or perhaps offer to pass on a copy to people nearby?

Annual Vestry Meetings

Mission Area Conference

The next meeting of the MAC will be on Monday 19^th April and will focus on the MA’s post-covid strategy.

On behalf of the Ministry Team may I wish you all a very happy Easter.

This Sunday, 28th March, On-Line Services

The YouTube link for this week’s service is here: https://youtu.be/rWxGF5EVoxE

It will also be on the Pool Mission Area and Guilsfield Church Facebook pages on Sunday as usual.

The link for the weekly Zoom service at 09.30 on Palm Sunday is here:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88389449711
Meeting ID: 883 8944 9711

To join the service by telephone:

Dial 0203 051 2874
When requested, the meeting ID is 883 8944 9711 followed by #
When asked for your personal ID just enter #

The link for our Zoom Service at 09.00 on Good Friday is here:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88279733417

Meeting ID: 882 7973 3417

To join the service by telephone:

Dial 0203 051 2874
When requested, the meeting ID is 882 7973 3417 followed by #

When asked for your personal ID just enter #

MA News – 27th March

In-Church Services

Covid cases locally continue to be at minimal levels and so we are still on course to open for some services over the next week. The same restrictions will continue to apply as before lockdown – ie. face masks must be worn (unless medically exempt), 2m distancing, no singing, communion in one kind, etc and the seating limit will remain as previously agreed for each church. It will still be necessary to book a seat and for this reason included are a contact for bookings in each church on the list below.

*** Apologies, there was a typo in the services list published last week

– the Easter Day service in Guilsfield is at 11.00, not 10.00 ***

Day & Place Time Officiant Booking contact

Palm Sunday

Buttington 09.30 Caroline Rhodes Peter Stedman – 01938 554855

Llandysilio 10.00 Worship Leaders Carol Davies – 01691 831008

Pool Quay 10.30 Steve Willson Judy Crowe – 01938 590453

Montgomery 10.45 Alexis Smith Helen Hayes – 01686 668545

Welshpool 11.00 Stephen Hayes Sue Williams – 01938 553286

Good Friday

Guilsfield 10.00 Caroline Rhodes Caroline Rhodes – 01938 554245

Church House, Wpl 14.00 Steve Willson Sue Williams – 01938 553286

Forden 16.00 Alexis Smith Alexis Smith – 01686 641992

Easter Day

Buttington 09.30 Philip Harratt Peter Stedman – 01938 554855

Llandyssil 09.30 Stephen Hayes* Gwen Cooper – 01686 668104

Berriew 10.00 Caroline Rhodes Caroline Rhodes – 01938 554245

Criggion 10.00 Steve Willson Mary Jones – 01938 570468

Fron 10.00 Roger Taylor* Helen Bennett – 01686 668446

Llandysilio 10.00 Alexis Smith Carol Davies – 01691 831008

Castle C 10.30 Toby Jones* Viv Lancaster – 01938 850507

Pool Quay 10.30 Merrick Smith Judy Crowe – 01938 590453

Guilsfield 11.00 Caroline Rhodes Caroline Rhodes – 01938 554245

Welshpool 11.00 Steve Willson Sue Williams – 01938 553286

Llandrinio 11.15 Leigh N-Hammond* May Hillier – 01691 831484

Penrhos 11.15 Jim Thompson* Jim Thompson – 01691 828438

Montgomery 18.00 Alexis Smith Helen Hayes – 01686 668545

The Bishops of the Church in Wales recognise that churches will want to open for Easter but continue to urge extreme caution and ask churches that are opening to:

Adjust your arrangements in the light of experience and the observed behaviour of attendees, when open for worship, and make adjustments to prevent lapses. It is vital, despite vaccinations, that social distancing is maintained, face coverings are worn and that hygiene and cleaning standards are fully observed.
Pay particular attention to arrangements for people to leave your building after services. The end of a service is a particular time when social distancing can be breached. Generally, controlled exit row-by-row is advised. Clergy should generally avoid standing by entrances or exits to meet and greet people as this can create bottlenecks and bunching.
Strictly observe guidance on the administration of Holy Communion (still in one kind only) as this is a moment of closer contact.
Remember that as an open church you are an exemplar of good behaviour.
Follow Government and Provincial guidance and do not take chances.

On-Line Services

As mentioned last week, there are a range of on-line services for Holy Week and Easter available from the Diocese:

The Palm Sunday Liturgy and Blessing of Palms
Devotions for the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Holy Week led by the Archdeaconries
The Stations of the Cross
The Chrism Eucharist on Maundy Thursday, where clergy and licensed lay ministers renew their commitment to Christian ministry and service.
A Good Friday Service from Hope Street (our new Resource Church in Wrexham)
Prayer and Meditation for Holy Saturday
Ceremony of the Easter Light on Saturday evening from the Cathedral
An Easter Day Eucharist

The great thing about all these services is that you will be able to follow them at whatever time suits you each day.

In addition there will be live Cathedral services available from the Cathedral website. These will include a Commemoration of the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday evening at 7pm and the Good Friday Liturgy at 2pm, for those who would like to join in these.

A full programme of all these services with links will be available on the Diocesan website at: https://dioceseofstasaph.org.uk/lent-holy-week-and-easter/

This Sunday, 21st March – On-Line Services

The YouTube link for this week’s Mission Area service from Guilsfield Church is here: https://youtu.be/9ZBv8jxEuIU. It is led by Bethan Scotford and features several members of Guilsfield Church.

It will also be on the Pool Mission Area and Guilsfield Church Facebook pages on Sunday as usual.

The link for the weekly Zoom service at 09.30 on Sunday is here:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88389449711
Meeting ID: 883 8944 9711

To join the service by telephone:

Dial 0203 051 2874
When requested, the meeting ID is 883 8944 9711 followed by #
When asked for your personal ID just enter #

In-Church Services

Covid cases locally seem to have returned to minimal levels (0-2 cases for the last 2 weeks) and given that, and the situation in Wales as a whole, we are planning to reopen most of the Mission Area churches for Easter. Happily we have a good number of ministers available for Easter Day and are therefore able to offer an Easter Eucharist service in the majority of the MA churches. Quite a few of them will be lay or deacon led services using reserved sacrament, but at least we are able to give most people the opportunity to have communion locally.

The proposed plan is detailed below. Please be clear that it is still only a plan and will subject to change if Covid cases locally increase again. If you follow the Welsh news you will be aware that both Holyhead and Merthyr have suffered this week from rapidly developing outbreaks so the situation will be closely monitored.

The same restrictions will continue to apply as before lockdown – ie. face masks must be worn (unless medically exempt), 2m distancing, no singing, communion in one kind, etc and the seating limit will remain as previously agreed for each church. It will still be necessary to book a seat and for this reason We have ‘added on the list below a contact for bookings in each church.

Day & Place Time Officiant Booking contact

Palm Sunday

Buttington 09.30 Caroline Rhodes Peter Stedman – 01938 554855

Llandysilio 10.00 Gwen Dixon/Carol Davies Carol Davies – 01691 831008

Pool Quay 10.30 Steve Willson Judy Crowe – 01938 590453

Montgomery 10.45 Alexis Smith Helen Hayes – 01686 668545

Welshpool 11.00 Stephen Hayes Sue Williams – 01938 553286

Good Friday

Guilsfield 10.00 Caroline Rhodes Caroline Rhodes – 01938 554245

Welshpool* 14.00 Steve Willson (*Church House) Sue Williams – 01938 553286

Forden 16.00 Alexis Smith Alexis Smith – 01686 641992

Easter Day

Buttington 09.30 Philip Harratt Peter Stedman – 01938 554855

Llandyssil 09.30 Stephen Hayes (Resvd Sac) Gwen Cooper – 01686 668104

Berriew 10.00 Caroline Rhodes Caroline Rhodes – 01938 554245

Criggion 10.00 Steve Willson Mary Jones – 01938 570468

Fron 10.00 Roger Taylor (Resvd Sac) Helen Bennett – 01686 668446

Llandysilio 10.00 Alexis Smith Carol Davies – 01691 831008

Castle C 10.30 Toby Jones (Resvd Sac) Viv Lancaster – 01938 850507

Pool Quay 10.30 Merrick Smith Judy Crowe – 01938 590453

Guilsfield 11.00 Caroline Rhodes Caroline Rhodes – 01938 554245

Welshpool 11.00 Steve Willson Sue Williams – 01938 553286

Llandrinio 11.15 Leigh N-Hammond (Resvd Sac) May Hillier – 01691 831484

Penrhos 11.15 Jim Thompson (Resvd Sac) Jim Thompson – 01691 828438

Montgomery 18.00 Alexis Smith Helen Hayes – 01686 668545

On-Line Services

As mentioned last week, there are a range of on-line services for Holy Week and Easter available from the Diocese:

The Palm Sunday Liturgy and Blessing of Palms
Devotions for the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Holy Week led by the Archdeaconries
The Stations of the Cross
The Chrism Eucharist on Maundy Thursday, where clergy and licensed lay ministers renew their commitment to Christian ministry and service.
A Good Friday Service from Hope Street (our new Resource Church in Wrexham)
Prayer and Meditation for Holy Saturday
Ceremony of the Easter Light on Saturday evening from the Cathedral
An Easter Day Eucharist

The great thing about all these services is that you will be able to follow them at whatever time suits you each day.

A full programme of all these services with links will be available on the Diocesan website at: https://dioceseofstasaph.org.uk/lent-holy-week-and-easter/.

Bishop Gregory’s Latest Pastoral Letter

Please see attached this week’s Pastoral letter from Bishop Gregory: 210315 Abundant Life.

As the current lockdown continues, it remains important that we keep in communication and therefore the Bishop intends to write on a monthly basis.

On-Line Services – Sunday 14th March

The YouTube link for this week’s service is here: https://youtu.be/TPDLFrRBjtY

It will also be on the Pool Mission Area and Guilsfield Church Facebook pages on Sunday as usual.

The link for the weekly Zoom service at 09.30 on Sunday is here:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88389449711
Meeting ID: 883 8944 9711

To join the service by telephone:

Dial 0203 051 2874
When requested, the meeting ID is 883 8944 9711 followed by #
When asked for your personal ID just enter #

There will be an on-line service for the MA on Easter Day and the Diocese are providing on-line services for each of the days of Holy Week (see below).

MA News – 13th March

In Church Services

Today’s announcement by the First Minister that we can have a cup of tea with a friend in their garden from tomorrow is really good news! We can also look forward to a haircut from Monday and maybe a trip further afield in a couple of weeks’ time. We haven’t heard yet if there have been any changes affecting church services, but we continue to anticipate being able to worship together for Easter if cases stay low locally. We didn’t have enough reassurance about local cases to be able to open for Mothering Sunday this week, which is a real shame, but we hope to have 4 or 5 services in the MA for Palm Sunday (21/3).

We have two challenges to overcome for Easter weekend: Firstly, we are supposed to have a 72-hour gap between services – which means that you shouldn’t have a service on Good Friday and on Easter Day in the same building. Secondly, ministers are not supposed to lead multiple services in different places. Given that we have several members of our ministry team not available to take services, this means that we won’t be able to provide a Communion service in every church. We currently hope to have a service on Easter Day in 8-10 of our churches, with a service on Good Friday in 3-5 other buildings. Some of our smallest churches will unfortunately miss out altogether because, if we can’t provide a service everywhere, we need to focus on the buildings large enough to accommodate all the people that would want to attend a service somewhere. Non-Eucharistic services may be possible in these churches, but we appreciate that this may not be what people want. We are endeavouring to ensure that even if there is not a service in your local church on Easter Day, there will be one in the next closest church.

The details for all of this will be finalised in the next week and available in MA News next weekend.

Diocesan Services for Holy Week

The diocese is providing a range of online services during Holy Week. These will be led by members from across the Teulu Asaph and are as follows:

The Palm Sunday Liturgy and Blessing of Palms
Devotions for the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Holy Week led by the Archdeaconries
The Stations of the Cross
The Chrism Eucharist on Maundy Thursday, where clergy and licensed lay ministers renew their commitment to Christian ministry and service.
A Good Friday Service from Hope Street (our new Resource Church in Wrexham)
Prayer and Meditation for Holy Saturday
Ceremony of the Easter Light on Saturday evening from the Cathedral
An Easter Day Eucharist

The great thing about all these services is that you will be able to follow them at whatever time suits you each day.

A full programme of all these services with links will be available on the Diocesan website at: https://dioceseofstasaph.org.uk/lent-holy-week-and-easter/

Lent Prayer

You might like to join others in the Diocese in this prayer each evening during Lent:

Sovereign Lord, all our beginnings and endings are
encompassed by you.
Help us follow in the footsteps of Christ
and seek your Kingdom with all our hearts.
In Jesus, may we find firm footing for our feet
and clear direction to our travels.
With his life and love breathed into our witness,
may we stand with him,
who, for the joy that was set before him,
endured the cross.

Amen.

Need more volunteers? – consider this Training Session:
13 April 11am – 1pm (via Zoom): Volunteers are the life blood of the church and the projects it supports. Join this session on how to attract and retain volunteers who are passionate and committed to their volunteering, whether in traditional church roles or in community outreach projects. The session will be interactive with signposting to useful resources, case studies and examples of best practice. To book your place please contact siancharlesworth@cinw.org.uk

Safeguarding Training

A reminder that those who haven’t renewed their safeguarding training recently and are working with children, young people or vulnerable adults, should sign up for the 2-part update sessions that are being run on Zoom this month. Several of the dates for the 1^st part of the training have already past, but there are a couple left and plenty of options for part 2 as follows:

Part 1

Monday 15^th March 2pm
Wednesday 17^th March

Part 2
Friday 19^th March 2pm
Monday 22^nd March 2pm
Wednesday 24^th March 10am
Monday 29^th March 2pm
Wednesday 31^st March 10am

Pick one date from each and book by emailing: safeguardingtraining@stpadarns.ac.uk

Pastoral

People from several of our churches will know Marion Stafford, who was always happy to share her skills if a church was short of an organist. Sadly Marion died quite suddenly earlier this month. Please remember Marion in your prayers and give thanks for her ministry amongst us. Remember too her family, including her sister Jean Jones, one of our wardens at Buttington. Please also remember Archdeacon Barry and Yvonne, as Barry’s father Des is laid to rest this coming Monday.

On-Line Services – Sunday 7th March

The YouTube link for this week’s service is here: https://youtu.be/zyygmbDnwio

It will also be on the Pool Mission Area and Guilsfield Facebook pages on Sunday as usual.

The link for the weekly Zoom service at 09.30 on Sunday is here:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88389449711
Meeting ID: 883 8944 9711

To join the service by telephone:

Dial 0203 051 2874
When requested, the meeting ID is 883 8944 9711 followed by #
When asked for your personal ID just enter #

Latest MA News – 6th March

New Worship Leaders

Quintin Batt & Tori Stait (Montgomery), Carol Davies (Llandysilio), Colin Pengelly (Castle Caereinion) and Jim Sharman (Pool Quay) have recently been trained as Worship Leaders. They will be commissioned as such in their own churches once we are back with in-church services and we look forward to giving them opportunity to use the gifts God has given them in this way.

We have a couple of other people wanting to be trained in the coming weeks and are always happy to consider others who would like to offer themselves for this or other forms of ministry. Please talk to one of the clergy or churchwardens if you’d like to know more.

Lent Prayer

You might like to join others in the Diocese in this prayer each evening during Lent:

Amen.

Diocesan Services for Holy Week

Because of the uncertainty about services in local churches during Holy Week the diocese is providing a range of online services during Holy Week.

These services will be led by members from across the Teulu Asaph and are as follows:

The Palm Sunday Liturgy and Blessing of Palms
Devotions for the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Holy Week led by the Archdeaconries
The Stations of the Cross
The Chrism Eucharist on Maundy Thursday, where clergy and licensed lay ministers renew their commitment to Christian ministry and service.
A Good Friday Service from Hope Street (our new Resource Church in Wrexham)
Prayer and Meditation for Holy Saturday
Ceremony of the Easter Light on Saturday evening from the Cathedral
An Easter Day Eucharist

Supplementing these diocesan services will be live Cathedral services available from the Cathedral website. These will include a Commemoration of the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday evening at 7pm and the Good Friday Liturgy at 2pm, for those who would like to join in these.

A full programme of all these services with links will be available on the Diocesan website at: https://dioceseofstasaph.org.uk/lent-holy-week-and-easter/

Safeguarding Training

Those working with children and young people or vulnerable adults who haven’t renewed their safeguarding training recently should sign up for the 2-part update sessions that are being run on Zoom this month. There are several options for dates, as follows:

Part 1
Monday 8^th March 10am
Wednesday 10^th March 10am
Thursday 11^th March 2pm
Monday 15^th March 2pm
Wednesday 17^th March

Part 2
Friday 19^th March 2pm
Monday 22^nd March 2pm
Wednesday 24^th March 10am
Monday 29^th March 2pm
Wednesday 31^st March 10am

Pick one date from each to suit yourself and book by emailing: safeguardingtraining@stpadarns.ac.uk

NHS Decision Making

Just to repeat information given last week in case anyone missed it – Steve has been contacted by Laura Mosley who is the Social Inclusion Project Facilitator for The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust. Her role is to encourage groups and individuals to become actively involved in decision making for the trust, and to help direct decision making by encouraging people to give their opinions and views on the services they provide.

Laura would very much appreciate more people getting involved in the People’s Forum. Anyone is welcome to apply but individuals from BAME and other seldom heard communities aren’t involved in this process as much would be liked and so would be especially welcome.

You can become a Community Member via this link https://secure.membra.co.uk/ShrewsburyTelfordApplicationForm/

or by emailing Laura laura.mosley1@nhs.net who can also provide further information.

Supporting our Local Police Force

Dyfed-Powys Police are looking for members of the public who may be interested in joining the independent advisory group. This group acts as a critical friend to the Force and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner. They provide the Police and the OPCC with independent advice about specific issues identified by the Police, OPCC or members of the IAG. The IAG also provide constructive advice/feedback on policies and procedures.

The group represent diverse communities in terms of age, gender, gender reassignment, disability, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation and Welsh Language. We are particularly looking for people who represent ethnic minorities, LGBT+, disability, religion or belief and Welsh Language.

Miranda Bryant of the police diversity team is happy to have a chat with anyone about the IAG and can provide a role profile which provides more information and an application form. Meetings are held quarterly. Recruitment to the IAG follows a fair and transparent process. Applicants are vetted to Non Police Personnel Vetting (NPPV) ‘Level 2’, in line with the National ACPO Vetting Policy.

Information is available on the Dyfed Powys Police website via the link below:

https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/police-forces/dyfed-powys-police/areas/about-us/about-us/independent-advisory-group/

Contact Miranda Bryant via Email: Miranda.bryant@dyfed-powys.pnn.police.uk or

Telephone:- 01267 226497 or 101 / 01267 222020 – Select Option 3 – Extension 23176

Pastoral

Please remember those grieving in our communities at this time, with several people having recently died as a result of Covid or from other causes. Remember too those who grieve, those who are ill, those who are anxious for loved ones and all who care for them.

On-Line Services – Sunday 28th February

The YouTube link for this week’s service is here: https://youtu.be/SpuF_cbXZFY. It will also be on the Pool Mission Area and Guilsfield Facebook pages on Sunday as usual.

The link for the weekly Zoom service at 09.30 on Sunday is here:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88389449711
Meeting ID: 883 8944 9711

To join the service by telephone:

Dial 0203 051 2874
When requested, the meeting ID is 883 8944 9711 followed by #
When asked for your personal ID just enter #

Mission Area News – 27th February

In-Church Services

We know that many of you are itching to get back to church and we are continuing to monitor and discuss the situation. The picture across the country as a whole continues to improve as the current restrictions bear fruit and the roll-out of vaccination reduces the number of people at risk. Unfortunately, in our local area the situation is not so good, with a couple of outbreaks that are continuing to keep infection rates higher than normal in the Welshpool (8 new cases last week) and Montgomery, Berriew & Trewern (6) areas.

We remain confident that we will be able to reopen some of our churches in time for Good Friday and Easter, and it may be possible to begin opening in the latter part of March, but we shall have to see how things go over the next couple of weeks.

Lent Groups

We’ve had a positive response to most of our Lent Groups and it’s been good to see a couple of people who are not used to Zoom being brave and giving it a try! It is not too late to join any of the following groups, so please contact Alexis or Steve if you’d like to join in and we will help you get set up.

Tuesday evenings at 19.30

‘Pilgrimage’ – Journeying with God and each other.

An existing weekly housegroup extends a warm welcome to anyone who would like to join with them virtually, to travel together exploring the idea of pilgrimage.

Contact Alexis (01686 641992) for more details or to ask for the link.

Wednesday evenings at 19.30

‘Caring for Creation’ – responding to the threats to our environment.

The Churches of Welshpool extend a warm welcome to anyone who would like to join with them virtually for what Church Times calls, “an informative course… which digs deeper into issues and is particularly good at calling out misplaced Christian attitudes”.

Contact Steve (01938 553164) for more details or to ask for the link.

Thursday evenings at 19.30

‘Give God an hour’ – a beginner’s guide to discipleship.

Jesus didn’t call people to believe in him, he called us to follow him. But what does it mean to be a disciple of Christ?’ We’ll be exploring passages of the gospels together to find out.

Contact Steve (01938 553164) for more details or to ask for the link.

Please let us know which group you want to join as soon as possible so we can make sure you get the link and any course materials you need in plenty of time!

Lent Prayer

You might like to join others in the Diocese in this prayer each evening during Lent:

Amen.

NHS Decision Making

Steve has been contacted by Laura Mosley who is the Social Inclusion Project Facilitator for The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust. Her role is to encourage groups and individuals to become actively involved in decision making for the trust, and to help direct decision making by encouraging people to give their opinions and views on the services they provide.

You can become a Community Member via this link https://secure.membra.co.uk/ShrewsburyTelfordApplicationForm/

or by emailing Laura laura.mosley1@nhs.net who can also provide further information.

Pastoral

Please remember those grieving in our communities at this time, with several people having recently died as a result of covid or from other causes. Remember too those who grieve, those who are ill, those who are anxious for loved ones and all who care for them.

This Week’s On-Line Services – 21st February

The link for our service on YouTube this week is here : https://youtu.be/wvTQfrKeCZI

Also on the Pool Mission Area and Guilsfield Church Facebook pages as usual on Sunday morning.

Our Zoom Service on Sunday starts at 09.30:
Alexis Smith is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88389449711
Meeting ID: 883 8944 9711

Mission Area News – 20th February

Lent 2021

Well we didn’t start Lent well as a misunderstanding meant Caroline’s Ash Wednesday service didn’t appear on the day intended – sorry Caroline! If you want to catch up with it you can find it here: https://youtu.be/ZiIeTUlGySY

Putting that behind us, let’s try to make the most of Lent despite still not being able to worship together. We have put together a package of on-line options to help with this. Please sign up for whichever you think will work best for you. All of the groups will start this coming week so will be 6 sessions long, and all of them will be using Zoom. Zoom is very accessible – you don’t have to download it onto your computer to use it and you can also access it by telephone. It’s interactive too, so you can join in the conversation, which is great for catching up with people you can’t see at the moment as well as for participating in the discussion.

You will need to let us know which group you want to join to get the link for the meetings. The options and contacts are listed in last week’s MA News below.

Please let us know which group you want to join as soon as possible so we can make sure you get the link and any course materials you need in plenty of time!

Bishop Gregory hopes you will join with him in praying the 2021 Lent Prayer at 6pm every evening (or the nearest convenient time). This is also to be found in last week’s MA News below.

On-Line Services – 14th February

The link for YouTube is: https://youtu.be/JSaDtstAITg.

Also on the Pool Mission Area and Guilsfield Church Facebook pages as usual on Sunday morning.

On Zoom – Service starts at 09.30:
Alexis Smith is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88389449711
Meeting ID: 883 8944 9711

Latest MA News – 13th February

Lent 2021

Lent begins this coming week, so get your pancake stuff ready for Tuesday and put some thought into what you are going to do this year to learn and grow in your faith during the season of preparation and self-denial. Recognising that we’re all disadvantaged this year by not having services and events in our churches, we have put together a package of on-line options to help with this. Details are below, please have a look and choose whichever you think will work best for you. All of the groups will start in the first full week of Lent (ie. week beginning 22^nd Feb) so will be 6 sessions long, and all of them will be using Zoom.

Zoom is very accessible because you don’t have to download it onto your computer to use it and you can also access it by telephone. It’s interactive too, so you can join in with the conversations, which is great for catching up with people you can’t see at the moment as well as for joining in with discussion.

You will need to let us know which group you want to join to get the link for the meetings. Here are your options:

Monday evenings at 19.30

‘Start!’ – Discovering Christianity in small group sessions.

Start! is a down-to-earth course to help today’s men and women discover the Christian faith in a small-group setting. The course will be run via ZOOM with PowerPoints. Participants get a workbook to record responses in.

Contact Alexis (01686 641992) for more details or to ask for the link.

Tuesday evenings at 19.30

‘Pilgrimage’ – Journeying with God and each other.

An existing weekly housegroup extends a warm welcome to anyone who would like to join with them virtually, to travel together exploring the idea of pilgrimage.

Contact Alexis (01686 641992) for more details or to ask for the link.

Wednesday morning at 10.00

‘Give God an hour’ – a beginner’s guide to discipleship.

Jesus didn’t call people to believe in him, he called us to follow him. But what does it mean to be a disciple of Christ?’ We’ll be exploring passages of the gospels together to find out.

Contact Steve (01938 553164) for more details or to ask for the link.

Wednesday evenings at 19.30

‘Caring for Creation’ – responding to the threats to our environment.

The various Churches of Welshpool extend a warm welcome to anyone who would like to join with them virtually for what Church Times calls, “an informative course… which digs deeper into issues, and is particularly good at calling out misplaced Christian attitudes”, Contact Steve (01938 553164) for more details or to ask for the link.

Thursday evenings at 19.30

‘Give God an hour’ – a beginner’s guide to discipleship.

Jesus didn’t call people to believe in him, he called us to follow him. But what does it mean to be a disciple of Christ?’ We’ll be exploring passages of the gospels together to find out.

Contact Steve (01938 553164) for more details or to ask for the link.

Please sign up for one of these groups – don’t let Covid stop you growing!

Also, from Ash Wednesday, Bishop Gregory hopes that you will join with him in praying the 2021 Lent Prayer prayer at 6pm every evening, or the nearest convenient time.

The prayer, written by Archdeacon John Lomas, is here:

Amen.

There are two options available for worship on Ash Wednesday:

Caroline is recording an Ash Wednesday service for our Facebook page and YouTube

at 19.00 Bishop Gregory will be leading a live-streamed Celebration of the Holy Eucharist, together with the Ash Wednesday ceremonies, from the Cathedral. This is intended as a diocesan Celebration for those not able to participate in other provision. It will be available through the Cathedral website and Facebook page.

MA Conference

Reminder for MAC members that we have a Zoom meeting on Monday, 15^th Feb, at 19.30.

Pastoral

Archdeacon Barry’s father, Des, died earlier in the week. Please continue to remember Barry & Yvonne in your prayers, also Peter Clarke from Pool Quay church as he mourns for his wife, Ghillie, who also died this week.

Training

If you joined the Welcoming Visitors training the other day and are wondering about the insurance implications of leaving your church open more often then this short (and free) session will be good for you:

Open Churches, the Ecclesiastical Insurance perspective
Monday 22^nd February 2pm for 35 minutes (with 30 minutes questions at the end). Delivered by Chris Brundell, Ecclesiastical Insurance.
Book here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/open-churches-by-ecclesiastical-insurance-church-tourism-workshop-wales-tickets-141050631235

And there’s also this:

Footfalls (things you might need to think about related to the impact of visitors)
Thursday 25^th February 2pm for 45 minutes (with 30 mins questions at the end). Delivered by Sarah Crossland, National Churches Trust.
Book here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/footfalls-exploring-the-effects-of-visitors-church-tourism-workshop-tickets-141010661685

Alternatively, if you want to know more about using social media to encourage people to engage with your church this will be right up your street:

Social media, an introduction to social media for your church
Tuesday 23^rd February 2pm for 45 minutes (with 30 mins questions at the end). Delivered by Sarah Crossland, National Churches Trust
Book here:https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/social-media-making-it-work-for-churches-church-tourism-workshop-wales-tickets-141022942417

Finally, if you want to make the most of your churchyard:

What’s so special about burial grounds? Wednesday 24^th February at 1pm for 30 minutes (with 30 minutes questions at the end) A virtual saunter discovering the wonders to be found in these unique places followed by chat/questions/discussion with Caring for God’s Acre.
Book here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/whats-so-special-about-burial-grounds-church-tourism-workshop-wales-tickets-141139121913

Vacancy on the Diocesan Grants Committee

The committee meets four times per year (currently via Zoom) and considers applications for building, youth work, social engagement, and training funds. The Diocesan Grants enable projects relating to mission, ministry, and social justice to come to fruition. The recently established Coronavirus Emergency Support Fund has helped many MAs kickstart projects supporting people in the community and you can find out more about these examples of faith in action by watching the videos on this link Faith in Action – Diocese St. Asaph (dioceseofstasaph.org.uk)

The Diocese is inviting applications from members of the clergy or laity. If you are interested in finding out more or becoming a member of the Grants Committee please email hannahdaniels@cinw.org.uk Church in Wales’ new on-line giving site

Reminder that donating to your church is now easier than ever thanks to the launch of the Church in Wales’ fully digital online giving site. You can now give digitally to any church or project registered for Gift Direct through the Church in Wales website. You can manage your donation yourself; choosing where it goes, how much you want to donate, how regularly you want to give, or amend existing donations. You can also Gift Aid your donation. To donate online go to: https://www.churchinwales.org.uk/onlinegiving.

Letters from the Bishop and Archdeacon John Lomas

Please see the Bishop’s pastoral letter for February: 210214 Pastoral Letter Here is Love. Also a letter sent by Archdeacon John Lomas to the clergy which deserves a wider audience: 210208 Archdeacon letter to clergy JL.

MA News – 7th February

Laptops and iPads for Schools

Somebody asked recently about donating money, rather than laptops to local schools but Steve has forgotten who! The answer is, yes, at least some of our schools, probably all, would be happy to accept donations for this purpose.

MA Conference

Having finally got our 2019 accounts back from the auditors we need to formally approve them and so there will be a Zoom meeting of the MAC on Monday 15^th February (a week on Monday) will MAC members please make a note in their diaries.

If anyone has any other items that they would like included on the agenda (including financial transactions that need MAC approval) please let Steve or Jenny know as soon as possible.

Give God an Hour (or so) for Lent

With no in-church services and several other things not happening at the moment we would like to encourage as many of you as possible to take advantage of the things we’re planning for Lent. We are in the process of setting up a range of Zoom groups. Zoom is very accessible because you don’t have to download it onto your computer to use it and you can also access it by telephone. It’s interactive too, so you can join in with the conversations, which is great for catching up with people you can’t see at the moment as well as for joining in with discussion. Further details about the groups and of how to access them will be available next week but in the mean time this is what is being planned:

Monday evenings at 19.30 – ‘Start!’ – Discovering Christianity in small groups

Contact Alexis (01686 641992) for more details or to ask for the link.

Tuesday evenings at 19.30 – ‘Pilgrimage’ – Journeying with God and each other.

Contact Alexis (01686 641992) for more details or to ask for the link.

Wednesday morning at 10.00 – ‘Why Disciples?’ – Following not believing

Contact Steve (01938 553164 for more details or to ask for the link.

Wednesday evenings at 19.30 – ‘Caring for Creation’ (with Welshpool Chs Together) Contact Steve (01938 553164 for more details or to ask for the link.

Thursday evenings at 19.30 – ‘Why Disciples?’ – Following not believing

Contact Steve (01938 553164 for more details or to ask for the link.

Pastoral

Archdeacon Barry is taking some time off to care for his father, Des, who lives with Barry & Yvonne and is terminally ill. Steve can hopefully answer any questions you might have wanted to ask Barry, but alternatively you can contact one of the other archdeacons:

John Lomas 01244 579673 or Andy Grimwood 01352 720478.

Please remember Des, Barry and Yvonne in your prayers.

Extending a Welcome to visitors

Last chance to sign up for this training session about attracting passers by into our beautiful buildings (see information from last week’s, 31st January, MA News).

This Week’s On-Line Service – 7th February

The link for YouTube is: https://youtu.be/MkD31SFslKs.

Also on The Pool Mission Area and Guilsfield Church Facebook pages as usual on Sunday morning.

This Week’s On-Line Services

This week’s MA Service has a Candlemas theme and Rev’d Bethan Scotford, who is leading it for us this week, says “those who will be following the service might like to have a small candle in a holder prepared which they can light in a safe manner when the Nunc Dimittis is sung at the end. It is not compulsory, but some might like to do that”.

The link for YouTube is: https://youtu.be/JsYYp8je6EQ.

Also on The Pool Mission Area and Guilsfield Church Facebook pages as usual on Sunday morning.

Our Zoom service starts at 09.30:
Alexis Smith is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88389449711
Meeting ID: 883 8944 9711

Latest MA News

Short notice vaccinations appointments

Shortly after sending out last week’s MA News we received confirmation that the short notice appointments are now available for Newtown, as well as Builth Wells.

Extending a Welcome to visitors

The recent MA Review recognised that all of our churches could do more to make passing visitors welcome (being open to walkers, providing information about our activities and our buildings, providing a hospitality table etc.)

Several churches have responded by asking for more information about this and therefore the following on-line training session may well be of interest:

Church Tourism – Welcoming Visitors

– A workshop to help your Church benefit from visitors

The National Churches Trust Explore Churches team are running an on-line training workshop (on Zoom) in February which will look at the following areas:

Why should you welcome visitors to your church or chapel?

What is tourism worth?

What have we got to offer visitors?

Does your church say ‘Welcome’?

What are the first impressions – both inside and out?

How do we meet and greet visitors?

Thinking through some of the risks involved in opening to visitors.

The event is on Wednesday 10^th February at 11.30 – 12.30am tickets cost £5.80.

Please see the link below for more details and to book your place:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/welcoming-visitors-a-workshop-to-help-your-church-benefit-from-visitors-tickets-136606783567.

There’s a small charge for the event, £5.80, but this is minimal in comparison with the potential financial benefits of attracting more visitors so churches should be willing to pay this as a fundraising investment.

Connecting with your Community
A reminder of this forthcoming diocesan event – Wed 3rd February, 10am – 12noon (via Zoom) Join us to hear from six inspirational speakers from across the diocese who have seen past the challenges of lockdown to better connect with their local community. The online session will be a chance to hear how six different churches are meeting a critical need in their local community and learn from their experience. Using a mixture of films, panel discussion and Q&A, this is an opportunity to pick up some tips, ideas and learn from any pitfalls, to be inspired to develop your own project to reach out into your community. For further information or to book a place, email sarahwheat@cinw.org.uk.

In-church services

There were no significant changes in today’s Welsh Government lockdown review and the Church in Wales continue to advise using alternatives to in-church worship until further notice. The Bench of Bishops have given notice of what might be permissible for Lent, Holy Week and Easter – more of that later when we have a clearer idea of what will be sensible.

One date you might like to note in your diary is Thurs 1^st April. This is Maundy Thursday, when the licensed ministers of the Diocese usually all gather in the Cathedral for the Chrism Eucharist at which holy oils are blessed and ministers renew their ordination or licensing vows. The service is having to happen on Zoom this year (at 10.00am) but that may give people who can’t normally get to (or fit in!) the Cathedral a chance to experience it. A link to the meeting will be available nearer the time.

This Week’s On-Line Services – 24th January

On YouTube: https://youtu.be/_eTF_g2Dtsk.

Also on the Pool Mission Area and Guilsfield Church Facebook pages as usual on Sunday morning.

On Zoom – Service starts at 09.30:
Alexis Smith is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88389449711
Meeting ID: 883 8944 9711

In-Church Services

At his press conference today the First Minister suggested that he could see little room for changes when the lockdown is reviewed next week, so we currently don’t anticipate any reopening of churches before the latter part of February at the earliest. We think March is more likely. Current infection levels are only just beginning to level out as a result of the lockdown and remain very high. The more easily transmitted newer strain of Covid continues to spread in Wales and we can’t imagine anything will change until that is no longer the case.

So, in the meantime, keep safe at home.

Mission Area News

Vaccination Progress

It’s really good that this week several parishioners have had their vaccinations or at least a date to attend for one.

Powys Health Board are also able to offer short notice appointments when someone else has cancelled an existing appointment.

This option is only open to people who are:

Aged 70-74 or aged 80+ (those aged 75-79 are being contacted at GP practices)

and Registered with a GP in Powys

and Don’t already have an appointment date

and are able to travel safely at short notice to Builth Wells Vaccination Centre.

If you qualify and would like to sign up cut and paste the following link into your computer:

https://pthb.nhs.wales/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccination/age-70-to-74/are-you-able-to-attend-a-mass-vaccination-centre-appointment-at-short-notice/

If that doesn’t work, type in pthb.nhs.wales and then use their search facilities to find short-notice vaccinations.

They’ll get to the rest of us eventually! While you’re waiting you might like to pray for all the volunteers who are supporting the vaccination roll out and for the medics, practice managers, pharmaceutical suppliers and others who are working long hours trying to make it all happen as quickly as possible.

Good news about unaccompanied child migrants

Stephen Hayes writes…

Back in August last year, the Home Office wrote to councils throughout the UK stating that a crisis of care was arising in Kent due to the numbers of unaccompanied child migrants arriving in this country and requiring care.

The letter asked for councils for emergency support, placements and willingness to take responsibility under the Children Act 1989 for some of these young people.

Shortly afterwards it was announced in local media that Powys County Council had rejected this appeal and would not be offering a welcome to Unaccompanied Child Migrants. After I wrote about this in the Montgomery Crier community magazine, many people from the churches in the Mission Area contacted me to deplore this decision and offer their support in challenging it, emphasising the compassion they believed we, as a county and a nation, should show to these vulnerable children.

I’m glad to say that despite some real practical difficulties, local authorities throughout Wales are now collaborating to offer a welcome and a home to unaccompanied migrant children – and Powys is part of that effort. I’ll be asking a formal question at County Council on 4^th March which should clarify just what Powys is doing. The question will underline people’s desire that we show ourselves a generous and humane nation.

Thank you to everyone who wrote to express their concern and press for action on this matter.

Stephen

Connecting with your Community

A reminder of this forthcoming diocesan event – Wed 3rd February, 10am – 12noon (via Zoom) Join us to hear from six inspirational speakers from across the diocese who have seen past the challenges of lockdown to better connect with their local community. The online session will be a chance to hear how six different churches are meeting a critical need in their local community and learn from their experience. Using a mixture of films, panel discussion and Q&A, this is an opportunity to pick up some tips, ideas and learn from any pitfalls, to be inspired to develop your own project to reach out into your community. For further information and to book a place, please email sarahwheat@cinw.org.uk.

On-Line Services – 17th January

On YouTube: https://youtu.be/XpljIOymNmY.

Also on our Facebook page as usual on Sunday morning.

Zoom Service
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88389449711.

Time: 09:30 AM London

Latest News from the Mission Area and Mission Area Leader

Statement from the Bench of Bishops

It will be clear to all that we are facing a very difficult and dark period in the fight against Coronavirus Covid-19. The emergence of a new variant is a particularly unwelcome development. Welsh Government advice on the new variant tells us:

The new Variant of Covid 19 is more transmissible than the current type, and is likely to be the dominant variant in Wales across the whole population in a matter of weeks.

This means there is a greater chance of contracting the virus if you come into contact with an infected person.

There is no evidence that the new variant increases the likelihood of worse health outcomes for individual children or adults.

Although the vaccination programme is ongoing, the risk-reducing behaviours and controls already communicated during the pandemic (principally social distancing, hygiene and cleaning) remain the most effective means of reducing transmission, for everyone.

Whilst places of worship can, by law, remain open for worship, funerals and weddings, Welsh Government is strongly advising that:

‘those who are responsible for places of worship should consider whether there are alternative ways of holding worship services’.

The Bench of Bishops does not, at this time, require the suspension of in person worship but alternatives to in person worship should be pursued where possible.

Beware of Covid Scams

The office of the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales report that a number of new scams relating to the Covid vaccine are circulating and it’s crucial we are all vigilant. The NHS will never ask for your bank details or payment. Vaccines are NOT being delivered door-to-door. If you receive a call/email that you think is fraudulent please report it

Connecting with your Community
This Diocesan event sounds interesting – Wed 3rd February, 10am – 12noon (via Zoom) Join us to hear from six inspirational speakers from across the diocese who have seen past the challenges of lockdown to better connect with their local community. The online session will be a chance to hear how six different churches are meeting a critical need in their local community and learn from their experience. Using a mixture of films, panel discussion and Q&A, this is an opportunity to pick up some tips, ideas and learn from any pitfalls, to be inspired to develop your own project to reach out into your community. For further information and to book a place, please email sarahwheat@cinw.org.uk.

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Bilingual resources are now available to download for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2021, traditionally held between 18-25 January.

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in 2021 has been prepared by the Monastic Community of Grandchamp in Switzerland. The theme, “Abide in my love and you shall bear much fruit”, is based on John 15:1-17 and expresses Grandchamp Community’s vocation to prayer, reconciliation and unity in the Church and the human family.

Worship and background material for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2021 | World Council of Churches (oikoumene.org).

Training

Please find below some dates for Safeguarding Training, which all those working with children, young people and vulnerable adults should complete if they didn’t do it last year. Also further training for Treasurers on the Data Developments accounting system.

Safeguarding Training
The latest set of dates for Church in Wales safeguarding training are still available for bookings. The training is in two parts, Part 1 & Part 2, you must attend both parts to complete the course. Most of the part 1 dates have already past but there is one left:

19 January 14.00 – Part 1

21 January 14.00 – Part 2
22 January 14.00 – Part 2
27 January 10.00 – Part 2
29 January 10.00 – Part 2
Places can be booked by emailing safeguardingtraining@stpadarns.ac.uk.

Intermediate level training in Finance Coordinator 4 for Church Treasurers.
Tuesday 26 January 1:30 – 5:30pm via Zoom (including an hour’s break).
If you are already using FC4 to produce your church’s accounts this course will help you learn some shortcuts and other useful tips. Timed to coincide with your year-end procedures the session will cover programme functions such as account & fund transfers, revaluing investments, year-end procedures, memorising transactions and producing budgets. To book a place and receive a copy of the course manual please contact siancharlesworth@cinw.org.uk or phone 01745 532582.

Funding

This week’s StAR (the Diocese’s weekly information email) contains information about several funding opportunities that may be helpful for churches struggling financially because of covid or trying to support their community. See below for details.

National Lottery Grants for Heritage for Smaller Grant Applications
The first phase of the grants programme is now open:

Phase 1 – for applications for grants from £3,000-£10,000 and £10,000-£100,000 . This will provide some much-needed financial assistance, particularly to those heritage sector organisations who have, so far, been unable to access COVID-19 emergency funds. NLHF will be looking for projects with a particular emphasis on organisational resilience and inclusion. You can find out more on the diocesan website or contact martynschlangen@cinw.org.uk at the Diocese Office.

The Archbishop of Wales Fund for Children is open for applications
The fund has been set up to support children in need, their families and local communities by making grants to organisations in the following order of priority and category.

Those in the Dioceses of the Church in Wales
Those associated with other Christian Bodies who are members of CYTUN.
Other organisations working with children in need in Wales.

Find out more on the Church in Wales website or for advice email Martyn Schlangen.

Welsh Government Voluntary Services Recovery Fund
A new fund from Welsh Government and administered by WCVA will focus on reducing the inequality resulting from the pandemic.Grants will support not-for-profit organisations working at a community scale up to a national level in Wales and can be between £10,000 – £100,000.
This fund is primarily focused on revenue funding; however, your funding request can contain costs for purchases of smaller ‘capital’ equipment including consumables (for example PPE, screens etc). For more details please search https://wcva.cymru/funding/voluntary-services-recovery-fund/

Funding for Churches and Christian Charities to Respond to Coronavirus Crisis
Churches, Cathedrals, Christian denominational bodies, and Christian charities in the UK can now apply for funding from All Churches Trust through the Hope Beyond fund to meet changing needs within their communities as the longer-term impact of the coronavirus/COVID-19 crisis becomes clearer. Grants of up to £50,000 are available. Successful applicants will receive a grant covering between 10% and 80% of the costs, depending on the overall cost of the project and the level of need in their community. Funding will be available for projects in the following three areas:

Projects responding to the issues of loneliness and isolation exacerbated by the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic where new and/or enhanced support is being proposed. This could include enabling improved accessibility to buildings/activities and measures to ensure buildings are coronavirus/COVID-19 safe.
Projects focused on growing community resilience and promoting mental and emotional health and wellbeing, including the provision of mental health and wellbeing support groups and 1:1 counselling for people of all ages (including clergy).
Projects focused on growing technological capability and resilience, particularly increasing digital capacity and provision, and supporting those without online access to get online through training and support.

The grants can cover capital costs, such as adaptation of buildings and the purchase of equipment, as well as project-related salaries and some other revenue costs (to the end of 2021), such as training of staff and/or volunteers, hire of buildings and/or equipment, and promotion and marketing of new activities. For more details please go to:

https://www.allchurches.co.uk/what-we-fund/hopebeyond/

Bishop Gregory’s Latest Pastoral Letter

Please find the latest Pastoral Letter from Bishop Gregory at: 210113 Pastoral Letter.

On-Line Services and MA News – 10th January

Not too much news this week.

Obviously having to suspend in-church services again is disappointing, albeit necessary under the current circumstances. The links for our on-line services follow. New Year is a good time to try something new so, if you would prefer something more interactive than the pre-recorded service on YouTube/Facebook, why not give the Zoom service a try? As well as being able to participate in the worship there is usually the opportunity to chat to other folk before or afterwards. You can also sing in the safety of your own home!

Zoom is renowned for being easy to use (most manage it without trouble so it can’t be that difficult!). There are various versions available but to join in with the service you only need the basic version which is completely free.

You should be able to access the service simply by clicking this link and following the instructions: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88389449711

You can also access the free version of Zoom via their website – https://zoom.us

Alternatively here is the link for this Sunday’s YouTube service: https://youtu.be/cYqUcxX2_NE

Available on Sunday morning on Pool Mission Area’s and Guilsfield Church’s Facebook pages.

Latest MA News – 5th January

On the advice of the Diocesan Senior Staff Team (ie. Bishop, Dean, Archdeacons and Diocesan Secretary) we are suspending public worship for the remainder of January so there will be no services in any of Pool MA’s churches for at least the rest of this month.

Although the Welsh Government coronavirus legislation currently permits public worship it does urge extreme caution and emphasises that it should only take place after careful revaluation of Risk Assessments. Research published at the end of last week by Imperial College London suggest that the new strain of Covid is spreading much more easily than the existing strain and the reasons it is able to do so are not yet known. Without that information it is not possible to be certain we have the necessary precautions in place to protect the safety of worshippers, which has to be our first priority. Whilst we recognise that this decision will be disappointing to many we feel it is necessary, given that cases of the new strain are now emerging in Mid & N. Wales.

We will review the situation towards the end of January, but think it is quite likely that in-church services will not recommence until March.

Our on-line YouTube/Facebook and Zoom services will of course continue every week.

On-Line Service – 3rd January

The link for Sunday’s on-line service is here: https://youtu.be/D8Y3BjtDX0E. It’ll be on The MA and Guilsfield Facebook pages too, as usual.

MA News

We hope your Christmas was as good as it could be and wish you a happy and healthy New Year!

As stated before Christmas we are reducing the number of in-church services in January because of the current situation.

It’s really important that people don’t venture out if they feel at all anxious about doing so – we’d far rather see everyone back in their churches later in the year than see some now and be missing a few when the situation improves. But for those that do still want to attend the services currently planned are as follows. The number that you need to call to book a seat is also shown:

Belan No services

Berriew 10.00 10^th & 24^th Jan Caroline Rhodes – 01938 554245

Buttington 09.30 17^th Jan Peter Stedman – 01938 554855

Castle C 09.30 10^th Jan Viv Lancaster – 01938 850507

Criggion No services

Forden 10.00 3^rd Jan Alexis Smith 01686 641992

Fron No services

Guilsfield 11.00 3^rd & 17^th Jan Caroline Rhodes – 01938 554245

Llandrinio 11.15 17^th Jan May Hillier – 01691 831484

Llandysilio 10.00 10^th & 24^th Jan Carol Davies – 01691 831008

Llandyssil No services

Montgomery 10.45 10^th & 24^th Jan Helen Hayes – 01686 668545

Pantyffridd No services

Penrhos ??.?? 31^st Jan Jim Thompson – 01691 828438

Pool Quay 10.30 3^rd & 17^th Jan Judy Crowe – 01938 590453

Welshpool 11.00 10^th, 24^th& 31^st Jan Sue Williams – 01938 553286

It is quite possible that some of these plans will change in response to local Covid levels. We’ll try to keep you informed through MA News. If you have already booked-in you will be advised.

Christmas Day Service – Guilsfield

Please note that there will be no service in Guilsfield Church on Christmas Day contrary to what had previously been advertised due to the unavailability of a member of the Shared Ministry Team to take it. However, we are still hoping to ring the bells for a brief period before 11:00am, when we would have had a service. Details of services in MA churches on Christmas Eve and Christmas day, as well as local on-line services are listed in the MA News below.

Guilsfield Church Features in the St Asaph Diocese Advent Calendar!

A video of Ian Harrison singing “The Winter Child” and another of Bethan reading her own story of “Christmas Angels” can be found at doors 16 and 23 of the St Asaph Diocese Advent Calendar. Both were filmed in Guilsfield Church.

Latest MA News -24th December

Yes, we know, we said there wouldn’t be another one until January! But 2020 seems to want finish in much the way as it has gone since February, with constant rejigging to try and take into account the latest Covid situation!

Covid Anxious?

As stated on Friday, public worship is allowed to continue despite the current lockdown, however the virus situation continues to deteriorate as a result of the new strain of Covid, which seems able to spread much more easily. Figures in the local area are also up, reportedly 6 new cases in Welshpool between 12^th & 18^th December, 10 in the Berriew/ Montgomery/Trewern zone and 0-2 in Guilsfield/Four Crosses. Most of our Christmas Services will continue as planned but please do not feel under any obligation to attend if you are at all anxious about the current situation. We don’t want anyone to put themselves at unnecessary risk, so if you are worried, please stay at home with our blessing and join in with the on-line services instead. These can be found here:

Carol Service: https://youtu.be/MWvzhWq9iuo

Christingle: https://youtu.be/phUfYCE7CG8

Spiritual Communion: https://youtu.be/i3KwshG5N4M

These are all also on the Pool Mission Area Facebook page.

You can also join the services on Zoom at 23.00 Christmas Eve or 10.00 Christmas morning. Rev’d Alexis Smith (01686 641992 or smith.sparrowssong@gmail.com) can let you have the link for these. Never Zoomed before? Why not try it?

**If you do decide not to attend a service you have booked in for, please can you let the person you booked with know, in case anyone is on a waiting list for that church.**

Changes to Christmas Services

Because of the deteriorating situation and the fact that has impacted on the number of ministers available, we have made two changes to the Christmas Services:

The 09.30 service on Christmas Morning at Buttington will now be Communion from Reserved Sacrament (ie. consecrated at an earlier service and administered by a Licensed Lay Minister).

The 11.00 service at Guilsfield on Christmas Morning has been cancelled. Those who were intending to go to that service are encouraged to attend the service at 21.00 on Christmas Eve instead or else one of the services in one of our other churches (details below).

Apologies to those who are affected by these decisions, but we have to do what is necessary to protect the vulnerable and reduce risk for all.

The remaining services (with contact for booking) are as follows:

Christmas Eve:

18.00 Llandrinio (May Hillier – 01691 831484)

19.45 Llandysilio (Carol Davies – 01691 831008)

21.00 Guilsfield (Caroline Rhodes – 01938 554245)

23.15 Penrhos (Jim Thompson – 01691 828438)

23.30 Welshpool (Sue Williams – 01938 553286)

Christmas Day:

09.30 Buttington – Reserved Sacrament (Peter Stedman – 01938 554855)

10.00 Berriew (Caroline Rhodes – 01938 554245)

10.00 Pool Quay (Judy Crowe – 01938 590453)

10.30 Castle Caereinion (Viv Lancaster – 01938 850507)

And another reminder, it is necessary to prebook seats at all these services. We have detailed risk assessments in place for all our churches to ensure we can keep all those attending as safe as possible but they are dependent the number of seats available. If you haven’t booked, and there’s no room, you will not be allowed in. You won’t be the first person to experience that at Christmas, but you won’t be able to blame the Romans this time, it’ll be because you didn’t book!

Christmas On-Call

Your stipendiary clergy have some time off after Christmas and one of the advantages of team ministry is that we can ensure we can do that with someone still being available. So for the 8 days after Christmas if you need to contact a minister please do so as follows in the first instance:

26/12 Steve 01938 553164 29/12 Toby 077 7024 5073 1/1 Steve 01938 553164

27/12 Alexis 01686 641992 30/12 Caroline 01938 554245 2/1 Steve 01938 553164

28/12 Alexis 01686 641992 31/12 Toby 077 7024 5073

(Caroline isn’t working less than the rest of us, Steve just asked her last so there was only one gap left to fill!)

Looking ahead to 2021

Due to the current Covid situation, and the way that impacts on availability of ministers, we will be reducing the number of in-church services in January. Things may well change, for better or for worse depending on developments, but provisionally this will mean there will be a service:

Every other week in Berriew, Guilsfield, Llandysilio, Montgomery & Welshpool.
Once a month in Buttington, Castle, Forden, Llandrinio, Llandyssil, Penrhos & Pool Quay.

Hopefully, before too long, we will see improvements as a result of the current lockdown and also those most vulnerable starting to be vaccinated. In the meantime we’ll try to keep you informed. Have as good a Christmas as you can!

This Week’s On-Line Services – 20th December

If you’ve been missing singing carols then this Sunday’s on-line Carol Service is for you. Nine familiar carols to sing-a-long to, as well as the nativity story in bible readings and reflections. Big thanks to Buttington church for hosting us, Phil Harratt for playing the organ, Peter Steadman for helping with the readings and Rev’d Toby Jones for filming, recording and editing it.

Here’s the link: https://youtu.be/MWvzhWq9iuo

Also available on the Pool Mission Area Facebook page on Sunday morning.

Other On-Line Christmas Services

Toby also filmed and is editing our Christmas Spiritual Communion Service led by Archdeacon Barry and hosted by Llandrinio church. This will be available on Christmas Eve for those unable to attend a service in church. It will be on the ‘Pool Mission Area’ Facebook page on Christmas Eve and on YouTube too. If you need the YouTube link please email Steve at revswillson@btinternet.com.

There will also be Zoom services at 09.30 on 20^th Dec, 23.00 on 24^th Dec and 10.00 on 25^th Dec. Rev’d Alexis Smith (smith.sparrowssong@gmail.com or 01686 641992) can let you have the link for these. We’re really grateful to Alexis and her team for providing our weekly zoom services over the last few months, it a lot of work in preparation and we really appreciate it!

In-Church Worship

Services this Sunday are as detailed last week except for the correction that there is no service at Buttington this Sunday.

Our Christmas Communion Services are as follows:

Wed 23^rd Dec

19.30 Montgomery (Helen Hayes – 01686 668545)

Christmas Eve

18.00 Llandrinio (May Hillier – 01691 831484)

19.45 Llandysilio (Carol Davies – 01691 831008)

21.00 Guilsfield (Caroline Rhodes – 01938 554245)

23.15 Penrhos (Jim Thompson – 01691 828438)

23.30 Welshpool (Sue Williams – 01938 553286)

Christmas Day

09.30 Buttington (Peter Stedman – 01938 554855)

10.00 Berriew (Caroline Rhodes – 01938 554245)

10.00 Pool Quay (Judy Crowe – 01938 590453)

10.30 Castle Caereinion (Viv Lancaster – 01938 850507)

11.00 Guilsfield (Caroline Rhodes – 01938 554245)

As emphasised last week, it is necessary to prebook seats at all these services – the contact number for each is provided above. We know it’s strange, but it has to be done to ensure that we can provide a safe place where people can feel comfortable coming to worship.

Please note that on Sun 27^th Dec there are no services in any of our churches.

Christmas On-Call

Your stipendiary clergy are entitled to some time off after Christmas and one of the advantages of team ministry is that we can ensure we can do that with someone still being available. So for the 8 days after Christmas at least one of us will be available if needed – please approach that person in the first instance:

26/12 Steve 01938 553164

27/12 Alexis 01686 641992

28/12 Alexis 01686 641992

29/12 Toby 077 7024 5073

30/12 Caroline 01938 554245

31/12 Toby 077 7024 5073

1/1 Steve 01938 553164

2/1 Steve 01938 553164

(Caroline isn’t working less than the rest of us, I just asked her last so there was only one gap left to fill!).

Mission Area News

2020

Well, what a year it’s been! Not one that many of us will remember very fondly We’re sure!! But none-the-less we can look back over it and be very positive about the amount that has been achieved despite the trying circumstances. We have found news ways of being church, some of which have enabled us to reach people who would not normally come into our buildings and get the gospel message to places it wouldn’t normally be heard.

We’d like to thank you all for the commitment you have shown in continuing to support your local churches in so many ways and in reaching out to those around us, which is, after all, what the church is here for. We’d especially like to thank the Shared Ministry Team and all those in our churches who have ensured our churches continued to be beacons of light in their community and have enabled us to reopen in most places.

Christingle in a Bag

Another big thank you to all those who have sponsored a child’s Christingle and those who have helped with the distribution, which has been a little fraught due to the short notice decisions to end in-school learning 4 days early! We still managed to get a ‘Christingle in a Bag’ to well over 400 children in Arddleen, Castle Caereinion, Forden, Guilsfield, Llandysilio and Welshpool.

It is still possible to collect a ‘Christingle in a Bag’ from any of the following:

Four Crosses area – ring Jenny on 07508 023055

Berriew/Castle Caereinion area – ring Sue & Richard on 01938 850341

Montgomery area – ring Shirley on 01938 580375

Welshpool area – collect from Church House* on

Sunday 20th Dec. 12.00-13.00

Monday 21st Dec 12.30-13.30

Tuesday 22nd Dec. 12.00-13.00

*access via the Church House car park, through the stone gateway opposite Chilli’s Takeaway on Church Street.

The on-line Christingle Service is available now on the ‘Pool Mission Area’ Facebook page and on YouTube – https://youtu.be/ybwBrn_A_sE.

Thanks to Eleri, Emily and Jenny Willson for musical contributions and Jenny again for filming and editing.

Looking ahead to 2021

The beginning of the vaccination programme gives us a lot of hope for the new year, but it is clear from the current Covid situation that the first few months are going to be pretty rough. The Welsh Government have already confirmed that a national lockdown will begin on 28^th December and we can be pretty sure it will follow in England, despite what Boris Johnson has said today.

We have received guidance confirming that places of worship will be allowed to remain open. Alex Glanville (the Church in Wales’ Head of Property Services who is liaising with WG for us) comments, “I believe Welsh Government now recognises the value of having places of worship open to support the well-being of people despite the significant restrictions in other areas. However, the need for extra care and rigorous implementation of risk management procedures is more important than ever.”

For your prayers

Please keep Ghillie Clarke from Pool Quay in your prayers over Christmas along with Jordan the roofer and others who are ill, anxious, lonely or depressed at this time. Pray for all who will find Christmas hard because of separation from those they would normally be with, because of domestic abuse or because of poverty. But also give thanks for the joy that will fill many homes over Christmas, the kindness we see in our communities as people endeavour to care for one another, the commitment of those who will be working to keep us safe over the holiday period and the hope that the hard-working scientists have given us as the vaccination programme begins to be rolled out. “The light has shined in the darkness and the darkness will not overcome it”.

The Next Exciting Installment…

The next MA News will be on 8^th January, 2021.

On-line Worship – 13th December

This week’s on-line service is a little different to usual. At St Mary’s in Welshpool they have ‘memory baubles’ on their Christmas tree, donated by people from the community in memory of absent friends they will be thinking of at Christmas. This week’s service is picking up on that idea and giving others the chance to do the same. It was a Willson family affair this week – thanks to Jennie for leading and producing the service, Eleri for singing and Emily for reading. Steve just made helpful noises of encouragement 😉. The link for the service is here: https://youtu.be/phUfYCE7CG8

If you would prefer something more Advent-themed for your worship this week, can we point Facebook users in the direction of our next door neighbours in Caereinion MA? Rev’d Jane James’ lovely Advent services can be found on the ‘Meifod Group of Parishes’ Facebook page.

On-line Worship – Christmas Services

Next Sunday’s on-line service will be a Carol Service. We are all sad to miss out on singing carols in church this year but you can sing away to your heart’s content in your own house next Sunday. Phil Harratt will be playing the traditional tunes, interspersed with readings telling the Christmas Story. There will also soon be an on-line Christingle Service to be used with the Christingle in a bag resources we are distributing and an on-line Spiritual Communion service led by Archdeacon Barry available on Christmas Eve for those unable to get to a service in church.

There will also be Zoom services at 09.30 on 20^th Dec, 23.00 on 24^th Dec and 10.00 on 25^th Dec. Please contact Alexis (01686 641992) for the link for these.

In-church Worship

Services this Sunday are much as usual, after that the following services are planned in our churches in the run up to Christmas. It will be necessary to prebook a seat at all of these services – the contact number for each is provided below:

Thursday 17^th Dec

19.00 Penrhos (Jim Thompson – 01691 828438)

Saturday 19^th Dec

15.00 Guilsfield (Caroline Rhodes – 01938 554245)

Sunday 20^th Dec

09.30 Buttington (Peter Stedman – 01938 554855)

09.30 Llandyssil (Gwen Cooper – 01686 668104)

10.00 Llandysilio (Carol Davies – 01691 831008)

10.30 Castle Caereinion (Viv Lancaster – 01938 850507)

10.30 Llandrinio (May Hillier – 01691 831484)

10.30 Pool Quay (Judy Crowe – 01938 590453)

10.45 Montgomery (Helen Hayes – 01686 668545)

11.00 Guilsfield (Caroline Rhodes – 01938 554245)

11.00 Welshpool (Sue Williams – 01938 553286)

11.30 Forden (Alexis Smith – 01686 641992)

10.00 Berriew (Caroline Rhodes – 01938 554245)

There are services at Fron and Pantyffridd too but I believe these are already fully booked.

Wed 23^rd Dec

19.30 Montgomery (Helen Hayes – 01686 668545)

Thurs 24^th Dec (all Holy Communion)

18.00 Llandrinio (May Hillier – 01691 831484)

19.45 Llandysilio (Carol Davies – 01691 831008)

21.00 Guilsfield (Caroline Rhodes – 01938 554245)

23.15 Penrhos (Jim Thompson – 01691 828438)

23.30 Welshpool (Sue Williams – 01938 553286)

Friday 25^th Dec (all Holy Communion)

09.30 Buttington (Peter Stedman – 01938 554855)

10.00 Berriew (Caroline Rhodes – 01938 554245)

10.00 Pool Quay (Judy Crowe – 01938 590453)

10.30 Castle Caereinion (Viv Lancaster – 01938 850507)

11.00 Guilsfield (Caroline Rhodes – 01938 554245)

Sunday 27^th Dec

No services in any of our churches.

Booking Seats

I appreciate that it seems very strange to have to book a seat for church but I trust that you will appreciate that it is necessary at this time. It is very difficult to gauge likely demand for Christmas services and we want to avoid having to turn people away on the day. Several of our churches are very limited in their current capacity (less than 15) and most churches are likely to be fully booked. Please also be considerate of those taking bookings for us if you find your preferred service is already full. If that is the case you will be offered a place at another service in the same church or encouraged to contact one of the larger churches that may still have capacity. Another potential problem is that you may not be able to sit with people from your household/Christmas Bubble. Even though this is legally permitted, some of our churches cannot accommodate groups or 3 or 4 – some can’t even accommodate couples together! We will do what we can, but stewards have been given clear instructions about where people can be accommodated within the 2m social distancing guidelines that will help to keep everyone safe.

Why we can’t sing

As already mentioned, most of us are sad that we can’t sing carols in church this year. The Welsh Government has this week clarified the guidance on Carol Singing and you may be interested to read this if you want to know more about what is allowed and why indoor congregational singing is not. One concession that the new guidelines have made is that outdoor singing is now permitted under certain circumstances, notably with social distancing, face coverings worn and limited to 30 people maximum. I don’t imagine there will be a rush to have a carol service outdoors, but you might like to consider ending your Christmas Service with a carol that people can sing outside (with an option to stay in the warm and just listen!). The full guidance is here: Singing over the festive period | GOV.WALES

We had planned a Service of Readings and pre-recorded Music as an option to replace Carol Services. However, we have run into problems with copyright permission, so what form this may take is likely to vary from one church to the next.

Christingle volunteers

Our Christingle in a Bag plans have been thrown into disarray by today’s announcement that most Powys children will not be in school after next Monday, so at this point we cannot say precisely what will happen next week! Having already asked the local supermarkets for 500+ oranges we may have some problems! We will contact those who have kindly volunteered to help as soon as we have created a new plan!

Church Family

Our apologies to Jennie Brignell, who Steve inadvertently ordained in the email to MAC members earlier in the week! We are saddened to say farewell for now to Joan Upton-Holder, who died this week. Joan was the organist at Guilsfield church for many years and also taught her successor. Please continue to remember Ghillie Clarke from Pool Quay who is terminally ill and Jordan, one of the roofers who has been working on Pool Quay church, who was seriously injured in a road accident last week.

Any queries about any of the above to Steve Willson, MA Leader, please (01938 553164) and anything you want included next week (18/12) too. After that the next MA News will be on 8^th January in 2021!

This Week’s Service – 6th November

Here is the YouTube link for this week’s on-line service: https://youtu.be/LcX5fMoWYcQ

Also available on the Pool Mission Area Facebook page on Sunday morning as usual.

‘Just Checking in Today’

See a very uplifting story called ‘Just Checking in Today’ but note that we do not have to be in a church to ‘check in’ with God. Anywhere will do, because God is already there!

Mission Area News – 5th November

Advent Calendars

You might like to check out two really good Advent Calendars that are available on-line this year:

14 year old Catrin McDougal has designed and produced a fabulous advent calendar for St Nicholas church, Montgomery, with lots of interesting videos from people across the community (Day 3 has been my favourite so far!). You can find it on this website: https://www.montgomery-wales.co.uk/christ/advent/advent.php. Scroll down on the front page and click on the door for the day, then click on the little square with an arrow coming from it to access the video treat for the day.

There is also an Advent Calendar on the Diocesan Website, again with a video treat behind the door for each day. You can see some of the good things going on across the diocese as well as find things to reflect on as we prepare for Christmas. The link is here: https://dioceseofstasaph.org.uk/advent-calendar/. Click on the door, read the blurb, hover over the picture and press ‘play’.

Christmas Service Details

We’re still fine-tuning a few details, hopefully there will be a list of the Christmas services in all our churches next week.

Christmas Bubbles in church

The Welsh Government have clarified that ‘Christmas Bubbles’ can be treated as one household, and so can sit together at Christmas services between 23^rd and 27^th December. You will need to book a seat of any our Christmas Services during this period and if you would like to sit with others in your household please tell us when you book so we can can arrange that in churches where it is possible. Please also note that this may not be possible for all sizes of household or in all of our churches.

The Winter Child

Bethan Scotford has set the words of a poem, The Winter Child, by Malcolm Guite, the chaplain of Girton College, Cambridge, to music. It is sung here by Ian Harrison in Guilsfield Church accompanied by Bethan:

This Week’s On-Line Service – 29th November

Here is the link for this week’s on-line service: https://youtu.be/owKZAUAtcLQ

Also available on the Pool Mission Area Facebook page on Sunday morning.

Mission Area and Diocesan News

Christingle in a Bag

A big thank you to all those who have already offered their time to help pack the bags or have agreed to sponsor a child’s Christingle at £2 each. Further offers would be very welcome. Having requested last week that people give by direct transfer to the MA bank account if at all possible, We helpfully forgot to give you the bank details! They are:

Name: Pool MA Sort Code: 30-99-30 Acc.No: 16205568.

Please make the bank reference ‘Christingle’ so we know what it’s for. Thanks.

No response from your friendly Mission Area Leader?

Apologies if you have recently left a message on Steve’s answerphone and not had a reply. He had a problem with accessing it and has lost a couple of messages. All sorted now, so he has asked you to ring again, if he hasn’t returned your call, in case yours was one that was lost? he will be get back to you as soon as possible.

Bishop’s Advent Message

As is his custom, Bishop Gregory has produced an Advent message for all of our churches this Sunday. This exists in five formats: an English video, English and Welsh audio, and English and Welsh written format. If you want a sneaky peak before Sunday, see 2020 Advent Message ENGLISH, the others are available here:

In English – https://dioceseofstasaph.org.uk/bishopgregory/advent-message/.

In Welsh – https://dioceseofstasaph.org.uk/bishop-st-asaph/advent-message/?lang=cy.

They can also be accessed via this Dropbox link so that you can download the film/audio files. You may find this an easier method to use rather than via the website:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/y035uodizudndzy/AAD__Ysr0MDqw_3kRH8HWHvMa?dl=0.

The Church in Wales Bishop’s call to prayer

The bishops of the Church in Wales are issuing a united Invitation to Prayer to all the nation to pray for God to be at work in our midst. The invitation asks every person who wishes to join us in saying a prayer at 6.00pm every evening. See the invitation at 201116 Bench of Bishops Invitation to Prayer. The link to this, and all Advent resources is:

https://www.churchinwales.org.uk/en/about-us/our-campaigns/darkness-light/advent-call-prayer/.

On-Line Advent Calendar

The diocese’s Communications Officer, Karen Maurice, has put together a selection of treats for each day of Advent in our online Advent Calendar, which can be found here: https://dioceseofstasaph.org.uk/advent-calendar/.

It’s a great resource to use and share – well worth a look.

What’s going on in the diocese?

In between meetings of the Diocesan Conference the planning of the Diocese is moved forward by the Diocesan Standing Committee on which our MA has two representatives, Steve Willson, the MA Leader, and James Turner from Castle Caereinion. They produce a summary of their meetings so you can keep up with what’s developing across the diocese. See the latest one Standing Committee Bulletin 20.11.24 if you want to know more.

Ever considered helping lead worship?

In January several people in the Mission Area are going to be joining a short on-line training course for new Worship Leaders. The course will cover various aspects of worship leading for both liturgical services and family services. If you would also be interested in exploring this possibility please contact Steve Willson on 01938 553164 or via revswillson@btinternet.com.

Our responsibility to care

Powys CC have made a decision to not offer accommodation to unaccompanied child migrants. Montgomery worshipper and County Councillor Stephen Hayes is trying to get this decision reversed. You can express your support for a more compassionate approach to children who have suffered so much by sending an email of support to cllr.stephen.hayes@powys.gov.uk.

(Thanks to Stephen for challenging this decision and to Jenny Brignell & Bethan Scotford for drawing it to our attention).

For your prayers
The increased incidence of Covid in the local area means that there are many people in need of our prayers at this time. Several members of our churches are also struggling with illness of one sort or another, so please remember them too, especially Ghillie Clarke from Pool Quay who is terminally ill. A number of people have also suffered bereavements recently and amongst those we have lost was one of our churchwardens, Kath Broxton from Belan Church. We are sad at her passing from our midst but grateful for her ministry and her faithfulness. Rest in peace, Kath, and rise in glory.

Christmas Services

We are busy planning what services we can hold in our churches and what we can offer on-line. Details are still being finalised but we should be able to say more next week and the December service rota will be out in a few days.

On-Line Sunday Service – 22nd November

Here’s the YouTube link for this week’s virtual service: https://youtu.be/pf6j_eIrOoQ.

As usual it will be on our Facebook page on Sunday morning as well.

Mission Area News

Want to make a child’s day?

We’ve had a very enthusiastic response from local schools to ‘Christingle in a Bag‘ – which means we are having to have to get hold of an awful lot of oranges etc and will need a lot of bag preparers! We are writing to local supermarkets and see what we can get them to donate and the schools will contribute some of the cost but we would also like to invite church members to ‘Sponsor a Child’s Christingle’. A suggested donation of £2 per child will help cover our costs.

In the current circumstance, a direct payment to the ‘Pool Mission Area’ bank account would be the ideal way of donating, alternatively a cheque payment via any of the clergy (Unfortunately, cash payments are not very helpful at the current time).

Please consider donating so that we can ensure as many local children as possible share in the joy of receiving a Christingle and reminded of what Christmas is all about.

We will also need quite a lot of volunteer bag-packers at various locations nearer the time, please can you reply to this email if you can help, giving a contact number and which town/village you live in.

Thanks very much for considering helping our outreach in this way.

Doorstep Carols

We’ve not had any response to the Doorstep Carols idea, so if you’d like to see this happening you need to let Steve Willson know or we’ll focus on the things there is demand for.

Happy Birthday

It was wonderful to welcome Kath to church at our first service since the latest Welsh lockdown and congratulate her on her 104th birthday. Although we weren’t able to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to her in the usual manner we did give her a generous round of applause. A very happy birthday to you, Kath, and many happy returns.

This Week’s On-line Services – 15th November

Here’s the link for this week’s service on YouTube : https://youtu.be/vylwEMZQw18.

It is also available on the Pool Mission Area Facebook page as usual.

Latest Mission Area News and Information

Grateful thanks to all those who helped ensure that the Acts of Remembrance that took place in various church yards were conducted safely – both those who organised or attended them and those who chose to stay away to ensure they weren’t overcrowded! We are also very grateful for the positive feedback about last week’s on-line service which Toby stitched together beautifully from the many pieces presented to him!

Planning for Christmas

Having made as good a job of Remembrance as we could under the circumstances, we now move on with planning for Christmas. The Welsh Government is clearly trying to ensure that restrictions over Christmas are limited as much as possible and we live in hope that we will be able to hold a Christmas service in most, if not all, of our churches (gentle reminder to those churchwardens who haven’t already replied to the MA Leader’s email regarding churches’ preferences to do so please).

Recognising that we won’t be able to hold all the services we would normally, and also that attendance will be restricted at those that do happen, we have been exploring other possibilities to enable those who can’t attend to hear the Christmas message:

A number of different on-line services will be available (details nearer the time).
We are also hoping to provide ‘Christingle in a Bag’ in places where there would normally be a Christingle service. The various things necessary to make your own Christingle at home will be provided in a bag that can be collected beforehand and used in conjunction with an on-line service. Please contact Steve Willson if you want more details of this.
We are also exploring the possibility of connecting with a BBC Radio Shropshire initiative https://www.doorstepcarols.co.uk/. If you would be interested in helping organise this in your community, again please get in touch with Steve Willson.
Finally, we are encouraging local schools with whom we would normally have Christmas services to make use of on-line material and/or engage with Christingle.

Changes to Restrictions

Over the last week or so we have received further new guidelines. Key points are as follows:

The number of people attending a service, wedding or funeral inside a place of worship remains dictated by the safe capacity of the building to keep people at 2 metre physical distancing. There is, however, a limit of 15 people attending any activity within a community centre (which would include a church hall or church used as a community centre). The limit of 30 people, physically distanced, remains for organised outdoor services.
Funeral and Wedding services can continue as previously but these remain by invitation only. There is a limit of 15 people attending any reception or wake after such services which can only be held in Covid-19 secure premises such as a hotel or community centre (not in private homes).
Activities in community centres (church halls): ‘Any activity can legally be undertaken as long as it is organised by a club or recognised body within the legal limits on numbers attending and does not include the sale or consumption of alcohol.’ Social gatherings including parties cannot take place.
Limited choral singing has been confirmed as permissible under WG guidance published Monday 09.11.20. It is now possible for an organised group of musicians or singers to play a part in services but a specific risk assessment listing mitigating actions should be prepared. Organised or choir singing should be facilitated by establishing fixed groups of up to six people who can remain consistent and rehearse and perform together. There should be barriers to transmission between each group of six in rehearsal and performance. However, the guidance is complex and those who wish to plan to start choral singing again should carefully review the Welsh Government guidance at https://gov.wales/guidance-reopening-places-worship-coronavirus-html

It should be noted that congregational singing is still not permitted, only choral singing is allowed and that only under strict conditions and subject to Risk Assessment. There is also a useful FAQ’s page on the Welsh Government website which will be helpful for those who are struggling to keep up with what is currently allowed and what is not:

https://gov.wales/coronavirus-regulations-guidance#section-54762.

Bishop’s Pastoral Letter

You can read the Bishop’s Pastoral Letter for November at 201115 Pastoral Letter Consolation and Desolation.

Guilsfield Act of Remembrance – 8th August

To see the video of the Act of Remembrance held at Guilsfield War Memorial on Sunday 8^th November 2020 click play above or follow this link: https://youtu.be/UPaRSIIjvkE. If you wish to watch it on Wednesday 11^th November and synchronize it at 11:00 with the 2-minute’s silence, this begins at 7 minutes into the video; so start it at 10:53.

Remembrance Sunday

As mentioned last week, no church services are allowed on Remembrance Sunday because of the current lockdown, but a short Act of Remembrance is permitted outdoors subject to a limit of 30 people maximum and under strict observance of social distancing rules etc. Several of these outdoor services are taking place but are deliberately not being publicised to help avoid more people attending than is permitted. This is obviously an unfortunate situation, but better than being responsible for an event which could potentially lead to multiple people becoming infected.

If you usually attend a remembrance service at your church, and are happy to participate in an outdoor service, please check locally if something is taking place and whether there might be space. Planning has been based around the normal numbers attending, so please don’t go to a service if you wouldn’t normally! In the case of larger events, such as Montgomery and Welshpool, there is obviously not capacity for everyone who would normally attend and certainly in the case of Welshpool all places are allocated, so if you wish to pay your respects there please come to the memorial later in the day.

Our on-line service this Sunday is a Remembrance Service, it features several of our war memorials, and will hopefully enable you to remember the people from your community who gave their lives.

Here’s the link for this week’s service on YouTube: https://youtu.be/h4VpwGoNGi4

It will also be available on the Pool Mission Area Facebook page as usual.

Church Services from 15th November

It has now been confirmed that churches services will be allowed to restart after the Welsh lockdown ends on 9^th Nov on the same basis as before – the limit of 15 people at indoor gatherings does not apply to church services. Services will therefore recommence from Sunday 15th in the churches that had already reopened, and we will work with churchwardens to investigate reopening the MA’s remaining churches if possible.

MA Review

Following the period of consultation, the Mission Area Conference this week agreed our formal response (MA response to Review Doc) to the draft MA Review document produced by the Diocese. We are grateful to all those who engaged in the consultation process and we will now move on to the second phase of the Review Process which involves planning our future work and identifying specific measurable, achievable, realistic and timely goals.

This Week’s On-line Services – 1st November

Here’s the link for this week’s service on YouTube : https://youtu.be/-MgW7e6ogE8.

It will also be available on the Pool Mission Area Facebook page as usual. Apologies, by the way, that it was a little late appearing on a Fb last week – the automatic upload facility failed to cope with the clocks changing (thanks to Yvette for letting us know there was a problem).

The link for the MA’s Zoom service on Sunday is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88464208359.

Remembrance Sunday

The Welsh Government have confirmed that no in-church services are allowed on Remembrance Sunday but a short Act of Remembrance is permitted outdoors on 7th or 8th November subject to a limit of 30 people maximum and under strict observance of social distancing rules etc. Several such services will therefore be taking place, but unless the usual Act of Remembrance at that location Is attended by less than 30 people there are likely to be restrictions on who may participate. In Welshpool, for example, the Royal British Legion has already allocated all the places. Please check with your local British Legion or alternatively make use of the on-line Remembrance Service that we will be producing for next Sunday.

Church Services from 15th November

As the First Minister confirmed today, details of what restrictions will remain when the ‘firebreak’ lockdown ends on 9th Nov will be announced on Monday. We anticipate that churches that were holding services before this lockdown services will be allowed to restart from Sunday 15th and are planning accordingly. Details will be confirmed next week.

On-Line Services – 25th October

Here is the link for this week’s virtual service: https://youtu.be/xm0LZX71j2s.

Alexis has also arranged an online service by Zoom which is 9:30 am on Sunday. Please let Jenny, the MA Administrator, know if you would like the link to join this service.

Latest CinW Covid 19 Guidance

Please also see link below to the Church in Wales’ updated Covid 19 guidance:

https://www.churchinwales.org.uk/en/clergy-and-members/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance/.

Welsh Government Announcement – 19th October

Further to yesterday’s announcement by the Welsh Government, please note that that there will be no services in any of the Mission Area’s churches on Sundays 25th Oct, 1st Nov or 8th Nov, nor will there be a weekday service in Guilsfield during the lockdown period.

Further details regarding whether any short acts of Remembrance will be permitted on Sunday 8th Nov will be publicised once the situation has been clarified.

On-Line Service for 18th October

Here is the link for this week’s service on YouTube: https://youtu.be/It6EGCQRMGk.

News from the Mission Area – 16th October

Thank You!

The Diocesan Secretary has informed us that “Pool Mission has been the most successful Mission Area in the diocese in encouraging its congregations to sign up to the Gift Direct Scheme: currently 105 members of the Mission Area have committed to this way of giving, which represents 40% of your regular adult Sunday attenders. The diocesan average is 28% so your achievement is really significant and a huge credit to you all”.

This is really good news as the churches that will be best able to cope with the financial impact of Covid will be those with the steady income stream which Gift Aid goes a long way to providing.

Diane also said, “If you can convince another 27 people to sign up to the Gift Direct scheme, this will mark an incredible milestone of 50% of your regular Sunday congregations supporting their local church in this way. We would love you to be the first Mission Area to achieve this!”. Another person has since said that they are transferring to Gift Aid, so only 26 more needed! Please try and help us to 50% which will really help our financial situation. Contact Jenny, the MA Administrator, to send you a form or you can sign up on-line in 3 easy steps –

1) Click on this link to go directly to the Church in Wales Gift Direct page:

https://www.churchinwales.org.uk/en/clergy-and-members/gift-direct/

2) Towards the bottom of that page, under the heading GIFT DIRECT ONLINE there is a short list of 4 bullet points, the first of which is TO START GIVING TO YOUR PARISH.

3) Clicking on that heading takes you directly to a very short form the would be donor can fill in with their contact details. The Church in Wales will then contact them directly to complete set up payments in a secure manner.

And to answer the questions that are often asked:

Yes, all the money you give goes to the church you nominate, not the diocese or MA.

And so does all the Gift Aid if you are a tax payer.

But, no, you don’t have to pay tax to use Gift Direct.

You can end a Gift Direct arrangement at any time you choose.

And finally, you can also index-link your Gift Direct payment so it rises in line with the Retail Price Index once a year so your gift maintains its value as the years go by.

Bishop’s Pastoral Letter – October

Please see the latest Pastoral Letter for October from Bishop Gregory: 201015 Pastoral Letter.

On-Line Service – 11 October

The link for this week’s MA service on YouTube is here https://youtu.be/MFGrWbeRxlI.

MA Review

A summary of the feedback received will be provided for MAC members, and anyone else who requests it, in due course.

On-Line Service – Harvest Thanksgiving, 4th October

This week’s on-line service is a harvest festival service so that you can keep that celebration at home even if you are not able to get to church service this harvestime.

The service will be on the Pool Mission Area facebook page as usual and the YouTube link for the service is https://youtu.be/eGDGNMFXQJM.

Latest MA News – 3rd October

Obviously, the current situation means that we cannot have any Harvest Suppers or Lunches this year which is a real shame. However, the Arthur Rank Foundation which supports Rural Ministry has produced some resources you can use at home to make a meal you share with your household into a Harvest Thanksgiving. The Rev’d Hermione Morris, Vicar of Llanfyllin, has kindly adapted them for the local context: Harvest at Home Supper liturgy_. Please use them yourself if you wish and also pass them on to others you know who may appreciate them.

The following harvest services will be taking place at churches:

Sunday 4^th October 09.30 Forden 01686 641992 for details/to book a place

Saturday 10^th October 17.00 Montgomery* 01686 668545

Sunday 11^th October 09.30 Buttington 01938 554245

10.00 Llandysilio 01691 839903

10.30 Pool Quay 01938 553164 (NB. Revised date)

11.00 Welshpool 01938 553286

11.15 Penrhos* 01691 828331 (see Penrhos Outdoor Harvest 2020)

*Outdoor service

Local Lockdowns

Our understanding of the current situation is that acts of worship are still allowed to continue in areas that are subject to a local lockdown, so, if Powys does end up being locked down again, services may still be able to take place. Obviously people can use their own discretion as to whether they feel safe attending. We will continue to do all that we can to make our churches a safe environment and if we feel that services should be cancelled we will advise people accordingly.

On-line MAC Meeting

A reminder to MAC members that there are Zoom MAC meetings on Monday and Tuesday evenings this coming week as part of the consultation process for the MA Review. You can attend either or both meetings but need to let Jenny know you wish to take part so that she can send you the link for the meeting. If you are unfamiliar with Zoom but wish to take part please ring Steve on 01938 553164 and he will talk you through how it works – it’s fairly straightforward. Those who wish to send a written reply have until Sunday 11^th October to send them to Jenny – jennypoolma@outlook.com.

Sunday On-Line Service – 27th September

The link for this week’s on-line MA service is https://youtu.be/CzmWxAdctvE.

This Week’s MA News

Obviously the current situation across the country with Covid is not encouraging but we will continue to do what we can, when we can, whilst keeping a close eye on developments and any new guidelines. Because things can change at short notice I encourage people to continue to ring in to book a place for all MA services currently. Then, if things do change, we can let you know. Sadly we had to cancel the service in Welshpool last Sunday as Steve Willson discovered on Saturday night he had to self-isolate. We were able to ring and inform all those that had booked, but unfortunately several other people turned up to a locked church because we didn’t know they were coming. This is quite likely to occur from time to time as we head into winter and seasonal illnesses increase, because any high temperature or sore throat means self-isolation is necessary (another reason to make sure you get a flu jab!). Happily he was able to get a Covid test quite quickly, with a negative result, so he’s now back out and about (just in case anyone who saw him on Friday is worrying!).

There may be a change to the plans for Pool Quay’s Harvest Service, currently scheduled for 8th October. Confirmation in next week’s MA News and hopefully directly to PQ members before then.

This Week’s On-Line Service – 20th September

On-line services will continue each week – the link for this this week’s service on You Tube is https://youtu.be/pzJSoHuHLlE.

Forthcoming Services

As stated last week Berriew, Guilsfield, Llandysilio, Montgomery and Welshpool churches will generally have a service every Sunday in the coming weeks, however there are a few exceptions. The need to accommodate the few weddings and baptisms that are still going ahead means that there will be no service at Berriew on 27^th Sept or at Montgomery on 25^th October. There will also be no service in Guilsfield this coming Wednesday (23^rd Sept) as the clergy have an on-line Diocesan Synod.

We are currently aiming to have Forden’s first service back on 4^th October and Buttington’s on 11^th October. Both will be Harvest services at 09.30. Pool Quay will reopen with a midweek Harvest service at 19.00 on Thursday 8^th October. Castle Caereinion have decided not to reopen in the current situation. In addition Penrhos are having an open air Harvest service in the churchyard on Sunday 11^th October at 11.15.

Other Harvest services confirmed are Montgomery – Saturday 10^th October at 17.00, again an outdoor service, Llandysilio – Sunday 11^th Oct at 10.00, and Welshpool – Sunday 11^th Oct at 11.00.

New Covid Rules

The new precautions brought in by the Welsh Government this week have led to new guidelines being issued and some subsequent clarifications being added. The key points are:

Places of worship are exempt from new max of 6 people for indoor gatherings so we can continue to hold services.
The new rule that face coverings must be worn in indoor venues does apply to churches, so face coverings must be worn at all our services from now on, including baptisms, weddings* & funerals.
The face covering rule applies to everyone except for children under 11 and those exempted on certain medical grounds. This will require those enforcing the rule (as wardens/sidespersons/ ministers welcoming people to church will need to do) to be sensitive to those who may be exempt.
It is permissible to remove a mask temporarily when speaking to a person who has difficulty communicating. This rule is intended to help those who are hard of hearing and tend to lip read.
It is allowable for those leading worship to remove their face covering whilst leading “if they cannot effectively do so while wearing one”, and only if they “have taken other sufficient mitigations such as staying continually over 2m away from others and/or wearing a visor” (even then face coverings should be worn for the parts of the service you are not leading).
‘Governance meetings’ are included in the permission to meet for voluntary service, though all other regulations, including wearing face masks, need to be complied with at such a meeting. I would suggest that this option should only be used if absolutely essential and if no alternative is available.

Annual Vestry Meetings etc

Further to the last bullet point above, the Governing Body of the Church in Wales met earlier this month and made amendments to the constitution which means that, subject to various conditions, Annual Vestry Meetings and MAC meetings can now happen as on-line meetings using Zoom or similar technology. If the necessary conditions cannot be met and a face-to-face meeting is considered ill-advised under the current circumstances, then the relevant Archdeacon will have authority to enable the existing church officers to remain in post until next year’s AVM. It was also agreed that where the Electoral Roll has not already been revised, the existing Roll will remain in place until next year’s AVM. The full renewal of the ER will now take place in 2022. Full details of all these changes were sent to clergy today (Thursday). Anyone else who wishes to see the full guidance should email Jenny, The MA Administrator and ask for a copy.

Bishop Gregory’s September Pastoral Letter

Please Bishop Gregory’s September Pastoral Letter: 200915 Pastoral Letter Monthly from +G.

On-Line Service – 13th September

Apologies to those who usually access the weekly on-line service via the Pool MA Facebook page. Although arrangements had been made for the service to post on the page automatically on the last two Sunday mornings, for some reason this didn’t happen and as Steve was on holiday the problem wasn’t picked up. The YouTube version was available so hopefully you were able to access that instead. All being well it will be on Facebook as usual on Sunday.

The YouTube link for this week is https://youtu.be/N0bQXctECfc.

Re-opening of Mission Area Churches

The MA Executive met this week and agreed that we will endeavour to open 4 further churches for Sunday worship during October. This is, of course, entirely dependent on how Covid behaves in the coming weeks and we are monitoring developments in that regard closely. The four churches were chosen on the basis of size & average congregation, and are Buttington, Castle Caereinion, Forden & Pool Quay. In each case the vicar will liaise with the churchwardens to plan the reopening. Each of these churches will only have a service once a month initially, because of the limited number of ministry team members available.

Of the remaining 7 churches, Belan, Fron & Pantyffridd are probably physically too small to host a viable congregation under the existing 2m social distancing rules. For Criggion, Llandrinio, Llandyssil & Penrhos we are happy to consider one-off services for particular events, please let me know if you want to explore this possibility.

We appreciate that this may be disappointing to some who are waiting to be able to worship in ‘their church’ but we are endeavouring to do what we can amidst the current challenges! None of the churches that are having services have yet been fully booked up, so there is always the chance to worship with us elsewhere.

Those who are missing regular communion services might especially like to be aware that midweek service in Guilsfield (Wed 2pm) is always Holy Communion and usually has plenty of space.

Harvest and Remembrance

Usually at this time of year we are busy hosting harvest services and planning for Remembrance. Obviously both of these things will, by necessity, have to be very different this year. None the less we shall try to celebrate harvest where we can over the next 6 weeks both in our on-line service and in the churches where there are services. Hopefully details will be confirmed in time for me to include them next week.

The current rate of Covid infections mean that Remembrance gatherings at war memorials are likely to be very limited this year if they can happen at all. The act of remembering will however continue in whatever way is most appropriate at the time. Again, more details later.

MA Review

The first stage of the Diocese’s review of our Mission Area is nearly complete. This will consist of a written report which gathers together information about the attendance, condition of the church building, etc, for each of our churches and makes a recommendation about how we can work together to enhance the mission of that church to the community it serves. This report will be sent to all MAC representatives next week and will also be emailed to all MAC reserves we have an email address for.

The MAC will be invited to consider and respond to that report, and then use it as the basis for our planning for our work over the next few years.

We had hoped to be able to hold a face-to-face meeting of the MAC to discuss this as well as an on-line Zoom meeting for those who would prefer not to meet in person. However, the Welsh Government legislation still does not permit such a gathering to take place and, in any case, given recent developments locally and nationally, the Welsh Government might soon restrict gatherings even further as has already happened in England.

Instead MAC members are being encouraged to join with one of two Zoom meetings (Monday 5^th & Tuesday 6^th October, both at 7.30pm) or to send in a written response to the MA Review document once they have received it.

Having seen the draft version of the Review document I can reassure you that it is generally positive and, whilst we do have some challenges to deal with, it recognises that we have many strengths too. In sending it to me the Diocesan Secretary described Pool as “an amazing MA with lots of potential”. The Review Document is designed to help us to work together to fulfil that potential.

On-Line Service – Sunday 6th September

Please find the link to this week’s service below:

https://youtu.be/Abdekx025m8.

On-Line Childrens’ Group

Please see a poster attached regarding a new Mission Area online children’s group: Childrens’ Church Poster.

On-Line Service and Other Worship – 30th August

On-line services available every Sunday on the Pool Mission Area Facebook page and also available on YouTube, the link for this week is https://youtu.be/SrzailPhwho. (for more information contact Rev’d Toby Jones 01938 552265 or Jennie Willson 01938 553164).

Live services through the ‘Zoom’ on-line meeting platform which can be accessed by computer or via a landline telephone (for more information contact Rev’d Alexis Smith 01686 641992).
A live Mission Area activity via Zoom for children and young people will start on Sunday 13^th September. This will include separate ‘break out’ groups for different age groups (for more information contact Helen Hayes 01686 668545).
Dial-a-service provided on 01938 530662 (for more information contact Rev’d Caroline Rhodes 01938 554245).

Sunday Services in the Mission Area

Now the first phase of reopening has been completed, to summarise the services that are now available. All services are open to anyone regardless of where (or if) you normally worship.

The churches that are currently open most Sundays* are:

CHURCH TIME TO BOOK A SEAT
Berriew 10.00 Rev’d Caroline Rhodes 01938 554245
Llandysilio 10.00 Rev’d Alexis Smith 01686 641992
Montgomery 10.45 Helen Hayes 01686 668545
Guilsfield 11.00 Rev’d Caroline Rhodes 01938 554245
Welshpool 11.00 Sue Williams 01938 553286

(* some Sundays services might be cancelled to accommodate a baptism or wedding – you will be advised of this if you have booked a seat, or when you try to book. All services are also subject to change in relation to government Covid-19 guidelines).

Guilsfield also have a weekday service on Thursdays at 11.00. This is a service of Holy Communion.

The MA Executive have an on-line meeting scheduled for Tues 8^th Sept when the next phase of church reopening will be discussed. Further reopening will be dependent on availability of staff and completion of Risk Assessments and safety precautions.

Mission Area News – 29th August

We’re pleased to be welcoming another new member to our ministry team, albeit on a temporary basis. Nicci Midgley, from Cedewain MA, is training to be a licensed lay minister (LLM – reader) and is on placement with Caroline. It’s good to have you with us Nicci! On the down side, Stephen Hayes, who has been doing a great job (in Montgomery especially) over the last few months, is also going on placement, which means he will be leaving us for a while. Stephen will be working with a church in Shrewsbury. Rosemary Rogers, from Berriew, who is also training as an LLM, is continuing on placement in Meifod – but we haven’t forgotten you Rosemary!

The Diocese is co-ordinating a new round of Safeguarding Training for all ministers, children’s & youth workers and others who hold an enhanced DBS certificate. This will be done on-line using Zoom. We will be sending more details to those that this is relevant to. If you don’t receive details please let Steve Wilson know.

And finally, Rev’d Steve Wilson is off work this coming week, so if you need to get in touch urgently please contact Caroline instead.

Rev’d Caroline Rhodes 01938 554245 revcarolinerhodes@me.com.

This Sunday’s On-Line Service – 23rd August

The link for this week’s on-line service is here –https://youtu.be/ZrHvh62igiw.

Services at Welshpool

Not much to report this week except to confirm that St Mary’s, Welshpool, is reopening on Sunday 23rd August. Service at 11.00. We can accommodate 27 individuals, but nearly double that if people are from the same household or are ‘bubbled’ so should be room for anyone who would like to attend. But you do still have to book a place – please contact churchwarden Sue Williams to book – 01938 553286 or sueew60@aol.com.

On-Line Services – 16th August

The usual array of other forms of worship are also available:

On-line services available every Sunday on the Pool Mission Area Facebook page (also available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/hh9qiYS5Yg4)
Live services through the ‘Zoom’ on-line meeting platform which can be accessed by computer or via a landline telephone. For details of how to access this Tel Alexis Smith 01686 641992
Dial-a-service provided on 01938 530662.

Latest Mission Area News – 15th August

There are four in-church services on offer for the Mission Area this Sunday. Details are below along with contact details of the person you need to contact to book a place (this is necessary to ensure we have room for everyone who wants to attend!)

10.00 Berriew Morning Worship Tel. Caroline Rhodes 01938 554245
10.45 Montgomery Morning Worship Tel. Helen Hayes 01686 668545
11.00 Guilsfield Holy Communion Tel. Caroline Rhodes 01938 554245
15.00 Llandysilio Reopening Service Tel. Alexis Smith 01686 641992

The service at Llandysilio this week is actually an outdoor service in the field beside the churchyard. Alexis tells me it is “a celebration of the church’s reopening for Sunday services using a special service written by Rev’d Toby Jones. All are welcome. We will be observing social distancing. The service at Llandysilio on the next Sunday, 23^rd August, will be at 10:00 in the church itself. Please call or email Rev. Alexis to book a seat for that service so we make sure we can accommodate everyone.”

We are also hoping to be able to open St Mary’s, Welshpool, on Sunday 23^rd now that the Covid outbreak in the town has been eradicated. This is, however, dependent on some work on the building being completed this week, so ring me, Steve Willson, on 01938 553164 on Thursday or Friday for confirmation and to book a place.

Services at Guilsfield

We have resumed services at 11:00am on Sundays and 2:00pm on Wednesdays.

Covid-19 restrictions mean that the seating capacity of the church building is now reduced to 20 persons. To avoid us having to turn people away at the door please contact the vicar (01938 554245) to book a seat for each service that you wish to attend. We may need to cancel services to accommodate weddings and funerals- the vicar will be able to let you know when if the service is going ahead when you call to book a seat.

Please pay attention to the signs with rules we have had to impose to ensure 2m social distancing. Thank you.

On-Line Sunday Service – 9th August

Our pre-recorded service will be on the Pool Mission Area Facebook page on Sunday morning as usual and can also be accessed via You Tube using this link – https://youtu.be/ukJfHHxRGQM.

Latest Mission Area News – 8th August

We are moving ahead with reopening some churches for Sunday worship. Guilsfield and Montgomery have now held services and Berriew will have their first service this weekend. All our services are currently for anyone in the Mission Area, so if ‘your church’ is not yet open but you would like to attend one of the services elsewhere, you are very welcome to do so. We are having to be very careful to ensure that we can accommodate anyone who attends to please do let someone know that you are hoping to attend so they can ensure there is enough space:

Berriew 10.00 – contact Rev’d Caroline Rhodes – 01938 554245

Montgomery 10.45 – contact Mrs Helen Hayes – 01686 668545

Guilsfield 11.00 – contact Rev’d Caroline Rhodes – 01938 554245

We are working on Llandysilio and Welshpool opening in the next few weeks too and then will take stock and assess demand & our ability to staff our services, before deciding on the next steps. Hopefully we will be able to reopen further in September.

In the meantime we continue to offer a weekly service via the Zoom on-line meeting platform. For details on how to access this by computer or telephone contact Rev’d Dr Alexis Smith 01686 641992.

This Week’s Sunday Service – 2nd August

Latest MA News

The MA’s first ‘in-church’ service for 4 months happened at Guilsfield last Sunday. All 20 available places were booked, but they are also having a mid-week service on Wednesday’s at 14.00 and there were spaces available this week so if anyone wishes to book for next week contact Caroline on 01938 554245.

We are hoping to have the first services in Montgomery, Berriew and Llandysilio on 2^nd, 9^th & 16^th August respectively. Welshpool is currently on hold because of a local outbreak of Covid-19 in the town. In each case you will need to book if you wish to attend, via Caroline for Berriew, via Alexis 01686 641992 for the other two. All of these plans are subject to change if there are any changes to the degree of risk locally.

We hope that our other churches will follow over time as the demand increases and we’re able to get their risk assessments done, but this will be dependent on having sufficient staff available. Many of our ministry team are ‘at higher risk’ for one reason or another and those who are available are advised not to take more than one service on a Sunday to avoid any potential risk of cross-infection between congregations. Some churches are likely to choose to remain closed for the time being and those that do open will probably not have a service every week. In the meantime feel free to worship in one of the churches that is open.

As we are now able to hold baptisms, wedding and funerals in church, subject to similar limitations, we also need to allow for these in our planning, which may affect the availability of the church for other services because after any service we are not using that building for 72 hours. In some cases, churches which are not already open for worship may be used to hold such services. All such services currently have to be by invitation only so, if there is a funeral taking place, please do not assume you are able to attend unless you have received a specific invitation from those arranging the funeral. Families have to agree a seating plan with the cleric conducting the service and only those named on it are able to attend.

Can we again emphasize that we don’t want anyone to feel under pressure to return to church. Covid-19 is a deadly virus, it’s still about and it’s entirely reasonable for people to be very cautious about leaving the safety of their homes, all the more so if you are in one of the higher risk groups. If you are anxious about the risk please stay at home. We will continue to provide worship by other means for the foreseeable future.

This week’s service on-line can be found here https://youtu.be/p6dpbilyTzI or on our Facebook page on Sunday.

Roots Material for August

The roots resources below are for the whole of August:

https://www.rootsontheweb.com/seasons-and-festivals/festivals/holidays/resources-for-planning-leading-and-running-holiday-clubs/matthew-summer-club/sessions.

Bishop Gregory’s Pastoral Letter – 30th July

The latest pastoral letter from Bishop Gregory: 200730 Pastoral Letter ENG.

Sunday Service – 26th July

Sunday’s service will be on the Pool Mission Area Facebook page on Sunday morning and also available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/V6w5tcJAhRE

We’re grateful to Caroline and Peter & Jill Stedman for their contributions this week.

This week at home:
Resources for adults

This week at home:
Resources for families

Or copy and share this url:

www.rootsontheweb.com/adultsathome7jun

Or copy and share this url:

www.rootsontheweb.com/familiesathome7jun

Bishop’s Pastoral Letter 3rd June

The latest Pastoral Letter from Gregory our Bishop is at: 200603 Pastoral Letter.

Pentecost Service

Here is the YouTube link for this Sunday: https://youtu.be/678f1YAiFPE The service will also be available on the Pool Mission Area Facebook page on Sunday morning.

Planning Ahead

The Welsh Government’s lockdown review today has confirmed that there are no changes yet concerning the lockdown regulations affecting churches, nor was there any suggestion that this is likely to change in 3 weeks’ time, when the next review occurs. However, we are already looking at the changes that will need to take place, so that when the situation does change we can implement social distancing and minimise the risk as much as possible. Understandably many people will not be wanting to return to church as long as a significant risk remains and there should not be any pressure on people to do so. We will give more details on the steps that will need to take place when we receive further guidelines and have consulted with key people such as churchwardens for each church.

If you need anything…

Please do get in touch with one of the clergy if you are struggling with anything – we can probably find someone who can help! However I’m taking a week off next week so please ring Caroline (01938 554245) or Alexis (01686 641992) rather than me. The following week it’s Caroline’s turn for a week off so ring Alexis or myself (01938 553164). Alexis had her turn last week so we are trying to look after ourselves even if we cant go anywhere to enjoy it!

Dial-a-Service Phone Line

For those who don’t have access to the internet we have set up a “Dial-a-Service” phone line. This will have a pre-recorded simple service of prayers, a bible reading and reflection each week, and can be called at any time. The telephone number is 01938 530662. It costs the same as phoning any other 01938 number, and can be included in any ‘free minutes’ on your phone bill, so for many people it will not cost anything. (The first voice you hear is a computerised welcome message- the actual service starts after that). If you’re reading this online please let your friends and family without a computer know about this if you think they would be interested. We’re hoping to change the recorded service weekly, and introduce more voices as we get familiar with the technology. If you have any problems (or ideas!) do let Caroline know – 01938 554245. Please do share this information with others who you are in contact with.

Bishop’s Pastoral Letter – 27th May

The latest Pastoral Letter from Bishop Gregory can be found here: 200527 Pastoral Letter.

This Week’s Service Materials – 24th May

Here’s the YouTube link for this Sunday’s service which is a family affair this week as Jennie Willson is reflecting on Ascension, with Eleri & Emily Willson doing the readings https://youtu.be/kaSgL0rfOuA . Thanks to all of them for their contribution. It’ll be on the Pool MA Facebook page on Sunday as well. The full readings for Sunday are at: A Easter 7.

Roots materials here https://www.rootsontheweb.com/familiesathome24may,

and here https://www.rootsontheweb.com/adultsathome24may.

Roger Bird

We’re sorry to hear that Rev’d Roger Bird, former Vicar of Guilsfield, is in hospital at the moment. It’s not Covid related and hopefully Roger will be starting to improve by the time you read this, but we send our best wishes to him and Barbara and will keep them in our prayers.

Looking Ahead

It doesn’t currently seem likely that churches will be reopening anytime soon, but you will be glad to know that the Diocese and Mission Area are busy assessing what steps will be necessary before we can reopen churches and what we might practically be able to do when lockdown eases but many people are self-isolating. You will likely hear more about this in the coming weeks but if you have any particular views or comments drop me an email to revswillson@btinternet.com.

What Do You Think/How are You Coping?

Church Times is supporting an extensive survey on how churches have responded to Coronavirus. This is part of a UK learning experience. The survey is being led by Professor Andrew Village & Dr Leslie Francis. It would be really helpful if could take part in it. You can access the survey using the following link: https://tinyurl.com/ycsq9fy2.

Supporting Your Church 1

All churches are, like many other charities, struggling financially at this time with very limited income. As mentioned previously, Gift Direct is the best way of helping as it works by direct payment from your bank account to the Church in Wales and then on to your own church. If you are a tax payer and have completed a Gift Aid declaration, the tax is reclaimed automatically without your own church Treasurer having to apply for it. All of this means that you can still support your church even if you are self-isolating (and the treasurer/Gift Aid Secretary’s workload is greatly eased).

Because of the current situation the church has made it possible to sign up for this on-line – simply go to the Church in Wales website via this link: https://www.churchinwales.org.uk/en/clergy-and-members/gift-direct/ and follow the directions given.

Don’t panic if you are not able to do this on-line – we are planning a mailing to all those on our Electoral Roll in the next week or two and will include with it a Gift Direct leaflet which you can fill in and post if that is easier. And if you can’t get to a post box contact me and we’ll find someone who can collect it from your doorstep!

Supporting Your Church 2

Ecclesiastical Insurance are running their annual Movement for Good scheme when a charity or church can be nominated for a donation between £500 and £1,000. Whilst the website states a ‘charity’, churches can also be nominated (I have had confirmation on this) so I would suggest as many of you as possible nominate your church. Each person can only nominate once, but any number of people can nominate the church so get as many as possible to have a look at the website and nominate. It is literally the ‘luck of the draw’ who gets an award, there doesn’t need to be a particular project and you don’t have to argue your case. However, the closing date is this Sunday so do it now! https://www.ecclesiastical.com/movement-for-good/ (when filling in the form tick the ‘exempt’ box where it ask for charity status).

Bishop’s Pastoral Letter for 20th May

The latest pastoral letter from Bishop Gregory can be found at: 200520 Pastoral Letter ENG.

Service and Resources for Sunday 17th May

I hope that you enjoyed our slightly different service last week. This week follows the more regular pattern as one of our ordinands, Stephen Hayes, sets us thinking about Rogation Sunday. Thanks to Stephen, Jim, Helen and others who took part in the service and, as ever, to Jennie and Jenny for producing and distributing it respectively. The link for the service is here, https://youtu.be/ZQ1v-c9WN_c.

The service will also be posted on the Pool MA Facebook page on Sunday morning.

The readings for this week are A Easter 6. Resources for adults and families, based on these readings, from Roots are here: www.rootsontheweb.com/adultsathome17may and here: www.rootsontheweb.com/familiesathome17may.

Bishop’s Pastoral Letter for 13th May

The latest Pastoral Letter from Bishop Gregory: 200513 Pastoral Letter.

Resources and Service for 10th May

Below is the link for this week’s service which will also be posted on the Pool Mission Area Facebook page on Sunday morning. The service is a little different this week, to mark both the VE Day commemoration and also the beginning of Christian Aid week. Some of the liturgy used is from the national VE Day 75^th anniversary service: https://youtu.be/u0fARrGBHk0.

Christian Aid have made a good job of re-gearing Christian Aid week to take account of the current restrictions. There are a large number of resources available on their website including an on-line service with Archbishop Rowan Williams preaching. If you usually support Christian Aid week please do make sure you still support them this year as the lack of events will probably impact on the amount of money donated. The resources and guidance on how to donate can both be found here: https://www.christianaid.org.uk/appeals/key-appeals/christian-aid-week.

A copy of reading sheet for this week is at A Easter 5 and the link for this week’s Roots material for families is here: https://www.rootsontheweb.com/lectionary/2020/107-may-june-2020-a/easter-5/familiesathome.

Also attached is a report on Foodbanks from the Trussell Trust which may be of interest. Foodbanks are providing a really important service at this point in time and experiencing an increase in demand.

Bishop Gregory’s Pastoral Letter – 6th May

Bishop Gregory has sent his latest pastoral letter: 200506 Bishop Gregory’s Pastoral Letter.

Service for 3rd May

Here is the YouTube link for this week’s service: https://youtu.be/PRfVcVQavVI.

It should also appear on the MA’s Facebook page on Sunday morning, and hopefully on your church’s facebook page too, if it has one.

The readings and prayers for this week are: Readings A Easter 4 – Responsorial Ps and Prayers for Easter 4 3rd May.

News and Resources from the MA Leader – 2nd May

I hope you are doing OK. I’m sure some will be finding lockdown gets harder the longer it goes on, whilst others will be feeling they’ve got used to it now! Hopefully you have found ways of coping as well as ways to worship and grow spiritually despite not being able to go to church. Please pick up the phone and talk to Caroline, Alexis or myself if we can help in any way, or just for a chat.

The links for this week’s family’s resources from Roots are here: www.rootsontheweb.com/familiesathome3may.

The ones for adults are here: www.rootsontheweb.com/adultsathome3may.

If any of you have children or grandchildren who would like to help brighten the day of people with dementia at this time there are details of how this can be done here: https://www.pavo.org.uk/news/article/news/a-call-to-brighten-someones-day.html?no_cache=1.

Have you made/coloured/baked/crocheted/created from lego a rainbow during lockdown? The diocese is collecting photos of people showing off their rainbow creations to form the basis of a project for social media and Teulu Asaph. We’re after as many photos as possible (and one might become the cover of Teulu Asaph!) so please email them to karenmaurice@cinw.org.uk by Friday 8 May.

One of the positive aspects of the current situation is that crime rates are down for most offences. An exception to this is domestic violence which is very much on the rise. The police are also concerned about the risk of increased child abuse in the current situation. Both are to a large extent ‘hidden’ crimes but often people close to the victims get an inkling of what is going on. The problem then is how to deal with that suspicion. See a leaflet entitled How to Get Help which explains what your options are in this situation.

Churches, like other charities, are being hit hard by the current situation. The Charity Commission have produced some guidance for charities whose finances are being affected by Covid19. Church treasurers, Trustees (MAC members) and those involved in other charities may like to read this here: https://www.pavo.org.uk/news/article/news/falling-on-hard-times.html?no_cache=1.

The Heritage Lottery Fund seem to have completely changed their policies at this time in order to support heritage projects that are badly affected by the current situation. So it may also be worth seeing if their advice offers anything your church or other charities you’ve been involved with can access: https://www.pavo.org.uk/help-for-organisations/funding/funding-news/article/news/support-for-heritage-sector-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak.html?no_cache=1.

Can I apologise to those who’ve emailed me recently and not got a response. Unfortunately I’ve had an eye infection which has impacted on my vision and so limited my ability to keep up with messages. It’s on the mend now, so hopefully I will reply shortly!

Finally, please pray for the community in Castle Caereinion next Tuesday as they try to mourn for Mike the Shop from a safe distance.

Bishop’s Latest Pastoral Letter – 29 April

Here is the latest Pastoral Letter from Bishop Gregory: 200429 Pastoral letter.

News and Resources from the MA Leader – 25 April

Welcome to this week’s round up of news and resources which includes the YouTube link to this week’s service.

Sadly two of our churches have suffered significant bereavements in recent weeks. Firstly, Montgomery church lost Lynne Bayliss, who was a key member of that church and community. Lynne had borne her terminal illness with calmness & courage and continued her various ministries with faithfulness. She leaves a big gap in her church family, as well as amongst her family and friends. This week, Castle Caereinion are mourning the sudden death of Michael Rogers, or Mike the Shop as he was universally known. Mike was not just keeper of the village shop, he was the source of all knowledge about the people of the community, who cared for and entertained us in equal measure. Rarely does someone’s passing impact on a whole community in the way that Mike’s has.

St Paul depicts us all as running a race, striving to live faithfully whilst being cheered on by the ‘great cloud of witnesses’ who have gone before us. Just as the crowd rises to welcome marathon runners as they run into the stadium after 26 miles of endurance running, so the crowd of witnesses will be on their feet welcoming these two. Please pray for those who are grieving for them.

On the subject of prayer, the diocese produces a ‘cycle of prayer’ to help us pray, day by day, for the different parts of our diocese, as well as the other dioceses of the Anglican Church. Next month the diocese is praying for us, in Pool MA, so you might like to join them in doing so. See the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer for May, along with the Pool MA Map which may help you locate any of our churches that you weren’t quite sure about!

Resources related to the readings for both adults and young people can be found here:

www.rootsontheweb.com/adultsathome26apr

www.rootsontheweb.com/familiesathome26apr

The Messy Church website now includes some ideas for Messy Church style activities that families can do together at home. These can be found here:

https://www.messychurch.org.uk/resources/messy-church-home-ideas

Service for 26 April

The link for this Sunday’s Pool MA service is here: https://youtu.be/qgmojVg5WoY

It will also be on the Pool Mission Area Facebook page on Sunday morning.

See the Readings for yr A Easter 3.

Bishop Gregory’s Latest Pastoral Letter

Please see the latest pastoral letter from Bishop Gregory: 200422 +Gregory’s Pastoral Letter.

It Made Me Smile

A park ranger was out checking up around his patch when he spotted God out walking in the beautiful countryside in the sunshine far from anywhere. So he approached God and asked him ‘what did he think he was doing’ to which God replied ‘I’m working from home’.

Service for 19 April

The service for Sunday 19 April will be on the MA Facebook page on Sunday morning or at the following YouTube link:

https://youtu.be/koIhrS5ChCE

Copies of the readings and the prayers for 19th April are Reading Sheet A Easter 2 and Prayers for Easter 2 19th April.

Message and Resources from MA Leader

I hope that you are keeping well and staying safe as lockdown continues. I’m sure that this week’s news, that we are continuing as we are for at least another 3 weeks, was disappointing to some even though it was predictable. We will each cope with the restrictions differently depending on our personalities, so for some this will be more difficult than others. NHS Wales have just produced a pack of information on how to stay well at home which includes guidance on wellbeing and mental health. So if you are finding it hard (or running out of reading material!) you might to follow this link to read more:

https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/latest-information-on-novel-coronavirus-covid-19/staying-well-at-home/

If you want some guidance which also addresses the spiritual aspect the Church of England have a booklet which can be found and downloaded here:

https://www.churchofengland.org/faith-action/mental-health-resources/supporting-good-mental-health/supporting-good-mental-health?utm_source=Chapter%20of%20Canterbury%20Cathedral&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=11430090_March%202020%20Updates&dm_i=YM4,6SZII,8XU38V,R9DOZ,1

Also a Roots link for 19 Apr. www.rootsontheweb.com/familiesathome19apr

A Pastoral Letter from Bishop Gregory

The latest pastoral letter from Bishop Gregory: Bishop Gregory’s Pastoral Letter 200415. He also continues to record a service each week in his chapel at Esgobty. You can find this, and a variety of other information and resources for the current time on the Diocesan website here: https://dioceseofstasaph.org.uk/

Winners of the Easter Garden and Tree Competition

For our Easter Competition, we invited people to create a decorated tree or garden representing Easter. There were categories for: trees made by aged 7 years and under, 8 to 16 and over 16, and gardens by aged 7 years and under, 8 to 16 and over 16. Entries were submitted by photograph and participants encouraged to display their creations in their front gardens or windows for people to enjoy as they walked past in these difficult times. Thank you to all who entered, there were some very ingenious, colourful and imaginative ideas. Congratulations to our winners: Nancy Rogers, Sam and Max Ryder, Cai Griffiths, Freya Williams, Carol and Mandy Williams, and Becky Baldwin. Each winner received a small prize (including a handmade ceramic cross donated by Angels Unaware Ceramics of County Antrim) and certificate. We hope the competition was enjoyed by all who took part. Below are the fantastic entries to our Easter Garden and Tree Competition 2020 and the winners are listed on the Winners poster and some are also pictured below:

A History Walk in Guilsfield

A leaflet with instructions for a short walk around Guilsfield pointing out some of it’s history and beginning at the Church is available to view, print and download at Guilsfield History Walk.

Easter Day

The links for the Easter Day service:

It will be on YouTube from 8pm on Saturday here: https://youtu.be/zVK8WI16hPg.

And on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/PoolMissionArea/ from 8am Sunday morning.

See also a copy of the Bible Readings for Easter Day and a Mission Area Easter 2020 Service Sheet (including hymns). We have sent a letter out to regular worshippers for whom we do not have an email address to give them some Easter service resources.

Good Friday

A couple of things to help you to mark Good Friday in your own way at home: Jennie Willson has prepared a beautiful reflective service which you can watch on YouTube or Facebook. Either go to Pool Mission Area’s Facebook page or use one of the links below.

https://youtu.be/gsktNmSLEHk

https://www.facebook.com/PoolMissionArea/

Also see a short prayerful Good Friday reflection designed to help us pray for those in need around us whilst remembering the events we commemorate today.

See Bishop Gregory’s Pastoral Letter The Song of Love.

How the Virus Stole Easter.

MA Leader Easter Letter Message.

Easter Tree and Garden Competition

Photos of the entries for our Easter Tree and Garden Competition can be found here.

A Poem for Palm Sunday.

This week at home:
	Resources for adults www.rootsontheweb.com/adultsathome5jul (You can copy and share this url)
	Resources for families www.rootsontheweb.com/familiesathome5jul (You can copy and share this url)

For While We Cannot Meet – March 2020 to April 2021

This week at home: Resources for adults

This week at home: Resources for families

Pages

This week at home:
Resources for adults

This week at home:
Resources for families