News & Items of Interest
All the latest news from around the diocese.
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The Reverend Gwynn ap Gwilym
It is with sadness that we heard of the untimely passing on the 30th July of The Revd. Gwynn ap Gwilym; a son of this valley, rector of Penegoes, Darowen and Llanbrynmair from 1986, and from 1997 to 2004, rector of Mallwyd, Darowen, Llanbrynmair, Cemaes and Llanymawddwy. We offer our condolences to his wife Mari and brother Ifor.
Gwynn was a man of great intellect, who could truly claim to walk in the footsteps of the great 16-17th century Welsh academic and biblical scholar Dr John Davies of Mallwyd. As well as lecturing in Aberystwyth University on Biblical studies - especially The Old Testament, we were privileged to listen to him preach from Sunday to Sunday.
Church life was never dull with Gwynn around, and controversy never far away. I can still remember clearly the sermon he preached in Llanymawddwy Church many years ago at the time of some dispute with the members (can't remember what the argument was about) and we got it with both barrels! The theme 2 Samuel 11 -12; the story of King David, Bathsheba and Uriah, a story of adultery and duplicity; and then the rebuke of Nathan. - The rich man refusing to kill one of his many hundreds of lambs for the feast, insisting that the poor man kill his one and only lamb. You can guess who we were compared to in the story. Tell you what, we were talking about that sermon for weeks!
Gwynn left us in 2004, his final service was to be on Sunday 27th October, but fate intervened. A terrible storm blew up on the Saturday night, trees blown down, electricity cut off, service cancelled. I wonder how Gwynne was going to address us in his final sermon? He made a point of recording the biblical reference in the Mallwyd Church register – Proverbs 29.19.
“You cannot discipline (correct) a servant with words only, even though he understands, he will not respond (pay attention).”
Strong words to pick from the whole of the Bible, to leave as a legacy after 18 years work. Was Gwynn expressing frustration at his own failure, as he might have seen it, to change peoples' lives by his words and teaching? Or was he saying that words were not enough and that, he, Gwynn, was not a good enough example in his personal life for others to feel able to follow, in a life of Christ? Either way, I think Gwynn would have been too hard on himself. Or was Gwynn going to castigate us as being too cold, to hard hearted to respond to the Christian message? Maybe, but that would have been very hard on us!
Perhaps Gwynn, on that dramatic day, was going to focus on a key word “servant,”
“You cannot disciple a servant with words only.” In order to avoid the difficult conclusions above, perhaps we have to stop thinking of ourselves as servants, victims or passive ciphers, but take our lives in our own hands, become our own masters, embrace the love of God and stop expecting others to turn the tap on for us? The Christian transformation has to come from within.
We shall never know what was on Gwynn's mind, perhaps he was referring to himself as the “servant,” pointing out to us that, all our words of criticism were simply hypocritical.
Open Day
Despite the terrible weather, over 70 people attended the open day on Saturday 3rd September 2016. All visitors were able to finally see the transformation of the church following the restoration building project. The new mezzanine includes a kitchen, toilets and disabled access via a lift. The mezzanine will be available for hire by interested groups.
Photgraphs courtesy of Rachel Richards.
St. Peter's Fun Day
Face painting, bouncy castles, food and lots of fun arrived at Plas Machynlleth today. Yes it was St. Peter's Church Fun Day again. Even the drizzling rain couldn't put people off from having fun. As you can see from the pictures, only one person didn't want to get wet and that was becasue she didn't want her newly painted face washed off.
Many thanks to everyone who helped organise the day and also to everyone who attended.
Pictures are courtesy of Rev. Canon Kath Rogers.
I'll get that rat next time.
Maybe next time...
I think one us is the wrong way up.
I'm glad it was a soft landing.
The story trail.
Smile for the camera.
I'm waiting patiently.
Is it nearly my turn?
Rapping in the rain.
I've got the next ball ready for you.
Let's see, that's 1, 2, 3...
The Mothers' Union
Slate Painting and Brass Rubbing.
A well desrerved bite to eat.
I don't want my face to wash off!
It's a gooooaaaaaal. Oh he saved it!
Holy Trinity Corris - News
On the 11th July Corris and District Clwb -y-Deri “over 55’s” travelled to Brecon with Lloyd’s Coaches, with many thanks to the driver for his kindness and patience as always.
The weather was dull with rain on the way, however, everyone remained cheerful and the sun was out to greet us in Brecon.
Lunch was enjoyed at the “Clarence Inn” the food was hot and tasty served cheerful and helpful staff.
After lunch we travelled to Brecon canal, were Dragon Cruises took us on a two and a half hour journey in one of the narrow boats. The trip was so peaceful and relaxing, gliding through trees, bushes and wild flowers growing along the banks, with the occasional wave to walker’s on the tow-path.
Travelling through a lock to reach our destination and then the return. On the return journey we were served a Cream Tea, upon arrival at the Port, we climbed on the bus and made our way home.
Thanks to Tony for arranging a wonderful day out and everyone who contributed to the day.
Thanks to God for the fellowship of the Clwb, for the beautiful places to visit and the ability to do so.
The Parable of the Rich Fool
Luke 12 Verses 16 - 21
16. And he told then the parable,saying “The land of a rich man produced plentiful,
17 and he thought to himself “What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store crops?”
18. And he said, “I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.
19. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”
20. But God said to him, “Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?”
21. So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich towards God.”
I wonder how many of us, like the “rich fool” on finding ourselves with a bumper harvest, a windfall of money, or even money saved over many years of careful or frugal living, would want to put their wealth in a secure place to give security for the future?
Is Jesus telling us off for building bigger barns? Is he telling us to give all our wealth away for charitable purposes, in order to be rich towards God.
There is a parallel story in the Old Testament. Joseph in Egypt, storing grain in huge barns during the 7 years of plenty, in order to feed the hungry in the 7 years of famine: and yes, Joseph - the servant comes good and becomes the hero we all respect and love. (Genesis 40) has Jesus got this story wrong, should he not be praising the entrepreneurial, careful “rich fool”
Actually there is a fundamental difference between these two stories. Joseph stores the grain for then benefit of everyone, he uses his leadership and administration skills for the well being of the wider community. However, the “rich fool” uses his good fortune “ the abundant harvest” simple for himself. “To take life easy, eat, drink and be merry” He goes and buys his third yacht and sunbathes in the Caribbean!
I’m sure that Jesus is not criticising wealth creation, but we are expected to be responsible in the way we use our wealth, and part of being responsible is to love our neighbour, for to care for our neighbour is to be close to God.
Rev’d Roland.