Dyffryn Clwyd

Another week has seemingly flown by, for me it’s been a busy one again which has thrown up challenges but also held many joys…

It was such a joy on Thursday to see all the young people at the confirmation class in Llanfair led by Rev Richard. It’s great to see so many young people (and more will be joining the next session on the 27th of Jan) giving their time not just to have fun and enjoy each others company but continue their christian journey and deepening their understanding of our shared faith.

And I’ve had a lot of fun this afternoon at Song School where the kids battled it out to see who could sing Jubilatee! The loudest, the boys or the girls!

It’s also been a week for me of Faculty applications, which while it’s hardly going to be in anyones top 10 most enjoyable activities it does have its rewards as it means we are moving on some very exciting projects. Llanbedr’s Faculty application is progressing along and I hope and pray will be moved on to the next stage at Monday’s meeting of the DAC.

Clocaenog’s Faculty is almost ready to go in, another exciting project which reflects the new energy and purpose the church there has found, the list of things which happen and will happen in that church really lifted my heart.

We also met in Ruthin to for a progress report on the projects in town and it was good to catch up and see the progress that is being made.

But I did also have more challenging meetings as I met with a number of our treasurers. At this time of year our treasurers are busy closing the books up for 2021 and looking at the year ahead. It is truly humbling to see the support that so many of you have given our churches over the last year, both in your giving of money and your time and effort organising various fundraising and community events. However, a number of our churches are reporting substantial losses this year and in places our reserves are running out. This in not a unique problem for us in churches, many other charities are facing similar problems coming out of the pandemic and with the rise in cost of living everyone is being squeezed. There are no simple answers but we are in a good place to face the challenges posed to us, there are plenty of green shoots, lots of new things happening and exciting plans for the future, we are learning to work together more closely and collaboratively as a Mission Area and with all of you we work from a platform of deep prayer and faith.

This coming Thursday the treasurers will be meeting, and the following Thursday the Mission Area Conference will be meeting. Please do pray for both of these meetings as we plan for the coming year and face up to the challenges ahead.

Coming up we’ve got a number of things –

This Sunday Club Cynhafal is starting up again, meeting at 9.45 to 10.30, lots of fun for families as they look forward to Candlemas

The Alpha course continues to meet online on Wednesday at 7pm, if you missed the start don’t worry, just email Rev Stuart for the Zoom link.

Song School is on Friday at 4pm in St Peter’s Ruthin

The next Wild Church will be on Sunday 23rd in Clocaenog at 9.30am

And the Teen’s Go Wild youth group will meet around the fire pit in Llanbedr on Friday 28th at 7pm.

And we’re starting a travelling Gosber and Evensong, both to be held once a month in different churches across the Mission Area. First up will be Gosber on the 30th of Jan in Cyfylliog at 6pm followed by Evensong in Llanfair on the 6th of February at 6pm

Tomorrow we’re meeting in Llanbedr to plan a Candlemas Wild Church which will be on the 5th of February.

Whenever I write out the list of what’s coming there seems to be so much going on that I inevitably forget something, so do keep an eye on our Facebook page and website for anything I’ve missed!

Attached is the newsletter and reading sheet for this coming Sunday. I’ve also attached the Bishops monthly letter for you to read.