HARVEST FESTIVAL SERVICES

The Harvest Festival for St. Padarn's will be on Sunday 10th October 2010 and will follow the normal pattern. It is hoped to have a Harvest Lunch at the Black Lion Hotel in the village following the 11.15 English Eucharist. This will be an excellent opportunity for members of the various congregations to meet together socially and enjoy fellowship together. The meal will cost no more than £11.00. If you wish to be at the Harvest Lunch, please give your name to Archdeacon Hywel as soon as possible.

DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO ISRAEL & PALESTINE
1ST TO 10TH FEBRUARY 2011.

You may have seen in Pobl Dewi or in the Western Mail that Bishop Wyn is leading a Diocesan Pilgrimage to the Holy Land in February 2011. If you would like more information regarding this Pilgrimage, please go to the St. Davids Diocesan Website and find "PILGRIM BAND" and read Bishop Wyn's invitation to join the Pilgrimage. You will then be able to find the complete itinery and details of costs involved.

Just click on the link to the Diocesan Website at the bottom of the first page of our Website (Welcome Page). The Tour Organiser is Canon Dennis Wight who can be contacted on denniswight@churchinwales.org.uk or on 01267236597

ECUMENICAL WALKING PILGRIMAGES OF
THE ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF ARUNDEL AND BRIGHTON

The Diocese founded the Arundel and Brighton Pilgrimage, which now occurs annually during the two weeks running up to the August bank holiday. Though the pilgrimage is largely Roman Catholic, it is in fact ecumenical and there are several Anglican attendants. The first walk took place in 1975 around the Diocese but has since gone on to include cross-country routes through England and Wales, with different themes and stops at various churches and cathedrals.

The 2010 Pilgrimage is to the Diocese of St. Davids, taking in Cardigan and Aberystwyth on the way to Llandysul, Carmarthen, Haverfordwest & St. Davids. Following a rest day in Aberystwyth, the 60+ members of the Pilgrimage visited St. Padarn's Church, Llanbadarn Fawr on Friday 20th August where the Eucharist was celebrated. The Venerable Hywel Jones, retired Archdeacon of Cardigan and acting Priest in Charge, welcomed the pilgrims to St. Padarn's and presided, celebrating the Eucharist by using the Church in Wales 2004 rite. The Eucharist was also celebrated by a Roman Catholic Priest, Father David Russell, according to the Roman Catholic rite.

Following the Church service and before continuing on their way south east to Pontrhydfendigaid / Strata Florida with a planned stop on the way at Llanilar, the Pilgrims enjoyed a cuppa and biscuits in the Church Hall prepared by some of the ladies of St. Padarn's congregation.


THAMES PATH NATIONAL TRAIL 8th -24th JULY 2010

Penrhyncoch resident, Paul Redmond Drew completed a walk along the 184 mile Thames Path over 2 weeks in July. He started from Kemble in Gloucestershire on the 8th and finished at the Thames Barrier at 2.40 p.m. on 24th. He did this primarily in memory of his very dear friend, Dr Mike Dewe who died of Pancreatic Cancer in December 2008. Mike was onetime Choirmaster at St. Padarn's. Paul also did the walk on behalf of Pancreatic Cancer U.K. trying to raise not only money for this worthwhile charity but also and equally important to publicise their vital role in raising awareness and funds for research. (Paul was joined by Mike's widow, Kathy, for the walk from Hampton Wick to Putney.)

If you sponsored Paul by entering your name, address and amount on the Sponsorship Form in Church, please give your sponsorship money to Mr John Wildig who will ensure that all sponsorship money from St. Padarn's is passed to the Charity. If you still wish to sponsor, go online to



If you are a U.K. Tax Payer you may Gift Aid your donation and get the Charity a further 28%. However, you must enter your home address.


PERERINDOD DYDD SADWRN 7 AWST/ PILGRIMAGE 7 AUGUST 2010

LLANGORWEN, BORTH and EGLWYSFACH

Thema: Addoli trwy Emynau, Cerddoriaeth a Barddoniaeth.
Theme: Worship through Hymns, Music and Poetry

Saturday, 7th August, saw nearly 20 members of the St Padarns congregations taking part in a mini-Pilgrimage organised by (Lay) Reader Carola Mercer. The first church to be visited was All Saints, Llangorwen and with the weather fine and breezy about half of the participants walked there from the starting point of the pilgrimage, the Church Hall in Llanbadarn. The remainder travelled in a small coach. The church at Llangorwen was built in the first half of the nineteenth century and is an important church in Wales as the first one to be built in the Principality embodying the ideals of the Oxford movement. Members of the Llangorwen congregation talked about the history of the church and the Oxford Movement. After lunch, all joined with Canon Enid Morgan in prayers. Hymns by Cardinal Newman and Isaac Williams, who were both associated with the Oxford Movement, were also sung.
The party then travelled on to Borth where the party walked from the main road across the railway and up to the solid Victorian Church of St Matthew. At the church, the party were welcomed by the Vicar, the Revd. Cecelia Charles and members of her congregation and taken to the Sunday School hut where tea and coffee were served, with the youngsters of the thriving Sunday school assisting. After tea, the children sang for the party. Back in the Church, Organist Michael James, talked about and played some of his organ compositions.
The final church visited in the late afternoon was Saint Michael's at Eglwysfach, a church for ever associated with the Revd. R. S. Thomas, one of the Great Welsh Poets of his day. In the lovely and distinctive church whose woodwork had been painted black by R S Thomas and his wife, giving the drama of black and white, Canon Enid Morgan led the evening service of Compline. Local parishioner Andrew Agnew read two of R. S. Thomas’s poems. The party were then entertained to tea in the iron room near the church and everyone helped raise funds for the maintenance of this fascinating structure by buying raffle tickets for the churches Iron Room Appeal.
A wonderful afternoon was concluded with thanks to the good people of Eglwysfach, to Canon Enid Morgan, to the good people of the other two parishes visited and especially to Carola Mercer for organising the Mini Pilgrimage.



CHURCH SHOP

The Church Shop has been open for over 12 months now at the back of the Church, having opened on the last day of June 09. It is staffed on Sunday mornings and sells small gifts and various greeting cards in both the Welsh and English Languages. Any profit goes to help Church funds. Don't forget to have a browse in the Shop next time you come to Church. The Card or Gift you have been looking for may be here.

ORGAN MUSIC FOR EARLY SUMMER
- SUNDAY 30th MAY 2010.

On Sunday afternoon 30th May 2010 in Llanbadarn Church, MR IAN REES played "Music for Early Summer" . Music by Bach, Brahms, Vaughan Williams, Elgar and Widor was played and much enjoyed by those who came along on a lovely afterrnoon. The Event was in aid of the Church Heating Fund. Following the Recital, Tea / Coffee and Biscuits were served in the Church Hall. Thanks to Ian & Helen and to all who helped make it a really happy fundraising event.

SHRINES & LINES MINI PILGRIMAGE

An Ecumenical Group of local covenanted churches from the Banstead area of Surrey who had come to Wales to enjoy a Shrines and Lines mini Pilgrimage, visiting Historic Religious Sites and Narrow Gauge Railways, visited us on Sunday May 30th. They were led by the Revd. David Chance, the Vicar of Banstead, and had arrived in Aberystwyth the previous night. They came to Llanbadarn at 10.00 to attend a Celebration of Holy Communion in order to hear the Church in Wales Liturgy in the Welsh Language. The party were welcomed by the Celebrant, the Venerable Hywel Jones. Six members of the group were also good bell ringers and hotfooted it up the Tower to join the local band of ringers ringing for the service. As a result, all 10 of the bells were rung before the service. A cup of Tea was enjoyed in the Church Hall following the Service.

BELL RINGING.

The Tower Annual General meeting was held recently and reports of another good ringing year were presented. Bob McIntyre stepped down as Tower Captain and the new Tower Captain for 2010/11 is second year undergraduate, Rebecca Holloway from Montgomery. Last Saturday afternoon, the St David’s Guild of Change Bell Ringers held their annual Striking Competition for the Diocesan Shield, in St Martins Church Laugharne---the resting place of the poet Dylan Thomas---and the competition drew 8 bands of ringers from towers within the Diocese. The St Padarns Team was Victoria Evans, Cecilia Evans, Bob McIntyre (Conductor), Sue Rainsbury, Rebecca Holloway and Gareth Thomas and the test piece was a touch of Plain Bob Doubles. The adjudication was announced after a superb Ringers tea had been enjoyed by all competitors and to their great delight, the ST. PADARNS TEAM CAME FIRST, with a team from St Peters, Carmarthen, coming second. The service ringers for Sunday 9th May 2010 service ringing, at 09-30 am, were able to see the coveted Diocesan Shield back in the St Padarns tower for the first time for some years. The team will now be heading to Swansea in September to represent the St Davids Diocese in the All Wales Competition.

Ringing at Llanbadarn is a very enjoyable pass time and with 10 bells in the tower, new recruits or lapsed ringers will always be welcome to join the band. It’s very much a town and gown affair, open to all. If you’d like more information please feel free to contact John Wildig on 01970 623713, or meet us outside the church porch on Thursday evenings at 7-30pm.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Annual General Meeting (Easter Vestry) was held in the Church Hall on Friday 16th April. The Venerable Hywel Jones presided and thanked many people for their work during the year. The Annual Accounts for 2009 were presented by the Parish Treasurer, Mr Meurig Lewis. Ms Theresa Jones, whose wish not to continue as the People's Warden for the English Congregation for another year was accepted, was thanked by Archdeacon Hywel for all her work. Dr. Ian Mercer was elected in her place. Mr David England and Mr Ioan Guile were re-appointed as Vicar's Wardens for the Welsh and English Congregations respectively and Mrs Jean Eklund was re-elected as People's Warden for the Welsh Congregation. A new P.C.C. was also elected (see P.C.C. Page). Archdeacon Hywel was thanked for his leadership and all his work by Mr Keith Jones.

PARISH FELLOWSHIP

The April Meeting of the Parish Fellowship was held in the Church Hall on Thursday 8th April at 7.30 p.m. The subject this month was "Wildlife Safari to Tanzania". We are grateful to Mr Melvin Gray for coming along and taking us so enthusiastically "On Safari" with him by using superb photograghs to illustrate his talk so wonderfully. Miss Margeurita Payne, Fellowship Chairman, welcomed Mr Gray and a vote of thanks for a most enjoyable evening was given by Mrs Jean Eklund. Prayer was said by the Venerable Hywel Jones

Following a cup of tea and biscuits, Archdeacon Hywel led a discussion on the way forward for the Fellowship. It was the wish of everyone present that more members of our various congregations would try to find time, once a month, to come together to hear various interesting speakers and enjoy fellowship together and also get to know each other as members of the Church in Llanbadarn Fawr. Elections for a new Committee will take place shortly and it is hoped that many more people (male and female) will want to serve on the committee and breath new life into the Parish Fellowship.

COFFEE EVENING THURSDAY 18th MARCH 2010

A Coffee Evening with Stalls was held in the Church Hall at 7.30 p.m. on Thursday 18th March 2010. The event proved to be a good opportunity for members of each of our various Congregations and anyone else who wanted to come to get together to raise funds for the Haiti/ Chile Earthquake Appeals. A very enjoyable evening was had by all who came along, with much talking and laughter and of course buying, selling and drinking of Coffee (and Tea). Many thanks to all who helped in any way to make it such an enjoyable and beneficial evening. The final figure channelled via "Save the Children" is £640.

ST. PADARN'S CHURCH HALL

The Church Hall has been refurbished. The improvements made include: Disabled access, new toilets including Disabled Facilities and a new Kitchen, all on the ground floor. If you are looking for a location to hold a function, please check availability with Mr John Glyn Walker, the caretaker. email jgwalker@fsmail.net or telephone 01970611358.

The members of St. Padarn's Church wish to thank the Organisations listed below and acknowledge the generous financial support given by them to help us carry out this major refurbishment work in the Church Hall.

Ceredigion County Council: Aberystwyth Business Club: The Fronhaul (Llandinam) Charity: The James Pantyfedwen Foundation: The Llanbadarn Community Association and the Park Lodge Hotel.