Reverend Eryl Parry writes:

If you have seen our most recent worship video you will know that this week I had the profound honour of being ordained as a priest in the medieval mountain church of Llangelynnin with its even more ancient (6th Century) holy well. Thank you so much for all your prayers and kind messages.

Llangelynnin has a transcendent holiness which speaks to anyone who arrives. Whatever is happening in the world outside, come rain or shine (on Monday we had both, plus some thunder and lightning!) it stands there peacefully, rooted in space and time. Entering after so many months of the door being shut was very emotional for those of us who usually worship there in the monthly Celtic Praise services. Yet Llangelynnin also possesses a remarkable ability. It seems to make people feel that they also belong there, even on their first visit or without any prior connection to Christian faith or to the Conwy valley.

‘Rootedness’ is a spiritual concept that is evident in the Bible. To me it makes sense of that deep yearning, which every human being has, to belong. We need to feel part of a community and valued by the people there. We long to feel ‘at home’ in that place, at that time, alongside others. I have become convinced that it is only when we belong, when we experience real security and love somewhere, that we can sustain a relationship with God and discover who we truly are.

I love that picture in Psalm 1 of Christians being like trees planted with deep, sustaining roots so that they ‘yield their fruit in its season and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper.’ Faith weathers the storms, just as a tree does, only if it is firmly grounded. As this week’s passage from Ephesians explains, that ‘grounding’ is in love. Daily seeking of God gives us sustenance and help – the water of life. We can feel more secure in times of vulnerability if we have discovered the inner, stabilising strength of God’s love.

In response to a recent reflection about making time to pray, Mavis Tunstall emailed, “I start the day with Jesus Calling and I have found it a tremendous help sorting out early morning feelings of anxiety into renewed hope. I often feel that Jesus is really speaking to me, as He was in the one for today:  

‘Come to Me when you are weak and weary. Rest snugly in My everlasting arms. I do not despise your weakness, My child. Actually it draws Me closer to you because weakness stirs My compassion, My yearning to help. Accept yourself in your weariness, knowing that I understand how difficult your journey has been. Do not compare yourself with others who seem to skip along their life paths with ease. Their journey has been different than yours, and I have gifted them with abundant energy. I have gifted you with fragility providing your spirit to blossom in My Presence. Accept this gift as a sacred treasure: delicate, yet glowing with brilliant Light. Rather than struggling to disguise or deny your weakness, allow me to bless you richly through it. ISAIAH 42:3 ISAIAH 54:10 ROMANS 8:26′”

So the roots required for flourishing are to be found in ever deepening knowledge of God’s blessing in our lives. That is the prayer that Paul prayed over his Ephesian readers, that such would be their rootedness in God’s love, that they would come to know the full extent of it. For it is in those times when we get a glimpse of the incredible nature of God’s provision and love for us, that we can really know joy and acceptance.

It is no wonder that people can feel welcomed into an ancient place of prayer where pilgrims have fallen to their knees in worship over the centuries. It is no wonder that Mavis can feel greater strength in times of fragility. It is no wonder that I felt indescribable joy on the day of my ordination – when we walked there in sunshine and back through a storm, having been blessed in a shelter-house of prayer. For those are the roots we share, wherever we come from and at whatever stage of life we’re in. I pray that together, through these times of transition, we may find ways of continuing to grow – for God wants us all to prosper in our life in Him.

Would you like to explore a bit more what it means to be ‘rooted’?

You are warmly invited to Zoom Coffee tomorrow morning at 10.30am,
for friendly and engaging conversation about this week’s theme
(and of course a great way to belong). 

Click here to join Zoom Coffee tomorrow

[or use Meeting ID: 881 3417 1456; Passcode: 430751]

David Parry writes:

This week’s picture shows a 13th Century Font near the entrance of St. Benedict’s Church, in Gyffin. As in most churches, that means the first thing you see on arrival is the place of Baptism. It is there as a visual reminder of the invitation to become a Christian.

Dafydd ap Gronw baptised his baby son Richard in this font, 515 years ago. Dafydd was the parish priest of Gyffin and married to Sioned. Their son grew up to be ordained as well. In fact Richard Davies became a Bishop, of St. Asaph and then St. David’s. He is famous for helping to translate the Bible into Welsh. Leaders like Richard were vital to the renewal of Christianity in Wales, and also gave us the Welsh language in its modern, accessible form.

As a boy in Conwy however, Richard the priest’s son was bullied because of his speech impediment. They called him ‘Biffe’ (idiot), a nickname he never quite managed to shrug off, even once he was a celebrated scholar and eloquent preacher.

All of this reminds me that ordinary believers with real troubles and challenges (not perfect ‘plaster statue’ saints) are called into Christian service. We all need His Salvation and we are all received into His family in exactly the same way, by Baptism. But amazingly, we have different contributions to make as Jesus transforms the world. Every single one of us important to the emerging Kingdom of God. That’s why the font in Gyffin is a reminder of vocation as well.

I couldn’t be more proud of my wife Eryl as she is ordained today. Anyone who has experienced her gifts and personality will need no persuading that she is already called to Ministry and that this new vocation is clearly God’s will. Yet I know that Eryl would be the first to say that vocation is not just narrowly about priesthood.  Each of us is called in a different, special way. Our calling is unique and personal. 

Each life offered to God, as baby Richard was, each person obedient to what God is asking of them, as Eryl is today, helps to bring about God’s purposes and to share His love. It all starts with our Baptism. From that point on we are on the team. Eryl’s calling has unfolded over many years, with plenty of surprises. So watch out! God may still have some surprises in store for you too. 

What is your calling?

Through these times of greater restriction on meeting, many people are saying these simple Services together on Zoom, WhatsApp or other platforms. They are being used at least once a week for Morning Prayer or Evening Prayer/Compline. Others are live-streaming Services on Facebook. So why not invite a friend to join you in ‘having a go’?

Clive Addison, from the Bro Celynnin Ministry Team, writes:

During lockdown many of us have become more in touch with our inner life, seen the world differently and then found new faith in God. That renewed relationship with Him proves what the Bible has promised. If we are willing to come closer to God, He will never ignore that effort. In response to our longing, He always comes closer to us!

When we are able to return to more normal activities, and life gets busier again, the challenge will be how to keep that closer relationship with God, which we have found to be such a blessing. When I became a committed Christian in my mid-thirties I remember struggling with that very question. I was introduced by a more mature friend to the idea of a daily “Quiet Time.” Here is how it goes!

First find a chair that you will use every day for the purpose (since few of us have our own personal chapel). The chair should stay in the same position. It can be one of your easy chairs in the living room, a favourite corner of the garden, your spare bedroom or whatever –  but “that chair” becomes your Holy Place.

Second, allocate at least half an hour every day as your Quiet Time. When my friend told me that, I laughed. I was a family man with two children in school and a job requiring substantial overtime to cover my responsibilities. Where was I going to find half an hour of uninterrupted time every day? He responded by asking, “When do you get up in the morning?” When I told him 6.30am he said, “So get up at 6.00am and spend the first half hour of your day with God! Surely you can do that after what He has done for you?”   

Point taken. That half hour has been in the daily timetable ever since. Each of us needs to find our own best time. But choosing to make an appointment every single day to be in God’s presence is truly life-changing.
 
Third, what to do with that precious half hour? I spend it in Bible reading and prayer, in that special quietness. Ask God to speak to you personally as you read His Word, to let you know His plans for your life and for that day. This is more than intellectual study. Take time to ponder and reflect. Reading with your head and heart lets God speak to your soul and spirit within. Ask Him to help you to do that and after a while you will find that He has. Many keep a prayer diary or journal to remember. A good cup of coffee helps with keeping awake and resisting early morning dozing!
 
Fourth, daily Bible notes or devotional material can really help. There are loads out there in the Christian publishing market to choose from. The website christianweb.org.uk, “An A to Z of Bible reading Notes,” can help, but if you find the list overwhelming, ask one of the Ministry Team, our reflection contributors or a Christian friend. Here is a short list of those I have used over the years, in no particular order:

If you decide the Scripture Union “Daily Bread” might be for you, then for many years now, Heather Addison, Ministry Area and St. Mary’s Conwy Warden, takes a regular order from Kingdom Krafts to distribute. Contact Heather on 01492 572924 if you would like to be added to her list.

May Jesus bless you as you make time for Him every day. 

Ros Hughes writes:

This bible reading from Romans 8 is often read at a funeral service – words of comfort and reassurance.

During the past number of months, we have heard of so much sadness, distress, and bereavement. Few of us have not felt the impact of loss and grief and witnessed loss and grief for those around us, and through the media we have been constantly aware of those suffering around the world.

Recently, after the death of a friend, I found some solace in drawing and painting the picture above of flowers from our garden. While we can speak words of sympathy and remember those distressed, sick, and bereaved in our prayers, and for many this can be some comfort and support, we cannot take away the problems and pain of others.

Many years ago, there was a tragedy in our community – friends of ours lost their young child. My son was devastated by the sudden death of his friend who a couple of days earlier had been at his 5th birthday party. As my little boy clung to me in distress, I had tried my best to console and explain my belief that he was held in God’s unshakeable love through Jesus His Son. My son had replied to me: ‘But, I want to stay with, Mummy – I know you – and I don’t know Jesus.’

In the bible reading above, written in such poetic language, Paul wants to share his confidence – his belief and trust in God. He had understood the Gospel message and had lived and felt God’s love through Jesus, His son. We are living through difficult times and life’s circumstances have been challenging for many of us.

Previously held ideas and beliefs are questioned and confidence shaken. Just as my young son voiced his reaction in such complete honesty and openness – in our reflection and prayer today we need true honesty and openness ourselves as we come before God and consider these words that nothing can ‘separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.’

How is God’s love being shown to you today? 

~

Prayer
Wherever you are
in light or darkness,
joy, or pain –
God is with you
May you know the comfort of his presence –
today and always.
Amen.

Daily Reflections

Sunday Services

David Jones writes:

Like many people, I have become more and more unsure what our approach should be to COVID-19. The return to lockdown in some parts of England felt like a big backward step, just when we could see daylight and a better future.

I have no wish to delve into the politics. Has Wales, with its more conservative stance, been wiser? Or have we just been fortunate in lagging behind the spread of coronavirus, able to wait and watch what happens elsewhere before we make our changes? Whatever the rights and wrongs of relaxations and restrictions, trying to unravel what we should do for the best, many of us just feel tied up in knots by it all.

That phrase, “tied up in knots” got me thinking. First a definition: ‘to make oneself confused, anxious, as when trying to make a decision to come up with another idea. To become tangled as when conveying an idea to another.’ Yes, definitely that.  

So, what does a Christian do in such circumstances? If it’s me, go for a walk and ponder what God is saying to me – what guidance can I find? I came across the amazing anonymous prayer written below. What I find so special about it is the way you can add your own feelings, concerns, worries, hopes and fears (to the ‘knots’). I invite you all to add your own, whatever knots you would like God’s help to untangle.

Long before any thought of writing reflections, I (per chance or even under guidance) came across a topic that I had never heard of. Mary “The Undoer of Knots”. Mary, the Mother of our Lord, is depicted thus in today’s painting by Johan Georg Schmidtner (from around 1700). It hangs in the pilgrim Church of St. Peter Perlach, in Augsburg, Bavaria.

St. Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyons, who was martyred in 202, is credited with first giving Mary that title. He in turn was inspired by St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians: “for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15: 22 

As Irenaeus puts it, “Eve, by her disobedience, tied the knot of disgrace for the human race; whereas Mary, by her obedience, undid it.” In other words, by carrying our Saviour and bringing Him to birth, Mary has a role in undoing the sinful rebellion which was written into everyone’s DNA by our ancestors.

So how does this picture help with my personal concerns and the struggles we are all living through? My conviction is that because of God’s grace and forgiveness, sending His Son into our sinful world, none of our knots are ever too big for God to undo. 

Prayer
Dear God,
please untie the knots
that are in my mind, my heart and my life.
Remove the ‘have nots’,
the ‘can nots’ and the ‘do nots’
that I have embedded in my mind.
Erase the ‘will nots’, ‘may nots’,
‘might nots’ that may find a home in my heart.
Release me from the ‘could nots’ and ‘should nots’
that obstruct my life.
And most of all, dear God,
I ask that you remove from my mind,
my heart and my life
all of the ‘am nots’,
especially the thought that I am not good enough,
which I have allowed to hold me back
from true faith in you.
Nothing is so tangled that you will
not hear our prayers and petitions,
through Jesus Christ.
Amen.