In the evening of Remembrance Sunday, Pioneer Minister Eryl Parry led a beautiful Bereavement Service at St. Mary’s Church, in Conwy. 

Living with loss is painful, and as we stood on holy ground to sing the words of the first hymn, we knew how much He loved us:-

“Be still, for the kindness of the Lord is there when times are hard. His love will lift and heal the bruised and battle-scarred.”

“Distewch, cans gogoniant Crist ei hun o’n cylch lewyrcha’n gry’; fe lysg â sanctaidd dân, mawr ei ysblander fry: brawychus yw ei nerth, Breswylydd mawr y berth;”

“Be still, for the power of the Lord is moving in this place: he comes to cleanse and heal, to minister his grace – no work too hard for him. In faith receive from him.”

He gave us comfort and strength, and His light was shining all around us. The Service was peaceful and reflective, and we were able to touch the Hand at Peace, before lighting candles in memory of our loved ones.

 

Remembrance Sunday

Poppies have been placed on the font at Llangelynnin Old Church for this Remembrance Sunday, to honour the millions of people who lost their lives, or were wounded in battle, so that we can enjoy freedom today. Click here for details about our Church Services on Remembrance Sunday (10th November) and Armistice Day (11th November).

Welsh connections to The Gunpowder Plot

The History of Wales

The Gunpowder Plot on 5th November 1605, was a failed attempt by a Catholic group, led by Robert Catesby, to kill King James I, by blowing up the House of Lords during the State Opening of England’s Parliament. One of the conspirators, Guy Fawkes, was discovered guarding 36 barrels of gunpowder. He was sentenced, along with seven other conspirators, to be hanged, drawn and quartered.

Welsh spymaster Hugh Owen (1538 – 1618), a fervent Catholic who had vowed to destroy the Protestant Order, is believed to have masterminded the Gunpowder Plot. He had helped plan the Spanish Armada and was implicated in plots to assassinate Queen Elizabeth I, after which he had fled to Europe.

It is believed that it was Owen who originally introduced Guy Fawkes to the other conspirators, and Owen was also named in Fawkes’ trial as the man ‘whose finger hath been in every treason which hath been of late years detected’. Owen escaped retribution, enjoying the safe haven of Catholic Europe. Several assassination attempts against him failed, and Owen died peacefully of old age in Rome.

Father Robert Jones who resided at the Jesuits’ South Wales Mission “Cwm” in Llanrothal, Herefordshire, was implicated in an attempt to save two of the Gunpowder Plot perpetrators.

Dr. Thomas Williams, the rector of St. Peter’s Church, in Llanbedr-y-Cennin, was suspected of being privy to the plot as he persuaded Sir John Wynn of Gwydir Castle and MP for Caernarfonshire, not to attend the Houses of Parliament on that day.

Next Sunday 10th November, we will be holding Remembrance Services across the area, and a special Bereavement Service in Conwy for those living with loss. The Armistice Service will be in Caerhun on Monday 11th November.

We give thanks for those who have gone before us

This year, we are especially grateful to local artist Peter Barnes, whose sculpture ‘Hand at Peace’, commissioned by Sapper Support, will be displayed at St. Mary’s Church, in Conwy. It will provide a beautiful and fitting aid in our worship, serving as a memorial to those who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and other mental ill-health.

Remembrance Sunday 10th November

There will be a Bereavement Service at 6pm at St. Mary’s Church, in Conwy, on Sunday 10th November. It will be a peaceful and reflective service for people living with loss, and an opportunity to light candles. We will also remember those by name, who have passed away in the last 12 months.

If you would like the name of your loved one included, please contact Reverend David Parry: davidparry@esgobaethbangor.net.

Sunday 3rd November (The First Sunday of the Kingdom – The Fourth Sunday before Advent)

Sunday 27th October (The Last Sunday after Trinity: Bible Sunday)

St. Mary’s Church, in Conwy, is hosting a special weekend of Art and Music, in partnership with Life: Full Colour, on 25th and 26th October.

Friday 25th October

10am – 5.30pm Exhibition ‘A Florentine Perspective‘ (free exhibition to view this exceptional artist’s sculptures and prints, using techniques from the Renaissance period)

10am – 1pm Workshop ‘Discover your inner Michelangelo‘ (fun and interactive workshop, where you will learn the techniques of fresco painting – booking essential: https://bit.ly/2mOwt1j)

2.30pm – 5.30pm Workshop ‘Discover your inner Michelangelo‘ (fun and interactive workshop, where you will learn the techniques of fresco painting – booking essential: https://bit.ly/2mOwt1j)

6.30pm – 7pm Lecture ‘Becoming Michelangelo‘ (entertaining and informative lecture, where you will learn about the artistic beginnings of Michelangelo, and how he became an artistic genius – free entry and no booking required)

Saturday 26th October

10am – 1pm Workshop ‘Discover your inner Michelangelo‘ (fun and interactive workshop, where you will learn the techniques of fresco painting – booking essential: https://bit.ly/2mOwt1j)

2.30pm – 5.30pm Workshop ‘Discover your inner Michelangelo‘ (fun and interactive workshop, where you will learn the techniques of fresco painting – booking essential: https://bit.ly/2mOwt1j)

6.30pm – 8.30pm ‘An evening of art and music’ (view artwork drawn from the weekend’s workshops, Dr. Pascuzzi and local artists, accompanied by a full programme of relaxing, gentle, live music in the atmospherically lit surroundings of this medieval Church – free entry and a truly beautiful experience not to be missed!