The Bell. The Magazine of the Cathedral and Parish of Llandaff JUNE p

Transcription

1 The Bell The Magazine of the Cathedral and Parish of Llandaff JUNE p

2 SERVICES at LLANDAFF CATHEDRAL Morning Prayer HOLY EUCHARIST Evening Prayer SUNDAY SERVICES 7.30am (said) 8am (said) 9am (sung, with the Parish Choir), together with Sunday School in Prebendal House, followed by tea/coffee 11am (choral, with the Cathedral Choir) 12.30pm (said, in the Lady Chapel) 3.30pm (choral, with the Cathedral Choir) WEEKDAY SERVICES HOLY EUCHARIST (* in Welsh) Mon 9.30am Tue 9.30am* 12noon Wed 9.30am Thu 10.00am* 11am Fri 9.30am Sat 9.30am On major Feast Days (or the Eve), there is usually an evening Eucharist or Evensong; details are published in the magazine, music sheet & weekly notes. EVENING PRAYER (sung in Cathedral School term-time see Music Scheme/website for further details) Mon 5.15pm Cathedral School Choral Scholars (Girls) Tue 5.15pm Cathedral Choir (Boys) Wed 5.15pm Cathedral School Choral Scholars (Girls) Thu 5.15pm Cathedral Choir Fri 5.15pm Cathedral Choir (Men) Sat 5.15pm said 2

3 From the Reverend Canon Graham Holcombe Canon Residentiary Dear Friends, Every week on the back page of the Church Times there is an interview with a person about faith, how they came to faith and there is always the question If you could choose anyone to be locked inside a church with, who? The answer could be someone famous like St Paul or someone who has helped us in our journey of faith. If I were asked that question today it would be Fr Roger Dixon who sadly died last month. He was not only a good friend but a good mentor who helped me with many questions, as he did with so many people in the Cathedral parish and beyond who sought his wise council. His ministry here for the last sixteen years since he and Stella retired here was much valued, and he will be greatly missed by so many. We thank Stella and members of the family for allowing him to be available to so many people, as well as remembering them in our prayers at this sad time. I remember talking to him If you could choose anyone to be locked inside a church with we both agreed on the same person John Keble! John Keble was a clergyman, theologian and poet, Keble was a leading figure in the Oxford Movement, traced back to his famous sermon National Apostasy in the University Church, Oxford in Newman, Keble and other followers published Ninety Tracts for the Times which earned them the name Tractarians. They were high churchmen who had a high regard for the Church which had a lasting influence on the Anglican Church at home and abroad. Newman joined the Roman Catholic Church in 1845 and became Cardinal, but Keble and others remained in the Church of England. Keble was Oxford Professor of Poetry and published The Christian Year a popular volume of poems for Sundays and festivals. After 1841 Keble retired to his country vicarage in the village of Hursley near Winchester. He wrote tracts, hymns and, as a parish priest took his clerical 3

4 duties seriously and once said that if the Church of England collapsed it would be found in his parish. He was a complicated character, shy and reserved but forcefully strong minded. He was buried at Hursley after his death on a trip to Bournemouth. His wife died a few weeks later and was buried with him. Keble College, Oxford was named in his honour when it was founded in 1869 and the Keble Feast Day is kept on the 14 th July anniversary of his Assize Sermon Last year I visited Sidmouth, Bulverton Hill where Keble was a frequent visitor, and a place thought to have inspired some of his best loved work, and today there is a wooden bench known as Keble s Seat. Fr Roger, like Keble, was absolutely without ambition. He only wanted to be a Parish Priest and that he truly was, in the words of Keble s hymn New Every Morning. The trivial round, the common task, will furnish all we need to ask, room to deny ourselves, a road to bring us daily nearer God. Before Ordination, Fr Roger was head of history at Fakenham Grammar School. He was called to ordination and was an exemplary parish priest until Retirement. We thank God for Fr Roger in the words of another Keble hymn:- Blest are the pure in heart, for they shall see their God. The secret of the Lord is theirs; their soul is Christ s abode. May John Keble and Fr Roger Dixon rest in peace and rise in Glory, Amen. 4 Canon Graham Holcombe THE REVEREND ROGER DIXON Stella Dixon and the family wish to thank everyone who visited and sent cards or letters during Roger s long illness and those who attended his Requiem. We especially wish to thank the Dean for his apposite sermon, those who assisted at the service, at Roger s request, the musicians and Canon Holcombe, not only for officiating at the Requiem, but also for his weekly visits during this last year to bring us Holy Communion. We are extremely grateful for all the love and support we have received from you all.

5 THE RETIREMENT OF THE EDITOR I am enormously grateful to David Llewellyn for the wonderful contribution that he has made as the editor of The Bell. His eye for detail has been invaluable and his dependability has ensured that the parish magazine was always prepared in time for publication. I am personally so grateful to David but I know that I speak for all of us as we wish him well and thank him for his wonderful ministry as editor. In future, The Bell will be edited by a team and we will give full details in our July edition. Contributions for The Bell may be sent to: thellandaffbell@gmail.com As part of the new look Bell, we will be consulting with various people across Cathedral life in order to decide upon the frequency of publication, monthly or quarterly. The Dean Material for the next issue of The Bell should be sent to, the Cathedral Office, no later than the 6th of June 2018 or (preferably) ed to thellandaffbell@gmail.com A colour edition of The Bell can be viewed on the Cathedral website: May I take opportunity to thank reader s for their Best Wishes on my retirement and also a very special Thank You to the many contributors for their input over the last eight years [Ed.] CAROL OLAVESEN Tony and family wish to express their heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming support, love and friendship expressed in the hundreds of cards, letters and s they have received from the world-wide community on the recent death of Carol after a long illness. 5

6 DIARY for JUNE 2018 Regular Sunday and weekday services are listed on page 2 Fri Sat 1 Visit of the Virgin Mary to Elizabeth 2 Blandina and her Companions (177), Martyrs Sun 3 FIRST SUNDAY after TRINITY Mon 4 Boniface (784), Bishop, Missionary & Martyr Tue 5 Wed 6 Thu 7 Fri 8 Sat 9 Columba (587), Abbot Sun 10 SECOND SUNDAY after TRINITY Mon 11 BARNABAS, Apostle 5.15pm : Solemn Evensong Tue 12 Wed 13 Thu 14 Basil the Great (397), Bishop & Doctor Fri 15 Sat 16 Richard (1253), Bishop Sun 17 THIRD SUNDAY after TRINITY Mon 18 Tue 19 Wed 20 Alban (250), Julian & Aaron (304-5), Martyrs Thu 21 Fri 22 Sat 23 Sun 24 THE NATIVITY OF JOHN THE BAPTIST (Trinity 4) Mon 25 Tue 26 Wed 27 Ember Day Thu 28 Irenaeus (c.200), Bishop & Doctor Fri 29 PETER & PAUL, Apostles Sat 30 The Martyrdom of Paul, Apostle 6

7 Dates for your Diary N.B: All diary entries subject to confirmation June 2 1pm Lunchtime Concert pm PCC Meeting pm Diocesan Visitation of Churchwardens 11 11am MU Archdeaconry Eucharist (Morgannwg) 13 7pm Cathedral Summer Concert Series (second concert) 23 10am-4pm St John s Investiture Service tbc 27 5pm Cathedral School Confirmations 30 10am Ordinations NEW PAROCHIAL COUNCIL At the Annual Vestry Meeting, held in the Cathedral on Monday 30 th April, the following Appointments and Elections were made: Vicar s Warden: The Dean re-appointed Dylan Gwyer Roberts, thanking him for his enormous support during the past year People s Warden: The Dean announced that Katharine MacDonald had decided to retire as People s Warden. He warmly thanked Katharine for her huge commitment over the last four years and that she had set a very high standard for her successor to follow. There was one nomination and Charlotte Davey was duly elected. Parochial Council members The following were elected: Juliet Davis Mark Edwards Richard Inkin Ben Jenkins Tanya Johnson Willa King Ian MacDonald Anthony Olavesen Anne Lambert Rogers Ben Staniforth Judith Thompson Alan Williams 7

8 WEEKLY EVENTS & ACTIVITIES Sunday School: 9am Prebendal House (Gerard Bates Parish Choir: Monday, 6.15pm (juniors); First Sunday of month, 4.30pm (adults) (David G Thomas) Linen & Vestment Group: Tuesday, 10am Prebendal House Bellringers: Tuesday, 7.15pm - 9pm (Pat Moore ) Parent & Baby/Toddler Get-together: Wednesday, 9.15am am Parish Hall (Emma Griffin ) Servers of the Sanctuary: Wednesday, 6.15pm, or at a pre-arranged time (Jonathan Hoad, Head Virger ) Bible Study Group: Meets on Tuesdays at 7.30pm (Simon Sherwood ) Llandaff Parish Mothers Union: Meets every other week on Mondays (Enid Evans ) St Teilo Guild: Meets on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month (Daphne Townsend ) Brownies & Guides: 1st Llandaff Brownies: Wednesday 6pm C/W School Hall (Andrea Davies ) 2nd Llandaff Brownies: Wednesday 6pm Parish Hall (Ellie Lyle ) Flower Guild: (Barbara Treharne ) 8

9 ROTAS for JUNE 2018 ALTAR LINEN June Myra Jenkins July Dianne Bartley FLOWER ROTAS JUNE rd Trinity 1 10 th Trinity 2 17 th & 24 th Trinity 3 & 4 Liz Pexton To be advised Dorothy Piffaretti Alex Clifton-Thompson, Bryony Goldsworthy, Phillipa Hallinan, Viv Render, Lisa Wong Dianne Bartley, Jill Cockram, Myra Jenkins, Elsie Jones, Dorothy Marks, Barbara Treharne, Bettie Williams PARISH STEWARDS ROTAS JUNE am 9am 12.30pm Alan Biss, Willa King, Isobel Purcell Anne Enoch, David James, Tannwen James, David Johnson, David Mitchell, Frances Mitchell, Michelle Reeve, Ruth Watt Ann Tregidon & Graham Tregidon JULY am 9am 12.30pm Mike O Connor, Robert Render John Bethell, Margaret Bethell, Chris Hackett, Richard Inkin, David Johnson, Zinnia Lewis, Peter Obeysekere, Michelle Reeve Brenda Issacs & John Issacs If you are unable to fulfil a duty, please arrange for a substitute. 9

10 GUILD OF GUIDES AND WELCOMERS: Cathedral Guides are responsible for taking pre-booked groups of people around the building and giving detailed specific information. Welcomers are the friendly face that visitors see as they first enter our beautiful Cathedral. Our records show that last year we welcomed in excess of 14,000 visitors from all over the world and the comments in the visitors' book make wonderfully uplifting reading. We have a wonderful, dedicated team but, as with all volunteer groups, we desperately need more Guides and especially Welcomers. Training sessions are provided for all volunteers. So if you could spare a couple of hours a week or fortnight and would like more information please speak to Canon Graham Holcombe or Judith Thompson (Tel or judiththompson.llandaff@gmail.com LLANDAFF CATHEDRAL MUSIC DEPARTMENT Attentions turn towards the end of another academic year here in Llandaff and that means the ever-revolving door of choir membership will once again begin to turn. This year we stand to lose quite a few long-standing choristers from the choir, including many who are still in their prime so far as their voices are concerned. This will present a great challenge in September when new, younger, choristers begin in the choir and it will be great to see the next generation step up. There will be an opportunity to thank our outgoing choristers at Evensong on Sunday 8 th July at 3.30pm and I hope you will join us for that. The most exciting thing on the horizon at present is that we will be making a CD recording of the Cathedral Choir in July this year. This marks the first recording of the choir since 2012 and is a very important line in the sand as regards our ever-recovering musical fortunes. Recordings are a great discipline for performers and help to galvanise groups such as our choir in a united task to be as good as they possibly can once a recording is made it is there for all time! I m greatly looking forward to sharing what is going on in Llandaff with the wider musical world. Later this summer we will mark the very end of the academic year with our second annual Cathedral Choir Concert on Friday 13 July. This concert will include many choral favourites including music by Lewis, Lauridsen, Handel, Gjeilo, Brahms and Palestrina. Tickets will be available soon priced 10

11 at 12 and 8 for concessions. There will be a drinks reception on the West Front following the concert before we bid farewell to the choir until September. During May and June we have hosted successful concerts at the Cathedral. Numbers for the Saturday Lunchtime Recitals have been steady at people and larger than that at the organ recital on Wednesday 9 May. These recitals have also helped to welcome people to the cathedral who perhaps wouldn t otherwise come in and have been a great way for us to host musical talent from across Cardiff and further afield. There are still some to come, of course, and I hope that you will support the remaining Lunchtime Recital on Saturday 2 June at 1.00pm and the Wednesday evening Organ Recital on 13 June at 7.00pm. Both of these concerts are free to attend! I hope to be able to expand both series next year. During the month of June it will be a personal milestone for me as I release my first solo CD recorded on the Organ here at the Cathedral. More details of when a launch will take place will be advertised in the Weekly Notes closer to the time, and the disc will thereafter be available to purchase from the Cathedral Shop. Over the summer, and in the absence of our own choirs, we will welcome various Visiting Choirs to sing services at the Cathedral. It s great to note that every Sunday service is covered during the summer months, with plenty of sung weekday services too. Please do offer these visiting musicians a warm welcome. As I look towards the beginning of my third academic year in Llandaff I am presented with a good opportunity to take stock and to look to the future once again. The expansion of the Cathedral Choir s repertoire this year has been very quick and has included some pillars of Anglican church music alongside contemporary works. The consolidation of this will be important in the year ahead as will further planning for expansion of the department in the future and I look forward to reporting on this in the coming months and years. Stephen Moore 11

12 RAINBOW FAIR Friday 6 th July The Rainbow Fair has been a part of the Patronal Festival at Llandaff Cathedral for many years, taking place on the Green in the heart of Llandaff. It is run along traditional lines, inviting community and church groups to participate by hosting a stall, game or activity. All the proceeds go to local organisations or charities. If any organisation, group or individual would like to have a stall or run an activity please contact Judith Thompson (Tel ) or speak to any member of the Social Committee. This year, the Rainbow Fair takes place from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Friday 6th July. So please put the date in your diary, come along and join the fun. Llandaff Cathedral Social Committee GUILD OF ST TEILO Arrangements for June are: 11th June Strawberry Afternoon Tea; 25th June Janet Whitwell will talk about her experiences as a Paramedic at the Paralympic Games; TUESDAY 10 th July Our outing to Evesham and Snowshill Manor House & Gardens. We usually meet in the Parish Hall on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month starting at 2pm pm. There's always a cup of tea and a friendly chat before going home. Our group is friendly and informal; visitors and potential newcomers are always made very welcome. Daphne Townsend (Chairperson) APPEAL FOR READERS Currently there is a nucleus of about thirty readers who read once or twice throughout the year. It would be great to expand that number and in particular to attract new readers. If any members of the congregation, including children, would like to join the reading rota, please contact me Ian MacDonald or Irmacdonald52@hotmail.co.uk 12

13 SUNDAY SCHOOL Sunday School explores John's Gospel Many of us find John's Gospel to be the most fascinating. Since Matthew and Luke drew so heavily on Mark's material, it was inevitable that those three Gospels would be so similar. However, John's Gospel, was the last of the four to be written and was produced probably to refute heretical interpretations of the significance of Jesus and his ministry. It has such a different emphasis. Read it right the way through for yourselves and you will find that so much of John's Gospel, is Jesus giving his own explanation to us all of just who he is! Since their return from the Easter holidays, our children have been exploring some of those explanations recounted by John for themselves: "I am the Good Shepherd" - the younger ones searched for tiny sheep hidden in Prebendal House and were reassured to know that Jesus would always try to look after each one of them - whilst older pupils debated whether a shepherd really would stay to face roaming lions and wolves with just a wooden staff to drive them off. They also went back to Jesus' own prayer book (Psalms of course) to consider comparisons with 'The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want'. "I am the true vine" - the younger ones discussed how things grow and presented members of the clergy with sunflower seeds carefully planted in compost - along with the older ones they thought about how we need to prune out those features of our characters and lifestyles that are barriers to the Kingdom of God's growth in us. "Love one another" - in preparation for Christian Aid week the younger ones reflected on the terrible power of storms and heard about the dreadful damage suffered by the people of Haiti and what Christian Aid was doing to help - the older ones reflected on the qualities of a good friend and how we need to be friends to children in poorer countries. We looked at US dollar bills, worked out how many British pounds they were worth. They learnt that in Haiti the mean average Gross National Product, per citizen, per day is just $4. We explored positive strategies for how we could make a difference. Finally the children were asked: "So which part of the Lord's Prayer, does this final commandment from Jesus to love one another resonate with?" Well done to Duncan the first to answer... "give us this day our daily bread". It was suggested to the children that every time 13

14 they say the Lord's Prayer and come to that line, they should acknowledge that actually Our Lord has given us in Wales, in the UK, in the fifth richest country in the world, has given us our daily bread in massive abundance - and if we really want to be Christians then we have to share! Ged Bates THE FRIENDS OF LLANDAFF CATHEDRAL THE ANNUAL FESTIVAL - Saturday 7 th and Sunday 8th As last year, The Annual Festival of the Friends will be held over two days. On the Saturday, at 3.00 p.m., the Annual General Meeting will take place in the Nave. This will be followed, without a break, at approx.3.30 p.m., by the Annual Lecture. This will take the form of a talk by Arthur Impey on St Teilo in Brittany. Mr Impey will discuss and compare the stories in Llandaff and Brittany about St Teilo, and describe how St Teilo is still commemorated in Brittany. Following the Lecture, light refreshments will be served in the Prebendal House. People are invited to make a donation towards the cost at the counter. At 5.15 p.m. there will be Choral Evensong. This is being specially arranged to mark the Friends Festival, and it is hoped that people will make an effort to attend it At 6.30 p.m., there will be a Drinks Reception and Dinner at The School of Management Building, Cardiff Metropolitan University on Western Avenue. The Dinner will consist of a three-course meal (Trio of melon and Parma ham; Fillet of Salmon with Chili Glaze or Vegetable Torte with tomato and basil coulis; Seasonal vegetables; Chocolate Torte and cream; Coffee/Tea). Canon Graham Holcombe will be the after-dinner speaker. Tickets, priced at 29 a head, must be purchased in advance from Linda Quinn, 74, Pencisely Road, Cardiff CF51DH. Applications should be accompanied by a stamped addressed envelope. Cheques should be made out to Friends of Llandaff Cathedral. Please specify if the vegetarian option is desired. Parking at 50p per car is available on site near the School of Management. 14

15 On Sunday, at 11 a.m. there will be a Festival Sung Eucharist, which will particularly mark the work of the Friends. During the service, it is hoped that the Friends medallion will be presented to one of the boys in the Choir. You do not have to be a member of the Friends to attend all or just a part of the Festival. All are welcome! However, if you are not a member, please note that you may not vote or speak at the Annual General Meeting. If you are not a member but are interested in supporting the Cathedral and its preservation, perhaps it is about time that you joined. Ordinary membership costs only a minimum of 20 per annum, and there are other types of membership to suit your needs. Further information can be obtained from the Friends stand at the rear of the Cathedral. Arthur C. Impey Secretary FRIENDS OPEN DOORS DAYS 2018 Once again, there will be an Open Doors Day in the Cathedral on Saturday September 15th from 12 noon including a guided tour, bell tower visits, opportunity to view the archives and a contribution from the music department. Please encourage your friends and relatives to come along and support the Friends. On Friday 14th September, local primary schools will visit for the Friends Drawing Event, where children are able to walk around, ask questions and draw. This event has proved very popular with both children and teachers. These events are part of Open Doors Llandaff and the Cadw Open Doors programme. THE SHOP Once again we ask you to consider buying your birthday cards or cards for any other occasion from your shop; we have some beautiful Icons from Ireland and America, some really lovely jewellery made locally and will soon have some locally crafted Welsh love spoons. At the risk of repeating myself please come and look at what we have for sale. 15

16 The Pitkin Spinner has recently been restocked. These colourful books are excellent value at 6, and make very acceptable small gifts. They cover a wide range of subjects, both topical and historical - there is something of interest for everyone. Recent titles include "Sir Walter Raleigh", "Tudor Secrets and Scandals", "The Guards " which includes a CD, and the popular "Larry, the Chief Mouser", the story of the cat so often seen on TV news sitting on the doorstep at 10, Downing St! Second hand books of the "coffee table" type continue to sell well and we are always grateful for donations of these in good condition. Popular topics include art, travel gardens, historic houses and famous figures. We are in need of volunteers for 2 hourly sessions a week, or a fortnight or even once a month to help keep the shop open during the summer months, as it often proves difficult to cover holiday sessions. It is a very happy way to spend 2 hours, meeting visitors to our wonderful Cathedral. Please remember that all the profits go towards helping the upkeep of the Cathedral. Many thanks if you can help in any way. Mary Madsen and Pamela Barlow FRIENDS PILGRIMAGE TUESDAY 2nd OCTOBER Historic Churches of the Gower and Choral Evensong in Swansea Leaving the Cathedral Green at 9-15a.m., we will travel west to Gower. Our first stop will be St Mary's Pennard, a late 13th century church with early medieval features and a Jacobean pulpit. Next stop is St Nicholas Church, Nicholaston, described as 'a Victorian jewel box' and known locally as the 'Cathedral of Gower.' There will then be time for your own choice of lunch at the Mumbles. 16

17 In the afternoon we will go to St Teilo's Church, Bishopston, one of the earliest Christian sites in Wales with a history going back to the 5th century. According to the Book of Llandaff, apparently, a church was established here by St Teilo himself. Our final church will be St Mary's, Swansea, the civic church of Swansea, where we will have a cup of tea and a tour before Choral Evensong. Tickets at 30 each - same price as will be available at the AGM on July 7th and afterwards from: Linda Quinn, 74 Pencisely Rd Cardiff CF5 1DH (SAE please) Cheques payable to The Friends of Llandaff Cathedral. LLANDAFF PARISH MOTHERS UNION There are two meetings in June. On 4th June, Judge Philip Price will be our speaker and the title of his talk will be Supporting Welsh Children with Cancer. On 18th June we welcome back Canon Graham Holcombe. Advanced notices: July will be a busy month, starting with The AGM on Monday July 2nd followed by the Llandaff Rainbow Fair on Friday July 6th, when we will be running a stall. On Monday July 9th the MU Llandaff Archdeaconry Festival will be held in The Cathedral and on Thursday July 12th we will visit to the MU Diocesan Caravan at Porthcawl. Thank you very much to our members, who have knitted teddies and provided items to go into 'Wet Bags' for the children, who holiday at the caravan. We look forward to seeing members, meeting new members and visitors in our meetings which are held in The Parish Hall, Llandaff starting at 2.15 pm. Enid Evans 17

18 CHRISTIAN AID Some thoughts on Christian Aid at Llandaff Cathedral "Come; have breakfast!" This was the invitation given by the risen Christ to his disciples (John 21.12) when after a long period of unsuccessful fishing, they finally made a record-breaking catch. It is no different today: people need, and should have, a meal after they have been working to provide for themselves and their families. Yet for many millions such a luxury remains impossible. It has been the mission of Christian Aid, as the provider of aid, to address this problem. Its approach is to work in partnership with the recipients of aid, who are thus equal stakeholders in every project that Christian Aid undertakes. Experience shows that the more a recipient community puts into a project, the greater the "snowball" effect of hope and empowerment upon that community and indeed beyond. The Christian Aid tradition is therefore based on the providers and recipients of aid conferring, planning and acting together, and it is this tradition which the community at Llandaff Cathedral is proud to support, not just in Christian Aid Week, but through special appeals and individual donations throughout the year. As I write, over 100 collectors are preparing to knock on every door in the parish; hundreds of young people at the City, Cathedral and Sunday Schools are working on a multitude of fund-raising activities; staff at Busy Bees nursery are organising their collection; and members of the Cathedral congregation are planning their support - whether at the War on Want Lunch, the Quiz Night, or by generously donating via retiring collections or envelopes at the Cathedral. I hope that by the time you read this, we shall be recording another successful year, and expressing our gratitude for the support of the community over the years. In these days of global communication and of huge material resources, poverty could be eliminated, if only the human resolve were there - so the work continues to ensure that adequate resources are within reach for a good breakfast for everyone. May we continue to be part of that work, until it becomes possible to say "Come, all humankind, have breakfast!". What a wonderful time that would be! Sue Smith dlsmsmith@msn.com and the Christian Aid Team 18

19 MEDITATION 5 THE STILL WATERS THE LEADER. During this series of meditations based on Ps 23:2b, (He leads beside me beside the still waters), we have been led beside the still waters to the beauty of holiness, to the peace of God, to the depths of his secrets and releasing forgiveness. Who is He that leads? The first verse of this psalm, described by Coleridge as a nightingale of psalms, reads: The Lord is my shepherd The word Lord is a translation of the name Jehovah of the Old Testament and He is Jesus Christ of the New Testament. He is the Shepherd, the great leader. He is worthy to be leader because he has already established a reputation of leading in the paths of righteousness. (Ps 23:3) Oh how many of today s leaders are there in which we could have such confidence. No one seems to have such a reputation for righteousness, goodness, and faithfulness. We despair at their corruption and confusion. The Lord Jesus is a worthy leader to be trusted also because he promises that we shall not want. (Ps23:1) There are multiple thousands around the world who believe in Christ as Saviour, but only a fraction of these believers follow Him intimately and have their needs fulfilled, even when their lives are a wilderness of want, weariness and worry. We who follow him can trust Him to protect and provide for us and keep us free from anxiety and fear. Interestingly, every verse in the 23 rd Psalm is in the present tense reminding us that God is active now in our lives. How wonderful! But it is not enough to know the words of this wonderful Psalm but we must come to know and experience them in the depths of our being. 19

20 I once heard a great actor reading this Psalm on a special occasion. He read it beautifully with a pure voice, the applause was loud. Then an old saint stood up and asked if he might have the privilege of repeating the Psalm. He did so haltingly but people were moved to tears. When he sat down people asked why the different responses? - The applause or tears. The answer was simple. The actor knew the words of the 23 rd Psalm, but the old man knew the Shepherd of the 23 rd Psalm. It doesn t take long to memorise these 6 verses, but it takes time to learn and know the leader. To know Him we must walk closer to Him, love Him more and it is thus that we get imbued with His attributes of hope and power. And when He is with me I fear no evil even death itself. This leader proclaims boldly: Fear not, I have called you by name. You are mine. And no one shall snatch you out of my hand. (Is 43:1; John10:28). I will never leave you or forsake you (Josh 1:5; Heb 13:5) We have a close happy relationship with our lord and Saviour that enables us to live in a very troubled world and not be afraid. Halleluljah! He leadeth me beside the still waters, free of fear, even fear of the future. As evidenced in the triumphant note of the Psalmist And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (Ps 23:6). David the author didn t say that he hoped he would be with the Lord forever, but proclaimed I will. And Jesus himself reassured us, as he did His disciples, that He will go before us to every Galilee of our experience. At the very end of these meditations we can gloriously proclaim: Thou art the way, and even more to me, My strength & pow r. How vain, O Lord, my striving without Thee, Each wak ning hour, O mighty One, unwavering and sure, Through Thy great pow r alone shall I Endure. [George Rees, (Trans from the Welsh ) 20 DavId Enoch

21 LLANDAFF CITY SCHOOL Gardening Club An after-school Gardening Club at Llandaff City have been working hard to transform the outdoor areas surrounding the school classrooms. The group meets weekly [weather permitting!] and has had many success stories regarding growing of vegetables and some small plants. Children range from the age of 7 to 11 and engage in a range of activities which can include: collecting Autumn leaves for mulch, clearing weeds from the vegetable plots, planting Spring bulbs, hanging baskets, potatoes and onion sets. This year we have established several strawberry plants in hanging baskets which are now in flower ready to bear delicious fruit from which we intend to make fresh jam! A healthy rhubarb plant has provided the children with a tasting session some of which were not delighted with the taste! Nevertheless, each child collected sticks of rhubarb to take home and share with their families. We look forward to their response next week! Future tasks include the creation of a minibeast hotel from unwanted wooden pallets and harvesting early potatoes before the end of the academic year. It is always a pleasure to observe the children s faces and excitement when they see the fruits of their labour when collecting and counting their crop! Our club is only attended by a small but dedicated group of children and we would welcome any volunteers from the local community who could help in any way big or small! [for example, clearing weeds, digging in mulch, donations of seeds, herb cuttings, plant cuttings, unwanted garden pots or seed trays ] Should any volunteers be available to support us in maintaining our school garden plot we would welcome enquiries at the school office. In addition, we are also seeking to find a contact with a tree surgeon/landscape gardener who can offer us any surplus tree bark. Mrs Todd Reception Teacher Mrs Fowler Year 3 Teaching Assistant 21

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25 FROM THE REGISTERS Made members of Christ in Holy Baptism Apr 22 Teddy Roy Ashbery Olivia Mary Ashbery Those Joined in Holy Matrimony Apr 28 Michael Alfred Baker & Jane Fowler The Faithful Departed (Dates of Funeral Services) Apr 4 Sheila Jones 18 Anthony Head 20 Gail Arnold SAFE FIX MEMORIALS A Memorial is the best way to celebrate the life of a loved one who has passed away. We can create a memorial to your specification, which reflects your sentiment. Hello! Welcome to Safe-Fix Memorials. We have built an excellent reputation for reliable deliveries, competitive pricing and excellent quality and service. Locally Trained Mason, BRAMM Accredited Council Approved, Welsh Speaker, Offering a Tailor Made Quality Masonry Service at Good Value Prices. Non-Obligatory Estimates, Home Visits Arranged PRICES VARY GREATLY BETWEEN FUNERAL DIRECTORS AND MONUMENTAL MASONS : MAY I SUGGEST YOU TAKE TIME IN MAKING YOUR CHOICE ELLIOTT DAY : safefixmemorials1@gmail.com 25

26 THE CATHEDRAL CHAPTER Very Reverend Gerwyn Capon Venerable Peggy Jackson Venerable Christopher Smith Venerable Michael Komor Canon Stephen Ryan Vacancy Canon Philip Masson Canon Graham Holcombe Canon Steven Kirk Canon Nigel Cahill Canon Jenny Wigley Canon Mark Preece Canon Stewart Lisk Canon Ruth Moverley Canon Peter Cox Canon Edwin Counsell Vacancy Dean Archdeacon of Llandaff Archdeacon of Morgannwg Archdeacon of Margam Treasurer Chancellor Precentor St Teilo Fairwell Fairwater St Andrew St Dyfrig Caerau St Cross Warthacwm St Nicholas Llangwm Chapter Clerk Vacant CATHEDRAL OFFICE Administration : (10am to 4pm) Fax : office@llandaffcathedral.org.uk Web site: HEAD VIRGER Jonathan Hoad

27 LAY EUCHARISTIC ASSISTANTS Kate Bates Helen Bush Christopher Conners David Davies Mark Edwards Dylan Gwyer-Roberts Susan Gwyer-Roberts Jonathan Hoad Tannwen James Arthur Impey Myra Jenkins Rhys Jenkins Benjamin Jenkins John Kenyon Ian MacDonald Katharine MacDonald Helen Patterson Christopher Preece Michelle Reeve Joshua Riddick Sam Smith Richard Swain Oliver Wannell Ruth Watt Simon Winkler LICENSED READER None THE GUILD OF SERVERS Jonathan Hoad ORGANISTS & CHOIRMASTERS Director of Music Stephen Moore Organist & Director of the Parish Choir David Thomas CHURCHWARDENS Dylan Gwyer-Roberts : Charlotte Davey : HEAD STEWARD Sarah Morgan PCC SECRETARY Louise Beesley SUNDAY SCHOOL AND YOUTH GROUP Jed Bates 27

28 THE CLERGY Dean & Vicar The Very Reverend Gerwyn Huw Capon The Deanery, The Cathedral Green, Llandaff, Cardiff CF5 2YF Residentiary Canon The Reverend Canon Graham Holcombe 1 White House, The Cathedral Green, Llandaff, Cardiff CF5 2EB Assistant Curate The Reverend Edward Le Brun Powell 2 White House, The Cathedral Green, Llandaff, Cardiff CF5 2EB (office) New worshippers in the Cathedral are invited to make themselves known to the clergy All enquiries about Baptisms and Weddings (& Banns of Marriage) should be made to the Cathedral Office CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP In order to carry on the work of the Church in and through this Cathedral Parish, not least the upkeep of this magnificent building, we rely substantially on your generous giving. A significant proportion of our funds is raised through Christian Stewardship among our regular worshippers. If you are a tax payer, we invite you to give by means of GiftDirect or another form of Gift Aided donation. This means we can claim the tax back and so your donation increases by 25%. We are enormously grateful to all who do this as an expression of their gratitude for God s great goodness. For more information, please contact the Stewardship Secretary: Helen Patterson