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THE HERALD

THE MAGAZINE OF THE LLANGWM GROUP OF PARISHES
DECEMBER/JANUARY 2008/9

St Michael and
All Angels		 St Jerome St John St Thomas

From your Parish Priest

Listings

News and Events

Carols by Candlelight at Tintern Abbey
Chepstow Choral Society Christmas Concert
Llangwm Group of Parishes Christingle Service
Llangwm Candlelit Carol Service
Raglan & Usk Deanery Weekend
Parish Contacts

Community Reports

Llangwm & Llansoy WI
Llangwm History Group
Llangwm Community Council

Llangwm Group of Parishes Services

Points of Interest

FROM YOUR PARISH PRIEST

Dear Friends,

The start of the new Church year has come, and we are in the Advent season, looking forward to Christmas.
Advent is all about looking forward. We remember the looking forward by the prophets to the coming of the Messiah; and we celebrate his birth. But there is also a second looking forward in Advent - looking forward to when Jesus will come in all his glory to judge the world and herald in his everlasting Kingdom.
Advent is a time for us to reflect on our preparations for Jesus' second coming. It is an opportunity for us to take stock, to re-appraise our spiritual preparedness, and where necessary to make amends, turn around things as we need to, and ensure that we are faithfully doing those things Jesus asks of us.
The run-up to Christmas can, as we all know, be such a busy, hectic time. One can often ask 'Where is God in all this activity?'
Christmas is a wonderful time - a time when we remember that out of his love for us, God became man. He put on our humanity - becoming just like us - in that simple way in Bethlehem.
This Christmas let us wonder anew and give thanks for the love God has shown, and continues to show us.
Rather than being those who ask 'Where is God', let us be those who proclaim the good news of the birth of the Saviour of the world.
I wish you all a blessed and peaceful Christmas.

Father Kevin

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LISTINGS: DECEMBER/JANUARY

4th DECEMBER, THURSDAY, 7.00pm
WI, Church Hall
8th DECEMBER, MONDAY, 7.00pm
Carol Service, Tintern Abbey
11th DECEMBER, THURSDAY, 7.30pm
History Group, Church Hall
13th DECEMBER, SATURDAY
2.00pm Gwernesney Christmas Bazaar, Church Hall
7.30pm Chepstow Choral Society Christmas Concert, St Mary's, Chepstow
14th DECEMBER, SUNDAY, 3.30pm
Carol Service, St Michael, Gwernesney
20th DECEMBER, SATURDAY
3.30pm Christingle Service, Church Hall
7.30pm Whist Drive, Church Hall
21st DECEMBER, SUNDAY
3.00pm Carol Service, St John, Llangwm
7.00pm Carol Service, St Thomas, Wolvesnewton
24th DECEMBER, CHRISTMAS EVE, 11.30pm
Midnight Mass, St John, Llangwm, followed by mulled wine and mince pies at Church Farm.
8th JANUARY, THURSDAY, 7.30pm
WI, Church Hall
17th JANUARY, SATURDAY, 7.30pm
Whist Drive, Church Hall
21st JANUARY, WEDNESDAY, 7.30pm
History Group, Church Hall

ST JOHN'S CHURCH HALL

The church hall is available for private parties and events at reasonable rates. Whist Drives are held on 3rd Saturdays in the month at 7.30 pm with refreshments.
To hire the hall please contact:
Mrs Pat Evans, tel: 01291 650287 or Mrs Sylvia Lewis, tel: 01291 650358

FEBRUARY/MARCH EDITION OF THE HERALD

Please contact Sylvia Fowles for items to be included in the next edition of the Parish Magazine by January 19th
Email: sylvia@fowles.org.uk, tel: 01291 650644.
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NEWS AND EVENTS

CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT AT TINTERN ABBEY

Barnardo's Cymru Carols by Candlelight at Tintern Abbey
Monday 8th December 2008, procession starts at 7pm
Capture the Christmas spirit with Barnardo's Cymru Carols by Candlelight at Tintern. The Martin Singers lead the congregation through several festive favourites, made even more special by this unique and magical venue.
Bishop Dominic from Monmouth will give a reading.

CHEPSTOW CHORAL SOCIETY CHRISTMAS CONCERT

A Concert of Christmas Carols and Readings at St Mary's Priory Church, Chepstow
Saturday December 13th 2008 at 7.30pm
Performed by Chepstow Choral Society with
Soprano: Lindsay Kidd, and Guest Choir: Wyedean School
Tickets £7.00, children free: contact Sylvia Fowles tel: 01291 650644

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LLANGWM GROUP OF PARISHES CHRISTINGLE SERVICE

Saturday 20th December at 3.30pm
St John's Church Hall, Llangwm

Christingle means 'Christ Light' and is a symbol of the Christian Faith. The Christingle Service is a Service of candle lights, and has its origins in a Christmas Children's Festival in the Moravian Church in Germany in 1747. It is a Children's celebration, placing children in the midst of all we do, as the Christ-Child is the centre of our lives
Our modern Christingle consists of:

  • an orange representing the world
  • a red ribbon, tied round the orange, representing the love and blood of Jesus
  • fruits and sweets, skewered on 4 cocktail sticks which are pushed into the orange representing God's good gifts - the fruits of the earth and the four seasons
  • a lighted candle, pushed into the centre of the orange representing Christ, the light of the world

Children of all ages are welcome to come to the service!

CANDLELIT CAROL SERVICE

Parish of Llangwm combined with Llangwm Baptist Chapel
Sunday 21st December at 3.00pm
St John's Church, Llangwm
Followed by refreshments, mulled wine, mince pies.

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COFFEE MORNING IN AID OF ST LUKE'S HOSPITAL

People from several parishes in the Raglan and Usk Deanery attended this enjoyable event, which raised £180.00 for St Luke's hospital.
Thank you to all who helped.

RAGLAN & USK DEANERY REFRESHMENT WEEKEND

Friday 20th February to Sunday 22nd February 2009
Glenfall House, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham
Full board £100/head (Day rates on request)
Open to clergy and lay people.
Book now, spaces are filling up.
For more details, or to book a place, please contact:
Reverend Tim Clement on 0873 880258

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PARISH CONTACTS

PARISH PRIEST, LLANGWM GROUP OF PARISHES
Reverend Kevin Hasler, tel: 075 9282 2022

CHURCHWARDENS, LLANGWM
Mrs Sylvia Lewis, tel: 01291 650358
Mrs Sylvia Fowles, tel: 01291 650644

CHURCHWARDENS, WOLVESNEWTON
Mrs Scilla Greenland, tel: 01291 650231
Mr John Llewellyn, tel: 01291 650700

CHURCHWARDENS, GWERNESNEY
Miss Rosemary Jones, tel: 07903142917
Mrs Olive Howells, tel: 01291 673421
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GRASS ROUTES COMMUNITY TRANSPORT SCHEME

The routes are through Llangwm on Mondays and Fridays, and Llansoy on Tuesdays, but the scheme is intended to offer flexible individual transport, by prior arrangement, at a cost of £2 per day.
Details from the Community Transport Coordinator at County Hall, tel: 01633 644777

OUT OF HOURS MEDICAL HELP

Telephone number: 0845 6001231.

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COMMUNITY REPORTS

LLANGWM AND LLANSOY WI

October 2nd 7.30pm. Speaker of the meeting was a lady from the RSPB Newport Wetlands who gave a very interesting talk about their work there, the wildlife on the wetlands and the many wading birds which visit during the year. She also mentioned the proposed M4 relief road which would cut right through the wetlands. At the centre there is now a building housing a shop and an area serving refreshments. Lots of activities are organised for children throughout the year.
November 6th 7.30pm. The speakers for the evening were Poppy Fielding and assistant Natasha who gave us an insight in Indian Head Massage. First Poppy told us about the origin of this type of massage, using Natasha as a model. Both ladies then showed us how the treatment worked by practicing on two willing guinea pigs, Janice and Joan.
Meetings are held at 7.30 pm on the first Thursday in the month in St John's Hall, Llangwm.
Christmas Boxes have been filled and handed in by members. Volunteers will check boxes before they are sent.
December 4th 7.00pm. Christmas Party
January 8th 7.30pm. Beekeeping, Bob Fowles

Meetings are held at 7.30 pm on the first Thursday in the month in St John's Hall, Llangwm.

NEW MEMBERS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME

Yvonne Davies

LLANGWM HISTORY GROUP

Owing to the last minute indisposition of our speaker we were regretfully forced to postpone our October meeting.
The good news is that we are to extend the season and rearrange our speaker so watch this space for further details.
The November meeting therefore was our first of the season and as usual incorporated our AGM. This was, as is customary, a very brief affair as all officers remained in place.
The following talk by Mr Richard Davies about The Life and Times of David Lloyd George transported us back a century. It became apparent that many things in politics have not changed but that Lloyd George would have had a harder time with media of today. Equally what enormous advantages he would have gained from information technology for his oratory, publicity and campaigning. There were some wonderful slides of historical moments so making an enjoyable and interesting evening.
Everyone was able to take advantage of our Season ticket offer of 6 meetings for the price of 4 which will also be available for our Christmas meeting. Note that will be on Thursday 11th December when we will welcome Mr Frank Olding for a return visit to tell us more about the Archaeology of the Black Mountains. In addition, we will be enjoying a taste of some good things, along with festive spirit and good company.
Wednesday 21st January 2009. Searching for the Silures, Dr. Ray Howell: The ancient Celtic tribe of Monmouthshire.
We look forward to seeing you in the Parish Hall Llangwm at our usual time 7.15pm for 7.30pm start.
For further information please ring Leila Holmes 01291 650642

Leila Holmes, Speaker Secretary.

LLANGWM COMMUNITY COUNCIL

Full minutes available: www.llangwm.org.uk

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POINTS OF INTEREST

CHRISTMAS

The word Christmas originated as a compound meaning 'Christ's mass'. It is derived from the Middle English Christemasse and Old English Cristes mæsse, a phrase first recorded in 1038. 'Cristes' is from Greek christos and 'mæsse' is from Latin missa. In early Greek versions of the New Testament, the letter ? (chi), is the first letter of Christ. Since the mid-16th century ?, or the similar Roman letter X, has been used as an abbreviation for Christ. Hence, Xmas is often used as an abbreviation for Christmas.
After the conversion of Anglo-Saxon Britain in the very early 7th century, Christmas was referred to as geol, the name of the pre-Christian winter festival from which the current English word 'Yule' is derived.

Sylvia Fowles.

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SERVICES

LLANGWM GROUP OF PARISHES SERVICES FOR DECEMBER/JANUARY

RAGLAN & USK DEANERY NEWS & EVENTS

LLANGWM GROUP PARISH SERVICE PATTERN

1st Sunday 9.30am St Michael, Gwernesney Eucharist
  11.00am St Thomas, Wolvesnewton Eucharist
2nd Sunday 11.00am St John/St Jerome*, Llangwm Eucharist
  3.00pm St Michael, Gwernesney Evensong
3rd Sunday 11.00am St Thomas, Wolvesnewton Eucharist
  3.00pm St John/St Jerome*, Llangwm Informal Worship
4th Sunday 9.30am St Michael, Gwernesney Eucharist
  11.00am St John/St Jerome*, Llangwm Eucharist
5th Sunday 10.30am each Parish in turn Group Eucharist

*St John is used in winter, St Jerome in summer

LLANGWM BAPTIST CHAPEL

The Chapel meets on the 1st and 3rd Sunday each month at 3.00pm. Communion is on the 1st Sunday. All are welcome.

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