General Chat

I think it is about £300 p w to keep our chapel going. But we have just received a £17k grant from the Coalfields Regeneration Fund to improve our heating and that brought a big smile today.

Also, our local preacher Brian, who died in December aged 77 gave us a grant to buy books. And his widow and all his family were in chapel today. It was a wonderful service by our Minister - mainly contrasting lives of two Bible characters before they became Christians. The pious and wealthy Saul of Tarsus and the rather flighty Mary of Magdela. And how Jesus made them both pious and holy. He also prayed for Justin Welby, Pope Francis and the Irish on St Patricks Day.

The last hymn was 303 and seemed to be an extra one. As we came to it, Minister said "that is not a hymn number. Just the score from yesterday - to remind us of a wonderful day. :-) :-) :-)

I can imagine that the grant is more than welcome John - it all helps. Seems as though you had a good day all round and I love the Minister's sense of humour with the hymn number..... :-D


Our Vicar is having his cataracts sorted this week - he needs to take care of his sight as he is diabetic. He also has chronic kidney disease, so it's wonderful how he manages to cope with such a busy parish. Lots of good team work helps though. :-D

Good for your Vicar, Cynthia. I pray he can carry on for many years depite his ill health.

I often think of poor Robert Murray M'Cheyne, the hymnwriter. He died very young (30-ish, I think) and was very ill latterly. But insisted on carrying out his duties to the end.

His demeanour was very impressive. There is a story of a man being converted as M'Cheyne struggled down the aisle towards the pulpit. :-)

I have just read something M'Cheyne wrote shortly before he died in 1843:

"As I was walking in the fields, the thought came with almost overwhelming power, that every one of my flock must soon be in heaven or hell! Oh, how I wished that I had a tongue like thunder, that I might make all hear; or a frame like iron, that I might visit every one, and say, Escape for thy life! Ah, sinners! you little know how I fear that you will lay the blame of your damnation at my door."

I never cease to be amazed at how many hymns were written by people who were suffering the most dire illness or despair at the time.


So much pain and anguish leading to so much hope. :-)

Well, that was an interesting week!

A new Pope and a new Archbishop of Canterbury both officially installed.

I'm all 'ceremonied' out.... :-D


Being retired has it's good points - as we were able to watch both ceremonies right through.

Both were spectacular in their own ways - lots of colour and movement, music and dancing, readings and prayer.

It was good to see representatives from all around the world at both ceremonies - clergy and layfolk, young and old.

I found it especially poignant to see the Rabbi's from the Jewish faith there, especially as we approach Holy Week.

The youngsters who were involved in both services were wonderful - especially the young Christian Sri Lankan girl who, in beautiful sari, 'challenged' the Archbishop as he entered Canterbury cathedral.

Both of these men give the indication that they are 'new broom's and I find that quite exciting for the future of the faith.

Both of these men need all the prayers we can offer ........... :-)

Both ceremonies sound fantastic. Cynthia. Missed them both unfortuntately. They look two such ordinary men to me - both quite humble.

Perhaps in the plan of things that is what is needed. Two nice down-to-earth men who can heal divisions in their churches, get to grips with the bad things that have happened and move the catholic (small c) church of Christ forward to be more relevant in 21st century than it was in last quarter of 20th. :-) :-)

I certainly hope so John..........I certainly hope so. :-)

Palm Sunday and start of Holy Week, folks.

This was the day when Jesus was most popular on earth. When he began his descent down into Jerusalem (lit: city of peace) amidst crowds of wellwishers strewing palm fronds in front of him riding on an ass - the basest and most stubborn of creatures.

And how would be be greeted by his own religious colleagues in the city of peace? Story continues till Friday this week. Any contributions to Holy Week will be very welcome indeed.

For us Christians it goes on a bit further beyond Good Friday. For the first time ever, death is not the "last great enemy" of mankind. But don't want to spoil story too much ;-)

In parts of Wales, this Sunday is tradtionally called Flowering Sunday (Sul y Blodau) when graves are tidied and strewn with flowers to mark the end of winter. Suspect that tradition may be postponed to Easter Sunday or following week in many areas due to a metre of snow in some parts :-(

Palm Sunday it is indeed John.

People were handed a palm cross with their service book this morning and, at the beginning of the service, we held them aloft whilst a prayer of blessing was said.


No sermon but a reading of the passion narrative from St. John's gospel. It was done in dramatised form with several people taking part. At the same time, there was a powerpoint presentation to one side, quietly showing the various points from the narrative.


We have a quiet service each evening of Holy Week, culminating in main services on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and, of course, Easter Day itself.

It's all go.........................but I absolutely love this time of year......

If anybody is interested there is a fantastic exhibition by the (superb in my opinion) artist Ghislaine Howard at Lichfield cathedral of the stations of the cross

Beaitiful cathedral - we had a day in Lichfield before Christmas.
Fabulous lunch at Chandlers as well.

I don't get there very often Guinevere but I love it up by the cathedral and always find it very peaceful. It's one of the oldest places of its kind in the UK

Beautiful frontage to the cathedral and so good that the council have not allowed buildings to spoil the view.

We may pop over this week to see the exhibition.

I love the architecture and agree - wonderful that nothing has been built round it

Sounds wonderful..........don't think I've ever been to Lichfield.....will have to Google and take a look.


Thanks for that...... :-D

I know Lichfield Cathedral a little. It is a very interesting building with 3 spires. Thanks Errol for posting. Wish I could visit there, but doubtful.

Most lovely day today so far. Just a sprinkling of snow on tops, but extremely cold. Was over in Rhymney Valley this morning preaching. A junior church of about 10 and all of them go to a Welsh school. So we talked about Sul y Blodau (Flowering Sunday) and one of the ladies said she always went and tidied grave of her parents and decked it with flowers on Palm Sunday (Flowering Sunday). However, grave was 60 miles north in mid Wales and she had decided to leave it this year for a fortnight.

This afternoon I was in my own chapel in Rhondda and we had the lady Minister for the Rhymney Valley leading the service. So we must have driven past each other at some point. Quite a big congregation for us (25-30) and it was a very nice service with us taking a palm frond, splitting it in two and making a cross. Some of the ladies made wonderful crosses. Mine looked like a tied shoelace :-( :-( :-(

Perhaps it would be nice to have a few thoughts and prayers during Holy Week. I notice that ElizabethoftheSeasons has begun a thread for prayers today, which is a lovely thought. :-D :-D

Elizabeth's thread is lovely and must say I
also enjoy reading this one.

Emma :-)

Thank you Emma, it's nice to see you on here. :-)


Wow! I've just googled Lichfield catherdral and I have to say that I find it absolutely awe inspiring - the architecture is stunning. Thank you for mentioning it Errol. :-)

Cynthia in my opinion it is one of the most beautiful buildings in the British Isles - I love it there and Chester cathedral

Obviously a man of taste :-D