The May Treasury 2021 - Remembering the Duke of Edinburgh Why is nobody having the minister for lunch anymore? - Eglwys Bresbyteraidd Cymru
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DEC Coronavirus
appeal
Remembering the
Duke of Edinburgh
Ribbons of
Remembrance
Why is nobody
having the minister
for lunch anymore?
The
May
Treasury
2021
THE MAGAZINE OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF WALES
NEWSROUND If you can make a donation,
please visit www.dec.org.uk or call
0370 60 60 900. Each and every
DEC Coronavirus Appeal single donation will make a
The extended to include India di erence, and will be greatly
endorsed by the Presbyterian appreciated.
Church of Wales
Life & Witness Board News from India
T
he following message was
I
n India, a second wave of received by Mount
coronavirus is having a Pleasant church a few
devastating days before Easter. Sadly events
impact. India’s health system is in India have worsened, but those
struggling to cope, hospitals are who remember John Colney’s
overrun and oxygen supplies are ministry in Ebbw Vale will
falling short of demand. appreciate this news of him and
his family.
You can make a di erence today
by donating to the Disasters ‘Thank you for your thoughts and
Emergency Committee’s prayers. God has been good to us
Coronavirus Appeal. and we are thankful for His
presence. Since returning back
DEC charities will help by to our pastorate after my
supporting India’s health system mother’s funeral, which took
by setting up temporary Covid place on 7th. March, the day after
hospitals, providing ambulance she passed away, we have been
and medical supplies; putting busy in our ministry. As we are
measures in place to slow the also constructing our
spread of Covid 19 e.g by accommodation I have been
providing masks, water, soap and entrusted with supervising the
hand sanitiser; and they will work and I haven’t had much
ensure that the most fragile time to be by myself. We have
families have enough food and decided to send Kima to a new
clean water so that children don’t school in Aizawl which is run by
become malnourished. the Mizoram Synod. The
entrance test will take place on
Saturday, so I took Hmingtei and
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our children to Aizawl yesterday Mizoram are relaxed a bit, we are
evening. I have returned to concerned about the safety of the
Bilkhawthlir by myself today as I members of our Church.
have a wedding to take
tomorrow. I will be joining them Golftyn’s 100 leads the way
in Aizawl after the service. back to church
1
Please pray for Kima. 00 year old Mrs Phyllis
Lewis was in the
Sang Sang is in Hebron school in forefront in supporting
Ooty as their exams are getting her minister, Revd Jonathan
near. She is supposed to be home Hodgins in restarting services
for half term but we have once again in Golftyn. The
requested the school to make
arrangements for her to stay
there during half term because if
she comes home she will have to
spend all her time in quarantine
and we won’t be able to see
much of her. We are waiting for
a response from the school.
There have been new cases of
covid in di erent parts of India.
In Tamil Nadu where Sang Sang congregation had not met for
is, schools have been shut again, over a year when the group of
but as exams are getting near regulars returned for an evening
only students taking exams will service on 2nd May. All present,
continue to have classes. Please apart from the minister and his
uphold Sang Sang in your three sons, have received both
prayers. doses of the Covid vaccine, and
there was much delight in
Our Government has permitted meeting for live worship and
churches to have two evening hearing Brian Cotgreave playing
services a week, plus morning the pipe organ once again.
and afternoon services. We
aren’t allowed to sing in services
yet. Although the restrictions in
ff
Bethesda, Burry Green Old Walls, Gower
F O
rom Sunday 9th May ne of the elders and
children’s activities will chapel magazine editor,
resume during the Eileen Hutin was asked
services following the lifting of recently about her memories of
Covid restrictions. All other Sunday School in the 1930’s.
regulations will be maintained, ‘Did your father take you?’, she
including the wearing of face was asked. ‘Oh yes!’ replied
coverings, social distancing, good Eileen. And it seems that along
air ow and a one-way system. with Eileen, her Dad, Will Morgan
Also, from this date and if took almost everyone else as well!
weather permits, the church The late Muriel Crocker (who
plans to hold services outdoors later taught at Tasker’s School in
to provide greater protection Haverfordwest and attended
from the virus. The Chapel App Ebenezer in the time of Revd
will be used to inform attendees Arwyn Thomas), was heard to say
in advance if the service is to be that judging by the number of
indoors or outside depending on children on board, his car must
the weather. If we are outside have had expanding sides. Eileen
face coverings will be worn, and says there was no health and
those attending are invited to safety involved, but a great deal
bring folding chairs (some of fun was had on the way!
spares will be available). Revd Once there, the fun continued as
Paul Kirby, the minister advises Mr Morgan took a class of older
that people wrap up and perhaps boys, including at that time,
bring a hot drink in a ask to Donald Lewis and Gethin John,
keep warm! while Audrey Williams
Visitors are welcome. Contact Dr (celebrating 60 years as an elder),
Paul Kirby (Tel/Text: 07552 now grown up, led the older girls.
230672 Email: Averil Grove had a class of little
kirby74@btinternet.com). ones and the ladies were taught
by whichever minister had come
for the day to take the morning
and evening services. As a
teenager Eileen remembers being
enthralled by the Bible teaching
of Revd Professor Rheinallt
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Nantlais Williams from the services available on zoom as
Aberystwyth—she wished he well, making provision for as
could have come every week and many as possible.
remembers with some surprise, Mount Pleasant, Ebbw Vale
T
that she told him so! he Church was reopened
on 4th April. It was so
Tyddyn Street United Church, good to see the doors
Mold opened wide, with Graham
E
aster Services this year Hendy on the steps welcoming
at Tyddyn Street everyone and reminding them to
Church,Mold were again comply with the covid
held on zoom. For Easter Day regulations. Sadly his companion
celebration there was a special on the door, Peter Watkins, was
morning service led by the unable to be present that
Minister, Rev Dr Kathryn Price, morning. We have been blessed
with communion shared on with ne weather every week
zoom in the homes of members since the Church has reopened,
and friends; and, on Good Friday, and we have been delighted at
the Minister led with a series of the level of attendance, whilst for
meditations. those unable to be present the
At and around the church services have been broadcast on
building, the Spring Garden is in Zoom. Hopes are that as the
ower and some related Easter situation continues to improve
decoration of the standing the fellowship will be able to
arches in the garden was meet more freely.
provided by a group of church
members, including Helen Ribbons of Remembrance
Bravey, Jill Denholm and Frida arch 23rd 2021 saw the
Jones. They were the simple
black cross for Good Friday to
M rst anniversary of the
rst lockdown for
remember the cruci xion and Covid-19. But how to mark this
some brightly owered crosses signi cant and sombre milestone
for the Resurrection and new in a meaningful way a year on
hope on Easter Day. At present when in many ways it seems like
the Tyddyn Street church’s plan a lifetime ago? So much has
is to return to services in the changed in our daily routines
building at Whitsun, but with and way of living.
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The local Cŷtun in Llanidloes many had experienced in this
and the nearby area thought it last year and said a prayer for all
would be a good idea if we could who had su ered. She
have some way of remembering emphasised that it was
all those who have died as each of important not only to remember
us in the town will have been those who had died, but also the
aware of someone who had died much wider group of people who
or been a ected by Covid. As a have been a ected by loss as a
way of being able to personally result of this pandemic: loss of
recall, recollect and honour loved ones, loss of jobs, loss of
those people, it was decided we status, and so much more. She
should have ribbons that we reminded us that it was also
could tie to a special important that we remember
commemorative “prayer net” those who have died in the front-
situated on the rails of the line care of others.
Eglwys Bresbyteraidd in China After a moment of silence and
St. Bilingual posters with then a prayer, the Mayor of
re ections are part of the net. Llanidloes, Mrs Janet Crisp, was
A select, but ecumenically asked to tie the rst ribbon. The
representative group, gathered rst few ribbons placed there
together at 11am on the 23rd - included a prayer from the
face masks donned and keeping Llanidloes Quaker Meeting
the obligatory social distance - to which holds its services in
inaugurate this “memorial” for Trinity:
want of a better word. We “hold in the light” all those
who have died during the
Miss Marjorie Corbett, the Chair pandemic and all their families
of CYTUN, spoke of the losses so who have been bereaved. We
also pray for everyone else who
have been a ected in any way
during this di cult time,
including those who continue to
su er from long-covid.
Even within a couple of days,
those rst ribbons have been
joined by many more added by
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fipeople of all ages, taking the intercession (by dividing an hour
opportunity to pause and re ect into 12 x 5 minute periods of
and remember a family member prayer, praise, thanksgiving and
or friend or one of the thousands intercession.)
worldwide who have su ered in
any way through the During the past few months,
Coronavirus. Some have come we’ve been given two
specially; some have seen the opportunities to make a
prayer net in passing and di erence in the life of Wales’
stopped to participate - precious schools and pupils by joining in
prayers said for those we have prayer, not for an hour, but for
lost. three quarters of an hour as part
We hope others will take time to of the Prayers for Schools
add many more ribbons to the movement (https://
memorial over the next couple of www.prayforschools.org/). As
weeks. schools open their doors with
Easter coming reminds us of how pupils, teachers and sta
good can come out of disaster. As returning after lockdown, the
Marjorie Corbett said, “There need for every school to be a
has already been goodness prayed for school has become
shown in the way people have more evident.
shared with others and cared for
others during this pandemic. We The three quarters of an hour
pray that even more of that will prayer group is held over Zoom,
happen throughout the world with people who carry out
and people will be able to put real Christian work in schools, and
values to the top of their list: those who wish to support
care, love and compassion.” schools, joining together in prayer.
A Welsh language break-out
Pray for Schools room is available for those
D
ick Eastman, through his wishing to pray in Welsh. In our
book The Hour that last meeting on April 14 prayer
Changes the World has topics were suggested by a North
helped many people to deepen Wales secondary school head
their devotional life by outlining a teacher, a person very aware of
pattern for prayer and the worries and di culties being
faced after lockdown. We were
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flable to pray for the mental health Additional o er: A at provided,
of pupils and teachers, for the and a travel allowance within
assessment system that will London.
replace GCSE and A level exams,
for the new Wales curriculum, the Candidates should be pro cient
Senedd elections and the in Welsh, or committed to
appointment of a new Education learning the language (spoken
Minister. We also prayed for and written).
pupils and sta to be given a new
energy in the task of learning and This Post is subject to an
teaching. enhanced DBS check and two
The next three quarters of an satisfactory references.
hour of prayer for our schools will
be held on June 23rd, 12.30 – For further details, please
1.15p.m. Details are in the contact Hedd Morgan, Cardi
colophon at the end of this O ce, on 029 2062 7465
magazine. E: hedd@ebcpcw.cymru
Employment Opportunity Closing Date: 4.00pm on Friday
G
lamorgan/London 7th June 2021
Presbytery
Ministerial Assistant I Am the Good Shepherd
e look forward to
We invite anyone interested in
supporting Christian and
W welcoming our women –
North and South – to this
Church work to apply for the unique opportunity to launch a
post of Ministerial Assistant to new theme and resource book on
serve the Presbyterian Churches Zoom.
within London.
We'll have opportunity to worship
To start: 1 Sept 2021 together, to hear interviews with
Hours: 35 hours per weekTerm: 2 some of those who have
years, with the rst 6 months contributed to the theme book,
being a probationary period. and to spend time re ecting on
Salary : PCW Scale 23--27 the Good Shepherd. Please do
£23,950 - £26,056 pro rata with join us, and tell others in your
an opportunity to join the PCW church too. Please contact
pension scheme sarah.morris@ebcpcw.cymru for
the Zoom link
ffi
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ffRevd W I Cynwil Williams, throughout Wales. An avid reader
BA, BD., Cardi of all types of literature, he
frequently went about with a book
I
t is with sadness that we in his pocket or in the small
record the death of Revd Gladstone-style bag he carried
Cynwil Williams in Rhyl on 1st with him to meetings. Amongst his
May. Aged 84, he was a native of better known writings in Welsh are
Cwrt y Cadno, and held pastorates his biography of the former
at Heol Dwr, Carmarthen, Capel Archbishop of Wales and later of
Mawr, Denbigh and Crwys Road, Canterbury, The Right Revd Dr
Cardi where he is remembered as Rowan Williams (2006) and his
a conscientious pastor. He was memoir of the Welsh poet and
ordained in 1962 and served as editor, Gwilym R Jones (2001). In
Moderator of the General 1992 Gwasg Pantycelyn published
Assembly in 1998. It was during his his 222 page Welsh language
tenure at Crwys Road that the commentary on Ezekiel.
chapel moved to its present
location in Richmond Road. He is survived by his wife, Carol
and three daughters to whom we
A ectionate and erudite, Cynwil extend our sympathy.
was a popular preacher
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ffIn Memoriam – Philip of Greece was born on the
10th of June 1921 on the island of
HRH The Prince Corfu. His father was Prince
Andrew of Greece and his mother
Philip, Duke of was Princess Alice, the eldest child
of Prince Louis of Battenberg and
Edinburgh sister of Earl Mountbatten of
Burma. After a coup d’etat in
A
t the end of a long life it is 1922, his father was banished from
always good to look back Greece and the baby Philip’s rst
to the beginning. Prince voyage on a Royal Navy vessel was
fiin a crib made from an orange Here in Wales he had contributed
box as the family were assisted to to the community by several
safety in Italy. Eventually he
came to live with his
spontaneous visits, such as in the
Mountbatten relatives in aftermath of Aberfan, when he
England before being sent in 1933 joined with our nation in marking
to a school in southern Germany our losses. He had also served as
run by educational pioneer Kurt
Hahn, who due to the Nazi
Chancellor of the University of
threat moved the school to Wales across four decades.
Gordonstoun in Scotland.
Prince Philip’s early life also saw under attack from planes Prince
many challenges befall his family Philip devised a plan to put them
and he developed a very self- o target by creating a wooden
reliant spirit that gave him great raft with explosives on creating
resilience for his future life. the illusion that the ships had
been hit. The ruse worked and a
At a time when war was looming, senior o cer described him as
Prince Philip decided on a military ‘courageous and resourceful, a
career that would set the tone for man who thought quickly.’
a life dedicated to the service of The wartime years had given
his country. Due to the family’s Prince Philip immense maritime
seafaring tradition he became a experience and an enjoyment of
cadet at the Britannia Royal service with the Royal Navy. In
Naval College in Dartmouth, 1946 the Prince proposed to the
where he graduated top of his 20year old Princess Elizabeth and
year. It was during a royal visit to they were eventually married in
Dartmouth that the young Westminster Abbey in November
Princess Elizabeth rst cast eyes 1947. He was created Duke of
on him, and the seeds of what Edinburgh by King George VI and
became a long and happy here in Wales he also became the
marriage were sown. Earl of Meirioneth.
He went on to distinguish himself By 1950 the Prince had attained
in action, becoming the Navy’s the rank of Lieutenant
youngest First Lieutenant. During Commander and was given his
the Sicily landings whilst coming own command based in Malta
ff
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fiwhere he and Princess Elizabeth whilst coming under attack from
could lead the life of a service planes Prince Philip devised a plan
family far from the requirements
of royal duty.
to put them off target by creating a
wooden raft with explosives on
Due to the King’s ill health the creating the illusion that the ships
royal couple were recalled and had been hit. The ruse worked
sent on a royal tour on his behalf.
When sadly in February 1952
and a senior officer described him
King George VI died their lives as ‘courageous and resourceful, a
were instantly transformed as man who thought quickly.’
the Princess became Queen and
Prince Philip, the Prince Consort.
whole family, and this and many
It is di cult to imagine the other countries, owe him a debt
impact of this great change on greater than he would ever claim
the young couple’s life. At rst it or we shall ever know.”
seems that Prince Philip was not A remarkable tribute, and as we
sure what was expected of him as consider their 73 years of married
Prince Consort but he soon life we also re ect on the Queen’s
developed the role in a way that personal grief and pray that our
served our nation and the wider Lord grants her strength and
world with distinction. comfort at this time.
Most of all the Duke of Edinburgh
knew that his priority was to be a Her Majesty always knew how
constant and dependable support saddened Prince Philip had been
for the Queen throughout the to leave his naval career to be her
long years of her reign. During the faithful consort and on the
celebration of their golden occasion of his 90th birthday
wedding anniversary the Queen granted him the most senior rank
paid this tribute to the longest- in the Royal Navy – usually
serving royal consort in British reserved for the sovereign – the
history – “He is someone who title of ‘Lord High Admiral’.
doesn’t take easily to The Duke of Edinburgh’s life
compliments, but he has quite o ers a remarkable example of
simply been my strength and stay steadfast Christian service. A
all these years. And I, and his very private person in many ways,
ff
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fihe was known for being extremely the Industrial Society, now known
forthright. He once said in an as the Work Foundation. I once
interview “I’ve just done what I witnessed him visiting a factory
think was my best. I can’t where in typical form he
suddenly change my whole way wandered o the red carpet and
of doing things, I can’t change my went to chat to some of the
interests or the way I react to workers hiding round the back of
things. That’s just my style.” the machinery. He was genuinely
interested in people and wanted
With that in mind I must try not the best for them.
to eulogise for too long because The same behaviour was often
Prince Philip was notoriously exhibited during his military visits.
intolerant of long sermons. He He served as Captain General of
reportedly once said, ‘the mind the Royal Marines for many years
cannot absorb what the backside and often insisted on visiting the
cannot endure’! troops for a chat rather than
In deference to his point of view I attending the formal occasions.
will seek to summarise his
immense contribution to public Here in Wales he had contributed
life. He had completed over to the community by several
22,000 solo engagements and spontaneous visits, such as in the
delivered over 5,000 speeches. aftermath of Aberfan, when he
One of Prince Philip’s main joined with our nation in marking
concerns was the welfare of our losses. He had also served as
young people, and in 1956 that Chancellor of the University of
interest sparked the launch of his Wales across four decades.
phenomenally successful Duke of These re ections are but a
Edinburgh’s Award. avour of his vast contribution
He once said “If you can get and as we remember this
young people to succeed in any remarkable man we give thanks
area of activity that sensation of for all he achieved and pray for
success will spread over into a lot strength and vision to continue
of others”. his spirit of service to all in our
community.
Prince Philip also took a keen “Rest eternal grant unto him O
interest in industry, visiting Lord, and may light perpetual
factories and becoming patron of shine upon him”.
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ffThe Naval that we may return in safety to
enjoy the blessings of the land
Prayer with the fruits of our labours and
with a thankful remembrance of
O
thy mercies to praise and glorify
eternal Lord God, who
thy holy Name; through Jesus
alone spreadest out the
Christ our Lord. Amen’
heavens and rulest the
raging of the sea; who hast
The Last Verse of the hymn
compassed the waters with
“Eternal Father, strong to save…” is
bounds until day and night come
always traditionally sung at the
to an end: be pleased to receive
end of every service conducted at
into thy almighty and most
sea.
gracious protection the persons of
us thy servants and the Fleet in
“O Trinity of love and power,
which we serve. Preserve us from
Our brethren shield in danger’s
the dangers of the sea and of the
hour;
air and from the violence of the
From rock and tempest, re and
enemy; that we may be a
foe,
safeguard into our most gracious
Protect them wheresoe’er they go:
Sovereign Lady, Queen Elizabeth,
Thus evermore shall rise to Thee
and her dominions, and a security
Glad hymns of praise from land
for such as pass on the seas upon
and sea.”
their lawful occasions; that the
inhabitants of our Island and
Revd Marcus Wyn Robinson
Commonwealth may in peace and
quietness serve thee our God; and
fiProvidence the Presbyterian Church of Wales,
a denomination which has
T
in uenced my life and ministry.
he word ‘providence’ is Sandycroft
theologically rich and
biblical in its teaching My brother John and I
though the word is rarely used experienced a happy home life;
today. People refer instead to our parents were poor but they
‘chance’, ‘coincidence’ and ‘fate’; loved us dearly. My father worked
some superstitiously touching on the Railway so we lived in
wood or even engaging in fortune Sandycroft, near Queensferry,
telling. All our lives, including which was within cycling distance
international a airs, are governed of Chester Station where he was
not by impersonal fate but by our based. In the village there was a
Creator God who sustains and parish church, a church school,
directs all that happens. In his then the small Presbyterian and
wise control of all things, God Methodist chapels. Before
respects our free agency and marrying, my parents were Welsh
never encourages sin. Baptist and Congregationalist but
In these articles, I re ect on my they sent us to the Presbyterian
life in the light of the Lord’s Sunday School and the main
gracious providence in relation to
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flservices, despite a small Welsh His faith was infectious and his
Baptist cause nearby in Mancot. passion for the Gospel impressive.
The Rev J. W. Phillips was a
friendly minister. After his wife
Later he lay dying in a Liverpool
died, he married a member, Miss hospital and asked for the
Rees who related interesting Hallelujah Chorus and Worthy is
stories to us in our small week- the Lamb to be played. That
night children’s meetings. I was
impressed when she read weekly
impressed us; he was not a mere
a chapter describing Mary Jones ‘professional’ but a genuine lover
and her obtaining a Bible from of the Lord Jesus.
Thomas Charles, Bala. The
Sunday School Superintendent man with his horse and cart in
was Mr Harris but usually delivering milk. My favourite days
teachers talked about everything were delivering bread and cakes
in class, except the Bible. Sport with my Uncle in his Co-op van
was our favourite subject as boys! then driving the van, too, from the
As a twelve-year-old, I played the age of nine in quiet streets as he
organ when no one else was collected payment from
available but I was never customers. I enjoyed spreading
impressed by the preaching. One jam and cream on the huge swiss
member was a farmer and rolls in the Co-op bakery near
Cambridge graduate, Mr Llewelyn, Mancot then trimming the edges
who preached at regular intervals. before eating the scraps! Life was
A charming man, he was a exciting!
notoriously long and boring
preacher. There were happy Wilmer Road
moments like parties or a visit by When I was fourteen, our family
the Sunday School to a Liverpool moved to Birkenhead because my
Pantomime! father had gained promotion.
Wilmer Road Presbyterian
As children, we regarded school Church, was only a ve-minute
days as an interruption! There walk away and my parents
were more exciting things to do became church members there,
like accompanying our father on and at sixteen I, along with my
his train journeys, waving a ag on brother, were baptised by
the platforms or helping the milk sprinkling. It was providential that
fi
flthe Interim Moderator of our then this was relayed to the
church was the Revd David Lancashire and Cheshire
Edwards, Liverpool from the Presbytery. Events moved
Foreign Missions o ce. His surprisingly quickly. I was
missionary experience in India, impressed by the care and
warm personality and interesting arrangements made for my call to
preaching attracted me as no be tested. Presbytery expected
other preacher had done. He was me to preach rst in my home
di erent. His faith was infectious church, then in weeknight services
and his passion for the Gospel in six other churches within the
impressive. Later he lay dying in a Presbytery when a minister would
Liverpool hospital and asked for be present. I remember vividly
the Hallelujah Chorus and Worthy preaching to a large Wednesday
is the Lamb to be played. That evening congregation on Amos in
impressed us; he was not a mere Hoylake when the Revd Percy
‘professional’ but a genuine lover Payne was the minister. He and
of the Lord Jesus. Both John and I the congregation encouraged me
knew we were not yet Christians greatly as did other churches like
though searching. God was at Moreton and others in Liverpool
work in his providence. such as St Columba’s and
Within months, unexpectedly I Garston. I learned a great deal
felt a strange and direct call to the from the responses of ministers
Christian ministry. It was an and members in those churches.
overwhelming conviction I could Receiving these church reports on
not ignore. Working in industry, my preaching, Presbytery agreed I
my plan had been to return to the should proceed to the Candidates
police and play soccer. Board in Shrewsbury to be
recognised formally as a
Presbytery ministerial candidate. Presbytery
Soon after receiving this call to wisely recognised my lack of Bible
the ministry, I shared the fact with knowledge and arranged for a
the Church Secretary, Tom local Welsh minister (Revd
Gordon, a gracious, kind man who Aneurin Edwards) to coach me in
was thrilled with my news, and Bible knowledge. Presbytery’s
promised to encourage me. The provision was providential and a
news was shared with the church major help to me.
who supported my candidature, Revd Dr Eryl Davies
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ffiAn Open Letter churches and Christian
organisations).
to the Prime April 2021
Minister
Dear Prime Minister:
A
The following was sent out last
month. The letter is now closed for s Christian leaders across
signatures but details of the a range of
signatories can be found in the denominations, we
colophon at the end of this continue to pray at this time for
magazine. If you would like to your government “and all in high
pursue this matter, please positions, so that we may lead a
consider writing to your MP to quiet and peaceable life in all
give your view on vaccine godliness and dignity” (1 Timothy
passports, particularly with 2:2).
reference to their usage inHowever, we write to you The message we preach is given
concerning an area of the most by God for all people. To deny
serious concern, namely the
potential introduction into our people entry to hear this life-
society of so-called “vaccine giving message and to receive
passports” which have also been this life-giving ministry would
referred to as “COVID-status
certi cates” and “freedom be a fundamental betrayal of
passes”. We are wholly opposed Christ and the Gospel
to this suggestion and wish to
make three points about the Secondly, the introduction of
potential consideration of any vaccine passports would
scheme of this type. constitute an unethical form of
Firstly, to make vaccination the coercion and violation of the
basis of whether someone is principle of informed consent.
allowed entry to a venue, or People may have various reasons
participation in an activity, makes for being unable or unwilling to
no logical sense in terms of receive vaccines currently
protecting others. If the vaccines available including, for some
are highly e ective in preventing Christians, serious issues of
signi cant disease, as seems to be conscience related to the ethics
the evidence from trial results to of vaccine manufacture or
date, then those who have been testing. We risk creating a two-
vaccinated have already received tier society, a medical apartheid in
protection; there is no bene t to which an underclass of people
them of other people being who decline vaccination are
vaccinated. Further, since excluded from signi cant areas of
vaccines do not prevent infection public life. There is also a
per se even a vaccinated person legitimate fear that this scheme
could in theory carry and would be the thin end of the
potentially pass on the virus, so to wedge leading to a permanent
decide someone’s “safe non- state of a airs in which COVID
spreader” status on the basis of vaccine status could be expanded
proof of their immunity to disease to encompass other forms of
is spurious. medical treatment and perhaps
even other criteria beyond that.
This scheme has the potential to
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fibring about the end of liberal to resist any such Act of
democracy as we know it and to Parliament vigorously.
create a surveillance state in We draw your attention to the
which the government uses recent Judicial Review
technology to control certain overturning the Scottish
aspects of citizens’ lives. As such, Government’s ban on public
this constitutes one of the most worship, which demonstrates that
dangerous policy proposals ever such disproportionate prevention
to be made in the history of of the right to worship is a clear
British politics. infringement under Article 9 of
the European Convention of
Finally, as Christian leaders we Human Rights. We cannot see
wish to state that we envisage no how any attempt to prevent
circumstances in which we could people gathering for worship on
close our doors to those who do the basis of either testing or non-
not have a vaccine passport, vaccination would not similarly be
negative test certi cate, or any ruled to be a breach. We agree
other “proof of health”. For the with those members of
Church of Jesus Christ to shut Parliament who have already
out those deemed by the state to voiced opposition to this
be social undesirables would be proposal: that it would be divisive,
anathema to us and a denial of discriminatory and destructive to
the truth of the Gospel. The introduce any such mandatory
message we preach is given by health certi cation into British
God for all people and consists in society. We call on the
nothing other than the free gift of government to assert strongly
grace o ered in Christ Jesus, with and clearly that it will not
the universal call to repentance contemplate this illiberal and
and faith in him. To deny people dangerous plan, not now and not
entry to hear this life-giving ever.
message and to receive this life- Yours sincerely,
giving ministry would be a
fundamental betrayal of Christ Rev Dr Jamie Franklin,
and the Gospel. Sincere Christian Rev David Johnston,
churches and organisations could Rev Dr William JU Philip, and
not do this, and as Christian 1530 others
leaders we would be compelled
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fiOne More Thing Bishop of Bath and Wells who
drowns babies in the christening
C
font and then eats them later in
lergymen in ction tend to the vestry, and the downright
be blundering bu oons. dodgy Father Ted Crilly, who
For example, swore blind that the collection
Wodehouse’s Revd Stinker Pinker was 'just resting in his account’!
‘constitutionally incapable of
walking through the great Gobi In this respect the Bishop of
desert without knocking Digne is the rarest of ctional
something over’, or grotesque characters, a priest who actually
characters like Blackadder’s lives up to his calling. You will
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fiknow him from Les Miserables. Some were terrible house
Woken in the middle of the night guests. One came late to our
by the police at the door, he is
informed that Jean Valjean, a house and laughed when my
recently paroled criminal, has mother declared that the meat
stolen the church silver from the was burnt; another stayed for
Bishop’s house. Rather than say
‘J’accuse’, the Bishop rebukes the weekend and left his
Valjean— underpants on the bedpost
But my friend, you left so early When I was a child ‘Who’s having
Surely something slipped your the minister for lunch this week?’
mind. was a common question in our
[at which point the bishop gives church. (A question commonly
Valjean two candlesticks.] followed by some wag replying
You forgot I gave these also. ‘not us, we’re having beef!’).
Would you leave the best behind? Quite often our family would be
the ones o ering hospitality
Once the police have gone he which was good news for me
urges Valjean to make the most of because it meant there would be
his gift of grace urging him to pudding. Nowadays, it seems, a
become an honest man. It is rare occurrence! So what killed o
deeply moving and used the visiting minster saying for
memorably and to great e ect in lunch?
the evangelism tool, Christianity
Explored. I suppose the chief culprit is the
end of the evening service. No
But the Bishop of Digne is Sunday night service means
unusual for another reason; he is there’s no reason for the minister
a clergyman who o ers to stay on for a long after the
hospitality rather than receiving Benediction. A co ee and biscuit
it. A conversation after church in the vestry and a discrete
recently reminded me of the one cheque from the treasurer is all
time commonplace o er of that’s required.
hospitality to the visiting minister.
ff
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ffEven in churches where there is we learnt that even the most
an evening service, most tiresome afternoon would
minister’s will choose to go home
for the afternoon and come back eventually end with those sweet
in the evening. It’s possible also, words, ‘well it’s been a lovely
that those most acquainted with afternoon, but we’d better get
the idea of o ering hospitality
are those who are oldest in the ready for evening service.’
congregation and therefore
perhaps incapable of doing what de nition, easily pleased. If he is
they once did. worth his salt he will be friendly
and thankful, an ideal person on
So what have we lost? whom to practice hospitality.
Well, we no longer need to worry The end of o ering hospitality to
about uncomfortable afternoons the visiting minister has also
struggling to make conversation meant the end of the the
with an odd-bod, lay or opportunity to train little people
ecclesiastical. Ministers don’t in the art of service. A family with
have to worry about eating food children has plenty of chances to
they don’t like (I once left talk about serving, but maybe not
broccoli on the side of my plate many chances to actually serve.
and my host said she would wait Hosting the minister means
until I had nished it!). Children tidying up for visitors; waiting
of those o ering hospitality need your turn to share your story, and
not worry about ‘being on their in so doing learning to listen to
best behaviour’ and church someone else. It means
secretaries have one less rota squashing in around the table to
service to worry about. make room for a guest. And
(when I was a child) it meant
But there is undoubtedly a loss. living with that heart stopping
moment when seconds were
The end of o ering hospitality to o ered to the visitor rst. (I
the visiting minister means we judged many a minister by
have lost the opportunity to whether or not he said those ve
exercise the gift of hospitality. A wonderful words ‘let the children
good visiting minister will be, by go rst’).
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fipeople have entertained angels
‘But hold on’ you say, ‘I remember without knowing it.
some ministers, and they were real Revd Jonathan Hodgins
rotters’. True. Some were terrible
house guests. One came late to
our house and laughed when my
mother declared that the meat THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH:
was burnt; another stayed for the A Poem
weekend and left his underpants
on the bedpost. Some were People come from near and far
dreadful at making conversation, Ready to worship God, a star
Every waking day is precious
others talked the hind legs of the
Sunday especially, more religious
proverbial donkey. I remember
Best of all we meet a friend
one minister coming back for
Young and old they all attend
supper with his wife and not Time to bend a knee and pray
leaving till midnight. But even Every pew is used today
these - especially these, taught Rejoicing at this time of year
valuable lessons. We learnt It's time to celebrate and cheer
patience. We learnt to love the Not think of "bunnies" everywhere.
unlovely. We learnt to put up with
those who were di cult. Aside Comfort comes within the walls
from anything else we learnt that His voice is clear as he calls
even the worst, most tedious Unknown to some he is everywhere
things in life eventually come to an Religion is there to help us prepare
end; that even the most tiresome Comfort comes to one and all
afternoon would eventually end Hymns and prayers and love to all.
with those sweet words, ‘well it’s
been a lovely afternoon, but we’d by Delma Thomas
better get ready for evening
service.’
So hospitality can be a chore but
as churches stop o ering to host
the visiting minister, maybe we
have lost an opportunity to prove
week by week that in showing
hospitality to strangers some
ffi
ffCOLOPHON
DEC: India Casia Wiliam is External Relations Manager for the
DEC in Wales. She can be contacted on 07973612966 or
cwiliam@dec.org.uk
Pray for Schools Catrin Roberts authors this article. If you would
like to take part, go to www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/pray-for-schools-
wales-prayer- zoom-tickets-150917758077
Duke Of Edinburgh This is an extract from some of the re ections
prepared by the Reverend Marcus Wyn Robinson, Moderator of the
General Assembly and Chaplain Royal Navy for a ‘Celebration’
service broadcast on Radio Wales on Sunday 11th April 2021.
The Naval Prayer Extracted from an address delivered on Radio
Wales by Revd Marcus Wyn Robinson, RN on Sunday 11th April
two days after the death of Prince Philip.
Providence Revd Dr Eryl Davies lives in retirement in Cardi
after a lifetime of Christian ministry pastoring churches in
Maesteg and Bangor, serving after that as Principal of ETCW,
Bridgend. Photograph: The former Presbyterian Church in
Sandycroft, Deeside, Editors own.
Letter to the Prime Minister Details of the signatories can be
found at vaccinepassportletter.wordpress.com
The Visiting Minister Revd Jonathan Hodgins lives in Mancot.
He cares for four churches in Flintshire and Chester and is a
community chaplain. Photograph: Advert for Ceylon Tea, Editors
own.
Acrostic Thanks to the folk at Llanidloes for this submission
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