St Paul's Church Colwyn Bay
Aled Mission Area * Church in Wales * Dewi Sant * Christ Church Bryn-y-Maen
APRIL 2025
During this month we have the opportunity to journey with Our Lord: from Passion Sunday to Palm Sunday, the events of Holy Week, the Upper Room on Maundy Thursday, the Garden of Gethsemane, the trials, culminating in the Crucifixion on Good Friday – before we celebrate the Jesus’ Resurrection on Easter Day.
Around the walls of St Paul’s Church, we see The Stations of the Cross - Jesus' journey to the cross on Good Friday.
We walk from Christ’s trial to His crucifixion at Calvary and we stop and stand at stations that commemorate various events that took place along the way – the path called the Via Dolorosa.
Today, Christians walk that path as a way of relating to Jesus.
On the Monday of Holy Week (April 14th) there is an opportunity for us all to travel along a path representing that same path, as we walk along, stopping briefly at each station, to hear verses of scripture read out – to pray and to meditate. As we move from one station to the next, it becomes a devotional act, as we walking with Jesus as He walks to Calvary.
At the first station, Jesus is condemned to death. He carries his cross at the second station. He falls for the first time at the third. He meets his mother at the fourth and at the fifth, Simon of Cyrene helps him carry his cross. Veronica wipes his face at the sixth station.
He falls again at the seventh station and at the eighth he meets some of the women of Jerusalem. He falls again at the ninth station. At the tenth, he is stripped of his garments and is nailed to the cross at the eleventh.
While on the cross, Jesus speaks the seven last words which includes saving one of the thieves hanging beside him. He also tells John, his beloved disciple, to take care of his mother, as he dies on the cross at the twelfth station, with just Mary his Mother, John, and Mary Magdalene there with him.
At the thirteenth station, his body is taken down from the cross, and laid in the tomb at the fourteenth station.
The huge stone over the tomb is the final sign of the permanence of death.
Who would have imagined this tomb would soon be empty or that Jesus would show himself alive to his disciples, or that they would recognize him in the breaking of bread?
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you,
because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
THE PASCHAL TRIDUUM or EASTER TRIDUUM is the period of three days that begins with the liturgy on the evening of Maundy Thursday.
Maundy Thursday takes us into the heart of the city of Jerusalem to commemorate the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with his Apostles. We are led to the heart of love, as Jesus serves and washes the feet of his friends as they shared their final meal. After supper they go out to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus asks his disciples to stay awake while he prays. Judas, the betrayer, comes with soldiers and Jesus is arrested. We celebrate the Institution of Holy Communion with the Eucharist of The Last Supper. In obedience to his command to ‘do this in remembrance of me’ we recall Jesus’ act of self-giving love in dying to redeem us, seen in the Last Supper. At the end of this service the mood changes from celebration to the agony of prayer, betrayal, arrest and trial, the altars are stripped to represent the stripping of Jesus before his crucifixion.
Good Friday is a day in which great emotion is expressed within quiet and solemn worship. During our services we journey with Jesus through the pain and anguish of trial and condemnation, to carrying his cross through the streets to crucifixion and death.
Easter Day we celebrate the joy of the Resurrection.
Holy Week
Palm Sunday
9am Holy Communion and Blessing of Palms
Christ Church, Bryn y Maen
10.30am Sung Holy Eucharist and Procession of Palms
St Paul’s
Monday Stations of the Cross 12 noon - St Paul’s
Tuesday Living Hope Lent Group 11am – Dewi Sant
Wednesday Mid Week Communion 10am - Dewi Sant
Maundy Thursday
Eucharist of the Last Supper and
Stripping of Altar 7pm – St Paul’s
Good Friday
Reflection for Good Friday 10am
Chircm, Bryn y Maen
The Liturgy of Good Friday: Reflection, Music, Readings and Prayers 2pm – St Paul’s
Easter Day
Holy Eucharist 9am Christ Church
Sung Holy Eucharist and Blessing of Easter Garden – followed by Easter Egg Hunt
10.30am St Paul’s
Easter Trail – Queen’s Garden 1pm -3pm
CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS
These will take place:
Sunday May 4th following the 9am service in Christ Church for Bryn y Maen.
Sunday May 18th following the 1030am service in St Paul’s for the churches of Colwyn Bay.
At these meetings, we elect Churchwardens and members of the congregation to serve on the Church Council for the coming year – please think about whether you can offer to serve your church in this way.
The Annual General Meeting for the Aled Mission Area will be held on Wednesday June 18th at 7pm at St George’s Church, Rhos on Sea.
WAVES OF HOPE
A CONCERT IN AID OF WATER AID
St Paul’s Church, Tuesday April 8th at 7pm.
Musical offerings from Coastal Voices, local Brass Ensemble, Eva and Amy Morrow.
Entrance: £10 (children free)
After the recent water ‘crisis’ in this part of North Wales, it made many of us realise how much we take for granted … turning on a tap and having running water, not to mention the amount of water it takes to flush a toilet! Our water crisis was short lived, for there was an end on sight.
Many are not that fortunate - 1 in 10 people don’t have access to clean water worldwide. 1.5 billion people don’t have their own toilet. We all have a right to clean water.
This concert is to support Water Aid – if you aren’t able to attend the concert but would like to support Water Aid – you can donate now by using the QR code below.
QR code for donations for Water Aid
CRAFT GROUP –our newly formed group will meet in Dewi Sant on Monday April 14th between 2pm and 4pm. Bring along your craft and share your knowledge! Knitting – Crochet – Card Making – Poppies for our project - what craft do you do that can be shared with others? Come and join us – but DO bring your craft with you!
SPRING FAIR
Will take place in St Paul’s Church on Saturday April 26th between 10am and 2pm. A variety of craft stalls – produce – tombola – games – raffle – refreshments
TEA TOGETHER
will be held in Dewi Sant on Wednesday April 30th between 2pm and 4pm.
All are welcome to come along for a time of friendship, a chat,quiz, tea and cake. Please tell others and bring them along with you.
80TH ANNIVDERSARY CEELEBRTIONS
Make Do and Mend – an event at St Paul’s Church on Saturday May 3rd between 10am and 4pm. We celebrate the 80th Anniversary of VE Day, with a focus on repair, reuse, creativity and community. Stalls and displays
Refreshments available.
THURSDAY MAY 8th at 7pm at St Paul’s
A Service of Thanksgiving to mark the 80th Anniversary of VE Day
GIFTS….TALENTS….TIME….
Are you able to help please? We have a number of tasks we would be grateful if people could help with at Christ Church, Bryn y Maen and St Paul’s Church……
Readers and Intercessors
Coffee rota and Welcomers – always in need of more help!
Treasurer – St Paul’s
Envelope Recorder – St Paul’s
Pastoral Assistants / Worship Leaders
Are you being called to be a Pastoral Assistant or Worship Leader – roles that are commissioned within the church? If you feel you have time and are called to be part of this work – pastoral visiting, taking Home Communion to people, or helping to lead our worship….and you would like to know more, please speak with the vicar.
ADVANCE NOTICE
SOME FUTURE DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Saturday May 3rd Make Do and Mend
Thursday May 8th VE Day Service 7pm in St Paul’s
Saturday May 24th Bryn y Maen Show
Saturday May 31st Licensing of Mark Cooke as Pastoral Chaplain at St Asaph Cathedral (time tbc)
Sunday June 29th Service of Celebration and
MARCH NEWSLETTER
LENT STUDY GROUP
Our Lent Study Group will meet in Dewi Sant Church on Tuesday mornings at 11am (coffee served from 1045 am) beginning March 4th.
In a world where it can sometimes feel hard to be optimistic, God offers us something deeper – hope. This Lent is an opportunity to put down deep roots of hope, discovering God's promises for the future and his presence with us now.
MARCH 5th - ASH WEDNESDAY
There will be a service of Holy Eucharist with the Impostition of Ashes at 10am on Ash Wednesday at St Paul’s.
As we enter Lent, the 40 days that precede Easter is the time when Christians engage in prayer, fasting, abstinence and giving up something for the entirety of Lent.
The name Ash Wednesday derives from the biblical significance of ashes. The Bible mentions ashes on numerous occasions – Job, who suffered from terrible miseries and false consolers is said to have sat among the ashes.
On Ash Wednesday, those who attend church will receive ashes in the symbol of a cross on their foreheads, as the words ‘Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return’ are spoken.
CRAFT GROUP - will meet in Dewi Sant on Monday March 10th between 2pm and 4pm. Bring along your craft and share your knowledge! Knitting – Crochet – Card Making – what craft do you do that can be shared with others? Come along and learn a new skill. Refreshments, tea, biscuits. All welcome.
MESSY CHURCH will take place in Dewi Sant on Sunday March 23rd from 3pm – 5pm. A special afternoon for all the family. Please come along and bring others to join us.
TEA TOGETHER will be held in Dewi Sant Wednesday March 26th between 2pm and 4pm. All are welcome to come along for a time of friendship, fellowship, tea and cakes
WATER AID Many of us were impacted by the recent water crisis here in our part of North Wales. For some, it brought the best out of us as we showed concern for our neighbours. It also made us realise how, at the flick of a switch, our dishwashers and washing machines automatically clean everything – not to mention the amount of water it takes to flush a toilet! Our water crisis was short lived, for there was an end on sight. We were also blessed with litres of bottled water made available to us. How different it is for others. It is said that 1 in 10 people don’t have access to clean water worldwide. 1.5 billion people don’t have their own toilet. We all have a right to clean water.
Having had our eyes opened when we were without water – there is going to be a Concert in aid of Water Aid in St Paul’s Church on Tuesday, April 8th at 7pm.
Publicity for this event will be out shortly – but please save the date.
CLOCKS GO FORWARD Just a reminder that the clocks ‘spring forward’ on Sunday, March 30th.
ADVANCE NOTICE
SOME FUTURE DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Friday April 4th Soup Lunch in Dewi Sant
Tuesday April 8th Water Aid Concert in St Paul’s
Saturday April 26th Spring Fair, St Paul’s
Sunday April 27th Joint MA Service, St Michael’s Abergele
Saturday May 24th Bryn y Maen Show
Saturday May 31st Licensing of Mark Cooke as Pastoral Chaplain at St Asaph Cathedral (time tbc)
Saturday August 2nd The Big Picnic, St Paul’s
NEWSLETTER – FEBRUARY 2025
Candlemas, also known as the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus Christ, is celebrated on February 2nd. It marks one of the pivotal moments in the Christian year as on this day, we officially finish the season of Christmas, the time when we focus on God coming among us in the person of his Son, Jesus Christ.Now we turn our thoughts to Jesus, his passion, death and resurrection. Christ fulfilling his destiny as Son of God, as our Saviour.
Candlemas commemorates the ritual purification of Mary forty days after the birth of her son Jesus. On this day, we remember the presentation of Jesus in the temple. Forty days after the birth of a Jewish boy, it was custom to take him to the temple in Jerusalem to be presented to God by his thankful parents.
In Luke’s Gospel, we are reminded Jesus was met by Anna and Simeon. When Simeon held Jesus, he uttered those words that have become known as the Nunc Dimittis:
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace,
according to thy word.
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation;
Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
To be a light to lighten the Gentiles
and to be the glory of thy people Israel.
Father, we bring to an end our celebration of the Saviour’s birth. Help us, in whom he has been born, to live his life that has no end.
Father, we have sung your praise with shepherds and angels: may Christ be born in our hearts today. Praise to Christ our Light.
We have shared in the joy of Simeon and Anna; help us, like them, the trust your word. Praise to Christ our Light.
We have greeted Jesus, the light of the world; may we be filled with the light of your love.
Praise to Christ our Light.
We turn from Christ’s birth to his passion. Help us, for whom Lent is near,
to enter deeply into the Easter mystery.
May we bless one another in your name.Help us to go in peace, and to shine with your light in the world. Amen.
THE HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL CEREMONIES move us each year, none more so than this year when it is 80 years since Auschwitz-Birkenau was liberated from Nazi control.
Many of us will have watched survivors and their families pay respect to the courage of those who endured the terrible events. The Archbishops of Wales writes:
‘We are conscious that war and conflict continue to dominate the international landscape. We appear either incapable or unwilling to learn lessons from the suffering inflicted on so many and take the hard and painful path of learning what justice and peace means for our world. Recalling these times might cause us all to pause afresh and to ponder how to make a lasting legacy of memorial, a source of hope for our own future.’
THANK YOU to so many of you who have offered your good wishes following Bishop Gregory’s announcement that I am to be made an honorary canon. Thank you, too, for the beautiful bouquet of flowers, champagne and most generous donation towards purchasing a ‘piped’ cassock. It is on order!
I do hope as many of you as are able will join with me and others as Bishop Gregory installs eight canons during Evensong at St Asaph Cathedral on Sunday, March 9th at 3.30pm.
The appointment is announced today (February 2nd) of the the Rev’d Ashleigh Askwith as a priest in charge in the Aled Mission Area. Ashleigh is currently assistant curate in the Diocese of Chester. She will join Gareth, working in the newly configured group of churches here, in the communities of Llansannan, Llanfair TH, Llangernyw, Llanddulas, Llysfaen, Old Colwyn, Llanelian and Betws yn Rhos.
ALED MISSION AREA WELSH EVENSONG
Ardal Genhadol Bydd yr holl addoliadau Cymraeg.
The Mission Area will hold GOSPER - a bi-monthly Welsh Evensong at 4pm on the second Sunday of the month. Our next service will take place in Eglwys Dewi Sant, Colwyn Bay on March 2nd at 4pm when we will celebrate our Patron Saint.Traddodir y bregeth gan siaradwr Cymraeg rhug. Croeso i bawb.
Last year, Christ Church and St Paul’s Church attained A Rocha Bronze Award. It would be good if our churches could move forward and work towards the Silver Award. The Diocesan Website says: an eco church award is given by the Christian conservation charity A Rocha UK, and reflects a church’s commitment to walk in step with nature and put creation care at the heart of what they do – in their worship and teaching, use of buildings and land, community and global engagement and by making lifestyle changes.
MINISTRY OF WELCOME
As part of our welcome ministry, we offer hospitality following our services in both Christ Church and St Paul’s – and we are sending out a plea for a few more people to help on our rotas please. The more that can help, the fewer times you will be called upon! Please make yourself known if you would be willing to help make tea and coffee following our services. Thank you.
CALLING ALL TALENTED PEOPLE WHO SEW / KNIT / CROCHET / DESIGN CARDS / HAVE AN ARTISTIC FLAIR!
Many people in our congregations are extremely talented and would like to get together to form a group where they could sew / embroider / even perhaps have a small ‘repair’ café ….
Would you be interested in being part of this group?
Our first get together will be in Dewi Sant on Monday February 10th, between 2pm and 4pm. Please bring along your craft.
MESSY CHURCH will take place in Dewi Sant on Sunday February 23rd from 3pm – 5pm. A special afternoon for all the family. Please come along and bring others to join us.
TEA TOGETHER
‘Tea Together’ will be held in Dewi Sant Wednesday February 26th between 2pm and 4pm All are welcome to come along for a time of friendship, fellowship and tea and cakes. As it is Shrove Tuesday the following week, we shall aslo have pancakes on offer!
CASCADE OF POPPIES PROJECT 2025
Several people have already begun to knit and crochet inn preparation for a spectacular cascade of hundreds and hundreds of poppies from the tower of St Paul’s for Remembrance. Please help us. Further details – and patterns (if required!) are available in church.
LENT begins on March 5th and during Lent the churches of St Paul’s, Dewi Sant and Christ Church will hold a Lent Study Course.
This will take place in Dewi Sant on Tuesday mornings between 11am and 12 noon beginning on March 11th - (please come earlier for a coffee!). More details in our next Newsletter – but please speak with me before if you wish to know more.
THE WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY takes place between 18th – 25th January 2025. This year’s theme is the question posed by Jesus to Martha: ‘Do you believe this?’ (John 11:26).
This year, our local Cytûn service for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will be held on Sunday, January 19th at 3pm at St George’s Church, Rhos on Sea.
All welcome – croeso i bawb.
CALLING ALL TALENTED PEOPLE WHO SEW / KNIT / CROCHET / HAVE AN ARTISTIC FLAIR!
A number of people in our congregations are extremely talented and would like to get together to form a group where they could sew / embroider / even perhaps have a small ‘repair’ café …. Would you be interested in being part of this group?
If so, please let the Vicar know so we can find the best time of day / week to arrange to meet.
CASCADE OF POPPIES PROJECT 2025
The idea is to create a spectacular cascade of hundreds and hundreds of poppies from the tower of St Paul’s for Remembrance – and these poppies can be knitted, crocheted or embroidered. Please help us.
Further details – and patterns (if required!) from Gill Wilkinson.
ALED MISSION AREA WELSH EVENSONG
The Mission Area will hold GOSPER - a monthly Welsh Evensong at 4pm on the second Sunday of the month. The first of these services will take place at St Mary’s, LlanfairTH on January 12th. More details to follow.
MESSY CHURCH takes place in Dewi Sant on Sunday January 26th between 3pm – 5pm. An afternoon of themed craft, bible story – and food! for all the family.
TEA TOGETHER
meets in Dewi Sant on Wednesday January 29th. Quizzes, chat, friendship, bingo, tea and cakes.
ONLINE SERVICES (Thursday telephone Morning Worship and Sunday Evening Zoom) are resuming this month. Zoom Code: Meeting ID: 837 0298 9272 Password: 654321. Telephone Access to Thursday and Sunday Services – from your landline dial: 0131 460 1196 or 0203 481 5237 or 0208 080 6591, and when prompted, key in Meeting ID: 837 0298 9272# – there is NO Participant ID so key in #. Then you will be prompted for Meeting Password or Passcode:654321
DECEMBER 2024
THANK Y0U to everyone from Christ Church and St Paul’s who has supported our recent
projects.
An amazing 32 shoe boxes were filled and delivered to the local collection point forTeams4u.
25 Home Start Christmas Hampers will be collated in the coming week as part of a collective Mission Area Project.
Following our Fairtrade Coffee Morning in September and the Christmas Fair Fairtrade Stall, a total of £345.20 has been donated to The Fairtrade Foundation.
A £100 was donated to the ‘Spirit of Ukraine’, money that was collected at the Older Peoples Service.
Our Christmas Fair made £897 for St Paul’s Church funds and Christ Church, Bryn y Maen’s stall raised an additional £180. This is a terrific amount seeing that Storm Bert was at its peak! Thank you to those who braved the weather!
ST PAUL’S WINDOW DECORATIONS
Thank you to the various businesses and charities that have decorated a window for Christmas. It is lovely to see such community representation around the church and maybe this will grow into something bigger next year.
OPEN CHURCH
St Paul’s is open on Wednesday mornings between 10am and 1pm for people to call in, pray or just have a coffee and a chat. The church will be open December 4th and 11th
and then every Wednesday from January 8th.
MISSION AREA SHARE
The Mission Area Share is the portion of the diocesan budget provided by the churches in our Mission Areas to fund and support the work of our Mission Area churches and the Diocese. The total for the Aled Mission Area for 2025 is £315,042. This is shared between the fifteen churches of the Mission Area, and after meetings with the Treasurers of the Aled Churches this Autumn, a new formula has been agreed whereby the share is more equitable. We have also agreed to hold a joint Stewardship / Engaging in Generosity campaign at Pentecost – tailored to each individual church.
For 2025, St Paul’s Share is £57,125 and Christ Church is £14,532.
‘FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT’
a candlelit service of music and readings for Advent will
take place on Sunday, December 1st at 5pm. The choir of St Paul’s will join with the congregation of Christ Church, Bryn y Maen. All welcome.
CONCERT
Côr Cymysg Dyffryn Conwy are in concert in St Paul’s on Saturday December 7th at 6pm. Graham Eccles, Organ; Conductor Trystan Lewis with the North Wales Orchestra. The evening’s programme includes the Magnificat and 9th Chandos Anthems -~Handel. Tickets available at the door.
FUNERAL OF THE LATE MR MICHAEL PARRY
It is with sadness that we learned of the death of Michael in mid November. Michael was a faithful member of St Paul’s for many years. His funeral will take place at St Paul’s on Tuesday December 10th at 2.45pm.
May he rest in peace and rise in glory.
CHRISTMAS TEA TOGETHER
Our Christmas Tea Together this month will meet in Dewi Sant on Wednesday December 11th at 2pm when ‘Craft and Chat’ and ‘Tea Together’ will unite for an afternoon of festive fun. All welcome for tea, Christmas Quiz, Carol Singing, Christmas Games!
SCHOOL CAROL SERVICES
We are pleased to welcome our local schools at St Paul’s again this year, as they come to the church for their Christmas Concerts.
Ysgol Nant y Groes Infants 2pm Monday December 9th
Ysgol Nant y Groes Juniors 2pm Thursday December 12th
Ysgol Pen y Bryn 6pm Tuesday December 19th.
CYTÛN CAROL SINGING
The local churches and chapels will be uniting to sing carols in the Bay View Shopping Centre on Saturday December 14th at 12 noon. Dilwyn Price will lead us in song.
ZOOM / TELEPHONE SERVICES
Morning Worship will continue on some Thursdays during December – please see list of services. Evening Worship will not take place during December.
All services will return in January: Evening Worship Sunday January 5th at 5pm
Morning Worship Thursday January 9th at 10am
CHRISTMAS SERVICES
SERVICES OF LESSONS AND CAROLS
Sunday December 15th 4pm - Christ Church, Bryn y Maen.
Sunday December 22nd 10.30am - St Paul’s Church, Colwyn Bay
CHRISTMAS EVE
‘Make a Christingle’ and Crib Service 3pm in Dewi Sant
First Eucharist of Christmas 6pm - Christ Church, Bryn y Maen
Sung First Eucharist of Christmas 9pm - St Paul’s Church
CHRISTMAS DAY
Holy Communion with Carols 10am - St Paul’s Church
May you all have a very happy and blessed Christmas and know the joy and peace of the Christ child in your hearts.
NOVEMBER 2024
Ever-living God, we remember those whom you have gathered from the storm of war into the peace of your presence; may that same peace, calm our fears, bring justice to all peoples and establish harmony among the nations, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE ANNUAL REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY SERVICE will be held at St Paul’s Church on Sunday November 10th at 9.45am when we welcome our uniformed organisations and civic dignitaries. The service will be followed by a parade to the War Memorial for the Two Minutes Silence and the laying of wreaths.
At this service, a mosaic art piece, made by the veterans for Remembrance Day, will be on display.
There will also be a service to observe the two minutes silence on November 11th at 10.55am at the War Memorial.
They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them. Laurence Binyon
THANK YOU - HARVEST
Grateful thanks to so many people for their generosity towards our Harvest Appeal – from St Paul’s and Christ Church, Bryn y Maen. An amazing amount of food was delivered to the Colwyn Bay Community Food Bank and a donation of £100 was given to the Conwy Community Food Bank.
SUNDAY – NOVEMBER 3rd – 3pm.
The annual Service of Thanksgiving to Remember those we have loved and who have died will take place at St Paul’s on November 3rd. A service of hymns, music, readings and prayers. If you wish a loved one to be remembered at the service, please add their name to the list at the back of church.
I heard a voice from heaven saying ‘blessed are the dead who die in the Lord’ - blessed indeed! says the Spirit –
that they may rest from their labours.
CRAFT AND CHAT
meets in Dewi Sant on Wednesday November 13th at 2pm. This week we will also be completing our AUTUMN PROJECT – TEAMS4U SHOEBOX APPEAL and filling the boxes for delivery later this month. Thank you to all those who have been so generous in supporting the appeal -it’s not too late to bring gifts / monetary donations this weekend and next.
CHRISTMAS FAIR SATURDAY NOVEMBER 23rd 10am – 2pm
In St Paul’s Church. Many stalls from numerus organsiations will be present – a real community event. Please advertise this and come and join us: craft stalls, home produce, gifts, tombola, raffles and lots more. Refreshments served.
MESSY CHURCH takes place in Dewi Sant on Sunday November 24th between 3pm – 5pm. An afternoon of themed craft, bible story – and food! for all the family.
TEA TOGETHER will meet in Dewi Sant on Wednesday November 27th. Quizzes, chat, friendship, bingo, tea and cakes
CONCERT – CÔR ALAW
Teilwng Yw’r Owen - Saturday November 30th at 7pm
The Messiah (in Welsh) – A Rock Musical with Wyn Pearson and Band; soloist Sara Davies; condcutor Dilwyn Price. Tickets £15.
‘FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT’ – on Advent Sunday, Sunday, December 1st at 5pm. the choir of St Paul’s will join with the congregation of Christ Church, Bryn y Maen, for a service of music and readings for Advent. All welcome.
CHRISTMAS HAMPERS FOR HOME START
Again, this year, the Aled Mission Area is going to make thirty Christmas Hampers for families supported by Home Start. Previously we have asked for donations of food to put into the hampers. This year, it has been proposed that we would collect monetary donations towards purchasing items. This will allow for uniformity in the boxes and ease the pressure on our congregations to collect items at an already busy time when we are also collecting for Teams4u and have just had a bumper Harvest Food Collection.
All the churches in the Mission Area are participating – and there has also been a small Diocesan Grant – so we are hoping each church will be able to collect £50.
There will be a box at the back of church in the coffee area during November for any monetary donations. Thank you.
(Shavonne Erlandson is coordinating this on behalf of the MA)
ECO CHURCH BRONZE AWARD
Both St Paul’s and Christ Church have attained an Eco Church Bronze Award – we now need to move forward to get our Silver Award. Can you help? What can you do to enhance our churches Eco standing?
A comprehensive list of Christmas Services and Activities will be published at the end of the month to include our school and church Carol Services and Concerts.
OCTOBER 2024
Jesus says don’t worry about what you have to wear or eat.
It is so easy to say if we have never been in the situation where we have to choose between using the oven or taking a shower, heating the house or eating lunch.
Harvest festival is all about God’s abundance and great gifts to us, but how cannot ignore the reality of what many people are living with, not just in this country but in many others too? At Harvest time, we are reminded to be thankful for all the good gifts God gives us.
We hope to express our ‘thanksgiving’ in our gifts of non-perishable food stuffs and other necessary items that are to be donated to our local food bank. At both our Harvest services:
Sunday October 6th 10.30am St Paul’s
Sunday October 13th 9am Christ Church
we would be grateful for gifts of non- perishable foods which will then be donated to the Colwyn Bay Community Food Bank, housed in the Institute Building on Rhiw Road – the new Colwyn Bay Community Hwb. Our food banks are seeing a continued rise in the number of people who use them.
Eternal God, you crown the year with your goodness and you give us the fruits of the earth in their season: grant that we may use them to your glory, for the relief of those in need and for our well-being, through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.
HARVEST LUNCH
A ‘Harvest Lunch’ will be held in Dewi Sant on Sunday October 6th following the Harvest Service at St Paul’s – please sign the list at the back of St Paul’s if you wish to attend. Menu: Chicken or Leek and Vegetable Pie, Apple Crumble and Custard. £10pp.
AUTUMN PROJECT – TEAMS4U SHOEBOX APPEAL
During October, we will be thinking about the annual Teams4U Shoebox Appeal – distributing boxes to vulnerable children and families through schools, nurseries, hospitals and orphanages in Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Bosnia and Romania. We have an abundance of empty shoe boxes this year! – but we would be most grateful if people could please help provide gifts to fill the boxes with
Suggestions from Teams4U are:
Toothbrush and toothpaste; hairbrush / comb; facecloth and soap; stationery / pens/ pencils /paper; stationery pack; craft pack; gloves / hat / scarf.
Suggested small gifts:
Soft toy; ball; game; puzzle; bubbles; harmonica; recorder.
There will be a collection point near the font in both St Paul’s and Christ Church.
If you prefer to give a cash donation for us to purchase what is needed, that is also most acceptable. Thank you.
THANK YOU to everyone who supported our Fairtrade Coffee Morning during Fairtrade Fortnight. We raised a total of £246.
NEW VENTURE!! - The Parents Breakfast Club has been launched at Dewi Sant, for parents to come and enjoy a free nutritious breakfast after dropping their children at school. Please advertise this – it is a space for parents and carers to speak with one another and have access to someone who will listen to their problems, directing them for support to the right organisation – as well as informing them of church activities.
The Breakfast Club runs on Mondays during term time – from 930am – 1130am.
OPEN CHURCH
We are hoping to open St Paul’s church on Wednesday mornings for private prayer and the opportunity to meet others over coffee. Please let Christine Candlin know if you are able to help out on the ‘welcomers rota’. Thank you.
LATEST UPDATE: ST PAUL’S CHURCH REORDERING PROJECT PHASE 1
Those attending St Paul’s will see the West End is partially glazed. Week one of the installation of the glass panels saw Arkoni, the glaziers, had templated the glass incorrectly. They returned this week – and have fitted the side glass panels and the outer door….but had forgotten to take into account the inner doors needed to open over the carpet – so have taken them away to readjust.
We must be nearing completion ……?
CHRIST CHURCH, BRYN Y MAEN
From time to time I am asked for the bank details for Christ Church. If anyone wishes to make bank transfers, the Bryn y Maen account are as follows:
Account Name: Christ Church Bryn y Maen CC
Sort Code: 52 21 43
Account Number: 27170632
Thank you.
CRAFT AND CHAT - will meet in Dewi Sant on Wednesday October 9th between 2pm and 4pm. Bring along your craft and share your knowledge! Knitting – Crochet – Card Making – what craft do you do that can be shared with others? Come along and learn a new skill – or just for a chat and came of scrabble. Refreshments, tea and cake served. All welcome.
MESSY CHURCH takes place in Dewi Sant on Sunday Ocotber 27th between 3pm – 5pm. An afternoon of themed craft, bible story – and food! for all the family.
TEA TOGETHER‘Tea Together’ will be held in Dewi Sant Wednesday October 30th between 2pm and 4pm. All are welcome to come along for a time of friendship, fellowship, tea and cakes – quiz and bingo!
FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT
This year, Fairtrade Fortnight runs during September.
2024 sees the 30th anniversary of the FAIRTRADE Mark in the UK and there will be a COFFEE MORNING at St Paul’s on SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 14th.
THE BOOK OF YOU which took place during the Spring was a great success in bringing people from all walks of life together to reminisce about the History of Colwyn Bay. We look forward to seeing the finished product in due course
NEW VENTURE!!
A Parents Breakfast Club will be launched at Dewi Sant, for parents to come and enjoy a nutritious breakfast after dropping their children at school. This is the brainchild of Mark, our trainee Pastoral Chaplain – who wants to offer a space for parents and carers where they can speak with one another and have access to someone who will listen to their problems, directing them for support to the right organisation – as well as informing them of church activities and encouraging them to attend Messy Church.
Mark has received a grant for this venture from the Diocese – and also from Conwy Food Partnership Funding. The latter funding requires the food purchased to be from a local producer / business, which will also help our local independent businesses.
The project begins on Monday September 23rd and on each subsequent Monday from 930am – 1130am.
INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR OLDER PEOPLE
Each year on 1st October, people across the world mark United Nations International Day of Older People to raise awareness of opportunities and challenges faced by ageing populations, and to mobilize the wider community to address difficulties faced by older people. It is a global celebration of the wisdom, achievements, and rights of the elderly.
Older people play an integral part in strengthening our communities and neighbourhoods, as workers, carers, volunteers, activists and community connectors. But these vital contributions are often overlooked or limited by ageism and other physical barriers.
As well as helping others, volunteering has been shown to improve our social connections, enhance our sense of purpose and self-esteem. Despite this, many older people find themselves encountering barriers to getting involved in all the ways they would like to.
We all have a part to play in making our communities and neighbourhoods better places to age, and in celebrating and enabling the contributions of older people.
To mark this International Day of Older People, we are celebrating older people and the vital part they play in making our community a better place to be – by holding a service followed by tea. All welcome. SUNDAY SETPEMBER 29th at 3pm at St Paul’s Church.
CRAFT AND CHAT - will meet in Dewi Sant on Wednesday June 12th between 2pm and 4pm.Bring along your craft and share your knowledge! Knitting – Crochet – Card Making – what craft do you do that can be shared with others? Come along and learn a new skill – or just for a chat .Refreshments, tea, biscuits. All welcome.
OPEN CHURCH
From October 2nd, St Paul’s will be open on Wednesday mornings for private prayer and the opportunity to meet others over coffee. Christine Candlin is recruiting welcomers – please let her know if you are able to help out on the rota. Thank you.
ST PAUL’S CHURCH REORDERING PROJECT PHASE 1
is certainly taking longer than we had hoped. The font is in place and the toilets have been completed and are most impressive and finished to a ‘high spec’ – but we still await the glazing to be fitted at the West End, which is so going to enhance the entrance and make the church look more welcoming. Unfortunately, Arkoni, who we await to install the glass, has again let our contractor down. The new date we now hear for installation is week beginning September 16th.
ORGAN – CHRIST CHURCH, BRYN Y MAEN
Over the summer, some work was undertaken by David Wells Organ Builders – when the great pipework was removed and cleaned and other repairs were done.
COLWYN BAY COMMUNITY FOOD BANK
is housed in the Institute Building on Rhiw Road – the new Colwyn Bay Community Hwb. Our food banks are seeing a continued rise in the number of people who use them –
please help and support if you can. Thank you.
There are food collection points in St Paul’s and Christ Church. Our Harvest Collections next month will go the Hwb Food Bank.
100 CLUB IS LOOKING FOR NEW MEMBERS
St Paul’s runs a 100 Club – a monthly draw with a £25 prize each month – and each quarter there is a chance to win £100, £50 or £25. If you would like to be part of the draw – – please see the Vicar for further details. It is £60 per year – or you can set up a Standing Order at £5 pcm or £15 a quarter. Winning draw: July: Dawn Evison, August: Paul Lyon
CRAFT AND CHAT - will meet in Dewi Sant on Wednesday September 11th between 2pm and 4pm. Bring along your craft and share your knowledge! Knitting – Crochet – Card Making – what craft do you do that can be shared with others? Come along and learn a new skill – or just for a chat. Refreshments, tea and cake served.
All welcome.
TEA TOGETHER
‘Tea Together’ will be held in Dewi Sant Wednesday September 25th between 2pm and 4pm. All are welcome to come along for a time of friendship, fellowship, tea and cakes – quiz and bingo!
ADVANCE NOTICE:
HARVEST THANKSGIVING
ST PAUL’S October 6th – followed by lunch in Dewi Sant
CHRIST CHURCH October 13th
SERVICE TO REMEMBER THOSE WHO HAVE DIED
ST PAUL’S November 3rd at 3p
BINGO!
A fun evening of Bingo will be held in Dewi Sant on Friday June 14th – eyes down at 7pm. Great prizes for a line and full house. Raffle, Tea and Coffee available – or bring your own ‘liquid refreshment’! All proceeds to St Paul’s Church Funds.
THE ARCHEDACON’S VISITATION
for the Aled Mission Area will take place at 7pm on Tuesday June 18th at St George’s Church. All are welcome to attend the service which will see the Mission Area Wardens and all Church Wardens make their declarations and be ‘sworn in’ – and the Archdeacon will give his ‘charge’.
THE DIFFERENCE COURSE
has two more sessions to run – the next being on June 20th on the theme of ‘Practising Forgiveness’ – and held at Penrhos / Plot 18, Seren Y Dyffryn Caravan Park, Old Highway,
LL28 5YF. Please note there is no parking on site. Parking is outside the site on the Old Highway. Further details from Christine Candlin.
JOINT MISSION AREA SERVICE
Sunday June 30th at 11am at St John’s Church, Old Colwyn.
As a Mission Area we join for Sunday worship every nine months – and this month we meet in Old Colwyn. The preacher at the service will the Ven Dr Hayley Matthews, Archdeacon of Wrexham. The service will be followed by a buffet lunch.
This is the only service in the Mission Area on this day.
TEA TOGETHER
‘Tea Together’ will be held in Dewi Sant Wednesday June 26th between 2pm and 4pm. All are welcome to come along for a time of friendship, fellowship, tea and cakes – quiz and bingo!
TOILET TWINNING
As the completion of Phase 1 of St Paul’s Church reordering draws nearer, the Church Committee recently discussed the possibility of ‘Toilet Twinning’.
Toilet Twinning has been running since 2010. First, as a joint venture between NGOs Tearfund and Cord, and since 2015 as a fundraising source for Tearfund. Administration costs are kept as low as possible, to make sure any donation has the biggest impact possible for people living in poverty in some of the world’s poorest countries. Toilet Twinning funds global water, sanitation and hygiene programmes run by Tearfund, their partners work alongside communities, bringing people together in workshops and action groups focused on issues that concern them – such as farming.
Lasting, whole-life transformation comes from working alongside someone, not making decisions on their behalf. Toilet Twinning’s approach is about dignity and self-respect as much as it is about alleviating poverty and accessing safe sanitation.
There is a just a one off payment of £60 – this maybe a project other people might like to take on with their families, too. Full details can be found at:
https://toilettwinning.org/product/twin-a-toilet-today
100 CLUB IS LOOKING FOR NEW MEMBERS
St Paul’s runs a 100 Club – a monthly draw with a £25 prize each month – and each quarter there is a chance to win £100 or £50. If you would like to be part of the draw – – please see the Vicar for further details. It is £60 per year – or you can set up a Standing Order at £5 pcm or £15 a quarter.
COLWYN BAY COMMUNITY FOOD BANK
is housed in the Institute Building on Rhiw Road – the new Colwyn Bay Community Hwb. Our food banks are seeing a continued rise in the number of people who use them – please help and support if you can. Thank you. There are food collection points in St Paul’s (by the North Transept entrance) and Christ Church – near the font.
SIOE BRYN Y MAEN
Thank you to all who supported Christ Church Tombola Stall at the Bryn y Maen Show – and the Cymnafa Ganu the following day – where we made a joyful noise unto the Lord. It was wonderful to hear the recently repaired bells ring out before the service.
£290 was raised towards church funds. Diolch i bawb.
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING CHRISTIAN AID WEEK - between our e envelope, the Big Breakfast and donations, we have raised £1,217 towards the work of Christian Aid.
ADVANCE NOTICE
Sunday July 14th 11am – Civic Service St Paul’s
Sunday July 14th Mission Area ‘Big’ Messy Church Afternoon at St John’s Church,
Old Colwyn
Sunday July 14th Christian -Muslim Friendship event St Joseph’s Community Centre
Sunday July 21st – provisional date for lunch in Dewi Sant following Morning Service
July 22nd – 26th Music Theatre Week – St Paul’s
August 3rd The Big Picnic – St Paul’s
August – date tbc Afternoon Tea in aid of Breast Cancer Now
The Big Breakfast in Dewi Sant on Sunday, May 12th between 9am – 10am
Coffee Morning Capel y Rhos on Friday May 17th 10am – 11.30am
Put a donation in the red envelopes in church or
via our Online via our e envelope which has been so successful these past few years. The Link is here:
https://fundraise.christianaid.org.uk/envelope-2024/christian-aid
CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS
ST PAUL’S COLWYN BAY and CHRIST CHURCH, BRYN Y MAEN.
The Annual Meeting of the Mission Area Conference will take place on Wednesday June 19th in St John’s Church, Old Colwyn.
Our own meetings will take place after our Sunday Service:
St Paul’s – May 19th (in Dewi Sant over coffee)
Christ Church – June 2nd
St Paul’s is looking to recruit more volunteers on the Welcome Rota – and we would very much like to grow our Church Committee (we meet once every two months). Could you help? Would you like to be more involved in Church life?
SIOE BRYN Y MAEN
takes place on Saturday May 25th on the fields next to Christ Church from 10am - 5pm. The church will have a presence on the field again this year and we are collecting anything that we could have for a Tombola – please bring what you have to church as soon as you can and leave at the back of Church. Thank you. If anyone makes jams / marmalade / preserves / chutneys etc we could sell – all gratefully received.
We need a rota for the stall on the day – can you please let Carol know if you are able to help? Diolch - Many thanks.
CYMANFA GANU – HYMN SINGING FESTIVAL
Christ Chruch, Bryn y Maen will be holding a Cymanfa Ganu / Hymn Singing Festival on Sunday May 26th at 5pm.
Croseo i bawb – a warm welcome to everyone. Come along and sing some of your favourite hymns.
CRAFT AND CHAT - will meet in Dewi Sant on Wednesday May 8th between 2pm and 4pm.Bring along your craft and share your knowledge! Knitting – Crochet – Card Making – what craft do you do that can be shared with others? Come along and learn a new skill – or just for a chat .Refreshments, tea, biscuits. All welcome.
TEA TOGETHER
‘Tea Together’ will be held in Dewi Sant Wednesday May 29th between 2pm and 4pm. All are welcome to come along for a time of friendship, fellowship, tea and cakes – quiz and bingo!
100 CLUB
St Paul’s runs a 100 Club – a monthly draw with a £25 prize each month – and each quarter there is a chance to win £100 or £50. If you would like to be part of the draw (subscriptions are due THIS month) – it is £60 per year – or you can set up a Standing Order fof £5 pcm or £15 a quarter – please see the Vicar for further details.
SPONSORED WALK IN AID OF ALZHEIMER’S SOCIETY
On May 11th, Rachel Cutler will be taking part in Trek26 Stonehenge 2024 – walking 13 miles and raising money for the Alzheimer’s Society. If you are able to support Rachel and this cause, please sign your name on the sponsor forms available in the Coffee area in Dewi Sant and the Choir Vestry in St Paul’s.
OPEN GARDEN / GARDD AGORED
at Foxhall, Henllan LL16 5AB on Sunday May 19th between 1pm and 530pm. All proceeds to the North Wales Cancer Appeal supporting the North Wales Cancer Treatment Centre, Ysbyty Glan Clwyd.
Admission £5 for Adults; Free parking, Woodland Walking trail, refreshments available.
REPAIR CAFE
Repair Café takes place on the 4th Sunday of the month (next meet May 26th) between 2 – 5pm @ 20 Station Road. People are invited to bring their broken bits, be it popped pockets or battered bikes, and the volunteers will take a look and see if they can fix it. We even fixed a prosthetic arm.. the owner hasn't come back yet so that's good. We also welcome other volunteer fixers, if anyone fancies an afternoon tinkering once a month. The simple aim is to keep stuff out of landfill and give it a new lease of life. Tea and cake are available, donations invited. Further Information from Together For Colwyn Bay.
COLWYN BAY COMMUNITY FOOD BANK
is housed in the Institute Building on Rhiw Road – the new Colwyn Bay Community Hwb. Our food banks are seeing a continued rise in the number of people who use them – please help and support if you can. Thank you.
There are food collection points in St Paul’s (by the North Transept entrance) and Christ Church – near the font.
ADVANCE NOTICE
Friday June 14th 7pm in Dewi Sant – Bingo Evening
Sunday June 30th United MA Service St John’s, Old Colwyn 11am
Sunday July 14th 11am – Civic Service St Paul’s
July 22nd – 26th Music Theatre Week – St Paul’s
August 3rd The Big Picnic – St Paul’s