Say To This Mountain

15:57:03 o'clock BST

The pictures above have been painted onto our cafe shutters by the multi-talented Jess.  We plan to have a photo op next Tuesday as, since I took these, they have been completed and look absolutely fantastic.  They certainly brighten up the bleakest day and add to the sunshine on lovely sunny days.

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15:54:17 o'clock BST
 
1.  In chapter 1, verse 27 says that God created human kind in his image - what do youthink this means?

2. Why do you think God gave humanity 'dominion' over everything else that God had created?

3. If the culmination of creation is not humanity - what is it?

4. Chapter 2, verse 4 gives another account of creation.  Why do you think we need another?

5.  What differences can you see between the two accounts?

6.  The first account ends differently from the second.  What does each ending emphasise?

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16:28:24 o'clock BST

This evening's bible study - (please note that if you plan to join us, we now meet at 6.30pm) is on selected verses from John's Gospel.  They are: John 1:1-5; John 14:1 and John 14:15-27.  The following questions are meant to help us focus on the passage and so there are not nesessarily any 'right' or 'wrong' answers.

1. Who is the Word? Why do you think John uses 'word' to describe that person?

2.  In John 14:1, why do you think Jesus wants us to believe in him as well as in God?

3. What commandments has Jesus given us?

4.  The Father will send an advocate - why do you think Jesus uses this term? What does it mean to you?

5.  Does your answer in 4 sound like the Holy Spirit? Why or why not?

6. How do you think the disciples will 'see' Jesus when the world will not?

7.  Do you think that the Holy Spirit works in the world today in the same way that Jesus describes?

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13:40:35 o'clock BST

Last evening's Rich Poor Supper was another of our fund-raising activities for the work of Christian Aid.  We began with a short presentation of the work that CA is doing, through its partnerships in Burma and in China (Amity Foundation), in response to the recent, terrible destruction caused by the typhoon and earthqakes that hit these countries.  Christian Aid works in more than 50 countries around the world, but we thought it appropriate to concentrate on these two because the news  coverage means that everyone has heard of the disasters and so would be glad to see how their money can help.

After the presentation we drew lots to see who the lucky six people would be - all of us payed the same amount for our tickets, but 6 people were to sit down to an elaborate four-course meal (cooked to perfection by the lovely Myra - thanks My)! and the rest of us were given a bowl of rice.  The idea, of course, was to show the inequality of our present systems.  The rich, (the minority) have most of the resources, whilst the many are lucky if they can even afford a bowl of rice.  This is especially pertinant at the moment as the price of rice has been rising because of shortages caused by climate change and unfair trade (arguably, I dare say, but it's still hard for many people in the world to find the money to buy rice).

I must say that our lucky rich people didn't seem to be bothered by the fact that they had such luxury when the rest of us had to make do with rice... I suppose that made it more authentic! Once they had finished their feast, we auctioned off the remaining food - and you wouldn't believe the popularity of sprout sandwiches - to the starving, so all who were able to bid had the chance to tuck in.  All that bidding helped up the anty and we made over £100 last evening.  A very big thank you to everyone who came and an even bigger thank you to everyone who worked so hard and so willingly to make it such a successful night!

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16:01:16 o'clock BST

The day dawned grey and showery, usual weather for our 'Fun Walk' in Tonypandy..  never mind; the smiles on the faces of all who saw us brightened the day anyway!  We began with worship, centred on prayers for Burma and China and Christian Aid's partners who are already at work helping people survive and rebuild their lives.  Hearing the stories of those in such need was suitable inspiration to go into the streets and ask folk to contribute to Christian Aid's work.

As you will see from the pictures above we took a fairly light-hearted approach to our fund raising!  Peter appeared as Hungary's answer to Elvis, although he would have passed as John Cooper-Clark (Punk Poet from Manchester); Njara was a Scotsman; Dahny and Michael were Lancelot and Guienivere - you can decide who was whom; Laura was a hippy and Sharon was the personification of Christian Aid.  I went in the local uniform (pyjamas and dressing gown and I carried a teddy bear) as someone who was ready for bed. We raised the total of, (are you ready for this)? £347.23!!!!

Last evening we held the children's auction in cafe and raised the wonderful total of £25 and still counting.  So far (and we've still gots lots to go) we've raised £487.38.

This week's bible reading on 1 Corinthians 13, which is all about love fits in perfectly with our desire to play our part to help make the world a fairer place. A very big thank you to our willing collectors and to everyone who has given their support!

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17:39:59 o'clock BST

Christian Aid Week has launched in Penrhys (as in everywhere else) this week and we are already in the midst of the many events that we have planned and have already made over £100 pounds for the charity.  To find out more about their work, visit www.christianaid.org.uk

On Sunday we saw some of the stories from different parts of the world where Christian Aid is working (alongside indiginous partners).  We also heard 'Pentecost Voices' from the DVD, where Christians from many diverse backgrounds celebrated the work of the Holy Spirit in the actions of Christ's disciples. Sunday evening saw the launch of 'Quiz Aid' which coincided with our monthly battle of the brains.  We were in three teams; Danhy's Diva's; the Teddybears and The Three Musketeers.  Danhy's Diva's won (once we'd stopped arguing about who was allowed to have which points and whether or not it counted that one of us knew the significance of the colours of the Olympic Rings... you had to be there) and so were the proud recipients of the Llanfair Quiz Shield;  a Certificate and bar of fairly traded chocolate.  We know how to celebrate here!

The photos above come from yesterday's auction, held outside despite the blustery conditions!  We managed to keep everything from flying away, Mary Poppins style and had a great time with our auctioneers, Sharon and Michael.  We even managed to compete with the visiting film crew who had come to film Darryl as he's made it on to the X Factor - well done Daryll!

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17:13:15 o'clock BST

The picture above is of the synagogue in Nazareth (or so I'm told).  The bible study on Luke 4 takes place here - Jesus returns to his home town and joins the congregation (as is his habit) as they gather on the Sabbath.  He stands to read from Isaiah and concludes the reading by asserting that, 'today, this prophesy is fulfilled in your hearing...'

We've taken a different approach to bible study this time.  The group was asked to imagine that they were each present at this event.  Each was to 'take on' the persona of someone who may well have heard this at first hand; so we had Peter - a fisherman who has come to hear Jesus for the first time.  He doesn't know it yet, but his life is about to become completely changed by this man, Jesus.  Then there's an attendant at the synargogue; he's the one who hands the scroll to Jesus; then there's the Rabbi.  He's known Jesus for a long time, watched him grow up in fact.  Finally there's  the onlooker. a person in the crowd. Our group was extremely inventive and came up with this imagined scenario:

Peter:  All great stuff with Jesus getting love on in Galilee, until he goes and spoils it all with that reference to himself as fulfilment of scripture!  What's he done? What am I doing? There'll be trouble, mark my words!

Attendant: Oh dear.  Should I have given him a diferent reading? I am very surprised at the words of Jesus - well, I'm overwhelmed and not a little irritated; I was very relieved when the scroll came back.

Rabbi: I was about to praise Jesus for a wonderful reading - he really understands God's words and speaks them with a passion only the faithful can convey - but then, he added this, this blasphemy!  Who does he think he is? What am I to do?

Attendant: I feel responsible - I gave him the scroll.  Still, I had no idea he'd say things like that.

Peter: Jesus knew what the reading would be; I feel tricked.  I thought he'd be a good rabbi,but really he seems dangerous.  People who follow him could end up dead.

Onlooker: I'm really angry; what's he doing? He's nothing special!

Peter: Surely the Attendant shouldn't have let him read; he must have know Jesus, after all this is Jesus' hometown so he must have been here lots of times before.

Attendant: I really thought he'd be o.k.  We've never had this trouble before.  Sybil read something similar lsat week and she was fine!

Rabbi: I really cannot understand why he has done this.

Onlooker: Jesus is an annoying person! He should just read the words on the scroll and then shut up and sit down; we don't care what he thinks!

Attendant:  Those followers of his encourage him.

Peter: Don't look at me, he's not my master (yet).  I think he's just showing off to his old rabbi.

Attendant: He wanted to stir up trouble.  Who does he think he is, the Chosen One? He's Joseph's son, the child of an old carpenter - he's no rich prince or warrior!

Peter: Maybe he doesn't mean that. You should talk to him.  Don't assume anything and please, don't kill me!

Onlooker:  He's a crazy person.  If someone else had read, it would have been fine.

Attendant:  I think he really wants us to believe he's the Messiah.

Rabbi: What he said was out of place.  It was blasphemy.

Peter: What am I going to do?  Do I really want this?  Maybe I should go back to living a quiet life and forget all about Jesus.

Attendant: We need to put strict rules in place to decide who can be trusted with the scripture reading so that this never happens again.

 

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18:47:47 o'clock BST

A couple of weekends ago, some of us travelled to Windermere to meet up with our partners from Wilmslow, East Manchester and Wythenshaw.  We meet annually and this year returned to Windermere after spending several, very happy sessions in Ludlow.  Our theme was 'Exploring our Spirituality,' and included activitie.s ranging from Human .Bingo through to Different ways of Bible Study, Godly Play, Hymn writing and intro into making personal icons.  On Saturday evening, each church produced an item for the evening's entertainment and some of them can be seen in the photos above.

Our final session on Sunday was led by Lawrence (Director of the Windermere Centre) who introduced material from 'Vision 4 Life, ' The URC's next step from the Catch the Vision process.

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17:00:00 o'clock BST

We've re-opened after our Easter break and things are getting back to their (fast-paced) usual speed.

This evening we are looking at a passage from John's Gospel, 13:1-17, Jesus washed his disciples' feet.  Here are some of the questions we will be looking at this evening when we meet for bible study.

John 13:1-17

1.      John tells us that Jesus knew that ‘the Father had given all things into his hands,’ how do you imagine Jesus felt on that last night with his friends?

2.     His action was to get up and ‘serve’ hi s friends by washing their feet.  Do you think he had done this before? Why or why not?

3.     What significance did/does this foot washing have for the disciples then and for us today?

4.     Why do you think Peter was so reluctant at first to be washed?

5.     Jesus asked his disciples if they understood – do you think they really did understand him – why or why not?

6.     What does this teaching mean for us today in this place? 

 

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16:57:17 o'clock GMT
Hearing Dixie Chicks -they're Greaaaat!

Sorry about the long break.  Easter has been a busy time (no surprise there).  In order to help catch up, here is copy of the news we've recently sent to our Partners.

NEWS FROM LLANFAIR, PENRHYS

Here is good news from one of our young people, Kelly who comes to worship and attends Homework Club at Llanfair:

 

We had an open day in Penrhys.  It was a really lovely day to celebrate our patron saint, Saint David, on March 1st.  We were cooking Welsh cakes and serving tea and we were making Mother’s day cards, we had face painting, making floral displays, we had young people singing in church.  The people who were singing wrote the songs themselves and there was a DVD showing last year’s festival.

 

On March 6th over 30 children from Penrhys Primary School went to the Parc and Dare theatre in Treorchy as part of a dance festival.  Our children were from years 4,5 and 6 (aged 8-11), they danced the Lindy-hop to Christina Aguilera.  They were brilliant!

 

More good news from Sharon:

The relationship between Llanfair and Penrhys Primary continues to grow and is a real blessing in so many ways.  We enjoy welcoming the children as they come up class by class on Monday mornings for worship in the Chapel, followed by squash and biscuits in the café.

Our minister, Siân, takes assembly on Thursday mornings and has lots of good ideas of involving the children who are always keen to participate.

On the last day of term there was an Easter Bonnet parade in school, followed by a procession up to the Chapel for end of term worship with the whole school.  Many parents and grandparents lined the route as the children and staff made their way to Llanfair – it was very special.

Siân and I are part of an Eco committee at school, which has lots of great ideas and plans (especially from the children) to improve our environment.  The bulbs and shrubs planted by the children last year are growing well and there are plans to plant vegetables this year.  A bird feeding station has been set up and we are working on developing recycling facilities.

Our very own radio station, Rhys Radio has been broadcasting throughout the month of March.  It has gonevery well with many people far and wide listening in and enjoying the programmes, especially those led by Siân, Michael and Peter with participation from Laura, Dahny andNjara.  WELL DONE PENRHYS. 

 

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