November 2001
From the Revd. Nansi Davies, Curate.
Dear Parishioners
As the autumn draws to a close and we prepare for winter my thoughts turn to tasks of tidying up. For gardens this inevitably involves cutting back many of those shrubs that have benefited from a lot of rain in the spring. The warm weather has meant an abundant growth throughout the summer and some plants have grown out of shape and in some cases out of space. Another task has meant turning out the greenhouse to make way for those precious plants that need to be protected during the cold weather.
Indoors there is the prospect of putting away the summer clothes and bringing out the winter woollies - hopefully the moths haven't had an enjoyable time during the summer!
In our churches we have polished and swept before celebrating Harvest when we gathered in not only the gifts of fruit, vegetables and lots of tins and packets of food, but also the huge quantity of gifts for the charity we have been supporting.
I am sure that the Russian children in the orphanages to which these gifts will go will be a lot warmer this winter as a result of the generosity of so many of you. On their behalf a very big, "Thank you."
The Harvest suppers were all enjoyable not only because of the marvellous food but also because of the fellowship enjoyed amongst those who worked in the preparation as well as for those who shared in the feasts.
Now we begin to think about some of the events that will be taking place in the life of our communities. The first and very important of these is the Service of Confirmation which will take place at Caerwent Church on All Saints Day, Thursday 1st November at 7:00pm, conducted by our Archbishop, Dr Rowan Williams.
Some sixteen young people and four adults from all four parishes have been preparing for Confirmation during the summer months. I hope that as well as their parents and god-parents all members of the congregations, and as many people of the parishes as possible, will
come to the service to support these candidates as they begin to share in the fellowship of the Church as full members. There will be refreshments after the service.
The very next evening there will be a Gymanfa Ganu, a celebration of hymn singing, at 7.30pm at Earlswood Hall, in aid of our chosen charity, Multi-International Aid, and all who enjoy singing are warmly welcome. This an inter-denominational event and those of you who came to the last Gymanfa Ganu will remember how much everyone enjoyed the evening.
Mark your diaries for the 1st and 2nd of November!
Planning for other activities is on going so do join in whenever you can - you don't have to be a church member to do so!
Finally, may I remind everyone that there is a celebration of Holy Communion every Wednesday at 10:00am in the Caerwent and Shirenewton Churches, and all who are Baptised in the Faith of Christ are welcome to share in the feast prepared for us by Our Lord.
Please pray for the peace of the world, for God's healing power to be poured out to mend broken lives and bring together divided nations so that the suffering of the innocent will end.
With love and prayers
Nansi Davies
Curate.
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