REPORTS FROM THE CHURCHES
St David’s, Llanddewi
We had a very enjoyable afternoon tea in mid-February at the Granary Café, Scurlage, kindly hosted by Liz Roderick, and supported by her team. Delicious sandwiches, sausage rolls, cakes and scones were set on nicely laid tables, where we helped ourselves, sat and chatted, and tea was brought to us. This was in every sense a successful event, and we are most grateful to Liz.
The continuous rain has saturated the church walls, causing leaking from the arch. We have consulted builders and hope that repairs will soon be made.
The Wonder of Wellbeing team met us to discuss revamping the space we had set aside in church with facilities for people to help themselves to water or make hot drinks. Now the vision has become a reality: an attractive space, with a serving table holding catering facilities and a coffee table with booklets and leaflets, that can be used for quiet contemplation or for enjoying the company of others. A few finishing touches remain to be done, and we hope this will be a ‘Cwtch’ where visitors feel welcome and find peace and food for thought.
On Ash Wednesday, braving cold winds, people from various churches gathered at Llanddewi for worship. During Lent there will be no Bible Study after 9.30 Communion on Wednesdays at Llanddewi, but Bible Study will instead be held in the King Arthur Hotel on Wednesdays at 3pm, as noted on the previous page.
We will have a special celebration of St David’s Day in English and Welsh on Friday 27 February at 11am. Everyone is welcome.
The seasons still keep order. Changeable winter weather, with spells of cold dominated by mild, wet weather here, brought early, hesitant signs of spring. A small azalea in my garden has borne a few red flowers since December. They have withstood all weathers since. Now the daffodils boldly proclaim that spring really is arriving. Birds are calling. Earth continues to nurture. Spring heralds new life, beauty, hope. We are blessed. Glimpses of glory give rise to praise.
Penny Henderson
St Illtyd’s, Oxwich
How wonderful is spring! First the snowdrops, then the daffodils, followed by the tulips all nourished by the earth. How we appreciate these splashes of colour after the drabness of winter. Isaiah compares this with the people of Jerusalem’s suffering and the relief which followed. God in his mercy said there had been suffering enough and that righteousness and salvation would abound.
As Lent and Easter approaches, we see that there will be changes in the clergy of South West Gower. For several years now we have enjoyed ministrations from the Reverend Roger Donaldson but he is to retire. We are going to miss Roger. We thank him for all he has done at St Illtyd’s, but hope he will not move to far from Gower so we can maintain contact with him occasionally. We wish him a happy and healthy retirement.
Rosemary Wigley
St Andrew’s, Penrice
It has been a quiet time at St. Andrew’s. Driving to the Church from Penny Hitch is now almost impossible as the potholes are getting very deep and dangerous in places. It is a deterrent for anyone wishing to get to Penrice through Mill Wood. Delivery vans travelling with Satnav, hoping to take a short cut have had problems getting through; with that and the potholes on the main roads, the weather this month has caused quite a few problems.
Time will soon be here for Canon Roger to leave us and how we shall miss him. His sermons, his humour and his kindness. Hopefully he will soon find a new home where he and his family can be happily settled. The phrase ‘all be well, trust in the Lord’ we have heard frequently from him so we wish that for him.
The theme this month is ‘Praising Spring’. This year spring will be a real new beginning and so welcome after the many weeks of wet, dreary weather. The snowdrops in the graveyard are in full bloom, daffodils are appearing and even the odd primrose. Spring is a time of renewal and optimism as the new growth appears, it could also apply to us on a personal basis in renewal of faith, renewal of friendships or renewal of ideas and plans for the future months. The first lecture this summer will be on April 15th and we hope to welcome many old friends and hopefully some new supporters. The format will remain the same with the illustrated lecture starting at 7 pm, lasting about 40 minutes followed by time for questions and then refreshments. The entrance charge will remain at £10 per person which we hope supporters will feel is value for money. Our lecturers are all experts in their field and the wine and refreshments are the best we can provide. In the next issue of the magazine we hope to have a programme ready for publication. Angela Barnett
St Cattwg’s, Port Eynon
We had an interesting talk during a recent service, when representatives of Wellbeing told us about being a Sanctuary Church, that is, providing overnight shelter for pilgrims on the Gower Pilgrimage Walk. As the only church in South Gower with a toilet and kitchen we are well qualified, and the requirements would be minimal; water, electricity, a lockable door and available tea, coffee and milk. Pilgrims would pre-book and bring their own bedding, etc. The whole project was to be discussed and considered.
Praising Spring: ‘See, the winter is past, the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth, the season of spring has come and the cooing of doves is heard in our land’ (Song of Songs. 2:11-13). There cannot be many people who do not welcome the first appearances of spring, its renewal of brightness, warmth and less rain (pace Climate Change), tender growth, the stirring of hibernating creatures and nesting of birds. There are awakenings and developments which may be reflected in the daily life of church communities, as they think of new ways to represent and honour God. Wild Church participants in particular must be glad of longer days and their surroundings becoming ever more beautiful and hospitable. Festivals and exhibitions will be arranged and attract more participants. The joyous feasts of Mothering Sunday and Easter will be celebrated, though we must also endure the privations of Lent and the grief of Good Friday before indulging in joy. St. David, St. Patrick and St. George are all remembered during spring. So, let us be glad.
Susan Morris
St George’s, Reynoldston
March 1st being St David’s Day we are reminded of his words ‘Do the little things’ with the focus on our Christian faith, promoting kindness and environmental care.
It was so pleasant to welcome back to a service in February Kostis and Gabriella who were married at St George’s in February last year. Such a happy occasion with much to talk about as Gabriella was awaiting the birth of son Jack in two weeks’ time.
St George’s was host to the Afternoon Club in mid-February when Peter Lewis gave a fascinating talk on the church, its origins but particularly its wealth of stained glass windows. Peter explained that the majority of windows had been installed at the height of the Oxford Movement in the 19th century, members of which were eager to bring back beauty and ceremonial to churches. At that time there was a tradition of ‘High Church’ in Gower, very much supported by the Lucas, Talbot and Benson families, who brought the money to the church to pay for the new windows.
The West Window was presented to the church by Florentia Crawshay in memory of her parents Col. and Mrs Wood of Stouthall. This window shows St Barnabus, St Edward and a St Maria, all by coincidence having links with the Wood family (sharing names or birthdays).
Well over one hundred gathered at the Village Hall in late January for the annual Reynoldston Quiz organized by the St George’s Social Group. Quiz Master John Mahoney had once again prepared a series of testing rounds, some quite easy questions with others requiring much scratching of heads. Few teams coped with:
a) How did Robert Prevost come to prominence in 2025?
b) What is the only national flag which does not have four sides?
This was a very closely fought contest, but the winners, as last year, were the team led by Neil Barry of Knelston, who take away the trophy.
We were saddened to learn of the death, in Australia, of Mary Smart, a member of our congregation for a number of years.
We are most grateful to John Mahoney, our Treasurer, who after months of detailed negotiation with the Electricity Board, obtained a reduction in charges from thousands to hundreds of pounds.
Hugh Jones
Answers to Quiz questions – a) He was elected Pope (Leo XIV); b) Nepal.
St Mary the Virgin, Rhossili
We are ever grateful to Roger Button for organising and overseeing the replacement of outside lighting at St.Mary’s, something long overdue. The original light units had suffered the ravages of Rhossili’s unforgiving weather and on dark nights were very conspicuous by their absence.
The current art exhibition is by local artist Lilliane Davies. The Wellbeing team were consistently moved by her work, combined with a deep desire to share it more widely and not only to celebrate Lilliane as an artist but also to offer the message of hope that flows through her pages to the wider community. ‘With the art show being exhibited in the midst of the colder, darker, wetter months it was offered as a space for one to pause, reflect and gently explore deeper thoughts and feelings around the theme of surrender and letting go.’
Gower Ministry Area 