Friday 24 December
5.00 pm
Vigil Mass
(with Blessing of Christmas Tree and Crib Scene)
Particularly (but certainly not exclusively!) suitable for children and families
11.30 pm
Midnight Mass
Saturday 25 December
9.00 am
Said Mass
Monday, 20 December 2010
Monday, 12 July 2010
A Long way to Grow
Last year, the children at St Saviour's, as part of their Sunday School activities during the Mass, planted some sunflower seeds and, over the weeks, they watched them grow in plastic cups until they were large enough and strong enough to grow within the church grounds. Throughout the summer they grew up and grew tall, offering a splash of colour at the north-west corner of the church. This summer, despite the avid weeding and clearing of paths by those who busily take care of the garden outside St Saviour's, a stubborn seed, obviously dropped and blown across the path last year, has grown into a plant and, rising from between the old paving slabs a solitary sunflower has emerged, slightly dwarfed but growing strong and growing well. The gardeners have bowed to nature and allowed it to grow and now it stands proudly in the centre of the path.
Not a stone's throw away from the sunflower is the church notice board, boldly declaring that St Saviour's is 'a place to grow in the love of God.' Perhaps we forget, all too easily, that growing is a rather garrulous business, full of risk, full of danger, full of necessary stubborness and perserverance. Growing in the love of God, like any growing up, is accompanied by growing pains as well as joy. And so my mind is turned to the image offered by Jesus: he is the vine, we are the branches and, in order to grow and flourish, we are required to be pruned. There is always the need for attention, loving attention. At St Saviour's, I think, we are aware of this. It's not spoken out loud or shared aloud in any obvious way but I think we are aware of our fragility and of our need for one another and, also, the difficulties and challenges, the work and commitment involved in growing. We know that we are far from perfect, that we have a long way to go (or, rather, grow!) but perhaps, as we struggle through the cracks of life we will be able to offer a splash of colour and be a sign of life to those who pass by. At least, that is our hope.
Friday, 11 June 2010
The (Re) View is Good from Here!
Every few years, the Diocese (ie the Senior Staff of the Diocese) reviews parishes and clergy. Several weeks ago it was St Saviour's turn and the report from the Archdeacon as a result of her meeting with the parish priest, Church Wardens and Treasurer is offered below. Happy Reading...
Dear Dean and Parish Officers,
Roath, St Saviour’s – Parish Review Report
Thank you for arranging the meeting last Monday (24th), for me to meet you all. As promised, here is my summary of the matters that we covered together.
Community Context
We spoke of the considerable changes in Splott in recent years, especially with new office and housing developments on the old industrial sites, and more still to come. You thought the parish population was now about 13,000, and increasingly diverse in nature: there are a lot of young families, asylum-seekers, some young professionals, and a lot of special needs housing of various types, including a number of sheltered accommodation units. Other faiths are well represented, and have worship centres here. There is one state primary school in the parish, where Fr Dean is a governor, and one primary and one secondary in Tremorfa, just across the parish boundary, with whom there are good relationships.
St Saviour’s Church
The congregation of St Saviour’s is drawn mostly (two thirds) from within the parish, and has embraced much of the diversity of the developing community. The remaining one third are former residents, who have moved away, but continued to attend. You spoke very positively of the “relaxed and happy spirit” within the congregation now, for which you gave considerable credit to Dean. You praised his preaching ministry and particularly the attention given to developing of children’s work in the parish, and greater participation of young people on special occasions and in the regular Mass. I was struck by your optimism about the future, and encouraged by the various opportunities for local outreach, which you want to explore. You described this as feeling that the congregation had now been stabilised after a period of disruption, and was ready to “kick on with the new”.
Mission Action Planning
We recognised a degree of uncertainty about the future structuring of ministry in the parish, particularly in relation to the Deanery Plan, and possible closer relationship with the Parish of St German’s (see below). For this reason, it was difficult for you to finalise a new Mission Action Plan. A key element, however, will be your continued emphasis on outreach to the community, eg more volunteers to assist at the senior citizens’ day centre, and the development of teams of lay people to build on relationships begun through the occasional offices, such as baptisms or funerals. Additional memorial services, to enhance ministry to the bereaved, could be planned, and you would seek for a better use of the building, both the church and the hall. You are actively investigating the possibilities of enlarging the kitchen, improving the lighting and installing a separate heating system for the hall, so that more outside lettings can be sought at economical rates.
I was impressed by your parish website, for which Dean has done much of the design work. It gives the sense of a parish very much alive, and offering a real welcome to enquirers about faith – with explanatory sections eg on marriage or baptism, presented clearly and in straightforward language. There are signs that it has already begun to bear fruit, with some approaches being made to Dean, by people who have read and been attracted by the website. This work, and your aspirations for the future are most commendable; I look forward to seeing how the congregation, with Dean, are able to put some of them into practice in the coming months.
Finances
Your Accounts for 2009 showed a deficit for the year of approx. £3,500 on the unrestricted fund, and your present overdraft (which you confirmed is within permitted borrowing limits) is approx. £3,200. Direct giving in 2009 showed an encouragingly higher proportion derived from planned giving, but the overall figure remained similar to that for 2008. You spoke of a recent stewardship drive, initiated by Dean and reflected in preaching over three weeks, which has been effective, and will result in increases during 2010. This, together with a saving of £1,000 per annum from changing gas supplier, and an increase in hall income, you hoped would enable the books to be balanced this year. We agreed that this should be a significant aim for the congregation, and I encouraged you to maintain close contact with Richard Jones, the Parish Resources Adviser for the diocese, with a view to his coming to lead a further stewardship drive, if needed, in 2011.
We noted that the parish holds two funds (£7,858 and £3,782 as at 31st December 2009) restricted to maintenance of the church fabric. These you will be using for repair to the sanctuary steps (approx £8k) and external window guards. Faculty applications will be needed in due course for both of these. I also encouraged you to continue investigating sources of grant funding, to enable the plans for kitchen and hall to be developed. Richard Jones could advise here, but additional information can be found via the GrantNet and GrantFinder online resources.
Follow-up to Parish Visitation Report, April 2008
Following up comments made in the previous parish visitation report, you confirmed that the Log Book, Terrier and Inventory had now been brought up to date, apart from the insertion of photographs of key items, and all property had been safeguarded with SmartWater. Mission giving beyond the parish had increased, and in the last year had included donations to Christian Aid and Haiti Appeal, Water Aid, and Forest Schools.
The Future / Cardiff Deanery Plan
We shared an understanding as to the current Cardiff Deanery Plan, which provides that, following the retirement of Canon Roy Doxsey, the incumbencies of both St German’s and St Saviour’s should thereafter be held by just one full-time cleric. This would not involve any reduction in clerical hours for the parish of St Saviour’s, which is already allocated as a 50% parochial post, and you considered it, if anything, an advantage, that the other 50% should become a parochial responsibility, rather than Dean’s existing wide diocesan role. You confirmed that the majority of St Saviour’s congregation held similar views and churchmanship to those represented by St German’s, and mentioned that, as both were formerly part of the original Parish of Roath, it might be possible to draw on that older shared tradition at some level, as a basis for collaboration in future. You anticipated the possibility, under such a grouping, of a helpful sharing of resources and ideas, such as eg a shared parish office, Toddler group, Mothers’ Union activities etc. You were hopeful that discussions could be opened soon with St German’s Parish about this prospect, because you felt ready for St Saviour’s to begin to planning effectively for this change.
I undertook to broach the subject in my forthcoming Parish Review meeting at St German’s, and to let you know the outcome. In the event, I had a thoughtful and constructive meeting with the key officers there, and following it, agreed that I would summarise the situation as I see it, for the officers of both parishes.
Finally, may I thank you all for a most enjoyable evening and stimulating conversation, as we engaged with the Review at St Saviour’s. I had the sense as we talked, of a lively faith at work here, and plenty of energy bringing forth good fruits, for a new and exciting phase of the parish’s life. I want to assure you of the prayerful support of the diocese, and appreciation for all that you have been doing so far, as you approach this period of transition.
In the meantime, my own very best wishes,
the Ven) Peggy Jackson
Archdeacon of Llandaff
Dear Dean and Parish Officers,
Roath, St Saviour’s – Parish Review Report
Thank you for arranging the meeting last Monday (24th), for me to meet you all. As promised, here is my summary of the matters that we covered together.
Community Context
We spoke of the considerable changes in Splott in recent years, especially with new office and housing developments on the old industrial sites, and more still to come. You thought the parish population was now about 13,000, and increasingly diverse in nature: there are a lot of young families, asylum-seekers, some young professionals, and a lot of special needs housing of various types, including a number of sheltered accommodation units. Other faiths are well represented, and have worship centres here. There is one state primary school in the parish, where Fr Dean is a governor, and one primary and one secondary in Tremorfa, just across the parish boundary, with whom there are good relationships.
St Saviour’s Church
The congregation of St Saviour’s is drawn mostly (two thirds) from within the parish, and has embraced much of the diversity of the developing community. The remaining one third are former residents, who have moved away, but continued to attend. You spoke very positively of the “relaxed and happy spirit” within the congregation now, for which you gave considerable credit to Dean. You praised his preaching ministry and particularly the attention given to developing of children’s work in the parish, and greater participation of young people on special occasions and in the regular Mass. I was struck by your optimism about the future, and encouraged by the various opportunities for local outreach, which you want to explore. You described this as feeling that the congregation had now been stabilised after a period of disruption, and was ready to “kick on with the new”.
Mission Action Planning
We recognised a degree of uncertainty about the future structuring of ministry in the parish, particularly in relation to the Deanery Plan, and possible closer relationship with the Parish of St German’s (see below). For this reason, it was difficult for you to finalise a new Mission Action Plan. A key element, however, will be your continued emphasis on outreach to the community, eg more volunteers to assist at the senior citizens’ day centre, and the development of teams of lay people to build on relationships begun through the occasional offices, such as baptisms or funerals. Additional memorial services, to enhance ministry to the bereaved, could be planned, and you would seek for a better use of the building, both the church and the hall. You are actively investigating the possibilities of enlarging the kitchen, improving the lighting and installing a separate heating system for the hall, so that more outside lettings can be sought at economical rates.
I was impressed by your parish website, for which Dean has done much of the design work. It gives the sense of a parish very much alive, and offering a real welcome to enquirers about faith – with explanatory sections eg on marriage or baptism, presented clearly and in straightforward language. There are signs that it has already begun to bear fruit, with some approaches being made to Dean, by people who have read and been attracted by the website. This work, and your aspirations for the future are most commendable; I look forward to seeing how the congregation, with Dean, are able to put some of them into practice in the coming months.
Finances
Your Accounts for 2009 showed a deficit for the year of approx. £3,500 on the unrestricted fund, and your present overdraft (which you confirmed is within permitted borrowing limits) is approx. £3,200. Direct giving in 2009 showed an encouragingly higher proportion derived from planned giving, but the overall figure remained similar to that for 2008. You spoke of a recent stewardship drive, initiated by Dean and reflected in preaching over three weeks, which has been effective, and will result in increases during 2010. This, together with a saving of £1,000 per annum from changing gas supplier, and an increase in hall income, you hoped would enable the books to be balanced this year. We agreed that this should be a significant aim for the congregation, and I encouraged you to maintain close contact with Richard Jones, the Parish Resources Adviser for the diocese, with a view to his coming to lead a further stewardship drive, if needed, in 2011.
We noted that the parish holds two funds (£7,858 and £3,782 as at 31st December 2009) restricted to maintenance of the church fabric. These you will be using for repair to the sanctuary steps (approx £8k) and external window guards. Faculty applications will be needed in due course for both of these. I also encouraged you to continue investigating sources of grant funding, to enable the plans for kitchen and hall to be developed. Richard Jones could advise here, but additional information can be found via the GrantNet and GrantFinder online resources.
Follow-up to Parish Visitation Report, April 2008
Following up comments made in the previous parish visitation report, you confirmed that the Log Book, Terrier and Inventory had now been brought up to date, apart from the insertion of photographs of key items, and all property had been safeguarded with SmartWater. Mission giving beyond the parish had increased, and in the last year had included donations to Christian Aid and Haiti Appeal, Water Aid, and Forest Schools.
The Future / Cardiff Deanery Plan
We shared an understanding as to the current Cardiff Deanery Plan, which provides that, following the retirement of Canon Roy Doxsey, the incumbencies of both St German’s and St Saviour’s should thereafter be held by just one full-time cleric. This would not involve any reduction in clerical hours for the parish of St Saviour’s, which is already allocated as a 50% parochial post, and you considered it, if anything, an advantage, that the other 50% should become a parochial responsibility, rather than Dean’s existing wide diocesan role. You confirmed that the majority of St Saviour’s congregation held similar views and churchmanship to those represented by St German’s, and mentioned that, as both were formerly part of the original Parish of Roath, it might be possible to draw on that older shared tradition at some level, as a basis for collaboration in future. You anticipated the possibility, under such a grouping, of a helpful sharing of resources and ideas, such as eg a shared parish office, Toddler group, Mothers’ Union activities etc. You were hopeful that discussions could be opened soon with St German’s Parish about this prospect, because you felt ready for St Saviour’s to begin to planning effectively for this change.
I undertook to broach the subject in my forthcoming Parish Review meeting at St German’s, and to let you know the outcome. In the event, I had a thoughtful and constructive meeting with the key officers there, and following it, agreed that I would summarise the situation as I see it, for the officers of both parishes.
Finally, may I thank you all for a most enjoyable evening and stimulating conversation, as we engaged with the Review at St Saviour’s. I had the sense as we talked, of a lively faith at work here, and plenty of energy bringing forth good fruits, for a new and exciting phase of the parish’s life. I want to assure you of the prayerful support of the diocese, and appreciation for all that you have been doing so far, as you approach this period of transition.
In the meantime, my own very best wishes,
the Ven) Peggy Jackson
Archdeacon of Llandaff
Sunday, 6 June 2010
Giving it Up!
Food was the focus of today as we celebrated Corpus Christi, thanking God for the self giving love of Jesus, offered to us in the Eucharist. A few weeks ago now, during the Easter season, we focussed on giving in another way, exploring and talking openly and honestly about our giving to God, which included what we give financially. It can be a rather prickly subject but it is, of course, a matter of faith not finance. We give because we have been given to, we give because we belong to God.
The three week focus, which featured preaching and prayer and a number of opportunities and invitations to review our giving, has already borne fruit. It has resulted in eight people reviewing and increasing the amount they give regularly. This means that, as far as 'planned giving' is concerned, there is an increase of £153.67 per month, giving an annual increase of £1844, representing an increase of just over 13% on last year's total planned giving. This is such encouraging news. Giving is on the up at St Saviour's!
The three week focus, which featured preaching and prayer and a number of opportunities and invitations to review our giving, has already borne fruit. It has resulted in eight people reviewing and increasing the amount they give regularly. This means that, as far as 'planned giving' is concerned, there is an increase of £153.67 per month, giving an annual increase of £1844, representing an increase of just over 13% on last year's total planned giving. This is such encouraging news. Giving is on the up at St Saviour's!
Tuesday, 1 June 2010
Little Remains
"Originally owned by the Bishop of Llandaff, its name is said to come from 'God's Plot'. Little remains of its holier days. It is more commonly known for its once vast steelworks and rows of tightly-knit houses." So begins the archived BBC Wales' article on Splott. The land of Splott did indeed belong to the Bishop of Llandaff, in some bygone age (probably in an age when the Bishop was absent from the diocese: here, there, everywhere, except at home!) But it begs the question of whether or not that brash statement is correct at all. Yes, of course, since the marshy, boggy splatt-like land of Splott has given way to industry and homes much has changed, much has happened, much has disappeared, emerged and converged. But throughout it all, and in the present day, is there really 'little remaining' of the so called 'holier days?' What really are the remains of holiness in Splott? Is there any to be found?
I have an interest, of course, appointed as I am as priest to the parish of St Saviour, with a church that stands on the corner of Splott Road and Carlisle Street. There the stones have stood for over 120 years, watching the changes, and welcoming the steady stream of people flowing through its doors to worship and wonder. But it's the people who inhabit this house of the church that are the important ones. They, after all, are the ones who, in so many ways, have heard the call to holiness. But there are other church communities too. Behind St Saviour's stands St Alban's, home to the Roman Catholic Community and, further down Splott Road, stands the Methodist Church and further on still the Salvation Army and other churches too. There still remains those who yearn for holiness, those who gather and digress from the norm to try to discover a sense of holiness in their lives in this land called Splott!
When I began at St Saviour's I inherited what could be termed a Mission Statement or a slogan, a catchphrase to catch your attention 'St Saviour's Church: A place to grow in the love of God.' I'm not certain how or when it was adopted or why it was adopted at all. But it is both a bold and humble statement. It shows a confidence that is not couched in pride but rather passion. It shows that the people who posed this pointed phrase are not (and never claim to be) perfect and that they, too, are on a journey. It shows that they too are growing, moving, searching, seeking, on their way, stumbling at times yet all too certain of the love that makes their journey possible, the love that makes their steps and steering a more than suitable way for the people of Splott. It shows them to be a people with an open invitation and that they have something worth inviting people to. We do not claim to be great or good. In fact, we are rather 'little' people: little remains of holiness in a world where, for so many, the word means little at all.
'Who has despised the day of small things?’ we are asked in the book of Zechariah. (Zechariah 4:10) The world is full of so many small things, seemingly insignificant circumstances and events, so many little things that can easily be overlooked but are, in reality, so important and profound. 'We are asked to do no great thing,' said Mother Teresa, 'only small things done with great love.' God is able to make a mountain out of a molehill, he is able to do great things with the smallest seed, he is able to take our small ‘yes’ to him and make our lives something beautiful and wonderful. Remember how Jesus fed five thousand people with five loaves and two fish, and still had food left over? (Luke 9: 12 – 17) Remember how he said that the Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed? ‘When sown in the ground it is smaller than any other seed, but once sown it springs up and grows taller than any other plant, and forms branches so large that birds can roost in its shade’ (Mark 4: 30-32). Yes, with God, small really is beautiful!
Perhaps, on one level, little remains of the former so called 'holier days' of Splott but there are many 'little remains' of holiness: small seeds, small lights, little lives (in the best sense of the word), people who are trying to find the way in the world. And for that we are grateful and we wait and wonder what God will do with us.
This blog then, I hope, will reflect and record, explore and express what we, the people who inhabit the house of St Saviour's in Splott, strive for and seek. The people who, in some small way, share the 'little remains' of holiness and love. Sometimes the entries will be a little elaborate and more involved and, on other occasions, will simply record an item of news or bring something to the attention of those who happen to come this way. Either way, I hope it will serve some purpose to someone!
So, yes, there are little remains of holiness in Splott!
I have an interest, of course, appointed as I am as priest to the parish of St Saviour, with a church that stands on the corner of Splott Road and Carlisle Street. There the stones have stood for over 120 years, watching the changes, and welcoming the steady stream of people flowing through its doors to worship and wonder. But it's the people who inhabit this house of the church that are the important ones. They, after all, are the ones who, in so many ways, have heard the call to holiness. But there are other church communities too. Behind St Saviour's stands St Alban's, home to the Roman Catholic Community and, further down Splott Road, stands the Methodist Church and further on still the Salvation Army and other churches too. There still remains those who yearn for holiness, those who gather and digress from the norm to try to discover a sense of holiness in their lives in this land called Splott!
When I began at St Saviour's I inherited what could be termed a Mission Statement or a slogan, a catchphrase to catch your attention 'St Saviour's Church: A place to grow in the love of God.' I'm not certain how or when it was adopted or why it was adopted at all. But it is both a bold and humble statement. It shows a confidence that is not couched in pride but rather passion. It shows that the people who posed this pointed phrase are not (and never claim to be) perfect and that they, too, are on a journey. It shows that they too are growing, moving, searching, seeking, on their way, stumbling at times yet all too certain of the love that makes their journey possible, the love that makes their steps and steering a more than suitable way for the people of Splott. It shows them to be a people with an open invitation and that they have something worth inviting people to. We do not claim to be great or good. In fact, we are rather 'little' people: little remains of holiness in a world where, for so many, the word means little at all.
'Who has despised the day of small things?’ we are asked in the book of Zechariah. (Zechariah 4:10) The world is full of so many small things, seemingly insignificant circumstances and events, so many little things that can easily be overlooked but are, in reality, so important and profound. 'We are asked to do no great thing,' said Mother Teresa, 'only small things done with great love.' God is able to make a mountain out of a molehill, he is able to do great things with the smallest seed, he is able to take our small ‘yes’ to him and make our lives something beautiful and wonderful. Remember how Jesus fed five thousand people with five loaves and two fish, and still had food left over? (Luke 9: 12 – 17) Remember how he said that the Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed? ‘When sown in the ground it is smaller than any other seed, but once sown it springs up and grows taller than any other plant, and forms branches so large that birds can roost in its shade’ (Mark 4: 30-32). Yes, with God, small really is beautiful!
Perhaps, on one level, little remains of the former so called 'holier days' of Splott but there are many 'little remains' of holiness: small seeds, small lights, little lives (in the best sense of the word), people who are trying to find the way in the world. And for that we are grateful and we wait and wonder what God will do with us.
This blog then, I hope, will reflect and record, explore and express what we, the people who inhabit the house of St Saviour's in Splott, strive for and seek. The people who, in some small way, share the 'little remains' of holiness and love. Sometimes the entries will be a little elaborate and more involved and, on other occasions, will simply record an item of news or bring something to the attention of those who happen to come this way. Either way, I hope it will serve some purpose to someone!
So, yes, there are little remains of holiness in Splott!
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