Ministry Area News 7-1-18

A SPECIAL WELCOME TO ARCHBISHOP JOHN:
We welcome everyone each, from your own church within this Clyne
Trinity Ministry Area, we also welcome Archdeacon Jonathan and Canon
Peter Brooks our Area Dean. Today is a historic day for a number of
reasons, it is the first visit of our new Archbishop of Wales – someone who
is not at all new, and very much a friend and supporter of all that we are
seeking to do in God’s name here, in these three parishes. Secondly, the
purpose of today, is to formally Commission this new Ministry Area.
It is great to see so many here, we do hope that you will all stay for
refreshments in the Parish Centre after our service.
We have the Archbishop’s favourite – sausage rolls!
OPEN THE BOOK:
Open the Book regional
meeting on 10th January
at 9.30am, coffee will be
served first followed by
presentations on Open the
Book and how it is run
within South Wales.
Jane.
THANK YOU!
To all who gave of their time and expertise
to make St Paul’s Church so welcoming for
the Christmas Services. From the
"Screwdriver-Party" and "support staff", to
the Flower Guild, Cleaners, Tree-decorators
and everyone else far too numerous to
mention here, a grand job was done by all.
Eifion.
NOTICE OF KILLAY/DUNVANT UNITED SERVICE:
There will be a United service at St. Joachim R.C.
Church in Dunvant on Sunday 21st January at 6pm. The
congregation will be made up of fellow Christians from
the various churches and chapels in the Dunvant and
Killay areas – all are very warmly welcome to attend.
DAVID MORGAN (LAY READER) R.I.P.:
It was with great sadness that we learned of the death of our
dear friend, David, last week. The funeral service will be
held at Llanelli Crematorium at 12noon on Monday 15th
January. The service will be conducted by Canon Ian Rees,
Diocesan Warden of Lay Readers. Canon Phillip Gwynn
intends to lead a service of thanksgiving for David’s life
and ministry early in February.

MIDWEEK EUCHARISTS:
Wednesday – 10.00 at Holy Trinity, Sketty Park
Wednesday – 10.30am All Souls, Tycoch
Thursday – 11.00am at St. Hilary's, Killay.
COFFEE AND CATCH UP:
A reminder to All Souls Coffee
group who have booked for the
late ‘Christmas Lunch’ that we
meet at 12.15pm at the West
Cross Inn.
A NEW YEAR’S CHALLENGE
When we’re young time goes so slow
But as we age time seems to fly,
Some things we should not leave
undone
And think we’ll do them bye and bye.
The New Year now has shown its
face
And once again we’re given time
To speak about God’s saving grace
And share the news of Love divine.
A harvest waits, the fields are ripe
So many still to hear the call,
Can we be part of heaven’s plan?
The Father waits to welcome all.
By Megan Carter.
KILLAY PARISH LUNCH:
We would like to invite our friends from
all three Ministry Area parishes to join us
for Sunday Lunch at Sketty Hall on 21st
January (12.30pm for 1pm), cost is
dependent on the number of courses
ordered. For more details please contact
Killay Parish Warden, Mike Powell on
Tel: (01792) 208955 or via email:
j_powell9@sky.com
WOMEN ON WEDNESDAY:
Women on Wednesday will meet in the
Parish Centre on Wednesday 10th
January 2018 at 7.15 for 7.30pm for
their Annual General Meeting.
Members, please try to attend as we
have some important dates for the
coming year to discuss.
Maureen 206466.
KNOW-GO OR NO-GO?
When the Magi arrived in Jerusalem and asked for the Messiah, a troubled Herod
turned to the chief priests and teachers of the law. He had one question: ‘Where is
the Messiah to be born?’ They didn’t even have to research it. Bethlehem. 700 years
earlier the prophet Micah had predicted it. But neither prophetic confirmation, the
unusual star, nor the surprise arrival of the Magi, moved the High Priest and Jewish
leaders to any positive response. There is no record that they even objected when
Herod slaughtered all the baby boys of Bethlehem. By contrast, the Magi, now
knowing where to go, went. Jerusalem, with all its attractions and comforts, was not
their destination. God had something far better for them, and He had a vital role for
them in His plan: their presence confirming Gabriel’s words to Mary, and their
presents both affirming Christ’s identity and financing the flight to Egypt.

.
WHAT ABOUT THE GIFTS OF GOLD, FRANKINCENSE AND MYRRH?
The story of the coming of the Magi grew in the telling. By the 6th century they
had acquired names: Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthasar. By medieval times they
were considered to be kings. Whoever they were, we do know from Matthew that
they brought three gifts to Jesus.
What about their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh? While we cannot know
for sure what was in the minds of first century Magi, one Victorian scholar has
offered a possible explanation as to the significance of their gifts. He was the Rev
John Henry Hopkins, an American Episcopalian minister, who in 1857 wrote his
much-loved Christmas carol, ‘We Three Kings of Orient Are’.
Gold, said John Henry Hopkins, was a gift that would have been given to a king.
Frankincense had traditionally been brought by priests as they worshipped God in
the Temple. Myrrh was a spice that the ancients used in preparing bodies for
burial.
If that is true, then you could say that the Wise Men, in choosing their gifts for
this infant, honoured Jesus with gold because He was King of the Jews, with
frankincense because He was to be worshipped as divine; and with myrrh, because
He would also become a sacrifice and die for His people.
The Wise Men were the very first gentiles ever to worship Jesus. What faith they
had! They travelled for months over difficult terrain, they never saw any evidence
of Jesus’ kingship, His divinity or His sacrificial death. They worshipped Him
through faith in God’s promises about Him. Isaiah foresaw this response to Jesus:
‘Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.’ The
Magi’s eyes of faith saw clearly and far into the future.
Compare that with the High Priest and religious leaders whom the Wise Men saw
in Jerusalem when they first arrived. These head priests knew all about the
prophecies of their own coming Messiah, but NOT ONE Jewish religious leader
travelled to look for Him in Bethlehem. And it is only six miles down the road!!
Canon Phillip Gwynn
Tel: 01792 204476
email: phillip@gwynn.org.uk
Rev’d Robert Davies-Hannen
Tel: 01792 202767
email: rdhannen@gmail.com

Clyne Trinity
Ministry Area Newsletter
Our Vision: "We welcome the diversity in our Parishes, and we look
forward to sharing opportunities for new growth and having a Church
that meets the needs of the local communities."
Sunday 7 th January 2018
The First Sunday of Epiphany
The Baptism of Christ
DIOCESAN VISION PRAYER:
Father, we hold before you our family in the Diocese of
Swansea and Brecon and we open our hearts and minds
to your Spirit: Bless us as we gather in your name; guide
us as we grow into the likeness of your Son; lead us by
your Spirit to go out and make disciples of others.
God of our journeying, be our way and our truth and our
life; our beginning and our end.
We pray through Jesus our Lord.
AMEN
Ministry Area Website: http://parish.churchinwales.org.uk/ms001/