St Dingat’s Church | 9th March 2025 | 6PM

Lent is a season of reflection—a time to come before God with honesty, to acknowledge the struggles we face, and to seek His presence in the midst of them. At St Dingat’s Church, we invite you to join us for “Darkness”, a special service where we come together to meet the God who walks with us, even in life’s darkest moments.

This service is for everyone across the Mynydd Bedwellte Ministry Area—whether you’ve been coming to church all your life or have never stepped through the doors before. All are welcome.

Together, we will take time for:

• Reflective prayer – Bringing our burdens before God and finding peace in His presence.
• Meditation – Creating space for stillness, listening, and encountering God in the quiet.
• Singing – Using music to lift our hearts and remind us that light shines in the darkness.

Life can feel overwhelming at times, and darkness can creep in. But even in our struggles, hope is not lost. We come together in Lent to seek the One who is always with us, guiding us through.

If you’d like to find out more, please get in touch—we’d love to hear from you.

We hope you will join us.

As we approach St David’s Day, we invite you to join us in a special St David’s Day Service on Saturday, March 1st, at 10:30 AM at St David’s Church in the Mynydd Bedwellte Ministry Area. This is a wonderful opportunity to come together as a community, celebrate the life and legacy of St David, and reflect on his message of faith, humility, and service.

After the service, we warmly welcome you to stay for a traditional Cawl lunch at 12:00 PM—a perfect way to continue the fellowship and enjoy some hearty Welsh hospitality.

Booking is essential for the meal. To reserve your place for the lunch, please contact Allyson on 07765 621 456.

📅 Date: Saturday, March 1st
⏰ Time: 10:30 AM (Service) | 12:00 PM (Cawl Lunch)
📍 Location: St David’s Church

We look forward to celebrating with you and embracing the spirit of Dydd Gŵyl Dewi together!

From Bishop Cherry

Bishop Cherry is delighted to announce the appoint of Rachel Nelmes as Pioneer Priest in the St Illtyd Ministry Area. 

Ordained in 2023 as a non-stipendiary priest, Rachel has been completing her curacy in the Mynydd Bedwellty Ministry Area whilst working for the DBF as Children’s and Families advisor. For the past 12 months she has been using her gifts and knowledge in Children’s and Schools ministry to undertake a pilot project in Abertillery, developing the relationship between the Church and local Schools. It was the learning from this project that helped inform our successful Growth Fund bid for Schools Engagement Pioneers.

With this new role Rachel will be able to develop these relationships to the next level by becoming embedded in the community and re-planting a congregation into St Michaels Church in Abertillery. A licencing service will be held after Easter.

From Rev Matt Davis – Ministry Area Leader

It is with mixed emotions that we announce Rev. Rachel is moving on to become a Pioneer in Abertillery at the end of her curacy.

We have been truly blessed by her gifts and talents over the past few years, and I am incredibly grateful for everything she has contributed to our community. Rev. Rachel possesses exceptional patience, gentleness, and love, demonstrating a genuine pastoral heart for those she serves. She leaves us with our heartfelt blessing and love.

I am confident that she will excel in her new role, bringing with her valuable knowledge from the area she has served for the last few years, as well as the skills she has developed with us. Her natural talent will undoubtedly lead to great things for God’s kingdom.

As a reminder, curates typically do not remain in the same place after completing their curacy, even though we may wish they could.

We will announce shortly a time to say goodbye to Rachel.

As we continue to celebrate the season of Christmas, we warmly invite you to attend our special Post-Christmas Day Services. These reflective services honor the Saints and commemorations immediately following Christmas Day. Whether you’re a regular churchgoer, attend a different church, or haven’t attended before, you are welcome to join us.

Service Schedule:

• Stephen Deacon & Martyr
  Date: Thursday, 26th December 2024
  Time: 10:00 AM
  Location: St George’s Church
• John Apostle & Evangelist
  Date: Friday, 27th December 2024
  Time: 10:00 AM
  Location: St David’s Church
• Holy Innocents
  Date: Saturday, 28th December 2024
  Time: 10:00 AM
  Location: St Sannan’s Church
• Ministry Area Service
  Date: Sunday, 29th December 2024
  Time: 10:00 AM
  Location: St George’s Church
  Note: This will be the only service in the Ministry Area on this day.

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Additional Information:

• Christmas & New Year Closures:
  Please note that most activities and midweek services across the Ministry Area will pause during the week of Christmas and New Year. Kindly check with your local church for restart times.
• Emergency Contact:
  In case of an emergency during this period, please contact Rev. Matt at 07800750259.

We hope to see you at one or more of these services as we continue to reflect on the joy and meaning of the Christmas season together.

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For more details about our Ministry Area, visit:
🌐 MynyddBedwellte.church
📧 contact@mynyddbedwellte.church
📞 01495 722672

Follow us on social media:

• Twitter: @MynyddB
• Facebook: MynyddBedwellte

We have a selection of readings and a prayer to help guide you through Advent.

A couple of great ways to engage with the bible passage are:

• Try reading it through a couple of times, picking what parts speak to you, and spending some time in silence thinking about what you have read.

• You could try imagining yourself in the bible passage you are reading and thinking about what is going on around you

there isn’t a wrong way to do this, so if it’s helpful to you, give it a go. As always, if you have a question or get stuck on a meaning, please let us know; we are happy to help! 

Advent Daily Prayer

Gracious God,
As we wait for the coming of Your Son,
Open our hearts to Your light and peace.
Teach us to hope in Your promises,
To love with open hands,
And to walk in faith each day.
May Your joy be our strength,
And Your presence be our guide,
Through Christ, our Savior. Amen

Week 1: Hope

1. Day 1 (Dec 2): Isaiah 9:2–7 – The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.
2. Day 2 (Dec 3): Jeremiah 33:14–16 – A righteous Branch will spring up.
3. Day 3 (Dec 4): Romans 15:12–13 – The God of hope fills you with joy and peace.
4. Day 4 (Dec 5): Psalm 130:5–7 – In His word, I put my hope.
5. Day 5 (Dec 6): 1 Peter 1:3–5 – A living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
6. Day 6 (Dec 7): Matthew 12:18–21 – In His name, the nations will put their hope.
7. Day 7 (Dec 8): Luke 1:26–38 – Mary receives the promise of Jesus.

Week 2: Peace

1. Day 8 (Dec 9): Isaiah 26:3–4 – You will keep those who trust in You in perfect peace.
2. Day 9 (Dec 10): Micah 5:2–5 – He will be their peace.
3. Day 10 (Dec 11): John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you.
4. Day 11 (Dec 12): Colossians 3:15 – Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.
5. Day 12 (Dec 13): Psalm 85:8–13 – The Lord will speak peace to His people.
6. Day 13 (Dec 14): Luke 2:8–14 – Peace on earth, goodwill to all.
7. Day 14 (Dec 15): Philippians 4:6–7 – The peace of God will guard your hearts.

Week 3: Joy

1. Day 15 (Dec 16): Isaiah 12:2–6 – With joy, you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
2. Day 16 (Dec 17): Luke 1:46–55 – Mary’s song of joy.
3. Day 17 (Dec 18): Zephaniah 3:14–17 – The Lord will rejoice over you with singing.
4. Day 18 (Dec 19): Psalm 98:4–9 – Make a joyful noise to the Lord.
5. Day 19 (Dec 20): John 15:9–11 – That your joy may be complete.
6. Day 20 (Dec 21): Luke 1:67–79 – Zechariah’s song of joy.
7. Day 21 (Dec 22): 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 – Rejoice always.

Week 4: Love – The Story of Christmas

1. Day 22 (Dec 23): John 3:16–17 – God so loved the world.
2. Day 23 (Dec 24): John 1 – In the beginning
3. Day 24 (Dec 25): Luke 2:1-21 – Christmas – God with us

This year, we are offering across the MA a selection of Services for the Saints we celebrate immediately after Christmas. If you are around, you are very welcome to come and attend these reflective services. 

26/12/24	Thurs	Stephen Deacon and martyr	St Georges	10am	MA SERVICE
27/12/24	Fri	John Apostle and evangelist	St Davids	10am	MA SERVICE
28/12/24	Sat	Holy Innocents	St Sannans	10am	MA SERVICE
29/12/24	Sun	Ma Service	St Georges	10am	MA Service