Vision Magazine
Keep up-to-date with all of the latest news from St.C by subscribing to Vision, published four times a year, or read the previous editions here.
Read the latest edition of the Vision Magazine now.
Although the pandemic is far from over and its effects are still keenly felt, not least in the continuing restrictions imposed upon us, this great edition of Vision is evidence of the fact that parish life has not ground to a halt.
In this edition we share news of a new Bishop, following the retirement of John Davies, who had served as Bishop of this Diocese as well as Archbishop of Wales. We also share how, thanks to
a generous grant, we have been able to advance the ambitions of the Big Conversation held in 2018 by inviting architect Jeremy Bell, who attended an open evening at St Catherine’s in January 2019, to come up with an ambitious scheme that will breathe new life into our ageing building and open them up for more effective community use.
Moira Prichard writes about how, having suffered tragic bereavement, a faith that has grown through volunteering as a Worship Leader has brought her strength and hope in challenging times; we celebrate the arrival of Ben Jones, who is training with us for full time ministry; and share how curate Glynne James received a royal honour at a special presentation held in St Catherine’s in Gorseinon.
There were glimmers of normality over Christmas with a fabulous Christingle and Live Nativity, and volunteers from across the parish pulled together to pack and deliver bags of kindness to hundreds of homes across our community as part of a nationwide initiative called Love Christmas.
We also share how members of the St David’s Eco Church team, the first in the Diocese to receive the A Rocha UK silver award, have been working industriously to care for creation, and how a large grant will now enable them to become paperless! The Baby Basics team have also been hard at work, quickly jumping into action to support Afghan refugees and their families.
There are some gripping Recommended Reads; we share how Paul’s love for his trade helped himto meet his bride, Abi; and we also remember some much loved members of our Church family, including Mervin Morgan, Dulcie Young, Betty Howells, Rhiannon Jones and Margaret Demery.
Read the June 2021 edition of the Vision Magazine now.
For much of the year, our church buildings have been closed but this latest edition of Vision is evidence of the fact that we have continued to be church. We mark the creation of our new parish — Casllwchwr and Gorseinon — and celebrate the new opportunities that gives us to work together.
We are one church now meeting in two places, in St Catherine’s Gorseinon and St David’s Loughor. We also celebrate how technology has continued to enable us to meet together as a church community for prayer, bible study and even virtual coffee mornings! You’ll read how lockdown has not stopped the endeavours of our incredible Mothers’ Union, and how meeting online has opened new doors for some like Karen Shadrach, as well as helping others, like Penny Harries who recently emigrated to Spain, to keep in touch with old friends here in Wales.
You’ll read about how, in Lent, more than forty people from across the Llwchwr Ministry Area got together to explore the Bible Society’s Bible Course, and about how twelve people even trained to be Lay Worship Leaders during the pandemic, thanks to the wonders of Zoom! Our recently licensed Lay Minister, Elizabeth Williams shares a little of her journey into a new ministry, and we also rejoice with our curate, Glynne James, on the news that he was awarded the BEM in the Queen’s New Year Honours list. Other news includes how our children and young people have continued ‘exploring’ together in lockdown, and how our whole community pulled together to support the most vulnerable and the elderly during the challenges of the last year.
In this edition, we will celebrate the love of Chloe and Joe, Anna and Rhod, and Nicky and Katie. Their well organised marriage plans were blown apart by the pandemic and their wedding days were not as they had anticipated, but their stories are a poignant reminder that love can conquer all. We also pay tribute to some much loved members of our church family who are sadly no longer with us, Betty Thomas, Bill Powell, Eleanor Davies and Ron Parry.
Read the April 2020 edition of the Vision Magazine now.
As we entered lockdown the parishes of Gorseinon and Loughor united to become the Parish of Casllwchwr and Gorseinon, giving us an opportunity to celebrate our shared inheritance of faith and to look forward to the future together. We are one church, the family of God meeting in three different locations—St Catherine’s, St David’s and St Michael’s and together we are seeking to be famous for love (for God and each other). This may seem like a strange time to create a new parish, but in fact the risen Jesus birthed the Church in isolation. He met with the disciples while they were locked away for fear of what was going on outside and what might be coming to get them. He gave them His peace and the gift of the Holy Spirit and that changed everything! Fearful disciples became bold proclaimers of the Good News about Jesus. As we move forward together, I hope we can discover a new boldness and courage to share the Gospel afresh.
In this edition, we celebrate the baptism of Morgan Gareth John Ridler, the newest member of our Church family. We also celebrate how Alpha is helping people get to grips with some of the big questions of life and faith and enabling them to grow as Disciples of Jesus.
We look back at some exciting events over the last few months, including the Mabsant festival in St Michael’s with the Loughor Lifeboat crew and the well attended Christingle and Live Nativity events for children and families over Christmas. We also share how a new Open the Book project will see us taking familiar Bible stories into local schools.
You can also learn more about how the new Food for All project is giving people the opportunity to put their faith into action by providing free packed meals for some of the most needy and vulnerable people in our community. Another person putting her faith into action is Janet Rowe, a member of our Church family who has discovered a passion for fostering. Find out more about the ups and downs of this challenging but rewarding vocation as she shares part of her story with us.
We also look back at the Care for the Family Bereavement Care Awareness Course which we hosted recently and we celebrate the lives of three much loved members of our Church family, Enid Cunnah, George Connor and Gledwyn Jones, who all passed away recently.
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