Secretary's Letter

Church News (June and July 2009)

There haven’t been any Church meetings since the last Newslink but three deacons meetings have been held. As many of you will know Paul and Gerrie Ballard are moving to Peterborough to live near their family and the deacons are reviewing how the many tasks that Paul and Gerrie carry out for the Church could be done by others. This will probably be the last Newslink they will edit. They are going to be greatly missed both as friends and doers.

As part of building up our sense of fellowship the deacons have been organising a number of events. The first of these was the “Cameo” social evening on the 7th March 2009. On the 4th July we had a trip to Hay-on-Wye and Maesyronnen. It was a good day out with fine weather and the people of Maesyronnen URC were excellent hosts and they made the visit interesting, good fun for all and nourishing! We are very grateful to Hugh Morgans, Audrey Takle and Kay Taylor for organising it.

We have set the Church Sunday lunch date for the 18th October 2009 so please make a note in your diary.

We also considered the provision of tea and biscuits after Youth Services when the deacons felt that it was particularly important as we have more visitors on those days and the children look forward to their time together after the service. The problem is one of guaranteeing provision particularly since Guides ceased at Canton Uniting. About half of Youth Service tea and coffee provision is covered by the Boys Brigade but the Brownies and Rainbows are too young and we are particularly looking for volunteers for the days not covered by BB.

George Vincent and Nancy Waterfield have decided not to continue with the Saturday Coffee Mornings. Attendance has been falling and these days many people expect a “latté” type service such as is provided by local cafés and which our neighbours, Wesley Methodists, are now doing. We’re grateful to George and Nancie for the service and conviviality they provided.

The Church Worship Calendar for 2009/2010 has been agreed and I’ll put a large copy on the Notice Board towards the end of summer.

We’ve come across a small combination safe in the galley of the TFC Centre. If anyone knows about this safe and the combination then please see me or Siarlys Evans.

The asbestos should have been removed by the time you are reading this. The work is expensive because it requires specially trained contractors and specific equipment; including VAT this will cost about £1000.

In preparing the work for the new facilities for Alcoholics Anonymous on the ground floor and the associated application for a grant from Cardiff CC we have been speaking to the Care and Social Services Inspectorate of Wales (CSSIW) which is quite a title but they have given us some very useful advice which we are now considering.

Our loose collections on Communion Sundays are still for Neyyoor Hospital in India where New Trinity’s last church secretary, Laura Tucker, worked to establish a radiological department after she retired from Cardiff Royal Infirmary.

God bless,

Peter Wilkinson