Church Newsletters

Newsletters and notices from Friends of St James Devauden.

There is a full week of services for Holy Week - starting with the Palm Sunday Procession in Chepstow - I do hope you find time to join one or more of the services.

We also have a "Western Churches Walk" - meeting at 9am on Saturday 23rd March at St Peters, Newchurch, walking between Shirenewton, Mounton, Mathern and St Pierre - see https://severnwyema.co.uk/events/event_230324_westernwalk.jpg for details.

Services in Devauden
Sunday 3rd March, 4pm - All-Age Eucharist led by Rev. Philip Averay
Sunday 17th March, 9am - Family Service, led by Gay
Easter Day - Sunday 31st March - 9am Eucharish led by Rev. Philip Averay

Holy Week Services
Palm Sunday: Sunday 24th March
Chepstow: 10am - Joint Service with Chepstow Methodists Starts at Methodist Church with procession through town, finishing with Eucharist in St Mary's Priory c 10.30am
Holy Monday 25th March:
7pm – Final week of our Lent Course on Spiritual Meditation
(see details on our website: severnwyema.co.uk)

Holy Tuesday 26th March:
7pm - Tenebrae Service at Mounton Church
A dramatic candlelight service. Scripture readings chronicle Jesus's final week, ending with his burial. After each reading a candle is snuffed out, until only the Christ candle remains lit.

Holy Wednesday 27th March
7pm -Taizé Service at St Deiniol’s Itton
Taizé is a prayerful form of music known for its simple, yet rich and meditative character, which is meant to serve as a kind of musical centering prayer.

Maundy Thursday 28th March
Mathern Church: 7pm - Tenebrae Service
Chepstow Priory: 6pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper, with washing of feet. A light supper will be served before the Mass
St Arvans: 7.30pm – Mass of the Lord’s Supper, followed by stripping of the altars, and watching in front of the Blessed Sacrament until Midnight.

Good Friday 29th March
Chepstow: 10am – Stations of the Cross
Grey Hill: 10am - walk up Grey Hill from Wentwood Reservoir car park
The route is short but steep. We stop on the way to read and reflect on the story of Good Friday. Coffee and hot cross buns afterwards. Further details on the website severnwyema.co.uk
St Pierre: 11am - Stations of the Cross
Chepstow: 3pm Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion
St Arvans: 3pm Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion
The Good Friday Liturgy is a starkly simple ceremony which includes the Passion Gospel, an address, the Proclamation of the Cross and Holy Communion from the Sacrament reserved on Maundy Thursday evening
Holy Saturday - 30th March
Chepstow: St Mary’s Priory: 1pm – 2pm Pause and Remember
On this special day in the church’s calendar, we keep solemn vigil while we await Christ’s resurrection. St Mary’s Priory will be open, and we invite you to come in any time during this hour, to pray for and remember loved ones who have died
7.30pm - Easter Vigil Service at St Arvans Church
Easter Vigil, also called the Paschal Vigil or the Great Vigil of Easter, is the first official celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus & renewing of baptismal vows. It is held in the hours of darkness between sunset on Holy Saturday and sunrise on Easter Day – and is the first celebration of Easter.

And, if 9am on Easter Sunday is a tad early for you to make it to St James, there are services later in the day as follows:
10am St Arvans - Sung Eucharist, or
10am Shirenewton - Holy Eucharist or
10am St Mary’s Priory - Breakfast and Easter Egg Hunt, followed by Family worship or
10.15am Mounton – Holy Eucharist, or
11.30am Itton - Holy Eucharist, or
11.30am St Pierre – Holy Eucharist, or
6.30pm Newchurch – Holy Eucharist

Firstly, may I wish you a very Happy New Year for 2024.

Secondly, as tomorrow, Sunday 31st December is a 'fifth Sunday of the month' there isn't a service in Devauden but there are services elsewhere - a 10am Communion Service at St Christophers in Bulwark (just past the Lidl, if you've never been), and a 10am Communion Service at St Arvans. For those who like to hear, as well as see the New Year in, the bellringers will be at work at both Shirenewton and Mathern churches from 11:30pm.

We have some news which if you weren't able to get to the Christmas Eve service you will not have heard. With Rev. Julian White retiring from Shirenewton, the Ministry Area are changing who leads the services in some parishes. In Devauden, Rev. Philip Averay will be leading one service a month, a family-friendly Communion service, suitable for all ages, with tea & coffee afterwards. He heads out to Australia to visit family later in January, so we decided to swap the services around in January so he could hold one before he hards off.

The other big news is that we have finally raised enough funds to begin repair works on the church - so at some point in the New Year, you will see the scaffolding go up. I'd like to thank everyone who has helped with the fundraising - whether you volunteered your time, wrote out a favourite recipe, bought a cookbook, sponsored a slate, entered a photograph or bought a calendar, you have helped us raise funds, and shown the grant-awarding bodies that the community cares about the church building. Without that support the repairs would not be possible. Thank you!

I do have a few copies of the Devauden Calendar left, if you would like one, please reply to this email & I can sort it out.

Services
Sunday 7th January - 4pm - the first all-age communion service led by Rev. Philip Averay *yes, this is different to the calendar... my apologies!
Sunday 21st January - 9am - Family Service led by Gay

Our services at St James over Christmas are
Christmas Eve - 6:30pm Carol Service
Christms Day - 9am Holy Communion

St Peters, Newchurch has one service over Christmas
Christmas Eve - 4pm Carols around the Christmas Tree

If those time don't suit, or you fancy attending a Midnight Mass service, all the services in the Ministry Area are listed here - https://severnwyema.co.uk/index.html#events


And Holy Cross, Kilgwrrwg has a lovely event organised on Saturday 23rd December - so you can have a Christmas Day walk a litte early...

The Fiveways Walkers is a small, friendly, very informal group that walk from The Glyn to Kilgwrrwg church for the monthly service.

We have organised a country walk on Sat 23rd December to Kilgwrrwg Church for carols with informal prayers led by Fr Michael. There will be mulled wine & seasonal nibbles on hand too.

There is very limited parking at Kilgwrrwg so we will meet at Wern-y-Cwm car park departing at 10:30 to walk to Kilgwrrwg church at 11:00 for off-the-cuff carols. For those who haven't visited, the church dates back to the 9th century and is in a beautiful location in the middle of open farmland. The group will then walk on to Llansoy via the Wolvesnewton valley reaching the Star for a late lunch. There is no transport available back so people will need to make arrangements to get back from the Star afterwards. Alternatively, there is a nice circular route from the church back to Wern-y-Cwm car park if people just want to join for the carols. Well behaved dogs very welcome &, whilst the weather looks to be ok, wet terrain clothing & footwear is a must-have! Please note this is not a formal church event. All are welcome but do walk at their own risk.

If anyone would like to join please can they contact Tina Jones on to let her know numbers ASAP so she can cater for them.

Kilgwrrwg Church:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/A3Uv6F4dic5mJ5NY9?g_st=ic

Wern-y-Cwm car park: https://maps.app.goo.gl/YRDdKEE3cENxtvGcA?g_st=ic

The Star Llanfihangel-tor-y-mynydd:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/iXtnmxSxxt8mbox5A?g_st=ic

 

Hello!

I think we can agree with the Met Office that Meterological Winter has started - I hope you are able to keep warm despite the chilly weather.

December sees us holding more services than usual at St James - and there are some lovely events and services throughout the Ministry Area - you can check on the website https://severnwyema.co.uk/index.html#events
I'd like to draw your attention to the Advent Reflections in St Arvans every Wednesday at 8, and also on the St Arvans facebook page.

The prayer group continue to meet - this month they are in St Pierre every Thursday at 7:30, if you have a prayer request, please contact David Carne, our Ministry Area Warden on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Services
Sunday 3rd December - 9am Family Service led by Gay
Sunday 17th December - 9am Holy Communion led by Fr Michael
Sunday 24th December - 6:30pm Carol Service
Monday 25th December - 9am Christmas Day Communion Service

and in 2024
Sunday 7th January - 9am Family Service led by Gay
Sunday 21st January - 9am Holy Communion

Other News:
Do please buy your Devauden Calendar from the village shop! The funds raised are really helpful for us as we work towards the repair work the building needs.

So - November - hoping you're not washed away by all the rain forecast! I'm still wrangling with the insurers so the black plastic so kindly donated by Rita will be in place for a few weeks more.

There is a ministry area walk planned for this Saturday, 4th November, details are in the attachment below. I have heard that Sarah Stone is going to open Newchurch Farm Shop so that walkers can have a hot drink before setting off - if you don't fancy the walk, you could perhaps turn up there at 9ish and wish them all the best!

We are still in need of a treasurer, so if you could spare a few hours a month to keep the books in line we'd love to hear from you. If you'd rather discuss what the role entails, do call me on 650806 and we can have a chat.

Thanks all
Gay

Services:
Sunday 5th November - 9am - Family Service led by Gay
Sunday 19th November - 9am - Holy Communion led by Fr Michael
Sunday 3rd December - 9am - Family Service led by Gay
Sunday 17th December - 9am - Holy Communion led by Gay
Sunday 24th December - 6:30pm - Carol Service
Monday 25th December - 9am - Christmas Day Communion

Prayer Group
This meets each Thursday from 7:30 to 8:45. If you have any prayer requests, please let David Carne (our Ministry Area Warden) know - email him on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
2nd November St Arvan’s Church
9th November St Tewdric’s Church, Mathern
16th November Chepstow (07887 853479 for address) - Movie showing of The Shack
23rd November St. Pierre’s Church
30th November St. Pierre’s Church - Rev Robert Sanday (retired) will be following a Celtic form of prayers
7th December St. Pierre’s Church
14th December St. Pierre’s Church
21st December St. Pierre’s Church – with mince pies!

Firstly a big 'thank you' to everyone who contacted us with messages of support & help since the stone thefts. I want to particularly thank Rita in Wesley Way who kindly donated a lot of thick plastic sheeting and to Daniel who put it in place. If you'd like to add your own stone to help weigh the plastic down before the high winds forecast for Wednesday, please do so! We're in the middle of progressing the insurance claim, so I think the plastic will be there for a little while...

I also want to thank Neil who opened the church every day for the photography display, and hope you were able to stop by and see all the pictures. I'm in the middle of sorting out the calendar and hope to have it ready for sale by half term.

On a happier note, I was able to take 5 bags of donations to Chepstow Foodbank on Friday from our harvest service, and the cash that was donated on the day has also made it through to them.

We are still looking for a new treasurer, so if you are able to spend a few hours a month looking after the finances our current treasurer, Daniel will be able to show you the ropes in no time at all.

Thank you
Gay

October - Services
Sunday 1st October, 9am Family Service led by Gay
Sunday 15th October, 9am, Holy Communion led by Fr Michael

Ministry Area Prayer Group
David Carne, who is the Ministry Area warden, organises a weekly prayer group. If you would like them to pray for something, you can email David on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and he will add your request to the list. The group meet every week, but move between the different churches in the group (until it gets a bit too cold in our old buildings, then they will meet in people's houses!)

28th September St. Andoenus, Mounton
5th October: St. Peter’s Church, Newchurch
12th October: St. Tewdric’s Church, Mathern
19th October: St. Thomas a Becket’s Church, Shirenewton
26th October: St. Thomas a Becket’s Church, Shirenewton
2nd November: St. Arvan’s Church
9th November: St. Tewdric’s Church, Mathern

I hope you've managed to enjoy a few sunny days (or hours) this August. The Photography Competition closes on Sunday 3rd September, so you have only a few days left to send in your entry. Our "Sponsor a Slate" forms are still available at the village shop - its been great to see the names come in, so please consider what name you'd want to record. We do need to raise the final amounts so that we don't lose a big grant from CADW (a whopping £50,000.00!) as it will lapse at the end of the year.

We are also looking for a new treasurer (or book-keeper) for St James - it is only a few hours work a month, and it would be great to have a volunteer. If you'd like to know more about what is involved, please call Gay on 650806 (after 7pm!) and she can talk you through the role and the responsibilities.

Recently, a prayer group has started in the Ministry Area - they meet every Thursday and are trying to meet at every church in the group. This Thursday (31st August) they will be meeting at St James at 7:30pm, and it would be lovely to see you there. If you have someone or something that you would like the group to pray for, do email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and he will add it to the list.

We also have the excitement of the village fete on Saturday - 2pm - 5pm and hope to see many of you there, and our Harvest service is on Sunday 17th - we will be taking a collection of donations in aid of Chepstow Food Bank. If you'd like to give "stuff" they currently need:
TINNED VEGETABLES - CARROTS, PEAS, SWEETCORN
TINNED TOMATOES
TINNED FISH
COFFEE
UHT FRUIT JUICE
CUSTARD
WASHING-U-LIQUID & WASHING POWDER
SHOWER GEL AND DEODORANTS

Or you can donate cash at the service

Services
Sunday 3rd September - 9am - Family Service led by Gay
Sunday 17th September - 9am - Harvest Thanksgiving led by Gay (Fr Michael will be away)

Events:
Saturday 2nd September - 2-5pm - Village Fete

We are intending to display all the entries to the photography competition in church from Saturday 9th - Sunday 19th September, and also plan a coffee morning in church on Tuesday 12th September from 10 to 12. We need volunteers to unlock and lock up the church during the week, and will need help for the coffee morning too! We will have a list at the fete, so you can sign up there or you can reply to this email.

Thanks for your support

PS Did you know we have online giving? The QR codes in church send you to the website so you can give directly on-line, for fixed amounts!
£10 - https://pay.sumup.io/b2c/Q21KG8NQ
£20 - https://pay.sumup.io/b2c/QJPASL2Y

We are holding our Harvest Festival on Sunday 6th November, and also collecting for Chepstow Foodbank - I have just checked their website, and they currently have enough pasta, tinned carrots and tins of baked beans / pulses generally, but would appreciate donations of jam, tinned fish, tinned soup or cup-a-soup, pasta sauces and toiletries. If you'd rather donate cash, that is also very welcome.

We are also nearly at the start of the Ministry Area - the new group will be commissioned by Bishop Cherry on Sunday 27th and it would be lovely to have as many people as possible in St Marys for this service.

Thanks all!
Gay

Services at St James
Sunday 6th November - 9am, in church - Harvest Festival cafe service, lead by Gay
Sunday 20th November - 9am in Church - Holy Communion led by Fr Michael
Services at St Marys, Chepstow
Sunday 27th November - 4pm, at St Marys Priory Church, Chepstow - the commissioning service for the new Severn Wye Ministry Area, led by Bishop Cherry

Other Events
Wednesday 30th November - 7pm at St Marys Priory Church, Chepstow - the first Annual Vestry Meeting for the new Ministry Area - to hear the first report from Rev. Philip Averay, elect the officers for the Ministry Area Council - if you wold like more information, please contact Anne Octon or Hilary Hillier (or reply to this email and I'll send you the information!)

St James Church will be open from 9 until 5 on both Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th September, both for private prayer and reflection, and somewhere to escape from the rolling media coverage following the death of Queen Elizabeth.

 I hope you have survived the heatwave, and the drought, and possibly even managed a little relaxation over the summer.

The PCC met in August and have passed the formal resolution so that St James will, at the start of Advent, become part of the Severn Wye Ministry Area which includes 11 other churches in and around Chepstow. We also discussed the timing of the family service, and agreed that perhaps 9am works better than 4pm, so from September onwards, we will be meeting at that time

The photo competition is still open, and although we have had some lovely entries there is always room for more - so please do send your best photograph to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Services
Sunday 4th September - 9am in church, Family Service led by Fr Michael
Sunday 18th September - 9am in church - Morning Prayer led by Fr Michael

Other Events
Autumn Trends from Harts of Monmouth.
Friday 9th September at 7.30 pm.
In St Arvans Memorial Hall. Tickets from Jean Papps

Concert in aid of the Friends of St Mary's Priory, Chepstow
Saturday 8th October 7.30pm
The Royal Forest of Dean Orchestra with soloist Caron de Burgh will present:
Handel : The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba
Vaughn Williams: Rhosymedre
Rameau: L'entree de Polymnee
Marcello: Oboe Concerto in D minor
Faure: Pavane
Mozart : Symphony no 40
Tickets £10 - on the door or available in advance from Chepstow bookshop

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