signposts 149 february 2013

16
Magazine for the Irfon and Wye Valley Churches Issue No 149 February 2013 The Bible has much to say about how we should live and how we should die, the Psalmists in particular call upon God to tell them the time of their death: LORD, let me know mine end, and the number of my days; that I may be certified how long I have to live. Behold, thou hast made my days as it were a span long, and mine age is even as nothing in respect of thee;” Ps. 39 The days of our age are threescore years and ten; and though men be so strong that they come to fourscore years, yet is their strength then but labour and sorrow; so soon passeth it away, and we are gone. So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom”. Ps. 90 The Liverpool Care Pathway (LCP) was developed in the Liverpool University Hospital in 1996 but its use has become widespread recently as the number of very elderly frail people has increased and since there appears to be a financial inducement, incentive or reward for those hospitals accelerating the ‘throughput’ of elderly patients by the active management of the ‘end of life’ for those who are assessed to be dying. The procedure involves the withdrawal of fluids and food, and the administration of sedative drugs. The human body is a very complex organism; it is able to survive about three minutes without air, 3 days without water and 3 weeks without food. For patients placed on the toxic combination of this ‘Pathway’ death occurs in approximately 33 hours. Sedation without hydration kills! Government estimates of the number of people whose lives have been ended in this manner vary between 60,000 and 120,000 over the past year.(One wonders if this is the kind of insidious approach which allowed the Holocaust to gain momentum and apparent ‘acceptance’.) Guidelines developed by the Tees, Esk and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, which were issued on 1 st April 2010 state: “All members of Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust staff will adhere to the parameters of trust policies. The consequences of non-compliance may include disciplinary and/or legal action.” It is evident that most clinicians would have the best interests of their patients at heart but they – especially Junior doctors - undoubtedly will defer to pressure from senior doctors or managers where performance ‘targets’ or financial inducement is involved. Ironically, perhaps the greatest incentive of all is the empty bed! On registration as a medical practitioner most doctors will swear an oath in which they state inter alia The health of my patient will be my first consideration; I will not permit considerations of religion, nationality, race, gender, politics, socioeconomic standing, or sexual orientation to intervene between my duty and my patient; I will maintain the utmost respect for human life; even under threat, I will not use my medical knowledge contrary to the laws of humanity; The next part seemingly concerns euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide, saying: "And I will not give a drug that is deadly to anyone if asked, nor will I suggest the way to such a counsel." Continued on page 15 Contributions for next issue (March) Monday 11 th February STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN OR PATHWAY TO HELL? OR PATHWAY TO HELL? OR PATHWAY TO HELL? OR PATHWAY TO HELL? by Revd Marian Morgan

Upload: abigail-hook

Post on 06-Mar-2016

217 views

Category:

Documents


5 download

DESCRIPTION

Magazine for the Irfon and Wye Valley Churches

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Signposts 149 February 2013

Magazine for the Irfon and Wye Valley Churches

Issue No 149 February 2013

The Bible has much to say about how we should live

and how we should die, the Psalmists in particular

call upon God to tell them the time of their death:

“LORD, let me know mine end, and the number of my

days; that I may be certified how long I have to live.

Behold, thou hast made my days as it were a span

long, and mine age is even as nothing in respect of

thee;” Ps. 39

“The days of our age are threescore years and ten;

and though men be so strong that they come to

fourscore years, yet is their strength then but labour

and sorrow; so soon passeth it away, and we are

gone. So teach us to number our days, that we may

apply our hearts unto wisdom”. Ps. 90

The Liverpool Care Pathway (LCP) was developed in

the Liverpool University Hospital in 1996 but its use

has become widespread recently as the number of

very elderly frail people has increased and since there

appears to be a financial inducement, incentive or

reward for those hospitals accelerating the

‘throughput’ of elderly patients by the active

management of the ‘end of life’ for those who are

assessed to be dying.

The procedure involves the withdrawal of fluids and

food, and the administration of sedative drugs. The

human body is a very complex organism; it is able to

survive about three minutes without air, 3 days

without water and 3 weeks without food. For patients

placed on the toxic combination of this ‘Pathway’

death occurs in approximately 33 hours. Sedation

without hydration kills! Government estimates of the

number of people whose lives have been ended in

this manner vary between 60,000 and 120,000 over

the past year.(One wonders if this is the kind of

insidious approach which allowed the Holocaust to

gain momentum and apparent ‘acceptance’.)

Guidelines developed by the Tees, Esk and Wear

NHS Foundation Trust, which were issued on 1st

April 2010 state:

“All members of Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS

Foundation Trust staff will adhere to the parameters of

trust policies. The consequences of non-compliance

may include disciplinary and/or legal action.”

It is evident that most clinicians would have the best

interests of their patients at heart but they –

especially Junior doctors - undoubtedly will defer to

pressure from senior doctors or managers where

performance ‘targets’ or financial inducement is

involved. Ironically, perhaps the greatest incentive of

all is the empty bed!

On registration as a medical practitioner most doctors

will swear an oath in which they state inter alia

• The health of my patient will be my first

consideration;

• I will not permit considerations of religion,

nationality, race, gender, politics,

socioeconomic standing, or sexual

orientation to intervene between my duty and

my patient;

• I will maintain the utmost respect for human

life; even under threat, I will not use my

medical knowledge contrary to the laws of

humanity;

The next part seemingly concerns euthanasia or

physician-assisted suicide, saying: "And I will not

give a drug that is deadly to anyone if asked, nor will

I suggest the way to such a counsel."

Continued on page 15

Contributions for next issue (March) Monday 11

th February

STAIRWAY TO HEAVENSTAIRWAY TO HEAVENSTAIRWAY TO HEAVENSTAIRWAY TO HEAVEN

OR PATHWAY TO HELL?OR PATHWAY TO HELL?OR PATHWAY TO HELL?OR PATHWAY TO HELL? by Revd Marian Morgan

Page 2: Signposts 149 February 2013

2

KING, MORTER, PROUD & CO

CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS Worried about Self Assessment?

We can advise.

We also offer Specialist Advice in:

TAXATION Personal and Business

SELF ASSESSMENT

V.A.T.

AUDIT

FARM FINANCE

BANK HOUSE, BUILTH WELLS Tel : 01982 553687 Fax : 01982 552957

Are you struggling with a problem?

Do you need some advice or support?

Age Concern Powys offers FREE &

CONFIDENTIAL help

Give us a ring on 01982 553436

and ask for Emma or Kathy

SYDNEY

G.

THOMAS

& CO.

Solicitors West End House

Builth Wells

Tel. 01982 553289

J.A. Powell & SonsJ.A. Powell & SonsJ.A. Powell & SonsJ.A. Powell & Sons Great House Garage, Newbridge-on-Wye

Tel: 01597 860 235

Fronheulog Retirement Home

A Private Family-Run Home for the Elderly

Caring for those you care about

� Day Care / Full time Care

� Holiday stays / Respite care

� Excellent 24hr Care & Attention by fully trained staff

� Choice of Menus, Special Diets catered for

� Regular activities and events

� Visiting GP’s, Hairdresser and Chiropody

Ithon Road, Llandrindod Wells, Powys 01597 824826

Caleb Roberts Insurance Services Limited

01982 553 050

Motor, House and Business Insurance

Free Quotations

The Caer The Caer The Caer The Caer

BerisBerisBerisBeris

ManorManorManorManor

Hotel and Restaurant

Our award winning Tudor Restaurant is open every day for the finest of food specializing in local produce. Extensive range of great value and fine

wines from around the world.

Sample Sunday Carvery Menu Chefs Homemade Soup of the Day

Smoked Mackerel Salad with a Spicy Tomato Chutney

Battered Mushrooms with a Sweet Chilli Sauce

Fan of Melon with Apple and Apricot Marmalade

* * *

Selection of Local Meats from the Carvery

Chefs Vegetarian Choice of the Day

All served with Fresh Market Vegetables

* * *

Selection of Tempting Homemade Desserts

One Course £9.95 Two Courses £12.95

Tel: 01982 552601 email: [email protected]: 01982 552601 email: [email protected]: 01982 552601 email: [email protected]: 01982 552601 email: [email protected]

Llanwrtyd Wells

21 En-suite Bedrooms

Restaurant and Bar Meals

Two Traditional Bars with Log Fires

Walking and Mountain Biking Holidays

Our own Microbrewery producing a range of fine

ales – the “Heart of Wales Brewery”

Launderette open for public use

Telephone 01591 610 236

www.NeuaddArmsHotel.co.uk

Powys Over 60?

Page 3: Signposts 149 February 2013

3

DEANERY SERVICEDEANERY SERVICEDEANERY SERVICEDEANERY SERVICE

Sunday 10th FEBRUARY

*Music* *Praise*

*Witness* *Fellowship*

ALL AGE WORSHIP

18.00 ST. MARY’S CHURCH

BUILTH WELLS

BreconBreconBreconBrecon CathedralCathedralCathedralCathedral

Sunday 17th February

at 3.30pm

Installation of

Alan Jevons as

Archdeacon of Brecon

"Marriage for You"

Exhibition

St Mary's Church, Brecon

8th & 9th February

for National Marriage Week

Promoting various aspects of

preparing for marriage including

cost cutting ideas and a display of

wedding gowns through the decades

from 1940. Refreshments will be

available in the Tower Cafe.

“The Voice of God:The Voice of God:The Voice of God:The Voice of God:

Religious HallucinationsReligious HallucinationsReligious HallucinationsReligious Hallucinations

and Mental Healthand Mental Healthand Mental Healthand Mental Health”

Thursday, 28th

February

at 19.00

Callaghan Lecture Theatre,

Swansea University

Dr Simon Dein

(Senior Clinical Lecturer in the

Mental Health Sciences Unit

in the Faculty of Brain Sciences at

UCL; Consultant Psychiatrist at

Princess Alexandra Hospital Essex)

LLANGASTY

RETREAT HOUSE

19th to 21st February 2013

“Bread in the Wilderness” Lenten Retreat Led by Fr Martin Williams - A retreat based on the teaching of Thomas Merton on the Psalms

There will be addresses covering subjects such as: The Psalms as Prayer; The Psalms as Poetry; The Psalms as Scripture

in Miniature; The Psalms as Vision of the Kingdom; The Psalms as Consolation. There will be a mid-day Eucharist on the

Wednesday and Thursday and daily Morning and Evening Prayer and Compline. Silence will be observed in the House

for most of the retreat.

Fr Martin Williams is a retired Archdeacon of the Church in Wales and a Trustee of Llangasty Retreat House.

Arrive 4pm Tuesday and depart after lunch on Thursday. Cost £155

Drop-In Quiet Days are on Tuesday 19th February and Monday 18th March and offer an opportunity to pause for prayer

and personal reflection - come for all or part of the day. Bring your own lunch. Coffee and tea provided. No charge, but

donations welcome. No need to book.

Food for Thought Local churches in the Builth Wells area have joined

with the local Community Support to start a lunch

club for the over 60's at the Jubilee Hall at

Llanelwedd, the first meal was held on Friday 9th

November with the team serving up beef casserole and

trifle. With a cost of only £4 for main course, dessert and tea/coffee as

well as a short activity after the lunch, you'd have to look hard to find a

better bargain!

If you are over 60 and live in Builth, Llanelwedd, Cilmery, Aberedw,

Builth Road, Cwmbach and are interested in attending, then please

contact Builth Wells Community Support at 14 High Street, Builth

Wells. Tel 01982 553004 for a membership form, numbers will be

limited so please contact them soon.

Volunteers are still needed to help prepare & serve the meal, set up the

hall, provide transport & organise the after lunch activities, if you can

help then please contact Builth Wells Community Support.

Deanery Notices

.

Page 4: Signposts 149 February 2013

4

The Colwyn Group of Parishes

Dear FriendsDear FriendsDear FriendsDear Friends By the time you read this I will have changed –

emerged from some sort of ecclesiastical chrysalis and

become something new! Perhaps I should now entitle

this column, “From the Rector’s desk”, which is

common in some parish magazines. Whilst I have

changed my title, to Rector, which followed as part of

the Installation & Induction as Incumbent late last

month, I haven’t really changed. I am still ‘me’ and in

fact you will see that the term ‘Vicar Richard’ is still

being used. You will still see me walking around,

looking pretty much as I was before!

Yet again I mention that dirty word in church circles,

“change”! But why is that word seen as a dirty word?

Well, I guess it’s a fear of the unknown – of what we are

used to. Our comfort blanket is snatched away. What we

like and think is good for us is wrenched from our grasp.

In his book, “God of Surprises”, Gerard Hughes

encourages us to realise the truth of Jesus’ words —

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a

field” — and suggests ways to find that treasure within

ourselves. If we are to really follow Jesus and we must

become flexible, adaptable and become able to respond

to his call. This cannot be achieved if we rigidly retain

some of our comfort blankets. Now please, don’t run

away with the idea that I like change just for the sake of

it; I don’t, I actually loathe it! But there are times when

we must change or risk dying out completely.

The way ahead for the whole church over the next few

years will be challenging, not just in terms of losing clergy

and changing Services, but financially as well. Changes

have to take place even within our own group of churches

to keep pace with what is happening nationally. The

Church in Wales Review offers some exciting

possibilities for mission and the way we ‘do church’.

So, as Archbishop Rowan once said, “There is no such

thing as change in the Church. Change usually indicates

something completely different. Nothing is different. We

still worship the Lord Jesus Christ daily. What Christians

need to do is to adapt – adapt to our new surroundings. If

we do this quickly, the pain will be so much less”.

Seems like sense to me!!

Vicar RicharVicar RicharVicar RicharVicar Richardddd

Ashing ServiceAshing ServiceAshing ServiceAshing Service The Ash Wednesday Service of Ashing will take place

on 13th February at 7.00pm in St. David’s Church,

Cregrina. As in previous years this will take the form

of the Imposition of the Ashes and Eucharist.

GoGoGoGoodbye/Hello!odbye/Hello!odbye/Hello!odbye/Hello! On 31

st January, Randolph Thomas, the Archdeacon

of Brecon retires after forty-one years in ministry and

exactly ten years as Archdeacon. On 17th February at

3.30pm in the Cathedral Revd Alan Jevons will be

Installed as the new Archdeacon. A presentation will

be made to Randolph at that Service. Please come and

support both Randolph and Alan at that Service.

Services for February 2013Services for February 2013Services for February 2013Services for February 2013 3

rd February 2

nd Sunday before Lent

Llansantffraed 10.00 RK Eucharist

Glascwm 6.00 ET Village Service

10th

February Sunday before Lent

Cregrina 9.30 RK Eucharist

Llanelwedd 11.15 RK Eucharist

13th

February RK Ash Wednesday Cregrina 7.00 Service of Ashing

17th

February Lent 1

Llanfaredd 9.30 RK Eucharist

Llansantffraed 10.00 MO Morning Prayer

Glascwm 11.15 JO Eucharist

Rhulen 11.15 RK Eucharist

24th

February Lent 2

Cregrina 9.30 MO Village Service

Bettws 9.30 RK Eucharist

Llanelwedd 10.45 RK/LK/ET

Worship4All Family Service

Worship4All Family ServiceWorship4All Family ServiceWorship4All Family ServiceWorship4All Family Service Our next Family Service will be on 24th February at

10.45am at St. Matthew’s Church, Llanelwedd. A

different style service is on offer, with tea/coffee and

cake afterwards.

Please come and join us!!

Lent Lunches/CourseLent Lunches/CourseLent Lunches/CourseLent Lunches/Course We will be holding Soup Lunches on four Tuesdays

through Lent. We are combining that with a Lent

Course entitled, “Table Talk” which explores various

issues of the day as we lead up to Easter.

For further information please

contact the Rectory (01982 551288).

Llanelwedd with Llanfaredd, Llansantffraed-in-Elwell, Bettws, Cregrina, Glascwm and Rhulen

Revd Richard Kirlew, The Rectory, Llanelwedd LD2 3TY, Tel: 01982 551288, Email: [email protected]

Page 5: Signposts 149 February 2013

5

Diocesan Vision Update

Following on from the launch of the new Diocesan Vision and all of its

associated materials at the October 2012 Diocesan Conference in Brecon

cathedral the Diocese has released a brand new and unique five-week

course that digs deeper into our Vision. Written by Canon Janet Russell,

the Diocesan Director of Mission with Bible study material by Professor

D. P. Davies ‘Growing more like Jesus’ has been released just in time

for Lent – although the course can be run at any time! ‘Growing more

like Jesus’ has been designed to be flexible enough to be run with a

small groups meeting in someone’s home or as a deanery cluster or even

in your local church!

One definition of a vision is: “the dream you hope to establish” – our

Diocesan dream is that we become:

A family, rooted in Christ,

committed to transforming lives by

Gathering as God’s people,

Growing more like Jesus,

Going out in the power of the Spirit.

Teulu wedi ein gwreiddio

yng Nghrist, yn gweddnewid bywydau trwy:

Gyd-gyfarfod yn bobl Dduw,

Cyd-dyfu’n fwy tebyg i Iesu,

Cyd-genhadu yn nerth yr Ysbryd

Perhaps ‘Growing more like Jesus’ can help this dream become a reality! Bishop John says “Getting to

know the scriptures and other aspects of our faith more deeply can sometimes seem challenging. It’s easy

to think that it’s only for experts. Well, not so. Each one of us has to get to grips with such challenges as

the material is basic to our understanding and living out of the faith. Many people tell me that, whilst they

were originally a bit scared of doing this, once they’d started, it became really exciting and they wanted

more. He goes on to commend the new course to all within the Diocese as “a source of both blessing and

growth for you and for our Diocesan family”.

Available as a free download from the Diocesan Website or as a high quality

print version from either of the two Diocesan resource centres the course is

completely self contained and has within all the resources that participants

will need to lead and participate in all five of the hour long sessions.

Each session features a creative activity as well as a short piece of bible

study and even material and questions to take away and reflect upon

after the session has finished. Deliberately aimed at being user-

friendly it does not presume any theological expertise but instead

focuses on a personal response to the questions which face all of us

in our shared aim of discerning a vision for our Diocese.

Canon Janet Russell

Download your copies of

‘Growing more like Jesus’ from:

www.churchinwales.org.uk/swanbrec/

or order your copies by phoning the

Diocesan Resource Centre (Brecon) on

01874 623716

Page 6: Signposts 149 February 2013

6

Builth Secretarial Services

Word processing; virtual assistant (via the internet); audio-

typing; CVs; black and white photocopying; colour and black & white printing from disk, digital camera or memory card/stick;

scanning photographs, slides and negatives; fax facilities; binding; laminating. We also copy VCR/camcorder tapes to DVD, vinyl/cassette to CD, produce personalised/corporate items such as calendars and frame pictures enlarged from

original photographs. Please phone to discuss your requirements. We may also

collect and deliver.

01982 560422 (Aberedw) or 07552 995881

(Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm)

ROOF & CHIMNEY CARE

~PITCHED & FLAT ROOFS~ ~LEAD & DECORATIVE LEAD

WORK~ ~GUTTERING AND FASCIAS~ ~NEW

ROOFS AND REPAIRS~ ~EVERYTHING FROM SLATES TO TILES~

CHIMNEY MAINTENANCE: REPAIRS TO REBUILDS SWEEPING – PAINTING

For Friendly Advice & Free Quotations Please Contact

Matthew Drew… 07525 437083 ~ 01874 712264

www.roofandchimneycare.co.uk

GETTING ON with the net

a service

for

Are you set up with computer & broadband but

Are you set up with computer & broadband but

still not confident about going online?

Call Marianne on 01591 620547 or email [email protected]

FREE initial session to resolve small problems and discuss potential requirements

www.gettingonwiththenet.co.uk

HELPING HANDSHELPING HANDSHELPING HANDSHELPING HANDS assists you at home or going out

Cooking, shopping, gardening, clearing out, paperwork, dog walking, other

Call Carole Inman 01982 552052

or email: [email protected]

Professional Qualifications & References Flexible Hours

RAINBOW TOTSRAINBOW TOTSRAINBOW TOTSRAINBOW TOTS PREPREPREPRE----SCHOOLSCHOOLSCHOOLSCHOOL Irfon Valley CP School

Garth, Powys

[email protected]

Monday, Wednesday and Friday Mornings 8:50am-12:10pm

A lovely in school setting for children aged 2½ to school age.

£10 per session until the term after the child's third birthday, then the sessions are free.

Singing, dancing, running, jumping, laughing and playing with friends.

Come along and have some fun!

Call the school today for a chat on 01591 620281

Page 7: Signposts 149 February 2013

7

The Builth Wells Group of Parishes

Prayers are said most weekdays in the Chapel of the Holy Name of Jesus in St Mary’s, Builth – see St Mary’s noticeboard for details.

Sunday Worship 03rd February (Candlemas) 10.30 Christingle Service at St. Mary the Virgin, Builth

15.00 Holy Eucharist at St. David’s, Llanddewi’r-Cwm

10 February (Sunday Before Lent) 09.30 Holy Eucharist at St. Mary the Virgin, Builth

11.00 Matins at St. David’s, Maesmynis

18.00 Deanery CELEBR8 Service at St. Mary’s, Builth

17 February (Lent I) 09.30 Holy Eucharist at St. Mary the Virgin, Builth

11.00 Holy Eucharist at St. Mauritius, Alltmawr

24 February (Lent II) 09.30 Holy Eucharist at St. Mary the Virgin, Builth

11.00 Holy Eucharist at St. David’s, Maesmynis

18.00 Sung Evensong at St. Mary the Virgin, Builth

Parish Diary 02 Feb Cath Woolridge X.Alt Event at Brecon Cathedral

03 Feb Christingle 10.30 at St. Mary’s, Builth

04 Feb Communion at Brynhyfryd Residential Home

08 Feb Lunch Club 12.00 at Jubilee Hall, Llanelwedd

13 Feb Holy Eucharist with the Imposition of Ashes

for the beginning of Lent 19.00, St Mary’s, Builth

01 Mar Women’s World Day of Prayer Service,

14.00 in St. Mary’s Builth

LentenLentenLentenLenten

Preaching SeriesPreaching SeriesPreaching SeriesPreaching Series During Lent St. Mary’s Builth will be exploring the

new Diocesan Vision goals through the lens of the

Lenten readings. A variety of preachers will be

leading us in our Reflections:

17 February (Lent I) Mrs Gina Ayling - Rooted in Christ

24 February (Lent II)

Rev Michael Sobell - Transforming Lives

03 March (Lent III) Rev Norman Boddicoat – Gathering as God’s People

10 March (Lent IV) Rev Fr Phillip Morris – Growing more like Jesus

17 March (Passiontide) Rev Canon Janet Russell – Going out in the power of the Spirit

Find us in Cyberspace at: www.builthgroup.org.uk

facebook.com/BuilthGroup

twitter.com/BuilthGroup

Regular Events • A said Eucharist is celebrated every Thursday at

10.00 in the Chapel of the Holy Name of Jesus in

St Mary’s, Builth Wells

• Bellringing every Thursday at St Mary’s Tower at

19.45 – all welcome

• SAINTS ALIVESAINTS ALIVESAINTS ALIVESAINTS ALIVE kids club at Maesmynis Hall 16.00

on Dec 12, Jan 09 & Jan 23.

• Youth Alpha – Every Friday between 19 January

and 29 March

From the Vicarage We are often encouraged to be good stewards of all

our resources, to think about following the biblical

example of tithing a tenth of our income to the

Church. Lent gives us the opportunity to tithe roughly

that amount of time in our lives to God. Time to think

and reflect on what it means to follow him; time to

think and reflect on who we really are.

This Lent we take the opportunity to explore not just

as individuals but also as a community of faith why,

how and where we are going – our preaching series

during the first five Sundays in Lent will help us to

reflect on the vision we are striving to create here in

Builth. Although this process may, like Lent, be

uncomfortable it will, Like Lent, end in something as

uplifting as Easter.

Blessings Father Neil

Builth WeBuilth WeBuilth WeBuilth Wells Handbellslls Handbellslls Handbellslls Handbells Although fundraising is still ongoing enough money

has been raised to have an old set of 23 handbells

retuned and refurbished. The handbells are at

Whitechapel Bell Foundry and should be ready by

mid-February 2013. Funding has come from Powys

Community Regeneration and Development Fund,

The Golsoncott Foundation, The Ashley Family

Foundation, Builth Wells Town Council, Mr & Mrs

JT Morgan Foundation and an interest-free loan from

The William Hartley Memorial Fund of The Handbell

Ringers of Great Britain. The intention is to set up a

Handbell Ringing Group that will learn to ring

traditional tunes, hymns, Christmas Carols and

handbell arrangements. The group will meet in St.

Mary's Church Hall, Builth Wells on a day and time to

be decided. Anyone will be welcome to join the group

which will be starting from scratch. You do not have

to be able to read music as the music will be marked

up for each pair of handbells. To express an interest

please phone 01982 552419.

Builth Wells with Llanddewi’r Cwm & Llangynog with Maesmynis & Llanynis with Alltmawr

Revd Father Neil Hook, The Vicarage, 1 North Road, Builth Wells LD2 3BT, Tel: 01982 552355, Email: [email protected]

Page 8: Signposts 149 February 2013

8

The Erwood & Painscastle Group of Parishes

Letter from Trefechan It is with a sense of great sadness that I write this, my

first and last letter, from the new Rectory in Aberedw.

I know, of course, that retirement comes eventually to

all of us in paid employment but it still comes as

something of a shock especially when the future

remains unclear.

At this time of taking stock I suppose it is natural to feel

an overwhelming sense of failure; failure to do enough

visiting; failure to encourage more people, especially

young families, into church; failure to develop and

sustain our ministry to children and young people. But,

hopefully, most of our churches are stronger, with more

people involved in leading worship and with a real sense

of mission, purpose and fellowship.

I have been so grateful for the support and co-

operation I have received here, especially after Leslie

died, and for the commitment and sheer hard work of

all of the churchwardens and PCC officers in what can

sometimes be a very demanding and difficult task; it

is never possible to accommodate even the reasonable

wishes of all of the people all of the time.

I have been encouraged by the way in which those

who do not attend church regularly help with the

upkeep of our churches and churchyards and by the

army of invisible helpers who do the cleaning and the

flowers, especially at festivals and for special

occasions. One of the real blessings of our parishes

lies in our small group of organists who enrich our

worship so wonderfully.

I have been encouraged by the way in which people

have raised money for the ever increasing costs of

keeping our churches open. I owe a particular debt of

gratitude – if you will forgive the pun – to the

Treasurers of our group for the careful way in which

they have worked to ensure that all of our churches

remain solvent, albeit with difficulty.

None of us knows what the future holds for us but, as

Christians, especially at this time of year, we look

back on the year gone and give thanks for all its

blessings and we look forward to the year to come full

of confident expectation in the knowledge, and the

belief, that, as St Paul tells us, “we know that in all

things God works for the good of those who love him,

who have been called according to his purpose.”

(Romans 8; 28)

The Churchwardens and PCCs, under the guidance of

the new Archdeacon and the Acting Area Dean, the

Revd. Ben Griffith, will run the churches with the

support of visiting clergy during the inter-regnum,

which I pray will not be too long. It will surely be a

time of continuing growth and confidence as more

people are drawn into leading various aspects of

worship in response to God’s call.

I am delighted that the parishes now have a new

Rectory.

As the birth of the Christ-child brought, and continues

to bring, light into a very dark world, I pray that his

peace, hope, joy and love will fill your hearts, your

homes and your communities. I pray especially for the

lonely and the housebound and for those on the

margins of our churches and communities, and for

those who believe in God but who do not know how

to cross the threshold from believing into belonging.

I pray for a new incumbent who will lead, cherish,

nurture and empower the people of these parishes that

all may feel precious in God’s eyes and valued by the

church. I know the Lord is preparing, right now, the

next occupant of our new Rectory and I pray that he,

or she, will find, as Leslie and I found, a real sense of

joy and true friendship as they minister here.

With my love and prayers for you all; may you have

peace and good health in the coming year.

Revd. Marian Morgan, your parish priest

PAINSCASTLE MOTHERS UNION Do join us for our meeting on

Tuesday, 12th

February at 7.30pm

in Painscastle Village Hall.

Speaker: Simon Guinane, Registered Osteopath

Fran Shaw 01982 560480

Aberedw w Llandeilo Graban w Llanbadarn-y-Garreg w Crickadarn w Gwenddwr & Bryngwyn w Newchurch

w Llanbedr Painscastle w Llanddewi Fach Priest-in-Charge: Revd Marian Morgan, Trefechan, Aberedw,

Builth Wells LD2 3UW Tel: 01982 560359 and 01982 560702 E-mail: [email protected]

Page 9: Signposts 149 February 2013

9

The Erwood & Painscastle Group of Parishes

Sunday, 3rd

The Second Sunday before Lent

9.00 Newchurch H. C.(1662 Short) (HJF)

(Followed by refreshments at Rose Cottage)

9.30 Llanbadarn-y-Garreg HC (MM)

9.30 Gwenddwr MP (AO)

10.30 Newchurch M. P. (1662) (MO)

11.00 Llandeilo Graban HC (MM)

Sunday 10th

Sunday before Lent

2.30 Confirmation Service

WEDNESDAY 13th

ASH WEDNESDAY

7.00 Aberedw HC 1st Communion of Lent (MM)

Sunday 17th

Lent 1

9.30 Llandeilo Graban HC (MM)

11.00 Gwenddwr HC (MM)

Sunday 24th

Lent 2 9.30 Llanbedr (PJM)

11.00 Crickadarn HC (MM)

3.00 Llandewi Fach HC (HJF)

6.00 Aberedw HC (MM)

Sunday 10th

Sunday before Lent 2.30 Llandeilo Graban

Group Eucharist with

CONFIRMATION

Please join us for this very

special service

HOPES, DREAMSHOPES, DREAMSHOPES, DREAMSHOPES, DREAMS

AND PLANSAND PLANSAND PLANSAND PLANS

A meeting to work together

on a vision for the benefice

All are welcome

Saturday 23rd

February 9.30am – 12.30pm

Painscastle Village Hall

CHURCH REVIEWCHURCH REVIEWCHURCH REVIEWCHURCH REVIEW ---- group set up to oversee changesgroup set up to oversee changesgroup set up to oversee changesgroup set up to oversee changes A group of five people will examine how

radical proposals for the Church in Wales

can be delivered.

They will look at recommendations made to the

Church following an independent review, which took

place across Wales last year, and advise the Church on

how they can be taken forward.

The implementation group was appointed by the

Governing Body of the Church and will report to it. It

will review the recommendations and the responses

received to them, draw up a timetable of action, act as

a liaison point and monitor progress.

Chairing the group will be Helen Biggin, director

of the Welsh NHS

Confederation. She is joined

by the Bishop of Bangor,

Andy John; business

consultant James Turner;

Nigel King, a market research

professional and Stewardship

advisor to the Diocese of

Swansea & Brecon; and Revd

Paul Mackness, Vicar of the

Benefice of Haverfordwest.

All five are members of the

Church’s Governing Body.

Their first report will be made to the Governing

Body’s Standing Committee in February. A full report

on progress will then be made to each meeting of the

whole Governing Body.

Judge Philip Price, chairman of the Standing Committee,

said, “We are very fortunate to have a group of talented

and insightful people who between them bring a wide

range of experience and ability to the task ahead and we

are very grateful to them for giving their time and energy

to it. Theirs will be a challenging job but one which will

hopefully bring exciting changes, enabling the Church

better to serve today’s Wales.”

Mrs Biggin said, “This is a really exciting time for

the Church in Wales. The

Review Group has made some

radical and challenging

recommendations, which offer

great opportunities. Together

with an enthusiastic team, I am

looking forward to helping

meet these challenges and

deliver the changes that will

enable the Church to thrive as

it serves communities

throughout Wales.

Aberedw w Llandeilo Graban w Llanbadarn-y-Garreg w Crickadarn w Gwenddwr & Bryngwyn w Newchurch

w Llanbedr Painscastle w Llanddewi Fach Priest-in-Charge: Revd Marian Morgan, Trefechan, Aberedw,

Builth Wells LD2 3UW Tel: 01982 560359 and 01982 560702 E-mail: [email protected]

Page 10: Signposts 149 February 2013

10

The Upper Wye Group of Parishes Dear Friends, As you read this, we have reached

one of those pivotal moments in

the Christian calendar; moments

when our focus shifts as suddenly

and as dramatically as ever Sauron

manages in The Lord of the Rings.

On February 2nd, we celebrate the

lovely feast of Candlemas when we recall how

according to St. Luke’s Gospel 40 days after his birth,

the infant Christ was presented in the Temple in

Jerusalem in fulfilment of the Mosaic Law that every

first born male of either human or animal belonged to

God and was therefore presented to him and

redeemed. Luke tells us little about the ritual but a

great deal about what follows it when Simeon

recognises the true identity of the child.

Unlike popular custom, in church, Candlemas not

12th Night or even January 2nd marks the end of

Christmas. It is also the moment when as an echo of

Simeon’s prophecy we are reminded of the reason for

Christ’s birth in the first place. It’s time if you like to

put away the baby pictures and remember that the

baby of Bethlehem didn’t remain a baby. Christ grew

into adulthood and the same arms that are stretched

out to cuddle in Bethlehem were also stretched out in

blessing and eventually stretched out upon the cross.

It is the adult Jesus who calls you and me and all

people to live in loving service of and relationship

with him.

Eleven days after Candlemas we enter the season of

Lent; the time in the year when we are encouraged to

consider what the state of the relationship between

ourselves and God is now and through the rigour and

discipline of Lent we are enabled to grow deeper into

that relationship becoming more like Christ, becoming

more like the members of his family.

So Candlemas this year marks the transition between

the joy and exultation of Christmas and the rigour and

discipline of Lent’s journey along the way of the

cross; a time for growing into God and enabling him

to touch our lives and hearts.

I’d like to wish you all a blessed Candlemas and a

happy, holy and joyful Lent.

With my love and prayers, as always

Ben From the Registers: We send our deepest sympathies and much love to the

families and friends of:

Bruce Mackintosh who was laid to rest at Llanyre

following his funeral on 11th December

Robin Grimwood who was cremated at Hereford

following his funeral at Newbridge on 10th January. May they and all the departed rest in peace and rise in glory.

Heartfelt congratulations to Emma Wagstaff and

Leigh Wallace who were married at Llanyre on 8th

December. Our love and prayers surround them James

and Caitlin.

Highlights for February 2013 Shrove Tuesday, February 12th

Llanyre Llamas will be celebrating with their usual

combination of pancake frivolities on Shrove Tuesday

itself. The Youth Club will be having theirs on Friday 15th.

February 13th: Ash Wednesday This year there will be 3 services on Ash Wednesday!

Eucharists with imposition of ashes at Newbridge at

10.00am and Llanyre at 7.00pm.

There will also be an informal communion alongside

Songs of Praise at Caerwnon Park at 2.30pm

Compline:

We’ve moved our Lenten services of Compline to the

Sundays of lent this year. All of them will, as in the

past, be sung by the choir. Palm Sunday’s will be a

service of Tenebrae when the choir will be lead by

Siârion and the choir. If you haven’t been to one of

these very moving meditative services, you don’t

know what you’re missing!

Saturday February 23rd Concert Voices in Unity Llanyre Church at 7.30pm.

An evening of musical delight from this talented local

choir. Not to be missed!! Raising funds for

Llanfihangel Helygen Church.Tickets from members

of Llanfihangel Helygen Church and on the door. See

you there!!

Mothers’ Union

Llanyre Branch will be meeting at

2.30pm on Wednesday 6th February

at “Bramcote” Pentrosfa Crescent,

Llandrindod for an afternoon of

favourite poems, prayers, readings

finishing with a bring and share tea. Jeanne Hughes

has more details.

Newbridge and Cwmbach Branch will be meeting as

usual 20th February at 2 .30pm but at the point of

writing they’re not letting on what they’ll be doing.

Maybe Gina Ayling will tell you!!

Page 11: Signposts 149 February 2013

11

The Upper Wye Group of Parishes Services in the Upper Wye Group

Sunday 27th January: Epiphany IV

9.30am Family Eucharist Newbridge-on-Wye

9.30am Morning Praise Cwmbach Llechrhyd

11.00am Holy Eucharist Llanyre

Sunday February 3rd: 2nd Before Lent/ Creation

9.30am Holy Eucharist Llanyre

11.00am Morning Praise Newbridge-on-Wye

11.00am Holy Eucharist Llanfihangel Brynpabuan

3.00pm Holy Eucharist Llanfihangel Helygen

Sunday February 10th: Next before Lent/

Transfiguration

9.30am Holy Eucharist Cwmbach Llechrhyd

9.30am Morning Praise Llanyre

11.00am Holy Eucharist Newbridge-on-Wye

Wednesday February 13th: Ash Wednesday

10.00am Holy Eucharist

with Ashing

Newbridge-on-Wye 2.30pm Songs of Praise

& Holy Communion

Caerwnon Park Social Club

7.00pm Holy Eucharist

with Ashing Llanyre

Thursday February 14th

10.30am Holy Eucharist Llanyre

Lent Lunches begin

Sunday, February 17th: 1st in Lent 9.30am Family Eucharist Llanyre

11.00am Holy Eucharist Newbridge-on-Wye

3.00pm NO service Llanafan Fawr

3.30pm Installation of Archdeacon Brecon Cathedral

7.00pm Compline Cwmbach Llechrhyd

Tuesday February 19th 7.30pm LENT COURSE BEGINS VICARAGE

Sunday February 24th

2nd in Lent

9.30am Family Eucharist Newbridge-on-Wye

9.30am Morning Praise Cwmbach Llechrhyd

11.00am Holy Eucharist Llanyre

3.00pm Lambing Service Llanafan Fawr

Friday March 1st St David / Dydd Gŵyl Ddewi 7.00pm Holy Eucharist / Cymun Bendigaid

Llanyre (with Siârion) and refreshments

Friday March 1st St. David / Dydd Gŵyl Ddewi

Our celebration of our Patron Saint this year will be a

bilingual Eucharist in Llanyre Church at 7.00pm

followed by refreshments at the back of the Church.

As in the past we are hugely privileged that our

talented local artistes Siârion will be accompanying

us. Dig out your daffodil and come along and join us

to celebrate our national day!

And Finally

I would like to conclude with an enormous thank you

to everyone who contributed to our Christmas

celebrations. All of our churches looked simply

resplendent; there were mince pies and carols in

profusion. A special thank you must go to Siârion who

performed so superbly for our New Year’s Eve Party

and for the Deanery 9 Lessons for Epiphany. Thank

you to you all!

Volunteers urgently

needed

Could you spare some time to

support an older person? Just an hour a week or a month can

make a huge difference to someone

who has no friends or

relatives living close by.

This valuable service provides

opportunities for practical support

to older and vulnerable people.

Please telephone Mary-Ann on

0773 682 5355 for details.

Mileage allowance paid and

full training and support given

Llanyre, Newbridge-on-Wye, Cwmbach Llechrhyd, Llanfihangel Helygen, Llanafan Fawr & Llanfihangel Brynpabuan

Revd Ben Griffith, 2 Highbury Fields, Llanyre, LD1 6NF, Tel: 01597 823321, Email: [email protected]

Llanyre, Newbridge-on-Wye, Cwmbach Llechrhyd, Llanfihangel Helygen, Llanafan Fawr & Llanfihangel Brynpabuan

Revd Ben Griffith, 2 Highbury Fields, Llanyre, LD1 6NF, Tel: 01597 823321, Email: [email protected]

Page 12: Signposts 149 February 2013

12

The Parishes of the Irfon Valley & Blaenau Irfon

Lucyann writes… We have a couple of friends in Hackney who

took up a rather unusual Advent activity last year-

they created a star trail.

They made large stars out of card and went around

their local streets with a can of gold spray paint,

leaving in their wake a trail of gold stars. Behind

their actions was a deliberate desire to create

something meaningful in Advent for their children

who live and move among those urban streets. Yet

there was also something left open and hopeful; an

invitation to anyone who sees the star to follow it,

which is both fun, interesting and perhaps more

constructive than other pieces of graffiti?

And of course it creates questions

about who has created the star

trail, and where is it going and

perhaps, if they

keep it up every

year, someone might

notice that the trail only

appears in December

and may begin to ask

some meaningful

questions leading to a

dialogue about faith.

As we enter Epiphany season, where we think

about the revelation of Jesus to the world and the

concept of spiritual awakening, we’ve also been

thinking about the role of questions in our faith

journey. The Age of Enlightenment, not often

associated with Epiphany, with its emphasis on

reason and scientific inquiry has often been set at

odds with Christianity by presenting a false

dichotomy of faith verses reason. For some

people the very idea of asking questions about

faith is frightening or perhaps even blasphemous.

Yet we are exhorted to ‘worship God with all

heart, soul and might’ and I would suggest that to

do this we have to be honest before God about the

questions that arise in our hearts and minds.

The Magi set us a good example; they set out on

an incredibly perilous journey, initiated by some

observations, some careful research and a desire

to see if their research really did lead to a new

king. And all this as a result of attending to the

night sky, researching ancient manuscripts and no

doubt consulting other sources to discover if there

was a correlation between their own spiritual

questions, the astronomical and prophetic data. I

find their story truly inspiring.

We don’t know very much about the Magi, but we

can surmise that they were much changed by their

journey and their encounter with Jesus. The

questions they would have returned home with

would have differed from those they set out with

and so it is with us. Our faith journey begins with

certain questions, experiences or understandings of

God and over the course of our lives we change and

the issues and questions of faith we face change. So

this year I am encouraging people to think about

what questions of faith they are currently living

with and as these are submitted (anonymously) or

otherwise, we will embark on a journey together.

We may not always find answers, but I hope that

we will grow together as we grapple with our

questions and perhaps experience a new encounter

with God as we continue to faithfully follow Jesus,

the Light of the world.

Notices

A huge thank you to all those people who donated

so generously to operation Christmas Child.

There will be no clothing collection for Funzi

Bodo Trust in March this year.

However, we have had a recent letter letting us

know what has been happening and thanking

local people or their support. Recently the Trust

has been able to do the following:

Provide medical care for a baby with cerebral

palsy who was unable to life his head and who is

now making good progress.

Last year some new birthing rooms were built

and will open soon, providing a safer

environment for women to give birth in. They

have also obtained a new water ambulance and

our working to fund a solar powered water

desalination plant as the drinking water is 3 times

more salty than is considered safe to drink.

Mothers Union The annual Lady Day Communion service will

take place on Monday 25th March at 11am in St.

James’ Church, Llanwrtyd.

St Cadmarch’s, Llangammarch Wells; The Parish Church, Llanlleonfel, Garth; St Afan’s, Llanfechan; St Cannen’s,

Llanganten, Cilmery; St. James’, Llanwrtyd Wells; St. David’s, Llanwrtyd; St David’s Tirabad; Eglwys Oen Duw, Beulah;

Revd Lucyann Ashdown, The Rectory, Llangammarch Wells, Tel: 01591 620 244, Email: [email protected]

Page 13: Signposts 149 February 2013

13

The Parishes of the Irfon Valley & Blaenau Irfon SERVICES

Saturday 2nd February 11am Baptism of Henry Oliver at St. Cadmarch

3rd Feb - Presentation of Christ in the Temple 9.30am EOD LA

11am St. James Morning Prayer Team

11.15am Llanganten Morning Prayer JA

11.15am Llanlleonfel LA

10th Feb - Transfiguration Sunday

9.30am EOD Congregational

9.30am St. Cadmarch LA

11am St. James LA

13th February - Ash Wednesday 8pm St. James Holy Communion with

Imposition of Ashes

17th February - Lent 1 9.30am EOD LA

11am St. James (? Mike/Nigel)

11.15am Llanganten LA

11.15am Llanlleonfel Morning Prayer

24th February - Lent 2 9.30am EOD Family Service YP

9.30am St. Cadmarch LA

11am St. James LA

1st March - St. David’s day 1.30pm Old Parish Church St David’s Day Service

Sunday 3rd March. Lent 3 9.30am EOD LA

11am St. James Morning Prayer JA

11.15am Llanganten Morning Prayer Team

11.15am Llanlleonfel LA

The first in a series of articles about the Church in Wales official positions relating to some of the biggest issues

facing Christians today…

1. WHAT WE BELIEVE ABOUT... MONEY Jesus teaches us to love people and use things – and not the other way around, as society

often seems to do.

Jesus told stories to help people understand how their attitude to money reflects what

really interests them. He talked so much about money because he knew how our lives

often revolve around it. Many of his sayings, including the one mentioned below, challenge

people about how they use their money and possessions.

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and

steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do

not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.(Matthew 6:19-21)

Christians believe that everything they have comes from God. Even the money we earn is derived from the gifts

God has given us. So we believe that we should try and follow God’s teaching in how we use money. We are

taught that our attitude to giving is more important than how much we give. We try to give generously whilst being

cheerful about it.

Some people say "the Church is always after your money" and that money shouldn’t be discussed in church. We

believe that with over 2,350 verses in the Bible relating to money and possessions, the subject cannot be ignored.

Indeed, the Church in Wales recommends that its members should give 5% of their take-home pay to the Church.

We believe that the way we deal with our money speaks volumes about our discipleship. Giving money is part of

giving the whole of yourself to God.

St Cadmarch’s, Llangammarch Wells; The Parish Church, Llanlleonfel, Garth; St Afan’s, Llanfechan; St Cannen’s,

Llanganten, Cilmery; St. James’, Llanwrtyd Wells; St. David’s, Llanwrtyd; St David’s Tirabad; Eglwys Oen Duw, Beulah;

Revd Lucyann Ashdown, The Rectory, Llangammarch Wells, Tel: 01591 620 244, Email: [email protected]

An Alpha Course will begin in the third week of February on Tuesday

evenings. The first date is the 19th Feb at 7pm. The Alpha Course will be

held at Garth Inn, Garth, LD4 4AG. You can contact Jerry and Paula Garry

on 01597 620327.

The Alpha Course is for those interesting in learning more about Christianity

or growing in their faith.

Page 14: Signposts 149 February 2013

14

D. K. Dixon

Plumbing & Heating

oil & gas servicing

new installations

bathrooms, lead work

Pencae, Hay Road, Builth Wells

Tel: 01982 551023

Mob: 07813 405039

Parry & Pugh

Jane Pugh

(Daughter of the late Walter Parry)

TEL: 01982 552644 MOB: 07974 315328

FUNERAL DIRECTORS

A family business established in 1858

PASADENA, 31 BRECON ROAD, BUILTH WELLS, POWYS LD2 3EB

St Mary’s Church Hall

Builth Wells, 10am – 3pm

1st Saturday of the month

from April to December

A great range of locally made crafts. Free entry,

refreshments provided by local charities

Tel. 07879623959 or check out

www.buithcraftmarket.webeden.co.uk

Eat within the Old World Charm of the

COSY CORNERCOSY CORNERCOSY CORNERCOSY CORNER

TEA ROOMSTEA ROOMSTEA ROOMSTEA ROOMS Specialising in Home-cooked food

55 High Street, Builth Wells

Tel: 01982 553585

Dale Williams Painting & decorating,

Highest quality

Of papers hung,

Tiling, coving, artexing,

General building

maintenance

Tel: 01874 712206

Mob: 07800 541955

Over 15 years experience,

Fully insured

H. VAUGHAN VAUGHAN & Co

SOLICITORS

COMMISSIONERS FOR OATHS

Established since the 19th century

We offer a full & friendly legal service

_________________________________

SOLE PRINCIPAL: DAVID T. LLOYD

CONSULTANT: CONAL M. DUNN

MANCHESTER HOUSE

HIGH STREET, BUILTH WELLS

TEL: 01982 552331 & 553571

FAX: 01982 552860

Ben Lloyd & Son

______________________________________________________

Memorial Craftsmen

est. 1886 Churchyard memorials

commemorative plaques additional

inscriptions

and renovations Bridge Street, Rhayader Tel. 01597 810320 & 811183

Mob. 07767 220163

THOROUGHLY DRY

SEASONED HARDWOOD

LOGS ASH, OAK, BIRCH & ALDER

From Cefnllysgwynne Estate, Builth Wells

DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR

Cut and split into easily handled sizes.

Packed in bags weighing an average of 8 kilos net

Price: £3.00 per bag (negotiable for

Bulk/regular orders) ORDERS/ENQUIRIES:

Tel: 01982 551624

ELECTRICIAN David Stone Electrics

Free, no obligation quotes for all your household & domestic needs.

07771 767246 [email protected]

01982 570403

NICEIC Registered Insured & all work fully guaranteed

BUILTH

WELLS

GARAGES main dealer in Mid Wales for

SUZUKI

MOT Test Centre

Car Jet Wash

Llanelwedd 01982 553861 or 552236

www.mccartneys.co.uk

AUCTIONEERS – VALUERS LAND AND ESTATE AGENTS CHARTERED SURVEYORS FINE ART AUCTIONEERS

46 High Street, Builth Wells, Powys, LD2 3AB

Tel: 01982 552259 e-mail: [email protected]

R.W. Evans & Son Ltd

Monumental Mason

Memorials & Commemorative

plaques, additional inscriptions

and renovations

highest quality at low prices, family

firm established 100 yrs

Unit 8B,

Brecon Enterprise Park, Brecon

Tel: 01874 625308 (day)

01874 624913 (eve)

Page 15: Signposts 149 February 2013

15

STAIRWAY TO HEAVENSTAIRWAY TO HEAVENSTAIRWAY TO HEAVENSTAIRWAY TO HEAVEN

OR PATHWAY TO HELL?OR PATHWAY TO HELL?OR PATHWAY TO HELL?OR PATHWAY TO HELL? Continued from front page

Many eminent clinicians and professional organisations

have deemed the LCP to be a humane way of relieving

suffering and ensuring a peaceful and dignified death – see

the Consensus Statement signed in September 2012. Those

opposed to it see it as very little better than legalised

euthanasia. Like so much legislation, what begins as a

perfectly reasonable and rational approach, becomes

abused and ill-applied in practice, for example, the current

legislation on Abortion.

Whilst there are many reports of family members being

grateful that the suffering of their loved one – and of

themselves – was cut short by this procedure there are

many, also, who feel angry and traumatised by the shock of

the apparently premature death of a loved one for which

they had not been prepared nor, indeed, consulted. There

are many instances where patients placed on the LCP, but

whose relatives gave them fluids, have survived – one of

whom, a lady of 83, has booked a cruise!

In the Tees, Esk and Wear Valley policy it is stated that

“placing a patient on the Liverpool Care Pathway does not

reduce the level of care given; it can give a more intense

level of care and reduce distressing symptoms. It will not

hasten death in any way. If a patient improves, the pathway

is discontinued and treatments recommenced.”

In section 6 of the same document, the spiritual and

psychological needs of the patient are supposed to be

assessed as are plans for after death. However, it states that

valid consent is required from the service user. BUT “if a

service user lacks capacity to consent, please refer to the

Mental Capacity Act”. It also states that this pathway must

be discussed with relatives and carers, but no mention is

made of the medical response should consent be withheld.

The pathway, designed to ease the suffering of patients in

their last hours or days of life, has come under intense

scrutiny recently. Many people have claimed loved-ones

were put on the pathway without their knowledge. Some

doctors have claimed it can, and does, hasten death.

Norman Lamb, the Heath Minister has announced recently

a wide-ranging review, to be overseen by an independent

chairman who will report to him in the New Year. The

Review will look at a number of issues, including why

doctors are sometimes not informing relatives of decisions

to put patients on the LCP, and the question of payments to

hospitals for meeting targets on their use of the ‘pathway’.

The Daily Telegraph revealed last month that six out of 10

NHS hospital trusts had each received payments totaling

£12 million or more for attaining these goals. In some

hospitals more than half of all dying patients are put on

the pathway.

It has to be said that this is a problem of the NHS’s own

making. Through important and effective Public Health

measures, through improvements in medical and surgical

practices and the availability of powerful drugs, many

people in the UK are living into great old age. The number

of centenarians and vulnerable immigrants has increased

rapidly over the past 4 decades. Treatment which is free at

the point of delivery has created an unprecedented and

insatiable demand for increasingly complex and expensive

health care.

The effects of that increase have been compounded by the

closure of local hospitals and the centralisation of services

in large units where those who are chronically or terminally

ill are seen to be ‘blocking’ expensive beds. Hence the

expedient use of the ‘Pathway’, an apparently acceptable

and ethical way of removing those whose life is deemed, by

some, to have no intrinsic or residual value.

All sensible people recognise the unsustainable pressure on

the resources of the NHS but the indiscriminate and

widespread ‘disposal’ of the dying is not acceptable, any

more than is the pressure on General Practitioners to

provide some kind of ‘hit list’ of those patients expected to

die within the following twelve months. The promul-gation

of these absurd, unethical, Machiavellian and Draconian

measures is unworthy of any political party and of a

Christian society, however secular it may have become, and

will serve only to undermine the confidence of the public in

the NHS and compromise the unique and necessary trust

between patients and their doctor.

Christian ministers must endorse the appropriate relief of

suffering and uphold the sanctity of life; they recognize

death as the ultimate healing and a precious gift, a gift from

God. But, in the light of the present controversy regarding

the LCP and a great deal of public concern, they should try

to ensure, difficult as it sometimes is, that they are aware of

those from their parishes who are admitted to hospital. If

possible they need to be available personally, or through the

designated Hospital Chaplain, to support them and their

relatives as appropriate, and to provide prayer, spiritual

comfort and such last rites of the church as may be desired.

It is also vital that there is support for those doctors and

nurses, who may not, for ethical or religious reasons, wish

to be involved in such practices but who fear for their jobs,

as indicated in the Tees, Esk and Wear NHS Foundation

Trust policy, if they do not co-operate. I pray that the

Independent Review will offer an acceptable,

compassionate and affordable means whereby this heinous

practice may be abandoned in favour of a more gentle and

loving approach to ‘end of life care’.

by Revd Marian Morgan February 2013

Page 16: Signposts 149 February 2013

16

NEW INN

Newbridge-On-Wye

�NEWLY REFURBISHED PUB/HOTEL�

�SPORTS BAR�

�NON-SMOKING DINING AREA�

�HOME COOKED FOOD � WARM WELCOME�

WE CAN CATER FOR ANY SIZE

FUNCTION AND/OR EVENT

On the junction of the A470 and the B4358

NEW INN Tel: 01597 860 211

COSY TOES

MOBILE FOOT HEALTH PRACTITIONER

JILL LLOYD DipCFHP, MPSPract

����NAIL TRIMMING ����CORNS REMOVED

����CALLUS REDUCTION ����INGROWING TOENAILS ����VERRUCA TREATMENT ����DIABETICS TREATED

FOR A FRIENDLY PERSONAL SERVICE CALL JILL ON

MOB: 07718150571 EVENINGSS 01591 620355

The Flower Shop

Siop Flodau

Weddings,

Anniversaries,

Funeral Flowers

31 High Street

Builth Wells

Tel 01982 52 686

CWMHINDDU

Boarding

Kennels

& Cattery

Feel free to come & view Very competitive rates

Llandewi’r Cwm, Builth Wells

Tel: 01982 552040

[email protected]

Doug Prosser

Incorporated with Crickhowell

Funeral Services

Maelgwyn

Funeral Home,

Kensington, Brecon

Memorial Masons Tel 01874 622755

www.dougprosser-brecon.com

Piano Tuning

David Day B.A.,L.R.A.M.

Qualified Piano Tuner covering Mid Wales

Tel: 01982 553623 Mob: 07966594663

email: [email protected] www.piano-tuning-wales.co.uk

For all your farm needs

‘He causeth the grass to grow for

the cattle, and the herbs for the service

of man: that he may bring forth food

out of the earth.” Psalms CIV

W Cook The Medical Hall Llanwrtyd Wells

Drug Store, Stationery & Toys, Gifts, Cosmetics,

Greetings Cards, Batteries & Torches,

Tel: 01591 610 207

GILES

MARSHALL

OPTOMETRIST

High Street,

Builth Wells

Tel. 01982 552801

Middleton Street,

Llandrindod Wells

Tel. 01597 823400

Garth Road, Builth Wells Tel: 01982

552210

All contributions (news items and ideas for future issues) are very welcome and should be sent to: Abigail Hook, The Vicarage, 1 North Road, Builth Wells LD2 3BT

Tel: 01982 552 355 E-mail: [email protected] For Advertising Queries please Richard Hussey Tel: 01591 620 648 E-mail: [email protected]

‘Signposts’ is printed by Powerprint, Llandrindod

Deadline for next issue: Monday 11th February 2013