This Sunday and through the week we pray for

Bro Dwylan

We pray for:

• the wardens, Ministry Area Council members, worship leaders, Sunday School team and all who give their time and energy so generously to the life of the Ministry Area
• the Revd Tom Saunders, our Vicar, and his wife Angela as they settle into the new vicarage in Penmaenmawr
• Ordinand Andy Broadbent and his family as he approaches his ordination as Deacon in June; with thanks for his inspiring and innovative approach to ministry, and with great hopes for this to bear even more fruit over the coming years
• the guidance of the Holy Spirit and for wisdom as we discern where to put our limited resources and over-stretched people to best use, considering not only the activities that we have today, but also the new initiatives and ministries God may be calling us to develop and create
• the means to keep our churches in good order and to improve them where possible, so that the communities of Dwygyfylchi, Penmaenmawr and Llanfairfechan continue to see the physical presence of God’s church as a living and active force in the community

From our Assistant Bishop

On Mothering Sunday we have an opportunity to contemplate the fullness of maternal love with all its sorrows and joys. Many of us can think of individuals (not only mothers) who have shown us motherly love in ways that have helped us to grow and flourish. Sometimes reflecting on motherhood highlights losses or grief in our lives which can also be be an expression of love even though such feelings may be painful to acknowledge. We know that this festival, which has become a secular day of expressing thanks to mothers, began as a celebration of the church’s ministry. It was originally a day for workers to return to the place where they were baptised and then to go on to visit family and relatives.

Returning to the roots of our faith and spending time reflecting upon our faith journey, giving thanks for any encouragements we have received and for those who have helped us to know that we are loved is always good work. Recently those who have been helping the church to refresh the way we welcome new Christians at Baptism in the “Life Events” training we have received, have encouraged us to think carefully about the welcome we offer and to consider how we can show this. We believe that God always welcomes us unconditionally and generously. Jesus repeatedly shows us what this is like; greeting everyone, from whatever background, with dignity, respect and with a generous offering of his time, care and attention. We see this when he fed the hungry, tended the sick and was present to those who were grieving, even from the cross. Seeking to live like Jesus, to be present to others and to offer a generous welcome calls all of us to work at the tasks of discipleship. This week as a diocesan family we welcome The Rev’d Ben and Jean Griffith to Bro Ardudwy and into our midst, we look forward to getting to know them and celebrating their arrival. May this fourth Sunday of Lent be refreshing and joyful - a little foretaste of Easter.

God, you are made known to us in the fullness of love; thank you for all who show us kindness and hospitality through their tenderness and care. Be close to us today, help us to notice your presence in our lives and to make space to delight in your love. Speak to us in ways that we can understand. Help us to offer our whole selves to you and to welcome others with open hearts.Teach us your ways of gentleness and peace. We ask this in the name of Jesus, our healer and our guide, Amen.

Surrounded by water

Church Island (Ynys Tysilio), Menai Bridge, is a place of blessing. The Revd Canon Dr Randolph Ellis and the Revd Dr Tania ap Sion have been immersed in that place since 2016. Recently, they released a video on YouTube called Surrounded by water: ministry on a tiny island in North West Wales. Through using a different kind of voice, they are sharing more widely their experience of place as having priority.