Dear brothers and sisters,
It is with great sorrow that I have to share the sad news that despite welcoming us back to St John’s in January with all sorts of bright and cheery talk of partnership, cooperation and working together to provide Christian witness and spiritual support for the people of Cardiff, the West Cardiff Ministry Area Council (whoever that may consist of) has given our parish three months notice to leave St John’s, making clear that none of our possessions may remain in the building after the end of January.
Their email refers to…
“developments which now necessitate us giving you three months notice that from January 2025, we will no longer be willing or able to accept hire bookings, for worship or prayer purposes, from you. This follows a decision by the West Cardiff Ministry Area Council that our church buildings will only in future be available for hire – for worship or prayer purposes – by congregations and denominations who are members of Cytûn : Churches together in Wales or CTBI. As I understand it, you are members of neither ecumenical instruments and so, from January 2025, we will no longer able to accept such bookings from you.”
In a nutshell, unless we are members of an organisation with some members that deny even the Holy Trinity, the Lord’s divinity, and even the Holy Mysteries, the local Anglican clergy are UNWILLING to allow us to even pay to worship in any of their buildings.
I have to admit to incomprehension as to how we have moved from the affirmative and positive talk in Llŷs Esgob on 27 December last year, and a cheery welcome back to the Crescent, to effectively being asked to leave.
How times have changed in St John’s since Mother Frances, who always took an interest in the welfare of the parish and its faithful, and did everything to support our mission.
We now have to work rapidly to find a temporary solution, at the very least, and our prayers and sharing ideas now have an added force and urgency. At the same time, we are exploring more permanent solutions to our situation.
Though I am away until tomorrow, these are days of emails and messages, as we begin to address the urgency of our situation.
Back in Cardiff, on Thursday we will have a moleben to the Mother of God in honour of her Protecting Veil for the guidance and protection of our community at 15:00. We will chant a panikhida for St Demetrios on Saturday afternoon at 15:00, gathering in the Oratory Church for both services.
I will hear confessions on both days, but with Fr Mark away, Sunday will only allow for a few confessions whilst the church is arranged for Liturgy.
Any other confessions and the reception of Holy Communion will need to be after Liturgy, and we will need to know before the service if the Holy Gifts are to be reserved.
Next Monday – 4th November – is the feast of the Kazan Icon, and we will celebrate the Liturgy in the Oratory Church at 10:30.
Our parish observance of the feast, on Sunday 10th November, will allow us to celebrate together, and we have extended our hire time to allow for an unrushed trapeza. We will post information regarding food on WhatsApp, so please keep an eye.
Many thanks to all who contributed to services and our pilgrimage over the last week.
Saturday’s pilgrimage to Lazarica was a great joy and blessing, all the more so in the light of our ever increasing trials and hardships.
It was lovely for our parishioners to meet the Bournville faithful for Liturgy, and for us to have the privilege to offer the akathist to the Mother of God before the Hilandarska-Trojeručica icon of the Mother of God.
We are extremely grateful to Father Nenad for his great kindness and warm welcome.
Despite the growing storm-clouds we encounter, we must not allow our adversities to overshadow our celebrations and rob us of joy and grace. The darker our surroundings, the brighter the Light of Christ shines to dispel the darkness.
Our current circumstances must force us to pray more and with greater attention and devotion.
Whatever our sorrows, and whatever tests us, the Lord is Risen, the gates of hell have been shattered and death has been conquered!
Asking your forgiveness for Christ’s sake.
May God bless you.
Hieromonk Mark