The Area Dean, Canon Joe Griffin writes:
The Benefice of South West Gower
Comprising Port Eynon, Rhossili and Llanddewi with Oxwich and Reynoldston with Penrice
Rev Canon Joe Griffin: Tel 390456
Rev Hilary Evans:  Tel 392963

TRIBUTE BY CANON JOE GRIFFIN:
The Revd. Canon David James Wilkinson

I first met David in 1969 when his father, the Revd. David Reginald Wilkinson, became Vicar of St. Barnabas in the Uplands, Swansea where I worshipped. By then David had completed his training for the ordained ministry at Lampeter and Wycliffe Hall, Oxford. He was made Deacon in that year and served his title in St. Thomas. Far more important was the fact that Susan was also part of the St. Barnabas Church family and … well the rest is history as Sue and David shared their lives together. In time their children, Martin, Philip and Rachel arrived and latterly they had delighted in their grandchildren. Sue was David’s constant support and soul mate when David was a curate in Clydach and incumbent in Llanbadarn Fawr (Cross Gates Radnorshire), St. Nicholas-on-the-Hill (Townhill and Mayhill), Killay and finally at Ilston with Pennard. I have followed David to two of those parishes and am well acquainted with many from a third where I was once curate and know how much he was loved and admired for his faithfulness to his calling to care, teach, preach and befriend all without let or favour. Elsewhere in this magazine Pennard and Ilston’s appreciations of David’s ministry   will be recorded. In 1999 David became Area Dean of Gower and diligently embraced his responsibilities with patience encouragement and gentle leadership and was always supportive of the clerics who served with him in the Deanery. Also in 1999, David was appointed a canon of Brecon Cathedral and in 2004, Canon Precentor. Returning to Brecon to carry out his duties at the cathedral gave David time to enjoy his “home town” as he grew up in Llanfaes, Brecon.
We thank Sue and her family and David’s sister, Elizabeth, for sharing David with us. We give thanks for the loyal and faithful service he gave to this Diocese in the service of his Lord and Master.
“For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known.” (1Cor13.12)
 
MINISTRY AND MISSION 
Deanery Conference 2011 - The majority of participants in the September 2010 Conference voted in favour of repeating the workshop exercise in 2011, looking to 2012 planning. A summary of Conference outcomes, compiled from reports by the day’s group facilitators, has been drawn to assist in directing our focus of attention to encourage congregation growth. Facilitator reports were based on participants’ completed questionnaires. Each church is asked to choose, via its church representative, which of the eight areas identified in a chart provided, as the one, or ones, they prioritise for attention. SWG Benefice representatives are responding by e-mail to Peter Davies by 13 February 2011 
Ash Wednesday 9 March – Beginning of Lent
There will be services on Ash Wednesday at 10:30 AM in St. Cattwg’s Church, Port Eynon, and 6:30 PM at St. Illtyd’s Church, Oxwich.
Lent:  A time for giving up, or taking on something for the good of others? Well maybe but it is much more. It is a time to journey with Jesus who spent forty days apart (in the wilderness) before the start of his earthly ministry. A time for personal reflection on where we are with our Christian spiritual lives. A time to grow closer to our Lord through prayer and reading scripture and pondering on what we read. A time to be still and wait upon God. A time for a good personal spring clean in readiness for Holy Week and the joy of the Easter message.
Lent Discussion Groups
"Rich Inheritance - Jesus' legacy of love" is the title of the new York Lent course that is being followed this year. There is a book and cd to help our
time together as the Christian family to pray, reflect and discuss the challenges laid before us in the pages of this exciting York course.
Meetings will begin on Wednesday, 16 & Thursday, 17 March. The Wednesday morning venue is Ben and Rosemary Wigley’s home Corner Stones, Oxwich at 10:30. Thursday at 12 Noon will be at Revd. Gill Evans’ home Riverside, Rhossili. If there is demand for a third session it can be arranged. These times together are open to all wishing to open another window on their Christian journey and you are invited to come and share.
Good Friday Witness: Repetition of last year’s successful event will this year be preceded by a meeting to be chaired by the Rev Hilary at the Reynoldston Rectory on Monday 7 March at 7.30 pm, and to which each church has been invited to send a representative to participate in procedure planning.
Gower Show Church Tent: Sunday 7 August 2011 is the date fixed for Gower’s agricultural show. Benefice  Church committees are requested to consider how they can assist in the staging of this Ecumenical event, for which a larger tent has been approved this year. Its importance rates high in the Deanery’s mission and outreach programme.   
Burundi Project: As the Benefice of SW Gower, we have committed ourselves to provide £1000 each year for four years to finance refresher training courses for Church Teachers in the Diocese of Matana in the Republic of Burundi. Church teachers in Burundi are at the forefront of Christian Mission in the parishes, taking responsibility for a congregation. They provide leadership in worship, pastoral care, preparation for baptism and they often teach literacy and basic agricultural development skills.
The first course, funded by our gift, has taken place with Church Teachers from 4 parishes in the Archdeaconry of Matana. The course had a particular emphasis on a new method of adult literacy training developed by the Mother’s Union. While the Bishop was visiting parishes to conduct Confirmations, he realised that many of the candidates were not able to read or write. The refresher course focussed on training the Church Teachers how to teach literacy so they can enable their church members to read the Bible for themselves.
The brief report from the Diocesan Secretary, Canon Seth Ndayirukiye, gave thanks for our gift and said “The training was really appreciated and recommended to be taught in other Archdeaconries”.
In financial terms, we can report that the efforts of the six churches within the United Benefice of South West Gower have so far resulted in £3022 being raised for this project.  This response has included a Burundi Breakfast (£850), a dedicated Songs of Praise (£122), the Clock is Ticking competition (£579), a Plant and Produce Sale (£443) and several generous donations from individuals and local organisations.  We are now ready to send our second gift of £1000 as soon as confirmation is received from Burundi that our chosen projects are continuing. Efforts over the next eighteen months include another Plant and Produce sale with a view to reaching our £4000 target by the summer of 2012.
 
Blossoms FOR BURUNDI – plants too!
Gardeners get planting your seeds and add some for the plant sale on 14 May. This year it is part of our fund raising for the Diocese of Matana in Burundi. The venue will be The Rectory in Knelston which may, by then, be a box-free zone!


From the New Rectory, Knelston
Parson’s Ponderings - The World War I song “Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag and smile boys that’s the style……” has flashed into my mind during the past month, although the old kit bag needed to be five Luton van loads to move us from Port Eynon to Knelston. We really wanted to smile but the spirit of Eor was more prevalent. Even the last minute removal of a skip from Knelston Rectory forecourt only deserved a twitch of the lips for the scaffolding and building contractors were still there.
 
In WWII talk D Day (moving in) has happened but VE Day (a building contractor free zone) is still to come but we battle on.
 
Smiles were hard leaving The Rectory in Port Eynon as we had once again left a home that had overriding good memories for us and we were blessed with good neighbours. Harder still to smile when we received a letter from the City & County of Swansea (CCS) Planning Department to inform us that the blot on the skyscape or as others have called it an aircraft hanger in this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty was to stay. The agricultural buildings are to remain but only for agricultural use. Watch this space!
 
Any hope of leaving planning issues behind was soon thwarted. As we surfaced from the myriad of boxes (we’ve got to down size) news emerged that the playing field of Knelston Primary School is under threat from those who ought to know better. The Local Education Authority has proposals to reduce the area around Knelston School by selling off three sites for housing. The LEA ought to know how hard the school community has worked to develop the grounds and have resulted in the school receiving prestigious eco awards. The whole area is used to educate the youngsters in becoming aware of the wonders of the natural world all around them. Physical education is important too and the grounds are constantly used for this purpose both as part of the curriculum and in break times.
 
It is unfortunate but there are some who suggest that the children in the countryside (as in Gower) have plenty of green fields around them and don’t need as much space in their school grounds. Excuse me, but haven’t they heard of working farm land? Or how would such people appreciate children running through their manicured lawns in the urban areas? Where are the children’s playgrounds that city children enjoy but not their rural counterparts?
 
“…. Smile boys that’s the style…” There will be a smile on the faces of the girls and boys if the ludicrous idea is firmly turned down by the Planning Committee – the same Planning Committee that permitted the barns in Port Eynon to stay. We can and must do all that is possible to make known our dismay at the proposal to sell off school land. Signing the petition is a great start but we need to go further by writing to our representatives – community councils, City & County of Swansea councillor, Assembly members and Member of Parliament. Also, the Chief Executive Officer of CCS, the Planning Department and the Director of Education Authority all of whom are in the Civic Centre.
 
In spite of everything, I can still smile when I recall Jesus’ teaching which included a camel trying to get through the eye of a needle.

OUTREACH
Service to mark the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Many thanks to St. Cattwg’s folk who welcomed all on 23 January for this year’s service which had been prepared by Christians in Jerusalem. It gave all from South West Gower churches an opportunity to welcome the Revd. Andy Walker who is minister to the Methodist community amongst us. Revd. Andy’s address was challenging with much to ponder on. The singing was a very “good sound” reflecting the wonderful number of Methodists in the congregation. Unfortunately the same could not be said for the Anglican presence. The new facilities in the church were well used as light refreshments were served after the service and much fellowship shared amongst each other.
 Cathedral Chaos Day, 21 May - calling all children to an exciting day of fun and crafts in the cathedral in Brecon with other youngsters from many places in the Diocese. More details will soon be available.
Prayer Groups - Stepping  Stones parish prayer group will meet on Wednesday 2nd March 2011 at Pat Davies's home, Well Cottage, Port Eynon.   Anyone is welcome to come or to request prayer.  Contact Rev. Roger Bowen (tel. 391591).

GENERAL
Ladies’ Working Party – As reported elsewhere, there was news of the death of our former staunch helper, Meg Connors. A memorial service for Meg was held at St.Cattwg’s on January 31st.
The AGM was due to be held on February 15th at Penny Henderson’s new house, where we all hope Penny & John will live very happily. Our friend Olive Eason is still unwell after a fall before Christmas and we send her love and best wishes.
SWG Benefice Service – 30 January 2011
Mugs of piping hot leek and potato soup at the Village Hall door welcomed about forty worshippers who came along after this, the first of 2011’s fifth Sunday of the month Benefice services: it was St George’s, Reynoldston, turn. The bright but very frosty morning attracted a good congregation swelled by the Benefice Choir, whom we all thank for their good performance, and congratulate David Williams on his beautiful “Gloria” composition, given its debut during the Holy Eucharist service.  Thanks too to all who provided the abundance of quality food, and organisation, which made the “Bring and Share Lunch” successful, and proved the value of such occasions as a good forum for enjoyable interaction between the Benefice church parishioners.

Memorial Service – St. Cattwg’s Port Eynon
On Saturday morning 5 March at 11 o’clock in St. Cattwg’s there will be a memorial service for Vivienne Elaine Henwood. Miss Henwood, her mother and father were long time supporters of the RNLI at Mumbles and in Horton. Miss Henwood was a most generous benefactress towards the installation of the stained glass window located in the south west corner of the church with its RNLI associations. Members of the public are invited to join Horton RNLI to give thanks for the life and service of Vivienne Elaine Henwood

 TIMES OF SERVICE, MARCH 2011
LLANDDEWI (St David’s)
1st. Sunday             11.15am    Holy Eucharist
2nd, 3rd, 4th Sunday                    8.30 am           Holy Eucharist
OXWICH (St Illtyd’s)
1st Sunday                                9.45 am           Morning Worship
9 March: Ash Wednesday    6.30         Holy Communion
2nd, 3rd, 4th Sunday                    9.45 am           Holy Communion (Sung)
PENRICE (St Andrew’s)
1st, 2nd, 4th Sunday                      8.30 am          Holy Eucharist
3rd Sunday                                 11.15 am        Holy Eucharist
PORT EYNON (St Cattwg’s)
1st., & 3rd Sunday                          9.45 am         Holy Eucharist
9 March: Ash Wednesday1      10.30         Holy Eucharist
2nd Sunday               9.45         Mattins
4th Sunday                                  9.45 am         Morning Worship
REYNOLDSTON (St George’s)
1st, 3rd & 4th Sunday                     9.30 am         Holy Eucharist
2nd Sunday                9.30         Morning Worship
RHOSSILI (St Mary’s)
1st Sunday                                   11.00 am        Holy Eucharist (All ages)
2nd, 4th Sunday                               9.45 am        Holy Eucharist
3rd Sunday                                   11.00 am         Holy Eucharist
 

 
BENEFICE CHURCHES REPORTS:
St Cattwg’s, Port Eynon – A special Service for Christian Unity was held in our church on January 23rd. It was well attended and we enjoyed the address by the Rev. Andrew Walker. Coffee and biscuits were served afterwards in the transept.
Later in the week our transept was hired for the first time by an outside group. Members of Llanddewi with Knelston WI gathered for an afternoon of crafts and gossip; it is planned that this should be a regular event on the last Wednesday of each month, from 2 pm till 4 pm.
A Memorial Service and Committal of Ashes of the late Meg Connors took place on January 31st, followed by a reception at the King Arthur. It was a welcome opportunity for all who had known Meg to condole with her family and friends and we thank them for their hospitality.
There was news recently of the death of Margaret Price, formerly of Skysea Cottage. We send sympathy to her family and friends.
A delightful event was put on by village children in aid of the RNLI. This consisted of a procession through the village at dusk, bearing fabulous huge lanterns that the children had created, helped by Margot Attwell and Mi’chal Rixson. There was a Noah’s Ark, a dragon, an angel, some fish and a number of other exotic shapes, lit from within. A percussion band led them all the way to the Lifeboat House at Horton and they raised about £65 towards the Lifeboat Institution’s grand total on that day.
The sad cancellation of the Senior Residents’ Christmas lunch was not a total disaster, as hostess Rhona Morgan went out into the highways and byways, gathered in her neighbours and treated them all to turkey and trimmings. The lunches should resume during February. Worshippers at St. Cattwg's were deeply saddened to hear of the death of Canon Wilkinson and offer their sincere condolences and prayers to Sue and her family

St David’s, Llandewi –  Our sympathy to Gareth and Angela Jones on the death of Gareth's mother, Mrs Enid Jones of Crofty, on the 1st January, 2011. They are in our thoughts and prayers.
On St David's Day , 1st March, a service for the Patronal Festival will be held at Llanddewi at 10.30am. On the first Sunday in March (6th March) at 11.15 am there will be a Eucharistic Service taken by the Rector. The Annual Congregational Meeting will take place on Monday, 7th March at 10.00 am. We hope as many people as possible will be able to attend.
 We send belated Good Wishes to Mrs Avril Tucker, who celebrated her 90th Birthday on the 10th February.
 The Coffee Morning in aid of churchyard funds was a happy occasion, when we were blessed with a beautiful sunny morning. Our thanks to everyone who helped and donated in any way. We particularly thank Susan and John Hutson for their generous hospitality.
We were very sad to learn of the death of Canon David Wilkinson last month, on the eve of his retirement. Many of us will have come to know the Area Dean through the notes he wrote each month for the Deanery magazine, in which he provided background information for our faith, and encouraged us to be faithful in our Christian witness. His leadership of Deanery Conference was gentle and good humoured, as he helped us to face some difficult challenges. Those of us who knew him will remember him with affection. We hold his devoted wife, Sue, in our prayers.

 


St Andrew’s, Penrice – As the evenings draw out and spring is anticipated, St Andrew's will be preparing to launch the sixth season of Penrice Lectures. The lectures have been devoted to exploring the natural, social and cultural history of Gower. The first lecture in 2011 is something intriguing and special. On Tuesday 19th April, Dr Rob Penhallurick of the Department of English at Swansea University will speak on "The English Dialect of Gower". Rob has studied and recorded dialects and changes of language for some years and will reveal what is known about the sometimes delicate, sometimes dramatic, life of language. The lecture begins at 7.00, as usual - please spread the word. We are refreshing our mailing lists and are keen to bring as many people as possible to St Andrew's.
A complete list of Penrice Lectures for the past five years is available from St Andrew's. Unfortunately, the Penrice Calendar for 2011 is completely sold out.
The congregation of St Andrew's joins with those of the Benefice to give thanks for the ministry of the Rev David Wilkinson and to pray for his family.

St George’s, Reynoldston – Benefice Holy Eucharist, 30th January: We welcomed the opportunity to worship with our co-parishioners and host them afterwards in the Reynoldston Village Hall at the “Bring and Share Lunch”. The service was led by the Rev Hilary with the Rev Canon Joe Griffin. We commend our organist, David Williams, for his beautiful “Gloria” which was introduced at this service by the Benefice Choir.
Condolence – On Sunday 13th February, we sadly received the announcement of the death of Gower's former Area Dean, Canon David Wilkinson. We join the Benefice in surrounding his family with prayers of condolence and comfort, and in mourning his loss to the community. We pray for the Rev Canon Joe Griffin in his extended responsibilities as Area Dean which he assumed at the beginning of the year.
Christingle Service, Sunday 6th February:  Our family Holy Eurcharist service centred on Christ’s unextingishable light, with children happily helping to illustrate this under Rev Hilary’s leadership. Beautiful Christingle oranges, created by a team working in the Church on Saturday morning, and symbolic of the Light of the Wolrd, were handed to each member of the congregation.
Eve of St Valentine’s Supper Concert, Sunday 13th February:  Thanks to all whose organization and hard work afforded us an enjoyable evening of very good food and entertainment, and thanks to the good crowd who came and supported the event enthusiastically. The programme of music, sacred and secular, sung by the Phoenix Male Voice Choir, was well balanced and beautifully executed
Golden Wedding – Warmest congratulations to James and Sue Hutson, who married in Lushoto, Tanganyika, on 28th January 1961. All Reynoldston were treated to their kind hospitality on 28th January 2011 during a day of non-stop visitors to their home, where eats were both delicious and lavish, and generous supplies of drink appropriate to the time of day were poured! James and Sue have devoted years of service to the parish of St George’s, as committee members and James further as warden, continuing sidesman and chalice bearer. Sue is an important chorister and valuable member of the Social and Fundraising Committee.
Welcome to the new Rectory at Knelston:  We wish the Rev Joe and Leslie well in their new home at Forge Acre, Knelston. May they soon feel thoroughly settled and very happy there.
2011 Dates for your Diary: The Social and Fundraising Committee’s events planned for the rest of the year follow. Hopefully none will clash with other Benefice church fixtures:
Friday 6th May            Coffee Morning at Angela Bending’s home
Sunday 2nd October        Harvest Supper, Reynoldston Village Hall
Saturday 19th November        Christmas Fair, Reynoldston Village Hall
Wednesay 21st December    Carols on the Green

St Iltyd’s, Oxwich - On March 4th we once again have opportunity to join with Christians from all Gower for Worship as we celebrate the women’s World Day of Prayer. This year the host church will be Ebenezer, Oldwalls and the service is entitled, “How many loaves have you?”and has been prepared by the Christian women of Chile. To be worshipping as one  community all over the world is an extremely moving and meaningful occasion, as well as having contact with Christians in our own area. The service starts at 2pm and is not exclusively for the women of Gower; men are welcome too.
During Lent congregations of the SW Gower Parish will be joining on several of the significant days of this season. St. Illtyd’s will be the venue for an Ash Wednesday service 6.30pm and also on Maundy Thursday. The joining together of congregations whenever possible can only strengthen the cause of Christ in this area and deepen the faith of those participating.
The congregation of St. Illtyd’s extends its sincere sympathy to the wife and family of the late Rev.Canon David Wilkinson and thank God for all he did for us as Area Dean. We assure Rector Joe of our strong support and prayers as he takes up this responsible post.
            
FROM THE REGISTERS
Holy Matrimony
5 February: Robert William Llewelyn and Rhiannon Caroline Morgan (Reynoldston)
12 February: Daniel George Bevan and Lucy Ann Parry (Reynoldston)

Burial of cremated remains
24 December: Jean Allsop 4 The Boar Lands aged 86 years (Port Eynon)
31 January: Megan Mary Connors, St. Francis Court, Littlehampton and formerly The Boar Lands aged 83 years (Port Eynon)