Welcome to the website of the Shrine Church of Saint Melangell. Here you will find information about our services, events and facilities. Please use the menus at the top and bottom of the page to navigate to the page you need, or click the news links for up to date information.
Mae ein gwefan Gymraeg i’w gweld yma
Our booking form system for retreats is currently being developed and will be updated as soon as possible. In the meantime please email admin@stmelangell.org concerning booking enquiries. Thank you for your patience.
June services at the Shrine Church of St. Melangell.
The month of June is named after Juno the Roman goddess of youth and was originally dedicated to the young whilst May was for the elders, the Maiores. The longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, the summer solstice, falls on June 21st this year, with the word solstice originating from the Latin word solstitium meaning sun-stopping because the sun seems to be standing still in the sky. Due to its association with the goddess of youth, the warmer, longer daylight and the beautiful colours of the surrounding flowers and trees, June was a popular month for getting married – and it still is!
This year, it’s also when the church begins ‘Ordinary Time’, the lengthy season of Sundays after Trinity Sunday on 31st May, following the high points of Easter, Ascension Day and Pentecost or Whitsun. For that reason, the liturgical colour changes from white to green, reflecting the vivid greens of the plants and leaves on the trees maturing after May’s blossom. Traditionally, that is said to reflect hope and steady growth in life and spirituality – but in those days, green was also the colour of the most widely available dye needed for the vestments and altar frontals.
Calling this time Ordinary can be ironic for every day and season has potential for high points just as for the humdrum, for the mundane as much as for the exciting and for routine as much as variation. The one can enhance the other in that what seems boring may allow time for rest, reflection and maintenance which may be lacking in the zest, preparation and fun of celebrations. Equally, too much festivity can result in exhaustion or perhaps an awful hangover!
There’s nothing ordinary about the gift of time, which can be so precious whatever’s being experienced, although that’s not always appreciated. How is yours being used today and, as the year and the clock ticks on, what is the time telling you?
With my prayers,
Christine, Priest Guardian.
The following services will be held in June followed by a shared lunch on Thursdays and tea with cake on Sundays:
Monday 1st June – Tuesday 9th June: Cydweithio, Collaborate, an exhibition of poems and paintings by local artists from 10am – 4pm in the church. This will also include Ivan Murray’s illustrated plaques about Jesus, based on those on the ceiling of Ziess Chapel in Switzerland.
Thursday June 4th, Corpus Christi, noon: Holy Eucharist.
First Sunday after Trinity, June 7th, 3pm: Service of reflection.
Thursday June 11th, noon: Holy Eucharist and healing service for Barnabas, Apostle.
Second Sunday after Trinity, June 14th, 3pm: Service of reflection.
Thursday June 18th, noon: Holy Eucharist.
Third Sunday after Trinity, June 21st, 3pm: Service of reflection.
Thursday June 25th noon: Holy Eucharist and healing service.
Fourth Sunday after Trinity, June 28th, 3pm: Service of reflection.
Monday June 29th, 10.30am: Julian Group in the centre.
For further details or to book the Shepherd’s Hut or centre, please ring 01691 860408 or contact admin@stmelangell.org – thank you!
If you need any help or support you can contact us here.