On Sunday 5th July, at the end of our
150th Anniversary Service,Archbishop Barry will bless a new plaque for
the Cornerstone of Holy Trinity Church. This will replace the
original cornerstone plaque, which at some point in the past, was
removed and placed in the porch of the church, presumably for its
protection, and where it remains to this day. The original plaque
commemorates the ceremony of the laying of the cornerstone on 5th July
1865; the new one will commemorate both this event and our celebration
of the 150th anniversary in 2015.
As far as I am concerned, this new plaque symbolizes all that we are
celebrating during this I 50th anniversary year of our parish church.
It acknowledges and gives thanks for the past - remembering the efforts
of those who brought Holy Trinity into being and those who have
sustained its life for a century and a half - but it also brings the
story up to date celebrating the life of this church today.
At the top of the plaque is proudly displayed our 150th anniversary
logo designed by Gwilym Davies. The logo proclaims that Christ himself
is the true cornerstone of all that we as a community are and all that
we do. We have inherited a wonderful building, a building which truly
speaks of the mystery of God the Holy Trinity. And yet the real church
is not the building, impressive as it is, but the community which meets
there for worship - the living stones of the Church of Christ. We are
the Church of the Holy Trinity - the building is the outward sign of
that truth. We must continue to work hard to maintain the church
building; we must work even harder to maintain the church!
And so our Anniversary Weekend draws near -I hope that it proves to be
a memorable time for us all. But more than that, I hope that it will
encourage us to go on being those living stones precious to God and
willing to give ourselves anew to his service and to the service of
those amongst whom we live and work.
I end my letter this month by mentioning another anniversary being
celebrated this month - this time one of 50 years rather that 150. On
the Feast of St James the Apostle, 25th July, Canon David Jenkins will
celebrate the 50th anniversary of his ordination. Fr. David is one of
the intrepid band of'retired' clergy who are such an important part of
our parish life - and without whom it would be almost impossible to
maintain our worship.As well as his help in taking services I greatly
value Fr. David's friendship and support. Before his retirement he
exercised a ministry in two dioceses of the Church in Wales - St Asaph
and St David's, including, of course, a spell as Rector of our sister
parish of Llanrhos here in Llandudno. Fr David will celebrate a
bilingual Eucharist in Holy Trinity on St James' Day and the 10.30 am
Sung Eucharist the following day. Do join us on those occasions to
support him and to give thanks for his 50 years in the sacred ministry
of God's church.
With my best wishes and prayers,
Fr.
John
