This Thursday, 14 May, is Ascension Day, which marks the bodily ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven, 40 days after Easter, and the end of his ministry on earth. There will be a service of Holy Communion in St Andrew’s Presteigne at 8 am, followed by breakfast in the Church Hall.Everyone is welcome to join us (but you only get breakfast if you’ve been to the service!).
Everyone in our church community is delighted that Dilwyn Price, church warden of St Michael's Discoed, was chosen to receive a gift of Maundy Money at this year's Royal Maundy Service, which took place in St Asaph's Cathedral on Maundy Thursday, 2 April. Unfortunately Dilwyn wasn't well enough to travel to St Asaph to receive the gift personally from His Majesty the King, so the Bishop of Hereford, the Right Reverend Richard Jackson, travelled over to Discoed to present it to Dilwyn at his home. Maundy Money is given in recognition of the recipients’ outstanding Christian service, and for making a difference to the lives of people in their local communities. It was given to 77 men and 77 women, to match the King's age, from dioceses around the UK. They each received two purses; in the white purse this year was a set of specially minted silver Maundy coins totalling 77 pennies and in the Red Purse was a £5 coin commemorating 100 years since Queen Elizabeth II’s birth, and a 50p coin that celebrated the 50th anniversary of The King’s Trust. This was only the second time the Royal Maundy Service had been held in Wales; the last time was in 1982. The nomination statement for Dilwyn read: 'Discoed, a chapel of ease of St Andrew’s, Presteigne, owes an immense debt to Dilwyn, a semi-retired farmer and long-serving Churchwarden who played a crucial role in saving St Michael’s from closure, restoring its finances, overseeing major repairs and reordering, and helping it to grow into a centre for both worship and the arts. Now in his eighties, he continues to serve tirelessly by setting up for services and events, welcoming all who come, caring for the church and churchyard, serving on the Friends Group, supporting neighbours across the community, and keeping the clergy closely in touch with local life, embodying a prayerful, practical and quietly faithful Christian witness at the heart of Discoed.'Acknowledging the award, Dilwyn said: 'I was very surprised by the nomination, and very honoured to have been chosen. I am a churchwarden and have been for a number of years and will continue as long as I am able.'He was one of seven recipients of the Maundy Money from the Hereford Diocese this year. Bishop Richard, who made the nominations, said: 'Each year, the Maundy Money service offers an opportunity to recognise the Christ-like service and long-standing contributions of those who have given so much to the life and ministry of the Church. We count it a particular honour and joy to serve as a Diocese whose parishes span the Welsh border, and to celebrate the faithful witness of those whose ministry enriches communities on both sides. It is a joyful occasion, and I am deeply thankful for the faithful example of Dilwyn, Jacqueline, Rosemary, John, Shirley, Marion and Jean as followers of Jesus.'[PHOTO: Bishop Richard Jackson and Dilwyn Price, by Rev Debbie Venables]
