THE latest community news from Llanfihangel Y Pennant

St Michael’s

THE medieval Church of St Michael’s will echo to the music of Celtic Evening Prayer over the summer months.

This new initiative by Rev Dr Ruth Hansford, leader of the Bro Ystumanner Ministry Area, incorporates the haunting music of the Celtic Daily Prayer created by the Northumbria Community, a Christian group inspired by the Celtic history and spirituality of Holy Island (Lindisfarne) and Northumbria.

The first Celtic Evening Prayer at St Michael’s took place on Wednesday, 25 July.

Rev Ruth said: “Singing can engage us in a special way, allowing the deepening of those connections to God, each other, and the world that were so important to the faith of Christians in the Celtic Church.

“Worshipping together in this way draws on the foundations of the past to inspire us in our continuing journeys.”

St Michael’s is a church which attracts hundreds of visitors from round the world every year.

From comments and the messages left in the visitors’ book, it is clear most of these 21st century pilgrims find St Michael’s to be a very special spiritual place.

Many come to visit the Mary Jones Exhibition in the vestry, which celebrates the historic walk that a simple country girl made in 1804 from Llanfihangel to Bala to buy a Bible in Welsh.

This contributed to the foundation of the British and Foreign Bible Society, now known simply as The Bible Society.

Others are attracted by the beautifully crafted model of the Dysynni Valley, sewn over four years by local women.

Whatever brings them to the church, it is rare for people to leave without being moved by the atmosphere of quietness and contemplation they find there.

Future Celtic Evening Prayer services will take place at 3pm on Friday, 17, 24 and 31 August and 7 and 14 September.

Everyone is welcome.

More information is available from Rev Dr Ruth Hansford, tel 01654 710255.

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