Author: Lyndsey Maiden

Covid 19

Community Support Information -Covid 19

Comment

Meal Delivery, Shopping, Medication collection, general support during COVID 19 outbreak

PLEASE NOTE THE SERVICES THAT HAVE BEEN OFFERED MAY CHANGE TIMES AND OFFERS MAY BE EXTENDED AS THE SITUATION CHANGES. PLEASE CALL SERVICE DIRECT FOR UP TO DATE INFORMATION

AMMAN GWENDRAETH

Rwyth Cabs currently operate 20 Licensed Taxis including 1-8 Seaters.There are 10 Drivers who are registered with the Local Authority and who have Full DBS Certification. There is Disability access. The company are based in and operate 15 miles from Pontyates Nr Llanelli SA15 STB. Can assist with collection of goods medical supplies and other, in addition to the conveyance of persons etc this list is not exhaustive. A 24/7 Service can be offered.

Any queries please call 01267 468250 07791 085096/07905 462519, Jamie, Tracey, or Martin
Watkins Grocery, 10 Heol Y Neuadd, Tumble , 01269 832856, meal delivery and grocery deliveries, Ty Dyffryn delivery every Monday at 2.30pm, Thursday at 3.30pm. VERIFIED

Pixeys Place , 66 Cwmamman Road, takeaway Sunday dinner, it is Free delivery for up to 3 miles and then up to 5 miles £1.00 and up to 10 mile £2.00. Delivering from 12.00 – 3.00pm and large menu (available on Facebook). £5.99 for adult £6.99 inc dessert, XL dinner £8.99 inc dessert, OAP rate £4.99 inc dessert. Call 07591841147.

The Y Farchnad Fach Ltd, 4 Bethesda Rd, Tumble,Llanelli,Dyfed,SA14 6HY, Tel: 01269 844555, they deliver to quite a large area groceries and fuel (gas and coal) and also do a hot meal delivery service. Shop in Capel Hendre also Please phone for further details. VERIFIED

Canolfan Maerdy, New Rd, Tairgwaith, Ammanford SA18 1UP, 01269 826893 Community food Hub and centre, Community Car, Canolfan Maerdy can provide online access for CAB advice and essential services. Open weekdays, The Food Hub is open 10.30 to 3pm and has some still has food available today, with further food incoming daily
– There is access to computers for those needing to go online
– The Community Car is still operating for those that need it. VERIFIED

Y Cwtsh café in Penygroes is offering a meals on wheels service. They can be contacted on 07933305707. Meals can be delivered locally i.e. Penygroes, Capel Hendre, Tycroes, Llandybie, Blaenau, Cross Hands. Patients who are self-isolating can have meals left on the doorstep if needed. VERIFIED
They are also looking for volunteer drivers – so that they are able to cope with increasing demand. If anyone can spare a bit of time please ask them to contact the number above.

Y Cwtch café, Pontyberem do a local meal delivery service for elderly. After school Club. They can be contacted on 01269 871300. VERIFIED
The Smiths Arms, Heol Y Foel, Foelgastell, Cross Hands, Llanelli SA14 7EL, 01269 842213, offering meal deliveries, 12.00-3.00pm and 5.30 – 8.00pm VERIFIED

Bwyd Y Cwm Pontyates RFC, 01269 860444, for over 65’s takeaway roast dinner Wednesday evenings delivered 3 mile radius available from 4.00pm VERIFIED

J J’s Fish Bar, Glanaman, Ammanford SA18 1DJ, 01269 267637, delivery 9.00am – 2.00pm, also offering deliveries of groceries from local supermarkets. VERIFIED

Blas o’r Dyffryn, Ty Dyffyn restaurant, contact Ben 01269 596648, or 01269 590097, meal deliveries to residents of Ty Dyffyn and surrounding area. VERIFIED

Valans, 29 High St, Llandybïe, Ammanford SA18 3HX, 01269 851288, Takeaway and home deliveries VERIFIED

Hendy Pharmacy, 01792 881234, Home deliveries of prescriptions and goods to the local area VERIFIED

Mountain Gate, 01269 596274, Take away meals and home deliveries VERIFIED

Tycroes Supermarket, 01269 594464, Home deliveries VERIFIED

The Red Kite, 89 Pontamman Rd, Ammanford SA18 2JD, 01269 597177, delivery Garnant , Brynamman, Ammanford, LEFT MESSAGE

Tycroes Supermarket, 01269 594464, 17 Ammanford Rd, Tycroes, Ammanford SA18 3QJ Home deliveries or groceries. 7.00am – 9.00pm

Day Today, 6 Church Street, Llandybie

General grocery stores, Local deliveries available, call Jason, 01269853807

JRG Williams Pharmacy 31 High Street Llandybie SA18 3HX

Chemist, local deliveries available, 01269 850302

SPAR 25 High Street SA18 3HX

General grocery store can deliver for regular customers, will also assist any customer requiring help when shopping packing and assistance to car etc.
01269 850211

Cig y Cennen, Dai Watkins 5 High St, Llandybie, Ammanford SA18 3HX
Butchers, vegetables, takeaway goods, pies and pasties, dairy goods, xmas club.
Friday local deliveries, 01269 850814

Freshbite, The Arcade, Ammanford SA18 2LN
Takeaway and sandwich bar, jackets, baguettes, daily specials eg cheese and potato pie, Over £10 order will deliver locally.01269 596648

Co Op, College St, Ammanford, Carmarthenshire SA18 3AB
General grocery stores, free home delivery of goods purchased in store, over £25.
No local delivery from phone call as yet waiting on response from Co op customer service, 01269 591533

Sunday Carvery from Amman Centre, Margaret Street, every Sunday starting May 4th from 12.30 – 2.30pm home delivery possible in Ammanford town area, £7.95 per person call 01269 598705 to order. Eat in at the centre 12.00 sitting and 2.00 sitting £6.95 per person booking needed, 01269 598705
Trimsaran Leisure Centre Cafe can make up frozen meals for individuals in the village who have to self-isolate. If they just ring the Centre on 01554 810155 to order. 9.00am – 5.00pm Mon – Fri VERIFIED

CARMARTHEN 3T’s

The Angel Public House, Salem, Llandeilo SA19 7LY, Are now doing takeaway meals and hoping to set up pop up shop, Wednesday to Sunday, contact if you want anything they will try and provide. Nolenne 01558 822982
‘La Patisserie’ in Llandovery is offering anyone who needs help they can delivery fresh bread, milk, cheese, eggs etc. They can also provide lunch or tea on the day if someone needs it  – 07947899126
Stavin Mavins- 26 Lammas St, Carmarthen SA31 3AL, 01267 231144, deliver cooked meals and snacks, will deliver to elderly in Carmarthen out of hours 7.45 – 3.45pm. VERIFIED
Black Ox- 44 High St, Abergwili, Carmarthen SA31 2JB, 01267 237370, meal deliveries,el;derly and anyone in difficulty who are self-isolating, Wed 4.00pm – Sun 4.00pm. VERIFIED
The Dovers- 106 Lammas St, Carmarthen SA31 3AP, call Bobby 01267 237667, 07966588365, meal deliveries, to anyone Carmarthen town possible surrounding areas, all week, 9.00am onwards, breakfast, lunch and dinner available. VERFIED
Dovers Arms Hotel, B&B, discount prices with breakfast, have 11 bedrooms all on suite so ideal for self isolation, potentially 19 beds available for anyone needing to self-isolate that maybe away from home or , contact Claudia or Emma.VERIFIED
Fruits of Eden, Market precinct, fruit and veg, eggs, honey, pickles, delivery Carmarthen and surrounding areas phone line will be open until 10pm. For delivery on Thursdays.
Please ring, voicemail or leave a text message with your order before 10pm tonight, 07917114222. Payments can be taken by contactless if desired but if you absolutely need no contact we can take payment over the phone just before drop off and then drop to your door.2hr delivery slot for Thursday’s delivery. VERIFIED
The Pit Stop- Marsh Rd, Pendine, Carmarthen SA33 4NY, If you’re over 70 or vulnerable & wish to distance yourself from risk we are happy to take grocery orders & payments over the phone & deliver the goods to your doorstep later in the day.We can cover Brook, Llanmiloe, Pendine, Marros, Tavernspite, Llanddowror, Llanteg etc with ease. Phone orders through on 01994 453553 9am – 6.30pm. VERIFIED
Burns Parc y Boc, 01554 890482, delivering groceries to elderly and vulnerable in Kidwelly community from local stores.
Rogers & Son Butchers, 19-20 Lammas St, Carmarthen SA31 3AL, 01267 238736, non-contact home delivery, pay over the phone and a drive through for a period of time. VERIFIED
What’s cooking @ No14 –14 St John Street. Whitland. Carmarthenshire. SA34 0AN, Have all meals available to be picked up from the cafe ready to take re- heat or freeze at home. Full menu available £5.00 for two course meal. Can deliver radius 5 mile. Taking bulk orders, please call if you are outside this remit they will be willing to consider anything to support. 01994 241776, contact 9.00am – 2.00pm. VERIFIED
The Lunch Box- High St, Llandysul SA44 4DG, 01559 362345 WAITING CONTACT
The Llwyndafydd Inn- Saron, Llandysul SA44 5DR, 01559 371048, delivery’s or takeaways meals, contact for more details. 5.00pm – 10.00pm,12.00 – 10.00pm Sundays closed Mon and Tues VERIFIED
Ginhaus Deli- Market St, Llandeilo SA19 6AH, 01558 823030, delivery to Llandeilo, hot meals, and basic essentials, can grab basic medication if needed. 8.00am 0 5.00pm closed Sundays. VERIFIED
Old Market Square Delicatessen , 6 Notts Square, Carmarthen SA31 1PG, 01267 236175, delivery service of bread milk eggs , light bites, up to 10-15 miles, 9.00-4.00 Mon – Sat. VERIFIED,
Goose & Cuckoo, Queens Square, Llangadog SA19 9EE, 01550 777359, delivery of frozen based meals, if needed can do shopping, 9.00 – 12.00pm to get order for that day, but available to call outside these hours. VERIFIED
Pendine Chapel & surrounding areas- Pastor Haydn 01994 452 597- Offering collection of shopping, pensions, prescription or a chat of support Llanmiloe and Pendine , contact in normal day time but can respond in emergency at anytime. VERIFIED
Teresa Walters, volunteering service in Llanybydder and nearby via a facebook page (please search for Llanybydder Community Support https://www.facebook.com/Llanybydder-Community-Support-107818794184724/ and volunteer if you live near  or ask those who need support to message) to carry out deliveries/make phone calls to any isolated or self-isolating individuals.  We’re not vetting, just putting people together who will already know each other.

LLANELLI
Seaside Café,  53 Caroline St, Llanelli SA15 2PB,  01554 774483, Drop off food station donations welcome for distribution to the elderly and vulnerable in the community. Mon – Sat 8.00am – 2.00pm Seaside Cafe, and Seaside AFC along with Cllr Sean Rees have teamed up with Llanelli Surplus Food (CETMA) to collect and distribute food. Drop off points are:
Seaside Cafe (Seaside AFC helping out with storage.)
Open Monday-Saturday (8am – 2pm)
Llanelli Surplus Food are looking for volunteers. They distribute surplus food donated by businesses to disadvantaged people throughout the Llanelli area. Telephone: 01554 772056 Email: info@llanellisurplusfood.org.uk
CETMA Surplus Food Distribution Centre and offices in Marsh St.
Open Monday – Friday (10am – 5pm)
Lifeshare – food and clothes bank have seen a recent downturn in donations. They have a list of most needed items on their Facebook page, and can also accept online financial donations. They also have a donation trolley in Asda, and take in donations 12-2pm Tuesday and Thursday at the Antioch Centre on Copperworks Road. Telephone: 01554 741674
4×4 Response South Wales have a team of volunteer responders able to assist with tasks such as picking up medication or urgent supplies. Contactable 24hrs a day, 7 days a week telephone – 02921 281 821
email – southwales@4x4responsewales.org
The White Lion, Park View, Llanelli SA14 8BH, 01554 776644, delivery service of hot meals, 9.00- 8.00pm Wednesday – Saturday, 12 – 5.00pm Sunday. VERIFIED
ELLI WARD AND NEED HELP? The ward covers from Furnace Bridge in the north, Queen Victoria Road in the south, Old Road/Market Street in the east and … If any resident needs any assistance with any issue please get in touch. Leaflets being printed shortly for door-to-door delivery with emergency contact details for supermarket and shopping volunteer, medical/medication, hot meal delivery and Council details. Contact details, 01554 749649, 07734 867588, JPJenkins@carmarthenshire.gov.uk VERIFIED
Stevie bee nurseries Pwll
Sacks of potatoes 20 kg and 25 kg carrots parsnips Swedes cabbage cauliflowers leeks onions beetroot small bags of potatoes open 10 till 4 Monday to Friday or call Steve on 07866847677 free delivery for the elderly Llanelli Burry Port. VERIFIED

Tyisha Food Bank , Tyisha Councillors are here to help. If you don’t have food, either phone or private message us. If you are able to collect we will get a food parcel ready or we can deliver in emergencies. Let’s all stay safe but remember to help each other if we can Contact Cllr Suzy Curry 0756 156 456 Contact Cllr Andre McPherson 07583 525635. VERIFIED

Llangennech Community Centre, elderly people within Llangennech, support with Prescription collection, basic provisions etc. My name is Alan (assistant caretaker in the community centre) My number is 07976612627, Available most times if not available will call back. VERIFIED

Coop Llangennech, Afon Rd, Llangennech, Llanelli SA14 8TS, 01554 820202 offering shopping and delivery via local volunteers.VERIFIED

Pontyberem Community Council, 18 Coalbrook Rd, Pontyberem, Llanelli SA15 5HU, 07415355659 , Eryl Pelow Community council offering help with shopping, goods delivery, emotional support etc, has list of volunteers to help. Pontyberem and Bancfosfelin, Pontyates cyngorcymunedpontyberem@gmail.com, contact anytime. VERIFIED

Post Office and Stores Fforest, Pontardulais, We would like to take this opportunity to tell all our loyal elderly customers without family or able friends, that should the need to self-isolate become necessary, please don’t feel lonely we are happy to deliver essential goods to you, got a good band of volunteers ready to deliver, 01792 882378, 7.30 am – 6.00pm. VERIFIED
John’s Fish and Chip shop Llanelli 01554 774075 Offering a delivery service to everyone, OAP special and free delivery for the elderly. Times of delivery 11am till 2.30pm – 4.30 till 10 pm. VERIFIED

Bird in Hand Fforest, 24 Carmarthen Rd, Fforest, Swansea SA4 0TU, 01792 828282, Takeaway meals and home deliveries.

Nannies Kitchen, 01792 883861, 42 Bryngwili Rd, Hendy, Swansea SA4 0XA, Takeaway and home delivery or hot meals. 8.00am – 3.00pm

Community Café Hendy, 07824999332, Hendy Library, Iscoed Road, SA4 0UP, Takeaway and home deliveries. 8.0am – 6.00pm.

Family Shopper, Pontardulais, Swansea SA4 8SZ, 0739 2061936, Home deliveries groceries. 7.00am – 10.00pm.

Richie’s Meats, Felinfoel (Butcher). Farmers Row, Felinfoel, Llanelli SA14 8LA, Can take orders over the phone 01554 774695 and will deliver within Llanelli and surrounding areas.  Payment can be taken over the phone. 9.00am-5.00pm  VERIFIED
Sewards Fruit & Veg Market stall, Llanelli, Fruit Can take orders over the phone 01554 757819 and will deliver.

CARMARTHENHSHIRE
Goldies Cymru we want to try and do everything we can to help people feel connected, and continue to brighten up the day with a Goldies Mini Sing & Smile session once a week through our Facebook page.  We want to encourage everyone who can to tune in, join in, sing-a-long.  Many of our ageing community are now on Facebook and we hope to reach as many people as possible. http://www.facebook.com/goldiescymru

Every week we will have either a pre-recorded Mini session or a LIVE session, as well as other posts throughout the coming weeks to engage with those that are lonely and isolated.  We hope that people will join in with us, send in requests, comment and share our posts and videos to help keep the Goldies and wider community feel connected at this time.

Carmarthen Food, online food from local producers for collection and in some cases delivery, see website for current information, products from bread, eggs, meat, soaps, fish and seafood, veg and fruit, flour, honey and jams and much more all from local people https://carmarthenfood.com/

FACEBOOK LINKS TO COVID 19 SUPPORT FOR OLDER PEOPLE

Age Cymru Sir Gar: https://www.facebook.com/Age-Cymru-Sir-Gar-237052943365286/
Information, Advice & a Listening Ear. What we don’t know, we’ll try our best to find out for you, keeping you connected with your community.

Carmarthenshire Covid-19 support group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/827580067719862/

Carmarthenshire West & South Pembrokeshire Covid 19 Support Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/231551228021854/

Pembrokeshire COVID-19 Support Network
https://www.facebook.com/groups/pembscovid19/

Pembrokeshire Covid-19 Action & Support Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/506992673209298/

Lampeter Corona Virus Support Group COVID 19
https://www.facebook.com/groups/710463783094284/

Ceredigion Covd 19 Support Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/CeredigionCoronavirusSupport/

Laugharne Township Community Council volunteer plan
https://www.facebook.com/LaugharneTCC/

Pontyberem Community Council are arranging home deliveries for those Self isolating. 01269 871075

Pontyberem Community Park Association: Offering free meals on week days for children. https://www.facebook.com/pontyberemcommunityparkassociation/

LLanybydder Community Suppport
https://www.facebook.com/Llanybydder-Community-Support-107818794184724/

Corona virus Llanelli support Page
https://www.facebook.com/coronavirusllanelli/

Connect 2 Kindness, community information shared from FaceBook.
https://www.facebook.com/Connect2Kindness/

Amman Valley support for Corona virus, sharing information and support offers
https://www.facebook.com/groups/342905956650233/about/

Llansadwrn Church

Services Cancelled

Comment
Eglwys Llansadwrn church Carmarthenshire Sir Gar

All church services have been cancelled until further notice, but please feel welcome to enter the church, anytime you wish, for quiet thought or meditation. There are some copies of prayer sheets there, printed for use at this difficult time – feel free to help yourself but do remember to take them home with you.

As with all activities at this time, please take all sensible precautions: keeping the recommended distance from others, and maintaining hand hygiene by frequent hand washing, or by using gel if this is not practical.

Please do not leave home if you have any symptoms, e.g., continuous cough or temperature. If you begin to feel unwell whilst in church, then please return home immediately.

Please join us, and people across the nation, in an act of prayer and hope this Sunday, the 22nd March, by lighting a candle in your window at 7pm. This will act as a visible symbol of the Light of Life, and of our prayerful hope for the days ahead.

Sermons

A Shem Story for Mothering Sunday 2020

Comment

I can’t tell you how sad Shem was when I said there was no Rainbow Church because of coronavirus. Mothering Sunday is one of his favourite days in the whole year.
‘Why do you like this Sunday so much, Shem?’ I asked.
‘It’s the Sunday when I can tell my best joke,’ he said.
I had a funny feeling I wasn’t going to like his answer to my next question, but I pressed on regardless. ‘What’s your best joke, Shem?’
‘It’s when I say “I love you, Mum. There’ll never be another ewe”.’
I groaned. ‘And what does your mum say?’
She says, ‘There’ll never be another Shem!’
‘I think your mum is right. You are one in a million. So, tell me, Shem, why do you get to tell your special joke on this Sunday?’
He looked at me in astonishment. ‘You’re a vicar. Surely you know that today is Mothering Sunday? That’s when we say thank you to our mums.’
‘Yes, Shem, you’re right. Mothering Sunday is very special. Years ago, when your great-great-great-grandmother was young, everybody used to try to go back to their home church, their mother church, for Mothering Sunday, even if they were living miles and miles away. Some of the young women, especially if they were working as servants, used to bake a special cake for their mums called a . . . ’
‘A simple cake,’ said Shem. ‘I know. I’m making one later on. The recipe looks really easy.’
‘I’m not sure about that, Shem,’ I said, ‘A simnel cake can be quite complicated. There are lots of ingredients. It’s called a simnel cake, not a simple cake, because simnel is an old word for flour.’
I could see that Shem was working up to another joke involving flowers, so I kept going. ‘Are you going to put anything on the top of your cake?’
‘Yes,’ he said. ‘Some possels.’
‘Possels?’ I said and then I realised that he meant ‘apostles’. ‘Quite right. We usually put eleven or twelve little balls of marzipan on top of the cake to remind us of Jesus’s apostles, the friends who worked with him. Now you’re going to have to be quiet for a bit while I tell you today’s story.’
Shem looked down at his feet. That’s usually a sign that he’s ready to listen so I knew I was safe to begin.
‘You remember, don’t you, that Jesus had twelve special friends?’
Shem nodded.
‘They were the apostles, the friends Jesus trusted. One of them was called Judas. We don’t know why, but he betrayed Jesus to the leaders of the Temple. The Temple guards came and arrested Jesus and then he was put to death on a cross.’
‘Is that why there are only eleven balls of marzipan on the cake?’ said Shem. ‘Because Judas did something bad?’
‘Yes, that’s right, but some people still put twelve balls to remember poor Judas as well. He was very sorry for what he had done.’
Shem looked thoughtful. ‘When I do something bad and say I’m sorry, my mum says she forgives me.’
‘That’s right, Shem. Whatever we have done, if we are really, really sorry, then God will forgive us. So how many marzipan balls are you going to put on your cake?’
‘Twelve,’ said Shem firmly. ‘One for Judas too. Are you going to get on with the story now?’
‘Of course,’ I said. ‘Today’s story* is about something that happened when Jesus was dying. One of his special friends, John, one of the apostles, was standing near the Cross to keep him company. Jesus’s mother, Mary, was standing there as well. It must have been very hard for both of them. And then Jesus did a wonderful thing. He told John to look after Mary, and Mary to treat John as her own son. And that’s what they did. John looked after Mary by taking her into his own home. They really looked after each other. And that is what we should do too, especially at this time when people are getting sick. We need to be extra kind to each other and make sure that everybody is looked after.’
‘Can we say prayers for people, and for the nurses and the doctors?’
‘I think that would be very good, Shem. Would you like to say a prayer now?’
And this is Shem’s prayer:
‘Thank you, God, for all the nurses and the doctors who are caring for people in hospital. Thank you for our mums and thank you for our families. Please, God, keep them safe and help us to remember that we are all your family. Help us to be kind to everybody. Amen.’

*John 19. 25-27

Sermons

MOTHERING SUNDAY 2020

Comment

The village of Eyam in Derbyshire is famous for the heroic action it took nearly three centuries ago when an outbreak of bubonic plague afflicted the community. At the time plague was rife in London, where the infection was spread by fleas. It was carried to Eyam in a flea-ridden bale of cloth sent to a tailor’s workshop.

Because the cloth felt rather damp when it was unpacked, it was spread out to dry by the fire, thereby releasing its unwelcome inhabitants. The tailor’s apprentice died within a week and after several more deaths the village turned to the vicar and his Puritan predecessor for advice.

They decided on a radical strategy. No one was to enter or leave the village but instead a ring of stones was set which acted as a cordon sanitaire. Food and supplies were deposited at the boundary where villagers left money in a bowl of vinegar.

Instead of worshipping in the church, outdoor services were held so that a safe distance could be observed between worshippers. Over the course of fourteen months many of the villagers died but their quarantine arrangements meant that the plague did not spread beyond the village.

We live in difficult times. The corona virus pandemic has brought out the best and the worst in people. On the one hand we hear of panic buying which has led to supermarket shelves being emptied as people stockpile essential goods. On the other hand, medical staff up and down the country are daily risking their own safety to test and care for people infected with the virus.

And there are individual heroes, such as the Chinese doctor who first raised the alarm and who was accused of spreading an anti-social lie until the authorities could no longer deny the truth of what he was saying; sadly he lost his life after becoming infected with corona virus.

The Chinese authorities have subsequently been praised by the World Health Organisation for the radical measures they took to try to prevent the spread of infection. In the process many people have had to sacrifice their individual liberty for the sake of the wider community.

This is maybe not the jolliest of addresses on Mothering Sunday but our readings today all speak in one way or another about family and family responsibilities. The Old Testament reading tells the story of Hannah, who was desperate for a child and prayed for a son whom she would give up to God to be a servant of the Temple. Her life had been blighted by childlessness so this was a sacrifice she was glad to make. God granted her prayer and Hannah kept her side of the bargain. When the time came for her little boy to be weaned, she gave him up to God’s service.

The Gospel reading involves a different kind of family situation. Here it is Jesus on the Cross, commending his mother and the beloved disciple to each other’s care. “‘Woman, here is your son,’ he says to Mary. And to John he says, ‘Here is your mother.’ And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.’” Jesus is offering himself for the wider human family, but he is still able to think about his own immediate family.

In the epistle, the New Testament reading, Paul talks about the virtues expected of individuals within the Christian family: compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.

The current crisis offers an opportunity for us to foster these values within our church family for the sake of our local community. Compassion and kindness are essential if vulnerable people are to be supported, whether they are isolated because they are in the ‘at risk’ group, or whether they are self-isolating because they are already sick. Fetching shopping or being at the end of the phone are two ways in which we can help.

It is a time when we should also exercise patience. People vary enormously in the way they react in a crisis and we should be patient with anybody whose dread of infection makes them a prisoner in their own home. They too need our compassion and our help.

It is a time for the community itself to develop cohesion and to rise above any disputes. ‘Above all clothe yourselves with love,’ Paul says, ‘which binds everything together in perfect harmony.’

We cannot afford to be anything other than united in the current crisis. It is not going to last for ever but it is unlikely to be over quickly, so we have ready to be in this for the long haul.

It is also an opportunity to do some personal housekeeping and try to resolve anything which might be holding us back in our spiritual lives. If there are people with whom, for whatever reason, we are at odds, this is the time to mend fences and build bridges. Christian ministers know that reconciliation is particularly important when life hangs by a thread. Do not let this opportunity pass you by if you need to say sorry to someone or, conversely, do not make it difficult for somebody to say sorry to you.

It is also a very good time to rediscover the importance of Bible reading if that is what we need to do. In the current enforced ‘leisure’ most of us should have ample time on our hands for the things which can sometimes get neglected in the midst of busy lives. It is also an opportunity to encourage those around us to consider the importance of their spiritual side. The pressure of the situation means that it might be easier than normal to have this kind of serious conversation.

Finally, let’s not forget the importance of prayer, not only our personal prayers but also prayer for others and for the needs of the whole world.

On this Mothering Sunday family comes first, but we need to enlarge our view of family to include not just our immediate relatives, but our extended human family and the ultimate and heavenly family to which we all belong.

Sermons

Lent 3 March 15 2020 John 4.4-45

Comment

In the course of our lives there are sometimes moments which, when we look back upon them, turn out to have been watersheds, turning points which changed our lives for ever. It might be meetingsomeone for the first time, or hearing a dramatic piece of news, or even experiencing a personal crisis. One thing l can almost guarantee: when something affects us that deeply it is generally speaking not a comfortable event, and sometimes it is deeply troubling.

I wonder what was going through the mind of the Samaritan woman in the story as she went to draw water at the well. Almost certainly it wasn’t something which filled her with joy! There was a reason why she was fetching water alone at the hottest point of the day. Normally this would have been a sociable activity, one which the women of the town would have done together but earlier in the day or later when the sun was lower in the sky.

The Samaritan woman however seems to be a bit of an outcast, which is hinted at by her dubious marital situation – five husbands and now a partner possibly married to another woman? But there are any number of reasons why she has had a string of men in her life.

Life expectancy could be brutally short and women were economically dependent upon men for their survival. But whatever her circumstances, the woman goes out to fetch water on her own at a time of day she knows that she is unlikely to meet anyone and therefore can avoid all those disapproving looks and unkind remarks.

To her surprise she finds someone already at the well, a man. It is an unlikely meeting. Now there are a number of reasons why Jesus should not have spoken to her. First and foremost, he is a Jew and she is a Samaritan, two closely related ethnic groups who, as so often happens in families, had become sworn enemies. Jews would normally make a detour to avoid Samaritan territory but instead Jesus takes the direct route.

Secondly, he is a man and should not have spoken to an unchaperoned woman. It is why his disciples are so shocked when they come back from their shopping trip to find them in lively conversation. But they know better than to ask questions for their master is anything but conventional. Here he is engaged in a conversation which will transform a social outcast into the very first evangelist. In the course of it, a teasing exchange with Jesus turns into the moment of truth for the woman when she finds herself coming clean about her marital situation. It is an uncomfortable moment. But she is intrigued by this
straight-talking stranger with the offer of miraculous water that gives eternal life, and the revelation that he is the promised Messiah.

The Samaritan woman may not realise it as she rushes back to tell the townspeople what has just happened to her, but this encounter has released her from her captivity and isolation. And when she tells her neighbours that Jesus knew all about her, they are clearly impressed enough to find out for themselves. They certainly don’t dismiss her testimony and are so convinced by the power of her testimony and the conviction with which she delivers it that they go out to see Jesus for themselves.

She is the catalyst that hooks their interest until they have had a personal experience of Jesus. Once that happens her work is done though l can’t imagine that it is the end of her career as an evangelist.

Well that’s her side of the story, but what about Jesus? Was it chance that led him to the well outside the city of Sychar? Was it chance that he was sitting there exhausted, alone in the heat of the day? Was it chance that made him ask for a drink of water from the lone woman coming to the well?

And what about the conversation between them?

Jesus steers it expertly so that the woman is led to the point where she has to say that she has no husband. Notice that Jesus doesn’t criticise her. It seems that his insight into her situation is enough to convince her that she is in the presence of someone very special, someone about whom it is not unreasonable to ask the question: can this really be the Messiah? It seems to me that Jesus knew exactly what he was doing throughout the episode. This was mission, spreading the word through the most effective means.Person to person. Not through some kind of specially selected religious person with impeccable moral and theological credentials, but through someone on the margins, someone who has seen a bit of life and is no doubt carrying the bruises.

A few weeks ago our student minister Heulwen shared with us something of her experience on placement in a charismatic church in Bristol. Their worship differed radically from ours – no formal liturgy, little use of scripture in services – but lots of emphasis on uplifting music and on real-life stories, testimonies from people willing to share their experience of Jesus. The value of testimony is that it is real. It is that person to person transmission that was the mark of the early church. Testimony, real-life stories about the way that Jesus changes lives, puts flesh and blood onto the bones of formal liturgy, just as the vision of Ezekiel showed the valley of dry bones becoming animated with the breath of life as they gained flesh and substance.

Somehow we have got to be able to communicate our experience of a living God, rather than tending dry bones of old creeds and practices. I don’t think we are going to be replacing the organ with a band any time soon or holding services two hours long with 30 minutes of hymn singing at either end, but the key to the worship witnessed by Heulwen was the focus on the Holy Spirit. I sometimes think of the Spirit as a potential electrical charge flowing unseen but powerful, waiting for the invitation of the on-switch. I think we need to start switching onto the grid and praying for renewal and revival.

Asking for opportunities to share our faith in ways that are meaningful to people for whom God seems distant at best, at worst, non-existent. So let us pray as hard as we can for the Holy Spirit to intervene in our current situation and give us new strength and new enthusiasm to share our faith – even if that has to be at the end of a phone! If the outcast woman at the well can do it, then so can we!