At the monthly Benefice service at St. Mary's Church, the congregation were delighted to receive what at first appeared to be a free gift, generously distributed by the children of the Sunday Funday Club!

As the service progressed, however, it became clear that the old adage of 'you never get something for nothing' became apparent!

Our curate, Rev. Alex Grace, delivered a thought-provoking address, with the willing help of the children, concerning the varied and special personal gifts which we all possess and the practical gifts we may give to and receive from others.

She spoke further about the unique gift of Jesus waiting for all who wish to accept the invitation to receive Him into their life and the way in which His love and forgiveness is freely available to all.

Chocolate featured as a popular present many enjoy receiving and at this point Team Vicar, Rev. Robb Wainwright stepped forward and shared the good news that each member of the congregation was about to receive a tube of mini chocolate eggs or Smarties! This is where the deal was explained!

As part of our support for the Church in Wales' Plant Dewi charity, all those receiving the chocolate were invited to eat it up before Ash Wednesday and then fill up the tubes with 20 pence pieces during Lent! If undertaken correctly, this should amount to around £15 and £20, respectively, for the tubes previously holding the eggs and Smarties.

An 'eggcellent' plan which could produce a total of £1,500 for the charity, which works to support needy children and families throughout the principality.

A coffee morning to further support Plant Dewi is being held tomorrow (Saturday), from 10 am to noon in Church House.

During December, a further significant donation was made to Ty Hafan Children's Hospice. As a result of profit obtained from contributions for the memorial candles, a cheque for £5,000 was sent from St. Mary's.

At the beginning of Sunday's service, the Rector, Rev. Canon Andrew Davies, presented specially commissioned vestments to two groups of church members who undertake the task of delivering the Holy Eucharist in church and within the wider community. This includes visiting parishioners who are housebound and elderly or infirm church members who now live in one of the residential homes in the local area. Rev. Andrew blessed the beautiful red vestments and expressed his thanks and appreciation to the Ps and Es for the great support which they all offer to the clergy and to church members.

The entire service was made all the more uplifting and enjoyable by the special choral and musical contributions offered by the church choir and the ever-expanding orchestra. The motet, 'Blest are the pure in heart' and the voluntary, 'How brightly gleams the morning star' were very much appreciated by the members of the congregation.

This week sees another meeting of the ever-shrinking Soupermen. It may be a traumatic event for some, as a weigh-in is planned! Whilst their waistlines diminish, it is hoped that the sponsorship funds expand with ever-increasing speed in order to raise as much as possible for PATCH. This local charity will also benefit from funds raised at a future coffee morning, to be held at The Esplanade Hotel on Saturday, February 16, from 10 am -noon, coinciding with the new seasonal opening of the hotel's excellent tearoom.