A wet and windy morn, but a large congregation had gathered at St. Mary's for the family service of The Presentation of Christ at the Temple. The service began with the processional hymn 'Of the Father's heart begotten.'

Rev. Michael John warmly welcomed all to the morning Eucharist in his curiously husky voice. He admitted it was not the result of the flu or a cold but the result of uproar and jubilation on the Welsh rugby win the previous day.

He thanked all who had supported the Plant Dewi coffee morning with a reminder that Lenten booklets 'Love Life, Live Lent' were available for a £1.00 at the north door. Mrs. Valerie Paley read the first reading from the Book of Malachi and Mrs. Nicole Evans read the second reading from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews. Rev. Michael read the third reading from the Gospel of Luke. The first born male of every house was brought to Jerusalem and presented to the Lord at the Temple.

Simeon, a devout and righteous man, had been visited by the Holy Spirit and told that he would not die until he had seen the Lord's Messiah. When Mary and Joseph brought their son to the Temple, Simeon cradled the child, Jesus, and said to the Lord: "Master now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace for mine eyes have seen your salvation." The children of Sunday Club then sang 'This little light of mine.' This was accomplished with much joy and gusto.

Michael then invited a guest and visitor, Mr. Ron Baker to relate a story. Mr. Baker is from Ontario, Canada, and when he worked for Ontario County Mobile Library, he would visit outlying towns and villages and ring the library bell and children would gather around for his stories.

Mr. Baker related the story of 'The Selfish Giant' by Oscar Wilde.

The children of the town would play in the giant's garden. This was a beautiful garden filled with blossom trees and flowers. In spring, it was full of green promise, summer brought colour and blooms, autumn brought ripeness and harvest, whilst winter brought silver frost on grass and boughs. "How lucky we are," the children would say. After seven years, the giant returned and stopped the children from playing in his garden. He built a large wall around it to stop them coming in. The giant arose one day and couldn't understand why it was always winter in this garden. "You are too selfish," said spring. One morning, he heard a noise, he looked out of his window and saw blossoms and colour, the birds had returned and there was music everywhere. Then he saw that the children were in the garden and that spring had arrived. One corner was still winter, so the giant went to see why. He saw a little child crying under a tree. Because his tears blinded him, the child didn't realise it was the giant next to him. The giant gently picked up the child and the child kissed him. At this moment, the giant realised why spring never came, he would destroy the wall and allow the children to play. He would watch the children play but he never again saw the little boy. A while later, the giant was walking around the garden and saw the boy in the far corner. He ran to him and noticed that the boy had wounds in his hands and on his forehead. "Who has harmed thee?" said the giant. The giant was so shocked that he lay down and died. The boy replied: "These are the wounds of love, you once let me play in your garden, now you will play in my garden forever for my garden is paradise." Mr. Baker, a wonderful storyteller, mesmerised his audience, children and adults alike, and received rapt attention.

The story was followed by prayers by members of Sunday Club. The offertory hymn was 'Christ whose glory fills the skies.' This was followed by the Eucharist, during which the choir sang 'O Gladsome Light.' The final hymn was 'Immortal, invisible God only wise.' During Lent, there will be Lenten lunches at Church House. The first will be on Wednesday, February 13 at noon. A series of Compline and Addresses will take place every Wednesday at St. Mary's at 7.30 pm. There will be meetings of the Lenten group at 9 Lamack Vale on Thursdays at 7.30 pm.

On Sunday, February 10, there will be a rehearsal for the servers at 2 pm at St. Mary's. The PCC will meet on Tuesday, February 26, at 7.30 pm.