Christ Church Roath Park

04/09/2026

This Sunday: 6 September

10am All Age Eucharist
With blessing of backpacks
Fr Orion presiding and preaching

6pm Holy Communion
in traditional language
From the Book of Common Prayer 1984
Led by Fr Orion

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Image: Johnson, William H., 1901-1970. Going to Church, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt University Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://act.library.vanderbilt.edu/artworks/58036 [retrieved September 4, 2026]. Original source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Going_to_Church,_by_William_H._Johnson.jpg.
Dear Christ Church Community,

The art of failure

As we gather week by week we begin by declaring that we meet 'Yn enw'r Tad, a'r Mab, a'r Ysbryd Glân': In the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit. We say 'amen,' affirming that we are a people who, in the Spirit’s power, follow the way of the Son to our Heavenly Father.

Yet we all know that calling ourselves Christians is easier than living it out — and at times we all fail. Our own shortcomings lead us to stumble again and again, while the shortcomings of other Christians may hurt us directly and embarass us.

Are we prepared to take the risk of pointing out the failings of others? Even more difficult, are you and I willing to have the humility to hear and learn from those who point out our blind spots, weaknesses, and failings? As we prepare to gather tomorrow, let’s take a moment today to recognise our own need for forgiveness, our desire to persevere as disciples of Jesus, and our need to grow in self-knowledge. Bring that with you to Church, and see what happens!

As ever,
Fr Orion

30/08/2026

🎒Happy new school year! 🎒 🍎✏️📚🎓👩‍🏫

We're asking blessings for all those going back to school this week — and those starting a new job in this season!

Join us next Sunday to mark the start of the new school year — with prayers for all those starting or returning to school, and a chance to have a blessing on your school / work / daily bag!

09/08/2026

Last Sunday we had a visit from Andrea and Peter on their wedding anniversary — they were married at Christ Church in 1969. They were joined by Karl, who was baptised at Christ Church in 1973, and sent us a few photos. Congratulations Peter and Andrea — come back and see us again soon!

07/08/2026

This Sunday: 9 August — The Tenth Sunday after Trinity

10am Parish Communion
Fr Orion presiding; Eleanor preaching

6pm Evening Worship
Led by Fr Orion

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Merciful Ears

It was thanks to the tenacity of a make-up artist, Fred Phillips, that Mr. Spock had pointed ears. On the day that filming for ‘Star Trek’ started, he finally sourced ears for Leonard Nimoy that he was happy with.

In this week’s Collect, ears are important, too. We ask, ‘Let your merciful ears, O Lord, be open to the prayers of your humble servants’. Live long and prosper!

Warm regards,

Eleanor

01/08/2026

This Sunday's gospel reading is the story of the feeding of the 5000 from Matthew 14.13-21

31/07/2026

This Sunday: 2 August
The Ninth Sunday after Trinity

10am All Age Eucharist
Fr Orion presiding and preaching

6pm Holy Communion
in traditional language
From the Book of Common Prayer 1984
Led by Canon Alison

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Hungry?

In our All-Age service tomorrow we'll read the story of Jesus Feeding the 5,000 — for many it's one of those stories that we have heard so many times that it had become dulled with repetition. As I've chewed over it this week, I notice that the crowd are hungry, because they have left whatever they were doing before to come and listen to Jesus in a remote place.

And it's because they are hungry that God is able to feed them. What do you hunger for? I find my hunger dulled by the spiritual 'Junk food' that is part of our modern way of life — the 'empty calories' of comfort and entertainment filling me up but not really satisfying. What about you? What would take to feel our hunger for God more readily?

I look forward to being with you tomorrow.

As ever,
Fr Orion

Image: Reid, Patricia. Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes, detail, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt University Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://act.library.vanderbilt.edu/artworks/55893 [retrieved July 31, 2026]. Original source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jimforest/5125264193.

28/07/2026

24/07/2026

This Sunday: 26 July
The Eighth Sunday after Trinity

10am Parish Communion
With prayers for Healing and Wholeness
Fr Orion presiding and preaching

6pm Evening Worship
Led by Canon Alison

Image: JESUS MAFA. The Hidden Treasure, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt University Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://act.library.vanderbilt.edu/artworks/48286 [retrieved July 23, 2026]. Original source: librairie-emmanuel.fr

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All In

In this Sunday's gospel, Jesus gives us four pictures of the 'kingdom of heaven' in quick succession — it's like a tiny mustard seed, that grows up to be the biggest of trees; it's like a spoonful of flour in a massive sack of wheat, leavening the whole lot. It's like treasure buried in a field, that someone buys by selling everything they have; it's like a merchant selling everything they have to buy a fine pearl. It seems a tiny thing, yet it's worth everything.

It's a bigger story, and richer than one simple analogy can capture. But in all these pictures, we see that God's kingdom — the place where God's will is done — come through small, seemingly insignificant things that bring about a massive change. In Jesus God gave his own life for ordinary people like you and me. What have you given up in return? What more does he ask of you? If you'll go 'all in' with God, you'll find yourself in on the adventure of life in all its fullness.

I look forward to being with you tomorrow.

As ever,
Fr Orion