Minister’s message: A place of rest and sanctuary

In the year 604, writes Rev James Gatherer, the Welsh Prince Brochwel of Powys was hunting for hares at Pennant when his hounds ran into a thicket of thorns and came across a beautiful woman kneeling in prayer with the hare hiding in the folds of her cloak.

The Prince called upon the dogs to snatch their prey but they slowly slinked away from the praying hermit. He asked the young woman to tell her story and Melangell explained that she was an Irish Princess who had fled from an arranged marriage and now lived a solitary life for the LORD.

Brochwel was amazed and granted her land so that she could build a sanctuary for both people and animals.

Today the 12th century church at Pennant Melangell has traditions going back to the 8th century. Until a hundred years ago locals refused to kill hares. For centuries Melangell’s was a place of refuge for those looking for rest.

Many of us are looking for our own place of rest and sanctuary and the Lord Jesus promised that whenever two or three are gathered together in his name they would find their true place of rest and belonging.

‘Ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.’
Matthew 7 : 7

• Image: Melangell from Mid Wales My Way